asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the continuing decline in the British share of world shipping, with particular reference to the dwindling tramp fleet; and what action he will take to encourage this important strategical asset.

I am aware that, while the British fleet is still the largest in active commercial employment, it represents a smaller share of the total world shipping. This is due largely to the steps taken by certain countries to build up national fleets by artificial means. The Government are, however, constantly endeavouring to promote the most favourable conditions for the prosperity of British shipping by pressing for the removal of discriminatory practices wherever they are met, and by working for an expansion of world trade generally. The downward tendency in the tonnage of tramps is much to be regretted. There has, of course, been an increase in the tonnage of cargo liners and tankers, which is to some extent a reflection of a change in demand.

As we seem to be failing to hold our own in the expanding world trade, does not my right hon. Friend think some further special consideration—including, perhaps, consideration of the taxation of this very specialised industry—is needed?

Questions on taxation should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer but, in regard to direct assistance, the industry has always, made its position perfectly plain, that it. hopes we shall concentrate on getting it a fair field in international competition.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring to the notice of the Chancellor the very serious fact that Britain's share of world trade has fallen from 23 per cent. to 18 per cent. in the last year or two, and that this definitely links up with the lamentable position in which the mercantile marine now finds itself?

Would it not be a good idea to indulge in discrimination like the Navigation Acts, which enabled us to build up the mercantile marine, and ignore the anti-discriminatory attitude of certain foreign countries?

That raises a wider question.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it might help if he could persuade his colleagues to reverse Government policy and, instead of trying to diminish world trade, to diminish imports and to diminish exports, to expand them all?

The steadily improving position in our balance of trade is the finest contribution to world prosperity.

asked the Minister of Transport the size of our dry cargo fleet now, and in 1939; what rate of construction is needed to maintain it at today's size; and what is the present rate.

The tonnage of dry cargo ships (excluding all ships with more than 12 passengers) registered in the United Kingdom last December was 9,899,000 gross tons as compared with 9,947,000 gross tons in September, 1939. The new tonnage delivered to United Kingdom owners in 1952 amounted to 397,000 tons, but I am unable to say whether this rate of new construction will maintain the size of the fleet, because I cannot forecast the amount of tonnage which may be lost to the register.

Is it not the case that in spite of the heavy decline in transshipping and the change-over to cargo liners, there has been an overall decline since before the war? Will the right hon. Gentleman look very carefully into this question and make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that this is a very serious matter?

There has been an overall decline between September, 1939, and December, 1952, from 13,863,000 to 12,834,000 gross tons. I will certainly see that my right hon. Friend reads, as I am sure he will, the Question of the hon. Gentleman.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the average age of our dry cargo ships is alarmingly high, and that unless every chance is given to get these ships replaced, we shall find a replacement problem before us with which the shipyards will be unable to cope?

I will bear that in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport how many pedestrian crossings he has authorised within the borough of Walsall.

I understand that the borough council decided on 9th March to vary their scheme of pedestrian crossings so that it will include 14 not controlled by traffic lights. My right hon. Friend will consider this scheme as soon as it is formally submitted.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the anxiety which is felt for proper safety precautions for school children?

I understand that at the council meeting on 9th March it was agreed to adopt this scheme. We do not put pedestrian crossings outside schools; adult patrols are the solution to that problem.

asked the Minister of Transport why he has reduced the grant for maintenance work on classified roads in Lancashire for the coming financial year instead of increasing it to meet rising costs of wages and materials, necessary resurfacing and essential safety measures.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received and considered the resolution passed by the Lancashire County Highways Committee on 11th March, 1953, protesting at his action in reducing the road grants for Lancashire; and what action he proposes to take.

My right hon. Friend has considered with sympathy the resolution passed by the Lancashire County Highways Committee. He much regrets that the urgent need for economy in Government expenditure has meant a reduction in the total amount which he has available for assisting in 1953–54 the maintenance and minor improvement of classified roads. We have done our best to give Lancashire its fair share of the reduced total.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that even to maintain the existing inadequate maintenance will require 10 per cent. more than the current year's expenditure? In a county where there were 20,000 casualties on the roads last year, would not the hon. Gentleman agree that it would be false economy to cut down maintenance costs in this way?

Yes, Sir, but if hon. Members representing Lancashire constituencies feel a grievance on this matter, I would remind them that the only major improvement scheme in the country that has been approved by my right hon. Friend is in that county, and is for the Runcorn-Widnes Transporter Bridge, at a total cost of £½ million, with the Government finding 75 per cent.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the question relates particularly to maintenance? Can he give an assurance that he will not allow road users in Lancashire to be exposed to the hazards which can be avoided by proper maintenance?

We do our best for all parts of the country.

asked the Minister of Transport figures of the grants, by classification, for roads in the crofter counties this year and last; and how much of the special grant of £750,000 is to be spent this year, and on what.

As the answer is rather long and contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the amount less or more? If it is less, may I draw the Minister's attention to the fact that there are unused resources of labour and equipment in the crofter counties which might well be used to public advantage on the roads?

It is because of that consideration that I am circulating these figures. I think that if the hon. Gentleman studies them, he will find the answer to his Question.

asked the Minister of Transport what road mileage is still outstanding for reconstruction in Inverness-shire under the crofting counties road scheme.

184½ miles, Sir.

Is it not about time, in view of the unemployment in Scotland today, that the Minister got on with this job?

I cannot add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. John MacLeod) last Monday.

asked the Minister of Transport to give details of the reconstruction or new construction of roads in the crofter counties this year.

My right hon. Friend has no funds available for any works of major improvement or new construction of roads in the crofter counties in the coming financial year.

In view of the fact that without a great improvement on the roads in the North we cannot get the food that the country badly needs and that there is widespread unemployment, was not the Minister's a lamentable reply?

The economic position of the country is also lamentable in some respects.

Will the hon. Gentleman look into the distinction between saving capital expenditure in the Highlands which throws people idle, instead of employing them, and saving capital expenditure in the southern part of the country, where they can be employed on alternative work? Will he confirm that it is an economy to employ people on the roads when the labour is available?

The right hon. Gentleman's regret in this matter must surely be retrospective.

Not at all. They were in full employment before.

asked the Minister of Transport how many fatal accidents took place on the Great North Road between the top of Alconbury Hill and Stilton in each of the years 1951, 1952 and 1953.

I am informed by the Huntingdonshire County Police that the figures are as follow:—four in 1951, one in 1952 and none to date in 1953.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in the near future he will prepare a United Kingdom road reconstruction plan, bearing in mind that Britain is the only European country who has not yet done so since the end of the war.

Extensive plans for road improvement and construction have already been prepared, and many of them could be put into execution at short notice if there were sufficient improvement in the economic situation of the country.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the present policy of road construction is being disastrous in the north of this country? Would it not be politic at this time to use some of the Road Fund for the purpose for which it was originally intended?

I cannot add to my answer.

Is the Minister satisfied that he is getting a reasonable allocation for new roads out of the £330 million being extracted from motor users in the form of taxation at the present time?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put that question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there exist in Gloucestershire those quarry owners' associations which prevent competition in the supply of stone to highway authorities and maintain prices at artificially high levels; and whether, in view of this, he will look into the prices of stone contracted for with these associations in Gloucestershire for roads in respect of which he is responsible for care and maintenance.

No, Sir; I am not aware of the circumstances as stated in the first part of the Question, but if the hon. Member will send me the evidence upon which his statement is based, I will have the matter investigated.

asked the Minister of Transport the average increase in freight rates since January, 1946; and what proportion of that increase is estimated to be attributable to the increased price of coal.

The average increase in rail freight rates since January, 1946, has been 97 per cent. The income and expenditure of the British Transport Commission have been affected by a variety of factors during that time and it is not possible to determine the exact effect of any one factor on the level of charges, but the price of coal to the railways has increased by 60 per cent. since January, 1946, and by 275 per cent. since 1939.

As each increase in freight rates has been partly accounted for by a percentage increase in the price of coal, it ought to be possible to give the average percentage. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that in the interaction between increased freight charges and increased coal charges there is an intolerably vicious circle which has got tighter in the last 18 months? What does the Minister propose to do to break it?

I do not think it has got tighter, but I think these facts do show that

"…we are members one of another."

Is not this fratricidal strife due to the incompetence of the industries which the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) and his hon. Friends so unwisely nationalised?

To ask the Minister of Transport, whether the report of the railway accident at Harrow in October 1952 has yet reached him; when this report will be printed and made available for Parliamentary and public scrutiny; what further progress has now been made in the matter of extending the scope and standardising the equipment for automatic train control and signalling on British Railways with a view to avoidance of further collisions and accidents; how many locomotives have now been fitted with the latest equipment in addition to those former Great Western locomotives which were fully fitted for automatic train control; and whether he will now make a statement on improved safety standards on the British railway system.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Having regard to the fact that included in what is called "Question No. 10" are no fewer than five quite separate and independent Questions, may I ask whether there has been any recent alteration in the rule that prohibits a Member from putting down for oral answer more than three Questions on any one day?

Further to that point of order. Is not the correct view to be taken of a Question of this sort that it represents Parliamentary enterprise and ingenuity.

The Question is a long one. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will proceed to ask it.

I think my answer is even shorter than the Question.

Can my right hon. Friend be a little more precise and say when this report will be available, in consideration of the fact that the accident occurred six months ago and was one of the most serious accidents in this country since 1915?

The very seriousness of the accident demands the fullest possible investigation. I hope that the report will be ready by about June, but I am making no promises. It will include a comprehensive survey of the position in regard to automatic train control, and this of course takes longer to write.

Can the Minister make it clear that the experiment going on between New Barnet and Huntingdon is vastly different from the existing automatic train control on the Great Western Railway and is applicable to all parts of British Railways?

It is to discover whether that is so that the experiment is being conducted.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to cancel the Regulation which makes it illegal for motor cars to use their horns at night.

The Regulation applies only to built-up areas, and I have no reason to think it has outlived its usefulness.

As the object of the Regulation is the avoidance of accidents, why is it less desirable to avoid accidents at night than it is during during the daytime?

There are other considerations. I doubt whether hon. Members would wish our great cities to resemble certain European capitals where it is next door to impossible to obtain any sleep at all.

Would not the Minister agree that the motor horn is all too often the refuge of the dangerous and careless driver?

Without entering into that problem, I would reply that this experiment was initiated as long ago as 1934 and has worked excellently, and that authorities from a number of European capitals are studying our methods to see whether it is possible to reduce noise in their own cities.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Sweden the use of motor car horns is prohibited both by day and night, with a marked reduction in traffic accidents?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply what is to be the future of the Princess flying boats.

I have at present nothing to add to the information already given to the House on this subject.

In view of the fact that nearly £11 million of public money has already been spent on these boats, can the Minister give an assurance to the House that they will not be scrapped, as was suggested in a well-known organ of the Press this week-end?

I have already given a full statement to the House about the intentions of the Government in regard to the Princess flying boats. The position is that the first boat has been undergoing flying tests. The other two are being put into storage in accordance with the statement which I made some months ago.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the new engines to the flying boats are expected to be delivered?

I think my hon. and gallant friend has in mind the coupled Proteus III engines. Work on these, unfortunately, conflicts with work going on at the Bristol Aeroplane Company on other projects of higher priority.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, if any consideration is being given to not using the two which are now in store, it would be a great pity if the experiments on these flying boats were not carried forward to fruition, since the future of civil aviation may depend upon them?

I have already expressed my views about this project. I share the view of the right hon. Gentleman that it would be a tragedy if all the work that has gone into it came to nothing.

asked the Minister of Supply how many of the 18,000 machine tools ordered from Europe and the United States of America were capable of being manufactured in Great Britain.

Of the machine tools ordered abroad, some 4,000 were of special types unobtainable in the United Kingdom. About 4,000 were of types for which there was insufficient production capacity in this country. Some 10,000 were of types which could not be delivered by British manufacturers by the dates required without unduly interfering with production for domestic and overseas markets.

Is it not remarkable that with a highly developed machine-tool industry like our own, we have to import so many machine tools at so high a cost from abroad, and would the right hon. Gentleman look into the structure of the machine-tool industry to see whether it might not be expanded to make our own industry self-equipping?

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that nearly all these machine tools were ordered before the autumn of 1951. Since that date the number of orders for machine tools placed abroad has been more than offset by the number of previous orders which have been cancelled; in other words, since the autumn of 1951 there has been a net decrease in the number of orders for machine tools placed abroad.

Is it not a fact that we have a valuable export trade in machine tools, and bearing that fact in mind, and the fact that the industry at present is unable to satisfy the needs of the home market, is there not a strong case for increasing the allocation for capital development?

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that since the end of the war more than £50 million worth of dollar machine tools have been imported despite a rigorous screening before employers or users of machine tools are allowed to order in dollar countries? Does not that fact reveal that there is an urgent need for a large expansion of the British machine-tool industry?

I think we would all welcome an expansion in this industry. It is a very fine industry, and the export possibilities are considerable, as my hon. Friend said a moment ago.

Would my right hon. Friend be careful not to over-expand this industry so that we shall not have the same experience as after the last period of expansion when, in 1925 or thereabouts, about one-third of the firms went out of existence because of a slump in the demand for new capital equipment?

As my hon. Friend knows, Conservative Governments do not expand or contract industry.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in order to allay public concern, he will publish a White Paper giving details of the system, method and manner, by which the disposal of surplus war stores has been conducted since 1945.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the full account of the disposal of surplus war stores which was published in 1949 in the 12th Report of the Select Committee on Estimates.

I am afraid that is not satisfactory. Will my right hon. Friend appreciate that I asked this Question because, in my opinion, there is evidence which would justify the public concern that exists today? Would he not, therefore, please examine the whole matter again and afresh?

If my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind some specific case, I shall be glad to look into it, but the Report of the Estimates Committee gives a general picture of the disposal of war surplus stores.

asked the Minister of Supply the payments made to his Department in respect of supplying vehicles to Ernest Reid and Company Limited, now in liquidation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, North (Mr. Crouch) on 2nd March.

But is not my right hon. Friend going further into this matter in view of the additional evidence that has now been sent to his Department, notably in connection with the activities of Mr. George Dawson and his efforts to use his proceeds from the sale of these surplus war stores for entering into the Icelandic fishing industry?

I am quite prepared to look into any evidence that is brought before me or to have that evidence examined by the proper authorities. As I said on a previous occasion, this case was investigated very thoroughly by the competent legal authorities at the time, and no further evidence has been presented to me which would enable any different view to be taken of it.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement on availability of tinplate during the remainder of 1953; whether adequate supplies can be made available for all export and home demands; and whether the allocation system can shortly be terminated.

There is sufficient capacity to produce about 975,000 tons of tinplate this year, and the demands will probably not exceed that total. However, within this global figure there is still a shortage of tinplate of prime quality. For this reason, the allocation of tinplate will have to continue for a while longer.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind the great importance of giving the horticultural processing industry, particularly the fruit canners, adequate notice that in this forthcoming fruit season he will be able to allot to them all the tinplate they require to cope with our home fruit crop, especially in view of the difficulties in the last few years?

The allocation of tinplate for food canning is the responsibility of the Minister of Food to whom my hon. Friend may wish to put down a Question.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of shipbuilders and ship-repairers over the fluctuations in steel deliveries; and what steps he is taking to ensure regular sequence in delivery."

The quantity of steel delivered to the shipbuilding industry during the past year has been very nearly equal to the total quantity allocated to it. There has, however, been a shortage of steel plate, which has often made it difficult for firms to obtain regular deliveries of plate in the sizes and at the dates required.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that encouraging reply, may I ask whether he will continue to bear in mind the great importance of keeping both capital and labour fully informed of what is going on and how the increased production is progressing?

Most certainly.

I appreciate the steps which the right hon. Gentleman is taking, but is he aware that on a single day last week four of the leading Wear shipbuilders complained at the way in which the steel is being delivered? Will the Minister deal with this as an urgent problem and see whether he can improve the sequence of deliveries to meet the needs of the shipbuilders?

A Question by the hon. Member on that point appears a little later on the Order Paper.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the situation in Scotland in this respect is still particularly difficult?

Yes. We have that very much in mind.

Is the Minister aware that the answer he has just given would form an excellent prologue to a speech demanding the nationalisation of the steel industry?

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he proposes to take to improve the supplies of steel to the Wear shipyards where workers are being declared redundant on account of steel shortages.

The hon. Member has been good enough to inform me that his Question relates to the position at Messrs. Short Bros., who, it seems, are having exceptional difficulties in obtaining current supplies of steel plate and in placing their orders for delivery in the months ahead. This case is being dealt with by the steel industry through the normal machinery which exists for this purpose, and I understand that steps are being taken to assist Short Bros, in obtaining the plate they require.

While thanking the Minister for the interest he has shown and the steps he has taken, may I ask whether he realises that the declaration by Short Bros, that no keel is to be laid down in the berth vacated last week is a very real shock to shipbuilding generally on Wear-side?

I explained in my reply that this firm, for reasons which are not quite clear to me, have met abnormal difficulties in obtaining their steel. I understand that to some extent they have not fully used the machinery which exists for dealing with bottlenecks of this kind, but I hope that the action now being taken by the steel industry will considerably relieve their difficulties.

In view of what he has just said, could the Minister improve the means of informing shipbuilders of the steps that they ought to take to put their houses in order? These widespread complaints have been publicised in the Press, and if the shipbuilders could take any further steps to help themselves, I am sure that they would do so.

There is no magic about this. As I explained in reply to an earlier Question, there is an overall shortage of steel plate. Production is being increased, but it will still be quite a long time before we have as much as we need. All I was saying was that in this particular case I did not think that the firm had availed themselves as fully as they might have done of the machinery which exists for overcoming local difficulties of this kind.

asked the Minister of Supply how many persons employed by his Department are allowed to do other work and receive remuneration for it; and what are their salaries.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "six" and to the second part "nil."

In view of the urgent necessity to reduce national expenditure, why is it necessary for my right hon. Friend to keep on in his Ministry people who are rinding time to work outside for remuneration? Are they not, therefore, obviously redundant?

I do not think that my hon. Friend quite understood my reply. The salaries paid to these officers are nil. They are on loan to the Ministry and, therefore, as far as Government expenditure is concerned, this is a most economical way of proceeding.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what proposals have been made by the National Assistance Board to meet the present inadequacy of the assistance scales.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware of the hardship now suffered by many old age pensioners in receipt of National Assistance; and what steps are being taken to ease their difficulties.

As hon. Members know, the initiative regarding National Assistance scales is with the Board, and I have not received any new proposals from them. Hon. Members will recollect that when the scales were increased last year, it was pointed out that the new scales took account of further expected rises in the cost of food. In fact, the changes in the index of retail prices since the new scales became operative are neglible, and I cannot admit that the existing scales are inadequate or are causing hardship.

I really think that the right hon. Gentleman does not live in this world. Has he seen the reports in the Press of 11th March of a survey made, I think, by the Ministry of Health, which stated that old age pensioners who were today dependent on their pension and National Assistance grant for their weekly budget were spending less than 2s. 6d. a day on food? Is the Minister also aware that old people cannot afford today's charges for light and heat? Will he consider offering these to old people at a reduced rate?

The survey to which the hon. Lady referred and which was reported in the newspapers of 11th March was made during the tenure of the Socialist Government in 1950. The report was actually made in March, 1951. In fairness to the National Assistance Board, who by general consent, I thought, were agreed to be doing a fine job of work, I should point out that the allowances given today are greater in spending power than at any time during the period of office of the Socialist Government.

Is the Minister aware that a statement has been sent to him by the Old-Age Pensioners' Association giving factual details about their spending and their complete inability to live in any degree decently? In view of this and the fact that old people cannot live on statistics or reviews, but need money to buy the things that are necessary, will the Minister ask the Assistance Board to look again at the scales that they are at present applying?

The question to which the hon. Lady refers about old age pensioners is to be raised in a subsequent Question by the hon. Lady the Member for Coventry, South (Miss Burton) and I hope I shall deal adequately with it when it is reached.

Will the Minister make representations to the Board so that they review the items which they are taking into consideration? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that old people now spend so much solely for food that it is not true to say that they are as well off as before the adjustments were made? If they returned to the former National Assistance rates plus the present old age pension, they would still be short.

I will give the hon. Lady the figures. Since this Government took office, the general index of cost of living has risen by 7½ per cent. The Assistance scales have risen by 16½ per cent. for a single person and by 18 per cent. for a married couple. The rise in the cost of food in the same period is under 15 per cent.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many retirement pensioners are now in receipt of the maximum amount of National Assistance; and on what estimated rate of domestic expenditure he bases the present scales of National Assistance payments.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will state the budget of estimated domestic expenses on which he bases the scale of National Assistance payments to old age pensioners.

It is not possible to state the number of pensioners in receipt of the maximum amount of Assistance because there is no fixed limit to the amount the Board can grant in a particular case. In preparing scales of Assistance, the Board take all relevant factors into account, but it has never been the practice to publish anything in the nature of a purely notional budget showing how recipients of Assistance might be expected to spend their money.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the Annual Report of the National Assistance Board is presented to his Department and to the House, it gives those figures? I am asking for the present figures in order to see the change, because a tremendous number of people have been forced by economic and social circumstances to go to the National Assistance Board who never did so before the present Government came to power.

It is impossible to state the number of persons in receipt of the maximum amount of assistance. As, no doubt, the hon. Member is aware, the Board have a wide discretion and are granting exceptional needs grants in over 300,000 cases.

In regard to the point raised in Question No. 31, may I ask the Minister whether there is any reason why the previous practice should not be changed and the House have some glimpse of how the National Assistance Board think the old age pensioners live? Will he not give us some information upon which we can test the adequacy of the National Assistance scales from the assumptions of distribution of expenditure?

It is certainly not for me to give directions to the Board, which are an independent statutory authority, on a matter of this kind, but I would say in my view a notional budget would be very misleading as spending habits vary very widely owing to the various needs in individual circumstances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost of living index is not a true guide to the peculiar pattern of expenditure of those who are on National Assistance; that it is a peculiarly limited expenditure which is entirely different from the ordinary pattern covered by the index?

If the hon. Gentleman studies the figure he will see that on the cost of food alone it has risen a great deal more than other items which fall within the index, and that the allowance as paid by the Assistance Board is more generous today than it has been at any time since the end of the war.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when he proposes to introduce legislation to alter the amount of, and the conditions relating to, maternity benefits.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the National Insurance Bill which I presented last Tuesday.

Can the Minister explain why the period of gestation of this Bill has been unduly prolonged, and why, when the report on which it was based has been available for well over a year, the mothers of this country have had to take their place in the legislative queue behind the purely negative legislation of denationalising iron and steel and transport?

The Question only asks when I propose to introduce legislation. The short answer is: I have already done so.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he has seen the official survey into the economic and social conditions of old people, which reveals serious conditions; and if he will now bring forward legislation to increase the basic pension rates for the non-contributory and contributory pensioners.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to a recent article in the British Journal of Nutrition regarding an inquiry made between January, 1950, and March, 1951, into the diets of some 300 elderly people in Sheffield. The inquiry did not disclose any general malnutrition. In any case both retirement pensions and National Assistance scales have since been substantially increased, and I do not think it has much bearing on the adequacy of the provision now being made for old people.

Is the Minister aware that his assumptions arise on an entirely incorrect basis? The Question does not refer to the survey taken in Sheffield, nor a survey of 1951. It refers to the survey which is being taken in certain parts of this country as revealed in the "Daily Express" a few weeks ago. Is the right hon. Gentleman's Department—he himself may not know of it—aware of the survey and the revelations that the survey has given to the people?

The "Daily Express" article, to which the hon. Gentleman referred, did refer back to this survey which is the only official inquiry of which I am aware, which took place in the year 1950. Since that date there has been no official survey at all.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman is aware of what is taking place in investigations that are being made into the social and economic conditions of old people, and why does not his Department get on their hind legs and either deny or confirm what the inquiry has revealed?

There is an inquiry proceeding and also contemplated, but no results have yet come to hand.

Is the Minister not aware that a non-contributory pensioner actually gets 5s. a week pension less than the scale of the National Assistance Board, and does not that disclose to him that if the National Assistance scale is 59s. for a couple, other pensioners are getting well below what they ought to get?"

This Government have only followed the example of their predecessors in their attitude towards the non-contributory pensioner. A great many non-contributory pensioners do avail themselves of the supplementation of the National Assistance Board.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he has considered the letter from the national general secretary of the Old-Age Pensioners' Association concerning the take-up of rationed foods; and what reply has been sent.

As neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food has recently received a letter from the Association, I assume the hon. Member is referring to a recent article in the "Old Age Pensioner." The article set out a weekly budget, the total of which, excluding insurances, was approximately the same as the amount provided by the current national assistance scales. The figures given, even if one were to accept them as typical, do not therefore support the assertion made in the article that pensioners could not afford to buy enough food.

On a point of order. Before I ask a supplementary, may I ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on this matter. It seems most extraordinary, because I asked you for help on the matter of this question. It was sent to the Ministry of Food and was transferred to the Ministry of National Insurance. I received a letter from the Minister of Food stating that this had been sent to the Minister of National Insurance, but the Minister now says he has not received it. I did not send him an article, and it seems most extraordinary as to whether or not the Old Age Pensioners' Association have sent this letter.

I do not know about it.

Further to that point of order. The Question asks whether I considered a letter from the general secretary of the Old Age Pensioners' Association. I said in my answer I had received no such letter, but that I assumed the hon. Lady was referring to an open letter which was published in the "Old Age Pensioner."

Will the Minister tell the House if in his opinion and that of the Government, the old age pensioners are able to buy food and light—[Interruption.] The hon. Member for Croydon, East (Sir H. Williams) has not seen the letter at all. Might I ask the Minister whether he can inform the House that he and the Government believe that the old age pensioners are in a position to buy the food, light and heat that they need.

From my previous answers, I think it is perfectly clear that the supplementation given by the Assistance Board is adequate for the needs of the people whose interests they serve. As to the letter and article to which the hon. Lady refers, the article was definitely misleading. It gives the false and deliberate impression that supplementation by the Assistance Board was not available to pensioners without any other resources.

Is the Minister aware that the replies he has given will be noted by the old age pensioner who will take it that the statements he has made make it clear that the old age pensioners are deliberately lying about their income to obtain more.

Is it in order for hon. Members, having received an answer to a direct question, to put entirely different questions outside the scope of the original one?

I must be the judge of that.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what action he is taking to ensure that old age pensioners have adequate financial resources to celebrate the Coronation.

I do not think any special action is called for on my part.

As the present rate of pension is scarcely adequate to meet the necessities of life, how does the right hon. Gentleman expect the old age pensioners to be able to play a full part in all the different activities of the Coronation unless some extra grant is made to them, either by way of assistance or pension?

As the hon. Member knows, there are 4¾ million pensioners. A large majority have other resources. I do not think it would be reasonable to use Exchequer grants on this occasion when other people, who are not pensioners, are equally deserving.

Is not the Minister aware that it would not require any grant from the Exchequer? It can be done from the surplus funds accumulated in the National Insurance Fund. Can he not deal with the matter from that fund?

I do not think it would be reasonable to use those contributions for this isolated and special case.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what percentage of the total population in areas of the Nantyglo and Blaina, Abertillery, Abercorn Urban District Councils is composed of old age pensioners; and what is the percentage of old age pensioners in relation to the whole country.

The proportion of the population of Great Britain in receipt of retirement and old age pensions is just over 9 per cent. Figures are not available for local areas.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of applications received under the Workmen's Compensation Scheme, 1951, from 8th July, 1951, to 28th February, 1953, setting out the number of total incapacity cases, the number of partial incapacity cases, the number of claims disallowed, and the total amount of compensation paid out to these cases, respectively.

The available information is not precisely in the form of the Question, but I am circulating the latest figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I had the same reply to a similar Question some nine months ago. May I ask if the figures the Minister has now promised to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT will contain the number of applications by unfortunate men suffering from pneumoconiosis and silicosis which have been rejected—

indicated assent.

I see the Minister is assenting, but he had better wait a moment. I am referring to those applicants who were certified before this scheme came into operation and received a few weeks' compensation, and are now denied compensation for loss of faculties, because they have been compelled to find work in lighter industries.

The figures I propose to circulate will give exactly the information for which the hon. Gentleman asked in his original Question. If there are any further figures, I will let him have them.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that the National Spinsters' Association, at a recent conference, resolved not to repeat the request for optional pensions at 55 years, but to make approaches for such pensions commencing at age 58 years; and if he will consider introducing legislation to authorise the payment to spinsters of optional pensions from the age of 58 years for a limited number of years until 1963.

As I have already informed the Association, their claim will be considered with others at the first quinquennial review of the National Insurance scheme.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he thinks it would be an advantage to meet the representatives of this Association having regard to the change in their programme that they wish considered?

I declined recently to receive a deputation because I did not wish to raise any false hopes in this matter. This claim has been rejected by my predecessors, and many people feel that women already enjoy a sufficient advantage by drawing their pensions five years sooner than men.

While the Minister may learn lessons from the previous Government, may I ask if he will decline to feel himself bound by the mistakes which they made?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average increase of the price of coal since January, 1946; and what proportion of that increase is estimated to be attributable to increased freight charges.

I regret that information about average delivered prices is not available.

Is the Minister aware that a considerable proportion of the increase in the price of coal, on his own evidence, is due to the increase in freight charges? Earlier in the afternoon the Minister of Transport said that a considerable proportion of the increased freight charges was due to the increase in the price of coal. Can the Minister say whether he has more constructive proposals to make to break this vicious circle than had his colleague?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total liability for pensions for employees of the private gas companies and for municipal gas companies, respectively, at the time of the take-over.

I regret that the information is not available.

As it has now been decided to do something about the pensions for railway employees, will my right hon. Friend consider doing something for the employees of private gas companies? Does he not think it scandalous that one section of the community should get pensions because they were employed by municipal gas companies, while other people have been debarred? In view of the new decision of the Government regarding railway employees, will he reconsider this matter, because it is one of great urgency?

There has always been a distinction between those who have a statutory pension and those who have not.

That is not the argument at all. The railway employees were not employees of municipal undertakings within the meaning of the Act. If they can be considered, why cannot people employed by private gas companies be considered? They are on equal terms, and I beg the right hon. Gentleman to reconsider this matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many cases of pneumoconiosis amongst miners were certified during the years 1950, 1951 and 1952, respectively, in the Abertillery Division.

Under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act and the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 70, 41 and 100, respectively, Sir.

Having regard to the difficulty in diagnosing pneumoconiosis in its early stages, would the Minister agree that the figures he has given do not represent a true picture of the position?

I have endeavoured to give the figures for which I was asked I am ready to make any further inquiries should that be thought desirable.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what directions he has issued since he took office to the National Coal Board under Section 3 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, concerning the decentralisation of management and finance in the coal industry; and what further directions he has under consideration.

None, Sir.

While hoping the Minister will follow the example of his predecessors in making all possible devolution consistent with the national plan of the Coal Board, may I ask if he will make it clear to some of his political friends that he is not in favour of a reversion to district wage agreements or the setting of one district against another in competition; and that the propaganda which some of his friends are carrying out in the coalfields is very disruptive to the present operations of the Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers?

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman should raise this matter at this time; since I gave a conclusive answer on this subject on 19th November, 1951, which allayed the anxieties in the coalfields.

asked the Minister of Materials what relaxation of the existing restrictions on the use of newsprint by newspapers will be authorised during the period of Her Majesty's Coronation.

An Order will shortly be laid before the House extending the newsprint rationing period, which begins on 3rd May, from 12 to 16 weeks. During that period full-size l½d. daily newspapers will be allowed to publish in total 30 pages over and above the present maximum, with corresponding increases for other newspapers.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this will give great satisfaction, not only to newspapers which will have to deal with increased circulations, but also to the many people who will be able to read about this event?

asked the Minister of Food what investigations have been made, following the recommendations contained in paragraph 65 of the Report of the Conference on the Post-War Loaf; and if he will make a statement.

As the reply is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will my right hon. Friend at the same time publish the results of the investigation carried out in Germany by the Medical Research Council upon which he must have based the conclusions at which his Ministry have arrived?

I will look at that matter.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has yet replied to telegrams referred to him from wholesale sweet firms, including Wilson and Travis, of 79–81, Duke Street, Liverpool, stating that they are without stocks of sweets to supply to their retail customers; and what answer he has given to them.

asked the Minister of Food what action he is taking about the shortage of sweet supplies on Merseyside following the telegrams sent to him by the honourable Member for Kirkdale.

I do not propose to take any action. I have made inquiries into the complaints of the two wholesale firms in question and am satisfied that theirs is not typical of the general supply position on Merseyside.

Is the Minister aware that the situation regarding sweets on the wholesale side is becoming very bad indeed and that this applies not only in Liverpool, but in many parts of the country, as was revealed in the Press this week-end? In view of the fact that many wholesalers are unable to supply their retail firms, what action does he intend to take before the situation becomes desperate?

I do not accept as accurate the statement in the Press at the week-end. It is contrary to the information I have about the whole of the country. With regard to Merseyside, the report was published on Friday that the President of the Liverpool and North Wales Wholesale Confectioners Association, who I fancy knows something about it has said that the public could be assured that, contrary to reports in the newspapers and suggestions made in Parliament, there was not at present a shortage of sweets on Merseyside.

In accepting that statement—if we accept it—may I ask the Minister why he takes no action to prevent those who have supplies from raising their prices on the ground that there is a shortage?

I have seen nothing to support that suggestion. On the general question of supplies, the hon. Lady and the hon. Gentleman should know that neither at the Ministry nor at any of the regional offices throughout the country has any complaint been received.

Is not this another Lancashire Fusiliers red herring?