asked the Minister of Food how much butter was purchased from Australia last year; and whether the Australian Government is demanding a recoupment of their loss of 7½d. per pound as well as a further increase of 7½d. per pound on this year's supplies.

Thirty-four thousand tons in 1951. The current price is that determined in accordance with the terms of the long-term contract with Australia. I have had formal notice that for the contract year beginning 1st July, 1952, the Australian Government wish to review the prices, terms and conditions of the long-term contract; but I do not know what amendments they intend to propose.

asked the Minister of Food his policy regarding the employment of temporary staff who have reached 65 years of age.

The normal rule is that temporary staff are retired on reaching 65.

asked the Minister of Food what discussions have been taking place between his Department and the heads of the large multiple meat firms; and why he has not called in the recognised meat trades organisation for such discussions.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to my discussions with the Meat Importers Joint Committee. I would refer him to the statement I made on this matter to the hon. Member for Sunderland N. on 5th May.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the cost of building a bridge over Kittoch Burn at East Kilbride; and why so substantial a bridge is needed across so small a burn, despite the estimated future traffic along the main road in question.

The cost of the bridge is £30,253. The bridge was constructed to standards necessary to meet both the estimated needs of future traffic on the Glasgow—Strathaven Class 1 Road and also the new town requirements of East Kilbride Development Corporation.

asked the Minister of Transport the total number of statistical returns required by his Department from all local highway authorities; and what are the subjects covered by these returns.

Three statistical returns are requested of all local highway authorities. They relate to annual expenditure on highways and bridges; to numbers of men employed on highway work; and to mileages of public roads and streets. In addition, special arrangements have been made to obtain through associations of local authorities returns of estimated expenditure in 1951–52 and 1952–53 on unclassified roads and on classified roads which are maintained without assistance from the Road Fund.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Order made by his Department prohibiting waiting motor vehicles in the lower portion of Burgate Street, Canterbury, is having a harmful effect upon the traders in that street; and whether, in view of the fact that Burgate Street is already a one-way street, he will rescind the Order.

This Order was made by the Canterbury City Council to improve traffic arrangements in a narrow street near the Cathedral and was confirmed on 28th March last. My right hon. Friend has at present no evidence of hardship to traders which would justify revocation of the Order, but he will review its working in six months' time.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the great increase since the war in lorry and omnibus road traffic and the further increase which will result from the Government's abandonment of the policy of unification of inland transport and the consequent further increase of congestion of traffic on the roads, what is his policy of future road development.

Whether or not any growth in road transport results from the Government proposals, road improvements will be carried out to the extent that general economic conditions in this country permit.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a further statement on road safety measures including the steps he proposes to take in regard to making the use of zebra crossings more effective.

I am not at present in a position to make any fresh statement about road safety measures generally. The zebra crossings appear on the whole to be working well, but my right hon. Friend is considering what can be done to improve their conspicuity at night.

asked the Minister of Transport if in view of the strength of local concern, he will reconsider his Department's support of the decision of the Staffordshire County Council Divisional Road Engineer to refuse to allow striped pedestrian crossings in the city of Lichfield on the Friary Road, at or near the proposed omnibus station at St. John Street, between Frog Lane and Wade Street and at Church Street.

My right hon. Friend has reviewed the decision about the provision of zebra crossings at the three sites referred to, but does not consider that it would be right to agree to pedestrian crossings at these places.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet completed his review of road safety measures, with particular reference to zebra crossings and crossings near schools; and if he will now make a statement.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers I have given today to the hon. Members for Colchester (Mr. Alport) and Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner).

asked the Minister of Transport whether the review of arrangements to be made to ensure the safety of school children who are compelled to cross dangerous roads where no pedestrian crossings are authorised is now complete; and whether he will make a statement.

It has now been agreed that my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland should make arrangements with the appropriate local authorities for the recruiting, training and organisation of school crossing patrols, with financial assistance from the Exchequer. The necessary legislation will be prepared as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport upon what date he was asked to approve a cattle grid for installation by the Radnor County Council on the Golf Links Road, Llandrindod Wells; upon what date the cattle grid was completed; what are the reasons a grant cannot be given; and what grant is appropriate in this case.

asked the Minister of Transport the cost of the cattle grid installed by the Radnor County Council on the Golf Links Road, Llandrindod Wells; and what is the estimated cost of cattle grids recommended by him.

A grant was applied for on the 27th October, 1951, and the grid was completed about the middle of November. The grant would have been 50 per cent. of the estimated cost of £166 but the grid could not be accepted for this purpose because it did not comply with the Ministry's standards. The cost of grids conforming with Ministry standards varies according to the circumstances of each particular case.

asked the Minister of Transport how many of the 300 cattle grids required by the Radnor County Council are required on Class I, II, III and unclassified roads, respectively.

The County Council have hitherto approached the Department concerning six cattle grids only, all on Class III roads, but I am informed that the Council are considering some 300 grids. Of these, 16 are on Class I roads, eight on Class II, 81 on Class III and 195 on unclassified roads.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make available for hon. Members the various proposals, together with appropriate plans, for the use of Kingsway subway.

My right hon. Friend will bear this request in mind when he receives the report of the committee which is at present considering the future use of the Kingsway subway.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the dangerous state of High Street, Portmadoc, Caernarvonshire; and if he will take steps to acquire this road and remedy the position.

My right hon. Friend has had representations from the Portmadoc Urban District Council as to the state of this road. The obscure question of liability for its repair is at present the subject of negotiations between the Department and the Tremadoc Estate who hold certain toll rights. I hope that these may soon be satisfactorily concluded and the position remedied.

asked the Minister of Transport what recommendations have been made to him by the committee on road safety arising from the Gillingham omnibus disaster.

I have not yet received these recommendations of the Committee. I expect to do so shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that since the accident in Dock Road, Gillingham, in which 24 boys lost their lives, there has been no improvement in the street lighting although evidence was given as to its poor quality both at the inquest and the trial of the driver; and what steps he proposes to take to see that this lighting, and the lighting of similar roads served by omnibus routes is improved.

The initiative for the provision of street lighting lies with the local lighting authorities. In the case of Dock Road, Gillingham, this is the borough council. They have as yet made no proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport what new speed limits have been imposed as a result of the views expressed by the jury at the inquest on the victims of the Gillingham omnibus disaster.

None, but I would remind hon. Members that I have not yet received final recommendations of the Road Safety Committee on this terrible disaster.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that it is possible for people who have never driven a road vehicle and never passed a road driving test to obtain a full licence to drive any vehicle allowed on the road under the Road Transport Act; and what action he proposes to take to make certain that these people are capable of passing a driving test before issuing them with a driver's licence.

This is only possible in the case of persons who held a driving licence before the 1st April, 1934, and my right hon. Friend thinks that the risk that such persons will start driving now with no previous experience is too remote to justify an amendment of the law.

asked the Minister of Transport when he hopes to announce the modification of fares and omnibus stages in the London Transport area.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now in a position to state what action he is taking in regard to the hardship caused by the recent increase in London fares.

I have now received from the British Transport Commission their proposals for modification of certain fare increases. These are now under urgent examination. As soon as I can make an announcement I will do so.

asked the Minister of Transport how much additional revenue has been received, to date, as a result of the recent fare increases in London.

The British Transport Commission tell me that, whilst the amount cannot be precisely calculated, it is estimated that the additional revenue received from the increases in fares in the London area in the eleven weeks from 2nd March to 17th May amounted to about £2.5 million.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in his coming legislation, he will make a special offer to the National Union of Railwaymen to accept some of their reserve funds for investment in road haulage on preferential terms.

No. This is an interesting idea—but I am afraid it cannot be done.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet consulted with the British Transport Commission as to the conduct of their undertaking in the interim period prior to legislation, and with what result.

I have invited the Commission to meet me this week to discuss this question.

asked the Minister of Transport what safeguards are to be afforded the staff of the Road Haulage Executive consequent upon the disposal by public auction of British Road Services vehicles.

I assure the hon. Member that the interests of the staff of the Road Haulage Executive will be kept in mind when legislation to give effect to the proposals in the White Paper on transport policy is being prepared.

asked the Minister of Transport the main factors upon which he bases his declaration in the White Paper on Transport Policy that the railways have become excessively centralised under the Transport Act, 1947.

The main grounds for the Government's conclusion that the administration of the railways has become excessively centralised under the Transport Act, 1947, are the extent of the functions vested in the Railway Executive by the scheme of delegation made by the British Transport Commission under Section 5 of that Act, and the distribution of functions between the Railway Executive and its Chief Regional Officers. I shall hope to deal with these matters in the forthcoming debate.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that some scrap dealers are offering very low prices for scrap collected in the countryside; and if he will now give wider publicity to the methods being used to collect scrap in country districts and ensure that a correct price is being paid for it.

No; but I will arrange for cases of alleged under-payment to be investigated, if my hon. and gallant Friend can give me the necessary details. Widely publicised schemes which provide for farmers to be paid a fair price for their scrap are being operated satisfactorily in several counties, with the full support of the National Farmer's Union.

asked the Minister of Supply how much domestic ferrous scrap was collected during each of the last six months for which figures are available; and what were the corresponding figures for the previous year.

It is not practicable to maintain complete records of domestic scrap collections. The average weekly deliveries to blast furnaces of destructor scrap during each of the six months ending March, 1952, and the corresponding figures for the previous year were:

Tons
			1950	1951
October	…	…	2,600	2,100
November	…	…	1,800	1,900
December	…	…	2,300	2,000
			1951	1952
January	…	…	2,100	2,100
February	…	…	2,300	2,300
March	…	…	2,100	2,300

asked the Minister of Supply what action he now proposes to take arising from the Monopolies Committee's Report on the Electric Lamp Industry.

I have considered the Report of the Monopolies Commission on the supply of electric lamps together with the observations submitted by the Electric Lamp Manufacturers' Association (E.L.M.A.).

The Commission summarised their recommendations as follows:

(i) that E.L.M.A. should undertake that members who sell lamp components (other than patented components and ready-coiled filaments) will make them equally available to members and non-members at prices which shall not be higher to non-members than to members;

(ii) that, if the working of the new patent policy results in an appreciable reduction of the degree of competition to which E.L.M.A. is subjected, the whole question should be examined afresh;

(iii) that E.L.M.A. members should give an assurance that the Controlled Companies will continue to provide a measure of competition as suppliers of cheap lamps and that they will not be used as fighting companies;

(iv) that the sales quota system should be brought to an end;

(v) that E.L.M.A.'s rules about Type B lamps should be altered to remove quantity and quality restrictions;

(vi) that the arrangements for exclusive dealing and aggregation of quantity rebates should be brought to an end;

(vii) that payments to associations of distributors should be brought to an end;

(viii) that the enforcement of resale price maintenance by means of the collective sanctions of fines and the Stop List should be brought to an end;

(ix) that E.L.M.A.'s Rules should be altered to permit other distributors as well as cooperative societies to give 'dividends'."

Furthermore the Commission expressed the opinion that the continuance of the practice of fixing common manufacturers' prices should be subject to two conditions, namely:

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that there is widespread short-time working in the light castings industry; and whether he will take steps to ensure that sufficient materials are available, and orders placed, to enable this industry to work a full week.

I understand that short-time working in certain iron foundries producing light castings is due mainly to the loss of export markets, and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 13th May by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade. I am not aware that there is a lack of orders in the home market for most of the light castings which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Supply what percentage of the contracts which his Department has placed during the 12 months ending at the most recent convenient date has been placed in each of the administrative regions of the Ministry of Labour.

I regret that this information, sub-divided by regions, is not available.

asked the Minister of Supply what arrangements have been made to review the textile and clothing orders placed through his Department to ensure that, wherever possible, rayon or a rayon mixture is substituted for cotton, so as to save dollars and provide employment in the rayon industry.

The possibility of using rayon in the manufacture of clothing and textiles for the Services has for some time been under investigation. Small quantities are already being used for a few articles. Any large extension of the use of rayon by the Services must await the completion of these investigations and of user trials.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the estimated total value of the Government orders for woollen goods which he is placing with manufacturers under the scheme for additional defence contracts for textiles.

The value of the contracts placed by the Ministry of Supply for woollen goods is about £2 million, and tenders have been invited for a further £2⅓ million. Further orders are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the damage and inconvenience caused to residents in the area of the Euxton Royal Ordnance factory through the detonation of unsafe ammunition; and if he will ensure that all possible steps are taken to keep the explosions to the absolute minimum and to prevent damage to property near the factory.

I regret the inconvenience caused to residents in the area of the Royal Ordnance Factory, Chorley. The ammunition which is being detonated is the remnant of a large dump of war-time ammunition which is unsafe to move. Everything possible is being done to minimise the inconvenience which detonation causes, but I am afraid that detonation must continue for some time yet.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total generating plant capacity available in the aggregate in all the power stations of the British Electricity Authority on 31st December, 1951; and what aggregate additions thereto for operation on 31st December, 1952, have been authorised by him as part of the Authority's capital investment programme.

The output capacity of the power stations of the British Electricity Authority on the 31st December, 1951, was 14,147,000 kilowatts. They have been authorised under the capital investment programme to bring into operation 1,250,000 kilowatts of new plant in 1952.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many units of electricity were sold by all the area boards to their consumers during the years ended 31st March, 1951 and 1952, respectively; and, separately, for the three months ended 31st March for the same years, in continuation of his Department's statistical digest.

The British Electricity Authority sold 46,580 million units in the year ended 31st March, 1951, and 50,480 million in the following year. The number of units sent out in the first quarter of 1951 was 15,660 million and in the first quarter of 1952, 16,412 million.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what considerations have prevented or deterred British manufacturers of equipment for oil refineries and installations from tendering for recent large-scale projects in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the Commonwealth and Empire; and what administrative steps he is considering in order to afford encouragement to British firms to tender, bearing in mind the great sums in dollars and great opportunities for British industry that are lost to this country by leaving the field entirely to American firms.

I understand that the oil companies find it necessary to employ as main contractors firms which have had the greatest experience on these large-scale projects. The maximum amount of civil engineering work as opposed to the erection of technical plant is, of course, always carried out by British contractors. As regards the second part of the Question, my Department has, for some time, been giving every encouragement to the manufacture of petroleum equipment in this country, but the question of tendering is a matter between the oil companies and the manufacturers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the tonnage of peat cut and consumed in the United Kingdom during 12 months ended on the latest convenient date; the calorific value and price to the consumer, both taken at a fair average for such peat; the anticipated output of peat during 1952; what plans he has extending the output and usages of peat; and whether he will make a statement.

No statistics of the quantity, calorific value or price of peat produced in Great Britain are available. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 5th February by the Secretary of State for Scotland to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Major Anstruther-Gray).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what basis the allocation of coke as between the iron-founding industry and the steel industry is decided.

Allocations are normally made on the basis of full consumption requirements, with provision for stockbuilding in the summer and for stocklifting in the winter. At the request of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply deliveries to the iron foundries are at the present time being made on a somewhat lower scale, in order to help to meet the shortage of supplies for the blast furnaces.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will state the consumption of coal at the power-houses of the British Electricity Authority during 12 months ended 30th April 1952; what percentage and tonnage of that aggregate consumption of such coal comprised low grade slack and slurries which could not be consumed by industrial boiler usages, or for export, or for bunkering or for domestic use and could not be employed for anything else save only power-house use at the British Electricity Authority stations.

The quantity of coal consumed at power stations of the British Electricity Authority was 34.1 million tons during the year ended 30th April, 1952. All these coals could be used in varying degrees for one or other of the purposes mentioned.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the annual aggregate increase in deep-mined coal output of the United Kingdom during each year to 1960, in accordance with the estimates and plans promulgated in the "Plan for Coal" 1950; and the ouput figure of deep-mined coal anticipated in 1960 under the "Plan for Coal," compared with the output figure of deep-mined coal for the year 1951.

In view of the large number of unknown and doubtful factors involved, it would be unwise to make forecasts of this kind. The "Plan for Coal" drawn up by the National Coal Board should, as the Board has often explained, be regarded as highly flexible and therefore as being capable of adjustment in the light of changing requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of public joint stock companies, private joint stock companies and exempt private joint stock companies at the most recent convenient date and in 1938 and 1945.

Following is the answer:

	Public Companies	Private Companies
31st December, 1938	14,355	143,221
31st December, 1945	13,171	178,558
31st December, 1951	11,778	244,166 (of which exempt private companies)*

The figures exclude companies in liquidation or in course of removal from the Register.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if Her Majesty's Government has yet received a reply to its Note of the 9th April addressed to the United States Government expressing concern at the possibility of an increase in certain American tariffs.

Yes. The State Department reply was received by Her Majesty's Embassy in Washington on 7th May. The following is the text:

The British Embassy's aid memoire of 9th April, 1952, expressing concern at the number of applications presented to the United States Tariff Commission for action under Section 7 of the Trade Agreements Extension Act of 1951 has been given careful study in the Department of State.

It is true that in recent months there has been an increase in the number of investigations ordered by the Tariff Commission in response to applications from United States industry. Furthermore, it is recognised that several of these investigations relate to products of importance in the export trade of the United Kingdom and other countries which have made serious efforts to increase their dollar earnings by sales to the United States, and which are concerned lest these efforts be frustrated.

The Department of State has always taken the position that modifications of duty concessions should only be made in cases of genuinely serious injury or threat of injury resulting from trade commitments. The Government of the United States and of the United Kingdom are in complete accord in their insistence that the obligations in Article XIX of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade should be scrupulously observed, and that Article XIX should not be invoked merely because a concession results in more vigorous competition from imports.

Furthermore, it is the opinion of the Department of State that in cases where modifications of duties are made as a result of escape clause investigations, such modifications should be kept under constant review to insure their remaining in force for only such time and to such extent as is necessary to prevent or remedy the injury to domestic industry. Accordingly a system providing for the periodic investigation and report by the Tariff Commission on all escape clause actions is in the process of being established.

The attitude of the United States Government on the basic principle of lowering barriers to international trade remains unchanged, and any tendency to deviate from the principle, wherever it may arise, is the subject of concern to the Department of State. Cooperative action among all free nations to reduce and minimise trade barriers between us is essential if we are to provide a strong economic basis for our mutual security and progress.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the annual growth in world population and the serious food problem which that involves, he will call a conference of representatives of all nations with a view to removing all controls and barriers of international trade.

No.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the expected additional yields from the increased telephone charges contained in Statutory Instrument No. 2075 of 1951 and in Statutory Instrument No. 673 of 1952.

The estimated additional yields from the increases made by Statutory Instrument No. 673 of 1952 in the existing telephone charges contained in Statutory Instrument No. 2075 of 1951 were given in my reply to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Slater) on 24th March.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the total number of telephone subscribers in the United Kingdom for whom the Post Office provides a telephone service at the latest convenient date.

At 31st March, 1952, there were 3,185,000 subscribers and 5,716,000 telephones.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average cost of prescriptions issued under the National Health Service for the years 1948–49–50–51 in Clydebank.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average cost of prescriptions issued under the National Health Service for the years 1948–49–50–51 in Kirkintilloch.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average cost of prescriptions issued under the National Health Service for the years 1948–49–50–51 in Bearsden.

Approximate figures are as follows:

	Bearsden		Clydebank		Kirkintilloch
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
1948(from 5th July)	4	7½	3	3¾	3	5
1949	4	11	3	11¼	3	8½
1950	5	0¼	4	3½	3	11¼

Figures for 1951 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report from the Committee on Leasehold Reform in Scotland; and whether he will, if need be, introduce legislation to keep in operation the provisions of the Long Leases (Temporary Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1951, until such time as comprehensive and permanent legislation on the subject is introduced.

I hope to receive the report of the Scottish Leases Committee before the House rises for the Summer Recess. As regards the second part of the Question, I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what fresh instructions have recently been given to doctors on the use of free ambulance services.

No instructions have been issued by my Department since June, 1951, when general guidance was given about the use of ambulances.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many British colonials living in Liverpool are receiving National Assistance.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that the postcards produced by his Department illustrating historic sites and buildings under his charge are often inadequate and unsatisfactory; and what steps he will take to remedy the matter.

Yes. Picture postcards are on sale of the buildings under the charge of the Ministry of Works, such as Hampton Court, the Tower of London, Holyrood Palace and Caernarvon Castle. The Ministry is responsible for photography and the selection of pictures and Her Majesty's Stationery Office for their reproduction.These postcards are of very uneven quality. I am satisfied that we could offer the public something better both in black and white and in colour, and that British photographers and printers could combine to present our unrivalled buildings in a manner which would at once put us in the lead as artists in photography and increase the profits made from the sale of cards and pictures. If the new series are to be ready for Coronation year, it will be necessary to work fast. I have, therefore, invited a representative committee to advise me urgently on the best material obtainable. The composition of the Committee, to whom inquiries should be addressed at the Ministry of Works, is as follows: