Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 15th May, 1953
Royal Navy (Hydrofoil Craft)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the Admiralty have refused to investigate or develop the hydro-finn, which is now being successfully developed for defence and civil purposes by the United States Government.
I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the "Hydrofin" which is the trade name of a particular form of hydrofoil craft. The Admiralty offered, over two years ago, to witness trials of the "Hydrofin" but the inventor did not avail himself of this offer, and subsequently set up business in the United States of America.The Admiralty has closely followed the development of hydrofoil craft. While it is known that small craft of this type can be made to function satisfactorily in sheltered waters, there are a number of difficulties which have to be overcome before larger craft capable of satisfactory use in open waters or for naval purposes can be produced. The Admiralty is fully informed of investigations in hand in the United States and Canada and funds are not available to duplicate these costly researches in the United Kingdom.
Marginal Production Scheme (Means Test)
asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will abolish the means test to farmers requiring the marginal land grant, and make it available to every farmer, whatever his resources and other lands, who wishes to clear and make productive marginal land.
I am considering amending the present test under the marginal production scheme so as to make grants more generally available for the reclamation and improvement of marginal land.
Lympne Airport (Sale Offer)
asked the Minister of Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement about the future of Lympne Airport.
It has been decided to offer Lympne Airport for sale. The Folkestone Corporation has been asked whether they would wish to purchase the airport, but after consultations with other local authorities the corporation has decided not to purchase. My right hon. Friend is willing to consider reasonable offers from any responsible persons or bodies who are prepared to operate the airport under a public-use licence.
Gold Coast (Overseas Officers)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take to compensate the European heads of Gold Coast Departments whom it is proposed to replace by Africans.
The policy of Africanisation is, of course, directed towards the eventual replacement of overseas officers by African officers but there is no plan to displace serving heads of Departments as such. If any scheme of acceleration of Africanisation results in overseas officers being superseded the question of compensation will arise, and this matter is in fact at present under consideration by the Gold Coast Government.
Hong Kong (Strategic Goods)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a further statement on the importation and control of strategic materials in Hong Kong.
Yes, I should like to correct any misapprehension regarding Hong Kong's imports of rubber, explosives and chemicals, fuel oil and machinery. Any suggestion that strategic goods in these categories were re-exported to China is entirely without foundation. No strategic goods were licensed for export from Hong Kong to China in 1952, except for a few insignificant items specially authorised for non-strategic uses, and any balance of imports not re-exported to permitted destinations was retained under strict control for local consumption.
Of rubber imports valued at £1,250,000 crude rubber for use in local factories accounted for £500,000. Of the balance £468,750 represented imports of some 36,000 motor tyres, of which 34,000 were retained for 17,000 local vehicles and 2,000 were exported to approved destinations. Exports to China, mostly in the form of medical supplies, were less than £12,500.
Of imports classified as explosives and chemicals valued at £2,625,000, £62,500 only represented explosives which were used mainly in the local manufacture of fireworks. Of the re-exports of chemicals valued at £2,000,000 nearly £1,562,500 represented chemicals of a non-strategic nature of which China received some £687,500 worth.
All imports of mineral fuels and lubricants valued at £8,125,000 were for local consumption. These are strictly controlled and there were no exports to China.
Of machinery imports valued at £9,000,000, £5,687,500 were re-exported. Exports to China totalling £2,250,000 were of a non-strategic nature, including such items as textile machinery, calculating machines, medical equipment and typewriters. The balance of imports were used for the expansion of local industries, £1,375,000 worth going to two power companies alone.
Bacon Factory, Norwich
asked the Minister of Food when it is expected to commence building of the Norwich bacon factory; and when it will be completed.
No application to build a bacon factory at Norwich has been received.
London Transport Committee Of Inquiry
asked the Minister of Transport the reasons which caused him to set up an inquiry into the conduct of the undertaking carried on by the London Transport Executive.
In view of the volume of public criticism of many aspects of the services and organisation of London Transport, I concluded that the interests of the travelling public and of London Transport Executive itself would be well served by an inquiry charged to ascertain whether greater efficiency and economy in the undertaking can be secured.
Forestry Commission (Employees)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons employed by the Forestry Commission in Scotland, Wales and England, respectively.
The numbers at 1st April, 1953, were 5,583 in Scotland, 3,247 in Wales and 6,257 in England.
Smallholdings, Scotland
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the procedure followed by the Department of Agriculture in selecting tenants for smallholdings let by the Department; and how far preference is given to ex-Service men.
Tenants for smallholdings are selected from applicants who, following interview by technical officers of the Department of Agriculture, have been classified in accordance with their suitability. Character, general ability, experience and possession of capital for the type of holding desired are taken into account. When a holding is available for letting, a leet is prepared from a list of suitable applicants for the particular type of holding who have expressed a preference for settlement in the county in which the holding is situated. A short leet is then drawn up and the applicants thereon are specially interviewed by a senior technical officer of the Department. In making the final choice the Department take into account age, date of application, and any special circumstances. No general preference is given to ex-Service men, but service in the Forces is taken into account where two applicants are equally qualified in other respects.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons in Scotland and in Lanarkshire, respectively, whose names are on the registers of the Department of Agriculture as applicants for tenancies of smallholdings but whose applications have not yet been granted.
The number of applications for holdings in Scotland outstanding at 30th April, 1953, was 14,442, but a large proportion of these are likely to be ineffective for various reasons such as age, lack of suitable qualifications and lack of capital. For Lanarkshire the number outstanding is 1,434.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of smallholdings in Scotland and Lanarkshire, respectively, let by the Department of Agriculture and the total acreages in each case.
The figures for Scotland and Lanarkshire of smallholdings let by the Department of Agriculture, with total acreages, are as follows:
| Number of smallholdings | Total acreage | |
| Scotland | 3,874 | 343,939 |
| Lanarkshire | 152 | 1,736 |