asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres are affected by potato eelworm; which counties are most severely affected; what is the estimated loss, in tons, caused by this disease; and what steps his Department is taking to discover a cure.

I am advised that about half a million acres of arable land in England and Wales are infested with potato root eelworm, one-third seriously. The areas most severely affected are S.W. Lancashire, S.E. Yorkshire, the Holland and Kesteven Divisions of Lincolnshire, the Soke of Peterborough and parts of Cambridgeshire, the Isle of Ely, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire. The annual loss caused by this pest is estimated at about 200,000 tons. Research to discover a cure is being undertaken, but the most effective method of controlling the pest is by good husbandry and a system of rotation under which potatoes are not grown more frequently than one year in four. Farmers have responded well to education and advice on these lines by the National Agricultural Advisory Service and there has been an improvement in the position in recent years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that in Lindsey, Lincolnshire, this year 5,000 acres of potatoes were picked by schoolchildren under the blue card system; a further 2,000 acres during holidays; that the local National Farmers' Union fear a smaller acreage will be sown this year unless picking by schoolchildren is again permitted; and if he will make a statement on the subject.

I am aware that considerably more use has been made of schoolchildren in Lindsey than elsewhere for the picking of potatoes in term-time and that more than 10 per cent. of the crop has been picked in this way in the county as compared with some 3 per cent. for the country as a whole. In my view there is no reason why the lapsing of the Defence Regulation, which enabled local education authorities to permit the engagement of children in term-time should lead to such difficulties in harvesting as would result in the sowing of a smaller acreage in the county next year. There are various other means of supplementing regular farm labour at harvest-time including the employment of children in their holidays and an adjustment of school holiday times, as is done in many counties, to coincide with the potato harvest and increase the opportunities for schoolchildren to help harvest the crop. In view of the special needs in Lindsey, I am arranging for the volunteer agricultural camps to be continued in that county next year. The agricultural executive committee will, in the coming months, give special attention to these and other measures in consultation with farming interests in the county and the authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, in the past, his Department has sent circulars asking councils to produce dried grass from the municipal aerodromes to assist the food production drive; and, in view of the difficulties which the Stoke-on-Trent City Council have had in disposing of the grass, and their expenditure in the matter, whether he will now withdraw the circular and compensate the Stoke-on-Trent City Council for their losses.

My Department has not sent any circular specifically asking councils to produce dried grass from municipal airfields, although it has encouraged the maximum agricultural use of land on civil airfields, including grass drying where appropriate. I regret the difficulties that the Stoke-on-Trent Council are experiencing, but I have no powers to pay compensation and can see no case for acquiring such powers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many live horses were imported from Ireland for any purpose during the last year for which information is available: and also during each of the two previous years.

According to returns furnished under the Horses (Sea Transport) Order, 1952, approximately 6,200 live horses from the Irish Republic and 3,000 from Northern Ireland have been imported into Great Britain in the 10 months up to 30th October this year. There are no corresponding figures for previous years. Such information as is available about the imports of horses from Ireland in previous years is given in Table II on p. 53 of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Slaughter of Horses (Cmd. 8925).

asked the Minister of Agriculture the aproximate number of young coniferous trees stolen from Forestry Commission plantations during the month preceding Christmas 1952.

About 200 are known to have been stolen. In addition, some 50 were cut down but not taken away.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the present stage of restoration of the damaged sea defences along the Norfolk coast.

The work of bringing back to their pre-flood strength the damaged sea defences both in Norfolk and elsewhere along the East Coast, was virtually completed some weeks ago, and I expect that finishing touches will be given to the work by the end of this month. Substantial progress has also been made with improvement works designed to give a higher margin of safety at the more important points. A recent illustrated article in the Press gives a wrong impression and the Norfolk defences are now as strong as, and in many cases stronger than they were before last winter's floods.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the desirability of securing the inspection by his Department of all hostels for the accommodation of young people who have gone to live in hostels after being under institutional care, particularly in view of the disparity of conditions in some instances between those inspected and not inspected; what inquiry has been made into conditions of hostels not inspected; and whether he will draw the attention of voluntary organisations and local authorities to this matter.

As far as I know, all hostels provided for the purpose of accommodating young people who have been in institutional care are run by voluntary organisations or local authorities: these hostels are inspected by the Home Office. I am not aware of any general inquiry into conditions of hostels not subject to inspection. If the hon. Member will send me information about any particular hostel, I will consider the need to communicate with voluntary organisations or local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for a statement regarding explosions near electric power pylons near the border between Scotland and England; and what further incidents have been reported to him since 23rd November.

On 24th November, an employee of the British Electricity Authority found an explosive charge, with an electric timing apparatus, fixed to a grid pylon about one mile north of Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland. He removed the detonators from the explosive and rendered the charge harmless. Soon afterwards the detonators exploded. Police inquiries are being made. No similar incidents have been brought to my notice since that date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the experiment of a flashing beacon opposite the cab rank in Thirlby Road, S.W.1, which was to have terminated on 17th November, is still continuing.

A further period of observation was found to be necessary. In view of the fact that cab drivers have not used the rank to any appreciable extent during the time it has been kept clear of private cars, the Commissioner has now decided to cancel it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the issue of a long-service medal to members of the Auxiliary Fire Service.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the general desire that Summer Time should, in future years, be continued until the third Sunday in October, to which the farming community are agreeable; and if he will now announce the Government's decision.

The special procedure in the Summer Time Act, 1947, can only be used to alter the statutory dates for Summer Time for one year at a time. Her Majesty's Government, after giving very careful consideration to this matter, have come to the conclusion that there are no special reasons which would justify the use of this exceptional procedure to alter the statutory period in 1954. Summer Time next year will therefore operate from 11th April until 2nd October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a statement on the Report of the Gowers Committee on Capital Punishment.

The Report of the Royal Commission is receiving the attention of Her Majesty's Government, but I cannot at present say how soon I shall be able to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions involving homosexuality were instituted in the Metropolitan area last year; and how many convictions were obtained.

In the Metropolitan police district in 1952, 36 persons were prosecuted for unnatural offences and 35 persons were convicted; 144 persons were prosecuted for attempts to commit unnatural offences (including indecent assaults on male persons and cases of importuning for immoral purposes dealt with on indictment) and 135 persons were convicted; 121 persons were prosecuted for offences of gross indecency and 113 persons were convicted. In addition, summary proceedings were instituted against 373 persons for importuning for immoral purposes and against 196 persons under local regulations and bye-laws for offences of indecency in parks, commons and open spaces; but I regret that particulars of the number of convictions for these offences are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigrants from British Dependencies have settled in Britain since the end of the war; how many of them arrived without means; and what has been the cost of maintaining them.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour when he will introduce regulations under Section 60 of the Factories Act, 1937, to deal in particular with machinery, intended for sale as a product of a factory, which is of such a nature as to cause risk of bodily injury to persons employed in the factory.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner) on 12th November.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons on Tees-side are in need of industrial rehabilitation; and how many have received treatment in the last year.

The number must be very small. We have had only 11 applications in the last 12 months and, at the moment, there is no one in this district awaiting entry to the industrial rehabilitation units. Eight disabled persons from Tees-side have had courses in the last 12 months, and these were provided at the residential centre at Egham.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to bring about a conciliation in a strike, particulars of which have been sent to him, which has now gone on for over 71 weeks.

My officers have been in contact with the parties at various times but it has not been possible to find an acceptable basis upon which the employers were prepared to meet the trade unions concerned and no opportunity has presented itself for conciliation.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest available figures of iron and steel workers made redundant in the parts of South Wales adjacent to Swansea and Llanelly; how many of these men have found other suitable employment; what is the estimated number of men reported to him as required for certain works reopened or shortly to be reopened in this area; and if he will make a statement.

Since the beginning of the year nearly 5,000 workers have become redundant in the tinplate area of west South Wales. About 1,250 of these transferred to other tinplate mills and about 1,850 found alternative work through the employment exchanges in the neighbourhood. On 18th November only 138 remained registered locally as unemployed.The tinplate mills which have already reopened and those which, it is hoped, will reopen shortly, are expected to require nearly 550 workers, of whom 337 have already been engaged.

asked the Minister of Labour how far the provisions of the Notification of Vacancies Order, 1952, are still operative.

The Notification of Vacancies Order made in January, 1952, was amended in July of that year and all the provisions of the Order as amended continue to be operative.

asked the Minister of Labour how many fatal accidents occurred in industry as a result of apparatus coming in contact with overhead electric cables for 1938, 1946, 1950, 1951 and 1952.

The numbers of fatal accidents of this kind that occurred on premises subject to the Factories Acts were as follows: 1938, 1; 1946, nil; 1950, nil; 1951, 2; 1952, 5.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of rising unemployment in Coatbridge and particularly in Victoria, Waverley, Coats, Martins and the Rivet Bolt and Nut Company works in that area; and what remedial steps are being taken to deal with this situation.

Yes, there has been some rise in unemployment at Coatbridge in the last month or two but it is still substantially lower than at the beginning of the year. There has been some short-time working in recent months at the five works to which the hon. Member refers due to changes in demand. I will continue to watch the position and the employment exchange will do its best to place those workers in need of alternative employment.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered as unemployed in the county of Glamorgan and in the borough of Barry on the last date for which figures are available; the estimated number of people in employment in Glamorgan and Barry, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

At 16th November, 11,917 persons were registered as unemployed in the county of Glamorgan, including 500 at Barry. At the end of May, 1952 (the latest date for which figures are available), the estimated number of persons in employment (excluding permanent civil servants) was 446,000 in the county of Glamorgan including 16,700 in the Barry area (including Llantwit-Major).A good deal has been done in recent years to provide new employment opportunities in Glamorgan and the Government will continue its efforts to increase the level of employment in the area.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, during November, 120 workpeople have received notice terminating their employment at the Standard Telephone Company, Southgate; that the working week may shortly be reduced; and what steps he is taking to find alternative employment for those affected.

Twelve men and 112 women were discharged in November and of these 34 women are now registered at nearby employment exchanges as unemployed. They are seeking part-time work and the employment exchange service is making every effort to help them.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the latest figures of short-time working and redundancy in trades, other than the metal and allied trades.

NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS (18 YEARS AND OVER) ON THE REGISTER OF THE CORBY EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE
—					Wholly unemployed	Temporarily stopped	Total
12th November, 1951		…	…	…	29	4	33
12th May, 1952	…	…	…	…	48	—	48
10th November, 1952		…	…	…	43	—	43
11th May, 1953	…	…	…	…	40	78	118
16th November, 1953		…	…	…	39	83	122

The figures for May and November include about 70 men attached to the iron and steel tube industry. The remainder of these figures and all the others represent very small numbers of men and women from a number of industries.

The Ministry of Labour Gazette for October contains the latest available figures relating to short-time working and that for November the latest figures for unemployment by industries.If the hon. Member requires any additional information perhaps he will let me know.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are drawing unemployment benefit in the area of his Corby, Northamptonshire, office, and in what trades; what are the corresponding figures at intervals of six months or nearest convenient date since November, 1951; and what steps he proposes to take to secure full employment in the area either immediately or in connection with plans for the development of the new town at Corby.

A table of figures is given below. The figures for November show 39 wholly unemployed and 83 temporarily stopped, a total of 122 representing an unemployment percentage of 0.5. As regards the last part of the Question, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government that, in the new town, employment for men will mainly be provided by the iron and steel industry, and for women in new factories for light industries, two of which are due to open in the early part of next year.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the practice of employers of dismissing young men just before they are due for call-up for National Service; and if he will introduce legislation to check this.

Very few complaints of this kind have been received in recent years. Under Section 50 of the National Service Act, 1948, an employer who dismisses a young man solely or mainly because of his liability to be called up for whole-time service is guilty of an offence and, if convicted, may be fined up to £50 and ordered to pay compensation.

asked the Minister of Labour how many young men due for military service have been granted postponement of service during the last two years in order to complete their industrial training or academic studies; how many young men have been granted exemption from national service because of the nature of their employment; and how many have been exempted, rejected or discharged on grounds of ill-health or disability.

The reply is as follows:

Year	Estimated numbers of men
	Granted deferment of call-up in order to complete their industrial training or academic studies	Granted deferment or suspension of call-up because of nature of their employment	Rejected on grounds of ill-health or disability
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
1952	100,000	25,000	45,000
1953	92,000	26,000	41,000

Counts of the numbers of current deferments are taken twice yearly (see table on page 384 of Ministry of Labour Gazette for November, 1953).Questions about the numbers discharged from Her Majesty's Forces on grounds of ill-health or disability should be addressed to the Service Departments.

asked the Minister of Labour if deferment of National Service training is granted to young men employed as, or in training as, air transport pilots; and if such deferment is the same as that of similar men employed in the Merchant Navy service.

The call-up of men of military age who are serving in the Merchant Navy is suspended while they remain in that employment. No such arrangement applies to men employed or in training as air transport pilots, although if the necessary conditions are satisfied young men undergoing training as civil air transport pilots may be granted deferment of call-up for the period necessary to complete their training.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider extending to underground workers in metalliferous mines the same exemption from National Service that is granted to underground coalminers.

No.

asked the Minister of Health on what basis the doctors are asked to serve on the commission appointed to inquire into the National Health Service.

I am assuming that the Question refers to the Committee on General Practice under the National Health Service. This is a committee of the Central Health Services Council, which invited members to serve not as representatives of associations but in view of their standing as individuals.

asked the Minister of Health if he will arrange for properly-spaced appointments for outpatients at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, so as to reduce the present long waiting periods.

I am informed that outpatients are seen by appointment in most departments of the infirmary and appointments are kept as nearly as is possible In a busy general hospital.

asked the Minister of Health what progress is being made in the provision of a spastic unit at Alton, Hampshire.

The matter is still under consideration by the regional hospital board.

asked the Minister of Health the cost per week per patient including all items of treatment and accommodation in the State hospitals.

Details of the cost per week of treating and maintaining a patient for every National Health Service hospital, classified according to type, with regional and national averages for each type, are given in the Annual Hospital Costing Returns, which explain the basis upon which the figures have been compiled. National averages for the main types of hospitals for the year ended 31st March, 1952, are shown in the following table and represent the average net cost after adjustment for outpatient attendances.

1. Hospitals administered by hospital management Committees.
Wholly general:—	£	s.	d.
1–50 beds	12	14	9
51–100 beds	14	7	2
101–300 beds	14	13	3
301–900 beds	14	11	7
Over 900 beds	10	9	10
All hospitals	14	5	11
Mainly general	12	10	10
Mainly chronic	7	5	1
Chronic	6	0	0
Convalescent	6	12	11
Isolation	17	0	1
Maternity	16	19	2
Mental	4	1	1
Mental deficiency	3	17	1
Orthopaedic	10	15	3
Tuberculosis	9	6	7
Tuberculosis and isolation	13	3	8
2. Hospitals administered by boards of governors of teaching hospitals.
Wholly general:—
London	23	13	8
Provinces	17	15	8

asked the Minister of Health what steps he will take to ensure that the proportion of hospital beds to population in Wales now at a figure of 10·4 per 1,000 shall be made to equal the figure of 12·5 per 1,000 in England.

The provision of additional accommodation is going on all the time, and schemes now nearing completion and those already planned to start in the near future will give Wales over a thousand more beds.

asked the Minister of Health what salaries are paid to staff nurses in mental hospitals; and what are the superannuation benefits.

The salary scales for staff nurses in mental hospitals and mental deficiency institutions are £390–£490 (men) and £380–£480 (women). The superannuation benefits are prescribed by the National Health Service (Superannuation) Regulations, 1950, which are rather long and complex. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. Special benefits are provided for nurses with long service in mental hospitals and mental deficiency institutions.

asked the Minister of Health how many mental nurses there are in St. Lawrence Mental Hospital, Bodmin, Cornwall; how many there were 12 months ago; and how far the hospital is now below establishment.

The mental nursing staff of the hospital including student nurses and nursing assistants consisted, at 30th September last, of 90 full-time men and 65 full-time and 37 part-time women. At 30th September, 1952, the numbers were 90 full-time men and 64 full-time and 31 part-time women. The staff is short of establishment by 21 men and 55 women full-time.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the public nuisance caused by the emission of smoke from the hospitals of St. Lukes and St. Cross, respectively, in Rugby; and whether he will take steps to remedy this.

I understand that the hospital management committee concerned received a complaint in March last, and took steps to see that their stokers were instructed in the best methods of working so as to avoid the emission of smoke. No further complaint has been received.

asked the Minister of Health the numbers of men, women and children accommodated by local authorities under Section 21 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, at a convenient date for each year 1949 to 1953.

The figures are as follows:

—	England and Wales
	Men	Women	Children
Residential
(Sec. 21(1) (a))
31st January, 1949	24,453	18,279	130
31st January, 1950	24,264	19,779	47
1st January, 1951	25,274	21,670	42
1st January, 1952	26,193	24,002	24
1st January, 1953	27,103	26,688	12
Temporary
(Sec. 21 (1) (b))
31st January, 1949	1,340	1,534	1,316
31st January, 1950	1,081	1,708	2,564
1st January, 1951	894	1,715	3,018
1st January, 1952	852	1,888	3,493
1st January, 1953	449	1,528	3,325

asked the Minister of Health the total accommodation available for mental patients in Monmouthshire; how many are now on the waiting list for admission; and what is the average period of waiting for admission.

There are 1,799 beds for the mentally ill and 110 for mental defectives; the respective waiting lists are nil and 37; for the former there is no waiting period while for the latter it varies considerably according to the patient's condition and home circumstances and an average figure would have no significance.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the unsuitability and inadequacy of the premises of the X-ray department at Altrincham General Hospital; and whether he will consider the provision of more suitable premises.

I am informed that the Manchester Regional Hospital Board propose to adapt and extend the existing premises to provide better facilities, and hope to commence the work in April next.

asked the Minister of Health the reasons which prevent persons who subscribe to the National Health Scheme, but who for personal reasons desire to be treated as private patients, from obtaining medical prescriptions from their doctors under the provisions of the National Health Act.

The National Health Service Act, 1946, provides for the supply of drugs and medicines only to persons receiving general medical services and general dental services under the Act.

asked the Minister of Health what information he has about the extent to which the Wood berry Down Health Centre, Stoke Newington, is being used; and what accommodation at the clinic is still unused.

The whole of the centre is in use except two dental laboratories, one dental surgery, a medical store, a clinical side-room and the doctor's night duty accommodation.

asked the Minister of Health what deficit was incurred in 1952–53 on the cultivation of hospital farms, the cultivation of hospital gardens and the cultivation of regional board gardens, respectively.

The accounts of hospital authorities in England and Wales show, subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General, a recorded expenditure for the year 1952–53 on farms and gardens exceeding income by £460,989. It will not be possible to ascertain accurately the amount of any losses until trading accounts have been introduced by all hospital authorities. Separate figures for hospital farms and for hospital gardens are not available, nor is the cost to regional hospital boards generally of maintaining gardens shown separately in the accounts.

asked the Minister of Health how far he is satisfied with the rate of recruitment to the medical and dental professions; and how far he anticipates that the needs of local government social services will be adequately met from such sources during the next three years.

Recruitment in the medical and dental professions is through entry into university medical and dental schools—which are outside my right hon. Friend's control. He has no grounds for thinking that the number of doctors qualifying will be insufficient to provide for recruitment to local government or other services but fears that the shortage of dentists will not be overcome in the period mentioned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider extending categories of disabled persons eligible for the provision of motor tricycles so as to include men and women with amputations below the knee, or who live in areas of special climatic or topographical difficulty.

The matter is under review.

asked the Minister of Health the number of adults and children, respectively, seen by the hospital consultant at Ashton-under-Lyne General Hospital as ear, nose and throat cases are now awaiting treatment; and what proportion of that number require treatment for tonsils and adenoids.

I am informed that 157 adults and 247 children are awaiting admission. Over 90 per cent. of the children, and about a third of the adults, require treatment for tonsils and adenoids.

asked the Minister of Health how many children on the Ashton-under-Lyne General Hospital waiting list and on the schools clinic list are awaiting appointments with consultants; and whether he is aware that some children have been waiting for over 18 months.

I am informed that 292 are on the hospital waiting list and 437 on the schools clinics list. I am aware that the waiting time is long in some cases, but any child whom the school medical officer considers to be in need of more urgent treatment is given a special appointment.

asked the Minister of Health what special steps he proposes to take to reduce the waiting time for treatment of ear, nose and throat complaints and the removal of tonsils and adenoids in the areas covered, respectively, by the Ashton-under-Lyne General Hospital and the Glossop Hospital.

The Manchester Regional Hospital Board have appointed an additional ear, nose and throat consultant who is due to take up his duties on 1st February next.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take regarding the recommendations of the report of the United Kingdom Mission which studied the fluoridation of domestic water supplies in North America as a means of controlling dental caries.

The Government has decided to accept the recommendations of the Mission. In conjunction with the Minister of Housing and Local Government who is responsible for public water supplies in England and Wales, the Secretary of State for Scotland and I propose to arrange for studies to be made in some selected communities of the various aspects of the fluoridation of water supplies before considering whether fluoridation should be generally adopted in this country. An approach will be made to certain local authorities to invite their co-operation in making these studies.

asked the Minister of Health how long on an average it takes to make a pair of bifocal spectacles under the National Health Service.

My right hon. Friend has no information on this point but has no reason to suppose that the supply of bifocal spectacles under the National Health Service takes an undue time.

asked the Minister of Health the number of courses of treatment requiring prior approval of the Dental Estimates Board provided during the first three-quarters of 1953.

Some 1,053,000 of the courses completed in the first three-quarters of 1953 had previously been submitted for the prior approval of the Dental Estimates Board.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the National Hospital Service Reserve.

Yes. The House will be glad to learn that Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to assume the title of Head of the National Hospital Service Reserve in the United Kingdom thus extending to that Reserve the honour already conferred upon the Civil Defence Corps.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will give the names of the two comprehensive schools now open which possess the highest and lowest numbers of pupils, and give the numbers, respectively.

The two schools concerned are the Peckham County Secondary Girls' School, Camberwell, and the Park field County Secondary School, Potter's Bar, which had 1,256 and 681 pupils on roll respectively in January, 1953.

asked the Minister of Education the number of children receiving school meals at the latest convenient date after 1st September, 1953; and how this compares, as a percentage of all children in schools, with the numbers in June, 1953, and September, 1952.

The number of children in maintained and assisted schools in England and Wales taking school meals on a day in October, 1953, was 2,679,723 (45·1 per cent. of the children in attendance) compared with 2,509,786 (43·1 per cent.) for June, 1953, and 2,955,817 (51·3 per cent.) for October, 1952.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will review the provision whereby a person winning a State scholarship to the university, but not entitled on financial grounds to the full emoluments thereof, may only receive the annual grant of £30 provided that he holds no other scholarship or award of £30 per annum or more.

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind students who, on financial grounds, do not qualify either for full or partial emoluments under the State scholarship scheme. I shall review this provision when the standard figures are next considered, but I cannot promise that I shall be able to make any change in my present arrangements.

asked the Minister of Education if, in view of the hardships to the children and parents concerned, she will reconsider her decision not to allow the Lancashire County Council to proceed with its scheme for the immediate provision of facilities for the education of educationally sub-normal children in the Eccles and Swinton area.

No, but I have told the local education authority that I am prepared to consider sympathetically a proposal to build a new day special school in this area for educationally sub-normal pupils.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that more than 100 infant children resident on the Eyres Monsell Estate, Leicester, are having to travel a distance of approximately a mile, crossing a road traffic island where six roads converge, to attend a temporary school at the Community Centre, South-fields Drive: and if she will instruct the local education authority to provide additional temporary school accommodation on the Eyres Monsell Estate until such time as the proposed permanent school is ready.

A temporary infants' school of eight classrooms was completed last September, and it is hoped to have ready within 18 months a permanent new infants' school which is now being built. When this school is ready it is expected that the use of the community centre for school purposes will cease. In these circumstances I do not think that the provision of additional temporary school accommodation is justified.

asked the Minister of Education the number of children on the registers of Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Jewish aided schools; and what percentage that number is of the total number of children on the registers of all schools under her jurisdiction to the nearest convenient date.

In January, 1953, the numbers on the registers of voluntary aided, controlled, special agreement and transitionally assisted primary and secondary schools were: Church of England, 998,271; Roman Catholic 428,902; and Jewish 2,096. These figures represented 16·1, 6·9 and 0·03 per cent. respectively of the total number of children at that date on the registers of maintained and assisted primary and secondary schools other than nursery or special schools. Separate figures are not available for aided schools.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that the uncertainty as to the final decision concerning the application of the Kent Education Committee compulsorily to acquire a considerable portion of Perry Court Farm, Faversham, is having a damaging effect on the drive for increased agricultural production locally; and what action she proposes to take.

I have not received any proposal for the compulsory purchase of land in this area.

asked the Minister of Education if she will have an inquiry made into the position at the temporary school, Southfields Drive, Leicester, where more than 100 infant children are having to use inadequate adult type lavatory accommodation.

No. I do not consider the arrangements made by the authority to be unreasonable as a temporary measure.

asked the Minister of Education how many increments, under her regulations, can a man claim who graduated in 1948, spent three years in industry from 1948 to 1951, then returned to the university for two years, one year to take a diploma, the other year for a special course, and then started teaching in June last.

The hon. Member has kindly sent to me further details about this case. The teacher is eligible under the Burnham Report for an addition of two increments for his study and training. The counting for incremental purposes of the time spent in industry is, under the Report, a matter for determination by the local education authority.

asked the Under-secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what reply Her Majesty's Government have given to the request from the Pakistan Government that a constitutional expert should be put at the disposal of the Pakistan Government to assist in working out some of the details of the new constitution for Pakistan.

My noble Friend, in response to an approach made to him in Karachi a few days ago, has promised that the United Kingdom Government will do their best to help to secure the services of a draftsman from this country to assist the Pakistan Constituent Assembly in connection with the drafting of their Constitution Bill.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations What progress has been made with the establishment of an abattoir at Lobatse in Bechuanaland.

I understand that considerable reconstruction has been found necessary. The Colonial Development Corporation now hope that the abattoir will begin operations next year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for details of the steps he is taking to free the channels which impede the expansion of British trade with foreign countries; and if he will specify the foreign countries concerned, the degree of success he has achieved with each, and the nature and value of the commodities involved.

I cannot analyse in the way suggested by the hon. and learned Member the results of the steady work of Her Majesty's Government towards the removal of trade barriers; but I can certainly assure him that we have made an important contribution towards freeing the channels of trade by working with other nations in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and in the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. As regards the limited field in which we have bilateral trade arrangements, which the hon. and learned Member may have in mind, we have secured quotas for imports of British goods into the foreign countries concerned. If the hon. and learned Member will let me know in more detail what information he wishes, I will do my best to provide it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what principles are applied in deciding what imports can, and what imports cannot, be permitted into this country from the United States of America; for what reason, in particular, it has been decided that no apples can be imported into Great Britain from that country during the forthcoming winter; and what representations he has received from trading organisations in that connection.

It is necessary to use to the best advantage our limited dollar resources, including the assistance being granted to this country by the United States under the Mutual Security Act. In deciding what imports we can afford from the dollar area, the main general consideration is how far such imports are essential, or of material benefit, to the United Kingdom economy. It has been decided that we cannot afford imports of apples from North America during the forthcoming winter. Representations on this subject have been received from several trading organisations.

asked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, the consumption by the cotton industry of this country of Sudan cotton in 1951, 1952 and 1953; and his estimate of the amounts that will be available in 1954 and 1955.

53,000 metric tons in 1951, 49,000 in 1952 and 43,000 in the first nine months of 1953. The amounts that will be available in 1954 and 1955 will depend chiefly on the size of the crops in those years; no reliable estimate can yet be made, but over the last four years the Sudan crop has averaged about 86,000 metric tons.

asked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, what arrangements he is making for the purchase of Sudan and Peruvian cotton, respectively, for the 1954 season; whether these will be bought by the Raw Cotton Commission; and whether he is satisfied that the arrangements made will meet the requirements of the spinning industry.

Subject to the passage of the Cotton Bill now before Parliament, it is the Government's intention that all users should obtain privately their requirements of all types of raw cotton in the season beginning 1st September, 1954. The Raw Cotton Commission, however, will make purchases from the 1954 Sudanese and Peruvian crops sufficient to meet any requirements of contractors-in until the 1955 crops became available, provided these requirements are notified to the Commission in good time. My noble Friend is satisfied that the proposed arrangements should enable the spinning industry to meet their needs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any estimate of the number of people who reached the age at which post-war credits could be paid to them but died before making application.

I regret that I cannot give any estimate, but the number is likely to be small.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many complaints or protests he has received in respect of the assessment of funds of Old-Age Pension Associations for Income Tax purposes; if he is aware of the resentment felt on this matter by members of those associations; and what action he proposes to take.

I have received a few such complaints, mostly with respect to Schedule A tax on a branch's premises. Exemption is only given by law in respect of organisations which qualify as charities, and I have written to the hon. Member about the particular case about which he wrote to me.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many individuals besides retired officers of the Armed Forces are now receiving retired pay or pensions the whole of which is subject to a cut of 9½ per cent. below the 1919 rate: and to what categories they belong.

My only information on this subject relates to the Civil Service. Civil Service pensions depend on salary, and the cuts which corresponded to those to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers arose directly from reductions in pay. Pay depended on a complex bonus system, and both it and pensions fell on the relevant period, with the fall in the cost of living. Taking account of those directly affected in this way, as well as of those affected by the so called "super cut" of 1921, I estimate that there are between 750 and 1,000 retired civil servants whose pensions are reduced by 9½ per cent. or more.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what practical steps he proposes to take to re-establish free market dealings in foreign currencies.

Authorised banks are already given a considerable measure of freedom in dealing in foreign currencies. Further steps towards that end will be taken as and when possible.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury when the promised explanatory leaflet in Welsh on Income Tax allowances is to be available.

This leaflet is now ready. Copies will be issued with personal return and claim forms issued in Wales and can also be obtained on request at all tax offices in Wales, and in the adjoining districts of England.

asked the Minister of Food how he proposes to ensure regular deliveries of pigs to the bacon factories under the scheme outlined in the White Paper, Command No. 8989; and how he will seek to avoid the sudden diversion of pigs on to the fresh pork market, which would make it difficult to operate the bacon factories efficiently.

On decontrol, bacon curers will make their own arrangements for the delivery of pigs to bacon factories; but, as stated in the White Paper, it will be open to producers to promote a scheme for the marketing of pigs intended for bacon curing. Such a marketing board would negotiate terms of contracts with the bacon curers.

asked the Minister of Food which trade and professional organisations he is consulting about the arrangements for grading and marketing fat-stock under the scheme outlined in the White Paper, Command No. 8989; and when he expects to be able to announce details of these arrangements.

The following is a list of the professional and trade organisations to which the Government is turning for advice. These bodies and any others which have an interest will be consulted freely as occasion requiresThe Joint English and Scottish Livestock Auctioneers' Consultative Committee:The National Farmers' Union of England and Wales:The Scottish Farmers' Union;The Ulster Farmers' Union;The National Council of Associations of Fresh Meat Wholesalers;The National Federation of Meat Traders' Associations;The Scottish Federation of Meat Traders' Associations;The Association of Multiple Retail Meat Traders;The Livestock Traders' Association of Great Britain;The Parliamentary Committee of the Co-operative Congress;The Trades Union Congress.

asked the Minister of Food who is the chief delegate for the United Kingdom to the conference of the Food and Agriculture Organisation now meeting in Rome.

The leader of the United Kingdom delegation to the conference is my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence how many officers of the Armed Forces who retired under the 1919 code are still receiving pensions less than the amount they would have received but for the 1935 stabilisation, excluding for the purposes of this calculation increments earned by additional years of service by those who had retired prior to 1st September, 1939, but rejoined after that date; and whether he will publish in the Official Report the numbers of such officers in each rank.

I am arranging for the information to be collected and, as soon as this has been done, I will write to my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he can give the assurance that, as soon as the financial position of the country permits, the Government will again consider the possibilities of re storing the 9½ per cent. cut to officers' pensions.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken as a result of the publication of the Storey Report on the Lagos Town Council.

The Western Regional Government dissolved the Lagos Town Council last February and appointed a committee of management to discharge its functions. New legislation has since been introduced designed to remedy the main faults disclosed by the Storey Report. A new council was elected in November. I would also refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his Question on 2nd December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the loans which the Eastern Regional Loans Board of Nigeria has made to a member of the Board; and what machinery exists to check whether loans granted by the board are used for the purpose for which the loan is made.

I have asked the Governor of Nigeria for the information and will write to the hon. Member when I have his reply.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has now received from the local authorities in the Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire, area, protesting against the proposed development of that area for brick making; and whether he will set up an independent inquiry to consider the proposed changes.

Representations have been received from the Newport Pagnell Rural District Council and the Woburn Sands, Aspley Heath and Wavendon Parish Councils. Planning permission for the development of this land was granted on 30th March, 1949, after the local authorities concerned had had an opportunity of stating their views, and I cannot re-open the matter now.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the concern felt in South Wales about the possible damage to the holiday beaches of Barry Island, Cold Knap, Porth Kerry, Rhoose, Fontygary and Aberthaw by waste deposits which would result from the proposed building of a power station at The Leys, Glamorgan; and if he will consult with the Minister of Fuel and Power to prevent this.

I would refer my hon. friend to the answer given on 1st December, 1953, to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff. North (Mr. Llewellyn). If and when the electricity authority make a proposal, my right hon. Friend and I will certainly consult.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he has taken to have an analysis made on the effect on the atmosphere of smokeless fuels, especially in relation to their sulphur compounds released in the atmosphere after combustion.

The hon. Member will find that this is dealt with in the Interim Report of the Committee on Air Pollution.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will authorise the East Kilbride Development Corporation to build a higher proportion of managerial-type houses to facilitate the attainment of his ideal of a balanced community.

Managerial type houses built for letting by the Development Corporation cost the Exchequer considerable sums over and above the normal subsidies despite the high rents charged. I am, however, discussing the position with the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends reintroducing the Deer Poaching (Scotland) Bill.

I must first consider the Report of the Committee which is inquiring into the question of a close season for deer in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total numbers of students who have entered training colleges in 1951, 1952 and 1953, respectively; and what are the separate figures for each training college and for each of the categories of non-graduate, Chapter IV graduate and Chapter V graduate.

The information is given in the following tables:—

TABLE A
TOTAL NUMBERS OF STUDENTS WHO ENTERED TRAINING COLLEGES
Session	St. Andrews	Glasgow	Aberdeen	Edinburgh	Craiglockhart R.C.	Notre Dame R.C. Glasgow	Dunfermline College Aberdeen	Total
1951–52	172	835	259	522	46	70	51	1,955
1952–53	164	822	265	468	40	109	59	1,927
1953–54	165	759	233	472	58	115	64	1,866

TABLE B
ANALYSIS OF THE STUDENTS IN TABLE A BY TYPE OF CERTIFICATE FOR WHICH THEY ARE TRAINING
Session			General Certificate (Chapter IV)		Special Certificate (Ch. V)	General and Special (Ch. IV and V)	Technical (Ch. VI)	General and Technical (Chs. IV and VI)	Total
			Non-graduates	Graduates
1951–52	…	…	554	631	176	106	479	9	1,955
1952–53	…	…	563	586	153	63	553	9	1,927
1953–54	…	…	732	474	178	17	463	2	1,866

asked the Minister of Works whether he has reached a decision on the disposal of the Coronation arches in the Mall.

I have been considering what to do with the Coronation arches used in the Mall.The Palm House in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which was completed in 1848, has reached the end of its life and must be reconstructed; and the possibility of incorporating the arches in the new Palm House has been investigated. Research and tests have been carried out to discover the strength and suitability of the arches for this purpose.As a result, a design has been evolved which shows how the arches might be used. They would support the structure externally but only aluminium would be used inside the house, thus eliminating painting and the consequent disturbance of growing plants.Preparatory design work is being started. A final decision about proceeding with the scheme will be taken when more detailed drawings and estimates of cost have been prepared.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking, having regard to the fact that there is no certainty of another mild winter before us, to build up the stocks of coal in Derbyshire to, at least, the level of November, 1952.

Merchants in Derbyshire are receiving their fair share of house-coal supplies and everything possible is being done to maintain stocks at a high level.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the poor reception of the Third Programme in the Swansea district; and if he will take steps to remedy this.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of 2nd December on this matter to the right hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell) and the hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. P. Morris)