asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that retired officers who were placed on the Reserve after 1919 and given a gratuity in lieu of retired pay and who were recalled to the Colours in 1939 are unable to claim additional Service gratuity or retired pay in respect of their second period of service; that those officers who received retired pay instead of gratuity and were recalled have been granted additions in respect of their 1939–45 war service; and whether he will take steps to end this anomaly by removing the discrimination against officers with gratuity and so put both classes on an equal footing.

This distinction was made deliberately and I think that the reasons for it were sound.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now let the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North, have a definite reply to his letters of 22nd April and 10th June respecting the case of 21183194 Gunner W. Copeland; and what is the present position.

The proceedings, which are of unusual length, were received on 11th July. Now that the Judge Advocate General has examined this man's petition, the case is being prepared for consideration by the Army Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the results of his inquiries to find out the causes of the cancellation by South Africa of orders for important equipment due for delivery in 1950 and 1951; what steps he has taken, or is taking, to persuade the South African Government to reconsider the cancellation of these orders, and to prevent any recurrence of such delays on similar orders from abroad in the future.

I understand that the statement made by the South African Minister of Transport on 18th June referred to cancellation in the case of only one order, and that in this case the order has not been cancelled, but new delivery conditions have been arranged. We have asked the South African Government to let us know if any troubles arise over particular orders in the future. I hope that the South African Government will refer these to us before considering cancellation so that we may first investigate the causes for delay and do what we can to help.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reasons for the tabling of Statutory Instrument No. 1315, 1952, entitled Hire-Purchase and Credit Sale Agreements (Maximum Prices and Charges) Order, 1952.

The Order was laid before Parliament in accordance with Section 17 (2) of the Goods and Services (Price Control) Act, 1941. The purpose and effect of the Order is that price-controlled and other goods can now be included in a single agreement. Subject to minor exceptions, the maximum price or maximum charge which the Order fixes could previously only be charged, if the agreement was confined to price-controlled goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what factors have caused the further redundancy of men and boys in North Eastern Trading Estate factories in Sunderland; and when he anticipates this trend will be reversed, and increased numbers of men and boys employed at these factories.

The total numbers employed in factories at Sunderland administered by the North Eastern Trading Estate Company rose by 29 between the end of March and the end of May this year, but there was a fall of 32 in male employment. The main cause of this fall was a change in the tenancy of one factory, but the new tenants are likely to employ a greater number than the number by which employment thus fell.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what number of persons, men and women, respectively, were employed in the Gateshead Team Valley Trading Estate on the latest available date; and the number on the corresponding date in the year previous.

On 25th May, 1952, the latest date for which official statistics are available, 6,066 men and 6,019 women, making a total of 12,085, were employed in factories on the Estate. Official figures are not available for May of last year but the corresponding figures for 30th June, 1951, were 5,718 men and 5,938 women, making a total of 11,656.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that on the Coronation Souvenirs Committee the widest possible representation of manufacturing interests is secured.

The constitution of the Coronation Souvenirs Committee is a matter for the Council of Industrial Design, who formed the Committee at my right hon. Friend's request. I am informed that the trade associations of the industries which will produce Coronation souvenirs have been invited to appoint technical advisers to assist the Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade under which international agreements limits are placed upon Her Majesty's Government's rights to maintain and increase measures of Commonwealth Preference and discrimination in favour of Commonwealth countries.

As to tariff preferences, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) on 24th April. As to discrimination in import quotas by the United Kingdom in favour of other Commonwealth countries, the only relevant international agreement is the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, which lays down that import restrictions shall eventually be non-discriminatory, but gives us wide freedom at the present time to discriminate in favour of sterling area countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what unexpired import licences for cotton yarn and cotton cloth are still outstanding; and the value, volume and country of origin to which such licences apply.

The information is not available in the form in which my hon. and gallant Friend has asked, first since our records only show licences issued and not the amount imported against them, and secondly, since most licences recently issued have permitted the import of textiles from any of those countries to which the open general licence applied before its revocation in March, that is, mainly Western Europe. But I can say that over the past six months licences have been issued for the import of about £1¾ million of cotton yarns and £17 million of textile piece goods including cotton. Of the latter figure, approximately £15½ million of textile piece goods have been licensed since the revocation of the open general licence in March from the countries to which it applied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what treaty obligations to arrange for the import of cotton yarn and cotton cloth he is bound; and if he will state the value, volume and the country to which such obligations apply.

Her Majesty's Government are not bound by any specific commitment in respect of imports of cotton yarn and cotton cloth, but the five-year Trade and Financial Agreements of 1949 with Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia included an obligation to establish import quotas for certain less essential imports from those countries, and these imports could include textile goods which these countries have traditionally exported to this country. For Poland, an import quota of £45,000 for cotton cloth has been fixed for 1952. Negotiations with Czechoslovakia are still in progress. There is no quota for cotton yarn or cotton cloth from Yugoslavia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many building licences for new industries have been granted during the past six months in the depressed cotton areas of Lancashire; and how many applications for such licences have been rejected.

If the hon. Member will let me know the particular areas for which he requires statistics, I will arrange with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works to let him have the information as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government in furtherance of their policy of encouraging diversification of industry in Lancashire.

I am glad to be able to announce that agreement has been reached in the last few days on the extension in some of the worst hit towns in Lancashire of three engineering firms, the General Electric Company, in Shaw, the Burnley Aircraft Products Ltd., in Burnley, and the British Thomson-Houston Co. Ltd., in Nelson. All three projects will be housed in existing premises and will, it is hoped, eventually provide additional employment for about 2,000 people. We are doing all we can to persuade other firms to follow their example.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much tobacco it is proposed to import from Rhodesia this year; how much was imported last year; and what the stocks in this country of Rhodesian tobacco are today.

Imports into the United Kingdom of unmanufactured tobacco from Rhodesia were 51,596,511 lb. in 1951 and are expected to amount to about 60,000,000 lb. in 1952. Stocks of Rhodesian tobacco of all types at 1st June last were 71,700,000 lb.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many building licences for the erection or extension of factories in the Development Areas have been granted during the past six months; and if he will give the location of such factories with comparable figures for the Greater London area.

The answer is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to refer to the Monopolies Commission the evidence which was submitted to his predecessor in May, 1951, of monopolistic practices in the distribution of agricultural machinery.

My right hon. Friend will bear this in mind in considering matters for reference to the Commission.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in view of the difficulties experienced by voluntary and other bodies, who engage in the collection of waste paper for salvage, in disposing of it, what steps he is taking so to regulate the import of wood pulp as to ensure that such salvage is used.

The greater part of the waste paper collected is used for making boards and wrapping papers, for which little or no wood pulp is imported. Severe restrictions have been imposed on imports of wood pulp.Some higher quality waste paper is used in substitution of wood pulp for making other sorts of paper, but this must first be segregated. Almost all the waste paper offered by voluntary bodies and local authorities is unsorted and my noble Friend would not, therefore, be justified in trying to force paper mills to use it in substitution for their limited supplies of wood pulp, to the detriment of the quality of their products, in which there is an important export trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what income is to be made available to the Children's Film Foundation for their second financial year beginning 1st July, 1952.

I have not yet been asked to approve a further allocation from the British Film Production Fund to the Children's Film Foundation Ltd. I understand that this matter is under discussion at the moment between the Foundation and the four trade associations, representing the film industry, with whose agreement such an allocation would be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that textile machinery exports for the first six months of 1952 were a record, amounting to £25 million; what was the amount of new machinery made available for the home market; and if he will give an assurance that a balance will be kept between home and overseas allocations of new machinery.

Yes. Comparable figures for deliveries to the home market in the first six months of 1952 are not yet available but in the first three months of this year the value of home deliveries amounted to just under £10 million. In common with other sections of the engineering industries, the textile machinery manufacturers have been asked to increase their exports, but arrangements have been made in cooperation with them to ensure that full account is taken of the importance of the needs of our own textile industries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the increase in British cotton spinning spindles for the half year to January, 1952, compares with India's increase of nearly 400,000 spindles, and Japan's increase of 1,250,000; and what effect he estimates these developments will have on our export of finished textile goods.

In the period in question the number of ring spindles in the cotton industry in the United Kingdom increased by 177,000 and the number of mule spindles fell by 496,000. The growth of productive capacity in India and Japan may be expected to lead to intensified competition in many of our overseas markets, but I am not prepared to attempt to measure its effects.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the Report of the No. 2 Tucker Committee on Taxation and Pensions.

I am not at present able to add anything to the answer given to my hon. Friend's Question on this subject on 17th June.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value of gifts made or promised to Britain by the United States of America since the cessation of Lend-Lease.

The gross amount is 2,215 million dollars, of which the composition was shown under "Grants" in the answer given on 26th May to the hon. Member for Norwich, North (Mr. J. Paton). Under the arrangements with the United States, however, 5 per cent. of the sterling counterpart of grants under Marshall Aid and Mutual Security Aid, which account for 2,093 million dollars of the 2,215 million dollars, is made available to the United States Government for certain of its expenditures in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in respect to Purchase Tax reliefs on outsize garments, following discussions with the appropriate trade associations.

This matter has been carefully examined with the trade associations concerned; but it seems that no workable plan, that is not unduly complicated, can be devised for giving higher D relief to "outsize" garments; and I am afraid I am forced to the conclusion that such a refinement on the D scheme would not be practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase the amount of currency that can be taken out of the country for those participating in or visiting the Olympic Games at Helsinki.

No. I am satisfied that an adequate amount of foreign currency has been allowed to the competitors. Spectators have been allowed exceptionally to pay in sterling in the United Kingdom for tickets of admission to the Games, but we cannot afford any further concession.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further steps he proposes to take to discuss the nation's economic position with the Trades Union Congress in view of the fact that in recent years previous Chancellors have addressed this body in the autumn.

I told the Economic Committee of the T.U.C. at my last meeting with them that I was at their disposal for further talks and that I personally would welcome a further exchange of views.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardship caused in connection with the Pensions (Increase) Bill in view of the fact that pensions arising therefrom will be paid some quarterly and some monthly, starting after October, while increases to cover the withdrawal of food subsidies are to be met by 1st October; and if he will take steps to meet this difficulty.

Increases under the Bill will be operative from 1st October and I am confident that pension authorities will make every effort to pay them as quickly as possible after that date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the subject of Purchase Tax on pianos.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that strict interpretation by the banks of his directives regarding restriction of credit has caused grave embarrassment to many clergymen of the Church of England, who receive their stipends quarterly in arrears; and whether he will indicate to the banks that, in dealing with such cases, some latitude should be allowed.

The application in individual cases of my request to the banks about curtailment of credit must necessarily be left to the banks themselves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in order that travel agencies may make the necessary provision for the winter season, what is the earliest date on which he hopes to announce the foreign travel allowance on the expiry of the current period.

My aim is to make an announcement early in October.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts of Customs and Excise revenue have been brought to charge in each of the last three revenue years by the officers of Customs and Excise and the Customs waterguard officers, respectively.

Revenue figures are not available under these heads and could not be obtained without unjustified expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far his concession in Estate Duty, house valuation, announced by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer on 18th May, 1944, is still in force; the number of claims to the concession made since 18th May, 1944, up to the nearest convenient date; and, of such claims, how many were granted and how many refused.

The concession as regards the valuation of house property for Estate Duty purposes to which my hon. Friend refers is still fully in force.I regret that the information for which he asks in the last two parts of his Question is not available and could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reply he has made to the representation sent to him by the National Feather Purifiers Association regarding the Purchase Tax on down quilts; and what steps he will take to prevent dislocation of that industry.

I shall be writing to the Chairman of the Association as soon as possible and will send my hon. Friend a copy. One major source of dislocation of industry is uncertainty and I hope that the down quilt trade will improve following the decision announced in the reply given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop) on 10th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far Her Majesty's Government has been involved in expenditure for the lodging of the German delegation at the conference on repayment of bond indebtedness in London.

No such expenditure has been incurred by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that no renewal of sterling loans to the Argentine Government in the present negotiations will be agreed unless some satisfactory arrangement is made concerning the amounts claimed by British holders of the Anglo-Argentine Tramways as compensation for losses in the B.A. Tramways Corporation.

Negotiations with the Argentine Government are now proceeding, and I am unable to make any statement about them at present. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that every effort will be made to obtain satisfaction for British holders in companies which have claims for compensation against the Argentine Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to dollar clauses in sterling loans to Japan and Germany.

We are in communication with the United States Government on this question and I should, therefore, prefer to postpone any statement for the time being.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of Income Tax relief per annum on unearned incomes of £5,000 and over; and the amount on earned incomes of £350 and under.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the tables included in the Financial Statement which I presented on 11th March, 1952.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why, in the recent agreement between the Commissioners of Customs and Excise and the Clothing Federation, those manufacturers who have more than 250 live accounts with ordinary retailers are treated more favourably in respect of Purchase Tax than those who have fewer than 250 such accounts; and what statutory authority there is for this discrimination.

The statutory authority is Section 21, Finance (No. 2) Act, 1940, which provides for tax assessment by reference to the price which the goods would fetch on a sale by wholesale to a retail trader. The arrangements in question were recently agreed with the clothing associations to facilitate initial classification of manufacturers who, when selling direct to retailers, may be considered for this purpose as selling at the wholesale price-level. The figure mentioned is one of several tests applied in this connection as a general working rule; but it does not preclude similar treatment for other cases on special consideration.As my hon. Friend will know, this and other matters relating to Purchase Tax valuation will be reviewed, by the committee which has recently been appointed by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in what circumstances and at what point of time under his regulations a man's postwar credits become payable to his widow; and when they are paid.

Section 26, Finance Act, 1946, provides that, where the post-war credits of a deceased holder are bequeathed to his widow, or are assigned to her by the deceased's legal personal representatives, she may claim payment on attaining 60 years of age.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding the employment of temporary staff in the Civil Service over the age of 65.

The policy is to employ temporary civil servants beyond the age of 65 in suitable cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further information he can now give about his proposals for higher technological education.

I cannot at present add to the statement which I made on 11th June in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. G. Longden).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what precautions are taken to prevent an irresponsible person from holding a gun licence.

None. The law does not require such precautions to be taken before a gun licence, as distinct from a fire-arms certificate, is granted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new licences for pawnbrokers to operate in Cardiff have been issued since 1st November, 1951.

One.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that some local borough councils are still adhering to the old ratio of 20 per cent. in the granting of private licences to build houses, whereas others are proceeding to issue up to 50 per cent. of the annual quota; and if he will take steps to regularise the position.

My right hon. Friend would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Solihull (Mr. M. Lindsay) on 22nd July.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local councils, which are housing authorities, have not issued a private house building licence since 1945; and if he will publish a list of these authorities.

My right hon. Friend would refer my hon. Friend to Appendix B to the quarterly Housing Returns.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether his inquiries about bogus house-letting agencies will include an examination of the activities of P.M. Estate Agency, 126, Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many of the houses completed in the first five months of this year were built in rural areas; and what was the corresponding figure for the same period last year.

My right hon. Friend would ask my hon. Friend to await the publication in a few days' time of the quarterly Housing Return for June, 1952.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made by the working party which is considering proposals for ending the requisitioning of premises for housing purposes; and when their report is expected.

My right hon. Friend understands that the working party are considering the submission of interim recommendations in a few weeks' time.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, if he will arrange for the next reports of the new towns corporations to contain figures showing for each new town, the number of adults rehoused to date; the number of adults rehoused who work in the designated area, and out of the designated area, respectively; and the number of new places in industry.

No. My right hon. Friend thinks that the reports give sufficient general information under the appropriate heads about the progress that is being made.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to issue the circular containing detailed instructions or guidance for local authorities as to their procedure for selling council houses and shops to tenants.

My right hon. Friend proposes to issue the circular on the sale of council houses as soon as the Housing Bill has received the Royal Assent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Hornsey Borough Council to permit the rebuilding of a house at a cost of £9,850; and what reply he has made to its application for a licence for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has yet approved the request of Hornsey Borough Council for the granting of a building licence for a house with a sale price of £9,850 and a rental of £915 per annum.

The borough council were told that there was no objection to their issuing a licence for the rebuilding of this damaged house subject to the size and cost being kept within reasonable limits, and to the observance of current economy standards in the use of scarce materials. My right hon. Friend is asking the council for further details. I ought perhaps to add that two existing buildings will be released.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which rent tribunal offices he has decided to close and which others he is considering the possibility of closing in the near future; how many applications each of these tribunals has dealt with under the 1946 and 1949 Rent Acts, respectively; what have been the results of such applications; and what has been the percentage by which the rents charged have been reduced in the cases where a reduction has been made by the respective tribunals.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that a further appeal is not contemplated in the case of Rex v. St. Helens Rent Tribunal ex parte Pickavance; and what steps he proposes to take in order to give proper security of tenure to those tenants who have brought, or will bring, their cases for decision to rent tribunals so that they may not be prevented, through fear of ejection, from seeking relief in respect of the imposition on them of unreasonable rentals.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes."As regards the second part, insufficient time has elapsed since the judgment for an accurate assessment of its effect to be made. My right hon. Friend is keeping the matter under review.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government bow many sessions were held, and where, by the West Cheshire Rent Tribunal during each month of 1952; whether he is aware that all the members of that tribunal visited each letting concerned and made a personal inventory and valuation prior to the hearing of the case; and what arrangements he is making for similar steps to be taken in respect of future hearings so that all the members of the tribunals may be in a position to make decisions from their personal knowledge of the circumstances of the case.

The answer to the first part of the Question is given below. The answer to the second part is "No"; and to the last part "None." The arrangements for inspections are entirely for the tribunal.

• 5th January at Birkenhead, Chester, Wallasey (2), Tarvin.
• 5th February, at Birkenhead, Chester, Wallasey (3).
• 6th March, at Birkenhead (2), Chester (2), Wallasey, Warrington.
• 9th April, at Birkenhead (3), Chester (2), Wallasey (3), Bebington.
• 8th May, at Birkenhead, Chester (3), Wallasey, Bebington, Hooton, Warrington.
• 6th June, at Birkenhead (2), Chester (3), Wallasey.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government for what purpose he is asking the borough councils of Dartford and Erith and the urban council of Crayford to send in nominations for chairman and members of the rent tribunal.

To secure a list of suitable persons who could be appointed to rent tribunals as and when vacancies occur. The local authorities were not asked for nominations for any specific posts.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many cases were dealt with in 1951 by the Maidstone and Folkestone rent tribunals.

One hundred and forty-two and 102 respectively, of which 101 and 93 were rent references.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimates he has received of the number of rent-restricted houses that have fallen into a state that is beyond economic repair since 1945; and whether he will make a statement on this serious position.

My right hon. Friend has received no estimates. The Government are considering the revision of the Rent Restrictions Acts, but my right hon. Friend cannot say yet when legislation will be introduced.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the delay in completing housing projects in Liverpool as a result of a shortage of cement which has resulted in building operatives being stood off; and if he will take immediate steps to remedy this position.

No representations have been made to my right hon. Friend by the council. He understands that, while there have been some difficulties in the area, house-building has not been delayed. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Works has asked the cement makers to increase deliveries to the area.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that many miners in the Parliamentary division of Wallsend, and else- where in Northumberland, are living in houses owned by the National Coal Board which are old, unfitted for proper repairs, without water or baths and, in many cases, damp; and if he will consider recognising such areas in the Wallsend constituency and in other parts of Northumberland, by granting the application of the Coal Industry's Housing Association for erecting miners houses in these districts.

My right hon. Friend will be prepared to consider favourably any proposal of a local authority to enter into arrangements with the Coal Industry Housing Association under Section 94 of the Housing Act, 1936.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what are the latest figures for houses commenced in Sheffield since 1st January, 1952; and the latest available date; and what are the comparable figures for 1947 and 1948;(2) what is the comparative annual average figure for houses completed for the period July, 1945, to July, 1951, per 1,000 of the population for Sheffield and Norwich.

The housing progress of every local authority in England and Wales is shown in Appendix B to the Housing Returns published at the end of each quarter. My right hon. Friend is unable to add to the information given in those Returns.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what are the comparative figures per 1,000 of the population for houses commenced between 1st January, 1952, and the latest available date, as between England as a whole and Sheffield.

I am unable to add to the information published in Appendix B to the quarterly Housing Returns.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many unoccupied dwellings in London and Greater London areas have been requisitioned by local authorities upon his direction since 1st November, 1951.

Ten, with my right hon. Friend's consent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the growing number of houses and flats in London and Greater London standing empty for long periods largely on account of high premiums for contents being made a condition of sale or tenancy; and, in view of the inability of local authorities to acquire such property at reasonable prices, if he will permit local authorities to acquire such property at reasonable prices, if he will permit local authorities to requisition such dwellings for persons who are homeless or in the greatest need.

My right hon. Friend is always ready to entertain compulsory purchase orders made by local authorities for the acquisition of suitable empty properties. At this date he does not think that war-time requisitioning powers should be used save in exceptional circumstances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has made to the Cardiff City housing authority with regard to the housing of key railway staff; and what reply he has received.

The city council were asked to give special consideration to the housing needs of certain railwaymen sponsored by representatives of both sides of the industry, but were unable to accede to this request.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what reply he has sent to the Cardiff City authority's request for an additional quota of 90 licences in connection with the housing of civil servants.

The council have been asked to make further inquiries into the circumstances of the applicants for the licences.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will amend Section 3 of the Landlord and Tenant (Rent Control) Act, 1949, to strengthen the powers of local authorities to institute legal proceedings against persons demanding unreasonable premiums for furniture, fittings and the like as a condition of granting tenancies of dwellings.

This could only be considered if and when legislation to amend the Rent Restriction Acts becomes possible; but if the hon. Member will let my right hon. Friend know of any cases of difficulty he will be glad to look into them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps to extend, in suitable cases, the period provided under Section 2 of the Housing Act, 1949, during which a house owner can apply to quash a demolition order.

I have no power to extend the operation of this Section, which was a temporary provision designed to deal with conditions arising out of the war.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what licences will be issued during the remainder of this year for new projects in the reconstruction area of Southampton.

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot say whether any further licences in the reconstruction area can be issued this year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that for a number of years the village of Blackham and neighbourhood in Sussex have been completely without water for considerable periods during the summer months, and that this serious and unhealthy position could be remedied if a short main link in the supply was made, a distance of a few hundred yards; and if he will take steps to see that the situation is remedied without further delay.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the position and he understands that the water company will seek authorisation for the work as soon as they have cleared some essential preliminaries.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the acute shortage of water supplies in the Crowborough area; and if he will take steps to see that the necessary licences and materials are made available so that the local water undertaking can implement its plans for the construction of the Coggins Mill pumping station, pumping mains, etc., at Mayfield.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the position and is doing what he can to help.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plan is in contemplation for the provision of industry and schools in Peterlee.

The aim is to provide employment for the female labour available in the district and any male labour not employed in the coal mining industry. Schools are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education and she informs my right hon. Friend that two school projects have been included in the local education authority's current building programme.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what grounds the Salford City Council have been refused permission to extend their system of smokeless zones; and if the matter can be reconsidered.

My right hon. Friend has decided not to confirm the Salford Smokeless Zones Order after a public local inquiry and having regard to practical difficulties in connection with the conversion of existing means of heating. He cannot reconsider the matter at present.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the water supply for Burton Hastings and district in the Rugby rural district is most inadequate; and when he will give his approval to the scheme for a piped water supply to that area.

My right hon. Friend is awaiting details from the council of revised proposals for supplying this area.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the refusal of licences for the Plymouth City Centre during the past six months has not resulted in the expansion of other building activities in the city; and whether he will therefore take steps to issue such licences.

My right hon. Friend realises the position in Plymouth, and he has recently allowed two new projects to start in the central area because all the steel they needed was available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a statement on the licences to be issued for new projects in the Plymouth City Centre during the remaining months of this year.

My right hon. Friend recently arranged for two licences to be issued for new projects for which all the steel is available, but he regrets that he is not in a position to say whether any further licences can be issued this year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the shortage of water in and around Crawley; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure an adequate supply.

Yes, but relief will be afforded by a new main which should be ready during the next few days.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement about the compulsory purchase of property in Crawley.

I do not know what particular point my hon. Friend has in mind. The general practice is to make compulsory purchase orders only where this course is decided to be necessary in order to facilitate the development of the new town. But I want to assure my hon. Friend that I do not wish to see leasehold the only form of land tenure in a new town, and I am taking steps, if Parliament agrees, towards this end.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that Penybont, Radnorshire, has its refuse collected in the part situated within the Rhayader. Rural District Council only; and whether he will make provision for a collection within the New Radnor Rural District Council area.

I understand that the New Radnor Rural District Council are considering whether a refuse collection service can be provided for the properties in Penybont which lie in their area.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the date his Welsh office was first contacted about the sewerage and sewage disposal scheme for Howey, Colwyn Rural District Council area; what is the present position of the scheme; and what is the delay with regard to its construction.

My Welsh office has been in communication with the rural district council since 1946. The council were informed on 8th March, 1948, that a public inquiry would be held into the proposals on receipt of certain information. This information has not yet been supplied.

asked the Minister of Works when he anticipates that funds will be available to pay for the removal of defence works on the quay at Row-hedge in view of the fact that the parish council is now prepared to undertake responsibility for the removal contract.

I regret that I cannot at present make any forecast.

asked the Minister of Works how long he intends to continue the requisition of the house in Westmorland, particulars of which he has been sent.

So far it has not been possible to find any suitable alternative premises and the requisition will continue until a new building can be erected. A site is being purchased for this purpose but at present, as my hon. Friend knows, there is a ban on the building of new offices.

asked the Minister of Works why a licence has been issued for the fitment of another shop front on premises within the Uxbridge Metropolitan station for a firm of tobacconists who already have one shop within 20 yards.

No licence was necessary as I understand the work was carried out on property to which the free limit of £500 for railways applies.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that, within the last 18 months to two years, licences have been issued to five different traders within the High Street, Uxbridge, to take out old shop windows and install new ones, and that a licence was issued to another firm to build seven new shop window fronts; and how these cases of modernisation differ from that of Messrs. Suters, Limited, High Street, Uxbridge, who were not allowed to complete, by the fitment of one window, a scheme started in 1936.

The five licences were issued on change of user where the old shop front was unsuitable, and were all for much smaller amounts than that required by Messrs. Suters. I have no knowledge of the particular case in which a licence was granted for seven shop fronts.Messrs. Suters, Ltd., have already a shop front on the main street and I do not feel justified in licensing another at the back.

asked the Minister of Works what progress has been made with the selection of rayon fabrics for decorations during the Coronation period.

The decoration schemes for which I am responsible have not yet been settled, but I expect to make use of ray on fabrics.

asked the Minister of Works why he has permitted the Assembly Hall at Pencoed Hostels to be used for storage purposes; and whether he will let or sell the hall to the Penybont Rural District Council for use by the people of Pencoed.

This hostel, which is not at present required for its original purpose, is being used for storage, of which there is a great shortage in South Wales. The Assembly Hall, is particularly suitable for this, and I cannot do what the hon. Member asks, for reasons which I have already explained to him.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that Union House, St. Martins Le Grand, London, W.C.1, is still held under requisition by Her Majesty's Government, notwithstanding repeated assurances from the Directorate of Lands and Accommodation that the property would be derequisitioned at an early date; that important carpet export business is being prejudiced by the failure of the Directorate to return to Tomkinsons, carpet manufacturers of Kidderminster, that part of Union House formerly used by them in the terms of a commercial lease, as an export showroom for carpets; and whether he will derequisition at an early date that part of Union House formerly occupied by Tomkinsons Limited, following shortly thereafter with a complete derequisition of all the accommodation at Union House which has been in the hands of his Department since 1941.

I understand that alternative accommodation has been found which the Post Office, who occupy part of Messrs. Tomkinsons' premises, are prepared to accept. Part of Messrs. Tomkinsons' premises will then be derequisitioned, and they will be willing to give my Department a lease of their remaining accommodation in Union House.

asked the Minister of Works what provision is to be made for Members of Parliament and their wives to be afforded facilities to view the Coronation procession; and how soon he anticipates being able to announce the details of such arrangements.

Consideration is now being given to the allocation of seats on such Government stands as are to be constructed. I cannot yet say when it will be possible to announce details.

asked the Minister of Works what progress has been made in disposing of the Government hotel at 2 Park Street, Mayfair, and its contents.

No. 2 Park Street was de-requisitioned on 30th November, 1951. The contents were removed and are being used elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Works why, in view of the fact that there is now no control over entry into the building and civil engineering industries, Mr. A. W. Layfield, of Lindfield, Sussex, has been requested to return his present certificate of registration and informed that a new certificate will be issued if he decides to resume building or civil engineering activities.

All registered builders are required to supply information about the operation of their firms. As Mr. Layfield is not now engaged on building work it would be a waste of time and paper to send him the necessary forms and his registration has, therefore, been cancelled.

asked the Minister of Works what reduction in the number of vehicles and personnel has been made in the official car service since it has been transferred to his Department; and what is the number of cars now in the pool.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister informed the House on 15th July that since the official car service was transferred to my Department 75 civilian cars had been given up and that the headquarters of the Service Departments in London had returned 41 Service cars to their units, leaving 576 cars in the Government Car Service.The corresponding reductions in personnel are 104 civilian drivers and 41 Service drivers.

asked the Minister of Works what conclusion he has reached as a result of his researches into the working conditions of liftmen in the Palace of Westminster.

Experiments to increase the ventilation in the lifts will be carried out early in the coming Recess. It is hoped that these will improve the working conditions of the liftmen.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will remove Rodin's "The Burghers of Calais" from its present position under the Victoria Tower, where it is obscured by trees and a background of corrugated iron and scaffolding, to a site where it can be seen and appreciated by the public; and whether he will be prepared to allow it to be placed in Dulwich Park, if there is any difficulty in finding a suitable setting for this- historic work in Central London.

When funds can be made available I will consider moving this group to a site nearby where it will be seen to a better advantage. I am consulting the Royal Fine Art Commission on the matter.