asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to the residents of Feeder Road and other areas in Bristol by the noise and vibration of travelling tanks; that despite the assurances given two months ago this nuisance has not been abated; and if he will take steps to transfer these machines by some different method.

I have now made arrangements for these tanks to be tested in future at the Lulsgate Bottom aerodrome and for them to be taken there on transporters. This will, I hope, avoid any further disturbance to residents.

asked the Minister of Supply when the Iron and Steel Board will assume responsibility for supervising iron and steel prices.

I have decided that the time has come for the Iron and Steel Board to take over full responsibility for supervising the prices of iron and steel products. Under Section 8 of the Iron and Steel Act, 1953, the Iron and Steel Board are empowered to fix the maximum prices which may be chargedin the United Kingdom by iron and steel producers. However, Section 10 of that Act provides that the Board may not exercise these powers in respect of any product, the price of which is being controlled by the Government.In order, therefore, to put the Board in a position to exercise their responsibility for the supervision of prices, I have made an Order bringing to an end all existing Iron and Steel Prices Orders, as from tomorrow. The Iron and Steel Board have informed me that they intend forthwith to fix maximum prices covering approximately the same range of products as those at present controlled and that for the present, except in a few minor instances, no changes in the existing price schedules will be made. The Board's powers under the Act do not extend to the control of scrap prices. Consequently, I am not revoking the Iron and Steel Scrap Orders, under which the prices of scrap will continue to be controlled.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the shortage of anthracite and other similar fuels in Pembrokeshire; and what steps he is taking to improve the situation.

Supplies of anthracite and dry steam coal are not sufficient to meet the increasing demand in any part of the country; but for many purposes coke is a good alternative fuel and ample supplies are at present available in Pembrokeshire.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will state, showing each National CoalBoard Division separately, the number of collieries which have been provided with medical centres, the capital value of such centres and the pro portion of miners in each division for whom such facilities are now available.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member as soon as the information is available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the amount of compensation for each year since, and including, 1947, which has been paid to the previous owners of the coalmining industry.

The total payments of compensation under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, in each financial year since vesting date (1st January, 1947) are:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the increase of 10s. a ton in the winter price of coal bears hardly on old age pensioners who need more coal than most people and usually have little storage facilities; and, in view of this, whether he will issue instructions to the distributors to spread the 10s. rise evenly over the whole year to those who can produce an old age pension book.

The Summer-Winter prices scheme, as applied in the North of England, provides for a decrease of 10s. per ton in the summer as well as an increase of 10s. per ton in the winter. All people, therefore, can buy coal in summer at a reduced price. It is true that people with limited storage space cannot buy as large a proportion of their annual supplies at summer prices as those with more storage space, but I fear that it would not be practicable to operate a separate pricing scheme for this class of consumer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for an assurance that there will be no increase in the price of Scottish house coal as a consequence of his Department's survey of coal merchants' distribution costs; and when he will be in a position to make a statement on this matter.

It is expected that the survey will be completed shortly, and present indications are that there will be some increase in Scottish house coal prices as a result.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what factors make up the difference between the pithead and retail price of domestic coal.

The difference is made up of transport costs from pithead to the retail merchant's depot and the margin allowed to the merchant to include the expense of delivery to the consumer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to increase the amount of co-operation between the electrical and gas industries upon problems of research in which both industries have a common interest.

My right hon. Friend's Scientific Advisory Council, on which both industries are represented, periodically reviews research programmes in the whole field of fuel and power, and he is satisfied that this procedure gives ample opportunity for co-operation between the industries on common research problems.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what progress is being made in the exploration for natural gas in the United Kingdom.

Geophysical surveys are already under way in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Drilling is expected to begin in Scotland next January and in Sussex a few months later.

asked the Minister of Health aproximately what proportion of the total number of patients treated by psychiatrists under the National Health Service receive treatment in groups; and what information he has as to the number of cures effected by the group method.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health the total annual cost of the treatment given by psychiatrists under the National Health Service; and the capitation fee per patient.

Psychiatrists employed in the hospital service are salaried officers and do not receive capitation fees. I regret that the information requested is not available

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the damage to fences and loss of amenity sustained by the owner of Forge Farm, Groombridge, owing to climbers using the rocks on the adjoining land belonging to the Forestry Commission; and if he will endeavour to arrange a settlement of the issues involved on lines equitable to all parties.

I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend has discussed this matter with a representative of the Commission and that it is hoped that arrangements acceptable to all parties can be made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture for what reason the number of executive officers and clerical staff employed in the Education and Advisory Services Division has been increased this year.

The main reason for this increase in the 1953–54 Estimates was to provide each of three new experimental farms and horticultural stations with an executive officer. In fact the development of these stations has not yet reached the stage when an executive officer is required and no appointment has yet been made. It has so far been possible to do without the additional clerical staff forecast in spite of some increase in the volume of work of the Division.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the effect that the recent outbreak of myxomatosis has had on the demand for rabbits and, consequently, on the operations of rabbit catchers, as well as the risk which may result from an increase in the rabbit population, and the consequent loss of crops; and if he will make a further statement on the matter, with particular reference to any dangers there may be to human beings as a result of the outbreak of this disease.

I am aware that the recent outbreaks of myxomatosis in this country are said to have reduced the sale of rabbit meat and, consequently, the activities of rabbit catchers. There are, however, other and usually more effective means of protecting crops from rabbits, such as gassing them in their burrows. I am advised that there is no danger to human beings from myxomatosis.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial development certificates for the establishment of industries have been granted during the past 12 months in the areas of Birmingham, London and South Wales, respectively.

The numbers of certificates granted under Section 14 (4) of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, in respect of industrial buildings (including extensions to existing buildings and replacements) of aggregate floor space exceeding 5,000 square feet, for the 12 months ended 31st October, 1953, were as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in order to relieve anxiety prevailing among the workpeople, if he will make a statement regarding the changes contemplated at the Durham China Factory, Team Valley Trading Estates; and how far the continued employment of the trained employees is assured.

I understand that the Receiver who was appointed in October at the request of the Directors of the Company is endeavouring to dispose of the business as a going concern which would provide continued employment. As the hon. Member will realise, this is not a matter in which I could interfere, but weare of course very ready to assist the Receiver whenever possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received the Report of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission on the process of calico printing.

Yes. I received this Report on 28th November. When it has been printed, it will be laid before Parliament in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the anxiety felt by the tourist industry in South Wales at the threat to build a power station at the Leys; and whether he will at once consult with the Minister of Fuel and Power.

I have heard of this proposal, but I understand that no application has yet been made for permission to build a power station at the Leys. If it were, the interests of the tourist industry will be taken into account in reaching a decision.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the plans of the British Electricity Authority to build a power station at the Leys; whether he will consider the strategic consequences of providing a landmark for enemy bombers; and whether he will consult with the Minister of Fuel and Power.

If the British Electricity Authority puts forward a definite proposal to build this power station, the normal procedure for considering matters of this kind will ensure that full weight is given to any views the Air Ministry may have.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of persons injured or killed in road accidents outside Law Hospital, Lanark, on the Carlisle—Cumbernauld road, each year since 1945, and to the most recent convenient date.

The desired particulars are as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of road accidents, the number of persons injured and the number of fatalities, in the county of Lanark, excluding Glasgow, on the Carlisle-Glasgow and Carlisle-Cumbernauld roads each year since 1945, and to the most recent convenient date.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will now consider reviewing and increasing alternative widows' pensions awarded to widows of soldiers killed in the 1914–18 war.

No; these pensions are already higher than the standard rates of widows' pensions. My right hon. Friend would not feel justified in increasing them.

The desired particulars are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will issue a statistical table showing the total population of the British Commonwealth and indicating in each country or territory, separately, the number of adults over 21 years of age and those under 21 years of age and classified according to sex.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 2nd December, 1953; Vol. 521, c. 132], supplied the following further information:

asked the Minister of Food why the value of imports of dehydrated vegetables has increased from £7,000 in 1947 to £250,000 in 1953.

The imports in question were £70,000 in 1947 and £282,000 in the first nine months of 1953. About 70 per cent. of the increase is accounted for by dehydrated onions from Egypt; the balance largely by imports of other vegetables, principally potatoes, from the Netherlands. These imports are on open general licence.

asked the Minister of Food if he will take steps to ensure that slaughterers of pigs insert the identification mark or number of all marked pigs in the column provided under the heading of, "Producers Identification," on the payment certificate or grading statement.

All pigs bought by my Department are tattoo marked to identify ownership. If producers wish to put a private mark on their pigs and notify my Department when the pigs are presented, details of these marks, as well as of the official identification marks, are required to be given in the appropriate column of the payment certificate. If my hon. Friend will let me know of any cases where this is not done, I will have them investigated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider amending the Income Tax Act so as to enable a man with an invalid wife to claim Income Tax relief in respect of a housekeeper, whether or not there are children in the home.

I have noted my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, but I think that we should await the Report of the Royal Commission on the Taxation of Profits and Income before considering any change in the conditions on which the housekeeper allowance can be claimed.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones are outstanding in the Connah's Quay Exchange area; and what has been done to improve the service at this exchange.

One hundred and seventeen applications are outstanding, but I hope that this number will be reduced when new plant becomes available early in the New Year. Heavy traffic at the exchange has caused a deterioration in service, but additional junction cables have recently been provided and this should considerably improve the service.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the continued interference in television reception at Sutton-on-Trent near Newark; and whether he is in a position to report upon the joint investigations of his engineering staff, with the East Midland Electricity staff.

Yes. We now know that the trouble is coming from somewhere on a 300 yard stretch of a high tension electricity line. But the exact location of the cause of interference has not yet been found. The East Midland Electricity Board have attempted to cure the trouble by renewing certain pieces of equipment, but so far they have had no success. A further test is due to be carried out next week. The difficulty in this case is that for a detailed examination of the line to be made the electricity supply of several villages would have to be cut off.