asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will rectify the anomaly whereby, although old age pensioners are allowed to earn £1 a week and still receive supplementary Assistance, the railwayman who draws a pension of £1 a week in addition to his old age pension is debarred from receiving supplementary Assistance.

I see no anomaly in the rule established in 1948 under which the earnings of retired people are treated more favourably than superannuation for purposes of Assistance. But whether in either case Assistance will be payable will depend on the pensioner's other circumstances.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what provision the National Assistance Board make for old age pensioners to receive Assistance towards chiropody treatment or for allowances towards conveyance to recognised clinics for such treatment.

The National Assistance Act precludes the Board from making grants for these purposes.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of persons in Sunderland who are in receipt of unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, or retirement pensions and are receiving supplementary allowances from the Assistance Board.

About 8,400 recipients of unemployment or sickness benefit or retirement pension are receiving regular weekly grants of National Assistance from the Board's three offices in Sunderland, the areas of which, however, extend beyond the boundaries of the Sunderland County Borough.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is in a position to report on his discussions with the Trades Union Congress on the question of the men in receipt of workmen's compensation.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has yet appointed a committee, as recommended in the Easington Colliery Report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Mines, to investigate the use of road-way conveyors with a view to determining the limits within which they may be safely and advantageously employed.

I am informed by the National Coal Board that, having consulted the National Union of Mineworkers, they are setting up an expert committee to investigate this matter. I propose to await the results of this investigation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action is being taken to combine gas and electricity works, in particular at the pit-head, with a view to utilising low-grade material on the site and for the generation of power from waste heat at the gas works and from their coke breeze.

There are no combined gas and electricity works, but the larger gas works use their waste heat for power requirements and the electricity generating stations regularly use coke breeze where it is available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will indicate the progress of the National Coal Board's investment programme.

The National Coal Board incur considerable capital expenditure on coke ovens and other ancillary work, amounting in recent years to between £4 million and £6 million a year, but the main item in their investment programme has been their expenditure on collieries. The Board's published accounts show that capital expenditure on collieries was £27 million in 1949, £24,6 million in 1950 and £26,5 million in 1951.In 1952 the Board's capital expenditure will be substantially higher than in any previous year. The expenditure on collieries will exceed that anticipated by the National Coal Board at the beginning of the year, and is now expected to be about £10 million in excess of the expenditure in 1951. When adjustment is made for changes in prices the rate of physical investment is still below that required for the National Plan; but the National Coal Board have informed me that a further increase in the rate of investment is expected in 1953, though the peak may not be reached until 1954 or 1955.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power by virtue of what authority he has recently given directions to the Anglo-Iranian and other oil companies.

By virtue of my office as Minister of Fuel and Power and a member of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Attorney-General why the staff of the Law Officers' Department increased from nine in 1951–52 to 12 in 1952–53.

Although the estimates for 1952–53 show an increase of three in the non-professional staff of the Department, there is no actual increase in the total staff. Two clerical officers now perform the duties previously carried out by the second personal clerks to the Law Officers, who formerly received an allowance for them. These clerks are no longer employed and the addition of a higher executive officer has been counterbalanced by the subsequent reduction of the office staff by one. The number of persons engaged in the work of the Department is, therefore, the same as in 1946.

asked the Attorney-General why the total staffs for county court offices have increased from 1,728 in 1951–52 to 1,745 in 1952–53; and why the travelling expenses of registrars and bailiffs have increased from £54,099 in 1951–52 to £67,000 in 1952–53.

The increase in the total staff of the county courts was necessary because the business of the courts increased by more than 18 per cent. during that period. This resulted in additional travelling by the registrars and even more by the bailiffs of the courts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the terms of the Anglo-Ethiopian Treaty of 14th May, 1897, and the correspondence between Mr. Rodd and Ras Makonnen of 4th June, 1897, which were agreed as an amplification of Article II of the above Treaty and equally binding upon the parties as the Treaty itself, are being observed and, in particular, the clause of the letter of Mr. Rodd to the effect that the tribes occupying either side of the line should have the right to use the grazing grounds on the other side but during their migrations to be subject to the jurisdiction of the territory authority, and free access to the nearest wells to be equally reserved to the tribes occupying either side of the line.

So far as I am aware the terms of the 1897 Treaty and annexed exchanges of Notes are being observed.

asked the Minister of Food why he has just agreed to pay 20 per cent. more for Australian beef under the 15-year Agreement signed only a year ago, which makes the price 60 per cent. higher than it was in 1950–51; and how soon the public will have to pay these increased prices.

In order to adjust prices to costs as required by this Agreement, which aims at bringing forth greater deliveries of all meat. There will be no immediate effect on retail prices.

asked the Minister of Food what consultations he has had regarding the marketing in Britain of Australian apples which have fluctuated in price between 24s. and 8s. 6d. a case according to the season when they were landed; and what arrangements have been made to protect the home grower and the consumer.

None. Apples can be imported freely from Australia and the shippers aim to get them here when apples from our own crop are not available. Delay in Australian ports caused some apples to arrive late and in poor condition, thus overlapping with the first of the English crop this season.

asked the Minister of Food if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the abandonment of sweet rationing.

Not yet.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish a list of highway authorities where roads have been de-restricted; how may have been de-restricted this year; and what is the mileage concerned.

I regret that information in the form desired by the hon. Member is not available. The total mileage of roads de-restricted by order in the 12 months ended March last was 64. During the same period the toal mileage of roads subject to the limit increased by 660.

asked the Minister of Transport what work has already been done in connection with the Severn Bridge; what arrangements are in hand for its further immediate development; and whether, in view of its urgency, he will arrange for additional progress.

Preliminary soil surveys, trial soundings and borings were completed in 1949 and the National Physical Laboratory have now finished their investigations. The preparation of the contract drawings will shortly be put in hand, but it is unlikely that work on this expensive project can begin for a number of years.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the need for zebra crossings in Cathedral Road, Cardiff; and what action he proposes to take.

This is a matter in the first place for the Cardiff Corporation. We have not received any representations from them on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a list of the local authorities which have not, so far, submitted to his Department a scheme of uncontrolled pedestrian crossings in accordance with the amended regulations.

The information desired by the hon. Member is not readily available, but I am communicating with him.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has made for trying out the experiment of combining blinking beacons with zebra crossings in Scotland; and where these are to take place.

My right hon. Friend has asked all the local authorities in Great Britain who have zebra crossings to light the beacons as soon as they can make the necessary arrangements.

asked the Minister of Transport when the proposed experiment in unilateral waiting in certain streets in London is to be introduced; and how long it will continue before a decision is reached as to its merits.

We hope to start this experiment early next year as soon as the necessary signs have been delivered and erected. My right hon. Friend will review the scheme after it has been in operation for six months.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that there are so few disabled drivers of motor vehicles in the Metropolitan Police area, and of these a large proportion are legless and therefore severely handicapped, he will relax those regulations applicable to the yellow band car parking areas in favour of the disabled drivers.

I have every sympathy with disabled drivers, but if these regulations are to work they must be of general application.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the main factors which are preventing the commencement of preparatory work, such as the construction of approach roads, in the Forth Road Bridge project.

The resources available for road works generally are at present far too small to allow the commencement of construction work on this scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport what position the Forth Road Bridge project holds in the list of priorities for new bridge construction in the United Kingdom.

The priority to be given to this long-term scheme will have to be considered nearer the time when available resources make this and other large schemes practical possibilities.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of children who have met with accidents on the roads when walking along roads which have no footpath.

The information required by the hon. Member could only be obtained after a great deal of research and would be of limited value in the absence of certain other figures which I cannot provide. I will, however, write to the hon. Member and give him such information as I have.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give the number of injuries and deaths on the roads to people using roads which are without footpaths during each of the last three years.

This information would require considerable time and labour to extract. I am, however, sending the hon. Member some relevant material.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is proposed to make a survey for the proposed new Stoke-on-Trent—Stafford road; and if he will give some indication of where it is proposed to place its construction in the list of national road priorities.

Some survey work for locating the road has already been done. The detailed survey, which involves substantial work, will be begun and carried on as and when the available staff can handle it without prejudice to more urgent duties. In present circumstances surveys of roads are, in general, being curtailed in order to use engineering and technical staff on other schemes of pressing national importance, and therefore the survey of this road will not be completed for some little time. I cannot at this stage give any indication when the road is likely to be constructed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused by the lack of shelter accommodation for people waiting for buses at the Cardiff General Station bus terminus; and what action he proposes to take.

This is a matter for local initiative, and I understand that the Cardiff Corporation have been considering the provision of a bus station opposite the General Railway Station.

asked the Minister of Transport how long his Department have had under consideration the use of flashing indicators as an alternative to the semaphore type for motor vehicles; and when he hopes to reach a decision.

Representations have been made to the Ministry on a number of occasions that flashing light indicators should be permitted and, in July, the question was re-opened by the motor car manufacturing industry. The Road Safety Committee will be asked for an early report on the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that considerable traffic congestion occurred in North-West London on 11th November when a section of steel pipe about 100 feet long was transported towards London at a speed of about five miles per hour; and if he will take steps to ensure that industry sends such awkward and slow-moving loads only at night or weekends when the traffic is much less.

This load was moved under police control and its main movement across London in fact took place at night. For a distance of some five miles along the Barnet By-pass it had to be moved by day because movement by night was considered undesirable along this unlit road. Consideration is always given to the possibility of moving such loads by night or at weekends, but on occasions it is necessary to move them at other times. I am satisfied that the matter can be left to the discretion of the police.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that he will grant no further extension of time before the expiry of which a charges scheme must be submitted under Section 76 of the Transport Act, 1947; how many times and on what dates the introduction of the new charges scheme has been delayed; and whether he is aware that until prompt action is taken, hardship will continue in the ports of Cardiff and Barry.

An extension of two years was allowed in July, 1949, and a further two years was allowed in August, 1951. Clearly the Commission cannot submit draft charges schemes for merchandise carried by rail or for ports pending the decision of Parliament on the proposals in the Transport Bill affecting the basis on which such schemes must be framed. I am, therefore, unable to give the assurance sought in the first part of the Question.As to the last part, the Commission inform me that, apart from other factors, until a charges scheme for merchandise by rail is settled, it would not be possible to make fundamental changes in the existing rail rates to and from the ports of Cardiff and Barry or in the port charges.

asked the Minister of Transport the centres for which reports have been prepared for the future development of transport; and the nature and costs of the proposals contained in the reports.

Reports have been prepared for London and Glasgow as follows:The London Plan Working Party, set up by the British Transport Commission, reported in 1949 on future railway development in the London area. Their proposals include the construction of new tubes to provide additional connections between the suburbs and the central area; the provision of main line tunnels connecting the southern railways systems with the northern; the duplication and extension of certain of the existing tube systems; the electrification of certain of the main line and suburban systems in the London area and other works. The total costs at 1949 figures are estimated at about £340 million which includes £238 million as the estimated cost of the tube and main line tunnels. These works are designed to fit in with the Greater London Plan for redistribution of population and industry under which highway works on a considerable scale were also contemplated.The Glasgow and District Transport Committee, set up by the British Transport Commission, reported in 1951. The Committee's recommendations include proposals for the co-ordination of the services operated by the railways, the Scottish Bus Group and the Glasgow Corporation; the electrification in three stages of certain of the suburban and inter-urban railway lines; the reconstruction or modification of certain existing stations and the provision of additional railway connections and halts; the co-ordination of rail and bus fares and the provision of arrangements to secure the inter-availability of tickets. The cost of the first two stages of electrification of the railways is estimated at £14 million. No estimates have been attempted of the costs of the other works involved or of the third stage of the electrification. The Committee's recommendations also covered the provision of ring roads, the construction of a vehicular tunnel under the Clyde, and the replacement of the tramways by trolleybuses or motor buses. No estimate of the cost was made.Future highway proposals are, of course, included in the Development Plans which are being submitted in accordance with the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, by local planning authorities to the Minister of Housing and Local Government. I cannot however give any estimate of the costs of these proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport what sums of money still remain outstanding for payment as compensation to road haulage undertakings nationalised under the Transport Act, 1947; and when such sums will be paid.

Compensation ascertained and outstanding at 31st October, 1952, amounted to approximately £2.2 million and is expected to be paid in the near future. The total amount of the Commission's outstanding liability cannot yet be determined. In some cases, determination by the Transport Arbitration Tribunal of the amount payable is required; in others, final agreement between the Commission and the transferor cannot be reached until there has been a decision on a matter which is before the courts.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to say what progress has been made in respect of the application for some improvement for old railway superannuation pensioners.

The British Transport Commission are not yet in a position to inform me of the result of their examination of the circumstances to which attention was drawn in the debate on the Adjournment on 19th June.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken to implement the view expressed by the Committee of this House on the Rochdale Canal Bill in the special report presented to the House on 29th April, 1952, that the whole question of the future of canals should be dealt with by public legislation following a general inquiry; and when he expects the inquiry will be commenced.

In expressing this view the Select Committee was referring primarily to canals no longer required for navigation. I have carefully considered the Select Committee's views, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and we are of the opinion that the question of instituting a national inquiry into the future of these canals should be deferred until it is seen whether the proposals regarding navigation made by the Land Drainage Legislation Sub-Committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee provide, or can lead to, an acceptable solution to the problem. Consultations with the interests affected by these proposals will start soon.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding the waterways system.

As my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware, the greater part of the inland waterways system of this country is vested in the British Transport Commission, who have made notable progress in the restoration of the principal waterways to a condition in which the craft using them can be loaded to capacity, and in 1951 the tonnage carried exceeded 12 million originating tons for the first time since before the war.Her Majesty's Government is fully aware of the important part which the inland waterways have played, and can continue to play, and I am satisfied that the policy of the Commission, and of their Docks and Inland Waterways Executive, is directed to ensuring that the Waterways system is used to the best advantage.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will set up an independent committee of businessmen, presided over by a prominent Queen's Counsel, to inquire into allegations of waste and extravagance at Fort Halstead, particulars of which have been sent him.

If my hon. Friend will let me have specific examples to support the general allegations made in his letters of 31st October and 15th November, I shall be glad to inquire into them.

asked the Minister of Supply how many Statutory Instruments he has made during the past 12 months abolishing or moderating existing controls.

During the past 12 months I have made eight Statutory Instruments by which 17 controls have been relaxed or abolished.

asked the Minister of Supply how much the price of steel imported for the re-armament programme from the United States of America was above the price that would have been paid if it had been manufactured in Britain.

Steel imported from America is not ear-marked for the rearmament programme or for any other specific use. Steel from all sources is sold to manufacturers at uniform averaged prices.

asked the Minister of Supply what quantity and types of steel will be imported from Japan in 1953; and at what price.

It is as yet too early to say.

asked the Minister of Supply on what basis he decides how available supplies of steel shall be allocated between private industries, nationalised undertakings and local authorities.

Steel is allocated on the basis of industrial requirements. I am, of course, only responsible for allocating steel to those industries for which the Ministry of Supply is the sponsoring authority. Questions about the allocation of steel to local authorities should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government.

asked the Minister of Supply the present shortages of steelmaking materials; and what progress is being made to overtake them.

There is still a shortage of pig-iron and scrap. The output of pig-iron has risen very considerably this year and will be further expanded in the coming months. At the same time substantial quantities are being imported. Supplies of scrap both from home sources and from abroad have also increased slightly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Government will give an additional allocation of steel for merchant shipbuilding, in view of the fact that present allocations show a shortfall of 35 per cent. of the industry's requirements, and that the position is such as to divert shipowners' orders to Continental markets and is creating a serious unemployment and short-working position in the industry

I regret that steel supplies are insufficient to enable a further increase in the allocation of steel to the shipbuilding industry to be made during the current quarter. The shortfall mentioned by the hon. Member relates to the third quarter of 1952, but the subsequent increases in the shipbuilding allocation already announced have narrowed the gap between requirements and allocations very considerably.The primary cause of British shipowners placing orders abroad appears to be the full order books here. I cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion that there is serious unemployment in the shipbuilding industry. The latest returns show that employment in the shipyards is higher than at any time in 1951.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what amount of money Durham County Council has been authorised to spend in the making-up of private streets in that county for 1953.

No specific sum has been authorised for 1953. My right hon. Friend is considering the Council's proposals and will be communicating with them shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what formula he works in allocating the amount of money to local authorities in the making-up of private streets.

My right hon. Friend has asked local authorities to confine their proposals to the most urgent works for the present and each case is considered on its merits.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the total amount of money to be expended for the year 1952 on the making-up of private streets throughout the country.

The actual expenditure during the year on making-up private streets is not recorded separately.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what further action is being taken to increase the number of helicopters available for anti-bandit operations in Malaya.

I am glad to be able to inform the House that the United States Government has agreed to advance the delivery date of 10 helicopters which were to have been allocated to the Royal Navy in 1953 under the Mutual Defence Assistance Programme. These helicopters, which are S.55s capable of carrying 10 men, are now due to arrive in this country tomorrow. After they have been assembled and the crews and maintenance staffs have had some training in their operation, they will be sent to Malaya to assist in operations against the Communist terrorists. The helicopters will be manned initially by the Royal Navy. They will operate under R.A.F. control alongside an existing R.A.F. squadron which is equipped with smaller helicopters.Her Majesty's Government and the High Commissioner for the Federation are most grateful for the co-operation of the United States Government in this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what proportion of the output of the engineering industry is represented by defence contracts.

Between one-seventh and one-eighth.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that all members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces are enabled to ascertain that their names are on the new electoral register and are enabled to complete the necessary absent voter and proxy forms.

Where a Service man has completed a declaration as a Service voter and received an acknowledgment of it from the electoral registration officer his name will automatically be carried forward from one register to the next, unless he wishes to change the address to which the declaration is made, when a fresh declaration will be necessary. Should a Service voter wish to verify that he is duly registered he may write to the electoral registration officer, or ask his proxy (if he has appointed one) or any other person on his behalf to examine the register.Provision for nominating a proxy is included in the form of declaration as a Service voter. Information on how to obtain absent voter forms is included in the instructions for making the declaration which are promulgated to all Service personnel by pamphlet or official order. Commanding officers are instructed to ensure that declaration forms are available at all times and that every facility is given for their completion and despatch.

asked the Minister of Labour how many National Service men have been released since October, 1951, from the Services on personal grounds; and how many have been recalled for National Service through his Department.

I am having the information extracted and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have applied for postponement of their National Service on the grounds that their businesses would have to be closed down; how many have had over 12 months' postponement; and how many businesses have been closed down as a result.

During the 12 months ended 30th September, 1952, 1,407 first applications and 625 renewal applications were made for postponement of call-up to enable alternative arrangements to be made, if possible, for the carrying on of a business. The information asked for in the second and third parts of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what basis the Territorial Army is to participate in duties connected with the Coronation; and if he will give an assurance that both officers and other ranks of all units are being included.

The details of the Army's representation at Her Majesty's Coronation are now being worked out and my hon. Friend can rest assured that the interests of the Territorial Army will not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has yet reached a decision in regard to the revision of the quotas of imported cauliflowers, in connection with which he received a deputation in June last.

Yes. In July last the National Farmers' Union were informed that the arrangements announced in January and March, 1952, would stand. These arrangements are as follows:

• 16th November, 1952, to 15th February, 1953: Open General Licence.
• 16th February to 31st March, 1953: Quota of 7,500 tons.
• 1st April to 30th June, 1953: Quota of 2,500 tons.
• 1st July to 15th November, 1953: No imports.

As announced at the time, the arrangements are subject to review in the light of the supplies available from home production, and will have to be reconsidered when a decision has been taken on the application by the National Farmers' Union for the revision of the tariff on cauliflowers and broccoli.I hope that the improvements in the arrangements or operating seasonal quotas for horticultural produce, which were also announced last July, will ensure a closer approximation between quotas and actual arrivals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take to ensure that the new housing site known as la clergy, on the island of St. Lucia, is supplied with a piped water supply, and also electricity for lighting purposes, as was promised to the purchasers of the sites when they were sold for building purposes.

I am consulting the Governor and will write to the hon. Member when I have his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the apprehension being felt on the island of St. Lucia, at the steady deterioration on the standard of health, education, public works, harbour and road service, in consequence of the reduction by his Department of the grant-in-aid; and whether, in the light of this situation, he will reconsider his decision and make further moneys available to the legislature.

I am not aware of a steady deterioration of the services mentioned. The grant-in-aid for 1952 was not reduced and the question of reconsideration does not arise. Some reservations were made in the estimates and some further re-arrangement of expenditure has proved necessary during the year. The position will be reexamined shortly when the grant-in-aid for 1953 is considered.

asked the Minister of Education in how many cases she has refused to approve building plans for comprehensive schools; in how many cases she has postponed approval of such projects since she took office; and which local education authorities were affected.

The answer to the first part of the Question is none, but with two exceptions the only building plans for comprehensive schools which have come forward for my approval are for schools whose establishment was approved by my predecessor. Ten comprehensive school projects or instalments of such projects were affected by the general revision of the 1951–52 and 1952–53 building programmes, six in London, two in Coventry and two in Staffordshire.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if, in view of the fact that his Department cannot do so, he will permit private firms to erect temporary television relays at Gibbet Hill, near Hindhead, and on Portsdown Hill, in order to serve the cities of Southern Hampshire in time for the Coronation.

I regret that I cannot yet add to the general statement on television which I made on 22nd October.