asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now send a representative of his Department to Newcastle-under-Lyme, in response to the local authority's recent invitation, to examine in detail the problem of private streets works and report on the desirability of raising the level of permissible annual expenditure.

I do not think this is necessary since my right hon. Friend has recently authorised a substantial increase in expenditure on private street works in the borough during the coming year. It will be nearly three times the figure of last year.

Why is the Minister reluctant to send a representative? I am grateful for the concession that is being granted, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that it will allow for, perhaps, only five or six streets to be dealt with out of the total of 200 private streets on which work has to be done and out of an area of 20 miles of unmade roads? Will not the Minister, therefore, consider a favourable response to the local authority's invitation?

Three times the expenditure of last year will involve a strain on the building industry which is not excessive but is reasonable under the circumstances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he is permitting private development at a site at Mill Lane, Rainhill, reserved by the Whiston Rural District Council for an open space.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the letter, sent on 30th November last to the appellant's solicitors, which gave my right hon. Friend's reasons for allowing the appeal in this case.

Is there anything in the letter which leads one to think otherwise than that it is the policy to put the welfare of one individual before the needs of the community of an area which is rapidly growing in population and which urgently needs to have adequate open spaces prepared for it?

I think that if the hon. Member reads the reasons in the letter, which are quite powerful, he will come to the conclusion that my right hon. Friend has acted for the general good of the community.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what amount or amounts he has prescribed, or proposes to prescribe, as the maximum financial loss allowance under Section 112 of the Local Government Act, 1948, as amended by Section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1953.

The proposed maximum rates are, in respect of any one 24 hours' period, 15s. for not more than four hours and 30s. for more than four hours.

When does the Minister propose to make the order?

He wishes to make the regulations at the same time as he makes regulations regarding the subsistence allowance. It is hoped to bring them into force as from 1st April.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will convene meetings of local authority representatives, either on a national scale or on a regional basis, to consider whether economies may be ensured by greater administrative efficiency and to consider, in particular, the economies effected by the city corporation of Coventry with the assistance and advice of officers of the Treasury; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 8th March last to the hon. Member for Islington, East (Mr. E. Fletcher). No special statement by my right hon. Friend seems needed.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that in this matter the City of Coventry, with the aid of Treasury officials, has set a very splendid example to us all? Would it not be of great interest to local authorities everywhere to learn how these economies have been achieved without apparent diminution in local services?

That is true, but each local authority is a special case, and what might apply to Coventry might not necessarily apply to any other local authority. My right hon. Friend is considering issuing some sort of guidance to local authorities about the desirability of their taking the initiative. It has been my experience while I have been at the Ministry that it is better if the initiative comes from the local authority and sympathetic help is given by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that tenders for sewerage works at Tollesbury and at Latchingdon, Essex, were approved by his Department in 1951, but that, when the firm tendering was unable to carry out the work, his Department refused to approve the acceptance of a higher tender by the Maldon Rural District Council and has since continued to withhold such consent; and if, in view of the need of proper sewerage in these parishes and the expense already incurred by the council in respect of these schemes, he will now authorise the council to proceed with the work.

My right hon. Friend is looking into this matter, and he soon hopes to be able to authorise the scheme.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that a water supply to a smallholding and cottages at Yarnbrook is held up owing to the failure of the Warminster and Westbury Rural District Council and the Trowbridge, Melksham and District Water Board to reach agreement as to who should provide the supply and upon what terms; and what action he will take to resolve the small difference between these two authorities in order that a water supply may be provided.

My right hon. Friend is in touch with the local authority and the water board with a view to helping them to solve their differences.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement about the redistribution of Exchequer equalisation grants in view of the delay in revising rating assessments.

I am not in a position to add anything to the reply given on 23rd February to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. K. Thompson).

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that there has been further delay in the production of these reassessments of rating values and that this is putting local authorities, including the City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the greatest difficulty because they are not receiving any advantage from any equalisation grant? Will the Minister give some temporary easement to authorities that are in this position?

My right hon. Friend has not received full replies from the local authorities' associations. Surely the hon. Member does not suggest that he should take action before those authorities reply. In any case, Newcastle-upon-Tyne does not receive an equalisation grant now and would not receive any under the recommendations made in the report of the committee that has examined this problem.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that, in the case of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and other cities in a similar position, it is the fault of his Ministry that the city has been put in this position because of the delay in reassessment, and that that is what we are inquiring about?

That legislation was not introduced by my right hon. Friend.

Is my hon. Friend convinced that the equalisation grant system is an improvement on the old block grant system, and would he not allow his Department to think again on the old lines?

We are thinking again on this question. No satisfactory solution has yet been found, but my right hon. Friend is giving great consideration to it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the next Report of the Air Pollution Committee is expected; and to what extent this Committee is concerned with the influence of air pollution on the increase in cancer.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he will give a full report on the research made up to the latest date on air pollution and on the action taken or proposed;

I understand that the Committee on Air Pollution expects to present a further report before the end of the summer. The Committee's Interim Report contained a very clear statement of the main facts at present known about air pollution and the preventive measures already in operation, and I would ask hon. Members to await its next report on possible further action.

My right hon. Friend has, however, just received from the Committee some interim recommendations about the need for fuller measurements of air pollution and for extended research into the prob- lem of pollution by sulphur compounds. These are now being studied. The Committee is already in close touch with the Medical Research Council in regard to the influence of air pollution on human health.

My right hon. Friend believes that the creation of smokeless zones in suitable areas has a useful part to play in reducing air pollution, and he has recently assured the local authorities who possess the necessary powers of his readiness to consider proposals for further smokeless zones.

Is the Minister not aware that the Interim Report was a great disappointment? It said nothing that had not been known before. Many people are concerned that it is taking so long to make a serious attack on this menace. Why does not the Minister answer the last part of the Question? In view of the fact that there is well-informed evidence that "smog" can cause cancer or have some effect, why is there not greater activity in respect of this very disturbing factor?

In my answer, I said that the Beaver Committee was in close touch with the Medical Research Council, who are the greatest experts on the question of cancer and how "smog" affects it. As the Beaver Committee is in close touch with the recognised expert body, I do not think that the Minister can be expected to do more than that.

Will the hon. Gentleman convey to the Committee the fact that all who are interested appreciate the increased attention which is being given to the matter? In order to get the best results, will he consult his right hon. Friend to ensure that either the Minister or he himself concentrates on the problem so that the necessary action may be taken?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that the matter really is being pursued with assiduity, but it is more important to get satisfactory recommendations than speedy ones. My hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, East (Sir H. Williams) pointed out the other day that some recommendations have been carried into effect which are not really satisfactory.

Would the hon. Gentleman consider making it a condition of the payment of subsidy that new houses shall be constructed to use only smokeless fuel?

The hon. Gentleman will find that only approved fuel appliances are installed in all new houses. The problem concerns old houses and not new ones.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consultations and reports he has had in connection with the fluorosis investigations carried out at the Fenton Manor Farm, Stoke-on-Trent; what action he is taking; and if he will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Agriculture on the effect of air pollution.

Intensive investigations are being carried out at Fenton Manor Farm by the Ministry of Agriculture and the two Departments are in close touch in the matter. It is, however, likely to be a considerable time before the results of the investigations are known.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary convey to the Minister of Agriculture the appreciation of the hon. Members representing Stoke-on-Trent for the arrangements which he made for them to see the exhibition, which proved to them the seriousness of the effects of fluorosis? Will he also consult the Minister of Agriculture with a view to having in the Library a similar demonstration of the serious effect of fluorosis upon the bones of cattle?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the maximum period of stay in halfway houses, managed on his behalf by Metropolitan councils; and what steps he is taking to reduce this period.

My right hon. Friend has laid down no maximum period. The responsibility for allocating accommodation available to local authorities rests on those authorities.

Are not halfway houses managed on behalf of the Minister, and is the Minister not financially responsible for them? Ought he not to pay some attention to the possibility of people having to spend some years in halfway houses because there is not the incentive to rehouse them that there is in the case of other people on housing lists?

If the hon. Gentleman has a certain case in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the great problem is very often one of rehabilitation as well as rehousing? Is he aware that in many parts of the country there are no halfway houses and that there is only very unsatisfactory temporary accommodation where rehabilitation is not practicable? I appreciate that the Minister does not wish to interfere with the work of local authorities, but I would ask whether he has any proposals for bringing about more effective co-ordination between welfare authorities, housing authorities and voluntary bodies?

Yes, Sir. In a recent speech my right hon. Friend called the attention of county councils, who are the welfare authorities in these cases, to the desirability of having close contact with housing authorities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the subject of take-over bids for council houses made to many local authorities by a firm of estate agents acting on behalf of anonymous private buyers.

My right hon. Friend has not yet been asked to approve a sale of this nature. He would require adequate assurances as to the character and standing of the purchaser and the observance of the conditions set out in Circular 64 of 26th August, 1952, on the sale of council houses, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a firm of estate agents, P. E. Goodwins, of Mayfair, is in touch with some 90 local authorities in the south of England? May we take it from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that the Minister will be very careful before he sanctions the selling out by local authorities to private speculators?

My right hon. Friend is always very careful in these matters.

Will the hon. Gentleman consult his right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford (Sir Winston Churchill)? According to Press reports, a similar arrangement at Wanstead and Woodford is at present being discussed. I am sure that the right hon. Member for Woodford would not like to see council houses being sold in this manner.

Reports have appeared since 1952 about the the sale of council houses in large blocks, but not a single proposal has yet come before my right hon. Friend. When one does, it will be considered most carefully.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into all matters pertaining to rents of controlled properties, to what extent the landlords have spent their statutory amounts on repairs and decorations, as to how far the Rent Restrictions Acts are effective and being observed, and the profits of property companies; and whether, pending the report of this Royal Commission, he will hold in abeyance the operation of the proposed rent increases.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not think an inquiry by Royal Commission would be helpful at the present time.

As landlords claim that they cannot get enough rent to keep houses in repair, as tenants disagree with that as property companies are earning big profits and paying large dividends, and as tenants are very worried about whether, if rents go up, landlords will spend the money on decorating and repairing houses, surely there is need of an impartial investigation? Would not the best method be to have a Royal Commission which would provide ample time for investigating all these matters and thus enable the House to come to a proper decision without any expression of partisan points of view?

I should not like to accept the assumptions laid down by the hon. Gentleman, but we are most grateful to him for the most massive and intellectual contributions that he makes in Standing Committee with the object of saving houses.

Will my hon. Friend consider the point which has been raised, because it might help hon. and right hon. Members opposite to decide whether the Housing Repairs and Rents Bill is a "landlords' ramp" or a "mouldy turnip"?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of certain defective workmanship in houses in the new town of Harlow; that this has been the subject of representations of tenants' associations in the new town; and if he will make a statement.

Some complaints have been made about a relatively small number of houses. These are being thoroughly investigated by the development corporation. My right hon. Friend is confident that the corporation is discharging its responsibilities in this matter without delay and is putting remedial works in hand where necessary to deal with defects inherent in building construction.

I thank my hon. Friend for his reply, but is he aware that defects in design have appeared in houses of "no fines" construction and that about 80 houses of that type are affected? Is he also aware that tenants have expressed fears that extra burdens by way of maintenance as a result of these defects will pass to them? Will he do what he can to prevent this from happening?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the remedial works will be carried out. In some cases it may be a difficult and protracted task to discover the exact cause of the building defects, but I can assure him that the remedial works, whether they are the liability of the corporation or the contractor, will not involve increased rents.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the defects are partly the result of the policy of his right hon. Friend, and that the development corporations, in order inflate the figure of completions as desired by the Government, are accepting from the contractors houses in a condition which they would not have dreamt of accepting under the previous Administration?

There is absolutely no alteration in the constructional standards required, either in byelaws or in any other way, and it would be wrong that that suggestion should go out to the country.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether any of these houses are owned by private landlords in the constituency of the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis)?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will have the occupied dwellings on the hutted site at Wrottesley Park, in the area of the Seisdon Rural District Council, inspected to determine their fitness for human habitation.

My right hon. Friend's regional officers inspected the hutments on this site on 12th February. They found the condition of the buildings better than in many camps. The council intend to clear first the camp at Perton. which is in poor condition.

If I send the Minister a factual article by a representative of the "Wolverhampton Express and Star," who was at Perton last week-end, will the Minister read it carefully, and will he also meet me on the site, when I will show him the deplorable conditions under which these people are living?

The Question does not refer to Perton but to Wrottesley Park.

Does the Minister not consider that the time has been reached when a definite date should be put to the clearance, all over the country, of these Army huts which are now inhabited as houses?

The next Question deals with that very point.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is in a position to state Government policy on the use of Army and ex-prisoner-of-war hutted dwellings for meeting civilian housing needs.

The report of the working party which has considered the future of these camps will be published in about a week's time.

Is the desire of the Government to keep these camps in being so that they may cut down the normal housing programme, as they have done in Brierley Hill, where it has been cut by one-third?

I do not think that the building of 340,000 houses as against 200,000 two years ago can be considered a cut—even the English language cannot be stretched that far. Huts will always necessarily be unsatisfactory by their very construction, and the best thing we can do is to replace them by speeding up new housing as fast as possible.

A cut of one-third in Brierley Hill?

Order.

Juggling with figures.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has come to a decision about the application of the Lambeth Borough Council to acquire, by a compulsory purchase order, Vauxhall Mansions, the property of Mr. Brady.

No, Sir, but my right hon. Friend expects to do so in about a fortnight.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the Minister to bear in mind that these buildings are in a deplorable condition, that they are getting rapidly worse, that the people are living there in very unpleasant conditions because there is no lighting on any of the staircases, that squatters are coming in every night, and that the Lambeth Borough Council is anxious to get proper control of these Mansions as quickly as possible? Will the Minister also see that, in making any decision, he is flexible in applying the usual rules for granting compulsory purchase orders?

I will convey that to my right hon. Friend. The difficulty has been that certain necessary documents were received at the Ministry only a few days ago, but it is hoped that a decision will be taken in a fortnight.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will circularise local authorities, instructing them that they should not compel their tenants to cook by gas only, but should allow freedom of choice to the individual tenant.

Freedom of choice is usual but cost has to be taken into account. My right hon. Friend does not think this is a matter on which he should seek to dictate to local authorities.

May I ask my hon. Friend if he is aware that a number of these new tenants have electric stoves and are unable to use them? In addition, is he aware that the larger the numbers of electric stoves used, the more easily they can be made at a rate at which they can compete in the export market?

Yes, but my right hon. Friend would like freedom of choice for the consumer and he would not like to fetter the local authority in the exercise of its discretion. In some cases pressure is being brought by the tenants for reduced rents, and freedom of choice often means slightly higher rents.

Could the hon. Gentleman advise his right hon Friend to tell the housewives to sell their electric stoves and to cook by gas, and that it is a decision they will never regret?

I do not think that my right hon. Friend would like to risk offering that advice.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the approximate number of prefabricated houses; and whether he can give an estimate of the number of these houses which will become unfit for occupation during the next two years.

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Housing Return. My right hon. Friend regrets that he has no data for the estimate asked for in the second part of the Question, but he would guess that the number will be very small.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the average superficial area of three-bedroom houses built by local authorities in each of the years 1951, 1952 and 1953.

Material for exact comparison between houses completed at various dates is not available.

Is the Minister aware that the reduced superficial area is bringing an increasing number of complaints from tenants who find that the space available in the so-called "People's House" is not adequate?

Local authorities can build what type of house they like, except for the proviso that they must build rooms that conform to the size laid down by the Dudley Committee. They are doing that. In some cases they have reduced the superficial space because they want to bring the rent down, but no local authority is compelled to build a house of which it does not approve.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that great pressure is brought upon local authorities to build to the "People's House" specifications?

Absolutely no pressure whatsoever is put on the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to ensure that open spaces at present occupied by temporary housing will be made available once again to the public as soon as the housing situation permits.

I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 14 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Bill at present before the House.

Whilst appreciating the answer which the hon. Gentleman has given, may I ask if we can take it from his reply that he is quite satisfied that as soon as it is possible from the housing point of view to release these open spaces, they will be returned to the full enjoyment of the public?

My right hon. Friend has two conflicting pressures on him, one from the housing section of the local authorities who wish to keep the spaces for building purposes, and the other from the parks section of local authorities who need these spaces as open spaces, but I think that the hon. Member will see from the Bill that a reasonable compromise has been reached.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, in addition to American hutments and Army hutments to which my hon. Friend the Member for Brierley Hill (Mr. Simmons) referred earlier, a considerable number of Nissen huts were erected on open spaces in bombed districts during the war, and that the Government of the day said that they were to remain there for a few years only after the war? Is he aware that they are there today, at great expense to the local authorities, and will he indicate the Government's policy in relation to Nissen huts?

I should like to see details of the cases that the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now reconsider his decision, in view of the additional burden that this will place upon the rates, not to contribute to the overspill charges incurred by the Salford Corporation at Worsley.

My right hon. Friend is prepared to consider making a contribution to the cost of the sewerage work required in Worsley in connection with the development being undertaken to relieve the housing needs of Salford. But he thinks it reasonable that the Salford Corporation should pay the statutory rate contribution towards the cost of the houses during the early years of the scheme. These houses will be filled by tenants nominated by the corporation, and the cost to Salford of getting these houses for their people will be modest by comparison with the cost to them of building for themselves.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I expected him to do very much better than that? As the Salford scheme inspired the 1952 Act, as I am sure he will agree, will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to look at this matter again in view of the circumstances and give Salford the grant which he has power to give under the 1952 Act?

In this case Salford must pay the same as any other local authority, including the L.C.C. Salford is, frankly, getting a bargain because its own houses are costing more than its statutory rate contribution and all that Salford is asked to do is to give statutory rate contribution to Worsley. Salford is not coming out of this too badly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has now receive the Interim Report of the Committee on Synthetic Detergents.

Yes, Sir. It will be published shortly.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on 19th January the Minister told me that the report would be received "very soon"? "Very soon" surely meant by the present time. As the chemical and medical values of these products are very doubtful, will he expedite the publication of the report?

The hon. and gallant Member has not read his own Question. It asks whether my right hon. Friend has received the Interim Report of the Committee. My answer to that was, "Yes, Sir, he has received it and it will be published shortly." The supplementary question stated that my right hon. Friend said in January that he hoped to receive the report very soon. He has received it.

Then why not publish it?

Does the hon. Gentleman realise the urgency about publishing the report in view of the fact that a very important Bill on the subject is now before the House?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent the costs of protecting our coasts against erosion are borne by the Exchequer.

The amount of Exchequer grant for works to prevent coast erosion varies according to the cost of the work and the resources of the local authority in each case, but the overall figure to date represents approximately 60 per cent. of the total cost.

In view of the fact that our coasts are a national asset, does not my hon. Friend think that the Exchequer ought to bear the whole burden?

The grants sometimes go up to 80 per cent. but it is always found desirable in these cases to tie the financial interests of the local authorities to the actual work carried out.

Did the Minister say that 50 per cent. of the costs were borne by the Exchequer.

The average figure is 60 per cent.

Does the Minister take into consideration the smallness of some of these local authorities, and does he think that figure is sufficient to warrant any substantial repair of these works against erosion?

I said in my original answer that the figure varied according to the cost of the work and the resources of the local authority. If the resources of the local authority are meagre, the Exchequer grant is increased accordingly, and in some cases authorities get as much as 80 per cent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many miles of new rights of way have been established on the Pennine Way; how many new rights of way are still required; and when he expects the route to be completed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects the whole length of the Pennine Way to be open for use by walkers.

Thirty-eight miles of new rights of way have been created, further rights of way covering two miles have now been found to exist, and 51 miles are still under negotiation. Owing to the legal complexities involved my right hon. Friend cannot yet say when the whole route will be formally completed, but apart from a few controversial stretches, amounting in all to about eight miles, the way is open in practice to walkers throughout the whole 250 miles.

I am afraid that my right hon. Friend cannot say how long it will take to reach decisions on the controversial eight miles, but we shall proceed as quickly as we can.

But is not the hon. Gentleman aware that this work is proceeding very slowly, in fact at a rate of one mile a month, and that at the present rate it will be another five years at least before the whole route is completed? Can he take action to speed up the process?

I have said that we will speed it up as fast as possible, but I walked the whole of the Pennine Way long before Parliament passed an Act saying that we could do so, and in practice it is possible to do it.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that we are anxious to see that many more people have the opportunity of doing what he and others have done? Is it not shocking that a way which was to have been available for walkers years ago is still not open, and is it not time that he put some pressure on the authorities concerned?

Most of the Pennine Way is open in practice. Most of the delay is caused by the legal complexities. It is only about the eight miles that there is any controversy, and that has been occasioned because the local authorities who are the water undertakers in that area have raised grave objections. Hon. Gentlemen who are closely in touch with local authorities will know that they never raise objections unless they are well founded.

Would the hon. Gentleman explain how he avoided being shot by gamekeepers or prosecuted for trespassing?

I avoided being shot because I was so much faster than they were.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the position regarding the route of the Pennine Way from Laddow Rocks in the county of Cheshire to the summit of Black Hill.

Manchester Corporation are objecting to the route chosen by the National Parks Commission and approved by the right hon. Gentleman, the Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton) in 1951; my right hon. Friend is considering whether or not the line should be varied.

Is it not a fact that in this case the Minister has acted against the advice of the National Parks Commission and the Peak Park Planning Board, and will there be a public inquiry before any final decision is taken?

No, Sir. The Minister has not acted at all yet and he has made no decision either one way or the other. The National Parks Commission wants the route to go in a certain direction and the Manchester Corporation wants it to go in another direction. The Minister has to adjudicate, fortified by the knowledge that whatever he does will be wrong to someone.

Would my hon. Friend be good enough to publish a map of the Pennine Way so that we can know where it is?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish the technical report which led his Department to approve the construction of Bankside power station, subject to the condition that it should be oil burning, as stated by the then Minister on 22nd April, 1945.

The technical advice given before the Bankside power station project was approved has already been made public. It was to the effect that sulphur and other noxious fumes could be eliminated, but that experiments with a pilot plant should first be carried out to determine the best method. That was done and a gas washing plant designed in the light of those experiments has been installed in the power station.

Is my hon. Friend aware that that plant has the effect of bringing down more sulphur fumes than if it had never been installed?

There is a technical conflict on that point and the tests made have shown that the average efficiency of the extraction of sulphur and other gases was 97.2 per cent. for the period between July and September, 1953, and 97.7 per cent. between October and December, 1953.

As this power station is in my constituency, may I ask whether the Minister has received any complaints at all about sulphur fumes emitted from it, and what complaints he has received about grit and other substances from the old station? Is he aware that my constituents are anxious to see this power station in full operation, to save them from the abominable nuisance of the old power station?

asked the Minister of Works whether he has noted the increase in the incidence of sickness of his staff attached to the Chamber of the House of Commons in 1953 as compared with 1950; and whether he can give details and explanations which might account for this.

The staff attached to the Chamber are in the service of Mr. Speaker. With your permission, Sir, I will give the information.

One hundred and sixty-four days were lost through sickness in 1950 among doorkeepers in the House, and 331 in 1953. The higher figure for 1953 includes 166 days in respect of two doorkeepers

who died in that year. As 34 doorkeepers are employed, I do not regard these figures as unduly high.

Whilst thanking the hon. Gentleman for the figures and information which he has given, may I ask whether he has any information to give about the drying out of the air and the effects that it has in causing sinusitis, both here and in similar chambers, for example in America, where the air is treated as it is here?

Yes, Sir. I am aware that there is a certain amount of sinus trouble among Members of the House and members of the staff, and investigations into that trouble are proceeding at the moment.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that the humidity of the Chamber in the House of Commons changes appreciably towards night-time; and what action can be taken to offer a remedy.

Careful records of humidity in the Chamber are kept but they do not show any appreciable change towards night-time one way or the other. There is, however, a tendency for temperature to rise when the House is crowded at night-time, and as a result of experiments made in the last few weeks it has been found beneficial to reduce the incoming air temperature to compensate for heat radiated by hon. Members.

But is the Minister not aware that this lowering of the temperature can be taken a little too far? Is he aware that at five o'clock in the morning when we were debating the Navy Estimates it was freezing on the bench where I sat and I had to move down towards the Front Bench to obtain a little warmth?

Is not the simple solution of the problem to go home earlier?

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a statement disclosing if a decision has yet been taken about felling elms in Hyde Park; and to what extent such felling is to take place.

One-third of the trees in Hyde Park are elms. These are now being examined. When I have the report I will consider whether any must be taken down.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the charge that he was badly informed about the elms in Kensington Gardens, and that it has been found that most of them are quite sound and should not have been felled? In view of that, will he be a little more cautious with regard to the experts' advice on Hyde Park? Would he not be prepared to state who are the experts who are advising him so that some measure may be taken of the strength of their advice?

I have already stated that I was advised by Kew Gardens, the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh and the Department of Forestry, Oxford.

But the names?

The distress about Kensington Gardens may be due to the fact that the contractor burned at once all the diseased and damaged portions of the trees and left the sound portions lying on the ground for removal for sale.

That is a good story.

For many years the First Commissioner of Works has been advised to cut down the moribund elms and to replant, and this ought to have been done long ago. It is the right policy. I know that it is unpopular but I am sure that I must go on with it.

Is it not a fact that elms are dangerous even when they are sound because of the nature of their wood? Is it not a fact that the limbs are liable to break off when the extra weight of leaf is on them, even if the wood of the limbs is perfectly sound?

Yes, and as these trees approach their 200th year they become dangerous. Most of them were planted about 1750.

With What trees is it proposed to replace these destroyed elms?

There are several varieties: scarlet oaks and beeches in the Broad Walk, and a variety of other species where individual trees are taken down. If the hon. Member would like further information, I should he glad to supply it.

asked the Minister of Works his plans for licences for development of the site of the Palace Hotel, Aberdeen; when he will grant the licence for the work; and when it will commence.

The local authority has been consulted, and I have decided to grant a licence for the development of this site. Work can start as soon as plans are ready.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he realises the importance of proceeding with the work before the coming holiday season?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Works if he will specify in detail his plans for helping the Aberdeen stone industry by granting an increase in licences for building new shops and big industrial and commercial buildings; what these buildings are; where they will be situated; and when the licences will be granted.

Licences are now being granted more freely for the types of buildings which use stone. Some of these buildings will call for Aberdeen stone and orders have already been placed with Aberdeen quarries. I hope more will follow.

Does the Minister realise that his answer is just as generalised and as vague as the policy speech which he made in Aberdeen the other day, and that we want precise details of times and places?

I can only encourage the architect to specify Aberdeen stone. The hon. and learned Gentleman may like to know that there are only five granite workers in Aberdeen registered as unemployed.

asked the Minister of Works (1) whether he will state the estimated cost and estimated period of construction for the Dounreay atomic energy plant and installation; and the estimated date of final completion;

The plant at Dounreay will be an adventure into unexplored territory, and it is too soon to provide my hon. Friend with firm information on the points he raises. The construction of the plant is expected to take four to five years. It is too early, because of developments which may be incorporated in the design, to give a definite figure of cost, but it may be of the order of £15 million; for the same reasons I cannot estimate the output of electricity.

My noble Friend will bear in mind the suggestion of a model, but for this further study of plans is needed.

asked the Minister of Works what plans he has for further extensions of building in Wales this year; if he will specify the nature and location of any major projects contemplated; and if he will make a statement.

In Wales, as elsewhere in the United Kingdom, I am ready to license work up to the limit of the capacity of the building industry. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of major works in progress and in prospect in Wales.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he will say if progress will continue in the coming year?

Judging from the number of licences given, there should be a considerable increase.

Has the Minister included in his list a Parliament House of Wales?

Following is the information:

Major projects started in 1953:

Ministry of Works expect to let contracts amounting to £250,000. There is also in prospect a substantial programme of defence works and of work for the National Coal Board and the rebuilding of blitzed damage in Swansea.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that 39 men on the professional grade of directors of land and accommodation with upward of 12 years' service were declared redundant in January and put under warning notice, and that at the same time advertisements have appeared in the Press of vacancies in similar positions in the directorate; and if he will give priority of appointment to these vacancies to the men now under notice.

There has been a review of the load of work in the Directorate of Lands and Accommodation. As a result, 44 temporary officers serving in professional grades have been given notice. Nearly all of them had previously competed for established appointments, but without success.

The vacancies advertised in the Press are for established posts in a lower grade than professional. Most of the redundant officers can compete for these posts, but the competition regulations do not permit their being given any priority over other candidates. Eight of them have, however, been offered temporary re-engagement in technical posts.

Is the Minister aware that some of these officers have been in this Department for 12 years? Has it taken 12 years to find out that these men are incompetent to do the job? Why advertise for men to come in while 42 are under notice?

The hon. Gentleman will see that the posts which we are advertising are not the same. They are of a lower grade than the professional posts. The posts being given up are, in the terms of the Civil Service, all cases of true redundancy; that is to say, nobody is going to fill them.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a statement on the projects for a new Government-sponsored cement factory in the Appin district of Argyll, which was actively pursued some time ago; what particulars he has of the quantities of blue clay and limestone in the neighbourhood; and whether he is aware of the need for cement production in Scotland to avoid the transport charges on imported cement.

It would be a very good thing if more cement could be produced in Scotland at a cost which competed with the price of cement imported from England. There has never been a Government-sponsored project for a cement works in Argyll. A private company has investigated the blue clay and limestone deposits near Shian, but I have no information as to their extent. I understand that it has not been found possible to proceed with the building of a cement works to use these deposits.

Is it a fact that this project was at one time alleged to be Government-sponsored, and in view of the development of other minerals in the West Highlands, does he not think that this is a development which should be encouraged in every possible way by his Ministry?

I should be very glad indeed to see a new cement works in the west of Scotland, but if by encouragement my hon. and gallant Friend means a subsidy, I think that a matter of costs might be involved. If it is cheaper to transport cement from England, there seems no point in a subsidy.

Would the Minister answer the second part of the Question—whether he has any particulars of the materials available in the locality which would justify the starting of a cement works?

I have only the report of the engineer who was engaged by the company.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will make a statement with regard to negotiations for the restoration of Temple Bar to some convenient site in London.

I have received no request from the owners of Temple Bar for permission to move this scheduled ancient monument, and I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 29th January, 1952.

Is not the Minister aware that this historic monument is suffering from years of neglect? Would he not initiate a conference with the City Corporation and the Westminster City Council in order to see if something cannot be done to save it from falling into complete decay?

As part of my duty, I have had an inspection made and Temple Bar is in a reasonable state of repair. It is no part of my duty to find a new home for it, but I should welcome a suggestion if one came from the quarters mentioned.

asked the Minister of Works (1) to what extent the purchase of uranium in Commonwealth countries is co-ordinated with the United States of America;

Uranium is purchased from both Commonwealth and foreign countries, including Belgium, by the Joint Anglo-American purchasing agency. The Anglo-American arrangements cover the provision of capital funds for development and the purchase of unanium produced.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that Britain is the only major atomic Power which has not got direct control of the raw materials of nuclear fission? In the circumstances, will he say what the Government are doing in order to guarantee future supplies from the Commonwealth, independently of the United States, which, I understand, has made an independent arrangement of its own for certain supplies?

We are getting on very well in the joint arrangements with America, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not press me further on this very delicate subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an instruction that the contents of constituents' letters enclosed by a Member of Parliament in his correspondence with Government Departments, will not be divulged or conveyed to persons not in the service of the Government.

asked the Prime Minister what instructions he has given, or intends to give, to Ministers concerning the revelation of details contained in letters of Members of Parliament to their Departments to persons and organisations outside the control of their respective Departments.

In very many cases disclosure to persons or organisations outside the Government service is necessary to find out the facts, or to remedy the matter complained of. The matter cannot be dealt with by a general rule against disclosure. But clearly Departments must exercise great discretion as to the circumstances in which disclosure is appropriate; and a reminder is being issued to Departments in this sense.

If I might make a practical suggestion, hon. Members might also consider on occasion asking their correspondent, in the case of a letter on which they are contemplating an inquiry from the Government, whether he is willing that it should be disclosed to a wider circle.

May I thank the Prime Minister for that statement, and may I ask him if he is aware that it will do much to remove the anxiety of many constituents who were being laid open to attack by third parties if their letters were divulged by Government Departments?

May I also thank the Prime Minister for that very admirable reply, and ask him whether he might consider advising Ministers that they should inform a Member if it is their intention to reveal details contained in letters sent to them on behalf of constituents?

That will add to the correspondence. In sending in his letter to a Government Department, the Member should as far as possible state whether the enclosure may be shown to others or not.

Is the Prime Minister aware that this question arose recently as a result of a libel action being started owing to a letter having been transmitted to an outside person? Would he ask his legal advisers to consider how far Members of Parliament and civil servants will be implicated if inadvertently any letter that is transmitted to an outside person happens to contain a libel? Would Members of Parliament or the civil servant concerned be accused of libel merely because of the fact that they had sent the letter to a Government Department?

I think they would have a fairly good defence.

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to restore the cuts in ministerial salaries imposed when he formed his Administration.