asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from the National Society of Children Nurseries; and what reply he has given to these representations.

On 21st October I received a deputation from the National Society of Children Nurseries and others who represented that the provision for children in day nurseries and nursery schools and classes was inadequate, and that a working party should be set up to consider the whole question of day-time care of children under five years of age. I promised to consider the points made, which I am now doing in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the daily minder scheme, which replaced day nurseries in Kent, is being used.

The Kent County Council obtained 53 applications for registration as minders under their daily minder scheme and full details were given to every mother who was using a day nursery and to others who have enquired. Only one mother is making use of the scheme. The Council have found that most mothers prefer to make their own arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to announce the Government's conclusions on the matters dealt with in the Report of the Committee on the Industrial Modernisation of Western South Wales; and why he has decided not to publish any part of the report itself, especially that part dealing with non-confidential matters such as the modernisation of road and other communications between that area and the Midlands.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in the course of my speech in the debate on 8th December.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what increase in standard weekly benefits would be required in order to restore them to the same relationship to National Assistance rates, allowing 10s. a week for rent, as obtained in July, 1948, when the

Table 1 indicates the relationship between National Insurance benefit rates and assistance rates, allowing 10s. for rent. Table 2 indicates the increase in National Insurance benefit rates necessary to restore their relationship to the Assistance rate, together with the estimated additional annual cost of these increases and the consequential savings in National Assistance. The figures for October, 1946, relate to pensions only and are based on the higher pension rates then introduced and on the rates of Supplementary Pensions payable by the Assistance Board at that time.

asked the Assistant Postmaster General if, in order that the House may judge the political balance achieved by the British Broadcasting Corporation, he will publish the list of those Members of both Houses who have undertaken sound and television broadcasts; and the number of such broadcasts by individual Members during the calendar years 1952 and 1953.

The detailed information asked for could not be compiled without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour which I would not feel justified in asking the B.B.C. to incur. My hon. Friend will, however, be able to judge the political balance by the fact that, between 1st January, 1952, and 30th November, 1953, hon. Members of this House have broadcast as follows:—

asked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, if he will inform the House under what terms and at what price he hires the land on which the national timber stockpile is at present stored.

The sites on which the timber stockpile is stored fall into three categories. Where the wharfingers appointed by the Ministry of Materials store timber in their own established timber yards, they are paid a fixed rent. In other cases, the rent is a matter for negotiation, either with the wharfinger, if he obtains the site, or with the owner, if it is obtained through the Ministry of Works.

asked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, what steps are being taken to prevent deterioration of the stored timber in the national stockpile.

All timber in the national stockpile is reported on every six weeks by the firms responsible to the Ministry of Materials for its storage and supervision. In addition, every site is inspected by the Ministry's inspectors at least three times a year. Whenever these reports or inspections reveal that there is danger of deterioration, measures such as repiling are taken to arrest it, or, where these appear impracticable, the timber is sold.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many road accidents have occurred at the junction of Leek Road and Fenton Road in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent; how many of these have been classed as serious; and how many were fatal.

Between 1st January, 1950, and 30th November, 1953, there were 36 accidents, of which two were fatal and two involved serious injuries.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what has been the total cost of schemes for the improvement of traffic control at the junction of Leek Road and Fenton Road, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, since 1930; what the cost would be of installing traffic light signals; and why this method has not been adopted at such a dangerous crossing despite the agreement of the city council.

Since 1930, £1,850 has been spent on improvements at this junction. The cost of providing traffic signals would probably exceed £2,000, but no detailed estimate is available. I am advised that a roundabout would be the proper solution of the traffic problem at this junction and, subject to agreement on details, my right hon. Friend is prepared to offer a 75 per cent. grant towards the cost.