asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many tinplate workers who have become redundant are registered at each of the employment exchanges in the areas affected in West Wales; and what steps are being taken to find other employment for them;(2) how many workers became redundant as a result of the closures of tinplate mills in West Wales; and how many of these workers have found other employment.

Since the beginning of the year 4,900 tinplate workers have become redundant. Four hundred and eighty-four of these were registered as unemployed on 15th June at employment exchanges in West Wales as follows:—

Burry Port	…	…	…	5
Cymmer	…	…	…	2
Garnant	…	…	…	7
Gorseinon	…	…	…	98
Llanelly	…	…	…	92
Morriston	…	…	…	89
Mumbles	…	…	…	6
Neath	…	…	…	41
Pontardawe	…	…	…	44
Pontardulais	…	…	…	1
Port Talbot	…	…	…	22
Resolven	…	…	…	3
Swansea	…	…	…	61
Tumble	…	…	…	1
Ystablyfera	…	…	…	12
Total	…	…	…	484

The employment exchanges will continue to do everything possible to assist these workers to find other employment. It is known that about 2,700 of the redundant workers either transferred to other mills or have found alternative work through the Exchange Service in the tinplate area. The remaining redundant workers who did not register or have ceased to register in the immediate tinplate area and for whom information is not available would include persons who found work without the assistance of the Exchanges, or were resident in other districts, or have retired, or were sick, or were Italians who have left the area.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he proposes to take following the recommendations of the Rees Committee on Night Baking, Command Paper No. 8378, 1951.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given today to the hon. Members for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) and Islington, South-West (Mr. A. Evans).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has in mind for remedying the anomaly which arises when the occupant of a subsidised house tied to agriculture ceases to be employed in any connection with the agricultural industry.

The management of these houses, which are not tied houses in the usual sense, is a matter for the local authorities, and my right hon. Friend is prepared to trust their discretion to make the best use of them in the light of local circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to give an estimate of the number of dwellings required to be built at East Kilbride to match the present industrial and commercial demands for labour, in view of his aim of making the new town a balanced community and preventing it growing into a dormitory town.

It is estimated that about 2,200 additional houses are needed to cater for the labour requirements of manufacturing industry established or being established at East Kilbride and at least 1,500 to meet the immediately foreseeable demands of commercial and other services in the new town.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officers of the fire service in Scotland attended the Fire Service College at Wetton House, Dorking, during 1952; and what was the average cost in respect of each officer attending per week.

Sixty-five members of Scottish brigades attended the College in 1952 at an average cost per week (exclusive of board and travelling) estimated at £21 10s.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the varieties and respective weights of white fish and herrings landed at Golspie in each of the years since 1936.

I regret that particulars of the weights of varieties of white fish landed at Golspie are not readily available. The total weight of white fish and herring and the value of shell fish in the years 1936 to 1952 are as follows:

Year			White Fish	Herring	Shell Fish
			cwt.	cwt.	£
1936	…	…	1,833	101	—
1937	…	…	2,111	—	—
1938	…	…	1,658	—	29
1939	…	…	963	316	27
1940	…	…	1,053	35	75
1941	…	…	877	37	12
1942	…	…	971	—	17
1943	…	…	641	4	185
1944	…	…	575	—	1,043
1945	…	…	504	—	741
1946	…	…	1,028	—	497
1947	…	…	2,782	3	263
1948	…	…	1,405	—	253
1949	…	…	973	—	238
1950	…	…	669	74	261
1951	…	…	795	—	130
1952	…	…	2,789	—	199

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the 'remission of charges for school dinners in cases of financial hardship.

When the recent increase in the charges for school dinners was made education authorities were asked to consider whether their arrangements for the grant of remissions required amendment in order to avoid financial hardship; and the new Meals Service (Scotland) Regulations issued at the time required all authorities to include in their schemes of charges arrangements for partial as well as total remissions.Prior to the recent increase in the charges all authorities had arrangements for granting total remission of charges on grounds of financial hardship, but only 16 out of the 35 granted partial remissions. As a result of the new regulations all education authorities now have arrangements for granting partial as well as total remission of oharges on grounds of financial hardship. In addition 26 authorities now have arrangements for reduced charges for large families as compared with 14 prior to the increase.For the guidance of authorities a model scheme containing provisions for the remission of charges in whole or in part on grounds of financial hardship and for reduced charges for large families was issued on 6th February. Thirteen education authorities accepted the suggestions in the model scheme and the remainder submitted schemes on similar lines.The effect of the provisions for remissions in the model scheme is that when a parent applies for remission his income is assessed in accordance with regulations of the National Assistance Board and if, on this basis, the resource of the household do not exceed the household requirements the whole charge is remitted. When resources exceed requirements by not more than 30s. the charge is remitted except for a sum equal to half of the excess, leaving half a crown out of account. Where the excess is over 30s. the first 30s. is dealt with as described and the remainder of the excess is taken into account.According to returns obtained from education authorities in April, the charge was remitted for 18 per cent. of the children taking school dinners in whole and for 2 per cent. in part. In addition 20 per cent. of the children received meals at the reduced charges for large families.Education authorities have taken steps to make known to parents the revised arrangements for the remission of charges. These steps include the issue of pamphlets, advertisements in the local Press and the dissemination of information through the schools. I hope to have by the end of June further returns from education authorities showing the numbers of children taking dinners in that month and the extent to which charges have been remitted in whole or in part or reduced for large families; and in the light of that return it is proposed to discuss with the Association of County Councils and the Association of Counties of Cities the operation of the arrangements for the remission or reduction of charges.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors he will take into account in assessing the improvement to the economic position of the country before the Government will make a start on a comprehensive scheme of road construction.

Before I can contemplate a substantial increase in expenditure on new roads I must be satisfied, not only that it would not divert resources from primary objectives such as exports, defence, and agricultural production, but also that I can accommodate the financial burden having regard to the level of other Government expenditure.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in appointing the members of the committee which is to undertake a comprehensive review of the causes and effects of air pollution and what further preventive measures are practicable, he will ensure that a sufficient number of those appointed as members will be prominent men of science and qualified and independent fuel technologists.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that there are bombed sites in central London in such a dangerous state that it is easy for children to clamber over the barriers and injure themselves, in some cases fatally, while doing so; and whether he will introduce legislation giving him full powers to ensure that such sites are made inaccessible to children.

I do not think further legislation is needed in view of the existing statutory powers, but if the hon. Member would let me have particulars of any cases he has in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take the necessary action to have a full review made of local government finances, including the possibility of the rating of site values; and whether, to help the poorer local authorities, he will initiate legislation to repeal the de-rating clauses of the 1929 Local Government Acts.

These are important and difficult problems and I cannot at present add anything to what I said on the Second Reading of the Valuation for Rating Bill.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the number of new houses commenced to be built and completed for each of the years from 1945, in Abingdon, and the county of Berkshire, respectively.

This information is given in Appendix B to the Housing Return for 31st March, 1953. I may add that 1952 completions are a record in each case.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce the necessary legislation to make it financially easier for those who wish to do so to buy their own houses.

Local authorities already have power to advance money, and to guarantee repayment of money advanced by building societies, for house purchase. Consultations with local authorities, building societies, and other credit agencies are taking place, with the object of concerting plans for improving these facilities and making them more widely known.

asked the Minister of Health how many day nurseries have been closed during the last year in Abingdon and the county of Berkshire, respectively.

None.

asked the Minister of Health the precise cause, and the full extent, of the recent widespread outbreak of food poisoning in Lancashire.

The precise cause of the outbreak is the consumption of infected meat pies manufactured between 10th and 12th June. The identification of the method of infection of such pies is always difficult and is not yet complete, but the action taken a week ago to stop manufacture and distribution has prevented further spread. 1,131 notifications have been received up to date distributed as follows:

• Lancashire County Districts—740 (23 in hospital).
• Preston—201 (five in hospital).
• Blackpool—187 (four in hospital).
• Blackburn—three.

There have been two deaths. The increase in numbers over those reported last week is mainly due to late notification.

asked the Minister of Health (1) to what extent his regulations provide that county medical officers of health should be responsible for finding institutional accommodation for mentally deficient children;(2) to what extent his regulations provide that regional hospital boards should be responsible for finding institutional accommodation for mentally deficient children.

This is not governed by regulations. The responsibilities of local health authorities under the Mental Deficiency Acts include those of ascertaining which persons in their area are defectives subject to be dealt with under the Acts. They inform regional hospital boards about those who need admission to institutions, and advise on relative urgency of admission. Regional hospital boards arrange with the institutions for the allocation of vacancies in the light of the advice received from local health authorities and their own medical advisers.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps have been taken by him to obtain the opinion of representative industrial organisations as to the desirability of increasing the range of goods vehicles entitled to the maximum speed limit of 30 miles per hour; and whether he will provide a list of those organisations which have expressed themselves as being in favour of this change.

A circular letter was issued in March, 1948, inviting observations from recognised associations, representing the manufacturers and operators of motor vehicles, and from trade unions representing road transport workers and others. Since then representations have been received from time to time from many bodies, mostly in favour but some against. I have recently received more than one joint deputation on behalf of the following organisations, which have actively supported an increase in the speed limit, namely:

• National Union of Manufacturers.
• British Road Federation.
• Federation of British Industries.
• Mansion House Association on Transport.
• Road Haulage Association.
• Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
• Traders Road Transport Federation.
• Traders Traffic Conference.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the report of the Committee of Inquiry into the loss of the "Princess Victoria."

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to Questions addressed to me on this subject by the hon. Members for Down, South (Captain Orr), Anglesey (Mr. C. Hughes) and Mid-Ulster (Mr. O'Neill).

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) under what instrument he has requisitioned three farms at Roberton, Lanarkshire, for military training;(2) what compensation for disturbance he has paid to farmers at Roberton, Lanarkshire, whose production of food is being disturbed by military training;(3) what restrictions he has ordered upon the use of land requisitioned at Roberton, Lanarkshire, for military training purposes;(4) when he will make arrangements to repair damage to field drainage and to hill land caused by the use of the Roberton area, Lanarkshire, for military training.

Four thousand eight hundred and twenty-four acres of land between Douglas and Roberton are used by my Department for general military training. Sixty acres are held on requisition under Defence Regulation 51 and the remainder of the land is used under Defence Regulation 52. It is proposed to acquire this land and planning clearance has been given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. The restrictions which he made affecting agriculture will be strictly observed and are as follows:

"(a) The War Department will not use some 900 acres of land in the training area (coloured yellow on the plan) including about 590 acres of arable land.

(b) The War Department will endeavour to safeguard sheep rearing and agricultural interests as follows: —

(i) They will take all possible steps not to disturb existing tenants and to keep to a minimum interference with the normal agricultural operations in the area.

(ii) Training will be suspended from 15th November to 30th November while from 1st December to 31st December and from 1st March to 15th May training will be restricted so as to ensure that there will be no interference with flocks. Such training will not involve firing, explosions or excessively noisy operations likely to disturb stock. During the periods of restricted training seven days' notice of exercises will be given to the farmers concerned.

(iii) They will respect existing fences. Where it is necessary to make gaps in fences to allow for the passage of tanks they will provide grids to prevent stock from straying from one farm to another.

(iv) They will not touch the steadings and farm buildings.

(v) There will be no displacement of stock.

(vi) They will give adequate warning to shepherds to move their flocks before firing takes place.

(vii) They will maintain hill drains, damaged as a result of their operations, in serviceable order.

(viii) They will make a single place of entry for tanks moving on to the training area so as to avoid breaking up land unnecessarily."

There have been no claims for compensation for disturbance and I have had no report of any damage to field drainage or to hill land.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air the average number of take-offs, on a working day, by aircraft, which take place from the Central Flying School, Royal Air Force, Little Rissington. Gloucestershire.

About 170.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) the number of old age pensioners who were in receipt of National Assistance on a given date in January for each of the years from 1945 until the latest stated date for the constituency of Abingdon and the county of Berkshire, respectively;(2) the number of persons in receipt of National Assistance payments for a given date in January in each of the years from 1945 until the latest stated date, for the constituency of Abingdon and the county of Berkshire, respectively.

The National Assistance Board inform me that figures are not available for these areas.

asked the Minister of Education the number of new schools commenced to be built and completed since 1945 in Abingdon and the county of Berkshire, respectively.

Of the 16 new schools started in the Berkshire County Council's area between 1945 and 30th April, 1953, nine had been completed by the latter date. These figures include three schools started and two completed in Abingdon.