asked the Minister of Works how many seats are being provided by his Department for the Coronation procession; to whom they are being allocated; and whether he is satisfied that the maximum number are being made available.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a statement on the amount of seating accommodation on stands to be erected by his Department which he expects to be available to the general public for viewing the Coronation procession; and the probable range of prices to be charged.

I hope to provide about 100,000 seats on stands erected by my Department in the Royal Parks and on Crown sites along the processional route. I may be able to add a little to this number, but I think it would be wrong to encroach on space traditionally used as standing room. One third of the seats will be allocated to oversea member countries of the Commonwealth and the Colonies. The balance will be allocated to national organisations in this country for distribution to their members. I cannot yet say exactly what prices will be charged, but the principle will be that the full cost of erecting the stands is reflected in the price of the seats.

In view of the fact that this will be one of the most popular and spectacular events, possibly, in British history, will the Minister assure us that every effort is being made to provide every opportunity and facility to all who wish to witness it, both directly and indirectly and without undue exploitation?

Yes, Sir.

Am I correct in understanding from the answer of the right hon. Gentleman that only those members of the general public who are members of an association will have a chance of obtaining these seats? If that is the case, will the right hon. Gentleman see that members of the public who are not members of associations may have a chance of getting a certain number of seats?

I do not see any more fair method of allocating seats across the broad mass of the public. These national associations do, in fact, represent all walks of life, and they will get—as they did last time—certain blocks of seats. I feel sure that they will allot them so that we have a fair cross-section in the seats.

Will the Minister consider banking-up as much as possible those areas reserved for standing room only so that people behind can get a good view?

Yes, Sir. I have worked out a scheme whereby we can have a platform in front of a number of stands, which will double the standing room.

Could my right hon. Friend say what he means by "national associations?"

In due course, I hope to publish the list of national associations. It ranges from trade unions and employers' associations to women's institutes; every conceivable kind of organisation will get a chance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that no useful purpose will be served by individual members of the public writing to individual hon. Members of this House, which makes it all the more important that the arrangements he makes should appear to be and actually be as fair as possible?

Yes, Sir, I will. I anticipate that I shall have more requests than even the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Works what effect the shortage of bricks and cement in the North-East is having on the building programme; and how far the local authorities housing schemes are being held up.

During the past building season the demand for bricks and cement in the north-east has exceeded all forecasts, with the result that here and there building work has been delayed. At present my officers know of two local authority housing schemes suffering from a lack of cement, and they are seeing what can be done to help. A number of local authorities have complained of inadequate brick supplies for housing. My Department has generally been able to suggest alternative sources of bricks.

Is the Minister aware that there is no amelioration of the position today, and that complaints are still being received from local authorities and from the building trade about the serious disruption of the programme in this whole area because of the shortages mentioned in the Question?

The hon. Member talks about serious disruption, but the facts are that in his own borough in the first nine months of 1951 there were 674 houses completed as against 851 in the first nine months of this year. It is because we have done better that we have certain difficulties.

Is the Minister aware that I have received information that certain buildings are at a complete standstill in Durham due to the shortage of cement? Can the right hon. Gentleman not do anything immediately to remedy this position?

There is a difficulty there. I believe it is due to the fact that three out of the four kilns at the Billingham Cement Works are stopped for repair. It is hoped to have them going again in a week or two.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do everything possible within his power to help his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government to reach his housing target? Can we be assured that the right hon. Gentleman is not standing in the way of his right hon. Friend?

asked the Minister of Works the average weekly despatch of cement to the South-West from the beginning of July to the latest convenient date.

From 1st July to 18th October the average weekly delivery of cement to the South-Western Region was 12,892 tons.

asked the Minister of Works what steps he is taking to ensure regular and adequate supplies of cement to West Cornwall, parts of which have suffered, and are suffering, from shortage in supplies.

I have already asked the cement industry to increase the deliveries of cement to Cornwall. For the South-West Region deliveries are running at 12½ per cent. more than in the corresponding period of last year, against the national increase of 9½ per cent.

Is the Minister aware that the disruption of building work in Cornwall in recent months has been greater than for some years past owing to a lack of cement? Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of the fact that I had a complaint from a builder only this morning, and will he ask the Cement Marketing Board to increase supplies?

The volume of work in Cornwall, I am glad to say, is very much greater than for years past. I have received advice from several people in Cornwall that the steps already taken have been of great advantage.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the very quick action he has taken in response to representations from other Cornish Members is very much appreciated?

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that there is a shortage of cement for building in Newport which is causing repeated delays in the erection of houses and flats; and what steps are being taken to augment the supply.

I am not aware of any serious delay in Newport in the erection of houses or flats due to shortage of cement; but I have asked the cement industry to increase deliveries to South Wales as soon as they can.

asked the Minister of Works what special attractions have been decided upon in connection with the Battersea Festival Pleasure Gardens in Coronation Year.

I am informed by the Board that they are making preparations for many special attractions, such as Coronation decorations, new features, and sensational outdoor acts. In due course, wide publicity will be given to these attractions. I understand the hon. Member has already discussed these plans with the managing director of the Company.

But does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that if there are to be these wonderful attractions it is no use keeping the news to a small circle of people, and that large organisations that arrange outings want to know six months ahead? Since I am raising the matter on the Adjournment on Friday, I shall not press the Minister further now.

asked the Minister of Works the nature of the roof repair now going on in Westminster Hall.

The work in the roof of Westminster Hall was the repair of a minor leak in the fléche.

A thorn in the flesh?

Is it not rather strange that, after the extensive work that went on some time ago, further work should now be necessary? Was not this discoverable then?

Owing to the very extensive repairs that had to be carried out as a result of war damage, all the seasoned oak was used up and it was therefore necessary to buy some oak which was not fully seasoned. That was used for the fléche. It was known that there would be some shrinking, but it was hoped that it would not be as serious as it turned out to be.

asked the Minister of Works how many licences have been granted to sell bird food and take photographs in Trafalgar Square.

There are three licences in force for photography and two for corn selling.

Is the Minister aware that, by restricting so severely the licences for trading in Trafalgar Square, he has created a very valuable monopoly for a tiny number of privileged persons that will be worth about £30 a week during the Coronation period. Will the Minister look at some of the applications of ex-Service men whom he has turned out of the Square with little or no justification?

There are still 500 summonses outstanding against unlicensed photographers. Until those summonses have been dealt with, I am not satisfied that I should increase the number of licences for photography. When I have got the position clear, I may do so.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman gives the House an undertaking that when all this litigation is disposed of he will have another look at the matter?

indicated assent.

Will the Minister indicate how many prosecutions he desires before he is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence for an increase in the number of photographers?

I do not desire prosecutions; the police instigate them.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he has had any protests in respect of this from any of the pigeons?

asked the Minister of Works to what extent the 14,676 employees in his Department are engaged on common services for the defence Departments and civil Departments, respectively.

I am assuming that my hon. and gallant Friend, by "common services," has in mind accommodation, maintenance, and the provision of gas, water, electricity, etc. It is not possible to apportion staff accurately as between civil and defence common services but, of a total of about 6,400 staff employed, the rough apportionment is 6,000 to civil and 400 to defence.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, on what lines it is intended to pursue research into the special causes of lung cancer in gas workers through the agency of the Medical Research Council.

The Medical Research Council has arranged for one of its expert committees to examine the possibilities. Until this committee has had time to consider the problem in detail, I shall not be able to indicate which lines of research are likely to be the most promising.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask his noble Friend to pursue this matter energetically? Would he consult the Minister of Fuel and Power, because one of the troubles is that two-thirds of the gas boards do not employ full-time medical staffs? Would this committee, therefore, enter into consultation with the Minister of Fuel and Power on that aspect and arrange for research?

The whole matter is under careful consideration, and investigations have been made, as I indicated to the hon. Member on 21st October. The matter is still being followed up.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, to what extent research is being made into the use and development of silicates, oxides and nitrides from domestic sources; and what encouragement is being given to this research.

Research into the development of new and extended uses for these substances is being actively pursued in a wide field by industry, research associations, Government research establishments and the universities. Both the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Ministry of Supply are encouraging and sponsoring research of this nature.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say to what extent we may hope in the near future to make ourselves less dependent on the import of foreign metal by the use of these domestic substances?

Development on these lines has already begun. A number of the universities are carrying out research, and a number of industrial firms are engaged on small-scale production of these new products as a substitute for metals.

asked the Minister of Labour his policy for retaining older officers in the employment of his Department.

The policy of my right hon. and learned Friend is that older officers who wish to stay should be retained as long as they remain fit and efficient and there is a real need for their services. In practice, most of the permanent staff retire between the ages of 60 and 65, but we have today in the Ministry more than 600 officers over 65 years of age, the majority of whom are temporary staff.

As a result of contraction and reorganisation of work, the staff of the Ministry has been reduced by about one-third in the last five years. In consequence, there have been some redundancies, and it has therefore been necessary to retire a certain number of older officers, including a number at the minimum pensionable age of 60, in order to avoid over-staffing.

I know the interest my hon. Friend takes in this matter and would assure him that what I have said does not represent any departure from the general aim of keeping all fit, efficient and willing officers as long as is practicable.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that where an officer is anxious and willing to stay on after the age of 60, it would be better to keep him on and, if necessary, to reduce the intake into the Civil Service?

I do not disagree with my hon. Friend on that point. But, to be fair to my own Ministry, I must say that we have entirely ceased recruiting to try to meet this difficulty. We are having only a very small number of cadets as direct university entrants and no other recruiting at all.

When permanent staff are retained after the normal retiring age, what precautions are taken to avoid the retarding of promotion for the rest of the staff?

I am glad the hon. Member asked that question, because I hope I did not mislead the House by a supplementary answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan) on a previous occasion; if I did, I apologise to the House. I said then that one of the reasons for retiring people of 60 was the bar to promotion. I am glad of the opportunity to make it plain to the House that that is not so, and that the policy of my Ministry is exactly as I have annunciated it in my answer this afternoon. I apologise to the House if I did mislead hon. Members on a previous occasion.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people in Cardiff who have been registered as unemployed for more than six months.

Four hundred and sixty-eight at 15th September.

Would the Minister indicate whether that is an increase or a decrease?

I am sure the hon. Member will be glad to know that that is some decrease on the figure at the same time last year.

Thank you very much.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of working hours lost in Wales due to short-time working during the period October, 1950, to October, 1951; and during the period October, 1951, to October, 1952.

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As the Question calls for two sets of figures only, can the Minister tell me whether there is an increase or a decrease here?

Again I am very glad to be able to tell the hon. Member that it is a decrease. I will give him two figures; the figure for 30th August this year was 32,000, and the figure for the comparative period in 1951 was 45,000.

Is the Minister aware that we shall note with pleasure the advantage that Wales has compared with England in this matter?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the dispute between D. C. Thomson Limited and the National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants.

As the House will be aware, the firm of D. C. Thomson Limited informed my right hon. and learned Friend in September last that they would cease their insistence on any of their employees signing an agreement not to belong to a trade union. This settled the fundamental issue of principle underlying this dispute, and the trade unions decided on 17th September to take the necessary action to end any ban imposed on supplies and distribution affecting the firm. There remained the question of the reinstatement of the men, members of the National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants, who had come out on strike at Glasgow last April.

It was hoped that, as soon as the firm's supplies and distribution of its publications were restored to normal, conditions would be created in which a mutually acceptable settlement of this outstanding question might be found, but I regret that this has not so far proved to be possible. A deputation from the Trades Union Congress on this subject was received last Friday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour, and consideration is being given to what further steps could be taken.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that to expect any trade union to call an end to a dispute while a considerable number of its members is still being victimised in pursuance of a principle which we as a nation have accepted within the convention of the I.L.O. is really asking too much? Would he ask his right hon. and learned Friend whether he would now agree that arbitration should be resorted to?

I hope the hon. Member will not press that subject at the moment. I am sure he will agree that it is the desire of my right hon. and learned Friend to get a settlement as soon as he can, and I think that if we argue the point too much at the moment it will undoubtedly make that task much more difficult.

Would not the Minister ask the Prime Minister to use his longstanding friendship with D. C. Thomson Limited to end this dispute?

Mr. Freeman.

On a point of order. Might I point out that on the very important question of D. C. Thomson Limited not one question was allowed from this side of the House?

That is a matter for the discretion of the Chair. The answer of the Minister seemed to indicate that further consideration was being given to the question.

asked the Minister of Labour how many dock workers on Merseyside are registered as unemployed or were, at the latest available date, signing on at the docks under the guaranteed wage arrangements; what proportion these figures represent of the total dock labour force; and what estimate he can make of the number of unemployed through the Governments import cuts and the recent decline in the export trade.

During the week ending 1st November, the average number of registered dock workers on Merseyside proving attendance for whom work was not available was 5,056, or about 23.5 per cent. of the total number of dockers on the Merseyside registers. This surplus is, of course, largely due to a decline in imports and exports, but I am unable to estimate the proportions.

In view of these alarming figures and the fact that the hon. Gentleman has not given the full information asked for in the Question, in view also of the failure of the President of the Board of Trade to take energetic steps to provide alternative employment, will the hon. Gentleman say what prospects he sees of any improvement in employment in the docks on Merseyside in the next few months in the light of the import cuts and the disastrous decline in exports?

If the right hon. Gentleman had been in his place yesterday he would have heard this matter very fully discussed. He would have heard the very full statement which was made by my right hon. and learned Friend on the matter. He would also have heard that my right hon. and learned Friend is meeting the National Dock Labour Board in about half an hour's time.

The statement yesterday by the right hon. and learned Gentleman was undoubtedly lengthy, but it did not deal with the prospects of trade. Will the hon. Gentleman say what prospect he sees of increasing the flow of trade and improving employment on Merseyside?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would put that question to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman answer the question? What is he there for?

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 460 estimators found redundant from his Department have been found employment; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that these skilled personnel are usefully employed.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the estimators recently declared redundant by the Inland Revenue Department with effect from 12th October. They have been advised to register with the appropriate offices of my Ministry, and I understand that about 50 of them have already found alternative employment.

Will the hon. Gentleman carefully watch this matter, because here we have an important pool of skilled labour which should be used wisely?

I agree. We are doing our best to find employment for these people.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the recent concern expressed by the members of the National Farmers' Union of Scotland in Ayrshire about the continued call-up of agricultural workers for Her Majesty's Forces; and what action he proposes to take to end the call-up.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes," and to the second that my right hon. and learned Friend could not agree to discontinue the call-up in cases where no serious loss of food production is involved.

Is the Minister aware that the National Farmers' Union in Ayrshire want to know how they can increase production if he is taking away the labour?

The answer to that, as I think the hon. Gentleman knows, is that all these deferments are looked at very sympathetically; that 83 per cent. of the applications for deferment were granted and 94 per cent. renewal applications were granted. As we are only taking half of those who normally become available to us out of the agricultural industry, I think we are trying to meet the case.

Is the assumption from the hon. Member's reply to the original Question that if men are taken away from the land food production is not retarded?

The assumption—and I hope the right hon. Gentleman is not trying to mislead the House and the country again on the question of the call-up—is that men are deferred if there is a risk of serious loss of food production. If the agricultural advisory panels, which are not controlled by my Ministry, are satisfied that there is no serious loss of food production, these men become available for call-up.

Is the Minister aware that the farmers in Ayrshire know a good deal more about this business than the Minister himself, and will he agree in the circumstances to receive a deputation from them?

We shall be delighted.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to prevent a recurrence of cases similar to that of 22702478 Private J. E. Smith, of Leicester, who was called to National Service in the Army when he had a serious defect of the foot necessitating a major operation, and who is now to be discharged from the Army; and whether he will exempt from National Service in the Army men suffering from chronic illnesses or serious physical disabilities.

I am satisfied that the decision of the National Service Medical Board, reached after a most careful examination of his foot, that Private Smith was fit for sedentary duties in the Army was correct. His discharge was due to a worsening of his condition after entry. Men who, on account of their medical condition, cannot be employed in the Services are not called up.

Surely the Minister is aware that that is not the correct answer to this Question, and that in fact—[Interruption.] Is the Minister not aware of the fact that the orthopaedic specialist at the Leicester Infirmary declared that this man was not fit for service and that he brought that statement to the notice of the Medical Board at the time; that they made no inquiry of this specialist at all so far as anyone is aware, and will the Minister see to it that the money of the country and the time of these people is not wasted in cases of this kind?

I think the hon. Member was misled by the fact that undoubtedly Private Smith was awaiting an operation on his foot. But while he was awaiting that operation he was still able to walk two miles a day.

But is the Minister aware that I am not satisfied with that reply, and will he be good enough to look into the papers again to see what is the actual position?

indicated assent.

Does not the hon. Gentleman recognise that there is a serious point of principle at stake here? He said in his answer that this man was called up for certain duties and his condition worsened during his military service. Thereby he would become prima facie entitled to a pension because of aggravation. Will the hon. Gentleman be careful about calling up such men, who can only be a burden to the taxpayer?

indicated assent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes he is contemplating in teachers' contributions to the Teachers' Superannuation Scheme.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a letter about proposed changes in the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme, which was sent last July to the associations of local authorities and teachers in Scotland.

Am I right in thinking that this means an increase in the teachers' contributions, which will virtually mean a cut in teachers' salaries, and is it wise at a time when the recruitment of teachers is causing concern to start such an action?

As no doubt the hon. Member knows, we are discussing this matter with the two associations. We have already discussed it with the E.I.S. We are looking forward to hearing from the local authority associations. The difficulty of the problem is fully understood.

Can the Minister tell us what has been the reaction of the E.I.S. to the letter he sent them?

The E.I.S. were opposed to an increase.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the value of new school building under construction in November, 1951; and the value of that authorised since that date.

It is not possible to state the value of educational building in progress at any particular date, but it is estimated that, when completed, the value of educational buildings under construction at the end of November, 1951, will be £12 million. Since then, work to the estimated value of £3,657,000 has been allowed to start.

But is it not clear that, in spite of the efforts of local education committees to look after the long-term aspect, particularly in Scotland, and to deal with an expected crisis in secondary school places, the effect of the Government's policy is that that crisis will come in about five years' time?

There are other elements which might bear upon the problem in a different way, as the hon. Gentleman knows.

Is it not the case that the local education authorities are pressing for the starting of further schemes and that the Government are holding them back and denying them permission?

That is true, but the main reason holding them back is the shortage of steel and other materials. If there were not a shortage of steel and other materials we should be glad to push forward.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many school kitchens have been closed in the last year; and for what purposes the cooking equipment from those kitchens is to be used.

During the 12 months ended 30th September, 1952, 15 school meals kitchens have been closed. Two more will shortly be closed. Some of these kitchens, with their equipment, are being maintained for Civil Defence Emergency Feeding purposes. In the others, the equipment is being maintained, until the prospective demand for school meals can be more clearly seen.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether he has been approached by any of the hospital authorities which could make good use of this equipment, and, if such representations have been made, would he indicate what is the reaction of the Minister to them?

I am not aware of such approaches, although they may well have been made, but I will inquire into them and inform the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local education authorities are now using accommodation other than school buildings for the teaching of children; and how this figure compares with that of a year ago.

Twenty-eight education authorities were using such accommodation during the year ended 30th June, 1952, as compared with 29 the previous year.

Can the Minister indicate exactly the nature of this accommodation and say how many school places are being catered for by it? Furthermore, can he indicate what are the prospects for the next year or two?

Most of the hired premises, if not all, are halls used for general recreational purposes. I think the tendency is for the hiring of premises to go down; at any rate, it has been falling during the past 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the numbers of dentists in general practice and in school dental service separately at the most recent date, and in December, 1951, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dentists have entered the school dental service in the last nine months; and to what extent the service is now below establishment.

The number of dentists in general practice taking part in the National Health Service has fallen from 1,254 at the end of 1951 to 1,210 at the end of last month. In the same period the number of dentists in the school service has increased from 104 to 131. There is no formal establishment of dentists in the school service, but I am advised that the present number, which is equal to the highest number ever before, is still far short of the total that could usefully be employed.

Can the Minister give the reasons, or what he thinks are the reasons, for the increase in the number of dentists now going into the school dental service? Is it because of the recent Health Service charges that dentists are now being driven into the school service as private practice is less remunerative?

No, Sir. It is due, in the first place, to the improved salary scales in the school dental service, and also to the reduction in the numbers attending the general dental service.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend accept the suggestion from the opposite benches that dentists are "being driven" into the school service?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what tests are now required to ensure a pure milk supply; and if he is satisfied that the present tests and classifications make milk safe for infants and children.

The information desired would involve a rather long and complicated reply. It is given in the Schedules to the Milk (Special Designations) (Scotland) Order, 1951, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I am satisfied that the requirements of this Order with regard to the various designations of milk are sufficient to ensure a safe milk supply for infants and children.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the absence of a flat-rate for the carriage of fish from the North of Scotland fishing ports to the consuming centres further south tends to kill whole fishing communities which are national assets; and if he will take immediate steps to have this problem dealt with on a national basis.

The introduction of a flat-rate transport scheme for white fish is a matter in the first place for the White Fish Authority, and they have decided not to propose it.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the absence of a flat-rate is due to a broken promise by the White Fish Authority, and that it is prejudicial to our national defence, as well as to the fishing industry? Will he consult with the Prime Minister with a view to eliminating this adverse discrimination against Scotland and see that justice is done?

The hon. and learned Gentleman may be assured that, so far as we are concerned and while we are in power, justice will be done.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that the British Transport Commission are about to ask for a 5 per cent. increase in freight charges, which will mean an immense burden on the northern ports, and will he therefore press the Transport Tribunal to consider, as a matter of urgency, an extended scheme of tapering charges?

My noble Friend may be assured that we are in close touch with the transport authorities on behalf of Scottish interests, and that we are doing our utmost to improve conditions.

Is the Minister aware that he has overlooked that portion of my Question which asked him to have the matter raised on a national level, because it affects our national defence as well as the fishing industry, and will he therefore consult with the Prime Minister to have this matter dealt with on a national level so that justice is done?

I cannot undertake to do quite that, but I certainly assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that this matter is not regarded as of minor importance, but as one of the utmost importance for all purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the total cereal acreage of Scotland is being used for the Oats Certification Scheme of his Department.

The acreage certified under the Scheme this year is 1,295 acres, or a little over 0.1 per cent. of the total Scottish cereal acreage of 1,160,513 acres.

In view of the very low percentage of the acreage used in the scheme, does the Joint Under-Secretary think it is advisable that it should be continued, and, if so, will he look again at the way in which it is devised in order to make it more popular?

The noble Lady will appreciate that this scheme has been in being only since 1950, and that that is only two years ago. I think that the acreage of 1,295 of the highest quality seed is, at any rate, not unsatisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will receive the deputation from Aberdeen Town Council to discuss the provision of television for the Coronation.

My right hon. Friend is in touch with his noble Friend the Postmaster-General and will write to the Town Council as soon as possible.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that Aberdeen Town Council wrote to the Secretary of State for Scotland on 24th September asking if he would receive a deputation, and that, to date, no reply has been received to that request? Will the Secretary of State therefore receive a deputation from the Aberdeen Town Council, in view of the fact that, in any representations which he makes to the Postmaster-General on this important subject of television for the North-East, he would be fortified by the views of this influential body?

I have checked up on this matter in order to reply to the noble Lady, and I find that due acknowledgment was sent to the Town Council's letters, and that an interim reply has been sent since. I think the point was that my right hon. Friend did not feel that it would be worth while for the Town Council to come down to London until he had some useful information to offer them. As soon as he is able to offer them useful information, he will be delighted to receive them.

Will the Minister draw the attention of the Assistant Postmaster-General to the outrage which he has perpetrated in altering the priorities with regard to television, to the prejudice of North-East Scotland, and will he see that justice is done in that matter?

Does not the Joint Under-Secretary think that, in view of the public interest aroused in this subject in the North-East of Scotland, it would have been advisable, at any rate, to reply to the point made in the letter as to whether the Secretary of State would receive a deputation? I have had an opportunity of seeing the correspondence, and I can say that that point has not been replied to.

I can only assure my noble Friend that no discourtesy whatever was intended, and that my right hon. Friend will be delighted to receive a deputation as soon as he has something useful to say to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the average cost per prescription dispensed under the National Health Service in Scotland is substantially in excess of the average cost in England and Wales.

The average cost in Scotland is higher mainly for two reasons—that the ingredients cost more and that we have to pay a higher dispensing fee. But the average cost per prescription is not a good measure of the total cost to the National Health Service. A better figure of comparison is the average annual cost per patient, and, on this figure, there is no significant difference between Scotland and England.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in future annual reports of the Department of Health, he will provide in Appendix 10, not only the monthly figures of prescriptions dispensed, but also the monthly cost and average cost of prescriptions issued.

My right hon. Friend intends to do so, in so far as the information is available at the time of publication of the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of houses for sale, and the diminishing number of houses to rent; and what proposals he has to ensure an availability of houses to rent for those who are in urgent need.

I am told that the number of existing rented houses actually being sold is small. On the other hand, over 20,000 new houses were completed during the first nine months of this year for letting, against 15,400 in the same period last year. The number of houses for renting, therefore, far from diminishing, is increasing.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the number of privately owned houses to rent is greatly diminished, that many of our population cannot qualify for a council house, and that it is these people who are now being forced to buy? Can he do something about it?

That is not in accordance with the information which I have obtained.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the Lanarkshire County Council has recently refused to allocate licences for private building?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take to bring the prices of houses for sale in Scotland into similar percentage above pre-war figures as those offered for sale in England.

The hon. Member's suggestion would involve a close control over the selling price of houses which seems neither practicable nor desirable.

Is the Minister aware that local authorities have the power to take over houses and that, in taking them over, they need not pay these exploitation prices? Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman encourage local authorities to do that where he knows that the prices are really sheer exploitation?

I know that the local authorities have these powers.

Is the Minister aware that in my constituency single houses in tenement buildings are being sold, and will he take immediate steps to do something to stop this ramp at the expense of homeless people?

Might I remind the hon. Lady that the recent Labour Government found it impossible to accept the recommendations of the Morris Committee?

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the granting of time to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunbartonshire, West (Mr. Steele) to bring in a Bill to prevent the sale of houses?

The right hon. Gentleman knows that that question should be addressed to another source.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 3,000 non-traditional houses ordered from the Weir Housing Corporation have been completed; and whether further large-scale orders for non-traditional houses are in prospect.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the programme of timber houses. The first of these will be finished towards the end of November. I am not at this stage in a position to make any statement about a further programme of timber houses.

May I ask the Joint Under-Secretary whether he is aware that, on a previous occasion, the reply was that there was not enough soft timber, although the then Secretary for Overseas Trade said there was? Will he therefore look into the whole problem again, with a view to extending this purchasing programme?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further progress has been made in setting up self-help building associations following his circular to local authorities last April.

So far as I am aware, seven inquiries in all have been addressed to local authorities following the issue of the Circular. As a result, five associations have so far been approved in principle by the local authority concerned.

In view of the gratifying results that have followed from the Circular which the Secretary of State issued last April, will my hon. and gallant Friend draw further attention to it, because a number of local authorities do not seem to be aware that there are self-help housing groups ready to help themselves, and that there is authority for going ahead?

I will consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses had been completed by the East Kilbride Development Corporation by 15th October, 1952.

The Corporation had completed 502 houses at 25th October, the date of the latest available return.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that that represents a rate of completion of roughly half of what he himself forecast on the Floor of this House last May, and will he look into the matter?

May I point out to my hon. Friend that the average rate of completions per month is gradually increasing? There is now available a much larger labour force than there was previously, and there seems no reason at the present moment to doubt that the target figure may well be reached.

Since the target figure was to be 500 in the current financial year and the completions to date represent about 250, may I ask how my hon. and gallant Friend is going to get another 250 in the next two months?

My hon. Friend is mistaken. The financial year ends at 31st March.