Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 11th July, 1952
Ministry Of Food
Syrup And Treacle
asked the Minister of Food by what annual amount the margins of retailers have been increased by the recent increases of the prices of syrup and treacle.
About £7,000.
Plum Crop (Tinplate Supplies)
asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the exceptionally large plum crop which will be available this year, special consideration will be given to an additional allocation of tinplate to the canners and to placing the canners under an obligation to utilise this additional quota for the canning of plums.
The tinplate available for canning fruit and vegetables in the current quarter will be about 15 per cent. above the corresponding period of last year; this allocation takes account of the expected heavy plum crop. I would not regard it as desirable that canners should be directed as to the way in which they should use their cans.
Grain Drying And Storage (Government Policy)
asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can make any statement on the Report of the Working Party on Grain Drying and Storage in Great Britain.
Yes. The Government have considered this Report, which will be on sale on Monday next, in the light of the aims of agricultural policy set out in the White Paper following this year's Annual Review—namely, a further expansion in agricultural output involving an addition to the acreage under tillage crops of a further one million acres between 1952 and 1956. This must entail a greater total volume of grain crops and—with new combine-harvesters still coming into use at the rate of some 3,000 a year—a very substantial addition to the quantity of grain to be dealt with in the month or so immediately after harvest.
The Working Party on Grain Drying and Storage has prepared an informed assessment of the situation created by the rapid development of combine-harvesting and the adoption for national reasons of a high level of cereal growing. It reveals that the installation of drying and storage facilities is lagging behind our needs, even at the present level of cereal production.
Hitherto it has been possible to handle by various means all the grain offered for sale by growers during the harvest period. But the Government accepts the view of the Working Party that there is now no safety margin in the facilities for the handling, drying and storing of home-grown grain during the harvest season and that such large deliveries of threshed grain from combine-harvesters are possible, and in certain climatic conditions probable, that in future years existing facilities might well prove seriously inadequate. In that event deterioration and loss of grain while the temporary surplus was being absorbed, and financial loss to the owners of the grain, would be inevitable.
This state of affairs clearly calls for action by all those who handle homegrown grain, whether as growers, distributors or processors. Unless already equipped to cope with heavy harvest deliveries they should take whatever measures are open to them without delay, and in good time for the 1953 harvest. In order that private organisations contemplating the erection of additional drying equipment and storage may have a basis on which to prepare their plans, the existing national silos and grain stores operated by Re-Commissioned Mills Limited will be continued for the time being but will not be extended. These facilities will continue to be run on commercial lines and the charges fixed at a level sufficient to meet the full costs of the acquisition, operation and administration of the stores and plant.
Land owners and others responsible for providing permanent buildings or fixed equipment on farms may be assured that in the Government's view the need for a high acreage of grain crops—including some areas which before the war were not regarded as grain-growing areas—will continue for as far ahead as can at present be foreseen. This emphasises the importance of as many farms as possible being equipped with suitable storage and handling equipment, and no doubt land owners will do what they can to facilitate any reasonable proposals by their tenants where the latter can see their way to proceed on their own account. The Government, however, see no present prospect of giving any special assistance to tenant farmers.
The special difficulties of cereal growing and grain drying in high rainfall areas such as Wales are appreciated, but I would draw attention to the information appended to the Report on the types of farm drying plant which are now available for the small or medium sized holding, and to the scope for adapting existing farm buildings for efficient storage. Moreover, although with a variable climate such as ours no hard and fast rules can be laid down, there is no doubt that farmers can reduce the need for artificial drying by choosing the right time to cut, by using combine-harvesters more efficiently, and by turning damp grain frequently.
The Government have already taken or are proposing to take the following action on other matters on which specific recommendations are made by the Working Party.
Historic Buildings (Investigators)
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many of the investigators who are compiling lists of buildings of special architectural or historic interest, in accordance with Section 30 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, have been dismissed since February, 1950, as a result of staff cuts; how many investigators are at present engaged in the work; and how many of them are employed on half time.
The answer to the first part of the Question is eight full time-and seven part time investigators. Fourteen full time and two part time investigators are at present engaged on the work, and the services of a few voluntary, investigators are also available.
Roads
Traffic Lights And Zebra Crossings, Clapham
asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the complaints from the residents in Rectory Grove, Clapham, of considerable traffic dangers, he will take steps to consult the Wandsworth Borough Council about installing traffic lights and zebra crossings at suitable points as a protection to the adults and children living in this busy road.
My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has already written to the hon. Member about these matters and I do not think that I need consult the Wandsworth Borough Council.
New Roadways, East Kilbride
asked the Minister of Transport how many miles of roadway have been built within the designated area of the new town of East Kilbride since 1st January, 1948; what has been the total cost to the latest convenient date; and upon what public bodies the cost falls.
From 1st January, 1948, to 31st May, 1952, 6.95 miles of roadway were completed and the foundations were laid on another 9.75 miles. The total cost of this work is £340,151, and it falls on the East Kilbride Development Corporation, the Lanarkshire County Council and this Department.
Embassies And Legations, London (Staffs)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish a statement showing, at the latest convenient date, the total numbers employed on the staffs of each foreign embassy and legation in London, distinguishing between employees of British and foreign nationality.
According to the latest information available, the total numbers, including diplomats, officials and domestic servants, employed on the staffs of the respective foreign embassies, legations and the German Diplomatic Mission in London are at present as follows:—
| — | Foreign Nationals | British Subjects |
Embassies:
| ||
| Afghanistan | 12 | 2 |
| Argentine Republic | 18 | 20 |
| Austria | 19 | 8 |
| Belgium | 63 | 34 |
| Bolivia | 1 | 1 |
| Brazil | 21 | 11 |
| Burma | 32 | 35 |
| Chile | 16 | 5 |
| Colombia | 2 | 1 |
| Cuba | 10 | 4 |
| Czechoslovakia | 32 | 19 |
| Denmark | 48 | 10 |
| Dominican Republic | 6 | 3 |
| Ecuador | 5 | 1 |
| Egypt | 34 | 22 |
| Ethiopia | 6 | 5 |
| France | 191 | 18 |
| Greece | 22 | 20 |
| Indonesia | 38 | 35 |
| Iran | 10 | 12 |
| Iraq | 17 | 14 |
| Italy | 72 | 1 |
| Japan | 21 | 1 |
| Mexico | 13 | 4 |
| Nepal | 25 | 9 |
| Netherlands | 121 | 36 |
| Norway | 38 | 9 |
| Peru | 11 | 4 |
| Poland | 44 | 31 |
| Portugal | 20 | 7 |
| Saudi Arabia | 7 | 16 |
| Soviet Union | 89 | — |
| Spain | 35 | 33 |
| Sweden | 41 | 6 |
| Thailand | 19 | 5 |
| Turkey | 19 | 13 |
| United States | 796 | 502 |
| Uruguay | 11 | 2 |
| Venezuela | 10 | 9 |
| Yugoslavia | 46 | 8 |
Legations
| ||
| Bulgaria | 8 | 4 |
| El Salvador | 6 | — |
| Finland | 25 | 4 |
| Guatemala | 4 | 2 |
| Hayti | 4 | 2 |
| Honduras | 2 | — |
| Hungary | 14 | — |
| Iceland | 7 | 3 |
| Israel | 33 | 23 |
| Jordan | 9 | 15 |
| Korea | 2 | 4 |
| Lebanon | 3 | 9 |
| Liberia | 2 | 4 |
| Luxembourg | 2 | 10 |
| Panama | 4 | — |
| Paraguay | 3 | — |
| Philippines | 8 | 4 |
| Roumania | 12 | 3 |
| Switzerland | 42 | 8 |
| Syria | 11 | 3 |
| Vietnam | 7 | 1 |
| Yemen | 1 | — |
| German Diplomatic Mission | 46 | 4 |
Coronation Celebrations (Local Expenditure)
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that it takes time for local authorities to prepare arrangements for Coronation celebrations; that they have as yet received no instructions or guidance either in general or as to permissible expenditure; and when he proposes to issue instructions or guidance.
A circular on this subject is in preparation and will soon be ready for issue.
Taxicabs, London (Committee)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in appointing the independent committee to examine the economic circumstances of the London taxicab service; and when it is expected that the committee will begin its sittings.
The Government are not yet in a position to announce the names of the members of this Committee.
Armed Forces (Nylon Equipment)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to what extent nylon is used for material or equipment in the Royal Air Force; and if a more extensive use of this material is being considered.
Nylon is used for parachutes and in various other pieces of Royal Air Force equipment, chiefly as cord or rope. It will also be used for stockings for the Women's Royal Air Force. Its use, however, is restricted by the need to maintain or increase the country's exports.
asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent nylon is used for material or equipment for the Army; and whether a more extensive use of this material is being considered.
Nylon is already used for certain textiles and other equipment of the Army. Its use in the future production of some other articles has been agreed and a number of other applications are at present being examined.
British Army (Discharge By Purchase)
asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are now in force for buying out of the Army.
At the present time discharge by purchase may be claimed under Section 82 of the Army Act by a recruit within three months of enlistment, on payment of £20, or may be granted to any soldier on compassionate grounds on such payment as may be appropriate.