asked the Minister of Works whether he will make it a condition that those contractors whom he employs for stands for the Coronation and the Coronation procession should give preference to Empire timber.

Contractors are required to supply either certain types of Canadian timber or home-grown timber of equal quality.

asked the Minister of Works what arrangements he is making for Members of Parliament and their families to view the Coronation along the route of the procession.

Every Member of Parliament will be offered two seats in stands in New Palace Yard and Cromwell Green.

asked the Minister of Works why the cost of fuel, gas and electric current for public buildings, Class VII, 3, 1, increased from £4,095,000 in 1951–52 to £4,850,000 in 1952–53.

			1952							1951 Corresponding period average
			April	May	June	July	August	September	Period average
Tyne and Wear		…	349	468	212	171	171	220	270	341
Middlesbrough and Hartlepools			361	410	149	226	122	122	236	195
Hull and Goole		…	807	485	113	166	223	373	368	93
London	…	…	3,510	3,546	3,349	3,887	3,904	4,738	3,822	852
Royal group*		…	1,022	1,583	811	1,217	1,014	1,432	1,175	369
South Wales	…	…	628	596	625	496	512	567	569	520
Liverpool	…	…	2,441	2,984	2,966	3,803	3,978	4,513	3,436	680
Manchester	…	…	607	834	579	547	844	794	692	164
Glasgow	…	…	412	369	724	577	556	407	506	282
Other areas	…	…	2,418	2,410	2,296	2,397	2,140	2,255	2,302	1,508
TOTAL—ALL AREAS		…	11,533	12,102	11,013	12,270	12,450	13,989	12,201	4,635
TOTAL—ALL AREAS, 1951			4,449	5,839	6,759	3,875	3,614	3,513	4,675
* Royal group figures are already included in London figures.

Expenditure in 1951–52 on fuel, gas and electricity was £4,600,000. The excess over the provision voted was due to price increases early in 1951 after the estimates were closed and to an increase in stocks. Further price increases for solid fuel were announced at the end of 1951 and the provision for 1952–53 was, therefore, increased accordingly.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of figures showing the average daily surplus labour figures for the National Dock Labour Board for the months of April to September, 1951, showing each of the docks separately;(2) if he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures showing the average daily surplus of labour figures for the National Dock Labour Board for the months of April to September, 1952.

The figures are as follow:

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures showing the average daily surplus labour figures for the National Dock Labour Board for each of the weeks in October, 1952, showing comparisons with the year 1951 for a similar period.

The figures are:

Week ended	Average Daily Surplus of Registered Dock Workers
	1952	Corresponding period 1951
4th October, 1952	15,736	4,019
11th October, 1952	17,889	5,696
18th October, 1952	18,027	6,404
25th October, 1952	16,424	5,979
1st November, 1952	15,148	6,474

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures showing the average daily surplus labour figures for the National Dock Labour Board in Liverpool for each of the weeks in October, 1952, showing comparisons with the year 1951 for the same period.

The figures are:

PORT OF LIVERPOOL
Week Ended 1952	Average Daily Surplus 1952	Average Daily Surplus corresponding period 1951
4th October, 1952	4,256	920
11th October, 1952	5,229	1,193
18th October, 1952	5,094	2,115
25th October, 1952	4,464	1,964
1st November, 1952	4,640	1,557

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures showing the average daily surplus of labour figures for the National Dock Labour Board in Liverpool for the months of April to September. 1952.

The figures are:

PORT OF LIVERPOOL
1952	Average Daily Labour Surplus
April	2,441
May	2,984
June	2,966
July	3,803
August	3,978
September	4,513

asked the Minister of Labour the latest unemployment figures for Macclesfield and Congleton.

Seven hundred and fifty-one at Macclesfield and 141 at Congleton at 13th October, 1952.

asked the Minister of Labour when the report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1951 will be published.

The report is at present with the printers and every effort is being made to publish it as early as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the latest retail prices index figure; and to what extent this takes into account the increases in the price of rationed foods made on 5th October, 1952.

At 16th September, 1952, the retail prices index figure was 136. The increases in the prices of rationed foods made on 5th October will be reflected in the figure for 14th October, which is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour what changes he proposes to make at the Remploy Factory, Spring-burn, Glasgow.

I am informed by Remploy Limited that a change in production at the Springburn factory from furniture making to prepackaging work is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the local authorities who have not operated Section 114 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1950; and the total sums paid out in grants under this Section.

Local authorities who had not approved any applications for improvement grants under Section 111 of the 1950 Act at 30th September are listed below. The total amount promised by way of grants at that date was £390,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered a resolution sent him from the Presbytery of Edinburgh regarding the housing situation in Edinburgh and Scotland; and what reply he has sent.

The hon. Member will by now have received my right hon. Friend's letter of 3rd November with his comments on the copy of the resolution which he sent to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why certified Svalof original seed is the only Swedish seed admitted to the oats certification scheme of his Department.

Only seed raised and supplied by the original breeder is accepted as authentic foundation seed for the purpose of the Department's scheme. The Svalof Plant Breeding Station are the original breeders of the Swedish oat varieties included in the scheme and accordingly only stocks raised by them and certified as Svalof original seed are accepted into the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered representations from the Scottish Schoolmasters' Association with regard to their claim to be heard orally by the National Joint Council in regard to recent salary negotiations; and what reply he has made to these representations.

Yes. My right hon. Friend advised the Association that they were not debarred from submitting their views to the Council. They did so in writing and asked the Council to receive a deputation. The Council decided not to receive a deputation. This decision was within their powers under their Constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his engineers have now reached agreement with the Eyemouth Harbour Trustees as to the proposed scheme for deepening Eyemouth Harbour.

The Eye-mouth Harbour Trustees were asked to consider a sluicing system for dealing with the silting at the harbour, and a report on a recent inspection of the sandbank has also been sent to them. My right hon. Friend will be glad to examine any proposals they may make.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional cost and what additional staff would be involved by monthly instead of quarterly payment of pensions to retired teachers in Scotland.

An estimate of the additional cost was given in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Berwick and East Lothian, on 21st October. It is estimated that six additional officers would have to be employed in the Paymaster-General's Office and one or two in the Scottish Education Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the other expenses of the Scottish Police College and school increased from £21,350 in 1951–52 to £29,400 in 1952–53.

The increase of £8,050 is mainly due to an increase in the number of students, the provision of billets for some students, the renting of additional accommodation, the provision of further training equipment, and increased prices of fuel, light and food.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give further details of the Government's policy for Highland development in the present Session.

The Government propose to press forward as fast as the resources of the country allow with their policy of developing the resources and services of the Highlands and Islands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why in 1952–53 it cost £403 per head to keep in prisons 1,941 prisoners and Borstal inmates as compared with £316 per annum in England and Wales.

The explanation, in brief, is that the prisons and Borstal institutions in Scotland are generally very much smaller than those in England and, therefore, more costly to run.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the grants to local authorities for fire services increased from £320,000 in 1951–52 to £380,000 in 1952–53.

The increase is mainly due to increases in the pay of regular firemen, in the fees payable to part-time retained firemen, and in expenditure on appliances, vehicles, uniform and equipment and maintenance of fire stations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why it is necessary for him to employ a staff of 255 to enable the State Management Districts, Scotland, to sell liquor which cost £240,000.

This staff includes 114 part-time employees. It is employed in running, supervising and managing 15 hotels, 13 public houses, four off-sales shops, one restaurant and three bottling stores. I do not consider it excessive.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to introduce legislation for the protection of Scottish rare birds.

Proposals for strengthening and clarifying the existing law on the protection of wild birds have been submitted by the English and Scottish Wild Birds Advisory Committees. These proposals are being very carefully examined by my right hon. Friends but I regret that they cannot at present give any undertaking about new legislation on this subject.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the hardship caused to pensioners because of temporary illness during the period July, 1944-July, 1945, such period being the one to determine payment in respect of a lowered standard of occupation; and if he will introduce legislation to amend the Royal Warrant with respect to this matter.

Under the Royal Warrant provisions the test of eligibility for the award of this allowance is a comparison of the present occupation with that followed for a reasonable period between 1st July, 1944, and 1st July, 1945. Provided, therefore, the pensioner followed an occupation during the year in question, a temporary illness of itself does not preclude consideration for an award.During the period 1st July, 1944, to 1st July, 1945, employment was at its highest and 1914 war disabled pensioners generally had been absorbed into employment at the highest level of work of which they were capable. I feel that the balance of advantage to pensioners' generally lies in maintaining the present arrangement.If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Pensions what administrative arrangements are being made for the distribution of the agreed sum of compensation to former prisoners of war in Japanese hands; and what time limit has been imposed on applications.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. J. Hynd) on 21st October, 1952.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a parcel posted in Leicester by Mrs. Creasey, 64 Norman Street, on 20th August, had not reached her son in Korea by 12th October; that four parcels posted shortly thereafter had also not been delivered; and what steps he will take to expedite the delivery of parcels to troops in Korea.

Parcels going by sea to the British Forces in Korea are sent by the fastest shipping available. I am informed that the first parcel posted by Mrs. Creasey would, in the normal course, reach Japan on 13th October and be delivered shortly after.The other parcels should also have been delivered by now, but I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the damaging effect the noise and blast from the guns at Weybourne Camp, Norfolk, is having on Sheringham's main business of providing holiday accommodation; that shrapnel is falling outside the danger area and endangering the lives and the boats of local fishermen; and if he will restrict the firing periods and narrow the arc of fire.

I do not think that the noise of the firing at Weybourne is such as seriously to affect the holiday business of Sheringham. A constant visual and radar watch is maintained while firing is going on. As far as I know, no shells have fallen outside the publicised danger area and no lives have been endangered. It is not possible to restrict firing or to narrow the arc of fire without seriously limiting the training of our anti-aircraft regiments.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to remove the anti-tank blocks from Slipe Lane, Wormley, Hertfordshire.

The responsibility for the removal of defence works, where this is in the public interest, rests with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works. This particular case has recently been put to his Department and, if removal is not considered to be in the public interest, a payment will be made under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is a long waiting period between the time of a recommendation for the award of the Meritorious Service Medal being made and the actual award of the medal; and if he will take steps to ensure that recommendations are not made until it has been ascertained that vacancies exist.

No. Candidates who are currently recommended and selected for the 100 medals which are awarded each year get their medals within some two months of their selection.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the privations and hardships suffered by our Service men during their imprisonment in Japanese prison camps, he will consider exempting these men from Z training.

The arrangements for medical examination ensure that particular attention is paid to those who have been prisoners of war in Japanese hands. If a man is found to be unfit, he is not required to carry out this training.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long it is since the British Korean war medal was introduced; and when the medal and miniature will be available to recipients.

This award was instituted in July, 1951. The medal, bearing the effigy of Her Majesty, will shortly be put into production and it is expected that issues will begin early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. Member for the Exchange division of Manchester may expect a reply to his letter sent on 1st September about Mr. Kenneth Tern and Mr. William E. Goddard.

I am sorry that these inquiries could not be completed sooner. The hon. Member will now have received the reply to his letter.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what purposes the scientists employed by his Department applied for licences for experiments on animals last year and what animals were used.

The only licence for which my Department applied last year was needed at the Royal Army Medical College, Millbank, in connection with the usual medical work of investigation and diagnosis of disease. The animals used were rabbits, guinea pigs and mice.

asked the Secretary of State for War in which three counties or county boroughs of England and Wales recruitment to the Regular Army has increased most rapidly; and in which three least rapidly, since 1st January, 1952.

In the counties or county boroughs of England and Wales where there are recruiting centres, recruitment to the Regular Army during the first 10 months of this year, as compared with the same period last year, has increased most rapidly in Croydon, Cambridgeshire and Gloucestershire and least rapidly in Darlington, Plymouth and Devon.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now make a statement on his proposals for certain changes in the organisation of the Home Guard.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are his proposals for changes in the organisation of the Home Guard.

I hope to make a statement after Questions tomorrow, 12th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the reason for the issue by the public relations department of the War Office of a Press statement referring to Craftsman Arthur New. Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, stationed in Malaya, while the inquiry into this man's demotion, which the hon. Member for Clapham had been promised, was still going on.

I can assure the hon. Member that this was purely fortuitous. The two matters are entirely unrelated. I am sure that the Press statement in no way prejudiced the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage those who can to remain at work beyond the age of 65 years, he will review the recent issue of redundancy notices to 60 clerical workers at Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Royal Army Ordnance Corps Records, Wigston Barracks.

There is no question of redundancy of staff in these offices. Out of a total of 54 staff employed who are over the age of 65, 22 have received notice of discharge as the result of a review carried out under the normal retirement policy. This policy takes account of the need to retain in employment, as long as possible, staff who are fully efficient; and I have no reason to think that there has been any deviation from this policy in the offices in question.It must, however, be realised that I am bound to keep down numbers and costs and I cannot justify retention of staff whose employment is no longer fully economical.

Total number of Applications	Total value involved	Number Granted	Value of assets released	Number Refused	Value of assets retained	Under consideration
						Number	Value
	£		£		£		£
827	1,776,275	534	1,174,060	112	122,580	172	479,635

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of tomatoes, plums and strawberries landed at Scottish ports during the months of May, June, July, August and September, respectively, in the current year, compared with corresponding figures for the same months in 1950 and 1951; and if he will state the countries

asked the Secretary of State for War why the 5th Royal Innis-killing Dragoon Guards, after over a year's service in Korea, have been posted to the Suez Canal Zone where they will have no opportunity of seeing their families.

The normal overseas tour for a Royal Armoured Corps regiment is 3 years and this regiment is moving to the Middle East to complete its tour. I am not in a position to say where exactly the unit will be located. But the officers and men will be on the same footing as those in other units as regards opportunities both for leave and of being joined by their families. In addition, they have earned Korean service leave which they will be able to take when they come back to this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the total number of applications made for the ex gratia release of enemy property to victims of racial or other discriminatory laws; how many have been granted; how many finally refused; how many still under consideration; and what is the value of each of these three categories.

Following is the answer:of origin of these imports, and indicate the volume received from each.

I give below a table showing the quantities of fresh tomatoes imported through Scottish ports during May, June, July, August and September, 1951, and 1952, and the countries from which they were consigned. There were no imports of plums or strawberries during these periods. Corresponding figures for 1950 are not available in this detail but total imports through Scottish ports during that year were:

Month				1951			1952
				Canary Islands	Netherlands	Total	Canary Islands	Netherlands	Total
May	…	…	…	5,829	954	6,783	1,423	2,724	4,147
June	…	…	…	434	12,219	12,653	506	12,505	13,011
July	…	…	…	—	10,315	10,315	—	12,216	12,216
August	…	…	…	—	7,044	7,044	—	4,276	4,276
September		…	…	—	10,134	10,134	—	734	734

asked the President of the Board of Trade what grants and loans have been made each year from 1945 for the improvement of basic services in each Development Area as authorised by Section 3 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945; and what are the estimated grants and loans for 1952–53.

The total sum spent in each financial year in respect of grants or loans made under Section 3 has been as follows:

	£'000
1945–46	nil
1946–47	128
1947–48	601
1948–49	833
1949–50	824
1950–51	1,083
1951–52	1,076
1052–53 (first six months)	1,164

Separate figures for each Development Area are not readily available, but I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the staff of his commercial relations and exports department has increased from 742 in 1951–52 to 790 in 1952–53.

It became necessary in the course of 1951–52 to provide additional staff to deal with an extension of export licensing control over a wide range of goods, and the provision in the 1952–53 estimates reflected that increase. Since 1st November, 1951, there has, in

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet come to a decision about legislation, following the Report of the Committee of Inquiry on Weights and Measures

Yes. I have given very careful consideration to the Report, and I find myself in very general agreement with the decisions reached by my predecessor, the right hon. and learned Member for St. Helens, (Sir H. Shawcross), which he announced in this House on 10th May last year. Action has already been started on those recommendations which do not involve legislation. With a view to the embodiment in legislation of a considerable number of the recommendations which are designed to remove anomalies and confusion and bring the law into accord with modern conditions, I am arranging final consultations with the trading, local authority and other interests concerned.On certain other major recommendations suggesting more fundamental changes, such as those relating to wholesale transactions and the responsibility for administration, decision must await the results of further consultations which I am starting. Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to proceed with the recommendation for the eventual abandonment of the Imperial for the metric system of weights and measures. Consultation with countries of the Commonwealth has, however, shown widespread support for the suggestion that a firm and legally defined relationship between the Imperial pound and yard and the international metre and kilogramme should be established. On account of the wide variety of the recommendations and extensive nature of the consultations, the legislation will not be introduced for some time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will prepare a scheme providing for the payment of post-war credits in cases of personal hardship.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Cheltenham (Major Hicks Beach) on 7th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the continuing and developing difficulties in selling primary products and consumer goods from the sterling area to dollar markets and what steps are being taken to secure greater equilibrium.

I am not aware that the difficulties are becoming noticeably greater. The Government believe that a lasting solution of the long continued problem of unbalance in trade with the dollar area can be found only through the closest co-operation between surplus and deficit countries and the adoption by each of policies appropriate to its position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any decision has yet been taken as to the distribution of property in the hands of the various administrators appointed under the Treaties of Peace (Italy, Roumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland) Act, 1947.

The Treasury is consulting organisations representing the interests of claimants against Roumania, Hungary and Bulgaria, with a view to publishing a scheme of distribution at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the sum of £11,750,000 which has been paid for development charge has been paid by local authorities.

Payments by local authorities have not been separately recorded, but the Central Land Board estimate that about one quarter of the total amount of the development charges determined this year related to development by local authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of commercial debts owing to Britain by Brazil at the latest convenient date.

It is estimated that commercial arrears amount to between £45 million and £50 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend the tobacco duty relief to men who are Service pensioners and who have attained the age of 65, and to women in receipt of a war widow's pension who have attained the age of 60.

I regret that it is still the case that any extension of this concession is precluded by the practical difficulties which have in the past been explained in the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Director of the Tate Gallery authorised the publication of the unsuitable article which appeared in the magazine "Illustrated" on 25th October.

The Director allowed the photographs to be taken because he understood that Miss Gabor was appearing in a film about Toulouse-Lautrec, and that she wanted to visit the gallery to see the picture by Toulouse-Lautrec there, and to be photographed with these and others. The article was not submitted to him in its final form.It would have been better if the Director had made sure that the article was submitted to him before publication, so that he could have assessed its suitability.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why his Department issues dismissal notices to employees during their absence due to serious illness; and whether he will take steps to see that this practice is discontinued.

The decision to terminate an officer's employment on health grounds is taken on medical advice and I cannot agree that notice should be deferred indefinitely where the absence is prolonged and likely to continue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far it is the policy of the Government to maintain the grants to Scottish universities at their present level, regardless of the number of students.

The distribution between universities of the sums available for recurrent grants is a matter for the University Grants Committee. Once a university has been informed by them of its grant for any academic year, the amount is not subject to review if the number of students of that university falls. Grants for the academic year 1952–53 were communicated to universities on 31st May, 1952. The Committee hope to inform them of the grants for each of the four academic years 1953–57 within the next six weeks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the total number of university students in England and Scotland are at Scottish universities; and if he can give the number of English students at such universities.

In 1951–52, 18 per cent. of the full-time university students in Great Britain were at Scottish institutions. It is not known how many of those students were English.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement as to the proposals of Her Majesty's Government respecting the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, with special reference to the development charge.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in view of the fact that many would-be house builders are deterred from starting by uncertainty over the future of development charges, he can give an assurance now that any changes in the rate of development charge for residential building will be made retrospective.

My right hon. Friend would ask my hon. Friends to await the Government's proposals which, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has stated, they hope to present to the House before the end of the month. Meanwhile, no one should assume that any change in the future incidence of development charge would be accompanied by a refund of moneys already paid.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the estimated increase in the cost of construction of three-bedroom local authority houses arising from the award of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal of an additional week's annual holiday with pay in the building industry.

My right hon. Friend thinks it would hardly be wise to try to estimate now the effect of an award which does not come into effect until 1954.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what arrangements are being made to enable persons on the housing lists of Metropolitan borough councils to obtain houses in the new towns around London if they so wish, in view of the fact that a number of these councils are practically at an end of available housing sites in their own boroughs.

My right hon. Friend regrets that publication of his promised circular has had to be delayed to take account of the situation arising from the passing of the Town Development Act. He hopes to send a draft to the representatives of the local authorities concerned and to the Greater London development corporations in the very near future.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many rent tribunals at present exist in England and Wales; how many tribunals have been closed or merged since October, 1951; and the average cost, per case, to the taxpayer.

The answers to the several questions are 68; 12; £15.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the Rhymney Valley Water Board has indicated to the Caerphilly Urban District Council that no domestic water supply can be made available for any new building project in its area; and if he will reconsider his decision not to give the Board a grant under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the Rhymney Valley Water Board is unable to provide a supply of domestic water to 462 houses at Trethomas because of the refusal of his Department to sanction a grant under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945; and if he will make a statement thereon.

A proposal by the Rhymney Valley Water Board to lay a new main to increase water supplies in the Caerphilly, Bedwas and Machen areas was approved by my right hon. Friend's Department on 7th October last. This main will enable supplies to be afforded to new building projects in Caerphilly urban district and to the housing site at Trethomas. The Board have ordered the pipes and my right hon. Friend has taken such action as he can to expedite delivery.No application for grant in aid of the cost of the main was received in his Department until after the issue of Circular 54/52 on 27th June, 1952, which notified local authorities that grants under Section 3 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, would be discontinued except where commitments had been entered into on the strength of undertakings to pay grant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has yet authorised a grant under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, to the Taff Fechan Water Supply Board for the construction of a water main to supply the 400 house site at Penyrheol, Caerphilly.

No application for grant under Section 3 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, towards this scheme has been received in my Department. The work was authorised in August last and delivery of the pipes is expected shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that, as a result of the refusal of a grant under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, Section 3, the Rhymney Valley Water Board have refused to supply water to the approved housing site for 300 houses at Fochriw; and what action he intends to take in this matter.

No. Proposals to lay a main which will supply water to this housing site were approved on 7th October. The Water Board have ordered the pipes and my right hon. Friend has taken such action as he can to expedite delivery.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many applications for grants under Section 3 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, made by authorities in Wales have been refused since June, 1952.

Twenty-one.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why the Exchequer contribution to local authorities under Part I of the Local Government Act, 1948, increased from £50,540,000 in 1951–52 to £57,950,000 in 1952–53.

The grant is related to the expenditure, which was increased in the later year notably by salary and wage awards to teachers and others.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how far, under his regulations, expenditure by local authorities, especially parish councils, in respect of celebrations to mark the Coronation of Her Majesty the Queen, will be authorised, either in whole or in part, to be rate borne; and whether he will issue a circular to local authorities or make a statement in the near future.

My right hon. Friend is sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular he has just issued.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in many areas local authorities have adopted the policy of allowing their female public conveniences to be used free of charge; and whether, in view of this and in the interests of public health, he will circularise all local authorities on the wisdom of allowing these public services to be used free of charge.

I have been asked to reply. This is best left to the responsible local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the wave of crime and violent assault, he will introduce legislation to stop the sale to children of toy coshes, particulars of which have been sent to him.

Any such proposal raises considerable difficulties, including the difficulty of definition and that of singling out this particular type of toy for exceptional treatment, but I am carefully examining the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated total cost of the Bounty Inn, Maryport, Carlisle; and what is its weekly barrelage.

The estimated cost is £19,700 for building; £1,460 for furnishings and fittings; £2,030 for laying out a garden and bowling green; total £23,190. The weekly barrelage is eight.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what total increase in the prison staff would be necessary to introduce a 40 hours' working week throughout the prisons.

To introduce a 40-hour working week for all prisoners would necessitate the extension of the three-shift staff system to all prisons. This is at present in operation at nine prisons, and is about to be extended to Dartmoor and Parkhurst, where some 40 more basic-grade officers will be needed at each prison. To extend the three-shift system to all prisons it is estimated that at least a further 550 officers (500 men and 50 women) would be required. Increased industrial activity would also lead to some small increase of staff in other directions.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how much unemployment benefit was paid at Accrington Employment Exchange during the year ended 31st October; and what were the comparable figures for the previous 12 months.

£35,945 during the year ended 31st October, 1952, compared with £2,857 during the year ended 31st October, 1951.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what percentage of the total cattle population are attested in Scotland.

Fifty-five per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will seek power to extend the Merchandise Marks Act to include all classes of imported horticultural produce.

Marketing orders made under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, already apply to certain imported horticultural products and additional powers would not be necessary to make further orders of this kind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amount of the loans for smallholdings purposes granted under Section 54 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, subsections (1) and (3), respectively.

Loans of £276,423 to provide working capital have been made to 357 tenants of statutory smallholdings under Section 54 (1) of the Agriculture Act, 1947. No loans have been made under Section 54 (2) of the Act.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will, in the near future, provide a sugar beet factory in the south of England, as farmers in Kent at present have to send their crops long distances, and the increased price offered for sugar beet in 1953 is largely offset by the charge for carriage.

The need to limit capital investment at present prevents the building of a new sugar beet factory. But farmers who have to send their beet long distances benefit under an arrangement whereby the British Sugar Corporation bear all freight charges on beet over 13s. 2d. per ton.Agreement has recently been reached upon a similar concession in the case of sugar beet pulp, and in 1953 the British Sugar Corporation will pay all freight charges in excess of 23s. 3d. per ton on pulp returned to growers for feeding to their stock.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement with regard to the proposed closing of the Probate Registry at Carlisle; and the approximate saving which would result from its closure.

A proposal that certain district probate registries should be closed is being examined by the President of the Probate Division. I cannot say what saving would result from the closing of any one registry.

asked the Minister of Health the estimated expenditure per person on the Health Service for 1952–53 in each regional board.

The appended table shows the expenditure per head of population which it is estimated will be incurred by each regional hospital board in the current year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider making special grants to doctors required to give one year's service as house surgeons on qualification in cases where such doctors have served in Her Majesty's Forces and for that reason are in a higher age group than is normally the case, and in cases where such doctors have family responsibilities.

Such a house officer may be eligible for a special grant from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education, in addition to his salary.

asked the Minister of Health the estimated expenditure per person suffering from tuberculosis for 1952–53 in each regional board area; and the percentage of the population suffering from this disease calculated on the same basis.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. The latest available information in answer to the second part is contained in the following table:

TUBERCULOSIS
Regional Hospital Area	Number of Notified Cases on Chest Clinic Registers at 31st December, 1951	Percentage of population
		Per cent.
1. Newcastle	19,706	·68
2. Leeds	14,745	·48
3. Sheffield	25,986	·63
4. East Anglian	7,449	·51
5. N.W. Metropolitan	29,616	·73
6. N.E. Metropolitan	21,750	·72
7. S.E. Metropolitan	27,601	·86
8. S.W. Metropolitan	30,471	·67
9. Oxford	6,474	·45
10. South Western	16,839	·61
11. Wales	21,831	·84
12. Birmingham	26,013	·58
13. Manchester	25,297	·58
14. Liverpool	15,294	·73

asked the Minister of Health whether the new distribution centre for hearing aids at Gloucester is now open, and when he anticipates the delivery of hearing aids in the Cheltenham area will be comparable with other similar areas.

The new centre opened on 3rd November, but it is too early to say how quickly it will be able to reduce the waiting list of the area it serves.

asked the Minister of Health how many chemists have expressly accepted, how many are assumed by their silence to have accepted, and how many have refused his proposals which were conveyed in a circular from executive councils, namely, that payment for prescriptions dispensed in the four months ending on 31st May, 1952, should be made on the basis of costs during the four preceding months, plus 1.33 per cent.

The numbers are 2,347, 2,212 and 8,573 respectively. The acceptances cannot be regarded as sufficiently representative of all contractors to enable the proposals to proceed.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if, in view of the increased telephone charges, accounts could be rendered quarterly; or whether more time could be given for their settlement.

A change to quarterly accounts would require a large increase in staff which could not be justified now. My noble Friend sees no sufficient reason for allowing more time for payment of these accounts, and believes that the present procedure commends itself to the telephone subscribers generally.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to expedite the purchase of the land required for the construction of a roundabout at the Hassop Station crossroads near Bakewell.

I understand that the Derbyshire County Council, who are the responsible highway authority, have obtained entry to all the land required except a small area on the south-east side. They hope to obtain this shortly and put the works in hand.

asked the Minister of Health why he approved Statutory Instrument 1811 under which patients at Broadmoor may not write directly to him, the Board of Control or any Commissioner without having their correspondence previously inspected by a medical attendant; and if he will reconsider this proposal in the interests of the patients concerned.

Statutory Instrument 1811 gives effect to one of the recommendations of the Broadmoor Inquiry Committee. In accordance with my statement to the House on 30th June, 1952, the recommendation was accepted by the Government and I cannot agree to reconsider it now.