asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what change has taken place in the number of children taking school meals, since the prices of school meals were last increased, in the county of Dunbartonshire; and what is the saving to the education authority;

(2) what change has taken place in the number of children taking school meals, in the burgh of Clydebank, since the prices of these meals were last increased; and what is the saving to the education authority.

The number of children taking school dinners in February in the county as a whole was 7,267, including 1,901 in Clydebank. The corresponding figures for June are 6,036 and 1,530. The whole of the authority's net expenditure on school dinners is reimbursed and accordingly no saving to the authority results from the increase in the charges.

In view of the rising costs of essential foods and of the number of very large families in the county and in Clydebank, does the Secretary of State not think that it would be just as well to reduce the cost of these school meals in order that nutrition may be maintained and the heavy sacrifices that parents are making be rendered unnecessary?

The increased charge barely covers the cost of the food alone. It is, perhaps, interesting to note that in the burgh of Clydebank since April, which was after the imposition of the increase, there has been an increase in the number of those taking school meals from 1,415 to 1,530.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each school in Dundee the percentage drop in the number of school meals taken up since the increase in price.

This information is not available and I should not feel justified in asking the Education Authority for it.

Why not?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman feel it is important to find out whether it is the poorest schools in the cities of this country where the biggest drop in the number of school meals is taking place?

We are dealing with a large city with 66 schools. I can tell the hon. Member the figure for Dundee in the aggregate. In February it was 8,840, in April, 7,905, and in June, 7,958. I am glad to say there was a slight improvement of 53 between April and June.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision exists to enable patients to obtain physiotherapy treatment in the counties of Midlothian and Peebles.

Physiotherapy treatment needed as part of hospital care is normally provided for patients from Midlothian and Peebles at Edinburgh hospitals and associated clinics, at the hospital clinic in Peebles, or at Peel Hospital, Galashiels.

Is the Minister aware of the great hardship which is occasioned to many people with small incomes when they have to be transported into Edinburgh or to Peel Hospital, which sometimes entails a journey of 50 miles, when they can ill afford such an expenditure? Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that for this reason people sometimes stop visiting these hospitals and thereby occasion great delay in their recovery?

I sympathise with the hon. Member's feeling, but this treatment for other than hospital patients is not the responsibility of hospital authorities under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act. The hospital authorities do, however, occasionally provide such treatment for a patient who is unable to travel to hospital.

Would it not be better to build a hospital in the centre of the county of Midlothian, at, say, Dalkeith, as has already been suggested?

That is another question, but I will consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are employed as house stewards in mental hospitals under the National Health Service in Scotland and what is the basis of their remuneration.

There is now no recognised grade of house steward in the Hospital Service, but about 30 officers in mental hospitals are performing duties formerly associated with that designation. A range of administrative salary scales has been negotiated by the Whitley Council, and from these the hospital authorities select a scale appropriate to the responsibilities of each post.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of ambulance vehicles and personnel at present operating under the National Health Service in the county of Midlothian.

There are 34 ambulances in Midlothian of which 24 are manned by 46 full-time employees of the Scottish Ambulance Service. The other 10 vehicles in the Service are run under contract by garage proprietors who supply drivers and attendants as required.

Is the Minister aware that there are still not sufficient of these vehicles, because we find that ambulance drivers are compelled to go round the hospitals collecting patients to bring them home, sometimes to the great detriment of patients who should be transported quickly?

I agree that they should be transported quickly, but conditions differ in different areas, and I hope that it is not entirely unsatisfactory. Apart from Edinburgh and Gorebridge, this work in Midlothian is done by contract.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the apprehension in Clackmannanshire at the danger threatening the county accidents hospital by the loss of its resident doctor; whether he is aware that the mining industry and population is developing rapidly; and whether he will give an assurance that there will be no reduction in the services provided.

There is no intention of reducing the services at this hospital; but, unfortunately, advertisements for a house officer have failed to produce a candidate. I am considering with the hospital authorities what other arrangements can be made, and I will write to the right hon. Gentleman when I know the result.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the decision, or at least the apparent decision, to reduce the status of this hospital on account of the teaching status of the hospital is causing great alarm among the mining population of the area and that the mining population are, in the long run, the consumers so to speak? They are the people who have to be treated there when they have accidents, and they need an assurance that they will not have long to wait for operations nor have to be transported to Glasgow and elsewhere. Do they not need a first-class service of this kind?

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that, while I understand his anxiety, there has been no decision to do away with the house officer post; there is simply the difficulty of filling it. I will certainly keep the right hon. Gentleman informed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the difficulty is due to the alteration in the curriculum of the universities and instead of having a junior student dealing with this work, which is a rather serious matter concerning physical operations, it might be advisable to have a more senior person dealing with this hospital?

I will certainly consider what the right hon. Member has said.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the anticipated dates of commencement and completion for the hydro-electric works embodied in the Moriston Project, No. 23a Constructional Scheme referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No. 23a) Confirmation Order, 1953; the aggregate consumption of cement, bricks, steel, cast-iron and timber for all the works described in the Explanatory Memorandum, Command Paper No. 8854; and what economy in scarce materials has been achieved by revision of the Board's Constructional Scheme No. 23 (Moriston Project) compared with the revised scheme No. 23a.

I am informed by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board that they hope to start construction of the works embodied in Moriston Project No. 23a (Constructional Scheme) next year and to complete them in about four to five years time. The Board estimate that the works will require 15,000 tons of cement, 2,500 tons of steel and 300 standards of timber. The use of bricks and cast iron will be negligible. An estimated saving of 25,000 tons of cement and 1,400 tons of steel will be achieved by carrying out the revised Constructional Scheme No. 23a instead of Constructional Scheme No. 23.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the anticipated load factor of the hydro-electric works embodied in the revised Moriston Project, No. 23a Constructional Scheme; what is the installed capacity in megawatts of this scheme, MWI; and the estimated coal economy equivalent based on that load factor and a conversion rate of 1·31 lb. of coal per unit of electricity generated, generally, in accord with the average conversion rate in 1952 of British Electricity Authority power stations.

I am informed by the Board that the average annual load factor of the Hydro-Electric works embodied in the revised Moriston Project is 43½ per cent. The installed capacity is 56 megawatts and the expected saving in coal at a conversion rate of 1·31 lb. of coal per unit of electricity generated will be about 125,000 tons a year.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in view of the relatively low load factor of this project it would be advisable to give early consideration to the many recommendations made by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board that early electrification of the Perth-Inverness railway line and other railway lines should be carried out with a view to improving the utilisation of capital in these very costly schemes?

I think my not original reply to the supplementary question would be that I should like notice of that.

When the right hon. Gentleman answers the next Question, will he consider the possibility of issuing a White Paper on these Questions?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cost per megawatt installed, £/MWI, respectively, including and excluding capital costs in respect of distribution facilities, for both the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's Constructional Scheme No. 23 (Moriston Project) and the revised Scheme No. 23a, the latter as described in the explanatory memorandum, Command Paper 8854, accompanying S.I., No. 931, laid before Parliament on 9th June, 1953.

I am informed by the Hydro-Electric Board that the estimated capital cost per megawatt installed of Constructional Scheme No. 23 is £50,000 at present day prices and that the cost of the project as amended by Constructional Scheme No. 23a is £232,000. If the cost of transmitting the power to the Board's grid is included the estimated capital costs per megawatt installed of the two schemes are £260,000 and £242,000.

Now that my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) has approved of Highland railways being electrified, can my right hon. Friend say that he now agrees that the previous projects of the Hydro-Electric Board were a good thing?

I agree that if we are to electrify a railway we should have to have something with which to electrify it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those considerations are merely directed to making a somewhat poor scheme rather better?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many protests he has received following the publication of Scottish Education Department Circular No. 269 which seeks to lower the conditions of entry into teacher training colleges; and if he will reconsider this step.

I have received eight so far. Interested parties may, however, make representations until 20th July, after which I will consider all that have been submitted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the opposition is bound to increase after the speech of the Joint Under-Secretary this morning? Can he inform us to what extent the opposition has to go before he can consider the proposal again?

As was stated this morning in Standing Committee, the Educational Institute of Scotland are opposed and four of the eight representations are either from the executive committee or branches of the Educational Institute, but I shall certainly consider all representations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my supplementary question; to what extent must this opposition go before he will reconsider the proposal?

It is very difficult to speak in terms of representations of what makes a majority. I would rather confine myself to saying that I will certainly consider the representations.

Are the protests the right hon. Gentleman received this morning among the eight?

No, they are new ones.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what view the Association of Headmasters of Senior and Secondary Schools and the Association of Headmistresses expressed to him in his discussion with them on the draft regulations accompanying Circular 269.

I have not discussed the draft regulations with these associations, but before publishing them I had considered memoranda from both associations on the general question of the supply of teachers. The memorandum from the Association of Headmasters made no reference to the possibility of a change in the conditions of entry to the training colleges. The memorandum from the Association of Headmistresses suggested a slight relaxation and I understand that they support the proposal in the draft regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement about the negotiations for the sale of cured herring to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

I am glad to be able to inform the House that, following negotiations in Moscow last month, a contract for the sale of cured herring to the U.S.S.R. to the value of approximately £973,000 has been signed by Associated Herring Merchants Limited acting for the Herring Industry Board. In return, my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food has concluded negotiations for the purchase of Russian canned salmon and crab meat to a value equivalent to that of the Herring Contract and the tinplate required. I cannot disclose the total quantity of herring involved, but I am informed by the Board that, allowing for the shortfall on last year's contract and for sales to other countries, they expect that there will be a market for about 280,000 barrels of cured herring from this year's production in Scotland and East Anglia. That is substantially more than last year's total production of 177,000 barrels.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this news will be received with lively satisfaction, not only throughout the herring fishing industry, but in circles far beyond it?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that while this will give satisfaction in existing circumstances, it would be much better if the good food, herring, were more consumed at home and did not need to be exchanged for a less valuable food from abroad?

Whilst agreeing with both hon. Members that this agreement will give the greatest satisfaction everywhere, is it not rather a pity that there was not greater pressure to try to get coarse grains and timber rather than tinned crab, which at 3s. 9d. for 3 oz. is not within the reach of most people in this country? What persistent efforts have been made to get things which are really more necessary for the British consumer and economy?

We have to negotiate the best deal we can. I would of course have welcomed such suggestions as the hon. Member has made, but those who bargained on the other side preferred to deal in crab meat.

May I ask my right hon. Friend to point out to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for East Stirlingshire (Mr. Woodburn) that the herring fishing industry was built up on the export trade, and without the export trade it could not hope to survive, and that therefore this is one of the best things which has ever happened to it?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent his Department is assisting, financially and otherwise, the development of local industry based on seaweed and alginic acid in the Western Isles.

No direct financial assistance is given by my Department for the development of the seaweed industry in the Western Isles, but the industry in general benefits from the work of the Institute of Seaweed Research which is wholly financed by the Government out of the Development Fund.

While we appreciate the progress of the work of this Association, is the right hon. Gentleman aware it is felt that it is high time the Government interested themselves more directly in the development in the Islands of this industry which, according to Lord Bilsland—who is Permanent Secretary of State for Scotland nowadays—will be worth about £15 million a year when fully developed and that it would be a very considerable thing for Scotland?

I agree with the hon. Member that there is great value in the industry, but it is still in the rather early stages.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the plans of the Herring Industry Board for fish-meal processing at Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; and what progress has been made with production of smaller plants, suitable for meal and oil processing or part-processing in such places as the Isle of Barra.

The Herring Industry Board plan to replace the chemical reduction plant at their Stornoway factory by conventional cooking and pressing plant which will recover both meal and oil from the herring. While the Board follow up any technical advances likely to contribute towards the development of plant suitable for dealing with small quantities of herring, at present they know of no plant which they would be justified in providing at places where the landings are as small and spasmodic as in the Isle of Barra.

While appreciating that there are some technical difficulties in the case of Barra and the smaller places, would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is time the Herring Board extended their activities in the processing of oil and fishmeal at Stornoway so that there would be no need for restriction in the herring fishery? Is not it time that the plant was extended on a scale commensurate with that of the North Minch herring fishings based on the Stornoway area, which is the natural centre for such processing in Scotland.

The Herring Board are considering these matters, and I will bring the comments of the hon. Member to their attention.

Is any further consideration being given to the establishment of fishmeal factories at Mallig and Inverness?

These matters have all been considered by the Herring Board. If the landings are at suitable places, it is our intention to continue it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to remove the restrictions imposed in 1951 on the local fishermen regarding the catching and landing of lobsters in the Western Isles; when he intends to improve the fishery protection against foreign vessels in the island waters; and whether he will consider again the request of the Uist fishermen for a closed season.

The Sea Fishing Industry (Crabs and Lobsters) Order, 1951, which prescribes the minimum size of lobsters which may be landed and prohibits the landing of berried lobsters, applies to Great Britain as a whole and there is no power to exempt any area from its operation. As regards the prevention of illegal fishing by foreign vessels, I am not satisfied that the existing patrol of the inshore waters needs to be strengthened. Nor do I consider that the institution of a close season for lobster fishing is justified.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this absurd Order introduced by his predecessor—and continued as absurdly by him—is really of no value or sense in an area where the common complaint is that lobsters are too big? Is he aware that if there were a closed season for fishing to allow lobsters to grow up in the areas where they are too small it might help to conserve the lobster rather than frustrate this purpose? Is he aware also that Frenchmen, Belgians and every other type of trawlermen are coming into that area and taking lobsters of all sizes, berried or unberried?

Only two French skippers were convicted in 1951 and two in 1952. The only complaint we have received this year appears on investigation to have no substance. As to the suggestion of a close season I understand that it would be ineffective, because I am reliably informed that lobsters carry spawn for 10 months in the year and they may be any 10 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he intends to take to provide hospital accommodation and care for the aged, sick and infirm and reduce the long waiting list which exists in many parts of Scotland.

The hospital authorities are doing everything possible, within the limits of their resources and having regard to other pressing needs, to provide additional accommodation for patients in this category. I know that the local authorities for their part appreciate the need for more residential accommodation for infirm people not requiring hospital care, and also the importance of domiciliary nursing and other services in making it possible for many infirm people to remain in their own homes.

I accept that the local authorities are doing a marvellous job for the aged people. But can the Minister tell me what schemes are in operation? So far as I can gather, once a person gets to a certain age and is sick no one wants anything to do with him, even in hospital. Can the Minister give any information about the type of scheme operated by regional boards in the country?

The regional boards are endeavouring to make the best use of existing facilities by adopting more intensive methods of treatment. Also, we wish to organise home aid or help so that people may be looked after in their own homes instead of occupying hospital beds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has taken note of the recommendation contained in the Eighth Report of the Select Committee on Estimates, that the Scottish Education Department should contain a separate branch in which architects, administrators and inspectors should work together in order to further the school building programme; and if he proposes to give effect to this recommendation.

Yes, Sir. I set up in the Department last April a building development team on the lines recommended in the Select Committee's Eighth Report.

That is very welcome news. I am sure we all hope it will speed up the school building programme in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will urge local education authorities to establish consultative committees, on which teachers in their employment will be represented, to deal with the planning and design of new schools.

In my recent circular on School Building I said that it was desirable that at various stages the education authority should arrange to obtain advice on the planning of the school from experienced teachers who have had service in the type of school to be built and, if possible, in a new school building. I think that this method of consultation is likely to be more effective than the establishment of consultative committees.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the one-man mechanical potato harvester exhibited at the Royal Highland Show; and whether he will investigate its use to replace child labour for the potato harvest.

The machine referred to has been submitted to the British Society for Research in Agricultural Engineering for test this autumn. Until the result of the test is known I cannot say what effect the use of the machine may eventually have on the employment of school children for the potato harvest.

When considering the results of these tests, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this matter should not be treated purely on an economic basis but in relation to the urgent need to get rid of this form of child labour in Scotland?

It will be considered very carefully, but it is too early for me to say at the present time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman amplify the reason why this is to be tested by the British Society? The problem of separating clay and stones from the potatoes is peculiar to Scotland. Surely the proper place for this to be tested is at the Scottish Research Stations, or in the fields?

I think the first thing we have to do is to wait until the potatoes are ready for research.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that farmers are just as anxious as anyone else to find a suitable machine, but those who have seen this machine at the Highland shows are not satisfied yet that this is the answer to a difficult problem?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Report of the Dental Advisory Committee on dental facilities in Scottish hospitals has now been considered; and what decisions have been reached.

This Report, which was submitted before I took office, relates mainly to the long-term development of dental facilities in the Hospital Service. The limited resources available for hospital developments must, I am afraid, continue for some time to be devoted to more urgent matters, and accordingly decisions on specific recommendations in the Report would be premature.

Will the right hon. Gentleman in his future consultations with the dental profession seek their cooperation in an effort not merely to provide these facilities for the patients at the hospitals but also to select a few hospitals on an area basis and make these facilities available for members of the general public who at night and at inconvenient hours require some treatment for the relief of pain?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that I shall be glad to start consultations as soon as we are in a position to make some progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the recommendation of the Scottish Health Services Council in favour of dissolving the Standing Advisory Committee on Health Centres; and if a decision has yet been made.

I have decided not to amend the Statutory Order constituting Standing Advisory Committees at the present time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman reply to the specific point which I make about the recommendation about health centres? Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that he has not accepted the recommendation?

My reason is that they may be of value to us later, but at present I agree that they are in what one might call a state of suspended animation. I will keep the matter under review. We may desire to use their services later.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that it was accepted on both sides of the House that the establishment of health centres would be an integral part of the Health Service? Will he resist strenuously the suggestion made by the Medical Council on this matter and follow the good example set by Edinburgh only two or three weeks ago?

I have said that I am not taking action at present because I feel that these bodies may be of use to us in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many surface air-raid shelters still exist; and how far the work of their demolition continues or has been suspended.

About 15,000 surface air-raid shelters are still in existence in Scotland. Demolition of shelters by local authorities was suspended in 1948, and is now carried out only when a shelter is a danger to public health or is structurally dangerous.

Is the Minister aware of the increasing nuisance caused by these shelters, and will he endeavour to encourage local athorities to take action?

There is a reason for not proceeding with demolition, as the hon. Gentleman will agree.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why herrings, consigned by the Herring Industry Board to the oil plant on Wick Harbour, are sent by road or rail from Fraserburgh and Peterhead instead of by sea which woud be quicker and cheaper.

Herring from Fraserburgh and Peterhead are sent only occasionally to the reduction factory at Wick and it is cheaper to use rail or road transport than to keep suitable ships standing by against this contingency. The use of fishing vessels is also more expensive as it involves the loss of one or two nights' fishing.

Is not it the case that there will be no need to keep ships standing by? Would not it be simple to wireless the fishing fleet, which is generally fishing halfway between Wick and Fraserburgh, and pay the men 5s. a cran more to discharge at Wick rather than subject the herrings to a journey of 300 miles, tearing up the roads, and at high cost to the taxpayer?

A very small number of crans of herring have proceeded to Wick by road or rail. I really do not think that this is a matter which necessitates any change in the present practice.

Will my right hon. Friend look again at the information he has received, because to my certain knowledge there have been 300 road vehicles on this job on one shipment?

That is news to me. If the hon. Member will give me the information I will certainly look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what investigations he has made into peat processing by the most economical and efficient methods for private consumption; and whether he will make a statement.

I understand that Sir Edward Appleton's Committee have studied all the main methods of peat production and processing, and I hope to receive their report in the near future.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if peat could be made into dry combustible blocks, which are easily transportable, it would be a great boon to the people? Does he appreciate that the Danes have gone very far in developing a machine which does this work, and can he look further into the problem?

We are certainly inquiring into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now given further consideration to the Inverness County Council resolution concerning the electrification of Highland railways.

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State on 16th June.

In view of the answers which my right hon. Friend gave to the Questions about hydro-electricity, will he give every possible support to this suggestion?

I would rather consider the matter before giving it my support. I have not yet received the resolution referred to and, not being an expert like the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro), I am not sure about the question of electrical supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in the negotiations on the wages of auxiliary nurses in Scottish hospitals.

There has been difficulty in the past in negotiating salaries for nursing auxiliaries because the Staff Side of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council were unwilling to accept responsibility for them. This difficulty has been resolved and I understand that the Staff Side submitted on 25th June a claim for increased salaries for this grade with retrospective effect from 1st June, 1952 Negotiations on the Council can therefore now proceed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the extent of the increase agreed to? For instance, can he say how much an hour it is?

It depends on the scales. I think I am right in that, but if the hon. Member would write to me I should be glad to give him full information.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in which rural parishes in the crofting counties the population is estimated to be increasing.

I am sending the hon. Member a note of the 26 parishes in the seven crofting counties which show an increase in population between the 1931 and 1951 census.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that in point of fact in nearly all the purely agricultural parishes the population is falling? Therefore, would he agree that there is a strong case for reconsidering the proposition to set up some sort of development board to the area?

That is another question. It is true that in the landward areas of the seven counties there have been falls. I am sending the hon. Gentleman a note of the districts about which he asks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that in many parts of the Highlands milk has to be imported; and if he will take steps to encourage local production.

I am aware of this problem, which is being examined by the Department of Agriculture in preparation for further consultation with the Highland Panel.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any further progress has been made with the idea of setting up experimental exhibition farms to show the people of the Highlands what can be done in this respect in their areas?

I would rather let the right hon. Gentleman know later about that, if he is interested. We are investigating the problem now.

asked the Minister of Pensions what progress he has made to date towards extending the existing regulations for the provision of motor-tricycles to pensioners whose legs have been amputated below, instead of above, the knee.

I regret that it has not been found possible at the present time to extend the provision for the supply of motor-tricycles beyond the categories of severely disabled war pensioners referred to in my reply to the hon. and learned Member on 3rd March.

Does the Minister realise that his continued refusal to grant this concession is imposing great and continuing injury on a large number of people who have suffered the loss of legs below the knee, and that the discrimination between them and those who have lost a leg above the knee is artificial and unfair? Will he do something about it?

As the hon. and learned Member knows, this very difficult problem was considered carefully by the last Government before they decided on the present category. So far I have not been able to think of a fairer line to draw without creating a good many more anomalies. If an amputee with a double amputation below the knee needs a motor-tricycle in order to get to work, he is eligible for consideration. Alternatively, if his amputations are so severe as to amount to the loss of the use of both limbs, again he can be considered. I realise that this problem invokes the utmost sympathy from us all and, though the decision may have to be an adverse one, my Ministry—or perhaps in view of the Motion on the Order Paper today I should say the Government—will not close its mind permanently to this further consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions what action he will take, arising from the large increase in the number of disabled ex-Service pensioners now shown to be drawing National Assistance.

The increase in question is in line with the increase in the total number of persons receiving National Assistance. Our experience is that in general the need for National Assistance arises from causes other than war-disablement, but my welfare officers, who are in close touch with the National Assistance Board and employment exchanges, are always anxious to help and advise pensioners who are in any difficulty.

As the latest figures show that there are 21,700 disabled ex-Service men drawing National Assistance, an increase of 3,200 in 12 months, does this not indicate that the country is not adequately fulfilling its debt of honour to these men?

One is very sorry that there should be any increase, but we must keep the figures in perspective. As a proportion of the total number of disabled, this is an increase of ·5 of 1 per cent., from 2 ·7 to 3·2. I believe that the majority of these men are persons whose war disability is only part of their aggregate disability, and it is usually a small part, and that makes the category extremely difficult to help more than I have been able to help it.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree with the figures given by my hon. and gallant Friend?

I believe the figures given by the hon. and gallant Gentleman are correct, there being an increase of 3,000 in the total, but as a proportion of the total war disabled, that is an increase of only ·5 of 1 per cent.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I hope to raise the matter again a little later, today perhaps.

asked the Secretary of State for War what financial loss was suffered by Private John Edward Nicholson in consequence of the court-martial sentence of 28 days' detention which was passed upon him at Chester on 18th May; and whether, in view of the findings of the inquiry into the death in Moston Hall Military Hospital of Private Donald Harrison, he will consider expunging the record in the case of Private Nicholson, grant him his discharge from the Service, and reimburse him for any financial loss he sustained in consequence of the sentence imposed upon him.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the later developments concerning the case of the late Private Donald Harrison, he will arrange to have expunged the record of the court-martial at Chester, on 18th May, of Private John Edward Nicholson.

No, Sir. This was not the right way to bring the facts to light. In any case this man went absent twice and, if his action was solely to draw attention to this case, neither the length of his absence nor its repetition can be justified on these grounds. As a result of his two periods of absence and his subsequent conviction this soldier forfeited £26 5s.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the soldier performed a public duty in bringing to light the inhuman treatment to which his colleague had been subjected, that he need not have done it, and that the matter would never have been brought to light and would never have been known if the soldier had not done what he did? Does not the right hon. Gentleman feel that in the circumstances the least the War Office can do is to reimburse the man for the pay he lost while in detention?

The man could have gone to his G.O.C.-in-C. or, if he had wished, written to his Member of Parliament. Assuming that he wished to do neither of those things and thought that absence without leave was the only way of doing it, all he had to do was to go absent for one day and then demand a court-martial and it would have been his. This does not excuse two periods of absence far in excess of the minimum demanded for a court-martial.

asked the Secretary of State for War on whose instructions the cypher, E VII R, at the gates of the Royal Military Police Barracks in Kensington Church Street, London, has been changed to E II R; and what steps he is taking to prevent the further mutilation of War Department property.

On a point of order. My Question should now ask why the cypher was changed to E II R, because the day after the Question was handed in it was changed back to E VII R.

I hope that my reply will answer the amended Question. It is that this was unauthorised local initiative and I have issued orders for the original cypher to be put back.

Does my right hon. Friend believe that this indicates the emergence of an English National Party?

I should not like to embark upon that matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek from the Monopolies Commission information on the amount of money that was paid to the Swedish Match Company for reducing the supply of matches to this country in 1951; and the sum that was paid to the Finnish manufacturers of match-making machinery for restricting the supply of machinery.

The hon. Member will find the various payments due in 1951 between the British Match Corporation and the Swedish Match Corporation set out under each clause of the Agreement in Appendix 6 of the Monopolies Commission's Report. As regards the second part of the Question, the annual sum paid to the Finnish manufacturers of match-making machinery, as shown in paragraph 86 of the Report, is 12,500 Swedish kroner. In 1951 the sterling equivalent of this sum was £864 18s. 9d.

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us why the Commission have left this important information out of their Report? Is he not aware that the money paid to the Swedish and Finnish manufacturers comes from the pockets of our taxpayers? How long is this to go on?

The hon. Gentleman must have misunderstood my answer. So far from the information being left out of the Report, I quoted the two passages in the Report where he will find the figures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the scheme for expenditure of the Counterpart of Conditional Aid Funds in accordance with the arrangements recorded in Command Paper No. 8776.

I apologise for the length of the answer.

Since the publication of the White Paper, there have been extensive consultations with industrial and research organisations and the Trades Union Congress, educational institutions, and other interests, and considerable progress has been made in formulating detailed proposals under the various heads of the Foreign Secretary's Note of 25th February. The applications received considerably exceed the funds available and a careful selection is being made accordingly.

Consultations have also taken place with the Special Mission to the United Kingdom of the Mutual Security Agency. I hope that it will be possible to announce the final programme soon. A Supplementary Estimate will be presented to Parliament next month in order to give general authority for the operation of conditional aid schemes. Meanwhile, any urgent preliminary expenditure will be met as necessary from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us whether it is the Government's intention to give priority to smaller concerns, as has been suggested?

I should not like to enter into further details. I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to await the further statement that I have foreshadowed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the failure of banks in Sheffield to meet the demand for Coronation crown-pieces; and if he will take steps to remedy this or arrange for their distribution through the post offices or other channels.

I am making inquiries in connection with an individual case of difficulty which the hon. Member has brought to my notice. As regards the general issue, I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement made on 3rd June, that orders for crowns would be accepted by the banks up to 30th June within a total limit of 5 million pieces. I am afraid that, in view of the very heavy demands of the Royal Mint's normal programme of work, I cannot extend the time limit beyond 30th June, or make available, at this very late stage, additional channels of distribution.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the careful consideration of the individual case, but would he consider extending the date in Sheffield for a short period because there may well be others who have had their orders refused by the banks and, as today is the last day, there will not be time to acquaint them of the new information?

I am extremely sorry, but owing to the circumstances which I have described I am afraid I cannot extend the date any further.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what trade bodies were consulted by, and agreed with, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise in fixing Purchase Tax rates for such borderline cases as the dog with the corkscrew tail; and why one part of the dog's anatomy results in the imposition of a 75 per cent. tax rate, while another part of the same animal should escape with a 25 per cent. imposition.

There have been general consultations with the fancy goods trade, but there was no agreement governing the treatment of this article. Under the Statutory Tax Schedule the 75 per cent. rate applies to a corkscrew which is in the form of a figure, but the 25 per cent. rate applies to corkscrews which are merely decorated with figures. Anatomical considerations do not arise.

As the corkscrew which bears 25 per cent. tax is useless, does not the Chancellor agree that Purchase Tax, as now interpreted, ensures that the market is flooded with unsaleable goods?

It depends how the corkscrew is conceived.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to be able to give a decision in the dispute between Miss Goodwin and the Hove Borough Council with regard to proposed building operations at 12, Hove Street, Hove.

The decision—in Miss Goodwin's favour—was given on 25th June.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he has given recently to local authorities on the need to rehouse persons occupying requisitioned properties.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular issued to local authorities and a copy of the Working Party's Report referred to therein. A further circular will be issued when my right hon. Friend has fully considered the Working Party's Second Report, which he has recently received.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that the progress hitherto made in derequisitioning private dwelling-houses has been unnecessarily slow, and will he keep an eye on the matter?

My hon. Friend is not satisfied with the progress of derequisitioning, but he will not be announcing any further action until he has considered this Second Report of the Working Party.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary give instructions to local authorities that before they ask for derequisitioning they should make certain that the tenants are offered alternative accommodation suitable to them rather than accommodation which the local authority desires to put them into?

I will convey that to my right hon. Friend, but there is no point in derequisitioning houses without having regard to the people living in them, and it is the duty of the local authorities, perhaps, to pay slightly more attention to the rehousing of the people in derequisitioned properties in the future than they have in the past.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that most of these requisitioned houses are in blitzed towns and cities and that it is very difficult for such borough councils to find satisfactory accommodation? Will the hon. Gentleman see that no pressure is put upon the authorities to derequisition if they have no satisfactory accommodation available?

It may be difficult, but, in all equity, some sort of effort must be made.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government at what stage between planning and completion a house becomes a new tradition house in his Department's definition.

Houses, like skirts, acquire the old or the new look at the drawing-board stage.

Will my hon. Friend tell us at what stage in his Department's parlance a non-traditional house becomes a new tradition house and at what stage a new tradition house becomes a traditional house?

A "new tradition" house is the new name for a non-traditional house.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he anticipates being able, before the Houses rises for the Summer Recess, to make a statement on the control, under the Building Materials and Housing Act, 1945, of the selling price of houses built under licence.

My right hon. Friend is sorry that he cannot add to the answer he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 16th June.

In view of the important considerations involved, can we be assured that the statement will be made in good time so that the House can consider it before any changes have to be made effective?

Yes, I will convey that to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the report of his public inquiry, held on 13th February, 1952, into the city of Canterbury's development plan is to be published.

My right hon. Friend's formal approval will he hopes be issued in the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now make a further statement as to the progress of the preliminary work on the scheme for the provision of piped water and main drainage for the district of Reepham in the county of Norfolk.

After sinking and testing a borehole, the council are preparing the water supply scheme. My right hon. Friend cannot yet add to the information he gave on 12th May about the sewerage scheme.

In view of the inter-dependence of the two parts of the scheme, can we have an assurance that approval or encouragement of the drainage scheme will be given as quickly as the approval of the water scheme?

We do not yet know the cost of the water supply proposals or the technical details of them, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that sympathetic consideration—I will not go further than that—will be given to the matter.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused in Victoria Park, Cardiff, by the continued emission of grit from the Ely Paper Works, Cardiff; and what action he is taking in the matter.

My right hon. Friend has had no complaints since 1949. If the hon. Member will supply him with particulars, he will have inquiries made.

Is the Minister aware that this difficulty was largely removed in 1949 as a result of Questions and answers in this House, but that once again the people are being grievously worried? I will supply the hon. Gentleman with the information.