asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to avoid the delay in payment to pig producers in the West Riding; and how long it will be before the arrears are overtaken.

Professional accountants have been helping the county chairman of auctioneers concerned during the past month, and payments are now only about three days overdue. I hope that arrears will soon be completely overtaken.

asked the Minister of Food the total amount of home-produced sugar for each of the years 1949, 1950 and 1951.

In terms of refined sugar, 456,655, 677,262 and 601,475 tons, respectively.

asked the Minister of Food the egg allocation number at the latest convenient date and the allocation number on the same date last year; and the number of eggs supplied on the ration at each stated date.

Sixty-three eggs up to 9th July as compared with sixty-six last year.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take the necessary steps to secure sufficient sugar for the processing of fruits and vegetables at the Jersey factories in the Channel Islands to deal with the exceptionally heavy crops grown in this country and which will be unusable and wasted.

The allocation of sugar to Jersey canners is the responsibility of the Jersey authorities. The factories in the Island have enough sugar to can not only fruit and vegetables grown in the Island, but also some imported from England and other countries. I am willing to provide extra sugar to canners who require it to handle additional quantities of plums, and I have already asked the Jersey authorities what quantities the factories are prepared to take.

asked the Minister if Food if he is aware of the difficulty of obtaining supplies of golden syrup in Leicester; and what steps he is taking to make supplies available.

I am not aware of any particular difficulty in Leicester, but the demand generally is strong. Domestic users are getting nearly three times as much as before the war, and at present I cannot give up sugar for additional production of syrup.

asked the Minister of Food how the food subsidy during the financial year 1951–52 was split between the various commodities.

The table below lists the foodstuffs subsidised in 1951–52 and gives the estimated amount of the subsidy on each:

		£m.
Bacon	…	44·6
Bread and flour	…	81·9
Shell eggs	…	27·0
Meat	…	46·9
Milk	…	52·2
Butter	…	24·5
Cheese	…	18·2
Margarine (domestic)	…	14·9
Lard and Cooking Fat	…	6·4
Sugar (domestic)	…	9·3
Tea	…	14·1
Miscellaneous	(Credit)	[8·0]
Welfare and Milk in Schools Schemes	…	40·8
Animal Feeding Stuffs	…	24·5
TOTAL SUBSIDIES ADMINISTERED BY MINISTRY OF FOOD	…	397·3
	£m
Add:
Subsidies administered by other Departments—
Attested Herds Scheme	8·0
Fertiliser Subsidy	8·4
White Fish Subsidy	1·6
	—	18·0
TOTAL FOOD SUBSIDIES		415·3

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can now state when the draft of the proposed new Highway Code will be available.

I must first consult interested bodies and cannot say exactly how long the necessary work and consultations will take, but we will do this as quickly as we can. The revised Code will then be submitted to both Houses of Parliament for approval in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will extend the speed limit on the Great Cambridge Road to the northern boundary of the Borough of Edmonton.

Conditions on the Great Cambridge Road between the boundary at Tottenham and the Hertfordshire boundary will be reconsidered by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee at their next meeting on 22nd August.

asked the Minister of Transport what advice he has received from the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee on the proposed speed limit on the North Circular Road from Green Lanes to the Cambridge Road.

This question will be considered by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee at their next meeting on 22nd August.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will have urgent inquiries made to see what immediate steps can be taken to reduce the danger to pedestrians and vehicles using the narrow humped-backed bridge at Coalpit Lane, Aylestone, Leicester, in view of the increasing volume of traffic on this road, particularly at week-ends.

I agree that this is not a satisfactory bridge, but its narrowness and humped-back character are indicated by warning signs. I regret that in present economic circumstances my right hon. Friend could not approve its rebuilding.

asked the Minister of Transport the average weekly number of road accidents involving personal injury which took place during the year 1951.

3,431.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make a statement of Government policy with regard to the construction of the Forth road bridge.

In present economic circumstances, I cannot say when it will be possible to proceed with this bridge.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to transfer to highway authorities the responsibility for the maintenance of roads over railway and canal bridges.

My right hon. Friend has no intention at present of introducing legislation on this subject, but arrangements have been made for discussion on this problem between the interested parties.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is expected that Park Street Bridge, Selby, will be reopened to traffic.

There have been delays in the supply of steel and cement, and I am afraid this bridge will not be re-opened until the end of September.

asked the Minister of Transport what report has been submitted to him by his divisional road engineer with regard to the accident record in the Preston New Road at Blackpool and what remedial measures have been suggested, especially to safeguard the children living in the nearby Mereside housing estate; and whether, in view of the fact that the Blackpool Corporation have now re-submitted their request that he should approve an order extending the 30 miles per hour speed limit in this road to the borough boundary, he will reverse his previous decision on this subject.

The divisional road engineer has reported that since 1st January, 1949, one fatal, five injury and seven non-injury accidents occurred on this length of road. In only one was a pedestrian involved, in October, 1949. I do not think the type of accident shows that the road needs improving, and nor do I think that a speed limit would be justified.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has concluded its researches into the need for the more effective rear lighting of vehicles; and if he will now make a statement.

I am satisfied that there is a case for modifying the requirements as to the rear lighting of vehicles. The matter is under consideration in my Department and I hope that the report of the Road Research Laboratory on dazzle will soon be available.

asked the Minister of Transport why he authorised the South Wales Electricity Board to sell the Llanelly traction undertaking to the South Wales Transport Company; and why he gave the authority to sell without either the board or his Department having prior consultations with the Llanelly Borough Council who had an option to purchase under the provisions of the Llanelly District Traction Act, 1930.

Under the Act of 1930 the Board had power, with the consent of the Minister of Transport, to sell the undertaking at any time either to the Llanelly Corporation, if the Corporation should have decided to purchase, or to any company or person. In these circumstances, it was not considered necessary to consult the Corporation before giving consent to the Board's proposal to sell the undertaking to the Company who were well fitted to take it over.

asked the Minister of Transport what written or verbal offers of new contracts have been made by him to members of the Road Haulage Executive.

I have written to all members concerned, offering to renew their appointments for one year.

asked the Minister of Transport the nature of the occasion on which members of the Road Haulage Executive visited his private house and discussions took place on the affairs of that executive; on what date the visit took place; how long did it last; and what specific subjects were discussed.

The Chairman and members of the Road Haulage Executive lunched with me at my house on Friday, 27th June. I have no intention of reporting conversations which take place in my home between my guests and myself.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the proposed inquiry into the working of the licensing provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

Yes. The terms of reference of this Committee will be:

"In the light of present day conditions to enquire into the operation of the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, relating to the licensing of public road passenger services, and to make recommendations."

Mr. G. A. Thesiger, Q.C., has kindly consented to be Chairman and the following to be Members:

asked the Minister of Transport what direction he has given to the Transport Commission as to the social considerations which must be taken into account when considering any alteration in the passenger fare structure.

None. The only direction of any kind given by the Minister to the British Transport Commission since the passing of the Act was the recent standstill order on the Passenger Charges Scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will furnish a list of towns and districts in England and Wales to which the Road Service Licences (Appeals) Order (No. 9), 1933, is applicable.

The following is the information:

The Order in question applied to licences granted in 1933 for 34 regular bus services between Manchester and District and Blackpool, and also to 61 groups of excursions and tours from Manchester and District to Abergale, Alsop-en-le-Dale, Ambleside, Barrow, Blackpool, Chester, Colwyn Bay, Fleetwood, Hebden Bridge, Holcombe Brook, Kendal, Keswick, Liverpool, Llandudno, Morecambe, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Silverdale, Southport and Uttoxeter.

asked the Minister of Transport the date upon which the vehicle journey allowance imposed by the Road Service Licences (Appeals) Order (No. 9), 1933, was last reviewed in respect of the Manchester district.

So far as I am aware, the only alteration since 1933 in the vehicle allowances on services affected by this Order was an increase of 24 per cent. made in 1950 on 38 services from Manchester and district to Blackpool for the period of the illuminations. An appeal has been lodged with my right hon. Friend which raises the issue afresh on a number of excursions from Manchester to some of the destinations to which the Order of 1933 applied.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that cars used by Government Departments are not registered and have no registered number but that when they are sold by auction a form is issued after the disposal to enable the cars to be registered; that, on being registered, no reference is recorded in the registration book that these cars have been previously in use and thus a new registration book is issued and the date of registration entered at the time of payment of the registration fee or licence duty; and what action he proposes to take as such a system means that in many cases a car is sold as of that date whereas it may have been in use for years before.

The only Government Department vehicles which are not registered in the normal way are those belonging to the Service Departments. When these are sold to the public, the date of registration entered in the registration book is, as the hon. Member suggests, the date when the vehicle is first given a civilian registration mark. But registration and licensing authorities have for some time been endorsing the book with the word "Ex-Government" in order to show that the vehicle has been used before. I am now arranging for this endorsement to be expanded to make the position even clearer.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the report of his inspecting officer's inquiry into the accident at Knowsley Street Station, Bury, on 19th January.

I have nothing to add to the very clear report of the inspecting officer who held the inquiry into this accident; as the report indicates, the collapse of the footbridge was due to inadequate arrangements for bridge examination in the area. Adequate steps have been taken by the Railway Executive to prevent any more failures of this kind.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to relieve British railways of the cost of maintenance of both accommodation and occupation railway level crossings where the public enjoy the unrestricted use and in other cases where the exclusive use is enjoyed by private developers.

As the hon. Member is aware, the British Transport Commission have made proposals on this subject. I am consulting the many interests concerned before I decide what course to recommend to my colleagues.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will be able to increase the allocation of steel to the Transport Commission sufficiently to enable the requirements of the railway workshops at York to be met.

There are many competing demands for steel and the railways already receive as large an allocation as the amount available will allow. The Government make a bulk allocation to the British Transport Commission who decide how it shall be used.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of vehicles owned and employed on collection and delivery or feeder services by the main line railway companies at the time of their acquisition by the British Transport Commission; and, before initiating further legislative changes, what estimate he made of the number of vehicles so employed lat the present time by the British Railways and the Road Haulage Executive.

I am informed by the British Transport Commission that the number of vehicles taken over from the railway companies and employed at the time on collection and delivery services was 11,828. I understand that at present about 15,000 vehicles are employed on collection and delivery services.

asked the Minister of Transport what directions of a general nature he has given to the British Transport Commission in regard to the re-organisation of British Railways.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in his discussions with the shipping industry on the subject of oil pollution of beaches around the coast; and whether he is now in a position to indicate what further action it is proposed to take to deal with this inconvenience to holidaymakers and source of destruction of sea birds.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. R. Robinson) on 21st July.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the mass of evidence they have collected over many years, he will appoint a representative of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as a member of the committee of inquiry he is setting up in connection with the prevention of pollution by oil round the coasts.

In order that the committee of inquiry will not be too large for effective work, my right hon. Friend proposes to restrict it to those who can make a practical contribution towards solving the problem of oil pollution. In addition to the Government Departments concerned, he is inviting the shipping industry, the oil industry the Dock and Harbour Authorities' Association, the British Transport Commission and the Dry Dock Owners and Repairers Central Council to nominate representatives.I hope, however, that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and similar bodies will make available to the committee such evidence as they have collected.

asked the Minister of Transport what attempts have been made to secure the adoption of an International Convention to establish that ships not in port should only discharge overboard oil sludge and waste at points more than 50 miles offshore; and if he will make a statement on the most recent steps and on the present situation in this regard.

International conferences to consider the question of oil pollution were held in Washington in 1926 and in Geneva in 1935. At these conferences draft Conventions prohibiting the discharge of oil or oily water within 50 miles from the coast were prepared but they were not signed.The question was discussed by the Transport and Communications Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 1950 and 1951, and subsequently by the Council itself, which recommended that it should be dealt with by the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (I.M.C.O.) when established.In the meantime, the Secretary General of the United Nations has asked member Governments to study the problem and to forward the results to him. This is being done. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. R. Robinson) on 21st July.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to publish the draft order embodying the scheme for the future administration of the Clyde.

Clause 18 of the Transport Bill proposes the repeal of the Sections of the Transport Act, 1947, relating to schemes as to trade harbours. In the circumstances, I do not propose to proceed further with the scheme submitted to me by the British Transport Commission relating to the reorganisation of trade harbours on the Clyde.

asked the Minister of Supply what research is taking place into the improvement of quality of home-produced iron ore, as distinct from research into the production of iron and steel.

The iron and steel industry has for many years carried out extensive research of this kind, and it is actively continuing.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make further endeavours to overcome the shortage of 3 inch, 4 inch and 6 inch iron or asbestos water pipes, so as to prevent a situation which will result in considerable stoppage of the housing programme throughout the country.

As a result of arrangements which have already been made, production of 3 inch and 4 inch cast iron pipes is increasing substantially. Additional labour is being recruited to enable the output of 6 inch cast iron pipes to be expanded also. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works that arrangements have also been made to step up substantially the production of asbestos cement pipes.

asked the Minister of Supply how far it is possible to select those who perform their duties least efficiently when staff reductions in his Department take place.

In making reductions of temporary non-industrial staff, persons who have been found unable to perform their duties with due efficiency are discharged first. Apart from these cases, the normal rule applied to staff in the lower grades is "last in, first out." In the higher grades, those who can most easily be spared are discharged first. These arrangements follow an agreement reached on the Civil Service National Whitley Council.

asked the Minister of Supply what regulations are operative in his Department to preclude officers and clerical grades from working together in the same room; how long these regulations have been in operation: and what was the origin of them.

I know of no such regulations.

asked the Minister of Supply the value of orders for textiles placed abroad by his Department in the years 1948–51; and in which countries the bulk of such orders was placed.

The value of clothing and textile contracts placed abroad between July, 1948, and December, 1951, was about £37 million. The main orders were placed in Belgium, Germany, Italy and Japan.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he has yet received from the National Assistance Board a report on the provision under Section 17 of the National Assistance Act of reception centres for persons without a settled way of living.

Yes. As promised when the National Assistance Bill was before the House in 1947, the Board have made a report to my right hon. Friend on this matter and he is arranging to publish it in the near future.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will include in the leaflet N.I. 15 on retirement pensions fuller information on the consequences and opportunities of continuation in regular work.

Detailed information about the advantages of continuing at work after reaching pension age will shortly be included in a revised edition of leaflet N.I. 15.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that offers of home employment have been sent to many disabled persons suffering from industrial injuries; and if he can say how their addresses were obtained from his Department.

My attention has been drawn to the case to which my hon. Friend refers. The records of claimants to National Insurance benefits are strictly confidential. Investigations have produced no evidence that addresses were obtained from my Department; if my hon. Friend has such evidence, I should be glad if he would let me have further details so that the matter may be further investigated.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the activities of Mr. J. F. Davies, of the Victoria Press, 19, King Street, Yarmouth, who in return for a payment of 5s. offers bogus home employment to disabled persons whose addresses he has obtained; and whether proceedings will be taken for obtaining money under false pretences.

Yes. John Francis Davies has been arrested and charged, with other persons, with conspiracy to cheat and defraud certain of Her Majesty's liege subjects.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number and value of claims made during the year 1951 for drafts sent by post on behalf of the Ministry of National Insurance and not received by the beneficiaries.

I have been asked to reply.Of an annual total of 42 million postal drafts sent by post by my Department, some 22,000 are reported as not received, but in one-quarter of these cases the complaint is withdrawn. It is not possible, without undue expenditure of staff time, to estimate the amount involved.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he hopes to present to Parliament the Report of the Committee on District Heating.

I am informed that the Report on District Heating by the Heating and Ventilation (Reconstruction) Committee of the Building Research Board of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is due to be published later in the year as Volumes Nos. 31 and 32 in the series of Post-War Building Studies.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now able to make a statement on the introduction of branded petrol.

No.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will direct that during next winter persons of 70 years of age or more may be allowed to obtain one bag of coal or coke in addition to their allocation to serve as a reserve supply.

I sympathise with my hon. and learned Friend's concern for these old people, but I prefer to adhere to the existing system, which has stood the test of some years' experience, and under which such cases are dealt with by local fuel overseers according to individual need.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the draft report of the Ridley Committee, established in July, 1951, to report upon the wider aspects of our fuel and power economy, is now in the hands of his Department; what is the anticipated publication date; and whether this report will be laid before Parliament in the form of a White Paper, or in what other form.

I have this morning received the Report of the Ridley Committee on National Fuel Policy, and I should like to congratulate and thank the Committee for having completed its work. The Report will be presented to Parliament in the form of a Command Paper. I understand that it will be available from the printers in about six weeks' time.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what further information he has on the progress made by the Caltex Company in its project for a refinery at Brownwich, Hampshire.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Itchen (Mr. Morley) on 24th March. I understand that negotiations for the acquisition of land are still continuing.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are taken to supervise the conditions under which pit ponies are employed.

The care and treatment of pit ponies are regulated by the Third Schedule to the Coal Mines Act, 1911, as amended by the Coal Mines (Horses) Regulations, 1949. These Regulations are supervised by seven horse inspectors who devote their whole time to this work, as well as by other members of the mines inspectorate who give part of their time to it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the reduction of 258 million home-produced eggs for the year ended 31st May, 1952, will create hardship in the homes of the United Kingdom; what was the cause of this reduction; and what steps he is taking to restore this loss, in view of the important part of the British diet that home-produced eggs form at the present time.

There are two main causes of this 3 per cent. decline in production. First a deliberate change in seasonal price emphasis with the object of encouraging the production of more eggs in the winter, so that at the expense of a slight decrease in the annual total, the housewife obtains a more regular supply through the year. Secondly, a reduction in profitability of egg production following the Annual Price Review of 1951 may have affected output adversely. Following the Review of 1952 profit margins have been improved, and I hope that production will recover.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has considered the long term effect of chemical spraying on agriculture generally, including stock rearing as well as crops; and if he will charge a suitable committee or council with the duty of investigating the whole future of this question.

My hon. Friend can be assured that the long-term effects of chemical spraying are receiving attention in various contexts, and I do not think that any additional investigation is called for. The Agricultural Research Council and the Agricultural Improvement Council have had under review the effect spraying may have on the balance of nature, and the A.R.C. and the Nature Conservancy are conducting research on this problem. An A.R.C. Unit and my Department are carrying out investigations into the long-term effects of weed-killers and my Department is also keeping under review the possible harmful effect of sprays on animals. A Working Party under Professor Zuckerman is inquiring into possible effects on products for human consumption.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what information he has as to the extent to which cleaning machines have been installed on farms in the United Kingdom; and whether he will consider increasing the controlled price for seed bought by merchants from farmers with a view to encouraging improved volume and germination of clean seed, rather than permitting the continuation of the annual loss suffered by agriculture due to drilling seed uncleaned.

The agricultural machinery census taken in January, 1952, showed 9,700 power-operated winnowers and cleaners on agricultural holdings in the United Kingdom; in addition, there are various hand and power-operated fanners and similar machines on farms which can be used for some seed cleaning processes. Except in a few cases, these machines are not suitable for precision cleaning of small seeds in the same way as the range of special seed cleaning machinery used by seed merchants.There is no control over the price of seed bought by merchants from farmers. The advisory services generally encourage farmers to sow clean seed of suitable varieties and strains.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total sales of seed by merchants to farmers in the United Kingdom; and how these figures compare with the total quantity of seed sown on farms during a similar period.

Sales of seed by merchants to farmers in 1951–52 are estimated to have been as follows:

Great Britain		Tons
Wheat	…	123,594
Barley	…	76,090
Oats	…	123,514
Rye	…	3,004
Dredge Corn	…	14,240
United Kingdom
Herbage seeds	…	30,092
Other agricultural seeds	…	13,548
Vegetable seeds	…	11,022

In addition, many farmers save and sow their own seed or sell seed to other farmers under licence. I have no information about the total quantity of seed actually sown on farms.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what survey has been made recently of the possibilities of increasing meat production in the Falkland Islands; and what action is being taken to encourage this.

Yes. Possibilities have been investigated by the Colonial Development Corporation, which is now constructing a meat refrigeration plant in the Colony. This is the best means of encouraging local farmers to develop meat production.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that financial hardship is being imposed on the unemployed in certain areas in Scotland owing to the closing down of local employment exchange offices; and whether he will consult with the National Assistance Board with a view to the reimbursement of bus fares incurred in travelling to other offices.

Four local offices in Scotland have been closed on grounds of economy. Apart from Kelty, however, where applicants for unemployment benefit are now required to travel to the nearby Cowdenbeath Employment Exchange, claimants who previously attended at these offices are, because of the distances involved, now being dealt with by post. In these circumstances, I do not think that any special action on my part is necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken to implement the recommendations contained in the Fourth Report from the Select Committee on Estimates, paragraph 8, concerning the need for closer contact between his Department and Remploy Limited.

My right hon. Friend has made a detailed statement on the recommendations to the Select Committee, and I understand that in accordance with the usual practice this statement will shortly be made available to the House in the final report of the Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled men employed by Remploy Limited have been dismissed during the past three years in South Wales as a result of medical regrading; and how many of such men have found suitable employment elsewhere.

This information is not immediately available, but I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he proposes to take on the representations he has received from the Lincolnshire and District Federation of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers concerning his reference back of the agreed increases in minimum rates of the various Wages Council Orders.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the right hon. Member for Blyth (Mr. Robens) on 21st July.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of persons unemployed in Manchester and the figure as a percentage of the total of insured persons.

Nine thousand four hundred and thirteen at 16th June, representing 1.8 per cent. of the estimated total number of employees in the area.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons unemployed in the Greater London area and the figure as a percentage of the total of insured persons.

Fifty thousand and eighty-seven at 16th June, representing 1.2 per cent. of the estimated total number of employees in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers serving in the British Army on the Rhine have married German women since the penalty of posting elsewhere was stopped last January; how many of these marriages were authorised and how many unauthorised; how these figures compare with the figures for comparable periods before and after the posting penalty was introduced in April, 1951; what percentage of soldiers who have married German women since January have been under 21 years of age at the time of marriage; and what conditions, such as the health and security clearances of prospective wives, are still attached to permission to marry.

During the first six months of this year, 163 marriages were authorised and 50 unauthorised marriages are known to have taken place. Figures for similar periods are, before the posting procedure was introduced, 272 authorised marriages and 136 unauthorised marriages coming to light; and, while the procedure was in operation, 175 and 147 respectively. 1½ per cent. of those married since January, 1952, have been under 21 years of age at the time of marriage. Medical examination and security clearance of prospective wives are at present still required, but these will be waived under the new regulations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much coal has been exported to Italy for each of the last three years and at what average prices; what quantity was offered, and at what price, for the year to 30th June, 1953, at the Anglo-Italian Economic Committee's recent meeting; and if the offer has been accepted.

1,119,000 tons of coal were exported to Italy in 1949, 1,675,000 tons in 1950 and 500,000 tons in 1951, the average f.o.b. value per ton for these years being respectively 82s., 82s., and 84s. In 1952 substantially increased quantities over 1951 have been offered, but it would not be in accordance with our practice to disclose the figures. Prices are subject to commercial negotiations in the usual way between the Italian buyers and the National Coal Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance to farmers now planning next year's crop of early potatoes that the spoiling of the market by foreign imports will be prevented.

If the seasonal suspension of the open general licence should still be necessary in 1953, the period during which imports are restricted will be fixed in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Minister of Food in the light of the estimated home production and of demand.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give an assurance that the undertaking that tenants transferred from Craigentinny Camp, Edinburgh, to huts in other camps in the city would not be asked to accept huts providing inferior accommodation is still being observed.

I am not clear to what undertaking the right hon. and learned Member is referring. The arrangements for the transfer of families from Graigentinny Camp to other camps in the city are in the hands of the Corporation, who tell me that they are doing their best to provide these families with reasonably suitable alternative accommodation. If, however, the right hon. and learned Member has any information to the contrary, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will extend the application of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act, 1949, to criminal cases taken on indictment.

I regret that I am unable at present to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the introduction of legislation to amend the law of succession in Scotland.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the balance between wastage and recruitment in the months of April, May and June, 1952, in the police forces of England and Wales, giving separately the figures for the Metropolitan Police, all the county police forces and all the county borough forces; and if he will give the total balance between wastage and recruitment of each group over the period 1st August, 1951, and 30th June, 1952.

A. APRIL-JUNE, 1952
Forces	Month (1952)		Men			Women
			Recruitment	Wastage	Increase (+)	Recruitment	Wastage	Increase (+) or Decrease (-)
Metropolitan	April	…	93	57	+36	5	3	+2
	May	…	99	80	+19	3	3	—
	June	…	99	66	+33	6	8	-2
Counties	April	…	221	107	+114	20	9	+11
	May	…	214	102	+112	18	10	+8
	June	…	182	92	+90	21	13	+8
Cities and Boroughs	April	…	135	97	+38	7	5	+2
	May	…	190	96	+94	18	9	+9
	June	…	147	95	+52	13	7	+6

B. 1ST AUGUST, 1951, TO 30TH JUNE, 1952
Foreces			Men			Women
			Recruitment	Wastage	Increase (+)	Recruitment	Wastage	Increase (+)
Metropolitan	…	…	1,040	733	+307	83	47	+36
Counties	…	…	2,549	1,197	+1,352	207	110	+97
Cities and Boroughs	…	…	2,013	1,022	+991	137	93	+44
Total	…	…	5,602	2,952	+2,650	427	250	+177

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the report on the inquiry into the redistribution of ward boundaries in Brighton; and when it is expected that effect will be given to the redistribution scheme.

The Commissioner has not yet submitted his scheme. The intention is that it should come into force for the ordinary election of councillors in May, 1953.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider reviewing the rate of alternative widows' pensions awarded to widows of soldiers killed in the 1914–18 war and in respect of which no increase has been made since the first award of the pensions.

The figures are as follows:

Where the new standard rates announced in April last were more favourable than the alternative pension the widows concerned received the improved standard rates. I do not feel justified in increasing those alternative pensions which remain higher than the comparable standard rates.

asked the Minister of Works how many of the car pool drivers, whom the Government propose to dismiss, were stationed in London; how many in the provinces; and how many will be left after the dismissals have taken place.

The figure of 137 which I gave to the right hon. Member on 22nd July refers to reductions which have already been effected; 74 were in London and 63 in the provinces. These reductions brought the total drivers down to 603, of whom 185 were in London.