asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that some varieties of boiled sweets have risen in price by 2d. per quarter pound; and what steps he is taking to ensure that aged persons are not deprived of these sweets because of the increased price.

My information is that the largest of the few price increases that have occurred is much smaller than that. Some price increases would probably have been required had control continued to meet increased costs of production and distribution.

asked the Minister of Food what amount of dried prunes, apricots and peaches, have been distributed to the public in Scotland and England, respectively, during 1952; and how much will be distributed in 1953.

6,000 tons of prunes and 540 tons of apricots to England and 700 tons of prunes and 60 tons of apricots to Scotland. No peaches were distributed at all. No arrangements have yet been made for 1953.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that much of the rice now being sold in Dagenham is musty and appears to have been long in store; and what action he is taking to withdraw it from sale.

All rice imported from the East is recleaned or remilled and rebagged before being issued, but a small quantity, distributed recently, still had a slightly musty flavour. As soon as this was reported arrangements were made for the rice to be exchanged for sound deliveries.

asked the Minister of Food the present price paid by his Department for bacon imported from Eire.

It would be contrary to normal practice for the Department to disclose prices paid to individual overseas suppliers.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for the Road Research Laboratory of Scientific and Industrial Research to investigate the claims now being made for polarised filters attached to motor headlamps as a possible solution of the dangers of dazzle on the roads.

The Road Research Laboratory are already engaged in a general investigation of headlight dazzle, which will cover the use of polarising filters.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of road accidents which were attributable to headlamp dazzle during the past year.

According to police reports, headlamp dazzle was responsible for 1,272 accidents involving personal injury in 1952. The total number of personal injury accidents was 171,757.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to make it obligatory upon firms which lend money on hire purchase for motor cars to see that some notification of the fact that there is a hire purchase covenant appears on the registration book.

No. Apart from other objections the obligation proposed would be ineffective as a protection against fraud.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will be able to give a decision in the case of the appeal by Northern Roadways on their application for a service between Birmingham and Glasgow.

The inquiry into these appeals will open on 24th March, and I will give my decision as soon as possible after receipt of the inspector's report.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the establishment of a superannuation scheme for the locomotive footplate staff of British Railways; and when he anticipates such a scheme will be in operation.

I am glad to say that I recently informed the Commission that I could agree in principle to the proposal to establish a pension scheme for wages grades. The outline of a proposed scheme has been agreed between the Commission and the Unions and submitted to me by them, but I have not yet been able to give them my observations on the particulars of the scheme. The working out of the scheme in full actuarial and other detail is likely to take some time.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to be in a position to announce the new pensions scheme for railway staffs which is now being considered by the Transport Commission.

Approval in principle to the establishment of a comprehensive pension scheme for salaried staff of the British Transport Commission was given by my predecessor in 1949. The terms of such a scheme are a matter for negotiation, in the first place, between the Commission and the staff organisations and they have not yet been able to reach agreement.I recently informed the Commission that I could agree in principle to the proposal to establish a pension scheme for wages grades. The outline of a proposed scheme has been agreed between the Commission and the unions and submitted to me by them, but I have not yet been able to give them my observations on it in detail. The working out of the scheme in full actuarial and other detail is likely to take some time.

asked the Minister of Transport how many appeals to his Department against the decisions of licensing authorities in respect of increases in 'bus fares have been made since 1940; and how many such appeals have succeeded in whole or in part.

Nine groups of appeals comprising 61 appeals in all, have been made against decisions in respect of increased 'bus fares; and one group of two appeals was successful.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to ensure that, in Scottish cities, towns and villages, reflector studs will be placed at pedestrian crossings and at street and road junctions to guide motorists in fog and to protect pedestrians.

Where the conditions are appropriate my right hon. Friend encourages highway authorities to place reflecting studs on the approaches to road junctions, but they are of real value only on roads where headlights are normally used. They are not therefore suitable for pedestrian crossings, which are nearly all in built-up areas with street lighting. I would remind the hon. Member of the decision to install flashing beacons at zebra crossings.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take to implement the representations made to him by the Roads Improvement Association on the need for more speedily making the roads safer and more capable of carrying an increasing volume of traffic.

My right hon. Friend has constantly in mind the need for carrying out large-scale improvements as soon as economic and financial conditions permit, but I regret that for the time being road expenditure must continue to be severely restricted.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now authorise the proposed road improvement scheme at Loftus Bank and Bridge, Cleveland, in view of the two February accidents, the latest of a series of accidents over the years at this dangerous point.

I very much regret the accidents which have occurred at this site, but in present financial conditions my right hon. Friend is unable to approve the full scheme which the county council have submitted. They are, however, considering what can be done by means of lesser works to diminish the risk of accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans have been prepared for the widening of the Barnet by-pass to a dual carriageway as soon as economic conditions permit.

Plans for widening to a dual carriageway have been prepared for a length of approximately six miles between Page Street and Dyrham Park.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has agreed to the consultation requested by the Forth Road Bridge Joint Board and the Scottish local authority associations; and if he will invite hon. Members representing constituencies in the Lothians and Fife to be present at this consultation.

My right hon. Friend has agreed to this discussion and is inviting some representative hon. Members to be present. I must make it clear, however, that we see no prospect of authorising the construction of so expensive a bridge for some years.

asked the Minister of Supply what assurances he can give that the increased allocation of steel to the shipbuilding industry will be fulfilled.

The production of steel is increasing and every endeavour is being made to meet allocations. There is, however, a special problem in the production and the supply of steel plates, about which my right hon. Friend is in consultation with the industry.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to increase steel supplies for ship repairing on the Clyde.

The Ministry of Supply, in conjunction with the Admiralty, are providing for stocks of steel to be available at certain stockholders for urgent ship repairs. These stocks will be built up as steel supplies permit.

asked the Minister of Supply what measures are being taken to ensure allocation and delivery of steel in a reasonably proper sequence.

The Government allocates steel in bulk irrespective of type. It is for the consumer and the supplier to arrange together for delivery in the proper sequence.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will now make a statement on steel production prospects for 1953 compared with 1952; and when he contemplates derationing of steel, excepting only steel plates and sheets.

I have not at present any statement to make on this subject.

asked the Minister of Supply the number of Royal ordnance factories erected since 1945; and where they have been sited.

No Royal ordnance factory has been built since 1945.

asked the Minister of Supply the number of persons employed in each of the Royal ordnance factories; and how far these figures have been subject to fluctuation due to seasonal causes.

Forty-nine thousand, nine hundred and twenty-seven persons are employed in the factories. It would not be in the public interest to disclose details for each factory. The numbers employed are not subject to seasonal variations, but they naturally depend on the amount of work to be done.

asked the Minister of Supply how many agricultural tractors were imported from the United States of America in 1952.

Following is the answer:

TRACTORS IMPORTED FROM THE U.S.A. IN 1952
—	Number	Weight	Value
		tons	£
Tracklaying	179	2,621	880,591
Agricultural (other than tracklaying).	6	1	520

It is not known whether any of the tracklaying tractors were for agricultural use. The six agricultural tractors were probably of horticultural types.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he is prepared to take to secure progress on the coupled Proteus III engine for the Princess flying boats.

None, for the time being. Such work at this stage would delay the development of engines required for super-priority aircraft.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what would be the cost of the grant of an extra week's pension to all old age pensioners to commemorate the Coronation.

About £6,750,000.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will consult the trade unions about the wording of Section 13 of the National Insurance Act, 1946, with a view to the introduction of amending legislation to prevent disqualification from unemployment benefit of workers who, while in no way participating in a strike, are thrown out of work by it.

The trade disputes provisions of the National Insurance Scheme have been reviewed on several occasions without finding any practical alternative. They were re-enacted unaltered in the National Insurance Act, 1946, and I have received no representations from any responsible body for their amendment on this point.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what percentage of opencast coal was shipped to Germany during 1952; and how the sale price compared with current market prices.

Two per cent. of our opencast coal production in 1952 was shipped to Germany. The price of this coal is negotiated commercially by the National Coal Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is yet in a position to make a full and comprehensive statement on the present position of the fisheries dispute between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Iceland, including the recent reply from the latter.

No. I regret that I cannot at present add to the reply given on 11th March by my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a statement on the latest shootings by United Nations Forces of prisoners of war on Yonchoudo Island, off South Korea, when 23 were killed and 42 wounded.

The incident occurred in a camp on Yoncho Island, which is one of the Koje group of camps and contains about 8,000 North Korean prisoners of war who are convinced Communists. The pretext for the riot was an order by the compound commander that a prisoner, who had committed an offence, be handed over for segregation. The prisoners refused to comply and attacked with stones the compound commander and his assistant who were unarmed. Guards outside the compound fence fired in defence of the two men, with the result that one prisoner was wounded.The Camp Commander, a senior officer, then appeared and gave orders that both the wounded prisoner and the prisoner who had committed the offence should be handed over. The prisoners again refused to obey and began a demonstration. On the instructions of the Camp Commander, tear gas was then used to restore order. The prisoners were well prepared for this and at once organised themselves into squads, some to pick up the gas grenades and throw them back, and others to stone the United Nations guards. The guards were then ordered to use individual fire before order was finally restored in the compound.Three other compounds in the same enclosure conducted violent demonstrations in sympathy, and it was necessary to use tear gas in them also. These prisoners were also well prepared and at once formed squads to throw the gas grenades back.The trouble began at 7.30 a.m. and order was finally restored at 10.45 a.m. Twenty-three prisoners were killed, 42 seriously wounded and 18 slightly wounded. A large number of United Nations guards were hit by stones, but no one was badly hurt.A full investigation has been ordered. The conclusion, based on preliminary investigation, is that the incident was carefully planned in advance and that even if the immediate pretext for the incident had not existed some other pretext would have been found.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what manner and on what date, formal ratification of the Bonn Contractual Agreements was conveyed to the other signatory countries.

The United Kingdom instrument of ratification, which was signed by Her Majesty the Queen on 15th September last, has not yet been deposited with the German Federal Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will list the major treaties made by Her Majesty's Government since September, 1939, specifying which were formally ratified after an appropriate Resolution by both Houses of Parliament.

From the hundreds of treaties concluded by Her Majesty's Government since 1939 I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT, a list of 17 which may be considered to be of major political importance. In the case of two of these there were Motions before ratification.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the estimate for expenditure on Foreign Office grants and services, as shown in the Vote on Account, is reduced to £19,039,780 in 1953–54 compared with £37,265,040 in 1952–53.

The right hon. Member will now have seen the published Estimate (H.C. 92–11) from which, no doubt, he will obtain the information he requires.

asked the Minister of Materials when he intends to allow free dealings in copper on the London Metal Market.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of 10th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell).

asked the Minister of Materials what steps he proposes to take during 1953 in order to reduce the cost of carrying out the duties of his Department.

I am trying wherever possible to reduce the duties of the Department in connection with controls and public trading. I indicated the reductions in administrative costs which are expected by 30th June in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 23rd February. The further reductions anticipated in 1953–54 as a whole are reflected in the Estimates which will shortly be presented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps the Government proposes to take to assist the promotion of export trade from Hong Kong with countries in the Far East, other than China, having regard to the loss during 1952 of 70 per cent. of the Colony's export trade with China.

Largely as a result of the efforts of local merchants Hong Kong's export trade with several Far Eastern countries has gradually improved in recent months. Her Majesty's Government do not, therefore, propose any further specific action at present, but the position will continue to be carefully watched and regard paid to Hong Kong's interests in this sphere.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of oil-tankers now under construction in this country; how far the work is being interrupted because of a shortage of steel; and for what countries these vessels are being built.

Ninety-seven commercial tankers are under construction in this country of which 61 are for owners in the United Kingdom, 21 for Norway, 6 for Greece, 3 for the United States, 1 for Italy and 5 for Panama. The shortage of steel for shipbuilding is affecting the rate of construction of both tankers and other types of merchant shipping but no case where work has been seriously interrupted through steel shortage is known to me.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what increases there have been in retired Service pensions granted prior to 1939.

Increases, at rates varying with the circumstances of the individual recipient, have been granted by the Prerogative Instruments corresponding to the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1944, 1945 and 1952. In addition, many Service men who were in receipt of retired pay or pensions before 1939 have had increases as a result of re-assessment of their awards based upon additional war service.Some examples of the maximum increases granted on various rates of prewar pension for those who did not earn re-assessment for war service are given in the following table. The upper limit shown in each case assumes that the pensioner qualified for the maximum increase admissible under the pensions increase schemes of 1944, 1947 and of 1952.

Pre-war Pension				Increases expressed as a percentage of pre-war pension up to a maximum of
				Per cent.
£50	…	…	…	86
£100	…	…	…	66
£200	…	…	…	43
£300	…	…	…	29
£400	…	…	…	19
£600	…	…	…	7½*
Over £787 10s.			…	Nil
*This rate also constitutes a minimum being granted without a test of hardship.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what facilities now exist for civil aircraft at Mona Aerodrome, Anglesey; and what is the present position of Valley Airfield as an alternative for scheduled services.

By arrangement with the Air Ministry, up to six civil air charter operations a week may take place at Mona subject to prior permission of the Commanding Officer at Valley, provided that the aircraft can communicate with Mona air traffic control by radio telephony when the weather necessitates instrument flying rules. The Royal Air Force airfield, Valley, is available as an alternate for trans-Atlantic air services.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for increased pensions have been received under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1952; and how many of these applications had been granted by 28th February, 1953.

The figures for pensions payable from the Exchequer, are:

• Applications received, about 185,600.
• Increases granted, about 159,400.

Some of the cases in which increases have not been granted are still under investigation. The remainder have been found to be ineligible for increase.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that banks are restricting discount on bills which were previously freely discounted and which are insured by the Export Credit Guarantee Department; and what advice he has tendered to the banks in connection with the restriction of commercial credit for exports.

I have no reason to suppose that the banks are restricting discount of these bills or that in dealing with them they have regard to any considerations other than those of sound banking practice. As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Ealing, South (Mr. Maude) on 7th December, 1951, I have asked the banks to ensure the highest priority for credit for our exports.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in 1911 Members of Parliament received £400 per annum salary; and what rate of salary would be necessary today for a Member of Parliament to receive the equivalent in purchasing value of £400 per annum in 1911, £600 in 1937 and £1,000 in 1946.

Yes. The equivalent rates today would be approximately £1,480, £1,400 and £1,460 respectively.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many persons in the boroughs of Wimbledon and Malden and Coombe, respectively, who have applied for telephones in their business premises and private houses, respectively, are still waiting for telephones; and what further delay he anticipates.

In Wimbledon 281 business and 1,125 residential applications were outstanding at 31st December, 1952. In Malden and Coombe the corresponding figures were 149 and 747. 1,244 lines were provided in these areas in 1952, and I hope that this rate of provision will be maintained this year. In view of the continuing demand and the limitations on capital development, I cannot say when all applications will be met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that every possible step is being taken to examine methods of police recruiting, in view of the fact that only by strengthening the police force can the present outbreak of crime be held in check.

Whilst I do not accept the word "only" in the last part of this Question, I agree that it is of first importance to obtain enough recruits for the police, and I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 3rd March to a Question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons rehoused in the period 1945 to 1952, inclusive, in the 176,948 local authority houses built in Scotland, and the 22,045 in Lanarkshire.

I regret that this information is not available, but it is probably fair to assume an average of about four persons per house.