asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that unemployment among men over 50 years of age in the South-West Region is becoming serious; and what steps he is taking to provide employment for this age group, some of whom have been without work for a considerable time.

I am aware that unemployment is more serious among older men in the South-Western Region than among younger men. This, unfortunately, applies generally throughout the country and I have asked organisations of employers and workers to review practices and agreements which discriminate unnecessarily against the older men.

With the assistance of the National Advisory Committee on the Employment of Older Men and Women I will continue to do all I can to widen the opportunities of employment for older persons.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish in HANSARD a table showing the wage rates and cost-ofliving indices for each year from 1938 to 1947, taking June, 1938, as 100.

The table below gives the information required.

—		Index of Weekly Wage-Rates, June 1938=100	Pre-war Cost of Living Index, June 1938=100
1938	…	100	101
1939	…	101	102
1940	…	112	119
1941	…	122	129
1942	…	131	129
1943	…	136–137	129
1944	…	143–144	130
1945	…	150–151	131
1946	…	162–163	132
1947	…	169	131 (Jan.-June)

The figures given are the averages of monthly figures. The pre-war Cost-ofLiving Index was terminated in June, 1947, and its place taken by the present Interim Index of Retail Prices based on June, 1947=100.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish in HANSARD a table showing the wage rates and costof-living indices for each year from 1947 to 1952, taking June, 1947, as 100.

The following table gives the information required:

—		Index of Weekly Wage-Rates, 30th June, 1947=100	Interim Index of Retail Prices, 17th June, 1947=100
1948	…	106	108
1949	…	109	111
1950	…	111	114
1951	…	120	125
1952	…	130	136

The figures given are the averages of monthly figures for each year. The index of actual average earnings in April. 1952, the latest available, was 142 compared with 129 for rates of wages in those industries covered by the earnings inquiries (and 128 in all the principal industries and services).

asked the Minister of Labour how many young persons were registered as unemployed in Sunderland at 12th January, 1952.

Three hundred and ninety-three at 14th January, 1952.

asked the Minister of Labour in what grade or category under the Civil Service scale, regional industrial relations officers, who were classified as such in 1946, are now graded.

In the seven larger regions the regional industrial relations officer is the equivalent of a chief executive officer. In the remaining four smaller regions he is the equivalent of a senior executive officer.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers signing on as unemployed at the Prescot local office of his Department in October, 1951. October, 1952, and the latest available date and the principal industries affected.

NUMBERS OF PERSONS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT THE PRESCOT EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICE AT THE UNDERMENTIONED DATES
Industry			15th October, 1951	13th October, 1952	12th January, 1953
Electric Wires and Cables	…	…	24	45	74
Hollow-ware	…	…	5	12	27
Meat and Meat Products	…	…	3	5	22
Rubber	…	…	5	11	33
Toys, Games and Sports Requisites	…	…	4	14	28
Building	…	…	20	66	88
Civil Engineering Contracting	…	…	10	23	31
Distributive Trades	…	…	28	61	64
Local Government Service	…	…	20	41	39
Professional Services	…	…	29	31	41
Sport, Other Recreation and Betting	…	…	9	22	25
Catering, Hotels, etc.	…	…	21	48	44
All other Industries and Services	…	…	171	369	511
Total, All Industries and Services	…	…	349	748	1,027

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been called to the prescription issued to a National Health patient costing £93, details of which have been given him and what is the therapeutic value of this prescription.

Yes. I understand that the therapeutic value of the preparation in question is open to doubt. The case has been referred to the Executive Council for consideration whether, in terms of the Regulations, the cost involved was in excess of what was reasonably necessary for the adequate treatment of the patient.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that considerable damage has been sustained by the fishing fleet in Caithness and, as a result, a number of fishermen will be deprived of earnings for varying periods; and if he will state the procedure which should be followed to obtain financial assistance.

I greatly regret that 15 boats were damaged at Scrabter and

The following table gives the information desired:Thurso, but I am glad to say that 11 of them are now fishing again, that repair work is proceeding on two of the others and that the remaining two are being surveyed with a view to making arrangements for repair. I understand that the boats were insured and that claims for unemployment benefit from men who are temporarily out of work are being dealt with by the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the Department of Agriculture for Scotland agreed to the Post Office acquiring and using part of the West Banks Farm, Caithness; and if he will prohibit any official agreeing to the use of good agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes and strictly confine such decisions to himself or other Scottish Ministers.

The Post Office's use of the land in question was agreed because at that time is was considered that no alternative site would meet the technical requirements. While cases of lesser importance must necessarily be dealt with at official level, all major proposals for the diversion of valuable agricultural land to other use which requires approval by any of my Departments are invariably considered by myself or my Ministerial colleagues.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) the number of senior medical staff employed in the laboratory branch of the North Ayrshire Hospital Group in December, 1951, and in January, 1953, respectively;(2) when the position of consultant pathologist to North Ayrshire Hospital Group will be filled.

In December, 1951, there were two senior hospital medical officers on the laboratory staff of the North Ayrshire hospitals. By January, 1953, one of these officers had left for another appointment. I understand that the Regional Hospital Board intend as soon as possible to appoint a full consultant in pathology in his place.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British prisoners of war are now in enemy hands in North Korea; and the latest information as to their welfare.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British prisoners of war are now in the hands of the North Koreans: and how many have been a prisoner for one year, and two years, respectively.

Up to the end of last year 39 officers and 882 other ranks had been reported as prisoners of war in the Korean operations. Of these, five officers and 11 other ranks have been in enemy hands for two years or more, 34 officers and 869 other ranks for between one and two years and two other ranks for less than twelve months.Most regrettably, we have still no official information of the welfare of these men, although their letters sent through the Communist authorities continue to report reasonable treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for War when his Department proposes to derequisition Hartsbourne Grange, Bushey Heath, Hertford- shire, in view of the fact that alternative accommodation was approved for the military formation involved last December.

Hartsbourne Grange will be derequisitioned by the War Office as soon as a suitable alternative property has been acquired.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the views of other ranks among the Scottish troops in Korea are ascertained on the type of Sunday newspapers supplied to them.

I have called for a report and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give particulars of the service of Lieut.-Colonel Read-Collins in the Far East.

This officer held the following appointments during his service in the Far East:

30th July, 1945, to 30th November, 1945: General Staff Officer II, E. Group, South-East Asia.

1st December, 1945, to 30th September, 1946: Commander (Lieut.-Colonel) Nos. 3 and 4 War Crimes Investigation Teams.

1st. October, 1946, to 30th June, 1948: Commander (Lieut.-Colonel) British Minor War Crimes Liaison Section.

He was released in 1949 and is no longer connected with the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the contract to Skyways, Limited, to transport troops from the United Kingdom to the West Indies was first allocated; when trooping started; and what is the present frequency of service.

The contract was placed on 3rd June last year and the first flight left this country on 2nd July. Depending on the numbers to be moved there are one to three flights a month on this service.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation by what means oxygen is given to the wives and children of troops in the York aircraft used on the West Indies troop contract: and what de-icing system has been fitted to these machines since they were purchased by the contracting company.

I understand that trooping flights to the West Indies are planned at lower altitudes than those for which the Air Navigation Regulations require oxygen to be carried, but that a small number of oxygen bottles and masks are carried for emergency use. The York aircraft used were already equipped with fluid de-icing systems on the wing and tail surfaces when acquired by the contracting company.I am informed that the company has incorporated liquid and electrical heating de-icing systems for the pilot's windscreen.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what financial arrangements were made by his Department to enable Skyways, Limited, to purchase five York aircraft from Eagle Aviation, Limited, for air trooping contracts over the North Atlantic.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what types of machinery were included in the list which the China National Import-Export Board intended to purchase in this country and which was submitted to the Board of Trade on 2nd October. 1952.

The main items in the list submitted were:Textile machinery and equipment; office machinery; pumps; air compressors; engineers tools; generating sets; cement guns and pumps; diesel engines; transmission chain; hydraulic presses; high pressure steam valves; electrodes for arc furnaces; sand blast sets with compressors, etc.; chloride liquification plant; mine hoist machines; steam hammers; drop forging machines; electric tube welding machines; electric deep hole drills; electric coal drills; electric dynamometer; mercury rectifier; magnetic separators; various items of electric power station equipment; relays of various types; metal spraying equipment; refrigerators; hydraulic jacks; metallurgical specimen preparing equipment; spares for 11,000 K.W. turbines: industrial equipment, e.g., manila rope, insulating material, basic coal mine lamps, and needles for sewing machines.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the information supplied by the Streamline Association of Brighton, and passed on to him by the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion, he is in a position to make a statement on the present restrictions on the purchase of motor cars by hire purchase, with a view to facilitating the purchase of cars by people of small means, especially for professional or commercial purposes such as taxi-cabs.

My right hon. Friend is not at present contemplating any change in these restrictions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the assets purchased out of the sum of £251,000 advanced by his Department to the National Research Development Corporation.

The accounts contained in the Corporation's Third Annual Report show that the assets acquired by the Corporation (apart from such fixed assets as furniture and equipment) consist largely of patent rights resulting from expenditure on patenting and developing inventions. The value of such assets cannot be accurately assessed until the returns received from exploitation are known: in accordance with the usual accounting practice, they are shown in the balance sheet at cost.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new factory construction will be commenced by the North-Eastern Trading Estate Company in Sunderland during the year 1953–54.

The erection of one factory of about 60,000 sq. ft. has recently been approved, and. I understand. will be begun in the spring. There are are present no outstanding applications by industrialists for the erection of factories by the Company in the Sunderland area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been made to his Department in regard to the failure of Brazil to repay outstanding debts and to allow the profits made by British companies in Brazil to be transferred to the United Kingdom for distribution to British shareholders; and whether it will be clearly stated as the policy of Her Majesty's Government that until such action is taken there will not be exported such British productions as Comet aircraft and other goods of which Brazil is in need.

I have received many representations about current difficulties in trade with Brazil including more particularly the delays in the settlement of commercial debts. As to the second part of the Question, I have already explained to the House that Her Majesty's Government have the question of trade with Brazil under close examination; but, as has been indicated in replies to previous Questions, I should prefer not to make any statement at the present stage on particular aspects of this problem.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a list of the official funds the investment of which, in equities, is limited by statute.

There is a very large number of official funds and a detailed examination of the investment powers relating to each would involve a disproportionate amount of labour. It is not, however, usual to invest official funds in equities and in the case of the more important funds such investment is barred by statute.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if donations made by taxpayers under Schedule D to the fund now being raised to help sufferers from the recent East Coast floods, will be allowed for Income Tax purposes.

I am afraid I cannot see my way to authorise any exception in the case of this fund from the general rule that donations to relief funds are not admissible as a deduction in computing profits for Income Tax purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the receipts from totalisators on horse racecourses in 1952 as compared with each of the five previous years.

I have been asked to reply. The total amounts staked on horse racecourse totalisators for the years 1947–52 were as follows:

				£
1947	…	…	…	21,133,774
1948	…	…	…	26,252,614
1949	…	…	…	25,874,070
1950	…	…	…	25,505,192
1951	…	…	…	25,556,496
1952	…	…	…	24,934,644

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rearrangement of public holidays is to be made during the period of the Coronation.

None.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he is taking to review the distribution of functions and areas between local authorities; and when he will be able to report on this matter.

The matter is under consideration, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any new statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give an approximate estimate of the relative efficiency in preventing heat loss from a room of a single glass window, a double glass window with an air space between, double glass window with air space and perspex between and an ordinary plastered brick wall.

Taking an 11 in. plastered brick cavity wall as the standard, I am informed that a double glass window with perspex between and ¾ in. spacing is a little less efficient. A double glass window with ¾ in. spacing lets through about one-and-a-half times as much heat and a single glass window about three times as much. A brick wall built with lightweight or clinker concrete blocks for the inner leaf is warmer than a double brick cavity wall.

asked the Minister for Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the fact that rents are fixed at a level at which large numbers of property owners are sustaining heavy loss by executing repairs, he will amend the existing law to provide compensation for them pending the modification of the Rent Restrictions Act.

No.

asked the Minister of Works what progress is being made at Dover House, Whitehall; and whether he can forecast the date when the Scottish Office will return there.

Plans are being prepared and the work should start in the summer, but the extensive structural repairs which are necessary may take as long as two years.

asked the Minister of Works why he refused to appoint a representative to attend a conference called by the Midland Federation of Brick and Tile Manufacturers to consider the Midland Region's brick manufacturing capacity.

There has been no such refusal. My Regional Director attended a meeting at Birmingham before Christmas of the Area Brick and Tile Committee. The Committee then asked for a discussion with one of my officers from headquarters. This request was not refused, but an early date was not convenient.

Last month I began a round of visits to regional brick committees and hope to go to Birmingham before long.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will now make a statement on the lines of research into the incidence of lung cancer among gas workers to be pursued by the Medical Research Council.

The possibility of conducting further research on the incidence of lung cancer among gas workers is still under discussion by the Medical Research Council in consultation with other departments. I am, therefore, unable to make any statement at present about investigations which may be undertaken in the future.

asked the Minister of Supply the number of females who started work at the Royal ordnance factories at Swynnerton and Radway Green, respectively, during the years 1951 and 1952, respectively.

In 1951, 169 females started work at Swynnerton and 235 at Radway Green. The corresponding figures for 1952 are 728 and 392.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the increase of 1s. per ton in railway rates for transporting scrap metal, it has now been decided to increase the merchants' controlled price for scrap.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the increase in railway freight rates of 1s. in the £. I have made an Order authorising corresponding increases in the maximum prices of iron and steel scrap. These vary between 11d. and 1s. 11d. per ton. The present average price of iron and steel scrap is about £6 per ton.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statement to make on the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in North-East Scotland.

This outbreak was confirmed on 2nd February at a farm between Fyvie and Tarves in Aberdeen-shire. Twenty-seven cattle, 28 sheep and five pigs have been slaughtered. The origin of this outbreak is not yet known, but there appears to be no connection with recent outbreaks in England and Wales. The normal movement restrictions within an area of approximately 15 miles around the infected premises have been imposed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the latest information concerning the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Glamorgan; and when a previous outbreak occurred, with the losses then sustained.

The disease was confirmed on 3rd February on a farm at Llantwit-Fardre and also, as a result of the movement of pigs from this farm, on a holding at Llantrisant and in a slaughterhouse at Pontypridd. The source of the original outbreak has not yet been discovered, but inquiries are continuing. Ten pigs and 23 cattle have been slaughtered. The normal movement restrictions have been imposed within a radius of approximately 15 miles from the infected premises.The disease last occurred in Glamorgan in June and July 1947, when there were 10 outbreaks involving the slaughter of 335 cattle, 318 sheep and 29 pigs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much sugar beet was marketed in Kent, Sussex and Surrey during 1952.

I understand from the British Sugar Corporation that final figures are not yet available, but their present estimate is between 65,000 and 70,000 tons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why Royal Air Force Regiment men were recently permitted to carry out an exercise over farm land on Tyneside affected by foot-and-mouth disease; and what steps he is taking to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

This incident was the re-result of an administrative error, which should not occur again.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the cost of the experimental television booster station which has been sanctioned to serve the Brighton area.

The television booster at Brighton was sanctioned as an experimental station and is being constructed as such at a cost which, I undertsand, is likely to amount to under £10,000.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the British Broadcasting Corporation's estimated costs for constructing and equipping, respectively, the television relay station at Aberdeen: and the General Post Office's estimated cost for providing the links to feed this station.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the British Broadcasting Corporation's estimated costs for constructing and equipping, respectively, the television relay station at Plymouth; and the General Post Office's estimated cost for providing the links to feed this station.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the British Broadcasting Corporation's estimated costs for constructing and equipping, respectively, the television relay station on the Isle of Wight; and the General Post Office's estimated cost for providing the links to feed this station.

Only rough estimates can be given at present. The capital cost of each relay station will be of the order of £150,000—£200,000. The cost of the links is estimated at about £125,000 for the Isle of Wight, and of the order of £200,000 for the other two places.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent his regulations require the addition of chalk, or other foreign bodies to wholemeal bread.

There is no requirement to add any substance to wholemeal bread or wholemeal flour.

asked the Minister of Food what the sweet ration was on the last day of sweet rationing; and the details of the price controls in operation on that day.

The last sweets ration was 6 oz. per week. Price control applied to many thousands of different items which were classified by the Price Control Committees of the War-time Associations to sell at various prices between 1s. 8d. and 6s. per lb. Confectionery made wholly from ingredients not subject to allocation and imported confectionery were not price controlled.

asked the Minister of Food what estimate has been formed as to the amount of meat and other food consumed by the 2,927,426 dogs which are licensed in the United Kingdom; and what is the probable cost.

It is not possible to make a reliable estimate