asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what number of timber prefabricated houses have been offered to, and accepted by Aberdeen.

One hundred houses were offered to Aberdeen Corporation and have been accepted by them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of traditional and non-traditional houses allocated and under construction in Bearsden and Kirkintilloch, respectively.

Kirkintilloch Town Council have been authorised this year to start 80 more houses. Of these 16 houses are to be erected privately under licence, and the remaining 64 are to be of non-traditional types. At 2nd May, 56 houses, all non-traditional, were under construction in the burgh.Of the 225 houses which Dunbarton County Council were recently authorised to start, 12 non-traditional houses have been allocated by the Council for erection in Bearsden. No houses are at present under construction in Bearsden.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of traditional and non-traditional houses allocated and under construction in Clydebank.

Clydebank Town Council have been authorised this year to start 450 more houses. They have not yet intimated the type of house to be built. About 500 houses—all non-traditional—are under construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what decision he has arrived at for the provision of a new harbour for Maidens, Ayrshire.

I regret that a decision on the county council's application for assistance from the Development Fund has not yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many tractors were on farms of Angus in 1951 and on the nearest comparable date in 1939.

The Department of Agriculture for Scotland's biennial agricultural machinery census of 14th January, 1952, showed 2,829 tractors on farms in Angus. On 4th June, 1940, the first date for which county details are available, the numbers were 618.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of prosecutions under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Protection) (Scotland) Act, 1951, which have taken place in Scotland during the last twelve months and the sentences imposed.

The number of persons proceeded against between 10th May, 1951, when the Act came into force, and 31st March, 1952, was 146. Of these 139 were convicted. Eight were admonished; 96 were fined not more than £10, and 17 from £10 to £75; and 18 were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from twenty days to two years. Gear or fish was forfeited in 83 cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average salary now being paid to qualified teachers, including those holding appointments on the administrative staffs of education committees.

I regret that the information is not available and could not be obtained without undue expenditure of time and labour in the offices of education authorities and of the Education Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average pension at present being paid to retired teacher.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the possibilities of altering the invalid carriage supplied by his Department so that it can accommodate two persons.

I am advised that existing models are not suitable for alteration in this way.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of war disability pensions in issue; and of that number how many pensioners are receiving their basic rate, including the usual rank and family allowances, but excluding supplementary allowances such as constant attendance allowance, unemployability supplement, allowance for lowered standard of occupation and comforts allowance.

About 687,000 are in in receipt of disablement pensions, including allowances for minor disablement. It is estimated that of these about 610,000 are receiving the basic rate and, where eligible, rank additions and the usual allowances for wife and children, but none of the supplementary allowances.Of the 77,000 who are receiving supplementary allowances, some 42,000 are getting one or more of the four main allowances to which the hon. Member refers and the vast majority of the remaining 35,000 the allowance for wear and tear of clothing only.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many war pensioners are now receiving £9 1s. 6d. a week; what

Following is the information requested:percentage this is of the total number of war pensioners; and if he will give similar information with regard to pensioners receiving £6 3s. a week and £4 8s. a week.

As I told the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond), in a reply on 1st May, I am glad to say that the number of pensioners who are so severely disabled that they receive £9 Is. 6d. or more a week is estimated to be only about 200, excluding officers. This is 03 per cent. of the total number of disablement pensioners, excluding officers.I regret that information is not available in the precise form asked for in the last part of the Question. It is estimated from a sample test that about 31,000 or 4.8 per cent receive £or more a week; of these about 9,400 (1.5 per cent.) receive £or more a week. These figures also exclude officers and take no account of allowances payable under the Family Allowances Act.

asked the Minister of Pensions what amount of pension was paid to an ex-private in 1938 for an amputated leg below middle thigh; what amount of pension would be required to provide a purchasing power equivalent to that 1938 pension; and what is the similar information with regard to the year 1946.

The pension for that disablement in 1938 was 24s. a week, which was higher than the rate appropriate to the cost of living figure at that time. On the basis of the Cost of Living and Retail Prices Index an amount of 41s. 6d. would now be required to provide equivalent value for 24s. If the price index of consumer goods and services is used the figure would be 53s. 3d.As regards the last part of the Question, the comparable figures are 27s., 36s. and 37s. 11d.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the present policy of his Department towards claims arising from leukemia and other diseases of uncertain origin; and how he discharges the onus of proof imposed upon him by the Royal Warrant when rejecting such claims.

The kind of evidence required to discharge the onus of proof placed upon me has been clearly defined in judgments in the High Court and the Court of Session. In considering such evidence in individual cases the applicant is always given the benefit of any reasonable doubt.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the house, completed several months ago, adjacent to the Drill Hall, Woodlesford, near Leeds, is not tenanted.

This house is not yet occupied because, although the structure was completed by the end of February, there was delay in the electrical installation. This work is now in hand and the house will shortly be occupied by a married member of the Territorial Army permanent staff.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the disquiet arising from the circumstances revealed in recent courts-martial involving non-commissioned officers who have given orders for irregular punishments to be carried out by private soldiers; and to what extent, under the Queen's Regulations, a private soldier may refuse to obey the order of a superior officer to carry out such a punishment.

I am not aware of any particular instance arising in a recent Army court-martial. If a non-commissioned officer gives a private soldier an order which is obviously illegal, the soldier is justified under military law in questioning or even in refusing to execute it. But so long as the orders of the superior are not obviously in opposition to the law of the land, the duty of the soldier is to obey and, if he thinks fit, to make a formal complaint afterwards.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take immediate steps, in association with the other Ministries concerned, to expedite the clearance of munitions from the Sherwood Forest areas, and restore the social amenities of this natural beauty spot.

I am anxious that the clearance of this ammunition should be carried out as quickly as possible and the programme has recently been discussed with the authorities of the borough of Worksop. A plan was agreed and the area to be cleared by the first of this month was completed by that date.

asked the Secretary of State for War how far his Department is responsible for the Drake Institute and the Garrison Church, Devonport; and, since these war-shattered buildings are eyesores to the public in their present condition, when he proposes to take steps either to reinstate or remove the remains of such buildings.

These are War Department properties. They are to be demolished, but I cannot yet say when the work can be started.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private Robert Harper, an Aberdeen man, of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, who died from tuberculosis while on the way to Warwick Hospital on 12th March, 1952. was, while in that corps, a certified donor of blood; what became of this infected blood; and whether it was administered to others.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is looking into this case and will write to the hon. and learned Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War on whose instructions Driver Coxwell, who has survived two attacks of meningitis since he was called up for National Service and who now suffers from head pains, is given doses of luminal: if he is aware that the present condition of Driver Coxwell and this treatment of drugs is inconsistent with the claim that he is fit to drive vehicles; and if he will now release this man from the Service.

As a result of my further inquiries into this case, this man is now being released from the Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it was necessary to apply to the High Court at Pahang for leave to presume the death of Sapper J. O'Leary, missing on active service in Malaya since 2nd March, 1951.

The local civil authorities ordered an inquest to be held_ This was later dispensed with and the local military authorities had to apply for a death certificate from the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Pahang. It was not found possible to obtain a death certificate from the Registrar and steps therefore had to be taken to apply to the court for leave to presume death.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many persons have enrolled in the Home Guard in Scotland.

Enrolment returns will be rendered monthly and the first figures are, therefore, not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the decision to allow applicants having Reserve obligations to enrol in the Home Guard, particularly if the former are engaged in reserved occupation or are of an age which makes it unlikely for them to be called on to fulfil their Reserve obligations in the event of an emergency.

My hon. Friend is perhaps under a misapprehension, since the only reservists specifically barred from enrolment in the Home Guard are paid Regular Army reservists of Sections A, B and D of the Royal Army Reserve and members of the Supplementary Reserve_ Permission for a reservist of other classes to enrol is only withheld if the man is likely to be needed in the very earlier stages of mobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what increase in the size of the War Office staff took place between 1st October, 1951, and the latest date for which figures are available; and what reduction he expects to make during the next six months.

The latest available strength figure is 7,464 on 1st April this year. This represents an increase of 187 over the strength on 1st October last year and is caused by increases of staff approved during 1951. The 10 per cent reduction promised in the estimates applies to the year March, 1952, to March, 1953, and has not yet overtaken the increases authorised in 1951.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, in view of the sale of Denham Studios to a non-film-producing company, the British film industry is unable to fulfil the film quota; and what action he proposes to take.

We should certainly regard it as a matter for concern if, for lack of studio space, not enough British films were made to supply the quota. Film makers do not appear, however, to be hampered by lack of studio space; nor do we consider that such a situation would arise if Denham Studios were to cease to be available for film production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any further information yet as to steps to be taken either by this Government or the authorities in Australia to temper the hardship imposed on British firms which had contracted to supply textile goods to the Australian market but which are now prohibited from getting them into Australia by the new Australian import restrictions.

I have nothing to add to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on 24th April in reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) and Lanark (Mr. Patrick Maitland).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take when undertaking commercial negotiations with other countries in order to assist the light-castings industry to play its full part in the export programme.

I understand that the hon. Member has in mind such products as baths, and gas and electric stoves. We are always ready to give what help we can in promoting exports of these and other goods, and the hon. Member may care to inform me of any special difficulties which he has in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many messengers in his Department have been dispensed with since October, 1951; and how many of them were disabled ex-Service men.

Eighteen; six of these were disabled ex-Service men.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportions of the service contracts for textile goods already placed, and what proportion of those out of tender consist of wool, cotton, rayon and part-rayon goods, respectively.

Of the total value of the additional textile orders already placed by the Purchasing Departments, about 57 per cent. is for cotton goods and 23 per cent. for wool textiles. No orders have hitherto been placed for goods containing rayon or rayon mixtures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Coronation medals, badges and brooches, made in Germany and Japan, of metals not permitted to be so used in Britain, are being distributed in this country; and what steps he is taking to protect British traders from such foreign competition.

Import licences are not being granted for the import of Coronation medals, badges and brooches from Japan. Medals, badges and brooches could be imported from a number of other foreign countries, including Western Germany, under quotas for certain goods such as imitation jewellery, but imports of such goods have been severely restricted for balance of payments reasons and are also subject to an import duty.Licences which were issued under these quotas in 1951 are valid until 30th June, 1952, and licences issued this year are valid until 31st December, 1952. The question of further measures to restrict imports of Coronation souvenirs from foreign countries is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will ask the Monopolies Commission to investigate the prices charged and profits made in respect of Scotch whisky.

My right hon. Friend will bear this in mind when he selects further matters for reference to the Monopolies Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of increasing competition from other countries in world export markets, he can make more materials available for all kinds of packaging to enable British goods to be marketed as attractively as possible.

I am advised that adequate supplies of most materials are available for this purpose. We should be prepared to examine any cases of scarcity brought to our notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any special steps are being taken by his Department to assist the packaging industry with reports upon packaging overseas, and with its Third National Exhibition next January.

Many of the reports received from our commercial officers abroad include details of the type of packing used to promote sales, and these are made available to the industry. The usual publicity has been given for the Third National Exhibition, and any additional request would be carefully considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent, in view of the housing shortage, he intends to continue to allow the export of prefabricated houses.

The export of prefabricated buildings, including houses, has contributed substantially both to United Kingdom earnings and to the development of Commonwealth and Empire resources. In view of the serious position of the balance of payments, the Government will, as far as possible, continue to help the industry to maintain its valuable export trade. There is no reason to suppose that these exports will prejudice the housing drive.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what progress has been made in the matter of sulphur recovery from gases from coke ovens, particularly those owned by the steel industry and by the National Coal Board.

I have been asked to reply. Plants are now under construction for the recovery of some 10,000 tons of sulphur annually in the form of sulphuric acid. Other projects are under consideration.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. why the collection of waste paper has ceased to be an urgent matter.

The collection of a large quantity of waste paper remains a matter of urgent national importance; but collections have recently been so successful that they have outrun the capacity of the mills to use or store all that is coming in. The mills must, therefore, reduce their intake somewhat until present stocks are reduced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take the necessary steps to allow sovereigns to circulate freely in the realm; and whether, to enable a new sovereign to be minted to celebrate the new reign and the art of the craftsman to be preserved, he will withdraw the Order which compels anyone who obtains possession of a sovereign to surrender it to the Treasury.

I regret that the answer to both parts of the Question must be No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when he considers easing the petrol tax on London taxicabs, he will also consider relaxation of the tax on Manchester and Salford taxicabs.

My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary indicated in his speech in Committee on Clause 1 of the Finance Bill, that the London cab service cannot be considered in isolation. I am aware of the importance of the services to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present purchasing power of the £ sterling, as compared with 1st November, 1951.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 29th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is yet able to state what assistance he can give to those living on small retirement pensions; and especially to those who received no benefit from the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1947.

I cannot yet add anything to the Financial Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Porter) on 23rd April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the amounts of the additional expenditure in 1950–51, 1951–52, on production and research in connection with the re-armament programme; and what is the estimated amount of such expenditure for the year 1952–53.

Expenditure on defence production and research was £196 million in 1949–50. It rose to £260 million in 1950–51, £400 million in 1951–52, and is estimated at £652 million in 1952–53.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what proportion of the Social Survey's activities in the last three years were undertaken to assist information activities and for other administrative purposes, respectively; and what are the comparable proportions envisaged in the Vote for 1952–53.

On average over the last three years, surveys undertaken to assist information activities have been 17 per cent. of the work of the Social Survey, and surveys for other administrative purposes 83 per cent. The corresponding proportions in the 1952–3 Vote provision are 5 and 95 per cent. Respectively.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the estimated net economy to be made this year in the home information services after setting the increased costs of Departmental information services against the cut in the expenditure of the Central Office of Information.

About £780,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how far, under his Regulations, orders for white sticks for the blind distributed over several producers to the limit of £499 19s. 11d. each would in the aggregate attract Purchase Tax.

No tax would be payable in such circumstances provided that the various producers were not also making other goods liable to Purchase Tax which would bring them over the £500 limit.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that allowance was made to Mr. F. W. Hart of Shrewsbury by the Treasury for a 1914–18 war disability when prematurely retiring from the Post Office in 1949 on health grounds, he will recommend the renewal of Mr. Hart's war disability pension, or, as Mr. Hart contracted his disability through no fault of his own, whilst engaged as a permanent civil servant and is not now eligible for either sickness or unemployment benefit, he will give authority for Section 41 of Part 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1949, to apply in his case.

The question of the renewal of a war disability pension is one for my hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions. As regards the second part of the Question, Mr. Hart's service with the Post Office did not bring him within the category of persons covered by the injury warrants framed by the Treasury under Section 41 of the Superannuation Act, 1949, and earlier Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates would be the extra amount collected in Income Tax if the exemption from tax of the first £100 earned by a married woman were abolished.

The married woman in employment receives an additional allowance of up to £120 and also separate reduced rate reliefs. These together amount to £60 million, but if they were withdrawn the Exchequer would not benefit to this extent as many married women might stop working.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a list showing which museums or parts thereof have been closed down, in addition to the closings at the Tate Gallery and Public Record Office; and when he will review this matter.

No Museum, except that at the Public Record Office, has been closed down; parts of the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the National Maritime Museum, Ham House and the Wallace Collection are shut at certain times. Civil Service staffs are kept under constant review, but the prospect of any increases must depend largely on the general economic situation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the museum of the Public Record Office has been closed; what is the estimated saving; and whether he will re-consider this decision.

I asked the National Museums and Galleries to make their contribution to the campaign for Civil Service manpower economies. I understand that the authorities of the Public Record Office decided that to effect the required saving in staff it was necessary to close the Museum. The estimated saving is four posts costing £1,322 a year. In view of the general reductions which it is necessary to make in Civil Service staffs in the national interest, I regret that I could not agree to make an exception in the case of this Department.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the museum of the Public Record Office is to be closed.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer today to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he has not appointed a joint board to administer the Snowdonia National Park, but has left the administration in the hands of the three county councils concerned aided by a joint advisory committee.

My right hon. Friend is sending the hon. Member a copy of the letter that was sent to the three county councils, which explains the position.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that a site by Cosway Street, St. Marylebone, is being used as a parking place for coaches contrary to the Town and Country Planning Act; that such use is strongly objected to by the St. Marylebone Borough Council and local residents; and what action he is proposing to take.

My right hon. Friend understands that the use of this land as a parking place was permitted on a temporary basis up to the end of March; and that an application is being made to the London County Council for an extension of the permission. Pending the decision of the Council my right hon. Friend can make no comment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent he proposes to sanction loans for municipal offices during the quarter beginning 31st March, 1952; how much will be the sum involved; and what local authorities will benefit.

My right hon. Friend cannot give a figure in advance. Expenditure on new office building of all kinds is now severely restricted and he can only consider sanctioning loans for this purpose where the need is exceptionally urgent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the details of the £223.104 for municipal offices issued as loans during the quarter ended 31st March, 1952, showing where these offices are being built; and how much of the money has been allocated to heavily bombed cities.

The total of £223,104 comprised loans of varying amounts for 44 different local authorities in England and Wales, including Plymouth, Southampton, Bristol and Walthamstow. Most of these loans were for the purchase of land or existing buildings, adaptations and office equipment, as distinct from new building.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now permit Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to proceed with work on the proposed sewer in John Street, Knutton, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

An immediate starting date has now been agreed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will ensure that an adequate supply of steel is made available for the construction of housing rafts in the Newbiggin urban district of Northumberland.

Yes. Authorisations are being issued to cover the council's needs to the end of September.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further steps have been taken in respect of the need of associating neighbouring housing authorities for the purpose of pooling applications for housing and thus ensuring more equitable consideration of urgent re-housing needs of which at present there may be a larger proportion in one area than another.

This is a matter for the local authorities, and according to my right hon. Friend's information there is in some areas close consultation between neighbouring authorities as to the treatment of individual applications

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has records of the national aggregate total of recognised urgent applications for re-housing whose needs have not yet been met.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many housing authorities this year have increased the percentage of licences for the building of houses for sale; how many of these have been granted; and approximately how many have applied for these licences.

The information is not at present available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many of the 231,651 houses under construction in the first quarter of 1952 were tendered for and commenced to be built before the present Government took office.

The information is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many of the 53,609 houses completed in the first quarter of 1952, were tendered for, approved and commenced to be built prior to the present Government taking office.

The information is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the number of houses and flats tendered for, and commenced to be built since he took office to the latest convenient date.

I am unable to add to the information included in the published Housing Returns.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many of the 59,577 houses commenced to be built in the first quarter of 1952, were tendered for, and/or approved by the previous administration.

The information is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give an assurance that the 53,609 houses completed in the first quarter of 1952 were proportionately the same in size, floor space and fittings, as the 43,891 houses completed in the first quarter of 1951.

Material for exact comparison between houses completed at various dates is not available but the houses in question have been built in accordance with standards authorised by my predecessor.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he hopes to achieve his declared programme of 300,000 houses per year.

No. I will only say that we are on the way. The published figures show that in the first quarter of 1952, houses completed, houses under construction, and houses started were up 22 per cent., 15 per cent. and 34 per cent. respectively on the corresponding quarter of 1951.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the number of houses and flats completed in each of the months, January, February, March and April for the years 1951 and 1952, and giving details of those built for private sale and to let in each case.

Monthly figures of completions are given in the published returns. Table 3 of the quarterly returns gives details of the houses to be erected by private builders (a)for owner occupation and (b)for letting.

asked the Minister of Works which Departments now occupy the new Government buildings between Whitehall and the Embankment; and what accommodation elsewhere has been released as a consequence.

The new building in Whitehall Gardens is occupied by the Air Ministry, the Ministry of Materials and the Board of Trade. 145,000 square feet of office accommodation in Imperial Chemical House and Thames House have been derequisitioned as a direct result of the moves. Twenty-five houses in Princes Gardens, Princes Gate, Onslow Gardens and Regents Park will also be released when the consequential moves have been completed.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that the water coming from the tap, marked "Drinking," in the Palace of Westminster is tepid and insipid; and to what extent the water coming from other taps, which is cold and refreshing, is unfit for drinking purposes.

Water from taps marked "Drinking" is drawn direct from the main but the other water is drawn from storage tanks. Drinking water may sometimes be tepid when the tap is first turned on, but it will soon become fresh and cold.

asked the Minister of Works why a licence has been refused to the Bungay Town Sports Association to erect a grandstand when the materials are available, labour can be provided and the need is urgent; if he is aware that this refusal has caused financial hardship to the association; and, in view of the representations made to him by the urban district council and the association, he will now reverse his decision.

My Department receives many similar applications representing in total an appreciable call on the limited resources available for miscellaneous building work. I cannot grant this licence until it is possible to do so for all similar cases. I am reviewing this policy.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in granting licences under the Trafalgar Square Act, 1844, and the Parks Regulation Acts, 1872 and 1926, for the purpose of carrying on business in photography and the sale of feedingstuffs for birds in Trafalgar Square, he will give preference to applicants who are disabled ex-Service men, and to those who are unable to carry on normal manual work due to physical disabilities.

I intend as far as possible to see that these licences go to self-employed people who are dependent on this sort of activity for their livelihood. I will certainly look with special sympathy on applications from disabled persons.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers in the area of Accrington employment exchange have been switched from the cotton industry to re-armament work.

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give, as at the last convenient date, the number of unemployed men and women, respectively, in the area of Accrington employment exchange; the number working short-time; and the number of weavers working full-time but on fewer looms than normally.

The numbers on the registers of the Accrington Employment Exchange and Youth Employment Office at 21st April were 186 males and 725 females, of whom 132 males and 569 females were registered as temporarily stopped. The temporarily stopped include only those short-time workers who were not at work on that day, and the total number working short time is not known. Statistics of the number of weavers working fewer than the normal number of looms are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to enable the electronics industry to recruit in sufficient numbers the scientists and highly-qualified technicians of whom it stands in need.

The manpower needs of the electronics industry are being closely studied by the Technical Personnel Committee which was reconstituted last year under the chairmanship of Lord Hankey, and I hope that certain measures now under consideration will be of practical assistance.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent it continues to be his policy to increase the total labour force.

If we are to carry out the tasks with which the country is confronted, it will continue to be necessary for the working population to be at as high a level as possible.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that under Memorandum 53/Gen./8522/q (Ops.) 1 (a) civilian United Kingdom personnel, employed by the Admiralty in Malta, are no longer to be allowed to purchase national dried milk, and that their tables will suffer in consequence; and if he will review this Order.

Yes. My right hon. and gallant Friend is reconsidering the matter and will write to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will explain on what basis the quarterly rental charge of 7s. 6d., contained in Statutory Instrument, 1952, No. 673, was arrived at for internal extensions terminated on sockets.

This charge is based on the average cost of provision and maintenance of internal extensions. The percentage increase in the rental for internal extensions terminated on sockets is the same as that for telephone rentals generally.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will explain on what basis the charge of 10s., contained in Statutory Instrument, 1952, No. 673, was arrived at for removing a socket which forms part of a telephone installation.

This charge is designed to cover the average labour costs (including travelling time) involved in carrying out the work. It reflects the steep rise in wages since the present charge of 5s. 9d. was fixed.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will explain on what basis the charge of £1 10s., contained in Statutory Instrument, 1952, No. 673, was arrived at for the removal of the apparatus reversing the position of main and extension telephones.

This charge is designed to cover the average labour costs (including travelling time) involved in carrying out the work; it reflects the steep rise in wages since the present charge of 17s. 3d. was fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what facilities exist for the airborne training, including formation parachute jumping, of the 16th Independent Parachute Brigade; and how far the Royal Air Force transport aircraft are sufficiently available for this formation to operate in its proper role as a tactical unit.

Facilities are available at all times for the individual parachute training of members of the 16th Independent Parachute Brigade; additional aircraft are provided from time to time for collective training, such as the exercises now taking place in the Middle East. The extent to which Royal Air Force transport aircraft should be made available for the operational use of the 16th Independent Parachute Brigade is kept under review by the two Services.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to minimise the loss and dislocation caused to the country and farmers by the standstill orders due to foot-and-mouth disease; and, in particular, how far he is encouraging a greater amount of local slaughtering

My right hon. Friend is doing everything possible to bring the outbreaks under control. In addition, the infected areas are demarcated as far as possible to include slaughterhouses. I understand from my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food that full use is being made of the slaughtering facilities in the infected areas and that the only limiting factor is the capacity of the slaughtermen, who are working at high pressure.

asked the Minister of Agriculture with regard to the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, how long he anticipates it will be necessary to maintain the restriction of movement of livestock as far south as Lincolnshire.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made at the end of Questions on 8th May. I cannot forecast how soon it may be possible to remove restrictions from any particular part of the country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he will be ready to announce the Government's schemes for the marketing of horticultural produce.

Schemes for the marketing of horticultural produce are primarily a matter for producers. As I stated in my announcement on 24th April on the subject of the Annual Review, the Government are pressing on with consideration of horticultural and other aspects of long-term policy and I shall announce our conclusions as and when they are reached.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an estimate of the number of children who are given treatment in the general dental service.

It is estimated that in the four months to 31st December. 1951, 330,000 children were given treatment, other than emergency treatment, in the general dental service.

asked the Minister of Health the average cost of keeping an inmate in Broadmoor per year.

The estimated cost of maintaining a patient in Broadmoor Institution for the current financial year is £374.