asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under his regulations, members of the boards of nationalised industries are assessable for income tax on sums paid to them for expenses of attending meetings of their boards.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his regulations provide for payments made by employers to subordinate employees of sums not exceeding £2 per employee, to mark the occasion of the Coronation, to be subject to Income Tax; and whether he will arrange for concessionary treatment so that such sums are not taxed.

Under Income Tax law payments of this sort, like payments at Christmas, are subject to Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the loans made during 1952–53 under Section 4 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, to firms in the North-East Development Area.

During the financial year 1952–53 to date loans amounting to £151,265 have been made to five companies in the North-East Development Area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a leaflet explaining in simple language the currency Regulations affecting British citizens travelling abroad.

A leaflet of this kind already exists and has been widely distributed. It is entitled "Travellers' Currency Guide," and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Further information is given on the form which applicants for foreign currency complete.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the sales of electric vehicles have fallen by over 200 per cent. during the last six years, mainly due to Purchase Tax, and, in view of their utility purpose, the saving in dollars because their source of power is electricity, and the fact that they assist in evening out the load of the Electricity Board, if he will consider removing this tax.

I have received representations to this effect, but, as my hon. Friend will understand, I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Purchase Tax is imposed on seaside buckets, but not on spades, on cowboy hats but not on cowboy outfits, on toy pastry sets, but not toy teasets, on a child's knife, fork and spoon, but not on a child's mug and plate.

Because seaside buckets are toys and taxable as such, while for Customs purposes we call any spade a spade. Cowboy hats despite appearances to the contrary, are hats and so taxable; cowboy suits are children's garments, and so exempted by statute. Both toy pastry sets and teasets are taxable. Mugs and plates are free, and knives, forks and spoons are taxable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement regarding assistance to business concerns which, while sustaining substantial losses in the recent floods, are specifically excluded from receiving compensation from the Lord Mayor's Fund.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Alport) on 5th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds he has decided not to postpone the Whit Monday Bank Holiday this year by one week until Monday, 1st June, which would provide a holiday week-end before Coronation Day.

Although there are arguments in favour of this proposal, the combination of Coronation Day and a traditional Bank Holiday in the same week would impose an undue strain on transport facilities. In any event to make such a change now would disrupt holiday arrangements already made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer his estimate of the total expenditure of all Government Departments in connection with the Coronation.

Coronation Estimates totalling £925,000 (net) have been presented to the House. In addition, it is estimated that rather more than £1 million will fall on ordinary Votes in connection with the Coronation (mainly on Service Votes and on the Votes of the Education Departments).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what exchanges have been arranged between civil servants or those training for the Civil Service in this country and in other Member States of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Six. In addition there have been a number of loans of civil servants by this country, and attendances by civil servants of other N.A.T.O. Powers at courses here.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take all steps necessary to encourage the maximum possible use of Scottish homegrown timber this year in all house-building programmes by local authorities or private individuals.

My right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will do all they can, but it is not yet clear whether any substantial quantity can readily be made suitable for house building, although no doubt it will assist the general situation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he is taking to stimulate application for improvement grants under the Housing Act, 1949.

My right hon. Friend is sure that these facilities need only to be better known to be more widely used, and he is considering how best to bring this about.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what authority is responsible for the provision of housing accommodation for persons previously resident at Canvey Island whose homes have been condemned as uninhabitable; and what help his Department is giving to such authority in its difficult task.

Fortunately very few houses in permanent occupation were destroyed on Canvey Island. The urban district council estimates the number at 10 to 15. My right hon. Friend is sure that the Council will help to secure the rehousing of any families who are unable to make their own arrangements. His officers are in touch with the Council.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government his present advice to local authorities on the provision of space heating in new houses.

A list of tested and recommended solid fuel appliances has been agreed with the Coal Utilisation Council in consultation with the Ministry of Fuel and Power, and it is a condition of approval of tenders for local authority housebuilding that appliances are selected from this list.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government his present advice to local authorities on the provision of double windows and doors and insulation of walls and roofs in new houses.

My right hon. Friend has not issued advice to local authorities about the provision of double windows and doors. The Housing Manual, 1949, and the technical appendices to it, contain advice on desirable standards for insulation of walls and roofs, he is shortly sending local authorities a further circular and memorandum on the subject.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will have a copy of his recent speech delivered in London concerning the unsuitability of the people's house for sale in Wales, placed in the Library

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman has elevated an aside intended to be humorous into an official pronouncement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the many cases of hardship that have occurred where small property owners have to pay development charges, because they had omitted to make their claims under Section 80 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, before 30th June, 1949; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.

My right hon. Friend is not aware that there are many such cases; and the time for making these claims must be terminated some day. People have already had 3½ years beyond the year allowed by the statute. Nevertheless he is anxious to avoid hardship wherever and whenever he can; and he is therefore prepared to continue entertaining claims under Section 80 for a further period.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the committee appointed by him to investigate the working of the Exchequer equalisation grant is likely to report; and whether he will make a statement on the progress of this committee's activities.

My right hon. Friend hopes that this report will be presented before the end of the summer.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what sums were paid in the years 1950 to 1952 from the rate equalisation grant to Plymouth, Portsmouth, Bristol and Southampton.

These authorities were not in the years in question eligible for Exchequer equalisation grants.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many new schemes of water or drainage have been admitted to grant under Section 3 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, since the issue of Circular 54/52; and in what circumstances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many schemes for the provision of water or sewerage, which had not been approved by his Department prior to the issue of Circular 54/52, have since been admitted to grant under Section 3 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.

None.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many schemes have been rejected for grant under Section 3, Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, since the issue of Circular 54/52; and what is the estimated capital cost of these schemes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the number of schemes rejected for grant under Section 3, Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, for each Development Area since 27th June, 1952, to the most recent available date.

The total number rejected is 46. The total estimated cost is approximately £10 million. The distribution is:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has yet been able to vary the decision whereby new works shall not be grant-aided under Section 3, Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.

No. But the right hon. Member will know that new schemes of exceptional industrial urgency have at no time been debarred from consideration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has reached a decision on the application by the Tees Valley Water Board for grant under Section 3 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether any new scheme for the provision of water and/or drainage will be considered for grant under Section 3 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.

Schemes of quite exceptional industrial urgency can still be considered for grant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what modification of Circular 54/52 is under consideration; and if he has yet arranged for new and exceptionally urgent water or sewage schemes still to rank for grant.

None. As indicated in the Circular, urgent schemes of water supply and sewerage for rural localities are still being considered for grant, as are schemes in Development Areas if the local authorities have entered into commitments on the strength of undertakings given by my right hon. Friend. He is also prepared to consider schemes of exceptional industrial urgency in Development Areas.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he is aware of the burden which falls upon local authorities in connection with disused burial grounds in their care; and if he will introduce legislation to make it more easy for local authorities to deal with disused burial grounds;(2) if he has considered the number and dates of the various Burial Acts in force; and if he will introduce legislation which is more simple and more in conformity with modern requirements.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the need for simplification of the law relating to burials, and of difficulties in connection with disused burial grounds, but he cannot say at present when it will be possible to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the estimated saving to the Treasury, in the current financial year, by the operation of Circular 54/52, withholding certain grants to the Development Areas; and if he is aware that in many cases local ratepayers will be called upon to make good the loss of these grants.

The Circular relates to new works, and no material saving was, therefore, to be expected in the current year. My right hon. Friend is, of course, aware that these works, if carried out without grant, fall upon local rates in the Development Areas, as elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what modification has taken place in the provisions of Circular 54/52; and if local authorities have yet been notified of such modifications.

There has been no modification. But my administration is readily adjusted, when necessary, to meet special circumstances, such as the recent flooding, which may render new works imperative.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the concern felt by many local authorities, including the county borough of West Ham, on the effects of the Industrial De-Rating Act; or whether he will now announce the Government's plans for the amendment or abolition of the Act.

This is a large question, hardly to be dealt with by Question and answer.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the budget statement of Alderman Charles E Leatherland, Chairman of the Essex County Council Finance Committee, a copy of which has been sent to him; and whether he will make a statement dealing with the points contained therein, particularly regarding the proposals for re-organising local government finance.

These proposals range over de-rating, education, the Fire Service, Civil Defence and the current review of the operation of the equalisation grants. I cannot deal with these large issues by Question and answer.

asked the Minister of Works by how much he estimates that his decision to permit £10,000,000 of building work to be done in Central London will reduce the supply of labour and materials available for housing purposes in the London area.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) on 24th February.

asked the Minister of Works whether the scaffolding which masks the war memorial window in Westminster Hall will be removed in time for the window to be properly seen by visitors to the Coronation.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will give an estimate of the increased cost to his Department caused by the recent rise in the price of coal.

The estimated increased cost of coal to my Department in 1953–54 caused by the recent rise in price, is about £65,000.

asked the Minister of Works whether, to assist the war-damaged towns and cities in repairing their war damage and fencing in their war-damaged sites, he will make available to them the timber, fencing and other materials which will normally be removed or destroyed, after removal from the Coronation line of route.

Some of the fencing used in the Royal Parks will come from the Ministry's normal stocks. All other materials used in constructional work along the Coronation route remain the property of the contractors concerned. I do not propose to make stipulations about the subsequent use of any material except timber, the arrangements for which were explained in my reply of 3rd March to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen).

asked the Minister of Labour if he has considered details, which have been sent to him, to increase production in industry without increasing overhead costs; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend has read with interest the material which my hon. Friend has sent him on the subject of suggestion schemes in industry. Many such schemes are in operation and can be of real value, but their adoption and detailed application are matters for decision by employers, in consultation with their workpeople.

asked the Minister of Labour to give, in any convenient form of money, wages, or of tonnage per annum, an estimate of the loss incurred in national production which the loss of two million working days, caused by industrial disputes, represents.

During 1952 about 1¾ million working days were lost in stoppages caused by industrial disputes. Information regarding the monetary loss to workers or the loss in production to the country arising from these stoppages is not available, but it is estimated that the loss in man-days represented about 0.03 per cent. of the possible number of working days in 1952.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that the wood owned by the Forestry Commission, now nearing maturity in the Highlands of Scotland, will be used for the benefit of the area and for Highland development.

In disposing of produce the Commissioners always have regard to local needs, and the Government will continue to encourage wood-using industries to establish themselves in the Highlands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the possible legislation mentioned in the Queen's Speech affecting the supply of electricity in Scotland.

This question is being carefully examined but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the installed capacity in megawatts, respectively, for water, for steam and for oil generation contributing to the total installed capacity of 560 megawatts owned by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board at 31st December, 1952.

I am informed by the Board that the installed capacity of the generating plant which they owned and operated at 31st December, 1952, was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a further statement on the estimated total cost of the Breadalbane Hydro-Electric Project published at £15,103,000 and any amendment on the estimated cost per megawatt installed, £ /M.W.I., for this Breadalbane project.

In accordance with practice, the White Paper, which is descriptive of the contents of the scheme, quotes the estimate of expenditure given in the scheme itself. That estimate was framed in 1951 when, as the White Paper explains, the scheme was submitted for confirmation. Costs are estimated to have increased since that date by 20 per cent., but the original estimate included a 10 per cent. margin and the higher costs are likely to be offset at least in part by economy in construction.On the basis of the Board's estimate that costs have increased by 20 per cent. since the scheme was published, the cost of £170,000 per megawatt installed quoted in my answer of the 10th February would fall to be increased to about £204,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he hopes to be able to announce his decision on the application made by Sutherland County Council in November last for an 85 per cent. grant towards the estimated cost of £9,200 for improving Golspie Harbour.

I have carefully considered, in consultation with the White Fish Authority and the Highlands Panel, the possibility of supporting the Council's request, but I am afraid that in view of the limited extent of the fishing activities it would be difficult to justify so large an expenditure on this project from the funds available for fishery harbour works. If, however, the Council find it possible to put forward some less expensive proposal it will be sympathetically considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that buildings have had their roofs removed during 1952 in order to exempt their owners from liability for payment of rates in respect of them; and whether he will introduce legislation to amend the law of Scotland, to provide a better procedure for achieving such an object.

I have no information to suggest that in recent years roofs have been removed from many buildings merely to avoid the payment of owners' rates. I understand that it is usual to reduce the rateable value of unoccupied property if the owner has made genuine but unsuccessful efforts to let it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the policy of education authorities in awarding bursaries for those universities, attendance at which involves least cost to the student. results in encouragement to most students to attend one of the two larger universities; and whether, in view of the swollen numbers in these two, he will discuss this matter with the education authorities and with the four universities, with a view to encouraging the flow of an increased proportion of students to the two smaller universities.

Education authorities have recently been told that we should accept for grant, expenditure on a bursary to enable a student to attend a more distant university if a suitable course is not available nearer, or if for any other reason such attendance is considered to be in his best interests. I should not feel justified in going further than this, especially since the numbers at the two larger universities have recently been falling.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a decision has now been reached about payment of the hill sheep subsidy for the current year.

Yes. After full consideration of all the relevant circumstances, and consultation with the interests concerned, the Government have decided that they would not be justified in authorising payment of a subsidy in the current year. The question of the subsidy will, of course, be reconsidered next year in the light of prevailing economic circumstances of the hill sheep industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a decision has yet been taken to vacate Duke Street Prison, Glasgow; and what demolition of buildings there is contemplated.

It is proposed to close Duke Street Prison as soon as alternative accommodation for the women prisoners is available. No decision has yet been reached as to the disposal of the buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet come to a decision about the proposal to acquire Penninghame House, near Newton Stewart, for use as an open prison.

Yes. The proposal is to establish an open prison to which would be sent very carefully selected first offenders who are nearing the end of a long sentence and who have shown that they can be trusted. They would work outside the prison under suitable supervision and would be helped to re-adjust themselves to the conditions of normal life. Institutions of this kind have been operated with success in England and elsewhere without disadvantage to the local community, and their value has been clearly demonstrated.I have given most careful consideration to the representations which have been made to me against the proposal to establish such an institution at Penninghame House but I am satisfied that the apprehensions which have been expressed are unjustified. I have accordingly given instructions for negotiations to proceed with a view to the purchase of this property.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the estimated increased payments by Edinburgh Corporation on interest charges on loans in connection with the erection of new schools during 1952 and 1953 as a result of the increase in the interest rate on public works loans; and what these figures represent in terms of increased local rates.

I do not feel justified in asking the Corporation to undertake the work necessary to provide the figures asked for, but I am satisfied that any such increased payments can have no appreciable effect on the rates.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the number of A.C. invalid carriages which have been supplied to date; what is the estimated average cost; what have been the total costs involved in maintenance and replacement of carburettors; and what is his present policy with regard to the continued supply of these machines.

Three thousand A.C. tricycles have been supplied. As regards the second part of the Question, it is contrary to established practice to disclose prices under Government contracts. It is estimated that since July, 1950, the cost to my Department for running repairs has been approximately £54,000 and that the cost of replacement of carburettors will be about £15,000. No new A.C. tricycles will be supplied but those in use will be maintained while they are likely to give good service.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the disappointment of A Company, 1st Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers, at the instruction that their sailing for home date arranged for 12th March, 1953, has been cancelled, and that they must do another six months' service although they have completed three years overseas; and if he will reconsider this decision.

This unit is due to return to this country in August on its way to Germany. No indication has been given that the battalion, or part of it, would come back earlier. The position of any man in the battalion who will have served for more than three years overseas before his return was dealt with by my right hon. Friend in his reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Alport) on 14th October last year.

asked the Secretary of State for War what inducements are offered to National Service men to persuade them to sign on for three or more years in the Forces; and whether he will ensure that promises, such as continuous home service, are not made with this object in view.

Apart from the inherent differences between Regular and National Service conditions of service, the only special provision which affects the National Service recruit is that he is normally permitted to remain with the unit with which he is serving for at least a year. This applies whether the unit is at home or overseas and the man is normally required to go with his unit wherever it may be sent. A man who is contemplating a Regular engagement is necessarily given these facts on which to make his choice. It would be quite impracticable to offer him continuous home service.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men from Wales have been drafted to Welsh units and how many to other units in the years 1950, 1951 and 1952, respectively.

Information for 1950 is not readily available. In 1951 5,868 National Service men were called up by the Welsh Regional Office of the Ministry of Labour, of whom 1,638 were allocated to Welsh units. In 1952 the corresponding figures were 6,379 and 1,718.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent Welsh recruits to the Army are placed in Welsh units.

Welsh recruits, like all other recruits for the Regular Army, are enlisted into the corps of their choice provided that they fulfil the conditions of entry into that corps and there are vacancies.

asked the Secretary of State for War to make a statement about the position of the 88 militia battalions placed in a state of suspended animation in 1923.

These battalions were placed in a state of suspended animation in 1923 and not disbanded because of the possibility of there being a role for them at a future date. The experience of the last war has shown that the Militia is no longer necessary and my right hon. Friend has decided that it should now be formally disbanded.

asked the Secretary of State for War what consultations he had with the Minister of Education and with the Secretary of State for Scotland, respectively, preliminary to reaching his decision to establish Welbeck College.

The Ministry of Education gave most valuable help both in the investigations which led up to the conception of Welbeck College and later in the detailed planning. The Scottish Education Department was also consulted in the early stages of the scheme and provided useful advice.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that incompletely burnt hospital waste discharged from the chimney of Peppard Chest Hospital falls on the adjoining Kingwood Common; and whether he will refuse permission to rebuild this chimney still nearer to this common.

A new building scheme which would end this trouble has been sent to me by the regional hospital board within the last few days, and it will be examined with these considerations in mind.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects his inquiry into hospital farms in the United Kingdom to be completed; and whether he will publish the results.

I expect that the investigation will take some months and, until it is completed, I cannot say whether it would be appropriate to publish its results.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the amount of the contribution made to date by the Government and people of the Province of British Columbia towards flood relief in Britain; and what steps have been taken to thank them.

Funds already made available in this country by the Government and people of British Columbia amount to approximately 140,000 dollars, to which the main contributions were 115,000 dollars by the Government of the Province, 25,000 dollars by the people of the City of Vancouver, and 2,000 dollars by the people of the town of Duncan.I am very glad to have the opportunity on behalf of Her Majesty's Government of repeating the expressions of their gratitude to the people of British Columbia already given in the House by myself on 19th February and by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government on 3rd March. I have also personally expressed thanks to the Provincial Government's representative in the United Kingdom; and a letter of thanks has also been sent to the Agent-General on behalf of my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to release able-bodied police constables from traffic duties in the Metropolitan area for patrolling beats for the prevention of crime, in view of the success of the traffic warders' scheme.

The employment of school crossing patrols in the Metropolitan Police District has already released regular police from the supervision of a considerable number of crossings used by schoolchildren. While I hope that it will be possible to extend these arrangements, they serve a strictly limited purpose, and do not enable police officers to be relieved of other traffic work which is an integral part of police duty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the inadequacy of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1946, as amended, for compensating voluntary personnel of the Auxiliary Fire Service and Civil Defence who sustain personal injury by accidents arising from training; and, as this is a deterrent to recruitment, what steps he will take to ensure that a volunteer shall suffer no loss in these circumstances through inability to follow his normal occupation.

I regret that cannot yet add anything to the answer which I gave on 26th February to a Question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mr. Braine).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the proprietors of certain motor vehicles are obtaining an unauthorised privilege by displaying on their vehicles the letters C.D.; and if he will take steps to prevent this unauthorised practice.

I have no evidenc of any widespread misuse of C.D. plates, which in any event do not confer any privilege or exemption on the owner of the vehicle in question, but if my hon. Friend has any information which he may care to send me I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Materials what commodity markets which were open in pre-war years are still closed, other than those dealing in foodstuffs and the Liverpool Cotton Exchange; what are the prospects of their being reopened; and if he will give any estimate of the foreign exchange earned annually by these markets before the war.

None, apart from copper. This is under constant review and the intention is to allow the exchange to reopen as soon as conditions permit. I am afraid it is not possible to answer the last part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the samples of gypsum sent to him from Immingham are suitable for use on land which has been flooded by sea water; and what use he proposes to make of the large amount available.

On the basis of the samples of by-product gypsum sent to my right hon. Friend from Immingham this material has too high a moisture content to he suitable for spreading on land flooded by sea water.

asked the Minister of Agriculture which recommendations he accepts of the Agricultural Land Commission contained in the report of their inquiries into land situate in Swaffham Prior and Burwell Fens in the county of Cambridge.

I have studied the report of the Agricultural Land Commission on the area of 7,000 acres at Swaffham Prior and Burwell Fens referred to them by my predecessor under Section 84 of the Agriculture Act, 1947. Of the 685 acres that they recommend should be purchased I have decided to buy 588 acres. I have decided not to buy Giblin's Farm of 97 acres.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the value of imports into the United Kingdom of hydrocarbon oils which had to be paid for in United States or Canadian dollars for 1950, 1951 and 1952.

Respectively £46, £87 and £54 million f.o.b.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total installed capacity of electric power in Scotland at 31st December, 1952, expressed in megawatts, including the 560 megawatts of installed capacity owned by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

The total capacity of the power stations in Scotland owned by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and the British Electricity Authority was 1,680 megawatts on 31st December, 1952.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) to take steps to ensure an adequate supply of helicopters to the British Forces in Korea for the transport of the wounded from the front to rear areas;(2) to what extent helicopters are being used in Korea for the transport of the wounded from the front to rear areas; to what extent these machines are part of the equipment of the British Forces in Korea; to what extent they are hired from the United States forces; and what payments in dollars have been made to the United States of America for the hire of these machines for this purpose in the last six months.

Helicopters are regularly used in Korea to move seriously wounded men from the front to rear areas. United States forces provide this service for all United Nations troops in the theatre, and I understand that the needs of the British Commonwealth Division are fully met.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of sugar is allotted annually to jam and preserve makers, to bakers and confectioners, other than sweet-makers, to sweetmakers, and to domestic users, respectively.

The following amounts of sugar were allocated to the users named below in 1952:

asked the Minister of Food to make a statement with regard to the quantities of soft fruit pulp to be imported during the remaining months of 1953, in view of the fact that considerable stocks of pulp are at present held by processors.

No decision has yet been taken about the level of imports of fruit pulp in the second half of 1953.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that 28 small farmers in the St. Mary area of Jamaica are being held in custody because of their inability to repay the loans granted to them following the hurricane of 1944 to rebuild their homes; and whether, in all the circumstances of these cases, he will confer with the Governor with a view to devising a policy of leniency towards these people who have been the victims of misfortune.

No. The Governor tells me that in one such case a man was taken into custody for 10 days because he had made no effort to complete his house or to repay his loan although he was employed. Other commitment warrants issued at the instance of the same loan bank in St. Mary did not relate to hurricane housing loans. I agree with the Governor, who supports the policy of the loan banks, which is to give concessions to deserving cases and to take court proceedings only where the borrowers make no efforts to meet their obligations.