asked the Minister of Labour where vacancies are available for coal miners in the Oldham area.

There are at present no vacancies at the collieries in the Oldham area, but men who apply and are accepted for coalmining are trained at the Oak Victoria Colliery in the Fails-worth district and are then offered employment in collieries near Pendlebury, and Walkden.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the National Joint Advisory Committee's Report on Apprentices and Apprenticeships has yet been made available to the public; and how far he proposes to take action to implement its recommendations.

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to certain proposals which my right hon. Friend put to the National Joint Advisory Council in January, that selected industries should be invited to review their training and apprenticeship arrangements. It will be for the industries concerned to review the position in the light of the suggestions made and I do not anticipate that their views will be available for some time.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now make a statement on night shift work in the baking industry.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24th July by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Peter Freeman).

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take to ensure that persons settling in Great Britain from abroad are free from tuberculosis.

I cannot yet add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross) on 19th June last.

asked the Minister of Health what precautions are normally taken to protect the public against infection from individuals who declare, on arrival in this country by air, that they are likely to have been in contact with typhoid or paratyphoid.

The airport doctor would normally notify the Medical Officer of Health of the district to which the traveller was going so that the latter could be given suitable advice and kept under observation.

asked the Minister of Health how many individuals suffering from active tuberculosis entered this country as immigrants last year; and what steps he is now taking to recognise and exclude such cases.

No information is available about the numbers involved. On the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross) on 19th June.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to provide institutional treatment for the many mentally defective children on the waiting lists in the Sheffield Hospital Board area.

Work is proceeding on two villas (at Caistor and at Stretton Hall) which will provide 54 additional beds for children.

asked the Minister of Health if, under his regulations, an expectant mother is entitled to claim exemption from the charge for dental treatment authorised by the National Health Service Act, 1952.

Yes, except for relinings or additions to dentures.

asked the Minister of Health what progress he has made towards a settlement of rates of remuneration for child-psychotherapists and other comparable groups of persons; and, in particular, whether he has come to a decision on their interim rates of pay.

There is no agreement at present as to what should be the qualifications and functions of nonmedical personnel engaged in psychotherapy, or under what conditions they should be employed in the Health Service, if at all. Until these matters are agreed the remuneration of such persons will continue to be determined on an individual basis.

asked the Minister of Health how the number of consultations with doctors in June of this year compares with the rate of 43 consultations per 100 persons given in the Registrar General's Quarterly Return for June, 1951.

The collection of this information was suspended in March, 1952.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there is considerable discrepancy in the practice of doctors as to the number of prescriptions they put on one form; and if he will take steps to alter doctors' terms of service to ensure that greater conformity is reached in this respect.

The need may vary in different cases. I am not clear that it would be an advantage to import further requirements into doctors' terms of service.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to approve an increase in salary to the senior staff of the Domiciliary Midwifery Service.

Revised salaries have now been agreed by the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council and have been notified to local health authorities.

asked the Minister of Health the cost of the automatic machine installed in the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary for the issue of shilling prescription tickets; how far these machines are installed or are to be installed in all similar institutions; and what will be their estimated cost.

This machine cost£43; on the remaining parts of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Exchange (Mrs. Braddock) on 19th June.

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the relative values of chrome-cobalt alloy and yellow gold as a substance for the manufacture of dentures and the filling of teeth.

I am advised that sufficient information is already available.

asked the Minister of Health the estimated cost, per form, of printing, circulating, issuing, completing, collating, computing and filling Form E.C. 57, National Health Service receipt for 1s., in respect of persons receiving National Assistance, and application for special addition to be paid at the same time as National Assistance grant, and application for refund per war pensioner per completed unit of form.

The printing cost is approximately 069d. per form. The remaining information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the issue of bone conduction receivers with National Health hearing aids.

The Electro-Acoustics Committee of the Medical Research Council has now assessed the results of clinical trials of an experimental bone-conduction aid produced for the National Health Service. The Committee has recommended this aid for issue to patients for whom a bone-conduction aid is more suitable than an air-conduction aid, and I am arranging for large-scale production as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health what protests have been made to him against the decision of the Brecon and Radnor Hospital Management Committee to build a new laundry at the St. David's Hospital, Brecon; whether he is satisfied that a laundry is urgently required; and whether he will arrange for the Welsh Regional Hospital Board to keep the local management committee informed of recent further inquiries.

The only protest came from the proprietor of a local laundry. I am satisfied that a laundry should be provided at this hospital as soon as possible. The Regional Hospital Board informed the management committee of the latest position on 22nd July.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now give the starting date for the building of a new laundry at St. David's Hospital, Brecon; and what is the estimated cost.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No." The estimated cost is£6,000.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to alleviate the overcrowding in the Menston Mental Hospital near Leeds, in view of the fact that 112 patients sleep in one ward.

The total mental hospital accommodation available in the region is being surveyed by the Regional Hospital Board with a view to some redistribution of patients so as to relieve the overcrowding in this hospital.

asked the Minister of Health how many patients in England and Wales were awaiting admission to hospitals taken over by the National Health Act when that Act came into operation; and what were the corresponding figures to the nearest available date.

The waiting list was 503,584 on 31st December, 1951. The figure is not available for the date when the National Health Service Act was brought into operation.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Liverpool City Council submitted proposals to him for registrations of deaths taking place in Newsham General Hospital, to ease the difficulties of travel, on 12th February, 1952; that since then nothing has been done; why there has been this delay; and when, after the visit of his Department's officer to Liverpool on Monday, 28th July, he will reach a decision on this matter.

The Registrar General was informed on the date mentioned of the Council's wish to have a registrar to act solely for this hospital. The General Register Office will send the town clerk next week for the assistance of the council a draft scheme amending the present approved arrangements in this and other respects. If the council resolve to submit this scheme for my statutory approval I think I can safely promise the hon. Member a speedy decision.

asked the Minister of Health if he will insist that provision of alcoholic beverages to patients in hospital shall not be allowed except under doctors' prescriptions; and whether he will state the total amount now spent on alcoholic beverages in hospitals.

It is the practice to advise hospital authorities that alcoholic beverages should be supplied to hospital patients as part of their diet only on doctors' orders. Their cost is not recorded separately, but I have no reason to think that they are being supplied extravagantly.

asked the Minister of Health how far hospital joint staffs' consultative committees are considered competent to discuss and decide upon matters of hours and wages; and why membership of a trade union or professional organisation is insisted upon as a prerequisite for belonging to such committees.

Rates of pay and conditions of service generally in the hospital service are determined nationally by the Whitley Councils and are outside the competence of hospital staffs consultative committees; they may, however, consider purely local matters such as the distribution of the working hours of particular grades of staff in their own hospitals. The conditions governing eligibility for membership of joint consultative committees in hospitals are contained in a General Whitley Council agreement, and any question of their revision is therefore a matter for consideration by that Whitley Council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the numbers of the administrative staff of hospitals nationalised under the National Health Act; and the corresponding figures in those hospitals when that Act came into operation.

The number of administrative and clerical staff at hospitals in England and Wales was 27,285 on 31st December, 1951. Corresponding figures are not available for the date when the National Health Service Act came into operation.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to repeal the National Registration Act, 1939.

The National Registration Act, 1939, expired on 22nd May, 1952.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that in a case, of which she has been sent particulars, the Northamptonshire County Education Authority have reduced a county major exhibition held by the daughter of a headmaster with effect from the date upon which he began to receive his increment of salary; and what action she proposes to take to prevent the intended increase in remuneration being reduced in this way by cuts made by local education authorities.

It is a general principle, applied by my Ministry and local education authorities alike, that the value of an award shall be related to the income of the holder's parents, and varied, upwards or downwards, in the event of changes in the parents' financial circumstances. I am in correspondence with the Northamptonshire authority about their general arrangements for this service for the coming year, but the determination of the award to be made in any particular case does not require my approval.

asked the Minister of Education if she is now in a position to announce details of her proposals for making improved financial assistance for selected technical colleges.

asked the Minister of Education what steps she is proposing to take to provide improved financial assistance for certain technical colleges.

These have been announced in Circular 255, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Education if she can now state what replies she has received from the local education authorities on their attitude to the standard rates of maintenance suggested in Administrative Memorandum No. 425; and on the number of awards to students entering college this autumn.

Of the 100 authorities that have so far replied to my questions, 74 tell me that they are accepting the standard figures of maintenance recommended by me wholly or substantially. In some cases there are provisional decisions still subject to confirmation. The replies suggest that these 100 authorities will make slightly fewer awards in total this autumn than they made last year.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the continued widespread dissatisfaction among students owing to the wide differences between the assistance grants paid by local education authorities, and their inadequacy in many cases; and what steps she is taking to remedy the position.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is now in a position to state the results of the discussions between her Department and local education authorities and universities on the subject of a maintenance standard in relation to assistance grants.

I am sending the hon. Members copies of Administrative Memorandum 425 and Circular 252 which deal with this matter. The further discussions mentioned in paragraph 6 of the Circular are concerned with methods of selection and not with standard figures of maintenance.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will publish a table showing the disparity between the numbers and amounts of assistance grants made by local education authorities in England and Wales.

As regards numbers of awards made last year, I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Appendix to Circular 247 issued last March. As regards the amounts of assistance, I have given some interim information today in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Itchen (Mr. Morley). Fuller information is not yet available about the proposals of local authorities for the coming academic year.

asked the Minister of Education what action she proposes to take in the case of Mr. Johnson Ball, principal of the Halesowen Technical College, following upon the representations she has received from the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) and the hon. Member for Oldbury and Halesowen; and whether she will now institute an inquiry into his dismissal in accordance with the provisions of Section 68 of the Education Act, 1944.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of 24th July to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro).

asked the Minister of Education the number of unfilled places in men's two-year training colleges and women's two-year training colleges, respectively.

The latest available information relates to 1st July, when there were 378 vacancies for men students, and 1,065 for women, including 972 vacancies in two-year courses for women as distinct from three-year courses for teachers of housecraft and physical education.

asked the Minister of Education (1) if she is aware of the concern in Slade Green, near Erith, Kent, at the lack of school accommodation; and what action is being taken to deal with this problem;(2) how many children, having attained the age of five years, will be unable to find a place in Slade Green, Kent, schools on resumption after the summer holiday.

I have no reason to suppose that any children of statutory school age in the Slade Green area will be out of school this autumn. A new school at Colyer's Lane, due to open next term, will relieve the schools serving Slade Green. Another new school, at Slade Green itself, will be included in the 1953–54 building programme.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if the number and character of the casualties in the disorders in Bechuanaland on 1st June, have now been ascertained; and what compensation is being given to the dependants of those killed during the attempt to restore order.

Casualties were as follows: Three African policemen were killed. Three European officers and 12 African police were seriously injured, their wounds being mainly bruises and head injuries. Twenty-one African police received minor injuries. Two tribesmen with leg injuries were admitted to hospital. Gratuities and pensions are being awarded to the dependants of the three men who were killed.The extent of casualties sustained by Government personnel is a clear indication that the attack upon them was concerted, unexpected and vicious. The police did not use their firearms and there were no fatal casualties among the tribesmen. This says much for the discipline and restraint displayed by the police under intense provocation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in how many cases the National Research Development Corporation has accepted responsibility for the sponsorship of inventive enterprises in the national interest that would otherwise be unprovided for.

The Report of the Corporation for the year ending June, 1951, shows that it then held 897 United Kingdom Patents and Patent applications. A number of these were being covered by licensing agreements. The Corporation has since acquired further patents and pursued its efforts to secure their exploitation. The Third Annual Report of the Corporation is expected to be laid before Parliament in the autumn and will undoubtedly contain further information on their activity. If, in the meantime, the hon. Member has any particular point in mind, perhaps he would let me have details.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of this season's experience, he will give an assurance that imports of foreign new potatoes will be strictly regulated from 15th May, 1953, providing that he has evidence that home-grown new potatoes are ready for the market at that time.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cornwall, North (Sir H. Roper) on 28th, and to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Hayman) on 29th July. I have now decided, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Food that, if the seasonal suspension of the open general licence should still be necessary in 1953, imports of early potatoes shall be restricted from 16th May to 31st July. This period, and in particular the earlier date, will, as usual, be subject to the supplies available from home production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the considerable difficulties which the British needle industry is facing in the export markets, particularly in respect of France, he will make representations to the French authorities to increase their import quota of British needles so as to achieve fair competition with German manufacturers, thereby ensuring the wellbeing of this industry and those who work in it.

Because of balance of payments difficulties, the French authorities are, in general, licensing imports at only one half the rates provided in their trade agreements for 1952. We have, however, asked for exceptional treatment for exports of needles, because of the difficulties of the United Kingdom needle making industry, and I am glad to say that the French authorities have now agreed to licence for the third quarter of this year, imports up to a value of£5,000, nearly double the rate for the second quarter of this year and one third of the quota for the whole year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what cuts in dollar allocation for tobacco purchase in 1952–53 are to be made and if he will ensure that such cuts in Canadian tobacco are not greater than the overall reductions.

The dollar allocations for the purchase of tobacco from the 1952 United States and Canadian crops will represent about 23 per cent. of the 1951 allocations. I am glad to repeat the assurance I gave my hon. Friend on 13th March, that this cut will not fall proportionately more heavily on Canada than on the United States.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much Japanese grey cloth was imported into this country in May, 1952; and how this compares with the amount imported during the first four months of this year.

Ten million square yards of cotton grey cloth were imported from Japan in May, 1952, and 21 million square yards in the first four months of this year. Imports of all kinds of rayon cloth from Japan in May were 133,000 square yards, and in January-April about 2 million square yards; nearly all of this was known to be grey cloth. Imports of silk grey cloth from Japan were 25,000 square yards in May, and 17,000 square yards in January-April, 1952.Civilian imports in April and May of Japanese grey cotton and rayon cloth resulted from licences granted before the issue of new licences was suspended in March. The present quota for imports of Japanese silk grey cloth expires on 30th September, 1952.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the curtailment in the production of rubber footwear, resulting in considerable unemployment; and what evidence he has of the extent to which it is attributable to increased imports of inferior products from Hong Kong and Europe and to a decline in retail sales, respectively.

I am aware that there has been a fall in the production of rubber footwear, but I cannot say how far this has been responsible for any unemployment or apportion the blame between the causes suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to make a statement indicating on what questions he intends to request the Monopolies Commission to make a report to him under Section 15 of the Monopolies Act.

I hope to be ready to make an announcement shortly after the House reassembles.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what revision he proposes to make in the control by his Department over the end use of jute and jute products; what future arrangements are proposed in connection with the certificate of approval system: what control he now proposes to exercise over jute and jute products; and to what extent he proposes to revert to the system of private buying by importers, subject to global financial control.

It is the intention that the system of certificates of approval, through which the end use of jute products is controlled, shall come to an end after 15th September, which is the earliest date which is practicable. After this, users of jute yarn, cloth and bags will be free to acquire supplies without certificates. My noble Friend considers that, for the present, it is desirable that the Jute Control should continue to purchase through normal trade channels all the country's requirements of raw jute and imported jute goods.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to what extent it is proposed to impose restrictions on the amount of lead purchased by importers from dollar and non-dollar countries.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what safeguards he has instituted to prevent the loss of dollars by the reintroduction of a free market in the purchase of lead.

There will be no restrictions on purchases of imported lead through the Metal Exchange. The imposition of such restrictions would prevent the free operation of the market and make it impossible for the Metal Exchange to establish a world price for lead. The substantial earnings in foreign currencies generally which should result directly and indirectly from re-opening an international lead market in London should much more than offset any risk of dollar losses.While dollars will be made freely available for all legitimate Metal Exchange imports, action will be taken through the Bank of England to prevent the use of the lead market for deliberate evasion of Exchange Control Regulations.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the terms of the agreement by which the Aluminum Company of Canada is to supply 2,640 tons of magnesium to this country; and why the Magnesium Elektron factory, near Burnley, which is at present idle, cannot be used to meet this demand.

In return for a loan of $2,200,000 towards the capital cost of expanding their magnesium producing capacity the Aluminum Company of Canada has undertaken to make available 2,640 tons of magnesium per annum to the United Kingdom over 20 years, beginning in 1954, at a cost not to exceed the lowest domestic price in Canada at the time of delivery.Careful consideration was given to the question of re-opening the Lowerhouse factory before this agreement was made, but in addition to other difficulties, the estimated cost of magnesium produced at Lowerhouse would be substantially higher than magnesium brought from Canada under this arrangement.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor fo the Duchy of Lancaster, what steps he will now take to reduce the price of newsprint.

The maximum price of home-produced newsprint has hitherto been controlled by Order, after a periodical review based on the cost of production and the replacement cost of raw material. The newspapers and the mills have now reached agreement on a price of£56 a ton for the current half year. My noble Friend regards this as satisfactory and he is accordingly revoking the existing Order. The power to make a new Order, should the need arise, remains.The existing arrangements will continue under which newspapers obtain their supplies from the most convenient source and at an equalised price, whether the newsprint is home-produced or imported.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further steps he intends to take to reduce Government expenditure by curtailing unneccessary activities of Government Departments, and by ensuring that necessary activities are carried out as economically as possible.

I would refer my hon. Friend to what my right hon. Friend said on this point in his speech on 29th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants have been compulsorily transferred, by reason of membership of the Communist Party, or association with Communist activities, such as to cause doubts about their loyalty; on what dates these transfers were made and within which Government Departments; and to what extent he is now satisfied that no persons whose loyalty is suspect are employed in positions of trust which could involve the security of the State.

Fifty-eight civil servants have been transferred at various dates since June, 1948. The list of Departments to which or within which they were transferred is given below. No security system can be certain to be 100 per cent. satisfactory but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the system introduced in 1948 has recently been reinforced by the new procedure of special inquiries about those employed on exceptionally secret work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures are being taken to prevent the export from this country of valuable literary and historical manuscripts.

Under existing arrangements licences are required for the export of literary and historical manuscripts written more than 75 years ago. My right hon. Friend is awaiting the report of the Committee on the Export of Works of Art, set up in October, 1950, by the previous Government to advise on an export policy for works of art, including manuscripts, which will no doubt make recommendations on the adequacy or otherwise of the present arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what preparations have been made for the starting of talks on the Austrian debts, in view of the impending closing of the German debt talks; whether holders of Austrian bonds can yet register their claims; whether he can state the amount available for the settlement of pre-war debts due to British nationals; and what machinery has been set up to register these claims.

It is expected that a conference on Austrian Governmental Debts will take place in the autumn. Procedure for the registration of claims will then be arranged.I presume that the second part of the Question refers to the settlement of prewar sterling debts due to residents in the United Kingdom, covered by the exchange of notes supplemental to the Monetary and Property Agreement signed on 30th June, 1952 (Cmd. 8608). The amount of money available under this agreement is estimated at£500,000. As announced in the Press at the beginning of the month, claims should be registered with the Austrian Embassy in London.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to ensure that pay-as-you-earn deductions from salaries and pay relating to previous under-assessments are not made until the taxpayer concerned has had an opportunity of appealing.

The P.A.Y.E. Regulations specifically provide for a code number to remain in operation pending the hearing of an appeal against it. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, I will have it looked into if he will send me details.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide Purchase Tax relief for pictorial and other souvenirs of the Coronation and for decorations for the Coronation celebrations.

With certain limitations, pictures, prints, photographs (including picture postcards) and statuettes of H.M. the Queen and H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh will be exempted from Purchase Tax for a period of one year from 1st October next. The potential range of other Coronation souvenirs is so wide that it would be very costly for the Exchequer to provide comprehensive relief and the choice is so much a matter of personal taste that it would be invidious to influence it by discriminating in favour of particular articles. But I would point out that a large variety of personal and domestic articles, which are exempt from tax for other reasons, can be got up as Coronation souvenirs without incurring tax.Of the materials commonly used for public decoration out-of-doors, streamers and garlands of cloth, plastic material or water-proofed paper are free of tax and bunting cloth is usually of a value which entitles it to exemption from tax under the D scheme. Some flags and banners and some crowns, plaques, shields and similar decorations suitable for use in outdoor displays are at present taxed and my right hon. Friend is arranging for them to be exempted during the year beginning 1st October. He is making no special provision for private or indoor decoration since the choice is again a matter of personal taste.Details of the reliefs I have mentioned will be found in the Treasury Order which is being laid before the House today and will be published next week.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in how many cases successful applications for financial accommodation have been made to the Development Areas Treasury Advisory Committee since January, 1951, by industrial concerns in South Wales; and what were the total applications received.

Nine out of twenty-nine, of which four are still under investigation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fees are charged to authors of scientific and artistic books who wish to reproduce illustrations of works of art contained in the national museums.

Each museum or gallery has its own scale of fees. But they often make no charge, or a purely nominal charge, for reproductions in learned works or educational books.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will make a statement on the theft of Lord Vernon's gold casket from the National Maritime Museum on 15th July; and whether he will now restore the cuts in warding staff he has imposed on this museum.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the recent theft from the National Maritime Museum; and whether he will now reconsider the decision to impose staff cuts on this and other institutions.

I would refer the right hon. and the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave on 22nd July to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Bromwich (Mr. Dugdale).I am now able to add that, according to my most recent information the police have rcovered all except one small piece of the casket. Arrests have been made and proceedings are expected to follow.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, following his consultations with the National Farmers' Union, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other interested bodies, he has decided to take further measures to check sheep worrying by dogs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any further proposals to announce for bringing sheep worrying by dogs under control.

In the consultations which, as the House knows, I have been having with representatives of farmers, local authorities and animal welfare societies in England and Wales and Scotland, a number of steps that might be taken to check sheep worrying by dogs have been very fully considered. Unfortunately most of the proposals considered would involve legislation and there is at present no prospect of the Government being able to introduce legislation on the subject. But I would stress that no legislative measures can by themselves provide a complete solution to these problems and the difficulties about legislation at the present time do not mean that nothing can be done.The organisations which I have consulted have referred to the large number of stray, ownerless or uncared for dogs which undoubtedly do much damage to livestock. I hope that the police in areas where livestock are kept will, so far as their other duties permit, make a special effort to round up such dogs.The serious damage that may be caused by even a playful dog is not yet sufficiently realised by the public generally. The animal welfare societies and the farmers' unions have assured me that they will continue the valuable work that they have been doing in bringing home to dog owners the losses that their dogs may cause if not prevented from worrying livestock. The Agricultural Departments will also continue to give publicity to this matter.I appeal to all dog owners to cooperate in preventing the suffering and loss of food that is caused by attacks on farm livestock.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the future of the Ellbridge Horticultural Station.

I shall be willing to arrange for the Ellbridge Horticultural Station to be developed as a sub-centre of the Camborne Experimental Horticulture Centre provided that my Department can obtain adequate security of tenure. Negotiations to that end with the owner of the land are now proceeding.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) if he will institute an independent inquiry into the circumstances in which Cornish potato growers have suffered an estimated loss of£270,092 on this year's crop; and whether he will empower such an inquiry to make recommendations in order that this may not be repeated next year;

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the heavy financial losses sustained by Cornish farmers on this year's early potato crop; and what action he proposes to take to mitigate the effect of these losses.

I very much doubt whether the losses which the Cornish potato growers have suffered this year can be anything like the figure mentioned, but in any case they were caused in very large part by the fact that the bulk of the crop was not marketed until June, when it met with competition from heavy and unexpectedly early supplies from other parts of the country. Such factors as these are outside my Department's control, and I could not agree—even if I had the necessary powers—that the growers should be compensated from public money for their loss. The financial results from growing this crop can only be judged over a period of years, and on this basis the growing of first earlies on suitable land does not appear to be unprofitable.I do not propose to institute an inquiry. I am not clear what action the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne has in mind, but as regards imports I would refer him to the reply given to another Question by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what directions he gave to the Cornwall Agricultural Executive Committee as to the acreage which should be devoted to the early potato crop this year.

No directions were given to county agricultural executive committees about the acreage of early potatoes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what discussions have been held regarding the future of the Milk Marketing Board.

As I told the House on 12th June, we have at present under consideration proposals from the Board that its former marketing powers should be restored to it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to ensure the continued collection of waste food for use as animal feedingstuffs.

In view of the need to obtain the maximum home production of feedingstuffs and to safeguard animal health the Government is anxious to see the collection and processing of waste food, now carried out under Defence Regulations, continued and where possible expanded. Legislation to place the existing scheme on a more stable basis is unfortunately out of the question at the present time, but it will be considered when possible. Meantime, the Secretary of State and I should like to take this opportunity of thanking those local authorities and others who have performed such useful service since 1940, and to ask them and the public to intensify their efforts to help feed our increasing pig population.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement about the grants available for land ploughed up since 31st May.

Yes. Discussions have taken place with the industry on the use of the money allocated at the recent Annual Review for a continuing scheme of ploughing grants. I am laying before Parliament today the necessary draft instrument for England and Wales and Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State for Scotland is taking appropriate action for Scotland.In order to ensure a substantial contribution in 1953 towards the extra million acres of tillage referred to in the Government's recent White Paper, as well as providing an incentive for the regular ploughing up of leys, it is proposed to pay a standard rate of£5 per acre for grass sown before 1st June, 1949, and ploughed up in the 12 months beginning 1st June, 1952. Normally land must be cropped for next year's harvest. Direct reseeding will rank for grant exceptionally if approved beforehand as the right course in the interest of good husbandry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has considered the desirability of improving the liaison between county agricultural executive committees and himself in the interests of increased food production.

Yes. Although C.A.E.Cs. have assured me of their full support in the food production drive, and I am most grateful to them and their district and sub-committees for the time and energy they are so generously giving to their task, I feel that their work would be still more effective if there were a closer personal link with me than the present Departmental machinery provides.Under prevailing conditions it is impossible for me and my two Parliamentary Secretaries to visit many county committees in the course of the year and I have, therefore, decided to revive the system of part-time liaison officers that was so successful during the war years. I am glad to say that a number of prominent men in the agricultural field have very kindly agreed to act as my personal representatives in this important liaison work. A statement giving further particulars will be issued to the Press in the course of the next few days.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the reduction in the catches of plaice off the Sussex coast; and if he will consult with other countries concerned, with a view to reducing the present intensive fishing of mid-Channel plaice-spawning grounds during the winter months.

Landings of plaice at Sussex ports have risen slightly over the past two years, but I am aware that in general the stocks of white fish in the Channel are declining. I am advised that this is not the result of fishing spawning grounds but is due partly to natural causes, and partly to the catching of immature fish in the Channel and the North Sea, and that the remedy lies in action in accordance with the provisions of the Overfishing Convention of 1946. That Convention comes into operation two months after it has been ratified by the 12 signatory Governments; 11 of the 12 have now ratified, and it is hoped that the remaining signatory, Spain, will ratify shortly.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether, in view of the information on public posters that hardship other than that arising in respect of persons on National Assistance will be met, he will circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT the Regulations which are appropriate.

The appropriate Regulations are the National Assistance (Determination of Need) Regulations, 1948, as amended by the National Assistance (Determination of Need) Amendment Regulations, 1952. Copies of these Regulations can be found in the Library.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of persons in receipt of public assistance for the years 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951 and at the latest convenient date.

I am having inquiries made and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the next-of-kin of 22411233 Lance-Bombardier K. Lloyd, of the 74th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, British Army of the Rhine 25, have not been officially informed of an accident in which he received grave injuries on or about 25th May, 1952, or of his subsequent condition; and if he will make a statement.

I am glad to say that this unofficial report was unfounded. This soldier is with his unit in Germany and has neither been to hospital nor reported for medical treatment.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the large and growing number of accidents involving motor cycles, what steps he proposes to take, particularly during Road Safety Week, to warn motor cyclists agains unsafe practices and especially driving at excessive speeds.

I hope that during Road Safety Week local propaganda will be directed to motor cyclists and I have asked that the team of observers who will be on the roads on August Bank Holiday should report specially on motor cyclist traffic. I intend to broadcast a message on road safety tomorrow and to make a special appeal to motor cyclists to ride with care.

asked the Minister of Transport what consultations have taken place with agricultural interests as to the design and standard of cattle grids; and what is the estimated cost of the grids he is able to approve.

Agricultural interests and other bodies concerned have been consulted and their views fully considered. The cost of grids conforming with Ministry standards depends on the circumstances of each particular case. Grids so far approved have cost from£300 to£850.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will review his regulations under which the London Transport Executive can charge substantial fees for restoring lost property to members of the public.

I understand that these regulations have on the whole worked satisfactorily in practice since 1933, and I see no sufficient reason to alter them.

asked the Minister of Transport when the hon. Member for South-East Derbyshire will receive a reply to his letter, dated 20th May, 1952, dealing with the case of Captain H. S. Price.

A reply has now been sent to the hon. Member. I regret the unavoidable delay due to the necessity of consulting railway records.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will estimate the number of dormant A or B licences for which no corresponding vehicles exist.

Definite information is not available, but it is thought that the number of such licences is negligible. If the holder of a licence ceases to own any vehicles specified on it he is under obligation to notify the licensing authority who then deletes the vehicle from the licence. Also, should a licensing authority become aware that a vehicle has ceased to be used under a licence for any reason other than a fluctuation in business he may remove the vehicle from the licence. A licence which has become non-effective during its currency must be surrendered for cancellation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state, for the year 1951, for Scotland, the number of murders known to the police; the number of murders in which the suspected murderer committed suicide; the number of murders in which the supposed murderer was found unfit to plead, or, on pleading, was found guilty but insane; the number of persons charged with murder and acquitted; the number of persons found guilty of murder and sentenced to death; the number of those sentenced to death and subsequently found to be insane; the number of those sentenced to death who were reprieved; and the number of those sentenced to death who were actually executed.

Nine cases of murder were made known to the police in Scotland in 1951. In three cases the suspected murderer committed suicide. Seven persons were proceeded against for murder; of these one was discharged, one was acquitted, two were found to be insane and unfit for trial, two were found to be insane at the time of the offence, and one was found guilty, sentenced to death and executed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many grants under the Housing (Scotland) Act. 1949, have been made to private individuals in Orkney and Shetland; and how many applications have been rejected.

The position at 29th July was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now make an announcement about the new scheme of grants and loans for herring and inshore fishermen.

The Sea Fish Industry Act, 1951, and the Herring Industry Scheme, 1951, already enable the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board to make loans to meet the cost of providing white fish or herring vessels or their gear. The Government propose to introduce legislation at the first opportunity to provide in addition for grants for building and equipping fishing vessels not exceeding 140 feet in length. I cannot anticipate the details of the Bill, but our intention is that grant should be at the rate of not more than 20 per cent. with a maximum of£16,000 and, in the case of the smaller vessels owned by working fishermen, 25 per cent. with a maximum of£4,000.

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, how many of the staff in the Members' Dining Room have been given dismissal notices; how many more dismissals are contemplated; and what alternative staff are to be engaged.

The answer is: three persons; three persons; and efficient personnel, respectively.

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, the total number of persons employed under the supervision of the Kitchen Committee on 21st July; how many will have been discharged by 1st August; and how it is proposed to staff the Members' Dining Room when the House meets again in the autumn.

The answer is: 161 persons; 16 persons; and with efficient personnel, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that at Kikuyu ceremony, which took place with official approval at Nyeri in Kenya Colony, a goat was slowly beaten to death in accordance with tribal custom in connection with a levy of a communal fine; and what steps are being taken by the Kenya Government to discourage such acts of cruelty.

The Government of Kenya will do everything in their power to ensure that any other tribal ceremonies which may take place do not involve any ritual of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many farm institutes of the Bukura type are established in Kenya; and what arrangements are made to follow up the work of the farmers and smallholders who come to study at such institutes.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd July, 1952; Vol. 503, c. 42] supplied the following further information:

The Farm Institute at Bukura is the only one of its kind in Kenya at present but a start has been made on the establishment of three more of the same type. Men trained at the Institute are given special attention on their return to their farms by district agricultural officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will give a list of the goods of which the importation into Kenya is prohibited;(2) what officials have the right to refuse or cancel licences of goods into Kenya without reason.

pursuant to his replies [OFFICIAL REPORT, 9th July, 1952; Vol. 503, c. 88] supplied the following further information:(1) (

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total of the Cotton Fund of Central Nyanza and of the Coast Province of Kenya; what is the purpose of these funds; and what is the purpose of these funds; and what use has been made of them to date.

Pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd July, 1952; Vol.503, c. 41.] supplied the following further information:

It is estimated that at the end of 1952 the balance of the Cotton Fund in Nyanza Province will be£900,000 and in Coast Province£450,000. The funds are used in each province, primarily in the cotton areas, for the benefit of the community and of the cotton industry in particular. They are being used for agricultural research, training of African instructors, capital works in cotton areas, improvement of water supplies, soil conservation, and farm institutes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people are in prison in Malaya and Singapore under the Emergency Regulations; how many have been brought to trial; how many were acquitted; and how many of those acquitted were sent to a detention camp.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 25th June, 1952; Vol. 502, c. 181] supplied the following further information:

The number of persons held under Emergency Regulations in prisons or detention camps in Malaya on 12th July was 5,081 (Federation of Malaya 4,918, Singapore 163). In Singapore 23 have been brought to trial and are serving sentences. None has been acquitted and subsequently detained. In the Federation of Malaya 573 are serving prison sentences after trial and conviction in the courts.

It is not possible, without disproportionate effort by the Federation authorities, to ascertain how many persons have been brought to trial and acquitted and subsequently detained but there can be very few, if any, cases of this sort.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in the setting up of wage councils in Singapore and Malaya; and in what industries they will be established.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd July, 1952; Vol. 503, c. 40] supplied the following further information:

The Government of the Federation of Malaya have not yet introduced a statutory wages council for any industry. In Singapore the Wages Councils Bill has passed its second reading and is now before a Select Committee. It is not yet possible to name the industries in which wages councils will be established.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) how many persons have passed the competitive examination for entry into the Bermuda Civil Service since it was instituted in 1949; of the successful candidates how many have been white and how many coloured people; how many of these, since passing, have been offered employment and have accepted employment in the Civil Service, respectively; how many of those who have been offered and who have accepted employment, respectively, have been white and how many have been coloured people; and what special qualifications they possessed to enable them to be appointed without passing the qualification;(2) how many persons in Bermuda have been provided with employment in the clerical and shorthand typing grades in the Civil Service since 1949, who have not sat the competitive examination set up in that year; and of these persons so employed, how many have been white persons and how many coloured.

I am consulting the Governor and will write to the hon. Member when the information is available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what information he has about the decision of the Workington Town Council to ban the keeping of poultry by the tenants on their housing estates; and what steps he is taking to prevent this action in view of the need of the utmost food production possible and the contribution which the domestic egg producer can make.

My right hon. Friend understands that the Council have not reached any such decision. They are still considering what action they should take under the general powers conferred upon them by Section 83 of the Housing Act, 1936, to remedy the defects they found during an inspection earlier this year. All local housing authorities were informed of the effect of Section 12 of the Allotments Act, 1950, in a circular dated 28th August, 1951, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the increasing needs of the new town of Crawley for water without the provision for further supplies, is causing discomfort to the residents of the neighbouring parish of Worth; and whether he will take steps to relieve this position by ensuring the the Crawley Development Corporation rations supplies in its area.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Horsham on 29th of this month.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the house drains in Grafton Underwood, near Kettering, at present discharge into open water in the middle of the village; that in dry weather the open water is low and stagnant and that, as a result, Grafton Underwood is malodorous and unhealthy and when he proposes to sanction the sewerage scheme in the village.

The scheme was submitted to me on 16th July and is being investigated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he has considered petitions forwarded to him by civilian employees of several Royal Air Force maintenance units concerning the dilutee problem; how many such petitions he has received; what proportion of the total number of aircraft engineering workers employed by his Department signed them; and what action he proposes to take.

I have received seven such petitions. The signatures to these petitions represent approximately one-quarter of the engineering craftsmen employed by the Air Ministry in this country.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a pack of beagles is maintained at Dartmouth College; what proportion of the maintenance of this pack is met by public funds; and if he will take steps to ban the pack in view of the cruelty involved.

This pack is not maintained out of public funds. My right hon. Friend does not propose to ban the pack, which has provided a form of recreational exercise for cadets for over a century.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the present position arising from his Department's discussions with representatives of the Malta General Workers' Union; whether the union's claim for increased wages and arrears of wages has been met; and whether there has now been established adequate machinery for settling disputes between employees of the Government and Government Departments in Malta.

As announced in Malta on 2nd May last, the Service Departments offered to increase the cost of living bonus to 30s. a week as from 1st April, 1952, and to grant in addition a lump sum payment of£14 6s. The offer was subject to certain conditions, which were believed to be not unacceptable to the Malta General Workers' Union, and it was explained that the offer, with the conditions, must be treated as a whole.This offer was not accepted by the union, but the Service Departments decided to increase the cost of living bonus to 30s. a week as from 1st April, 1952, and to allow the rest of the offer to remain open for the time being, subject to acceptance of the conditions. The rate of wages now in payment is that claimed by the union.We are considering whether any permanent machinery can be devised for settling disputes between the Service Departments and their Maltese work-people; but the subject is a difficult one and may take a long time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many Hunt class frigates it is intended to transfer to the Royal Danish Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy.

Her Majesty's Frigates "Blackmore," "Exmoor" and "Calpe" are to be lent to the Royal Danish Navy for a period of four years. Her Majesty's Frigates "Beaufort" and "Zetland" are to be lent to the Royal Norwegian Navy for a similar period. These ships will be refitted at the expense of the Danish and Norwegian Governments respectively. It is a condition of the loans that in the event of emergency the vessels will be employed in accordance with agreed North Atlantic Treaty Organisation plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the numbers of subjects of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics at present enjoying diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom; and what were the numbers of such subjects enjoying that immunity in 1938.

Sixty Soviet citizens are employed on the diplomatic and clerical staffs of the Soviet Embassy in London in capacities which entitle them, in the view of Her Majesty's Government, to claim diplomatic immunity. The corrresponding figure in 1938 was 20.In addition, 34 Soviet citizens, employed as servants in the Ambassador's personal household and in the Chancery of the Embassy, are officially regarded as sharing the Ambassador's diplomatic immunity. Nine Soviet citizens were similarly employed in 1938.

asked the Minister of Food if he will state in respect of the years 1949, 1950 and 1951, respectively, the acreage of potatoes grown in the United Kingdom, the tonnage of potatoes harvested, the tonnage of potatoes purchased by his Department, excluding seed potatoes, the amount paid by his Department for these potatoes, the tonnage used by his Department for human consumption, the amount charged by his Department for these potatoes, the tonnage sold by his Department for raw stock feed,

asked the Minister of Food the retail prices in all the countries of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation in June, 1952, or the latest convenient date as disclosed in the Organisation's statistics, of sugar, butter, margarine, lard, cheese, eggs, beef, mutton, pork, bacon, tea, coffee, bread.

The following is the information.potatoes, apples, oranges and lemons, respectively.

The Organisation for European Economic Co-operation does not publish statistics of the retail prices of food in member countries, but the following table shows the latest information so far as it is available from the official statistics published by individual countries:

asked the Minister of Food whether he will set up a committee to examine the conditions governing the slaughter of animals for food, in addition to that being set up by him to examine the slaughter of horses.

No.