asked the Minister of Supply to which firm the arm titles made during the last war for wear by Russian nationals were recently sold for pulping.

It is contrary to established practice to publish the names of contractors.

Would the Minister help me to get a supply of these badges for presentation to certain Members of the Socialist Party, so that they can display their true colours?

It is too late: they have already been pulped.

Is the Minister aware that we began the last war by being enemies of the Russians, and that, at the end of the war, the Russians were our allies and helped us to attain military victory? As that might happen again, was he not rather premature to pulp these arm titles?

We could not foresee all eventualities.

asked the. Minister of Supply what is the value of the orders for woollen cloth which he is placing with manufacturers in Batley and in Morley.

It is not the practice to publish information which would be liable to disclose the value of orders placed with particular contractors. However, I can tell the hon. Member that manufacturers in Batley and Morley, in competition with other woollen manufacturers, have during the last fortnight tendered for substantial quantities of khaki serge.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that this is a matter of great importance to thousands of my constituents, and if he will give an assurance that, when decisions are reached for placing orders, he will not overlook these two towns?

Certainly.

What opportunities are given to firms in East Croydon to tender?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Minister of Supply, in view of the importance of the helicopter in peace and in war and the need for an acceleration in development and experimental work, what encouragement is being given to the production of 45-seater passenger and military 100-seater jet-driven rotor hover-planes.

Contracts have been given by the Ministry of Supply to appropriate firms for development work on large rotary winged aircraft.

Has any encouragement been given to the Westland Aircraft Company, which has designs for a 100-seater helicopter, because there seems to be a lack of encouragement of these aircraft, in view of the importance of helicopters, from Government sources? Can this be assimilated with the production of helicopters for other uses?

I do not want to give particulars about individual firms holding development contracts, but I can assure the hon. Member that the Government fully appreciate the importance of this development.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the estimated cost of running and maintaining the Telecommunications Research Department for the year 1952–53.

It is not desirable to give information of this kind about defence research establishments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, apart from radar research, there is also research in the telephone service taking place there? The figure can be given at Dollis Hill, and, surely, it can be provided.

As the hon. Gentleman will see from the answer to his next Question, the two establishments are quite different.

asked the Minister of Supply in what way the Telecommunication Research Station maintained by his Department differs in purpose from the Telecommunications Research Station at Dollis Hill of the General Post Office.

The Ministry of Supply Telecommunications Research Establishment undertakes research, development and design work on radar and other electronic equipment for the Royal Air Force and Naval Aviation. The Dollis Hill Research Station undertakes research in connection with the public telecommunications services of the General Post Office.

In view of that reply, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be better to change the name of the Department? Is he sure that the whole of the information he has given is correct?

The information is correct. If the hon. Gentleman has any suggestions about the re-baptism of the establishments, I shall be glad to consider them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman fully satisfied that there is an ample relationship between all the bodies that are studying telecommunications and electronics to see that there is not too much duplication and overlapping, and that there is a common exchange of knowledge?

There is no overlapping. The General Post Office does some work for the Services, and therefore it can be said that they are complementary.

Have the functions of these two establishments changed? If not, why does not the former Assistant Postmaster-General know what their functions are, without having to put Questions on the Order Paper?

asked the Minister of Supply what are the regulations concerning the offers of non-ferrous scrap for sale.

The principal regulations covering the sale of non-ferrous scrap metals are embodied in the Copper, Lead and Zinc Distribution Order, 1951, and the relevant Price Orders, as well as in Section 86 of the Public Health Amendment Act, 1907, and Section 13 of the Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is anything in these regulations to prevent a person buying or selling small quantities of scrap non-ferrous metal as my information is that below a certain quantity it is not possible either to buy or sell without committing a crime?

Yes, it is true that the Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871, limits the sale of small quantities of non-ferrous scrap—in the case of lead below 1 cwt. It does perhaps to some extent discourage people from handing in scrap because they do not obtain money for it, but, on the other hand, it has definitely been shown to discourage crime. It is a matter of weighing the one consideration against the other.

Now that we have a really progressive Government would it not be possible to do something about this in view of the fact that a constituent of mine was fined by the magistrates for breaking this fantastic and obsolete law?

Would the Minister take every step to make the sale of this scrap very difficult, as the Act deters the stripping of churches and schools of very valuable lead?

As I said, there are advantages and disadvantages on both sides and I am not yet sufficiently convinced that the advantages of repealing the provision outweigh the disadvantages.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how the estimated cost to the Exchequer of providing a 4s. family allowance for the first child and reducing the allowance of second and subsequent children to 4s. would compare with his proposals to raise the allowance for second and subsequent children to 8s., while continuing the policy of his predecessors in making no provision for the first child.

The proposal would cost about £116 million a year as compared with £102 million.

Since, admittedly, the first child is generally accepted as being the most expensive, and since the Chancellor of the Exchequer made it perfectly clear recently in debate that he did not object to an allowance for the first child in principle but only because of the excessive increase in cost entailed, is the Minister now prepared to reconsider that decision and thereby help to overcome the one blind spot in the Budget, namely, the family below Income Tax level with one child?

No, Sir. The purpose of the Family Allowance Act was to give assistance to the larger families, and the suggestion my hon. Friend has put forward, while costing more, would reduce the amount of the allowances payable to all those who have two or more children in receipt of allowances.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will allow the proposed increase in old age pensions to become effective from 1st May, 1952.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will ensure that the proposed increase in retirement pensions is made retroactive to cover increases in the cost of living since last September.

No, Sir. I think it would be impracticable to provide for the retrospective payment of increased benefits under an insurance scheme.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how, in view of the rapidly rising cost of living, old age pensioners are to be expected to live adequately between now and September?

As the hon. Member knows, a large number of retirement pensioners are in receipt of National Assistance which supplements their pensions at the present time, and they will obtain extra provision under the arrangements which have been announced.

Is the Minister aware of the delay which obviously must occur before he puts into operation the intended increase in pensions, which will be done round about October? Could not the right hon. Gentleman have anticipated that, since we have known for months that the pensions are to be increased? Could he not have brought them into operation earlier?

Exactly the same problem arose last year when the Socialist Administration were in office. This year we have to carry out even a bigger administrative operation and we are trying to do it in accordance with a very similar time-table to that which operated last year.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consult the Minister of Health and discover how he is making retrospective payments to the doctors and follow that example in the case of old age pensioners?

I cannot answer for that scheme, but under the Insurance Acts I think there were some 9 million order books to be taken in and to be re-issued between now and 1st October.

I fully appreciate the Minister's difficulties, but has the right hon. Gentleman appreciated that the Minister of Food has foreshadowed very heavy increases in the price of food and that that is why my hon. Friends are apprehensive in the matter? Does he appreciate that it would be grossly unjust to these pensioners to be subject to these heavy increases of prices before the Minister has been able to increase their pensions?

Between 1946, when the original pension scales came into operation, and 1951, when the right hon. Lady introduced her Bill, there was a very much larger increase in the cost of living than there has been in recent months.

asked the Minister of National Insurance to what extent his regulations permit National Assistance to be paid to persons without a permanent address.

There are no special regulations about these cases. They are dealt with by the Board's officers in the normal course of administration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in some cases the rules are interpreted to mean that no National Assistance can be given where the recipient is homeless? Would he look into any cases I might send to him?

I should be pleased to look into any cases, but there is no such rule, and at the Horsham outstation of the National Assistance Board, which, I think, is in my hon. Friend's constituency, five or six applications are made every month and assistance granted to persons who have no home address.

Would the Minister send out information to the National Assistance Board offices that such is his interpretation of the Act, because there is undoubtedly a ruling in practice in South Wales that if a person is homeless or has no permanent address no assistance can be given? I have had such cases brought to my notice.

I dare say that the answer to this Question will publicise the position, but I am assured by the Assistance Board that there is no such ruling in operation, as has been suggested.

Is the Minister aware that the Assistance Board have certain addresses on their black list? Is he aware that that means that if a genuine person goes to that address—I am thinking of some lodging houses—he is not allowed benefit by virtue of the fact that he is homeless until the most exhaustive inquiries are made? Is he aware that in many instances a genuine person has been badly affected by this and will he see that a more humane approach is made to this problem in the case of these people?

I am very well satisfied that there is a humane approach by the Assistance Board, but if the hon. Gentleman has any particular case or cases in mind perhaps he will let me know.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many widows under 50 years of age, and how many over 50 years of age, respectively, are receiving 10s. per week widow's pension.

Approximately 55,000 under 50 years of age, and 165,000 of 50 years of age or over.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the hardship experienced by many of these widows, particularly those over 50, many of whom are unable to work? Is he further aware that unless he alleviates the position by means of the Insurance Measure which he is introducing, these widows, many of whom are unable to work, will not qualify for anything beyond the 10s. which they are now getting? This is a serious problem; I know it is not of the right hon. Gentleman's making, but I ask him seriously to look into the matter with a view to assisting, if not the under 50s, at any rate the over 50s.

I am sure the hon. Gentleman appreciates that the 10s. widows' rate is a hangover from the old scheme, and that corresponding widows under the new scheme would for the most part not receive a pension at all. These widows are, for the most part, in employment and these are entitled to all the benefits for unemployment, sickness, and so on, under the new Acts, and on attaining 60 they will automatically obtain the higher rate of pension.

Yes, but would the Minister look into the problem, because many widows are unable to work after 50 years of age—I am sure that other Members also know of these cases—and unless something is done for them they cannot possibly qualify for the increased widows' pension?

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that on 22nd October, 1951, there were 144,000 persons in receipt of standard or additional days' benefit with 35,000 in receipt of extended benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, and that on 18th February, 1952, the comparable figures were 250,000 and 36,000, respectively; and what action he proposes to take to increase the unemployment insurance benefits so that these people may not suffer undue financial hardship.

I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of the Family Allowances and National Insurance Bill presented to this House on 22nd April.

While appreciating that this Measure will bring about some amelioration, may I ask if the Minister is aware that since this Government have been in power there has been a rapid rise in the cost of living? Will he not try to do something further if only to offset the defects of the Budget on these poor unemployed people?

I can only inform the hon. Gentleman that, as I feel sure he is aware, for the first time since these unemployment benefit rates became operative in 1948, they are being increased by the present Government approximately to the extent of 25 per cent. on the existing rates.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that since this Government have been in office there has been a very steady rise in the value of the £?

Is the Minister aware that if a man is unemployed and is not getting any money at all, the value of the £ does not affect him?

asked the Minister of National Insurance what benefits are available to employed contributors who were over 65 years of age on 5th July, 1948, and who were not insurably employed before that date.

Only those payable in respect of industrial injuries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the scheme is providing a fair and honest return for the rather substantial contributions which are having to be paid in respect of the small but deserving category of public-spirited people who are still at work?

So far as the employee is concerned, the industrial injury benefits are the only ones for which persons who were over 65 in July, 1948, make a contribution. They are getting the benefit to which they themselves made a contribution.

Yes, but can the Minister say how much is being paid to the Exchequer by way of contribution in respect of these people? Several shillings a week are being paid for which neither the employee nor the employer get any return whatsoever.

Nothing has been paid to the Exchequer, but contributions are being paid to the Insurance Fund by the employer. That was a safeguard against employers giving preference to the employment of elderly workers over persons of ordinary working age.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what negotiations have taken place with foreign Commonwealth and Colonial Governments in the matter of old age pensions, free or assisted medical services, and similar benefits.

A reciprocal agreement covering contributory old age pensions and certain other cash benefits has been concluded with France, and a similar agreement with Italy is awaiting ratification. Agreements on unemployment, sickness and maternity benefits have been reached with the Irish Republic, and an agreement on family allowances with New Zealand. A multilateral agreement providing for medical care for persons without sufficient resources has been concluded between the Brussels Treaty countries and another is being negotiated in the Council of Europe. Negotiations for bilateral agreements on various social security benefits are taking place with the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Federal Republic of Germany, and on old age pensions with Australia and New Zealand.

Can my right hon. Friend say if there is any country which a Briton may visit for a long or a short time where he will get free medical service?

I cannot answer that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he can inform his hon. Friend that there is at least one country where a Briton can get free medical attention, and that is the U.S.S.R.?

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider stopping the bulk purchase of dried fruit from Greece, in view of the failure of the central currant office to prevent it arriving in a dirty and damaged condition.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. S. Marshall) on Monday, 21st April.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend appreciate that I am aware of those answers and have studied them, but that my Question is from a somewhat different angle? Is he not aware that bulk buying in itself results in damage through too great storing of fruit in make-shift sheds and, further, that dirt and dust from Mediterranean countries—as any soldier will testify—is neither pleasant nor healthy in food?

I agree with the latter part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question; but last year was a particularly bad one from the point of view of the Greek harvest. Much of the fruit was in a deteriorating and damaged condition. Claims have been lodged by my Ministry to obtain redress; but the trouble was due to a particularly bad harvest and the great amount of rain which interfered very much with the crops.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that many families are unable now to purchase to the full extent of their rations due to rising prices; and what steps he intends to take to restore the ability to these families to purchase in full the ration allowed.

There is no evidence to suggest that the modest increase in the prices of rationed foods since October has affected the extent to which they are being bought.

Is the Minister aware that this Question applies particularly to the inability of people to purchase their rations of bacon? Is he aware that there is evidence in shops in working-class areas that bacon is now piling up, and will he see that the price is reduced, so that this important working-class commodity can be purchased by those who would like to eat it?

The actual increase in the price of rationed commodities since 31st October of last year totals 2¼d. a week and the latest figures on the take-up of bacon, which go up to the week ending 5th April, show that 100 per cent. was taken up.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the retail price index for food rose 22 points between the General Election of 1950 and the General Election of 1951, that it has risen only 4 points since then, and that we are making efforts to bring in legislation to compensate those who are hardest hit? Can we therefore count on the support of the Opposition in putting this legislation on to the Statute Book?

Is the Minister aware that 3s. 10d. a lb. for bacon and 4s. 1d. for ham is completely outside the range of a working-class family's budget?

I answered the Question which the hon. Lady asked me about the increase in the price of rationed commodities. The total increase per week on rationed commodities since October is 2¼d.

asked the Minister of Food what items of food it is his intention to increase in price; when these increases will apply; and when he anticipates introducing his policy of complete de-rationing and decontrol.

As regards the first two parts of the Question, the items to be increased and the dates of the increases will be announced at the appropriate time. As regards the last part, in the long run I hope to de-ration all foods but hope of early progress in this direction must, of course, be tempered by our general balance of payments difficulties and in some cases by the supply prospects.

Is the Minister aware that at a private meeting of Tories last week he said that the effect of his policy was to increase food prices and de-ration and decontrol? Is he aware that if he carries that policy out the poor will not be getting their rations, which will be bought by the rich, who will then be getting more than their share?

In the speech I made last week I said what my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said when he opened his Budget in which he forecast that some prices would rise as a result of the subsidy policy.

asked the Minister of Food why he refuses to permit the import of two consignments of 10,000 tons of sugar and 2,400 tons of Argentine prime pork, now waiting at Hamburg for export to this country on a sterling basis, in return for which, textiles and other British goods are being sought.

Because of exchange considerations and of price, which in the case of the sugar is excessive.

Is the Minister not aware that there are large consignments of British goods waiting to be exchanged for these goods, and that these are sterling sales? Is he aware that the sugar content of this consignment alone represents ½lb. sugar per head of our people, and will he not try to facilitate the arrival of this consignment in this country?

The difficulty is that any transaction of this character has to be made through E.P.U. and it may be that 80 per cent. of the payment will have to be in gold. As far as my information goes, both the pork and the sugar were originally bought for United States dollars with a low rate of sterling. It is not in the country's interest, particularly at this time, to allow sterling to be sold at a discount in the free market.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now received the report of the technical committee that has been considering the future of the Kings-way tram subway; and if he will make a statement.

No, Sir. The committee have a difficult question to consider and I do not expect their report for at least a month.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make regulations of general application about the use and quantity of parking lights on parked vehicles in view of the varying practice throughout the country.

The law requires vehicles standing at night on roads, other than parking places where the police authority has consented to the parking of vehicles without lights, to carry two lamps (one for bicycles and invalid carriages) showing a white light to the front and one lamp showing a red light to the rear, all of which must be visible from a reasonable distance.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in various parts of the country a parking light affixed to a car which shows a white light in one direction and a red light to the rear is considered adequate by the police, whereas there are other areas in which the police take exception to one parking light being exhibited? Could there not be some co-ordination between the various authorities in different parts of the country so that a motorist does not go to the expense of affixing a parking light, which is regarded as satisfactory in his area, only to discover that it is not satisfactory in other parts of the country?

The hon. Gentleman is quite right. The police have powers to exercise discretion at authorised street car-parks and it would require legislation to alter that situation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now authorise the erection of the footbridge over the railway at Goole to enable the new Kingsway school to be easily accessible.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply which my hon. Friend gave the hon. Member on 7th April.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this school is rapidly nearing completion and that, according to a reply which I had from the Minister of Education last week, will be ready soon after Whitsun'? Is he aware that the education authority will not allow the school to be opened until there are satisfactory arrangements for the children to cross the railway line? Is this an example of Government planning under the new Administration, where one Minister builds the school and another Minister will not build a bridge to allow the children to get to it?

The hon. Gentleman knows there are many factors to be considered here. I wrote to him over the week-end. Perhaps he will be good enough to study the letter I sent to him.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, where an orange-coloured beacon is in position by a zebra crossing, he will give instructions for it to be painted white or some other colour distinctive from that used at the former pedestrian crossings so that drivers in heavy traffic may have warning of their approach to such crossings.

I do not think that there would be any advantage in departing from the yellow colour prescribed for these beacons. This is now well known and is distinctive as a warning. It would be confusing to change it.

Is my hon. Friend aware that many existing yellow beacons now relate to the old crossings and have no significance in relation to the new crossings? Does he not think it would be desirable to have a distinctive colour for use at the zebra crossings, because they cannot be easily picked out in heavy traffic?

No evidence has reached the Department of any public feeling in this matter, and I think that the matter should remain where it is for the time being.

asked the Minister of Transport why the increased railway charges confirmed by the Transport Tribunal order of 27th February, 1952, which were to operate from 1st May. 1952, have been deferred; what is the estimated loss to the revenue involved in this decision and how it is proposed to make up the deficit to the Transport Commission.

The reasons for the direction were explained in the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21st April. The loss of revenue involved is at the rate of £2.1 million a year. The actual amount will depend on when and to what extent the increased charges are brought into operation, but will in any case be small in relation to the total revenue of the Commission. It is not proposed to recoup the Commission from Exchequer funds.

The Minister says that the amount will be small but, as the Commission have reminded us, there is already a deficit in the railway accounts. Is it not proposed to do something about this loss in the meantime? Can the Minister give us any idea when they are going to make up their minds about it? I know that he is awaiting the Report, but this is a very substantial matter for the Commission.

I have no doubt that this is one of the matters which the House will discuss later in the day.

asked the Minister of Transport under what powers he has issued a direction for the holding up of increases in railway charges which were to operate from 1st May, 1952, which had been confirmed by the Transport Tribunal.

The direction was given under Section 4 of the Transport Act. 1947.

But did not the Minister of Transport previously refuse to take any action about fares on the ground that he had no powers?

This, also, may well arise out of the debate today.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he intends to take to adjust passenger fares in the London Transport area; to what extent there are to be reductions of a general character; what is the estimated cost; and how it is proposed to offset the loss to the Transport Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of his direction to the Transport Commission not to implement the proposed increase in fares outside the London area, what action he intends to take to ensure fair and equal treatment for the travelling public in London, where fares have already been increased.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to make a statement about season ticket rates and shift workers' fares in the London area.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in his review of railway fares, he will give consideration to the representations made to him to retain the favourable rates conceded to the holders of non-intermediate season tickets between London and the south coast towns.

As stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24th April, a statement on these matters will be made at the opening of the debate this afternoon.

But since these Questions were put down before the Prime Minister replied last Monday, and since no information has been forthcoming, what assurance have we that they will be answered? In those circumstances, ought we not to have the information now?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman and others interested that they will be very much wiser by 11 o'clock tonight.

May we take it from that reply that the Minister of Transport, who has a statutory responsibility in these matters, does not know the answer?

My hon. Friend has answered Question No. 43 by saying it will be dealt with later. Can he tell me what remedy I shall have if the answer is then unsatisfactory?

I think my hon. and learned Friend is better informed on that than any other hon. Member as to what remedy he should take.

Will it not be open to the hon. and learned Member for Hove (Mr. Marlowe) to find his remedy in the Division Lobby tonight?

Is the Minister aware that all this evasive verbiage boils down to a mixture of muddle, wriggle and dither with which the people of London are completely disgusted?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has delivered himself in so forthright a manner that it would seem unnecessary, Mr. Speaker, for him to catch your eye later today.

asked the Prime Minister whether it has now been decided to alter the Transport Act, 1947, to make the Minister of Transport responsible for fares.

I am advised that the existing statutory powers of the Minister are sufficient to protect the public.

In view of the very significant statement which has been made by the Prime Minister, can he give the House an assurance that, by the time this Sitting ends, there will be a reduction in the penal charges imposed on the London travelling public as compared with the travelling public outside London?

I think that it would be very wrong for me to occupy the two or three minutes of Question time that remain by dealing with a problem on which the hon. and gallant Gentleman may expatiate during the day.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take in the present circumstances to ensure in the public interest that cheap omnibus services as proposed by Highland Transport are allowed to operate between Thurso and Glasgow.

The granting of licences for road passenger services is a matter for the licensing authority for public service vehicles, and my hon. Friend has no jurisdiction unless an appeal is lodged with him against their decision.

Will the hon. Gentleman acquire such jurisdiction to make sure that the public are not exploited by monopolised transport, and that cheap fares are allowed to operate?

That is obviously one of the matters under consideration at the present time. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that, as the law now stands, my hon. Friend's functions are appellate only.

asked the Prime Minister what steps Her Majesty's Government will take to enable the British Transport Commission to meet their financial obligations.

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to await the White Paper on Transport Policy, which will be available in the near future. He may also gain some enlightenment from the impending debate today.

Are we to infer from the Government's inability to answer this Question, even at the third attempt, that they took the decision to de-nationalise road transport and to intervene in the matter of fares without having seriously considered those problems at all?

No, that would be a wholly unwarrantable deduction.

asked the Minister of Education if she will increase the amount of steel allocated to the school building programme for 1952–53.

Allocations of steel are made quarterly. All available steel for the first two quarters of 1952 has already been allocated. The essential needs of the school building programme for 1952–53 will be borne in mind when allocations for future quarters are made.

Will the right hon. Lady consult the Minister of Supply about this matter of an increased allocation? After all, it is really only a negligible amount. Is she aware that, if she achieved this, she could withdraw that very vicious Circular 245?

I have already explained that the allocations for the first two periods have already been made, and that, as regards the next period, I am still awaiting the actual facts; but I believe that I shall have a sufficient allocation to carry out the programme.

asked the Minister of Education if she will now make a statement concerning the revision of the value of State scholarships.

No, Sir, but I hope to make this information available shortly.

Will the right hon. lady give urgent attention to this matter in view of the fact that she has rightly asked the local education authorities to wait for this information before deciding their own awards in the next year?

Yes, that is why these discussions are now in progress.