asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will show the percentage increase in wages and company dividends paid in 1954 as compared with 1939.

I regret that information for 1939 is not available. Comparative figures for 1938 and 1954 were given in a reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Buckinghamshire, South (Mr. R. Bell) on 3rd February, 1955.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to give a substantive reply to the letter of 26th January, 1955, addressed to him by the officers of the Public Service Pensioners' Council.

My right hon. Friend hopes to reply shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many farmers have been dispossessed of their properties in the years 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954.

The number of dispossession orders made on grounds of bad husbandry which became effective in each year was as follows:

1950	…	…	…	…	52
1951	…	…	…	…	71
1952	…	…	…	…	92
1953	…	…	…	…	105
1954	…	…	…	…	38

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, on the long journeys from Ayr to Hereford by train, cows frequently calve in transit and receive no, or little attention and often no food or water; that in one case, on 19th October, 1954, such cattle had been on rail for over 42 hours without any attention; that no inquiries are ever made as to the birth of calves during transit, and that they are often left in open cattle trucks; and what action he is taking to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The Transit of Animals Order prohibits the carriage of cows by rail if it is reasonably probable that they will calve on the journey. Twenty-one cattle which travelled from Ayr via Hereford to Trowbridge on 19th October were 26 hours on rail; I understand that although none of these calved, a few cows have calved on this route on other occasions recently. This risk is difficult to eliminate entirely. The railway authorities take what steps they can to avoid it and to deal with emergencies. My veterinary officers are in frequent touch with them on the transit of animals generally.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to bring in regulations governing the transit of animals by air.

The transport by air of those classes of livestock whose movement I have at present powers to control is on a comparatively small scale. I do not think there is any need yet for regulations, but I am keeping a close watch on developments so that suitable steps can if necessary be taken in the light of experience.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what reports he has had of recent outbreaks of atrophic rhinitis among Landrace pigs.

No outbreaks of atrophic rhinitis in Landrace pigs in Great Britain have been confirmed since 4th September last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in North Devon only 432 farms out of a total of 2,330 now have electricity; and whether he will consult the South-Western Electricity Board with a view to accelerating this rate of progress in this area.

I am informed by the Board that the figures quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend relate to the Barnstaple district. I am satisfied that the Board is sympathetic to the demands of the rural areas and, within the limits of their resources, is doing its best to meet them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the current annual cost of the fertiliser subsidy; what procedure is adopted in settling the rates of subsidy to ensure that the greatest possible degree of economy in production and distribution of fertilisers is obtained by the manufacturers; and how the rate of improved efficiency in the fertiliser industry compares with the rate of improved efficiency in the agricultural industry.

The annual cost of the fertiliser subsidy is between £12 and £13 million. Payments of subsidy are related to the amount of fertilisers purchased by the farmer and do not involve control over fertiliser production and distribution. I am unable to make the comparison of efficiency for which my hon. Friend asks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what plans are being made to establish an attested area clear of bovine tuberculosis in Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight; and when the first steps will be taken.

Preliminary discussions have recently taken place about the next areas to be dealt with under the Tuberculosis Area Eradication Plan. The proposal as regards the five counties mentioned by my hon. Friend is to provide free tuberculin tests from 1st March, 1955, in the expectation that these areas may be declared eradication areas two years later and subsequently attested areas. I hope to be able to announce the details very soon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what grants are given by county agricultural executive committees for the reconstruction of farm roads to make them fit to carry heavy traffic, such as milk lorries; and if he will consult the County Councils Association to ensure that there is full co-operation between his committees and the county councils with the object of providing adequate roads wherever needed for the purposes of food production or the convenience of those living on outlying farms.

The Hill Farming and Livestock Rearing Acts enable me to make grants of 50 per cent. of the cost of making or improving private farm roads in upland areas as part of an approved scheme. Assistance may also be granted under the marginal production scheme up to 50 per cent. of the cost of repairing farm roads where the work is uneconomic for the time being. Arrangements for consultation between agricultural executive committees and highway authorities on problems relating to public roads in rural areas are already in existence and working satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what factors he takes into account when he makes appointments to the agricultural panels who advise the Ministry of Labour with regard to cases for agricultural deferment from National Service; what is the length of appointment of members of the panel; and how often he reviews the composition of these panels.

The agricultural members of these panels are appointed by the subcommittee of the county agricultural executive committee that is responsible for labour matters. They are drawn as far as possible from the membership of the sub-committee, with equal representation for farmers and workers. There is no fixed period of service and no regular review of the composition of the panels.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent there is a shortage of labour in the London docks; and if he will make a statement.

The recorded average daily labour shortage in London during January was 322. To meet estimated future needs, the National Dock Labour Board have decided to increase the London dock labour force, and I understand that the Local Dock Labour Board will start recruiting additional men immediately.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the effect which the spread of myxomatosis has had up to date on rural employment; how many rabbit-trappers and gamekeepers have become redundant; and to what extent alternative employment has been available for these men.

I am not aware of any increase of unemployment in the rural

Date				Males	Females	Total
11th January, 1954	…	…	…	19,508	9,366	28,874
15th February, 1954	…	…	…	20,128	9,455	29,583
15th March, 1954	…	…	…	19,045	9,272	28,317
12th April, 1954	…	…	…	17,069	9,128	26,197
10th May, 1954	…	…	…	16,226	8,715	24,941
14th June 1954	…	…	…	14,636	7,721	22,357
12th July, 1954	…	…	…	14,555	7,583	22,138
9th August, 1954	…	…	…	15,724	7,829	23,553
13th September, 1954	…	…	…	15,265	7,305	22,570
11th October, 1954	…	…	…	15,581	7,497	23,078
15th November, 1954	…	…	…	16,231	7,401	23,632
6th December, 1954	…	…	…	16,002	7,175	23,177
10th January, 1955	…	…	…	18,780	7,831	26,611

The tabulation of the figures for individual industries for each month would involve more work than can at present be undertaken, but the figures for the principal industries for the beginning and end of the period are given below:—

Industry	11th January, 1954			10th January, 1955
	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
Building and Civil Engineering Contracting	3,486	37	3,523	3,574	22	3,596
Distributive Trades	1,491	1,505	2,996	1,484	1,327	2,811
Non-Electrical Engineering	1,216	257	1,473	1,091	306	1,397
Catering, Hotels etc	623	1,028	1,651	608	739	1,347
Local Government Service	1,119	154	1,273	1,141	135	1,276
Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing	1,016	66	1,082	949	45	994
Professional Services	460	476	936	423	418	841
Iron and Steel Melting, Rolling, etc.	853	25	878	817	22	839
Bread and Flour Confectionery	280	357	637	287	320	607
Iron and Steel Tubes	307	7	314	493	5	498
Tailoring	131	442	573	101	346	447
Railways	410	18	428	420	16	436
Sea Transport	517	5	522	424	12	436
Tramway and Omnibus Service	174	239	413	162	207	369
Agriculture and Horticulture	246	104	350	254	105	359
National Government Service	267	117	384	262	93	355
Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Rivets, Nails, etc.	220	227	447	73	54	127
Other Industries and Services	6,692	4,302	10,994	6,217	3,659	9,876
TOTAL—All Industries and Services	19,508	9,366	28,874	18,780	7,831	26,611

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, are unemployed in the county of Lanark and in which trades; and how these figures compare with those for each month of the past year.

The following table shows the numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of employment exchanges in the county of Lanark (including Glasgow) at monthly dates during the last twelve months:—

asked the Minister of Labour how many men were called up for military service in 1954; how many were exempted and how many deferred; and how many were rejected on medical grounds.

The number of men called up in 1954 was 147,975. In addition, 52,840 men in the National Service field of call-up joined the Forces on Regular engagements during the year. The number of deferments is estimated to have been approximately 120,000, including about 17,000 permanently deferred so long as the men remained in their employment. The number rejected on medical grounds was about 51,000.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) to give an estimate of what reduction in the cost-of-living index would be effected if Purchase Tax on furniture was abolished;(2) to give an estimate of what reduction in the cost-of-living index would be effected if all Purchase Tax on items included in the index was abolished.

As Purchase Tax is levied on wholesale values and I have no information as to the precise amount of such tax included in the retail prices reported each month for articles covered by the retail prices index, I am not able to make an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he gave to a deputation from the National Association of Retired Police Officers on the subject of police widows whose husbands died before 5th July, 1948; and when he hopes to be able to meet their request.

I promised the deputation that while I could not hold out any hope of my being able to reach a different conclusion from that of my predecessors, I would make a fresh review of the question in the light of their representations. I will write to my hon. Friend when I have done so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the cause of the recent hunger strike at Dartmoor Prison; and what action he has taken, or proposes to take, to deal with the situation created, with a view to avoiding similar occurrences in future.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 3rd February to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Foot), to which I would only add that no prisoner at Dartmoor prison is now refusing food.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners at Dartmoor Prison are on normal diet; how many are on a punishment diet; and what is the difference between the two diets.

On 8th February no prisoners at Dartmoor prison were on punishment diet; apart from 13 prisoners in the prison hospital, all the prisoners were on ordinary diet. The punishment diets are set out in the Prison Rules, 1949 and 1952. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the ordinary dietary scale.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce regulations to ensure that, on future occasions, when large numbers of citizens desire to see Members of Parliament, more suitable arrangements are made by the police to deal with the situation; and if he will give an undertaking that mounted police will not be used except in circumstances defined by regulation.

I am satisfied that the Metropolitan police fully appreciate the importance of taking all necessary steps to enable constituents to have access to their Members of Parliament. What happened on 25th January was that a mass demonstration was organised in the neighbourhood of the Palace of Westminster with the result that other citizens wishing to interview their Members were unable to gain admittance. Moreover, the demonstration became disorderly and, in the circumstances, it was the clear duty of the police, in pursuance both of the Sessional Order and of the general law which prohibits the tumultuous petitioning of Parliament, to disperse the demonstration.In my view, the police acted with tact and restraint, and I do not think that this incident discloses any need for attempting to define in advance what arrangements should be made by the police to deal with such demonstrations, which occur infrequently and can be dealt with only in the light of the circumstances at the time. Similarly, the circumstances in which mounted policemen should be used cannot be defined in advance and the question of their use must be left to the discretion of the police officer in command on the spot.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to amend the law of obscene publications on the lines of the draft Bill which has been put forward by the special committee initiated by the Society of Authors and presided over by Sir Alan Herbert, a copy of which is in his possession.

I am examining the proposals submitted by the Committee in consultation with some of my colleagues, but the issues involved are complex and controversial and I cannot at present make any statement about the possibility of legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases were dealt with at Lambeth Juvenile Court during 1952, 1953, and 1954, respectively.

1,014, 1,165 and 1,234, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of prosecutions during 1954 for the avoidable emission of smoke from motor vehicles.

In the Metropolitan police district in 1954 proceedings were taken for this offence against one person, who was convicted and fined. Eighteen written cautions were issued. I regret that similar information for the rest of the country is not available.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will now make a statement on the recruitment of mathematics and science teachers.

I am anxious to look at all sides of this difficult question before I make a statement.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement on fuel consumption in post-war schools.

The drafting of a building bulletin on the heating of schools is in hand. It will deal, among other things, with fuel consumption in a sample of post-war schools.

asked the Minister of Education why the United Kingdom contribution to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation for 1955 has been reduced from £373,051 to £237,000.

Because, with the accession of new Member States, the United Kingdom will now contribute a smaller proportion of the Organisation's current expenditure and will this year also benefit from a credit of approximately £33,000 from the Working Capital Fund.

asked the Minister of Education if he will ensure that the Indian collection at South Kensington Museum will be available for teaching purposes; and whether, if necessary, he will approach the museum authorities to see that there shall be adequate access by teachers and students to Indian objects of aesthetic interest.

I am glad to be able to assure the hon. Member that it will be possible to display the majority of the objects of aesthetic interest in the Indian collection by means of structural alterations to the main building of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

asked the Minister of Education what instructions he has issued with regard to the reduction of maintenance grants in respect of children whose parents are in receipt of increased pensions or National Assistance.

No new instruction has been issued on this matter. l shall shortly be discussing policy on maintenance allowances with representatives of the local education authorities.

asked the Minister of Education what representations he has received from local education authorities during the past year regarding a revision of maintenance grant scales; and what reply he has given.

A number of authorities proposed increases in their scales and some small increases were approved for the lowest incomes. Consideration of proposals for more radical changes were deferred pending the receipt of my Central Advisory Council's report on Early Leaving. I shall be letting authorities know shortly the kind of proposals I am now prepared to entertain.

asked the Minister of Education (1) if he will give an estimate of the increased annual cost, apart from capital expenditure, that would result from the full implementation of the Education Act, 1944; and if he will give the detailed calculations on which such estimate is based;(2) if he will publish the detailed calculations on which he based his statement that the full implementation of the Education Act, 1944, would involve, apart from capital expenditure, an increased annual expenditure of £100 million.

I made no detailed calculations and I described the figure of £100 million as "a rough guess." I cannot make precise estimates of the additional cost of the full implementation of the Act of 1944 until I can foresee more exactly how, and over what period, the necessary developments will be carried out.

asked the Minister of Education (1) if he will give an estimate of the capital cost, and the current annual expenditure, respectively, required to implement the Sections of the Education Act, 1944, concerning compulsory attendance at county colleges;(2) if he will give an estimate of the number of additional teachers required to implement the Sections of the Education Act, 1944, concerning compulsory attendance at county colleges.

It would be premature to attempt to frame estimates under the heads mentioned in the Questions, until we can foresee how and when it will be possible to give effect to these sections of the Act.

asked the Minister of Education (1) to give an approximate estimate of the capital cost, at present prices, of implementing local authority development plans for primary and secondary schools;(2) if he will give an approximate estimate of the capital cost, at present prices, of implementing the local authority schemes for further education, other than county colleges.

It would require immense labour to compile figures from estimates sent in at different dates and related to different levels of building costs. I hope the hon. Member will not press me to carry out the exercise he asks for.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give an approximate estimate of the capital cost, at present prices, of implementing local authority proposals, submitted for his approval, for the development of technical colleges.

Proposals of this sort are coming in to me all the time. If the hon. Member will let me know what group of proposals he has in mind, I will try to let him have the estimate for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Education how many school places are to be provided, in local authority development plans, in secondary technical schools and technical streams of combined secondary schools; and what proportion this figure bears to the total number of secondary school places to be provided.

The form of many developments plans make it impossible to answer this Question in terms of number or proportion of places. I can say only that the plans of many authorities provide for a considerable expansion of their provision for secondary technical courses.

asked the Minister of Education to give an estimate of the capital costs of providing sufficient additional school places and the number of additional teachers required, to ensure that no secondary class shall contain more than 30, and no primary class more than 40 children.

—	Academic year 1951–52		Academic year 1952–53		Academic year 1953–54
	Total No. of Students	No. of State Scholars	Total No. of Students	No. of State Scholars	Total No. of Students	No. of State Scholars
Cambridge University	7,991	1,859	7,839	2,189	7,830	2,262
Oxford University	7,093	1,590	6,878	1,803	7,037	2,011
Other universities in England and Wales	53,363	3,456	52,539	4,394	51,737	5,468
TOTAL	68,447	6,905	67,256	8,386	66,604	9,741

asked the Minister of Education the annual expenditure on teachers' salaries; and what proportions of this total are borne, respectively, by rates and by grants from the central government.

The latest available figures show that in 1953–54 expenditure on the salaries of teachers in maintained schools and colleges was roughly £153 million. About 60 per cent. of this was met by the Exchequer.

Of all the estimates I have seen relating to teachers the increase needed at the peak of the school population is round 50,000, but the assumptions on which such a calculation has to be made are too uncertain to make the figure of much value. With buildings the calculation is even more unreal.

asked the Minister of Education to state for the last three years for which the information is available the numbers of State scholars and the approximate total number of students in residence at the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and all other universities and university colleges in England and Wales, respectively.

The figures are given in the table below. Those in the second, fourth and sixth columns relate to State scholarships of all types, i.e. those made in supplementation of university open awards, and technical and mature State scholarships, as well as those awarded on the G.C.E. examination.

asked the Minister of Education the total value and number of Forces Educational Training Service grants awarded, to the present time, to ex-Service men and women to enable them to take university courses; and what proportions of these totals have been distributed to persons who, later, discontinued their courses of study or failed to obtain the qualification for which they were working.

55,045 awards had been made by my Department under the Further Education and Training Scheme before 31st January this year for courses at universities or university colleges. I cannot readily give information about failures by holders of this particular class of award or as to the cost of this part of the scheme; but of the 86,403 holders of all types of awards made under this scheme 15,805 either failed to complete the course or did not acquire the qualification for which they were aiming. The total cost of all these awards made before the 31st March, 1954, was about £60 million.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement on the development of a rail link from the Transvaal to Swaziland.

Sir Arthur Griffin, formerly General Manager of Rhodesia Railways, has been appointed to investigate the whole communications problem arising from the exploitation of Usutu Forests and the increase of production in Central Swaziland. He leaves for South Africa by air on 18th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what countries in the Commonwealth and Empire export duties are levied on exports to Great Britain at present; and in what cases these duties are effectively borne by the producer or exporter, and in what cases are they passed on to the British consumer.

Export duties or levies are imposed in all parts of the overseas Commonwealth, except Canada and a few of the Colonies. I am afraid that it would be quite impracticable to attempt to answer the last part of the hon. Member's Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions were held on the export duty system of finance at the recent meeting of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; and with what result.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of British exports to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1954 as a percentage of the exports in 1953; and, for the purposes of comparison, the corresponding average percentage for the other countries of Western Europe.

Exports of United Kingdom goods to the Soviet Union in 1954 were 280 per cent. by value of exports in 1953. Exports from the other Western European countries, including Finland, to the Soviet Union in the first 10 months of 1954 were about 140 per cent. of their value in the first 10 months of 1953 (or 180 per cent. if Finland is excluded).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been sent to the request of the African National Congress that the Government of Northern Rhodesia should consider the establishment of technical institutes for training Africans as skilled workers; and what are the plans of that Government in this connection.

I am consulting the Governor and will let the hon. Member know as soon as I have his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British troops in Hong Kong and Singapore have, during 1953 and 1954, been sentenced to flogging as well as imprisonment.

In Hong Kong six British Service men received sentences of caning in addition to imprisonment during 1953–54. In two cases the sentences of imprisonment were quashed on appeal. In Singapore there were two cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have been made in Kenya regarding the return to the Kikuyu reserve of the wives of those Africans who are permanently held in the detention camps.

The wives and other dependants of men detained in the Anvil operations have been returned to the reserves. As regards arrangements for their welfare in the reserves, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 20th October to the hon. Member for Hammersmith, South (Mr. W. T. Williams).

asked the Minister of Supply the date on which it was decided that the wings and ailerons of the Vickers Valiant must be redesigned; and what percentage of these aircraft, at present in use by the Royal Air Force, have been so modified.

The Valiant wings have not been redesigned. In December, 1954, it was decided to modify the ailerons to overcome undue vibration in high speed flight. This modification is being incorporated in all Valiants being delivered to the Royal Air Force.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement as to the progress in levelling land left derelict from past ironstone workings.

A total of 552 acres has been levelled or is in process of being levelled under Section 16 of the Mineral Workings Act, 1951. Further areas are under consideration by the county councils concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what local authorities in the county of Northampton he has authorised by consent under subsection (2) or authorisation under subsection (3) of Section 17 of the Mineral Workings Act, 1951, to acquire land; and, in each case, how many acres and when.

No local authority has so far asked for approval to acquire land under Section 17 of the Mineral Workings Act, 1951.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what local authorities and operators in the county of Northampton he has, during the financial year ended 31st March, 1953 and 1954, given approval of expenditure incurred in or in respect of carrying out works under Sections 16 and 18 of the Mineral Workings Act, 1951; and as regards what acreage in each case.

I have not so far been asked to approve any expenditure incurred by ironstone operators in the county of Northampton. Approval was given to the Northampton County Council in respect of 85 acres in the year ended 31st March, 1953, 149 acres in the year ended 31st March, 1954, and a further 267 acres in the current financial year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what tonnage of iron ore, and over what acreage. was extracted in each of the financial years ended 31st March, 1953 and 1954, in each of the areas mentioned in the First Schedule of the Minerals Workings Act, 1951, and the county districts, respectively, of Corby, Kettering rural, and Brixworth; and over how many acres in each such area and county district restoration was begun, completed, and in progress during each of those financial years.

The information, so far as I am at liberty to disclose it is set out in the table below. The figures for Kettering Rural District, Corby Urban District, and Brixworth Rural District taken together are 4,130,000 tons and 230 acres for the year ended the 31st March, 1953, and 3,620,000 tons and 202 acres for the year ended 31st March, 1954. Except for certain small areas which are to be used

TONNAGE OF IRON ORE EXTRACTED BY OPENCAST OPERATIONS AND ACREAGE OF LAND WORKED IN THE IRONSTONE DISTRICT IN THE FINANCIAL YEARS ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1953 AND 31ST MARCH, 1954
County			Year ended 31st March, 1953		Year ended 31st March, 1954
			Tonnage (to nearest 1,000 tons)	Acreage (estimated)	Tonnage (to nearest 1,000 tons)	Acreage (estimated)
Leicester	…	…	4,187,000	53	3,826,000	54
Lincoln (Parts of Kesteven)	…	…		80		64
Oxford	…	…		43		43
Northampton	…	…	5,301,000	291	4,919,000	271
Soke of Peterborough	…	…	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Rutland	…	…	1,082,000	50	1,225,000	55
Warwick	…	…	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
TOTAL	…	…	13,535,000	561	13,006,000	532

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of school dentists in Scotland at 31st December, 1954.

At 31st December, 1954, the equivalent of 172 whole-time dental officers were employed in the school dental service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now say when the report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Slaughterhouses for Scotland will be published.

Yes. This Report is being presented to Parliament today and will be published tomorrow. On behalf of my right hon. Friend, I should like to take this opportunity to thank the Chairman and members of the Committee for their work in preparing both this Report and their Interim Report of January, 1954.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on the development of an airport for North-East England.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the annoyance caused to residents near Maindy Barracks, Cardiff, by target practice and especially to night workers seeking sleep by day; and whether he will make alternative arrangements whereby a new firing range is constructed outside Cardiff city boundaries.

I am waiting for a report on complaints which have been made locally and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the weekly old-age pension for a single and married couple for each of the years from October, 1951; the dates on which alterations took place; and, taking £1 in October, 1951, as having a purchase value of 20s., what the relative purchasing power of an old-age pension was for each of the months from October, 1951, to the latest convenient stated date.

* WEEKLY RATES OF RETIREMENT PENSION IN TERMS OF OCTOBER, 1951 PRICES
Month		1951–1952								1952–1953				1953–1954				1954–1955
			single person		married couple		single person		married couple		single person		married couple		single person		married couple		single person		married couple
		s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
October	…	26	0	42	0	30	0	50	0	30	5	50	6	29	11	49	8	29	1	48	4
November	…	25	11	41	10	29	11	49	10	30	5	50	7	29	10	49	6	28	11	48	1
December	…	25	9	41	7	29	8	49	6	30	3	50	3	29	11	49	9	28	9	47	10
January	…	25	3	40	10	29	2	48	7	30	3	50	3	29	10	49	7	—		—
February	…	25	3	40	10	29	2	48	7	30	2	50	2	29	11	49	9	—		—
March	…	25	1	40	7	29	0	48	4	30	0	49	9	29	8	49	3	—		—
April	…	24	9	39	11	28	6	47	7	29	8	49	4	29	6	49	1	—		—
May	…	24	9	39	11	28	6	47	7	29	10	49	6	29	7	49	2	—		—
June	…	24	4	39	3	28	1	46	9	29	8	49	3	29	5	48	11	—		—
July	…	24	4	39	4	28	1	46	10	29	8	49	3	28	11	48	1	—		—
August	…	24	6	39	7	28	3	47	1	29	10	49	7	29	2	48	5	—		—
September	…	24	6	39	8	28	4	47	2	29	11	49	8	29	2	48	6	—		—
*Based on the Interim Index of Retail Prices.

The following tables give the information required.

STANDARD RATES OF RETIREMENT PENSIONS
	Single		Married
	s.	d.	s.	d.
From October, 1951 to October, 1952—
(a) pensioners who on 1st October, 1951 had attained age 65 men, 60 women	30	0	50	0
(b) others	26	0	42	0
From October, 1952 to April, 1955—
all pensioners	32	6	54	0
From April, 1955—
all pensioners	40	0	65	0