asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware of the overcrowding in Cardiff schools which has resulted in children being refused admission to school at five years of age; and whether she will make a statement.

My information is that no child has been required to await admission to Cardiff primary schools to a later date than the commencement of the term after the fifth birthday.

asked the Minister of Education the maximum period in each school year, under her regulations, that local education authorities can permit children to be withdrawn from school to be employed in agriculture.

I have authorised 98 authorities to grant exemptions up to a maximum of 10 half days for any one pupil. Four of these 98 authorities have bean authorised to grant additional exemptions, subject to H.M. Inspector's approval, up to a maximum of a further 10 half-days. The Minister of Agriculture and I will review the position in September when we will consider whether any more authorities should be authorised to grant additional exemptions.

asked the Minister of Education how many special schools, and how many places in these schools, are provided for mentally defective and backward children, respectively, in Sheffield; and how many further schools and places are needed to provide for all such children in Sheffield.

Local education authorities have no power to provide education either in special schools or elsewhere for mentally defective children. For educationally sub-normal children there are four day special schools in Sheffield providing a total of 450 places. In December, 1952, the local education authority also had 13 educationally subnormal children at boarding special schools maintained by other authorities. The authority estimated in their development plan that the area would need two boarding and six day special schools for educationally sub-normal children providing a total of 840 places for the more severely handicapped. The less severely handicapped must be given special educational treatment in ordinary schools.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps will be taken to arrange for the adequate representation of Great Britain at the forthcoming centenary celebrations and fair in San Paulo, Brazil.

Her Majesty's Government have been offered 100 square metres of space in the Pavilion of Nations at the International Fair to be held in July, 1954, at San Paulo in connection with that City's Fourth Centenary and we are considering this offer. United Kingdom firms wil be able to exhibit in the trade sections of the Fair and, in spite of the current difficulties about payment for exports, many will no doubt take advantage of this opportunity to keep their products before the public in this important long-term market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to provide separate annual particulars of Welsh trade divorced from the trading returns for the whole of the United Kingdom.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the trade of Wales and Monmouthshire. No. It would not be practicable to compile separate statistics of that trade, but figures are published periodically of the trade passing through the principal Welsh ports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the negotiations for the establishment of a new factory on the North-Western Industrial Estates Company's site at Huyton, Lancashire.

Yes. I am glad to say that we have this week approved a proposal for the building of a factory of about 150,000 square feet on the Huyton Estate for occupation by Messrs. Huntley and Palmers Limited.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now take action substantially to ease strategic controls of goods exported to Eastern Europe and China.

No. These controls have been imposed by us and other Governments for cogent reasons of national security, and they must be maintained until the circumstances giving rise to them have ceased to exist.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement about the future of the National Film Finance Corporation.

Under the Cinematograph Film Production (Special Loans) Act, 1949, the National Film Finance Corporation were empowered to make loans during the five years ending 8th March, 1954. I propose in due course to introduce amending legislation to extend the loan-making powers of the Corporation for a further three years from that date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the dollar allocation which the Government will make for the purchase of hides in the United States of America; when the allocation is to be made; and what conditions will be attached to the provision of such currency.

An allocation of dollars for the purchase of hides and calf skins in the U.S.A. and Canada has now been made. It is a condition that import licences will be granted only to firms that are exporting to dollar markets. It is not the usual practice to disclose the size of such an allocation of dollars nor would it be in the general interest to do so on this occasion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the national income was spent on the public service of education, from both Exchequer grants and rate-borne expenditure, in the years 1938, 1946, 1950, 1951 and 1952, respectively.

Approximately 2·2 per cent. 2·5 per cent., 2·9 per cent., 3 per cent., and 3 per cent., respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Civil Service Clerical Association concerning the incident at the United States Camp, Burtonwood, when a British civil servant was screened by the American authorities; and what reply he has given.

United Kingdom civilians employed by the United States authorities at Burtonwood are provided for them by the Air Ministry. They are United Kingdom civil servants, and clearance for security purposes is carried out by the Air Ministry in accordance with United Kingdom practice. This was in fact done in the present case, which is that of a clerical officer employed by the United States authorities in a confidential post. Last January, however, this clerical officer had her fingerprints and photograph taken for purposes of record in a personal file. This is routine United States procedure, and was mistakenly carried out by a United States officer who was not aware of the proper procedure. The mistake was an isolated one, and the United States authorities have taken steps to see that it is not repeated.In view of the publicity received by this case, I should like to emphasise that the photograph and fingerprints were taken solely for the purpose of record and identification, and not for the purpose of screening or investigation by the United States authorities, and I am assured that no such screening or investigation in fact took place. No question therefore arises here of the application of United States security methods to United Kingdom citizens.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much agricultural land in Glamorgan has been appropriated for non-agricultural purposes during the past year, two years and five years, respectively.

No precise information is available about the area of agricultural land in Glamorgan that has been taken for non-agricultural purposes during the periods mentioned. According to the annual agricultural returns, however, the total acreage of crops and grass, and rough grazings in sole occupation in the county declined by 2,467 acres in the 12 months ended 4th June, 1952. The decreases in the two year and five year periods ending on that date were 6,051 and 10,249 acres, respectively. These figures take account of any land restored to agricultural use, for example by Service Departments, and are subject to some error.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the recent rejection of the apple and pear marketing scheme sponsored by the National Farmers' Union, he will invite representative fruit growers to formulate and sponsor an alternative scheme for consideration.

The various methods of organisation which are available to fruit growers under the Marketing Acts and otherwise have been well known to producers for many years. In the circumstances such an invitation is not needed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to a pamphlet recently circulated by the Forestry Commission containing hints on the control of grey squirrels in which one of the recommended methods of disposing of squirrels is to coax them into a sack and then kill them by a sharp blow on the head with a stick; and whether, in view of the cruelty which can be involved in attempting to aim a lethal blow at the head of a squirrel when hidden in a sack, he will take steps to have this pamphlet withdrawn and amended at an early opportunity.

The method suggested for killing trapped squirrels is based on practical experience, but I will certainly consider whether these instructions should be amended.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many, and which, harvest camps in Lincolnshire will be open this summer; and how the number compares with those of the last three years.

Six volunteer agricultural camps will be open this year in Lincolnshire at Sutton Bridge, Metheringham, Coleby, Brigg, Willingham and Donna Nook. There were six camps in 1952, seven in 1951 and eight in 1950.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what supplies of gypsum have been made available to the farmers of Lindsey whose land suffered from sea water flooding on 1st February.

6,000 tons of gypsum have already been delivered free to farmers in Lindsey. Gypsum is being supplied free for the treatment of all agricultural land contaminated with salt where soil analysis indicates that the land will benefit from this treatment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent the Essex seawalls have now been repaired up to or above pre-flood level; whether a decision has yet been made to proceed with long-term improvements; what the extent and nature of these will be; and what standard is likely to be attained by the autumn along the coast of Essex in general and of the Dengie Hundred, the urban district of Burnham-on-Crouch, and the district of Heybridge in particular.

Restoration of embankments in Essex to pre-flood levels is already largely completed. Major improvement works are in progress in some areas and are about to begin in many others, particularly in the Thames estuary. Substantial progress will have been made with them by the autumn. Improvement works are contemplated in the Dengie and Burnham-on-Crouch areas; technical issues regarding their design are being considered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements for flood warnings will be in operation on the East Coast next winter.

As indicated in my reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Horncastle (Commander Maitland) on 1st May, when I outlined the flood warning arrangements on the East Coast for the summer months, the Waverley Committee is considering what permanent flood warning arrangements should be instituted. The Committee hope to make a report on this subject in the course of the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British subjects from overseas have immigrated as stowaways or otherwise into Britain for permanent residence here since 1945; and how many of them have used public funds for their maintenance.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the last Industrial Bulletin for Civil Defence was issued; when it is expected that the next issue will be available; and if he is aware of the handicap in training experienced by industry by the length of time which has elapsed since the last issue.

Civil Defence Industrial Bulletin No. 1 was published in May, 1951. The second Bulletin is expected to be published within a few weeks. In the meantime three industrial circulars, dealing fully with the question of training, have been issued by the Home Office and I do not think there is any foundation for the suggestion made in the last part of the Question. I am sending the hon. Member copies of these circulars.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the concern caused in many quarters by the numbers of people killed by fires, falls and other domestic accidents; and how soon he anticipates being able to suggest further preventative and remedial measures, in view of the facts disclosed by the report just issued by his Department.

The Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Accidents in the Home emphasises that the prevention of these distressing accidents is the responsibility of every one of us, particularly if we have children or old people in our homes. Copies of the Report have been sent to local authorities, who, through various public services, can do much to bring home to the people in their areas the urgent need for preventing this unnecessary suffering and loss of life.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the purpose of the tour of several European countries by two British fire engines; and what is the cost to the public.

The tour was arranged by the London County Council with the object of exchanging with French and Italian fire brigades information and ideas about fire-fighting and training methods, and exhibiting on the Continent the latest British appliances and equipment. I am informed that the cost is being largely met from sources other than public funds and that the charge to public funds is not likely to exceed £700 and may be substantially less.

asked the Minister of Labour how many engineering workers were unemployed at the latest available date in Accrington.

144 at 11th May. The figure includes all unemployed persons whose last employment was in the engineering industries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the provision of facilities in hospitals for religious worship by patients and staff.

Hospital authorities have been asked to give special attention to providing for the spiritual needs of both patients and staff. A chaplain, or chaplains from more than one denomination, should be appointed for every hospital and the regular holding of services is regarded as among his duties. There should be in each hospital a chapel, or a room set apart to serve as a chapel, available for any denomination wishing to use it; and hospital authorities have been asked to arrange hours of duty as far as possible to enable nurses and other staff to attend services.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken to provide for local authorities to take a larger part in hospital administration on the group hospital management committees.

Members of hospital management committees are appointed by regional hospital boards who are by statute required to consult with local health authorities in doing so.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the investigation, details of which have been forwarded to him, now being made by the United States Federal Trade Commission into the claims of manufacturers of chlorophyll products; and if he will arrange for a similar official inquiry to be held in this country.

I am afraid that the details forwarded do not indicate the precise nature of the inquiry and it is not possible to say whether anything similar would be appropriate or of value here.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to ensure that full consideration is given by the Guillebaud Committee to the saving that would result from the replacement of part-time consultants by whole-time officers.

It is certainly open to the Committee to consider the point made by the hon. Member, but I do not think it would be appropriate for me specially to ask them to inquire into any particular topics.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will provide facilities either through saving schemes or by an advance of reserve pay, whereby Regular soldiers leaving the Army can be assisted to purchase a house at the start of their civilian life.

I am looking into this proposal and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to enable the public to regain their age-old privilege of access to Fowlmere, which has just been absorbed by the perimeter of the Stanford battle area.

Fowlmere has been within the Stanford battle practice area since 1942. The Stanford area is used a lot and is essential if realistic battle training at all levels is to be carred out by the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will expedite the fulfilment of the promises made by his predecessors to relinquish the Stanford battle area.

No. There was a full investigation at a public local inquiry before it was decided in July, 1948, that the War Department should have the use of the Stanford area for battle training. Compensation has been paid to those displaced.

asked the Minister of Materials if, in view of the decision to free fertilisers from control from 1st July next, he will give an estimate of prospective supplies; and to what extent the use of fertilisers has increased during the past three years.

It is expected that the supplies of fertilisers available next season will be sufficient to meet the requirements estimated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture. These requirements are for phosphatic fertilisers having a phosphoric acid content of 400,000 tons, potassic fertilisers having a potash content of 210,000 tons and nitrogenous fertilisers having a nitrogen content of 235,000 tons. It is estimated that the use of fertilisers for the season ending on 30th June will show an increase of 8 per cent. and 10 per cent., respectively, for nitrogen and potash over the average of the past three years, with no change for phosphates.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will announce the names of the chairman and members of the Committee of Inquiry into London Transport; and when the inquiry will begin.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to do so very soon.