asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what direction he has given to the British Electricity Authority under Section 5 of the Electricity Act, 1947, with regard to the priorities to be observed in the extension of electricity mains in rural areas and, in particular, on the preference to be given to houses which have been on the waiting lists for electricity for a number of years over new houses.

None. Electricity boards give priority to particular schemes in the light of local circumstances, after discussion with the Consultative Council.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what reports or conclusions he has received under Section 4 (5) of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, from the Industrial Coal Consumers Council and the Domestic Coal Consumers Council relating to defects disclosed in the National Coal Board's general arrangements for the production of coal; and what directions he has given to remedy such defects.

I have received no reports from the Coal Consumers' Councils on which I felt it necessary to give the National Coal Board a direction.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that the Cotswold area enjoys some of the coldest weather in the country, he will increase the maximum permitted quantity of coal for this area from 34 cwt. to approximately the same amount allowed to the Northern part of Britain, 50 cwt.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport what is estimated to be the cost to local authorities of collecting, collating and supplying to the Postmaster-General particulars as to vehicles fitted with wireless sets as required by Regulation 27 (2) of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1953, Statutory Instrument No. 231.

The cost to local authorities of collecting motor vehicle duties is made good to them out of the Roads Vote; but it is hoped that this work can be done in the course of the ordinary business of the local taxation offices and that no extra expense will be incurred.

asked the Minister of Transport when the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme may expect a reply to his letter of 28th February about the junction of Friars Street and Goose Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to reply fully to the hon. Member's letter as soon as a reply from the solicitors to Messrs. F. H. Burgess, Limited, which is now being awaited, has been received.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can now give details of the new scheme for pensions for the wage grades working on British Railways.

It would be premature to make any announcement until the details have been finally agreed and approved. This may take some time.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can now give details of the scheme recently approved for improving the pensions of railway annuitants.

The details of the scheme are as follows:CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH SUPPLEMENTATION WILL BE GRANTED1. Supplementation will not be granted to persons receiving the State pension by reason of their being compulsory contributors for State pension at the time of retirement; nor to those who retired on ill-health pensions and receive State sickness, disablement or industrial injury benefits.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will publish the new Highway Code.

A draft of the new highway Code is being considered by the Departmental Committee on Road Safety and, after revision, will be circulated to representative organisations. I am anxious to obtain the greatest possible measure of agreement on the form and contents of the Code and I cannot now give a definite date for publication.

asked the Minister of Food the cumulo weight and cumulo value of fat allowances, including supplementary fat allowances, granted to butchers in Edinburgh during the month of March, 1953.

The total weight was 37,391 1b. The total value was £1,113 7s. l0d.

asked the Minister of Food the maximum amount of sugar which it is estimated could be effectively used in the forthcoming fruit season by jam makers and canners of fruit; and whether he will undertake that such supplies will be made available, in addition to the proposed extra sugar allowances for individual consumers, in order to avoid unnecessary wastage of the country's fruit crops.

Last year jam manufacturers and fruit canners had about 205,000 tons of sugar, and I doubt whether more sugar would have led them to use more home grown fruit. This year 20 per cent. more sugar will be available to them, and it should be ample for all their needs.

asked the Minister of Education the present shortage of teachers in Dagenham; what steps are being taken to deal with this problem; and how many children of school age are now being refused entry to schools.

My right hon. Friend understands from the local education authority that the number of women teachers in Dagenham is 20 below the establishment which the authority have fixed for this district. Every effort is being made by the authority to reduce the deficiency by various means. She understands that there are 70 children of school age awaiting admission to school.

asked the Minister of Health how many health visitors per 10,000 of the population are employed in England and Wales; which are the highest and lowest ratios; and in which county or county borough these are found.

On 31st December, 1951, the number of health visitors employed by local health authorities (counting two part-time as roughly equal to one whole-time) was 0.9 per 10,000 of the population. The highest and lowest ratios were 3.5 in the County of Radnor and 0.16 in the Soke of Peterborough.