asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the report of the Select Committee on Estimates on Remploy, Limited, he will arrange for a committee to be set up to consider the whole problem of rehabilitation and employment of physically handicapped persons.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total value of new school building started in the first

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 20th October, 1952, by my right hon. and learned Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Miss Ward).

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give, in tabular form, a complete list of the total number of partially and fully registered unemployed in the parliamentary constituency of High Wycombe and the borough of High Wycombe, respectively, at the latest convenient stated date, together with comparisons on 1st October, 1951, showing similar figures for furniture and building trade workers separately.

Statistics are not available for parliamentary constituencies or local authority areas. The following table, however, gives the available information for the High Wycombe Employment Exchange and Youth Employment Office and the Marlow Employment Exchange, which are situated in the Wycombe Parliamentary Division.six months of 1952; and what were the comparable figures for 1950 and 1951.

I estimate that the value of educational building begun in the first six months of 1952 will, when completed, be £1,836,000. The corresponding figures for 1950 and 1951 are £3,609,000 and £2,885,000, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the anxiety and bitter feeling in Duntocher, Dunbartonshire, because work has not yet begun on the new school promised long ago; and if he will say when building will commence.

I am aware of anxiety and I hope that work will begin before the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland his reasons for rejecting the Glasgow Corporation's recent decision not to permit the building of a cinema in Tradeston division.

I presume the Question refers to the proposal to build a cinema at Seaward Street, Glasgow. This proposal was originally approved by the Corporation of Glasgow in 1939, subsequently disapproved by the Corporation in 1949, and later given planning permission on appeal in June, 1952.My decision was taken after considering a report by an independent commissioner who made certain recommendations designed to remove the traffic difficulties felt by Glasgow Corporation. The permission now given does not authorise any immediate work on the site without a building licence and none has been applied for or granted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what decrease has taken place in attendance at day release courses as compared with last year; what are the trades mainly affected; and what are the education areas mainly affected.

Final returns for the 1951–52 session have not yet been received from all day release centres, but the information already available shows that in no education area was there a decrease in the total number of students as compared with the 1950–51 session. The returns for 1950–51 and earlier years were not detailed enough to enable comparisons to be made trade by trade. Information about the 1952–53 session will not be available until next autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will increase the inducement grant for school teachers in remote areas.

These grants could not be increased without an amendment of the salary regulations. A recommendation from the National Joint Council would be necessary before I would consider making such an amendment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cause of the grants for physical training having increased from £30,010 in 1951–52 to £40,000 in 1952–53.

The estimate for physical training and recreation in 1951–52 was £50,000, but progress was slower than was expected and the actual expenditure was £29,000. The estimate for 1952–53 includes a number of commitments from the previous year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why there are 39 higher executive officers in his Department as compared with 33 in 1951–52.

The increase of six in the number of higher executive officers in the Scottish Home Department is offset by a reduction of three in the number of assistant principals, so that the net increase in these partially interchangeable grades is three.One of the three additional posts has been added to provide for continuous staff inspection which is necessary to secure the most efficient use of manpower: the remaining two are required because the Department has become responsible for the common services in the new government offices at Old Saughton.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why there are now three Parliamentary Joint Under-Secretaries of State for Scotland instead of two in 1951–52; and why the Scottish Office needs five assistant principals instead of three in 1951–52.

The case for the appointment of a third Parliamentary Under-Secretary was discussed and accepted when the Bill for the Ministers of the Crown (Parliamentary Under-Secretaries) Act, 1951, was before Parliament. The appointment of the additional Under-Secretary and of the Minister of State necessitated the assignment of two additional assistant principals to my Department's private office.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why £15,926 is necessary for the Scottish information services.

The sum of £15,926 covers the salaries of the staff engaged on Press and information work for the Scottish Departments and on agency work in Scotland for the Central Office of Information from which £3,450 is recovered.As the Estimates show, the staff of the Scottish Information Office was reduced from 45 in 1951–52 to 23 in 1952–53 and it is hoped to effect a further reduction of five by 31st March, 1953.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many male nurses are employed in general, fever and sanatoria hospitals in Scotland.

At 30th June, 1952, there were 558 male nurses employed whole-time in general and fever hospitals and sanatoria in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospital boards of management have refused to employ male nurses in Scotland; and to what extent there is a shortage of nursing staff in those areas.

Male nurses are employed under 61 of the 85 boards of management in Scotland. I do not know how many of the others have decided against the employment of male nurses and how many have never considered the question. Shortage of nursing staff relate rather to types of hospitals than to areas.

asked the Lord Advocate if he is satisfied that the present penalty of £5 for carrying a revolver with ammunition without a licence is adequate, in view of recent attacks upon unarmed police in Glasgow and elsewhere.

The penalty for each offence of this nature under existing legislation is not £5 but a fine not exceeding £50, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both. These penalties seem to me adequate where the only question is whether there has been a contravention of the Firearms Act, 1937, Section 1.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the concessionary petrol allowance to persons using mechanical invalid chairs only applies to those using chairs furnished by the Government; and whether he will extend this allowance to people who have provided their own chairs.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The allowance is already extended to applicants who own motor tricycles provided they satisfy the normal conditions for the supply of machines at the State's expense.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the dependants of Far East prisoners of war who died in Japanese hands were excluded from the recent award of £15.

The widows of those who died in captivity or who have since died are already eligible for a share.As regards other dependants, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my Parliamentary Secretary to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lewes (Major Beamish) on 17th October, 1952.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory state of accommodation and equipment that persists in some of his regional offices and, particularly, the Sheffield office; and what steps he proposes to take to provide better conditions in these offices.

Better accommodation and furniture are being provided where required, so far as the scarcity of suitable buildings and financial stringency will allow.In the case of the Sheffield office, some of the work now being done at Psalter Lane will soon be transferred to additional premises at Handsworth. This should make for better working conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are taken by the military authorities in Germany to assist National Service men who receive injuries on the roads from German civilian motorists.

All commands have a legal aid section which gives advice and help to a man, whether a Regular or a National Service soldier, who wishes to prefer a civil claim of this type.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the total number of men recruited to the Home Guard at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he is satisfied with the progress of recruitment.

By 15th October enrolments totalled 22,026. In addition, 19,733 men were registered for enrolment in an emergency. Although not as good as I had hoped, these figures show a gradual and sustained build up.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has been able to take to improve publicity for the Home Guard by making funds available for this purpose; and whether he is aware that one of the main reasons why insufficient recruits have come forward is on account of inadequate publicity.

I am well aware of the importance of publicity where all forms of recruiting are concerned. Funds are necessarily limited. I do not think that a lack of publicity is the main reason for insufficient recruits for the Home Guard.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the reason for his refusal to give the numbers of regulars in Home Commands, and their respective roles.

My reason is identical with that given by the right hon. Gentleman, when he was Secretary of State for War, on 14th December, 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that National Service men undergoing training at a Royal Signals training unit at Catterick are instructed to purchase for their personal use stated proprietary brands of soap, boot polish, shaving sticks, toothpaste and metal polish; and whether this degree of standardisation is in accordance with the policy of his Department.

No such instructions are given. Nor is it my Department's policy to impose this kind of standardisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he is effecting the compulsory discharge solely on grounds of age, of civilian staff employed at New Donnington Central Ordnance Depot, Shropshire; if he is aware that such staff removed their homes from London at the commencement of the war, on instructions, to meet the country's requirements and will now have little chance of securing alternative employment in or near the New Donnington area; and if he will suspend the operation of this policy for reconsideration in view of the widespread distress and hardship it will inevitably cause.

It is not my Department's policy automatically to discharge staff at the age of 65 or any other age; but all staff are reviewed periodically after reaching the age of 60, and specially at 65, with a view to the retention only of those who are fully efficient. At this particular depot, out of a total of 29 who are over 65, only three are being discharged as no longer up to the mark. Of these three, only one moved with the depot from London during the war. I cannot therefore agree that widespread distress and hardship has been caused.

asked the Secretary of State for War what authentic news he now has of how British and United Nations prisoners of war in the Far East are being treated.

Continued efforts to establish communication in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Conventions have, I regret to say, proved fruitless.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he will make additional duty free parcels available so that our troops fighting in Korea may send Christmas presents to their wives and relatives:(2) what duty free parcels may now be sent to this country by troops serving in Korea.

Troops serving in Korea may send duty free parcels containing goods other than tobacco, scent or liquor, of not more than 10s. in value and food parcels which do not weigh more than 22 lbs. There is no limit to the numbers of these parcels that may be sent. I do not think that I would be justified in seeking to extend these arrangements by the proposed concession.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute parcels to Korea must contain tobacco or cigarettes; and if, in future, he will make it possible to send parcels containing chocolates with-but tobacco or cigarettes.

Yes. This is being done, and I am obliged to my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr. Vaughan-Morgan) and to the hon. and gallant Gentleman for drawing my attention to this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the complaints concerning the attention given to war graves in a number of cemeteries in this country; and what steps he is taking to remedy these matters.

The Imperial War Graves Commission are responsible for the maintenance of over 170,000 war graves of both wars in the United Kingdom, and they do occasionally receive complaints, the cause of which they make every effort to rectify with a minimum of delay. From what I have seen, since I have been Chairman of this organisation, I think it is extremely efficient and well organised.

asked the Secretary of State for War in how many of the practice camps used by the Territorial forces during the present year was a continuous supply of water available and in how many it was intermittent; and what steps are being taken to ensure that a continuous supply will be available in all camps next year.

In eight of the 19 practice camps used by the Territorial Army, the water supply is not entirely satisfactory. These eight camps are in the area of Towyn in Wales. In order to ensure a satisfactory water supply to these camps, my Department has agreed to contribute towards the cost of an improvement scheme which is now being undertaken by the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now made inquiries into the allegations regarding the arrangements for receiving men of Class Z Reserve at Weybourne Camp, Norfolk, the inadequate facilities for training, and the conditions of kit and accommodation; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. Weybourne Camp is a tented camp which has been in use for Territorial and Z Reserve training since 1947. I have myself visited this camp and, in good weather, conditions are satisfactory and there have been few complaints. There were, however, many complaints during the period to which the right hon. Gentleman refers which was one of exceptionally bad weather including wet, cold and, for a period, gales.No tented camp can be anything but uncomfortable under such circumstances. As a result of various points brought to my notice special steps have been taken to ensure that discomfort shall be reduced to a minimum in bad weather, but no tented camp can be a satisfactory substitute for hutted camps under such conditions.I have made inquiries into the more detailed points which the right hon. Gentleman has raised and I am writing to him.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the subject of time-expired men in the Canal Zone being allowed to find their way home at their own expense; and if he will see that this does not happen again.

During August there was, for reasons which I have already told the House, some delay in bringing men home from the Middle East. Arrangements were made by the brigade commander concerned whereby 24 guardsmen due for release could, if they so wished, avoid delay by going to Malta in a ship of the Royal Navy and thence returning to England by air at their own expense.This procedure was at variance with the intention of existing regulations and I have taken steps to see that it does not happen again. I have also authorised the repayment of expenses incurred by these men.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many copies of Volume 8, Trade H, Ice Cream, in the Census of Production for 1948 were printed; how many officials were engaged on its production; how long they were so engaged; and what was the cost and what useful purpose was served by this publication.

This is part of the Final Report of the Census of Production for 1948 and was presented to Parliament in pursuance of the Statistics of Trade Act, 1947. Six hundred and twenty-five copies were printed at a cost of £28. The staff engaged on the census dealt with 156 separate but inter-related trade reports, and it is impossible to say how many officials were engaged, or for how long, on any one of them. The census was the first complete survey of industrial production since 1935 and has provided information used by both Government and industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new factories have been licensed and commenced since 1st November, 1951, in the North-Eastern Development Area.

According to the latest available information, building licences have been issued since 1st November, 1951, for one large new factory and 23 extensions exceeding 5,000 square feet to existing factories. Work has begun on the factory and on 10 of the extensions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what factors have caused the redundancy of 48 employees in the North-Eastern Trading Estate factories in Sunderland since May.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the net fall in the numbers employed between 24th May and 30th August, 1952, as a result of decreases at some factories and increases at others. The decreases were due mainly to the Australian import restrictions and reduced activity in the clothing trade. An interim estimate of the total employed on 30th September shows an increase of 118 over the total on 30th August.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the import restrictions imposed by Australia and New Zealand on British manufactures some months ago have been removed.

There have been minor changes in the Australian restrictions. Substantially, however, the restrictions in both countries have been maintained owing to balance of payments difficulties.The basic allocation for imports into New Zealand in 1953 has been reduced to 40 per cent. of the 1950 rate, compared with 80 per cent. this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Monopolies Commission's Report on Insulin will be published; and if he will make a statement about the report.

The report was published today. On the factual side of their inquiry, the Commission have found that conditions, to which the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948, applies, do prevail.Virtually, the whole of the insulin supplied in the United Kingdom is produced by four pharmaceutical manufacturers, two of them working on this production in partnership. One of these manufacturers, Burroughs Wellcome and Company, supplies more than one-third of the insulin supplied in the United Kingdom. Further, all four manufacturers collaborate as regards insulin in an organisation known as the "British Insulin Manufacturers" (B.I.M.); and, in the Commission's view, the effect of this collaboration, whilst not destroying competition or even substantially reducing it, is, nevertheless, in the direction of restricting competition.In assessing the effect of these conditions on the public interest, the Commission explain that, although the position of Burroughs Wellcome is under the Act legally different from that of the other manufacturers, this difference has no practical significance, and the arrangements between all participants in the B.I.M. should be considered as a whole.The Commission's principal conclusions can be summarised as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the need to attract more miners to the rapidly developing Fife coalfield, he will consult the Minister of Labour and others who may be able to help in the establishment of new light industry in the coalfield, which would provide employment for the female community.

The Board of Trade are always in touch with the Ministry of Labour and other Departments on the need for new industry in particular areas, and we will certainly take into account the question raised by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much tea has been exported to the United States of America in the last three months; and what was its total value.

Exports of tea from the United Kingdom to the United States of America during July, August and September this year amounted to 1,816,000 lb. weight valued at £247,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider reducing the Purchase Tax on children's reins, which assist in controlling young children in busy shopping areas and thereby make a contribution to road safety.

The rate of Purchase Tax on children's reins was reduced to 25 per cent. in this year's Finance Act. I regret that I cannot contemplate any further relief at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the decision of the National Coal Board to subsidise miners' travelling expenses in certain areas where these exceed 5s. per week, he will permit all other salary and wage earners, whose travelling expenses to their places of employment exceed this figure, to offset the balance as a deduction from earnings before they are assessed for pay as you earn and Income Tax and whether, where private firms bear a proportion of the cost of the travelling expenses of their employees, these will be treated as an allowable expense before Income Tax and Profits Tax are charged.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No." To the second, an employer who bears a proportion of the travelling expenses of his employees may treat the cost so incurred as a deduction from his profits for Income Tax and Profits Tax purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total operational cost of the Public Works Loan Board for the year 1951–52; and the total amount of fees collected at the rate of 4s. per cent. in respect of advances made to local authorities and other borrowers during the same period.

£79,111 and £804,751, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the function of the special inquiries of the Treasury (A3) Department; and for what reason the costs of this Department have increased from £23,350 to £45,000.

The provision for special inquiries covers the expenses of special missions sent overseas under the leadership of Treasury Ministers, including the First Lord, the expenses of any committee set up by these Ministers and any other Treasury special inquiries. The estimate provided for the possibility of an increased number of special missions abroad which has not, in fact, occurred. Expenditure out of this provision to date is some £1,370.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he has considered the resolution passed on 11th July by the Council for British Archæology, a copy of which has been sent to him, concerning the inadequate staffs and resources of the national museums; and what steps are being taken to improve the services impaired as a result of financial cuts imposed by Her Majesty's Government.

Yes. The resolution is founded on a misapprehension in view of the fact that Government expenditure on museum staffs has been increased by £85,000 over the amount made available last year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, taking the index figure of January as a basis, was the percentage increase in the cost of living at the latest available date; what was the percentage increase during the corresponding period of 1951; and what is the amount in shillings and pence of the fall in the purchasing power of the £ represented by these percentages.

Between January and September, 1952, the cost of living, as measured by the Interim Index of Retail Prices, rose by 3 per cent. This is equivalent to a fall of about 7d. in the internal purchasing power of the £.The figures for the corresponding period of 1951 were a rise of 9 per cent. and a fall of 1s. 8d. respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why £7,000 is paid towards the cost of administration of Civil Service Benevolent Fund.

Many good employers contribute to benevolent schemes for their staff and I think it entirely reasonable that the Exchequer should make this contribution to a fund to which civil servants themselves subscribe over £100,000 a year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the number of assistant secretaries in the Treasury has increased from 2 in 1951–52 to 3 in 1952–53.

The number of assistant secretaries provided for in Subhead A of the Treasury Estimate for 1951–52 was 50 and for 1952–53 was 46. These numbers include those serving as overseas representatives.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the number of persons engaged in the door-keeping services in Section 11 of the Treasury Estimates has increased from 23 in 1951–52 to 30 in 1952–53.

Partly because there are more doors to look after. One entrance in the new public offices previously in charge of Air Ministry constabulary is now the responsibility of the Treasury. The remaining increase is due to re-organisation, and to an alteration in the length of shifts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the numbers engaged in secretarial and clerical assistance in the private offices of the Treasury has increased from 47 in 1951–52 to 53 in 1952–53: and what is a private office in a Department of State.

The number at present in post is 46—a reduction of one. The increased provision in this year's Estimate was made to allow for temporary assistance at No. 10 Downing Street which has since been discontinued."Private office" is a collective term used to describe a Minister's private secretary and his (or her) assistants.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the number of executive officers in the Treasury in Section 11 of the Treasury Estimates has increased from 71 in 1951–52 to 81 in 1952–53.

The increase in the Estimates to which my hon. Friend refers is part of a general operation involving the replacement of a number of administrative by executive staff. As a result of the reductions in staff effected by my right hon. Friend the combined total of administrative and executive staff now is 9 fewer than the provision in the 1951–52 Estimate.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the Cabinet Office, which in 1913–14 cost nothing, now costs £195,712.

In 1913–14 there was no Cabinet Office. It now performs functions of very great importance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the staff of the Paymaster-General increased from 514 in 1951–52 to 538 in 1952–53; and why the travelling expenses of that Department increased from £4,500 to £6,500 in the same period.

The 1951–52 figure is 519, and not as stated by my hon. Friend.The Estimate for 1952–53 provided for an expected increase in the requirements for personal staff and travelling expenses resulting from the new duties imposed on the Paymaster-General; and also for the normal growth of pension work in the Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain the reasons for declaring 500 employees of the Rating and Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue redundant; and what is the cause of this redundancy.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to redundant estimators. These temporary officers were recruited to prepare material for the revaluation of certain houses in accordance with the basis of assessment laid down in the Local Government Act, 1948. The proposal to introduce legislation to amend this basis, which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government on 1st August, 1952, means that their services are no longer needed.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why, under his regulations, applications for supplementary assistance from the National Assistance Board have been refused in cases where the applicants are registered dock workers on the guaranteed rate, and where the income to the family is well below the rate of assistance fixed by the Board; and whether he will give this matter urgent consideration.

Under the Dock Labour Scheme these men are in the employment of the Dock Labour Board and assistance was never intended for persons in employment except in cases of special urgency.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will arrange for family allowances payable to the parents of children in mentally deficient homes to be paid to the authorities at such homes for the benefit of the children.

No. My right hon. Friend has no power to pay family allowances to the authorities responsible for such institutions.

asked the Minister of Health how many records of primary vaccinations and of re-vaccinations were received by the Rochdale Health Service authorities from local practitioners during February, March, April, May and June, 1952.

My information is that the number for the first six months of 1952 was 9,463 of which 3,105 were re-vaccinations. The figure for the month of January comprised in this total can be taken as comparatively very small.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent his Department receives records of the history as regards vaccination or immunisation of cases of poliomyelitis notified in England and Wales; whether medical officers of health obtain such particulars; and whether such information will be obtained in future in every case of this disease notified.

Medical officers of health have been asked to obtain such information about every notified case of poliomyelitis and to send it to a committee set up by the Medical Research Council, including medical officers of my Department, which is investigating the subject of inoculation procedures and neurological lesions. It cannot be decided at present whether it will be necessary to go on obtaining such reports in future.