asked the Minister of Agriculture in what parishes the Northamptonshire County Council has acquired land for smallholdings under Part IV of the Agriculture Act, 1947; what acreage has been so acquired in each parish; what steps have been taken by the council towards providing smallholdings under Part IV; and how many smallholdings, part-time and full-time, have been provided in each parish and of what average acreage.

Since Part IV of the Agriculture Act, 1947, came into operation the Northamptonshire County Council has purchased for smallholdings 171 acres of land previously held on lease, all within the Parish of Silverstone. When re-organised this land should provide four full-time holdings.Proposals for the Council for the acquisition of land for smallholdings in the Parishes of Tansor, Southwick and Pattishall were not approved owing to the very high rate of loss involved or for other reasons. The Council has also submitted four proposals for improving existing holdings and a proposal to acquire five acres to add to an existing smallholding.On 31st March, 1951, the Council had 34 full-time smallholdings on 2,469 acres and 55 part-time holdings on 1,048 acres. My Department has no information showing the distribution of these holdings by parishes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state, county by county, the acreage and number of smallholdings acquired and provided under Part IV of the Agriculture Act, 1947, during the first year after it came into force and subsequently to the latest convenient date; and in each case what part of such acreage and number consists of part-time holdings.

The First Annual Report on Smallholdings under the Agriculture Act, 1947, recently presented to Parliament, a copy of which I have sent to the hon. Member shows, county by county, the acreage acquired for smallholdings during the period from 1st October, 1949, to 31st March, 1951. In all 1,929 acres, of which 1,855 were purchased and the remainder hired, were acquired during the period, and, in addition, 579 acres previously- held on lease were purchased.The Report also shows the total number of smallholdings on 31st March, 1951. It is not possible to say how many of the holdings included in that number were actually provided on land acquired under the 1947 Act, since several schemes approved under the Act have not yet been completed, but when all the schemes approved during the period are completed some 91 new smallholdings should be provided. Other full-time smallholdings of the standards envisaged by the Smallholdings Advisory Council in their First Report have been provided by re-organising and equipping existing smallholdings properties, but information about these is not available.Until statistics for the period 1st April, 1951, to 31st March, 1952, are available it is not possible to give the acreage and numbers of smallholdings acquired after 31st March, 1951. Since that date, and up to 30th June, 1952, schemes have been approved which, when completed, should provide 63 new full-time smallholdings on 2,832 acres.No schemes for creating new part-time holdings have been approved.

asked the Minister or Agriculture whether he will state, as regards each scheme submitted under Section 50 of the Agriculture Act. 1947, since it came into force, the name of the smallholdings authority, the dates of submission and approval and the total estimated cost of the proposals, respectively.

The detailed information asked for is not readily available. From 1st October, 1949, when Part IV of the Agriculture Act, 1947, came into operation, to 30th June last, 589 schemes for providing new smallholdings or improving existing smallholdings have been approved under Section 50 of the Act. The total estimated cost of carrying out these schemes is £2,077,664. These figures exclude any schemes, costing less than £500 each, which smallholdings authorities have carried out without Exchequer grant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many unsatisfied applicants for smallholdings there are in Northamptonshire.

The latest number of applicants for county council smallholdings in Northamptonshire is 148. Of these 108 were considered suitable for interview. 58 have been interviewed so far, and 45 of these have been classified for preference in accordance with the Selection of Tenants Regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the new improved sawyer trap has now been accepted by his Department as a satisfactory substitute for the gin trap for the destruction of rabbits; what allocations of steel for their manufacture he is authorising; how many traps he will authorise to be made during the present year, and what will be the future authorised annual output; whether he will control the price for retail and wholesale distribution, and what those prices will be; and whether he will prohibit the use of the gin trap, and if he will, meanwhile, prohibit any further ones being manufactured or sold.

Tests in England and Wales appear to indicate that the new sawyer trap is a satisfactory substitute for the gin for catching rabbits, and I have given instructions for its use in the Ministry's Contract Service. Further experience will be gained in this way about its precise application in everyday conditions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Warwickshire and the adjoining counties of Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire, respectively, from November, 1951, to the latest convenient date.

The total number of outbreaks from November, 1951, up to today is as follows:

Warwickshire	…	…	9
Leicestershire	…	…	8
Staffordshire	…	…	55
Worcestershire	…	…	none
Gloucestershire	…	…	none
Oxfordshire	…	…	2
Northamptonshire	…	…	8

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether the present epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease has abated sufficiently to enable him to set up his Departmental committee to review the Government's present policy with regard to this disease;(2) whether he will take steps to secure that the Departmental committee which he proposes to appoint to look into foot-and-mouth disease will contain some independent scientific experts who are not committed to the present slaughter policy of his Department.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement about this committee that I made in the debate on the Adjournment today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in, view of the provision of paragraph 8 of the Horses (Sea Transport) Order, 1952, which imposes a prohibition on the embarkation of horses if suffering from infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or other causes, he will take steps to issue a directive to port veterinary inspectors indicating that this prohibition should be held to include the embarkation of unbroken horses, except foals at foot, cast pit ponies and blind horses.

No. Under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950, no horse may be exported from Great Britain unless it is capable of being worked without suffering; and in addition no draught horse, vanner, mule or jennet may be exported unless its value is at least £75. The purpose of the Order to which my hon. Friend refers is to protect horses from unnecessary suffering while in transit by sea. I am advised that pit ponies and blind horses are not liable to any more disturbance by a sea passage than other horses, and I see no reason for a general prohibition of their transport by sea. The same applies generally to unbroken horses. Some unbroken horses may be difficult to embark, but I have no reason to suppose that the officers of local authorities who are responsible for enforcing the Order would not prohibit the embarkation of any horses when they considered this necessary to prevent suffering.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what information he has as to the numbers or percentages of agricultural workers who do not return to agricultural work after their period of National Service.

As agricultural workers in general did not become available for call-up under the National Service Acts, 1948 to 1950, until 1st November, 1951, the number who have already completed their period of National Service is very small. I have no information about the number or percentage that have not returned to agriculture.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence how far he was consulted before British aircraft took part in a napalm bomb air-raid on Haeju.

The United Nations Commander is under no obligation to consult Her Majesty's Government about this type of raid. Napalm was not, in fact, used by the British aircraft taking part.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware of the scholarships to be awarded to British students resident in Britain by the British Memorial Fund of the State of Victoria, Australia; and whether she will assist the Victorian Agent-General in London in making widely known the opportunities thus offered.

I have seen the reports of the setting up of this very generous scheme. If at any time the authorities responsible for the scheme desire my assistance I shall be happy to give whatever help may be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to ensure that maximum use is made of this year's home-grown apple harvest.

Since the crop is not expected to be heavy and imports from Europe must be restricted, for currency reasons, home-produced apples of marketable quality should find a ready sale.

asked the Minister of Food what factors have caused the reduction in the number of eggs allocated this year compared with last year notwithstanding the much better weather this year.

The reduction is by about three eggs. The hon. Member will recall that last year, when his party was in office, about three allocations were found in May and June by selling eggs which had been oil dipped and put into cold store for winter use. We now hold in store roughly the same quantity of eggs and shall use them to increase next winter's allocations.

asked the Minister of Food if he has any further statement to make with reference to the steps which are being taken to stop the black market in the distribution of the supply of eggs.

Not for the time being.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will state the titles of publications, approved by his Department, dealing with the drying, for domestic use, of English plums.

Simple instructions for housewives on drying plums have already been given in the Ministry of Food booklet "The A.B.C. of Preserving" (H.M.S.O. Is. 6d.). Similar information is contained in the Ministry of Agriculture Bulletin No. 21 "Domestic Preservation of Fruit and Vegetables." (H.M.S.O. 3s. 6d.)

asked the Minister of Food if he will publicise, through media at his disposal, a simple recipe for the domestic drying of plums, including storage recommendations; and if he will also specify as many varieties of suitable plums as possible.

A simple recipe is to be found in the Ministry of Food booklet "The A.B.C. of Preserving" (H.M.S.O. Is. 6d.). The information about storage and the varieties of plums suitable for drying was published in an article in the Ministry of Food Bulletin of 25th July (H.M.S.O. 6d.).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, contrary to the provisions of the draft treaty, cases of restitution settled by the restitution courts in Austria in favour of Jewish claimants are allowed to be re-opened by those who had been made to effect restitution.

Although a measure providing for the re-opening of certain restitution cases has been passed by the Austrian Parliament, it is not yet effective since the Allied Council has still to consider it before it can become law.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, contrary to certain agreed provisions of the draft treaty with Austria, the Austrian Government will be permitted to use heirless and unclaimed property of Jewish victims of Nazi persecution for forming a special fund, not for the relief and rehabilitation of surviving victims of such persecution, but for, or also for, the compensation of reinstated ex-Nazis.

It is understood that a Bill providing for the setting up of a restitution fund for heirless and unclaimed property has been submitted to the Austrian Parliament but has not yet been discussed. If the Bill is eventually passed by the Austrian Parliament it must be submitted to the Allied Council for their consideration before it can become law.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the circumstances under which, and date on which, Marshall, recently found guilty of giving secret information to a foreign Power, was transferred to the coding department of the Foreign Office after he had been under observation by M.I.5 in Moscow for unusual behaviour.

William Marshall was never at any time employed in the department of the Foreign Office concerned with the coding of telegrams.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied that due priority is being given to the provision of locomotives and rolling stock for the Sudan railways.

I understand that orders for 225 goods waggons were placed by the Sudan Government with British firms in July, 1951, and that the delivery dates quoted at that time for these waggons have since been deferred. The Sudan Government approached Her Majesty's Government about this delay in June this year, and supplied full details of these orders in the middle of July. The matter is now being investigated, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to give my hon. Friend further information. I will write to him on the subject when a full report has been received.I understand that an order has been placed for 19 locomotives due to be delivered before the end of 1952. It has not yet been possible to determine whether or not this order has been delayed, but no approach has been made to Her Majesty's Government by the Sudan Government about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider increased central distribution of information, through Press agencies, to enable reductions to be made in staff kept at missions overseas.

This suggestion is one which might well be considered by the independent Committee of Inquiry into the Overseas Information Services, the appointment of which I announced yesterday in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Enfield, East (Mr. Ernest Davies).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the quarterly report of Her Majesty's Inspector of the Philadelphia and District Mines Inspection Board that some long haulage roads were in such bad condition that small ponies were found with fully-loaded tubs of coal struggling through mud and water in which they could hardly drag their feet; when this matter was reported; why it was not reported earlier; and what steps have been taken to improve the conditions.

The inspector referred to is not one of Her Majesty's Inspectors, but a workmen's inspector appointed under S.16 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, which requires copies of his reports to be sent to H.M. Inspector for the division. None of the reports so sent contains any reference to the matters mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has reviewed opencast mining operations since the executive responsibility was transferred to the National Coal Board; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. After consultation with the Board I am satisfied that every effort must continue to be made to secure a high rate of opencast production for a number of years.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement about the forthcoming reappointment of the British Electricity Authority.

I have re-appointed Lord Citrine as Chairman of the British Electricity Authority and Sir John Hacking and Sir Henry Self as Deputy-Chairmen. I am also reappointing two other existing members of the Authority —Dame Caroline Haslett and Lieut.-Colonel E. H. E. Woodward.In accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 1947, four Chairmen of Area Electricity Boards (at present Mr. H. H. Mullens, Mr. H. Nimmo, Mr. S. F. Steward, and Mr. C. T. Melling), and also the Chairman of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, the Rt. Hon. Thomas Johnston, will continue to be members of the Authority.Two members of the Authority, Sir William Walker and Mr. Bussey, will retire. Sir William Walker is not being reappointed on account of his age. Mr. Bussey has tendered his resignation on the ground that following a serious operation he wishes service of a less onerous character. I should like to express my appreciation of the valuable services which these two gentlemen have rendered.I have appointed Councillor J. Sullivan, at present a member of the South-West Scotland Electricity Board, as a member of the Authority and I propose to fill the other vacancy shortly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mrs. F. M. Holtham, 57 Duke Street, Cheltenham, has been waiting two years and seven months for a hearing aid; and whether he will take steps to expedite the delivery of the same, and in other similar cases.

Yes. The strengthening of the Bristol distribution centre earlier in the year is already having an effect, and it is hoped that the early opening of a new centre at Gloucester will further materially improve the rate of distribution in the whole area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state, for the year 1951, for England and Wales, 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 who were 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.

The number of murders known to the police in England and Wales in 1951, after deducting cases ultimately dealt with as manslaughter, was 124. The number of these murders in which the suspected murderer committed suicide was 45. The number of these murders in which the supposed murderer was found either insane on arraignment and unfit to plead or guilty but insane was 33. The number of persons charged with one or more of these murders and acquitted was seven. The number of persons found guilty of one or more of these murders and sentenced to death was 28. Of the 28 persons sentenced to death one had his conviction quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal, two were subsequently certified as insane, five were reprieved and had their sentences commuted to imprisonment for life, and 20 were executed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in his consideration of the Report by the Gowers Committee on Health, Welfare and Safety in Non-Industrial Employment.

The Government have considered the Report of the Gowers Committee on Health, Welfare and Safety in Non-Industrial Employment and are in sympathy with the general tenor of the Committee's recommendations on this subject. As the Committee themselves recognised, however, implementation of their recommendations would involve considerable demands' on building resources and some increase of local and central inspectorates.The Government, therefore, do not regard legislation on the lines recommended as practicable so long as present economic difficulties continue. The Government are, however, anxious to prepare the way for legislation, by consultation and discussion with the numerous interested organisations, so that there may be no avoidable delay in introducing it as soon as the economic outlook justifies it; and on this basis they propose shortly to start consultations with the interested organisations.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the delay which often takes place in starting private house building owing to recipients of licences declining them because of the present cost of housebuilding, causing the same licence, subsequently, being issued to another person who may, also, after further delay, decline it; and whether he will circularise local authorities, where possible to give prior notice to those to whom licences may shortly be issued, and then to issue them, subject to acceptance, within, say, seven days.

Local authorities have already been asked to ensure that licences are only issued where they are satisfied that work will commence within a reasonable period. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the circular.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the progress of the revaluation of dwelling-houses for rating.

Difficulties have been encountered in assessing dwelling-houses in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1948, and it has become clear to the Government that Parliament will, in due course, have to be asked to amend these provisions. It is intended that the basis should still be pre-war value. Valuation staff will shortly be employed on preliminary work to enable the Government to formulate proposals.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet arranged for ex-Japanese prisoners of war, who are called up for further service, to have special consideration given to this fact at their medical examination.

Yes. My right hon. and learned Friend sent a note to Chairmen of Medical Boards early in March last, asking examiners to pay particular attention to the medical history of these reservists, and to take full account of any condition or disability resulting from imprisonment still present and of any possibility of the reservists' physical or mental condition deteriorating as a result of privations suffered as a prisoner of war. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour how many agricultural workers have been called up for National Service during the last year; and in what months they were called up.

Since 1st November, 1951, when agricultural workers born in 1933 became available for call-up, 9,333 agricultural workers in the 1933 and 1934 age classes have been called up. The number called up each month was:

November1951	…	…	…	2,871
December 1951	…	…	…	1,339
January1952	…	…	…	1,391
February 1952	…	…	…	928
March 1952	…	…	…	674
April 1952	…	…	…	753
May 1952	…	…	…	718
June1952	…	…	…	659

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he is aware that agricultural workers in Scotland are being called up for National Service just as the harvest season is starting; and whether he will consult with the appropriate Departments with a view to devising better machinery for ensuring that, in future, such men are not called up until the autumn;(2) why agricultural workers are being called up just as the harvest season is starting; and whether he will arrange for such men to be given leave until the harvest is in.

As announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on 4th April, the call-up of agricultural workers in England and Wales will be suspended during the months of September and October and the first half of November. As the Scottish harvest is later than in England and Wales, it has been agreed that in Scotland agricultural workers should not be called up between the 15th September and 29th November. This concession covers the period of the potato and sugar beet harvests, when the demand for labour is at its heaviest and I am afraid that it would not be possible to extend it. NOT could I recommend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that he should arrange for leave to be given to agricultural workers called up for the Army before the 15th September.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as unemployed at the Brecon, Brynmawr, Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Knighton and Llandrindod Wells employment exchanges on the latest available date and 12 months ago; and how many are disabled persons.

The following table gives the information desired:

NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS ON THE REGISTERS OF THE UNDERMENTIONED EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AT 14m JULY, 1952, AND 16TH JULY, 1951
Employment Exchange*					14th July, 1952		16th July, 1951
					Males	Females	Males	Females
—					Total number of unemployed persons on the registers
Brecon	…	…	…	…	41	56	21	22
Brynmawr	…	…	…	…	82	95	79	110
Builth Wells	…	…	…	…	14	4	2	2
Crickhowell	…	…	…	…	21	9	15	7
Knighton	…	…	…	…	24	10	21	11
Llandrindod Wells	…	…	…	…	32	11	19	2
—					Numbers of registered disabled persons included above
Brecon	…	…	…	…	9	3	7	2
Brynmawr	…	…	…	…	42	1	36	2
Builth Wells	…	…	…	…	5	—	2	—
Crickhowell	…	…	…	…	12	2	10	1
Knighton	…	…	…	…	8	—	7	—
Llandrindod Wells	…	…	…	…	8	—	6	—
* Youth Employment Office included where appropriate

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in the cotton textile industry who are totally unemployed, including temporarily stopped, and the number of operatives working short time, respectively.

The latest available figures of unemployment were those for 16th June, published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette yesterday. Figures for 14th July will be available in about a week's time and I will send them to my hon. Friend.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones are still outstanding in Stoke-on-Trent; and what pogress is being made to overtake the arrears.

One thousand, nine hundred and fifteen on the 30th June, 1952. Three hundred and thirty-one applications have been met since the 1st of January. It will, I hope, be possible to increase this rate of provision when additional equipment, now being installed, is brought into use in the latter part of this year.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General, in view of the fact that the necessary transmitter is available, that the roads are now complete, that a temporary mast could be erected at a cost of £200, and that a small sum would provide the necessary building, why there is a continued ban against the opening of Pontop Pike.

The B.B.C. informs me that the cost of providing a permanent station would be £150,000-£200,000. A temporary station would cost between £50,000 and £60,000 in addition to a transmitter and mast, and about half this amount would be wasted when the station was made permanent. In either case Post Office communicating links would cost about £45,000. In view of the substantial expenditure involved the station cannot go ahead immediately, but my noble Friend has promised that Pontop Pike shall be first on the list when conditions permit the opening of additional stations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement about the Report of the Royal Commission on University Education in Dundee.

I am sorry that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to state his intentions regarding the recommendations of the Hospital Endowments Commission in regard to the creation of a Scottish medical research fund.

As I explained to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Renfrew, East (Major Lloyd) on 30th July, I am arranging to consult the various interests concerned, and I will carefully consider the Commission's recommendations in the light of any views that may be put to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider, in framing the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Scottish Affairs, recommending the inclusion of an examination of the advantages, or otherwise, of a Scottish Parliament, on the pattern of that of Northern Ireland.

The terms of reference of the Royal Commission have already been determined and were announced by the Prime Minister in his statement to the House on 24th July.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) to what extent the firms covered by the Appendix to Command Paper No. 8619 differ in function or number from those at present within the orbit of the Iron and Steel Federation;(2) how many firms are involved in Categories 1 to 7 of the Appendix of Command Paper No. 8619;

The member Conferences of the British Iron and Steel Federation do not as such represent producers of iron ore, foundry pig iron, refined iron, wrought iron, iron castings or steel castings, all of which are covered by the processes listed in the Appendix to the Command Paper. These Conferences do, on the other hand, represent producers of bolts, nuts, screws and rivets, wire and certain wire products, and fabricated steel for colliery use, which are not covered by the Appendix. The number of firms covered by the seven categories of the Appendix is about 2,400. Many firms are involved in processes covered by two or more categories. This compares with just over 500 firms covered by the Federation member Conferences. About 180 firms covered by the Federation's member Conferences are outside the field defined in the Appendix.

asked the Minister of Supply what quantities and categories of iron and steel have been received from the United States of America; and what are the estimated supplies for the period ending December, 1952.

At 30th June, deliveries at United States steel mills and from other suppliers were as follows:

					Tons
Steel	…	…	…	…	342,332
Pig iron	…	…	…	…	20,000
Scrap	…	…	…	…	38,194
					400,526

Of this, the following had arrived in the United Kingdom:

					Tons
Steel	…	…	…	…	309,077
Pig iron	…	…	…	…	20,000
Scrap	…	…	…	…	38,194
					367,271

Under the agreement the balance of 600,000 tons is to be made available to us by the end of December.

asked the Minister of Supply what consultations he has held with the heavy electrical plant industry with a view to increasing the contribution of that industry to the export drive.

I have constituted a Heavy Electrical Plant Consultative Council, under my chairmanship, with the following terms of reference:

"to provide a means of regular consultation between the Government and the Heavy Electrical Plant industry on matters affecting the well being of the industry and its contribution to the national economy."

This Consultative Council replaces the Heavy Electrical Plant Committee whose meetings were discontinued in July, 1950. The members of the Council are:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of canned fruits have been imported from the Continent during the last six months.

Not all canned fruits are shown separately in the import statistics. Imports of those identifiable as "tinned" or "tinned or bottled" from Continental Europe amounted to 7,500 tons during the first six months of this year, only 70 per cent. of imports during the comparable period of 1951.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much tinplate has been exported during the last 12 months to European countries.

28,000 tons of tinplate were exporter to Continental Europe during the 12 months ended 30th June, 1952.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of industrial buildings in course of construction in the Greater London area and the number likely to be employed at such establishments when completed.

According to the latest information available to the Board of Trade, 56 new factories exceeding 5,000 square feet in area and 147 extensions of over 5,000 square feet to existing factories were under construction in the Greater London area on 30th June, 1952. According to the estimates made by the undertakings when they applied for their industrial development certificates, the number of jobs which may be provided in these establishments amounts to about 11,800.These statistics relate to the area covered by the Greater London Plan, which include the New Towns of Basildon, Harlow, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead and Stevenage. Of the 11,800 jobs, new factories in the New Towns account for about 2,200 new factories in the remainder of the area for about 1,600; and the 147 extensions to existing factories, widely spread over the Greater London area, for about 8,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of industrial buildings in course of construction in the Wythenshawe district of Manchester and the number of persons likely to be employed at such establishments when completed.

According to the latest information available to the Board of Trade, three new factories exceeding 5.000 square feet in area and one extension of over 5,000 square feet to an existing factory were under construction in the Wythenshawe district of Manchester on 30th June, 1952. According to the estimates made by the undertakings when they applied for their industrial development certificates, the number of jobs which may be provided in these establishments amounts to about 480.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of imports of optical glasses from Italy and France, respectively, for the year 1951; and the amount for which import licences have been granted up to 31st June, 1952.

Imports of un-worked optical glass from France in 1951 amounted to 3 cwt., valued at £586, and from Italy a very small quantity, valued at £18. Imports of lenses for optical instruments from France in 1951 numbered 9,145, valued at £2,297, and from Italy eight, valued at £337.During the period 1st January, 1951, to 30th July, 1952, import licences have been issued as follows:For unworked optical glass:

			£
France	…	…	494
Other Countries	…	…	400

For lenses of all kinds requiring an import licence:

			£
France	…	…	10,407
Italy	…	…	27
Other countries	…	…	19,090

Imports from Western Europe and a number of other countries of spectacle lenses, optical glasses (engravers', watchmakers', etc.), and certain optical instruments may be made without a specific import licence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much has been paid out of the £10 million grant made in July, 1949, to United Kingdom commercial and other interests which suffered war losses of property other than private chattels in Burma; and whether he expects to be able to distribute the balance in the near future.

A first distribution made in 1950 absorbed £9,650,000. Since then, £181,000 has been distributed in respect of further applications received, leaving a balance at 30th June, 1952 of £169,000. In order that the distribution of the grant can be completed at a reasonably early date, it has been decided that no further application will be accepted after 31st October, 1952. It is expected that, after all applications received by that date have been dealt with, the balance remaining will be enough to enable a small final distribution to he made to all the participants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the progress of the schemes providing ex gratia payments for losses of private chattels in the Far East.

Yes. Under the original Far Eastern Private Chattels Scheme, which came into operation in 1946 and applies to former internees who suffered losses of private chattels anywhere in the Far East and who have returned to reside permanently in the United Kingdom, the total amount approved for payment to the 30th June, 1952, was £245,000 in respect of 1,190 applications.The Extended Far Eastern Private Chattels Scheme, which came into operation in July, 1949, applies to United Kingdom British subjects who suffered losses of private chattels in British and former British territories in the Far East and who have returned, or intend to return, to reside permanently in the United Kingdom. Where an applicant is overseas but intends later to settle here permanently, the application is considered although payment of any amount approved is deferred. The total amount approved for payment to 30th June, 1952, under this scheme, including payments deferred until the applicants' return to the United Kingdom, was £1,616,000 in respect of 5,229 applications.These schemes cannot be kept open indefinitely; and it has been decided, in order to finish off the work as soon as possible, that no claim will be considered after the 31st October, 1952.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has with the National Farmers' Union before fixing the date when import of new potatoes is to cease each year; what closing date the National Farmers' Union advised for 1952; and how far this advice was accepted by his Department.

For those vegetables, including new potatoes, for which the open general licence is subject to seasonal suspension pending a decision on the National Farmers' Union's tariff application, the National Farmers' Union are invited each year to put forward their views on the dates for suspension during the coming season.When they were originally consulted about the arrangements for 1952, they made no proposal for varying the dates of suspension of the open general licence for new potatoes from those which had been used in 1951, and these dates, 1st June, 1952, to 31st July, 1952, were included in the provisional announcement made on 19th January, 1952. These dates are subject to review. In March and subsequently, the National Farmers' Union proposed that the date of suspension should be advanced; but this proposal was not accepted for 1952.I announced yesterday, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Ives (Mr. G. R. Howard), the date for 1953.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet reached any decision about freeing domestic pottery from control.

Yes. I have decided that it is no longer necessary to control the supply of decorated pottery for the home market, and I have made the necessary Order today.This step has become possible because the output of pottery is adequate to meet demand and because this industry makes no call on scarce materials. The re-removal of the quota system, under which home market supplies have been limited, will, I believe, make the industry more flexible and better able to compete for export markets.I am confident that there will be no diminution in the efforts of the industry to maintain and increase exports; the British Pottery Manufacturers Federation have given me assurances to this effect and have informed me that they intend to set up immediately a special committee, the duty of which will be to promote exports.I have also decided that, as supplies of undecorated pottery are fully adequate, there is no need to maintain price control. I have accordingly made a second Order revoking this also.Both Orders will come into effect on August 6th.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what proportion of the lead imported into Great Britain in 1951 came from non-sterling countries; and how much of this came from Canada.

38 per cent. of the virgin lead imported into Britain in 1951 came from non-sterling countries. 16 per cent., or nearly 27,000 tons, came from Canada. The figure which I gave to the right hon. Gentleman in my supplementary answer on 28th July referred to 1950.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will outline the plans of Her Majesty's Government regarding support for the growing of flax in Great Britain.

Her Majesty's Government intend to continue permanently the arrangements for the growing and processing of flax in Great Britain, but the present scheme will be examined in order to see whether any improvements are desirable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give in tabular form the division between depreciation and initial allowances of the figure of £882 million for 1951 given as item 13 of table 1 of Command Paper No. 8486 and similar figures for the previous four years and for a few pre-war years.

Separate figures for initial and for other depreciation allowances for 1938 and 1946 to 1950 were published in Cmd. 8203. These figures related to depreciation, including current provision for maintenance and repair of buildings. A division of the 1951 total is being prepared and will be given in the detailed estimates of national income to be published shortly. The estimate for 1951 given in Cmd. 8486 excludes current provision for maintenance and repair of buildings.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can give an estimate of the depreciation figure for 1951 applicable to item 13 of table 1 of Command Paper No. 8486, if converted to current prices.

I regret that it is not at present possible to frame reliable estimates of the value of depreciation of fixed capital at current replacement costs.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has examined the recent correspondence sent to his Department about the Hay-on-Wye-Clyro Bridge; what remedy he suggests to meet the announcement of the Western Welsh Omnibus Company, Limited, that they will shortly be unable to operate their present vehicles over the bridge; and whether he will make a statement.

I am aware that the Western Welsh Omnibus Company will not be able to run their new buses across the Hay Bridge because of the existing weight restriction. Reconstruction of the bridge would cost up to £100,000 and could not be authorised in present economic circumstances. Any amendment of the weight restrictions would be a matter for the county council as highway authority. If they are unwilling to increase the weight limit, I can only suggest that Western Welsh buses should stop north of the river leaving passengers to walk 250 yards across the bridge to Hay.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals have been submitted to him in regard to the reconditioning of the Embankment roadway now that trams have ceased to run.

Proposals have been made to me by the Westminster City Council and these are being considered. No proposals have yet been received from the Corporation of the City of London.

asked the Minister of Transport the total amount of compensation paid by the British Transport Commission for the acquisition of Hurst and Payne Limited and its allied company.

£200,840.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of vehicles owned on 1st January, 1948, by the undertakings which by virtue of Part II of the Transport Act, 1947, came under the direct or indirect control of the British Transport Commission and, before initiating legislation, what estimate he made of the number of vehicles employed at the present time by the undertakings so acquired by the Commission or by their successors or comparable sections of the Commission.

I am informed by the British Transport Commission that the operating stock of road motor vehicles taken over on the vesting of undertakings under Part II of the Act was as follows:

(a) 13,178 (including service vehicles) from the railway companies (excluding the London Passenger Transport Board);

(b) 10,600 (including buses, trams, service vehicles, etc.) from the London Passenger Transport Board;

(c) 59 from the canal and inland navigation companies; and

(d) 3,558 from the road haulage companies owned or partly owned by the railway companies.

I understand that at 15th June, 1952, the number of road motor vehicles, excluding service vehicles, operated by (

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the ration allowance issued to officers and other ranks is intended to cover the cost of the rations to which they are entitled.

The ration allowance is intended entirely to cover the cost of the daily rations. It includes not only their retail value but also elements to meet the extra cost of individual purchase and the cost of preparation, cooking and service. The rate is reviewed twice a year.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to allow families to join their husbands again in the Canal Zone.

The first list of applications from husbands for their families to join them in the Canal Zone, under the arrangements which I described in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on 15th July, has now been received. The movement of these families is being arranged, and I hope that the first of them will leave during August.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to house in Britain the married families of units under orders to move from Germany to the Middle or Far East.

Those families who cannot find accommodation themselves may use the families hostels in this country if vacancies are available, but they do not qualify for married quarters unless their unit is to be stationed here for more than six months.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made to welcome the 1st Battalion of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry on their return from service in Korea.

The arrangements have not yet been finally decided, but I am sure that they will be worthy of this battalion's fine service. I am glad to say that under present plans they will go to Whittington Barracks, Lichfield.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will have inquiries made into the case of Barry Francis Barnes, 16 Wessex Road, Didcot, a trained engineer and surveyor, now in receipt of call-up papers, requiring him to report to the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Depot on 7th August, so that his application for service with the survey branch of the Royal Engineers or Royal Artillery can be considered.

I have looked into this case. While this man was employed for three years as an assistant civil engineer after leaving school, he has no educational or professional certificate other than a national certificate in science. I do not therefore think that his attainments would justify a change of posting at present, but this will be re-considered if the personnel selection officer who interviews him when he reports recommends him for service in the Royal Artillery or Royal Engineers.

asked the Minister of Works the approximate profit or loss on the Festival Gardens and the Fun Fair up to the last convenient date, showing each separately, if possible; what is the estimated profit or loss on both for this financial year; and what are the future plans for the Gardens and Fun Fair.

The final financial outcome of Festival Gardens and the Fun Fair cannot be given until the season ends, but the Board of Festival Gardens Limited inform me that on present estimates it looks as if the enterprise might break about even for this year. It is too early to consider plans for next year when there are likely to be more visitors in London.