asked the Minister of Works the total attendance at the Battersea Pleasure Gardens this season; how this compares with a similar period in 1952; what were the attendance and receipts during the period of reduced admission charge; and what were the comparable figures for 1952.

2,155,233 persons attended the Festival Pleasure Gardens in the 1953 season, which was 265,753 less than the attendance in 1952.The average daily attendance during the period of reduced admission charge was 17,179 compared with 12,029 during the similar period last year. The average daily receipts from the reduced admission charge at 6d. were £420, which compares with the average daily receipts of £510 in 1952, when the reduced charge was 1s.

asked the Minister of Works what decision has been finally taken with regard to the construction of new offices for the Embassy at Rome; and whether they are to be on the Porta Pia site or in the grounds of the present Embassy.

The new Embassy offices at Rome are to be built on the Porta Pia site when money is available.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the success of the alterations to Alexandra Gate permitting vehicles to leave Hyde Park two abreast, he will take similar steps to widen the exit at Hyde Park Corner.

I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport that merely to widen the park gates at Hyde Park Corner would not improve traffic conditions. A comprehensive plan of traffic improvements at Hyde Park Corner has been prepared, but must wait until money is available.

asked the Minister of Works whether a start has yet been made in repairing the Scottish Office at Dover House, Whitehall.

Work started on Dover House at the end of July. I regret to say that on opening up the building very considerable repairs have been found to be necessary.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will arrange to have one room or compartment of a room in the Palace of Westminster maintained at a temperature higher than the standard temperature at which those parts of the Palace set aside for the use of hon. Members are now maintained.

Our aim is to keep the Palace of Westminster at a temperature which is generally acceptable. This appears to be about 66°, being raised slightly during a long night Sitting. I recognise, however, that some hon. Members may prefer a slightly higher temperature.I am, therefore, arranging for one writing room to be kept at a temperature of approximately 69°. The most convenient would seem to be the Members' Writing Room, Lower Waiting Hall, and a notice drawing attention to this arrangement will be posted up in that room. I hope that this will meet the convenience of my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War why widows of officers serving on a short service commission do not receive the full gratuity earned by their husbands.

The short service gratuity, like all terminal awards in the Army, is payable to the officer himself, when he completes the service he has undertaken, to help his resettlement in civil life. Separate provision exists for widows.

asked the Secretary of State for War why majors and above are ineligible to receive the award of the Military Cross, when officers of equivalent rank in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force are eligible for the equivalent decorations of the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross, respectively; and whether he will take steps to remove this anomaly.

Substantive majors are now eligible for this award.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet decided whether the conditions to which the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948, applies, prevail as respects the supply in Great Britain of electrical equipment to motor cars; and if he will now refer the matter to the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission.

My right hon. Friend will bear this question in mind in choosing matters for reference to the Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement regarding further references, to the Monopolies Commission.

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce at least one new reference soon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future of the regional export officers employed by his Department.

Regional controllers of the Board of Trade are devoting increased attention to the work of export promotion and the export sections of a number of regional offices have been strengthened. The title of regional export officer has been discontinued, but the work is being vigorously developed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be able to present an up-to-date White Paper on progress in the Development Areas.

My right hon. Friend will certainly consider the desirability of publishing from time to time a White Paper on progress in the Development Areas. In view, however, of the full discussion which has taken place in the House during the last year he doubts whether a White Paper is called for at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultation there was with his Department before Messrs. Price Tailors, Limited, announced their decision to close their Sunderland Trading Estates factory.

I understand that Messrs. Prices had informed North-Eastern Trading Estates, Limited, shortly before giving notice to their employees, that they were seeking to dispose of their tenancy of this factory. They did not consult us about their decision to close down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about his plan to give tariff protection to British horticulture without simultaneously raising a tariff against Empire produce.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friends the Members for South Angus (Captain Duncan) and Norfolk, Central (Brigadier Medlicott), on 22nd October, and to the statement made today by my right hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Monopolies Commission's report on imported hardwood and softwood timber and plywood will be published; and if he will make a statement about the contents of the report.

The Report was published today. The Commission have found that conditions to which the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948, apply prevail as respects the supply of the three classes of goods covered by their inquiry, since, in each case, more than one-third of the total is supplied by importers who so conduct their affairs as to restrict competition.The Commission explain that, although the trade as a whole is competitive on price, the channels through which most timber is imported into the United Kingdom are regulated by the use of a system of "Approved Lists." There are three such lists, one for European softwood, one for hardwood, and one for plywood. The lists contain the names of United Kingdom agents employed by overseas shippers and of United Kingdom importers.The agents on each list undertake to negotiate sales of the timber covered by the list only to importers on the list, and the importers on each list to buy such timber only through agents on the list. (In practice, "listed" agents act also only on behalf of shippers who confine all their sales in the United Kingdom to "listed" importers.) A trader who is refused admission to the lists thus has little opportunity to deal in the three main classes of timber except as a non-importing merchant.Admission to the lists is controlled by joint committees of agents and importers elected by members of affiliated or constituent bodies of the Timber Trade Federation (T.T.F.), but does not in every case depend on membership of these bodies. The joint committees have regard to certain general criteria when considering the addition or deletion of names, but have a wide discretion. Although the arrangements for administering the three lists are not identical in all respects, their common effect is to deny admission to users and to smaller merchants.The Commission consider that in this trade the services of agents and importers are real and in the majority of cases indispensable. They think that, except in the case of hardwood, the great bulk of imports would probably have passed through the same channels even if the "Approved List" system had not existed; nor do they consider that the restriction of competition inherent in the system has raised prices to any substantial extent. The Commission note the existence of some criticism of the way in which the lists are administered, but find no evidence of deliberate partiality in this respect.In the Commission's view, however, the tendency of the system has been in the direction of increasing rigidity; and as a result the structure of the trade in timber has been forced, and may be forced yet further, towards an inflexible, conventional pattern. This hampers the ability of traders to expand and change the character of their business; the introduction of fresh resources from outside the trade is hindered; and those users who wish to do so cannot adopt methods of purchase which in their view would be more economical.Other relevant points are:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give further consideration to a reduction in the rates of Purchase Tax on silverware and cutlery, in view of the difficulties experienced by these industries.

Representations on this subject have recently been made to me by the trade and they will certainly receive careful consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give particulars of the capital structure of the United Steel Companies, Limited, prior to the recent capital reorganisation authorised by the Treasury; and the reasons for this reorganisation.

The issued capital of the United Steel Companies, Limited, prior to the recent capital reorganisation comprised £5,097,000 4½ per cent. cumulative preference stock and £10,194,000 ordinary stock. The capital reorganisation included issues of shares in capitalisation of reserves and issues of securities to the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency for cash.The issues in capitalisation of reserves were to make the nominal value of the share capital correspond more closely to its real value. The issues for cash were to enable the company to repay sums borrowed from the Agency for capital development and to meet further capital development already planned. The overriding purpose was to facilitate the return of the undertaking to private ownership.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the percentages of the total capital of the United Steel Companies, Limited, represented by the debenture stock, preference shares and ordinary shares, respectively, before and after the reorganisation.

Before the reorganisation one-third of the issued capital, at par value, was in cumulative preference stock and two-thirds in ordinary stock. Since the reorganisation the loan and issued share capital at par values is made up of approximately 30 per cent. debenture stock, 28 per cent. preference shares and 42 per cent. ordinary shares. A calculation on other than par values would, of course, produce somewhat different percentages.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has now considered the letter from the Scottish Football Association dealing with the effect of the 1952 Budget increase in entertainment tax on association football clubs; and if he is prepared to make a statement on the matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to a written question by the right hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Wheatley) on 20th October.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the monthly figures of cinema attendances and entertainments

			1952		1953
Month			Receipts	Estimated Dutiable Admissions	Receipts	Estimated Dutiable Admissions
			£ million	Million	£ million	Million
April	…	…	3·34	298	3·36	294
May	…	…	3·30		3·07
June	…	…	2·95		3·13
July	…	…	2·72	305	2·98	290 (provisional)
August	…	…	3·60		3·16
September	…	…	3·29		3·23
TOTAL	…	…	19·20	603	18·93	584 (provisional)
Monthly figures of dutiable admissions to cinemas are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the annual average of amounts received by this country from the United States of America, whether by loan, grant, or military aid, in the periods July, 1945, to October, 1951, and October, 1951, to October, 1953, respectively.

The average amount was rather more than $1,000 million per annum in the first period and rather less than $400 million per annum in the second. These figures do not include Lend-Lease supplies received between 1st July, 1945 and V-J-Day, or aid in the form of military equipment which is not evaluated on transfer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the recent decision of the South African Government to end discriminating import controls which have, hitherto, operated in favour of the United Kingdom and against goods from the dollar area.

As stated by the South African Minister of Finance on 16th October, the South African Government has decided to end, with effect from the beginning of next year, the Union's present discrimination against

The answer is as follows:imports from the dollar area. At the same time, the South African Government has agreed to renew the guarantee of gold sales to the United Kingdom to the value of £50 million in 1954. South Africa is in a special position in the sterling area, and does not draw upon the central gold and dollar reserves, but provides her dollar requirements from her own resources. Nevertheless, the Union's guarantee of minimum gold sales to the United Kingdom in recent years has been a valuable contribution to the central reserves and we are grateful for the part South Africa has played, together with other Commonwealth countries, in helping to improve the position of sterling.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the request made to him by certain retail and wholesale traders, that any change in the operation of Purchase Tax, shall be arranged to operate as from the beginning of January in preference to the present post-Budget arrangement; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, and I will certainly bear these representations carefully in mind in coming to a decision on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount received by his Department in 1950, 1951 and 1952 from the bookmakers' licence duty in respect of on-the-course bookmakers at horse racecourses, on-the-course bookmakers at greyhound racecourses and bookmakers with offices, respectively.

The receipts from bookmakers' licence duty paid by bookmakers operating at greyhound racecourses during 1950, 1951 and 1952 were:

				£
1950	…	…	…	2,235,624
1951	…	…	…	1,939,645
1952	…	…	…	1,882,569

No bookmakers' licence duty is payable in respect of betting at horse racecourses or through bookmakers' offices.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how soon he anticipates receiving the report of the committee which is investigating the various causes of the pollution of the River Thames.

Extensive further research will be needed before the Committee are likely to be in a position to make a full report. But one point which has already been made clear is the desirability of additional purification being provided for London's sewage. My right hon. Friend told the London County Council a few months ago that he would be prepared to authorise the carrying out of their scheme for installing this extra purification plant as soon as they were ready to proceed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the damage caused at Amroth, Pembrokeshire, by the storms in September; and what steps he is taking to safeguard the village against encroachments by the sea during the coming winter.

Yes, and emergency measures to remedy the damage have been carried out. The Narbeth Rural District Council, who are the responsible coast protection authority under the Coast Protection Act, 1949, have in hand a scheme of permanent works, estimated to cost £49,000, to protect the western end of Amroth.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when it is proposed to issue regulations raising the maximum daily payment for members of local authorities to 30s.

My right hon. Friend assumes that the hon. Member is referring to financial loss allowances. He has written to the local authority associations to say that he proposes to make regulations increasing the maximum rate to the amount mentioned in the Question.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will place a model, showing the proposed lay-out of the South Bank, in the Tea Room.

Through the courtesy of the London County Council I have arranged for a model to be available and it has been placed in the colonnade entrance, where it will remain for tomorrow and the day after.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much has been paid in grants under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts of 1944 and 1951, during the first six months of 1953, compared with the first six months of 1952 and 1951.

For the first six months of this year the figure for England and Wales was £1,914,378. The figure for the corresponding period of 1952 was £1,518,727 and for 1951 it was £862,528.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to lay before the House regulations made under the Local Government Superannuation Act, 1953.

My right hon. Friend hopes to lay the regulations early in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he proposes to take to review the distribution of equalisation grants in order to assist those cities like Newcastle-upon-Tyne who receive no equalisation grant at all.

My right hon. Friend is in consultation with the associations of local authorities and awaits their final views on the report of the committee. He cannot anticipate the terms of a White Paper which will in due course be laid before the House.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what guidance has been given by his Department to valuers in the Inland Revenue as to how they shall apply the revised basis of valuation for some residential property contained in the Valuation for Rating Act, 1953.

None, but I understand that the Inland Revenue, in accordance with the usual practice, have given their staff some explanatory notes on the interpretation of the Act.

asked the Minister of Education the number of classes in primary schools in Wales with over 40 and 50, respectively, on the register for each of the years 1951 and 1952, and at the most recent convenient date in October this year.

In January, 1951, there were 589 classes with over 40 pupils, including 22 classes with over 50 pupils in maintained primary schools in Wales. The comparable figures for January, 1952, and January, 1953, were 715 and 26, and 816 and 21, respectively. No more recent figures are available.

asked the Minister of Education the number of students, men and women, respectively, who were admitted to teachers' training colleges without formal academic qualifications during the sessions 1951–52 and 1952–53, respectively.

115 men and 339 women students were admitted to training colleges in 1951–52 with the special permission of area training organisations because they had not passed one of the examinations specified in the regulations. The corresponding figures for 1952–53 were 213 men and 562 women.

asked the Minister of Education the terms of reference of the inquiry at present being conducted by the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers into the supply of science teachers.

The National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers set up a year ago a sub-committee with wide powers to investigate the employment of graduate teachers in grant-aided schools. The present inquiry covers all factors affecting the supply and requirement of graduate teachers of mathematics and science.

asked the Minister of Education what steps have been taken in consequence of the Tweeds-muir Report on the future of the Imperial Institute.

An Order in Council of 1st August, 1953, reconstituted the governing body of the Imperial Institute, providing for an independent chairman and for a larger number of independent members. These changes met, in part, the suggestions contained in the Tweeds-muir Report. The new governing body has been constituted under the chairmanship of Viscount Hudson. The governing body, in conjunction with the new Director of the Institute, who took office at the beginning of the year, are considering how far it would be practicable and desirable, within the limits of the resources available to them, to give effect to the other recommendations of the Tweeds-muir Report.

asked the Minister of Food the percentage increase in food prices in each of the past seven years; the respective annual rate of food subsidies in each, of those years; and the percentage increase or decrease in the prices of imported food in the same period.

The following table gives the available information. The changes in retail prices are based on the old Cost-of-Living Index up to May, 1947, and thereafter on the Interim Index of Retail Prices which superseded it, and was itself revised in January, 1952. No general measure of import prices is available for the years before 1949, when the present Import Prices Index was introduced. The food subsidy figure given for each year relates to the financial year beginning in April of that year.

Year		Annual Percentage Changes		Food Subsidy
		Food Retail Prices Increase or Decrease	Import Prices of Food and Drink Increase or Decrease	£ millions
1946	…	- 0·6	n.a	325
1947	…	- 0·6	n.a	392
1948	…	+ 4·4	n.a	484
1949	…	+ 11·1	+ 4	425
1950	…	+ 5·5	+ 12	400
1951	…	+ 18·0	+ 12	414
1952	…	+ 9·2	- 4	335
1953
(7 months)		+ 2·3	- 1	n.a

asked the Minister of Food whether he has received the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Slaughter of Horses; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Sir T. Moore) on 20th October.

asked the Minister of Food how much he expects to recover towards the reduction of the food subsidy during the year 1953–54 and in a full year, respectively, by the removal of the subsidy on sugar.

The removal of the sugar subsidy on 6th September last saved £400,000 up to 26th September, from which date control of distribution was withdrawn. Upon the basis of the assumptions made in my Department's Estimates for 1953–54 the decontrol of sugar would save subsidy at the rate of about £5 million in a full year.

asked the Minister of Food how much he expects to recoup towards the reduction of the food subsidy during the year 1953–54 and in a full year, respectively, by the recent increase in the price of butter.

On the basis of the current level of distribution, about £7 million in 1953–54 and £12¼ million in a full year.

asked the Minister of Food how much he expects to recoup towards the reduction of the food subsidy during the year 1953–54 and in a full year, respectively, by the recent increase on the price of margarine.

On the basis of the current level of distribution, about £3½ million in 1953–54 and about £6½ million in a full year.

asked the Minister of Food how much he expects to recoup towards the reduction of the food subsidy during the year 1953–54 and in a full year, respectively, by the recent increase in the price of cooking fats.

On the basis of the current level of distribution, about £2 million in 1953–54 and £3¼ million in a full year.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the manufacture of ice lollipops is not harmful to health.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Exchange (Mrs. Braddock) on 26th October, 1953.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement about his recent visit to Woomera in connection with the guided rocket programme and his discussions with the Australian Government on this subject.

The primary purpose of my recent visit to Australia was to review with Australian Ministers the scheme for the development of guided rockets, which is being jointly undertaken by Her Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom and Australia.In Canberra, I had a series of discussions with the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, the Minister for Supply, Mr. Beale, and other Ministers concerned.After noting with satisfaction the considerable progress already made, we considered plans for the future and agreed a further programme of rocket development to be carried out over the next few years. This programme, which includes a number of important weapons for the use of all three Services, will continue to be accorded high priority by both Governments.We also reviewed the arrangements for the sharing of costs and considered what changes should be made in the light of the experience gained since the initiation of the scheme.Up to the present the arrangement was that each Government should pay for all work done or equipment bought within its territory, irrespective of which of the two Governments placed the order. In accordance with this formula the Australian Government had hitherto borne the cost of any industrial work carried out by private firms in Australia in connection with the testing of guided rockets on the Woomera range. However, it has now been agreed that the United Kingdom Government should, in future, bear the cost of any further work of this kind which may be done in Australia to its order. For their part, the Australian Government have agreed to take over a larger financial responsibility for range equipment, ordered by them in the United Kingdom.These changes have the advantage of giving to each Government a more direct control over its own expenditure. Their practical effect on the respective financial liabilities of the two countries will depend on the amount and nature of the work being undertaken which will vary from year to year.I was very glad of the opportunity of my visit to Australia to see for myself the rocket testing range at Woomera and the associated research establishment at Salisbury. It is necessary to see Woomera to grasp the size and scope of this far-sighted project. Within the space of a few years the Australian authorities have, in an almost uninhabited area, created extensive weapon trial installations and a comprehensive organisation to operate them. This includes assembly shops, launching gear, observation posts, electronic control instruments and other scientific apparatus. Airfields and hangars capable of receiving the largest types of modern bomber aircraft have also been constructed.These unique facilities, coupled with the ability and enthusiasm of the technicians, Service men and administrative staff, who together form a splendid team, have made Woomera what is probably the finest weapon testing ground in the world.To appreciate the complexity of the technical problems involved in the development of guided missiles, it must be remembered that they are nothing less than miniature, pilotless, rocket aircraft capable of flying and steering themselves at high supersonic speeds. As with the development of a new aircraft of conventional type, the process of evolving a guided rocket comprises a number of stages. Apart from basic research, which is not tied to a particular weapon and which goes on continuously, there are three main phases. The first phase is the design and construction of prototypes. The second is the carrying out of trials and the introduction of such modifications as the trials show to be necessary. Thirdly, there is the manufacturing phase, in which the aircraft or rocket goes into quantity production. As with aircraft, so with guided rockets, all these three stages have to be gone through, although they may to some extent overlap one another.It is in the trials stage, which we are now entering with several rocket weapons, that the vast and well-equipped Woomera range is of such immense value. Its remarkable facilities enable precious time to be saved and will help to hasten the date when these important new instruments of defence can be introduced into service.Finally, let me emphasise that both Governments are agreed that this important defence project should continue to be treated as a joint enterprise. This close partnership, which has contributed so much to the progress already achieved, is a fine example of practical co-operation between members of the British Commonwealth.

asked the Minister of Supply what scientific advances have been made during the last two years towards using nuclear or atomic energy for industrial, domestic, transport and other peaceful purposes.

Since my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. and learned Member's Question on 26th January, 1953, design studies on a nuclear power station using natural uranium as a fuel have been completed, and an experimental power station of this type is being constructed at Calder Hall in Cumberland.A low power breeder reactor is nearing completion at Harwell. Design studies are being carried out on a higher powered reactor of this type. Design studies are proceeding on other types of reactors which may be suitable for development of power.The application of radioactive isotopes to industrial, medical, and research purposes continues to extend, and plans are being made to increase the facilities for their production.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report of the Mission of the International Bank to British Guiana is to be published.

I understand that the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development proposes to publish the report of its mission to British Guiana towards the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken against the ring-leader of the plot whose existence in British Guiana was recently described in official statements made by Her Majesty's Government.

As I stated in the debate on 22nd October, the Attorney-General of British Guiana is considering whether it is possible to prefer criminal charges against any of the persons concerned in the plot to set fire to business property and residences in Georgetown.

asked the Minister of Health if he will investigate the situation in the near vicinity of Hammerwich Hospital, Staffordshire, where 10 properties are drained to open cesspools; and if he will consult the Minister of Housing and Local Government with a view to this threat to patients' well-being by fly-carried infection being classified as good cause for a sewerage scheme to be authorised.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health how many attacks of food poisoning have been notified during 1953, to the nearest available date; and if he will tabulate the information so as to give the causal organism; the type of food that was contaminated; the numbers of people involved; and the place or institution in which the outbreak occurred.

The table below gives the number of outbreaks of food poisoning in England and Wales notified to me between 1st January and 21st October, 1953, by medical officers of health and the number of persons affected in them according to the causal organism, type of food and the place where the outbreak occurred.

—	Outbreaks	Persons Affected
Causal Organism
Salmonella group	117	2,302
Staphylococci group	61	2,118
C1. Welchii	11	461
Miscellaneous	14	134
Unknown	97	951
	300	5,966
Type of food
Meat and meat products.	109	2,605
Fish and fish products	12	75
Duck eggs	12	15
Milk and milk products	20	1,775
Miscellaneous	15	58
Vehicle of infection not established	132	1,438
	300	5,966
Place of outbreak
Hotels, catering establishments, etc.	24	292
Schools	28	1,970
Factory canteens	17	467
Camps	2	181
Hospitals	16	405
Local authority institutions	3	319
At home	132	1,418
Other places	12	470
Unknown	66	444
	300	5,966

asked the Minister of Health when he anticipates that adequate institutional accommodation will be available for all mentally-deficient children urgently needing such accommodation within the area of the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board.

I hope that an additional 33 places for mentally defective children will become available in the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board's area in the near future and a further 130 places within three years. Further schemes are in preparation and will be proceeded with as quickly as circumstances permit, but I cannot say by when all needs will be met.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what depth of water was expected at the Linkhouse Pier at Mid-Yell.

I understand that the report of the consulting engineer engaged on this pier visualised a depth of 10 feet at low water ordinary spring tides.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to ensure that the ship "Earl of Zetland" can reach the Linkshouse Pier at all states of normal tides.

I have received no further proposals from the county council in connection with this pier.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many one-, two-, three-, four- and five-apartment houses were provided by local authorities between 31st March and 30th September, 1953.

Of 21,309 local authority houses approved during the period in question, 1,090, or 5·1 per cent., were of one and two apartments; 11,008, or 51·7 per cent., were of three-apartments; 8,586, or 40·3 per cent., were of four apartments; and 625, or 2·9 per cent., were of five or more apartments.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to give detailed statistics showing the effects of the last price increase on the school meals service; and whether he will supply the detailed figures for the counties of Fife, Midlothian, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire and the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.

The following table shows for Scotland and for each of the particular areas mentioned the extent to which the daily average number of meals supplied to pupils in June was less than the number in February:

Area		Decrease	Decrease as a percentage of meals supplied in February
Scotland	…	39,784	14·7
Fife	…	3,932	25·2
Midlothian	…	1,706	34·2
Lanarkshire	…	7,310	20·9
Ayrshire	…	1,274	7·2
Glasgow	…	9,735	16·5
Edinburgh	…	2,497	13·9
Aberdeen City	…	775	13·8
Dundee	…	882	10·0

Past experience suggests that apart from any increase in charges there is generally some decrease in the numbers of meals served in June as compared with February. A survey of the daily average for October is being made and the results will be available towards the end of November.