asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to increase the amount of shillings available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the continued shortage of Is. coins in many areas; how many shillings are now in circulation; how many were coined last year; how many are being coined in 1955; and what other steps are being taken to meet the shortage.

I am aware of occasional complaints of local shortages. These can be met if application is made to the banks. About 640 million shillings are estimated to be in circulation now and the net issue in 1954 was 51 million. The programme of the Royal Mint for 1955 provides for an output of 50 million shillings. This programme can be varied to meet requirements as reported by the banks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fall in value of the £1 note, he will consider issuing bank notes with a value of £2 10s.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that his policy of requesting companies to adopt a voluntary restraint in the distribution of higher dividends has not met with a favourable response; and whether he will therefore introduce legislation to control the issue of company dividends and share bonuses.

I do not accept the implication of the first part of the Question; the answer to the second part is No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total earnings of companies, the net amount after taxation, and the percentage of net earnings to national income each year from 1946 to 1954 after Profits Tax; and what were the total dividends and the undistributed profits in each year, separately.

For the years 1946 to 1953,I would refer the hon. Member to the Blue Book "National Income and Expenditure 1946–53" and in particular to Table 23 on page 38–39 and the notes on page 84. Figures for 1954 are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the fact that at the end of 1954 the general level of food prices rose twice as much as wage rates, and that these figures are now officially confirmed by his Department in a Treasury bulletin issued within the last few days; and, in view of the new situation disclosed by these figures, if he will make a further statement on the action Her Majesty's Government proposes to take to stabilise the cost of living and restore prices to the 1951 level.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 22nd February to questions on this subject by the hon. Members for Goole (Mr. G. Jeger) and Dartford (Mr. Dodds).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the concern felt at the continued rise in the cost of living since October, 1951, particularly with regard to food, whilst import prices have been declining; and whether he will move to appoint a Select Committee, or appoint some other independent committee of inquiry, to ascertain the cause of these increased prices and recommend suitable action for the Government to take to reduce prices and the cost of living generally to the October, 1951, level.

In fact, prices of food imports rose slightly between October, 1951, and December,1954. This subject is not one which, in the Government's opinion, should be referred to an independent committee of enquiry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take to end the situation under which the total costs of private price-maintenance organisations, including legal fees and investigation costs, are being allowed to be charged as legitimate business expenses against both profits and income by persons or groups concerned.

None. I see no reason to depart in this field from the ordinary rules governing the admissibility of deductions in computing trading profits for tax purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated revenue from 6d. on the Income Tax on all kinds of income; and what it is on the standard Income Tax only.

On the basis of the probable yield of Income Tax for the current year,1954–55, the estimated revenue from 6d. on the standard rate and on each of the reduced rates is £144 million, of which the standard rate accounts for £74 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present day encashment value, including accrued interest, of a Savings certificate bought for 15s. in October, 1951; and what is its value in purchasing power compared with its value at the time of purchase.

16s. Id. and 14s. 9d., respectively. The second figure is based on the price index of all consumer goods and services between 1951 and 1953, and the Interim Index of Retail Prices thereafter.

asked the Chancellor of Exchequer whether he is aware of the deterioration in the economic position in the United States of America; and what steps he is taking to safeguard this country against the effects of such conditions.

Any deterioration in the economic position of the United States cannot be regarded as immediately recent. An opposite tendency now seems evident.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the exemption from entertainment tax granted in the case of cricket matches, the price of admission to the forthcoming Test matches with South Africa has been increased; and whether, in these circumstances, he will reconsider their exemption from Entertainments Duty.

Yes; but I do not think the circumstances mentioned call for reconsideration of this exemption.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates the cost will be, in gold and dollars, of his proposals to support transferable sterling.

I cannot undertake to estimate how much, if any, net loss will result from intervention by the Exchange Equalisation Account in the transferable sterling market. Indeed, the objective of the operation is the prudent use and conservation of our reserves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, over the 12 months period to 31st December, 1954,was the percentage increase or decrease in the real wages of insured workers, of national production and of personal consumption, respectively.

Between December, 1953, and December, 1954,wage rates rose by just over 4 per cent. and the Interim Index of Retail Prices by 4 per cent.; real wage rates were therefore little changed. I should however point out that between the full years 1953 and 1954 real wage rates rose by about 2 per cent. and that the rise in average earnings of wage earners was greater than the rise in wage rates. The index of industrial production is provisionally estimated as 5 per cent. higher in the fourth quarter of 1954 than in the fourth quarter of 1953. No estimate is yet available for consumers' expenditure in the fourth quarter of 1954, but in the third quarter of 1954 consumers' expenditure at 1948 prices was 3½per cent. greater than in the third quarter of 1953.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that some industrial insurance societies, as distinct from other insurance companies registered under the Companies Acts, place difficulties in the way of policy holders surrendering life policies; that he has an example of this in a letter from the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North; that this procedure inflicts hardship and expense on poor policy holders who, owing to the increased cost of living, cannot maintain their policies; and if he will take steps to alter the law under which such industrial insurance societies are registered, which law permits the raising of these difficulties.

I am aware that the practice of industrial life offices in granting discretionary surrender values is not uniform, but I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave him on 8th December. I am not at present satisfied that further legislation is called for.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much Purchase Tax he estimates he will lose per annum by his recent restriction of hire-purchase facilities.

The recent change in hire-purchase facilities may be expected to have some effect upon the yield of Purchase Tax, but it is one of various factors affecting the yield, and I cannot make a precise estimate of the effect of this factor by itself.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much per annum he aims to drive from the home market to exports of consumer goods by the increase of the Bank Rate to 4½ per cent., and by the restriction of hire purchase facilities; if he is satisfied that this additional volume can be sold in overseas markets without checking British prices; and if he will take every possible step to overcome restrictive practices of both capital and labour that tend to increase United Kingdom manufacturing prices.

While I believe that the measures in question will help to curtail imports and encourage exports, it is not practicable to set figures to the results it is hoped to achieve. In reply to the last part of the Question, our policy on restrictive practices is well known, and there is nothing in the present situation to warrant a departure from it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much currency has been paid to the United States of America to date for the performing rights of the parlour game called "Twenty Questions."

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his Questions Nos. 14 and No. 15, today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what stage entertainments have been exempted from Entertainments Duty under the provisions of the Finance Act, 1946, during the past 18 months; and by whom they were provided.

I regret that this information could not be supplied without disproportionate work and expense, as the entertainments concerned number many hundreds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means he intends to ensure that grants made to the universities, especially for higher technological education, are not balanced by equivalent reductions in expenditure for the same purpose out of the general grants made through the University Grants Committee.

The additional grants which I am making available to the universities for the expansion of higher technological education are for specific developments over and above those for which finance was already available. The universities and colleges concerned will be reporting to the University Grants Committee on the progress of these developments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he received representations from the Trades Union Congress General Council concerning proposals for his Budget; what was the nature of these discussions; and whether he will make a statement.

I received written representations on Wednesday, 23rd February, but have had no discussions with the General Council. The hon. Member will understand that I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the numbers of persons employed on Customs Duties in ports of South and South-East England approved for the purposes of the Aliens Order, and especially at Newhaven, as well as comparable figures for 1938.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to uniformed preventive officers. The pre-war and present numbers of these employed at the four approved ports are:

——			1938	1955
Dover	…	…	41	93
Folkestone	…	…	16	19
Newhaven	…	…	12	24
Southampton	…	…	104	177

This excludes the supplementary staff required for the peak holiday season.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the interests of economy and time, he will suggest to all Departments that, in acknowledging hon. Members' letters, they use a printed postcard, as do the Ministry of Labour and Colonial Office, instead of a typed letter and envelope.

I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for this suggestion, which I am adopting for my own correspondence as soon as stocks of existing acknowledgment forms are exhausted; and I will gladly commend it to my colleagues.

asked the Prime Minister what further proposals affecting both nuclear fission and conventional weapons Her Majesty's Government have considered for submission to the United Nations or otherwise in respect of multilateral disarmament.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 8 and 9 of the White Paper on Defence. The Sub-Committee of the Disarmament Commission is now in private session in London. I shall be making some remarks on this subject in my speech this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps to extend the time for claims under Part I of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1954; and whether he will arrange for newspaper and radio publicity to inform the public of the necessity for claiming within such extended period.

I am not as yet satisfied that a general extension of the time limit for applications under Part I of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1954, is necessary. It is important that these outstanding debts should be settled as soon as possible. Applications are at present coming in very well. With regard to the second part of the Question, there has already been a certain amount of publicity. But I agree with my hon. Friend that more is desirable, and I am taking steps to arrange this.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he is taking to increase the rate of progress in making footpath agreements or orders on long-distance routes, concerning which anxiety was expressed in the last annual report of the National Parks Commission.

The National Parks Commission propose to carry the preliminary survey of future routes to a further stage than has hitherto been possible. This may help to relieve local authorities, some of whom find that negotiation of numerous agreements with the owners of the land puts an undue burden on their limited staff. Although the making of orders may be quicker, it is preferable to proceed by agreement wherever possible, even if this should take a little longer.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will so amend Statutory Instrument, 1948, No. 1613, as to permit all advertisements, the display of which may be undertaken without express consent under the provisions of Clause 12 of the Statutory Instrument, to be illuminated.

I am at present reviewing the Regulations to see whether any changes are desirable. The point mentioned by my hon. Friend is one of the matters that are being examined.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now announce his decision on the proposed compulsory purchase by Newcastle-upon-Tyne Corporation of land at Newbiggin Hall, in view of the lack of any suitable land available to the city for house building after 1957 and of the need for more accommodation.

The corporation and others concerned have been notified of my decision.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now cancel Circular 54/52 relating to types of grants under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945,and receive applications for grant aid for sewerage, and water supply schemes from local authorities in the Development Areas.

No; but as I informed the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 1st February, I will consider such applications where appropriate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what instructions he has issued to his Welsh Department with regard to local authority allocation in house building in Wales.

The problem of house building in Wales is similar to that in England. It has not, therefore, been necessary to issue any instructions, specially applicable to the Principality.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the average number of new houses built from 1946 to 1951 and from 1951 to 1954.

An average of about 169,000 permanent houses a year were built in Great Britain from 1946 to 1951. The average for the years 1951 to 1954 was about 302,000.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the large number of pre-war council houses in Leicester without hot-water systems; and if he will give improvement grants to the local authority with installations where the tenants are prepared to meet part cost.

I will of course consider any application which the Council may submit to me, though I should not normally be prepared to sanction improvement grants for houses on which subsidies are already being paid.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the increase in the Bank Rate and its effect in increasing the financial burdens of local government authorities, he will take steps to increase the rates of housing subsidies.

No. I am not satisfied that in present circumstances any action is warranted.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now permit Buckley Urban District Council to build 30 houses in the current year instead of giving permission for only 20 houses at the outset.

I have asked my Welsh Office to let me have a report on the position.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why, having regard to the housing shortage in the borough of Hackney, he permitted the taking possession by the owner of part of 46,Osbaldeston Road, Hackney, held under requisition by the borough council, without having ascertained the facts; and if he will now withdraw the direction he has given.

The first part of the hon. Member's question is based on a misapprehension. The second part does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of routine inspections of establishments under the Wages Councils and Catering Wages Orders made during the years 1951, 1952, 1953, and 1954.

49,946; 47,450; 46,052; 47,453 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour what purpose is served by local employment committees; and what was the total cost of these committees in 1954 or in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

I am satisfied that these committees, which are appointed by virtue of Section 1 (2) of the Employment and Training Act, 1948, serve a most useful purpose. They provide employment exchanges with local knowledge and advice, and keep them in close touch with industry in each area. The total cost in 1954 was about £5,000.

asked the Minister of Labour, how the prices of tea and meat, taken into account in computing the cost-of-living index, compare with such prices 12 months ago.

For the reasons given in my reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Poole (Captain Pilkington) on 24th February, I cannot give figures for individual items, but only for groups of items.

asked the Minister of Labour what factors caused the increase of 891 in the number of persons unemployed in Sunderland on 10th January, compared with 6th December, 1954.

The main factor was the bad weather on the day of the count which was largely responsible for the increase of 481 men unemployed in shipbuilding and ship-repairing, and building and contracting. There was also an increase of 329 boys and girls, most of whom had left school at Christmas and had not yet been placed in employment. Small seasonal fluctuations in a number of industries were contributory factors.

asked the Minister of Labour to introduce the legislation necessary to ensure that all immigrants normally resident in this country shall be made subject to the provisions of the National Service Act, which at present applies only to British subjects.

No, I could not support this proposal which I think could only result in unnecessary friction with other countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a statement on the proposal to provide a leaving certificate for 16-year-old pupils.

As a possible means of inducing more pupils in senior secondary schools to complete the course, I am considering whether the conditions for the award of the Scottish Leaving Certificate should be altered to permit pupils in the fourth year of the course, at the age of about 16, to take the examination in as many subjects as they wished on the lower grade. The matter is still under discussion with the various educational bodies concerned and I am not in a position to announce my decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to relax the restriction on the provision of accommodation for physical training in new school building.

The arrangements introduced in 1953 enable education authorities to provide adequately for physical education in new schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a statement about the inability of certain local authorities to give full-time schooling to many pupils.

So far as I am aware, all education authorities are giving full-time schooling to all their pupils. There was recently some temporary difficulty at three schools in Glasgow, because of an abnormally high rate of illness among the teachers, but I am informed that the situation at these schools is now normal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many small debt actions there were in Scottish courts during the most recent convenient 12-month period; and what percentage of them were in respect of maintenance orders against husbands in respect of their wives and families.

The number of actions for debt disposed of by decree in the Sheriff Small Debt Courts in 1953 was 51,364. In practice, actions relating to aliment are raised in the ordinary Sheriff Court. In 1953, there were in the Sheriff Court, 9,516 ordinary actions for debt, and 560 actions relating to husband and wife, a large proportion of which involved aliment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of old people found dead in their homes, in the City of Glasgow, from gas-poisoning accidents in the last six months.

In Glasgow during the six months which ended on 24th February, six men and five women aged 65 and over were found dead in their homes as a result of gas poisoning accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what Civil Defence exercises he proposes to carry out in Prestwick and the neighbour hood, so that Civil Defence personnel can be informed of what will be required of them in the event of an atomic explosion over the aerodrome.

Local authorities are responsible for instructing and training members of local divisions of the Civil Defence Corps in the duties they would be required to perform in the event of air attack; manuals of guidance, which are being brought up-to-date, have been issued to help them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that large numbers of sheep are dying from starvation in the north of Scotland; that the majority belong to crofters and landholders who are unable to sustain losses of such magnitude; and if he will consider granting financial relief to ensure replacement of stocks.

I share my hon. Friend's deep concern. The extent of the losses will not be known until the farmers have been able to gather and count their sheep after the thaw. We shall then be in a position to review the problem as a whole and consider how best help can be given in individual cases where serious losses have been suffered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent forestry operations on the Westminster Estates in north-west Sutherland are being curtailed; and what steps are being taken to find other employment for men whose services will be no longer required at Loch More.

The Westminster Estates are privately owned. I understand, however, that the planting programme for the current season has been cut by about one quarter to permit the estate to give more attention to the care of existing plantations. I have not been informed to what extent this may involve a reduction in the number of workers, but there are several projects in the area which should help in providing alternative employment if that is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the estimated value of output of pigs in Scotland during the years 1954, 1953, and 1952; and, of this, what was the value of pigs used for bacon.

The estimated value of the output of fat pigs from agricultural holdings in Scotland for the years ended 31st May, 1952, 1953, and 1954 is £9,991,000, £13,766,000 and £14,427,000 respectively; the estimated value of pigs used for bacon in the same years is £7,417,000, £9,492,000 and £8,249,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further road works are likely to be required for the civic centre of the new town of East Kilbride on which he is prepared to approve the expenditure of £40,000, additional to the extensive roads and roundabouts which have already been built.

The expenditure of £40,000 will cover roadways, pavements and parking space within the town centre. The road works referred to in the second part of the Question are outside the town centre, and form part of the general classified road system which has been constructed to the specification of the local highway authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to give, separately, the population in the counties of Fife, Kinross, West Lothian, Midlothian, and East Lothian, at the latest available date.

The populations of these counties at 31st December, 1954, are estimated as follows:

Fife	…	…	314,300
Kinross	…	…	7,300
West Lothian	…	…	91,100
Midlothian	…	…	104,600
East Lothian	…	…	51,900

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to state for 1953 and 1954, respectively, the number of murders known to the police; the number of murders in which the suspected murderer committed suicide; the number of murders in which the supposed murderer was found unfit to plead or, on pleading, was found guilty but insane; the number of persons charged with murder and acquitted; the number of persons charged with murder but found guilty on a lesser charge; the number of persons charged with murder, found guilty, and sentenced to death; the number of those sentenced to death who were subsequently found to be insane; the number of those sentenced to death who were reprieved; and the number of those sentenced to death who were executed.

In 1953,21 cases of murder were made known to the police in Scotland, but three were later determined judicially to be cases of culpable homicide. In two cases the suspected murderer committed suicide.Fifteen persons were proceeded against for murder in 1953; of these three were discharged and not called for trial, five were found to be insane and unfit for trial, three were convicted of culpable homicide and four were convicted of murder. Of the four convicted of murder, one was sentenced to death, but on appeal the conviction was quashed and replaced by a conviction of culpable homicide for which he was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment, and three, all under the age of 18 years, were ordered to be detained during Her Majesty's Pleasure.In 1954, 14 cases of murder were made known to the police in Scotland, but one was later determined judicially to be a case of culpable homicide. No suspected murderer committed suicide.Nine persons were proceeded against for murder in 1954; of these, three were discharged and not called for trial, one was found to be insane and unfit for trial, two were convicted of culpable homicide and three were convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Of the three sentenced to death, one was reprieved and two were executed.

asked the Minister of Works how many building workers were employed on reconstruction in Plymouth city centre on the most convenient recent date.

In January, 1955,528 building workers were employed on reconstruction in Plymouth city centre.

asked the Minister of Works how many persons have been prosecuted in the last 12 months for exceeding the 20-miles-per-hour speed limit in St. James's and Green Parks.

Four hundred and ninety-five

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that there is adequate research into the genetic effects of radioactivity; and if, in view of the serious issues involved, he will make a statement.

A programme of research into the genetic effects of radioactivity is in progress under the auspices of the Medical Research Council, and plans are being made to expand and accelerate it. There is frequent consultation with workers engaged in cognate studies in the United States; and the researches in this country are planned to avoid overlap with the American investigations.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has completed his investigations asked for by the hon. Member for Stoke, South, into the case of the Fenton civilian who was summarily sentenced by a military officer under the National Service Acts; and if he will make a statement on all that is involved.

Yes. The individual concerned is a National Service man who is performing his part-time service in the Territorial Army. He failed to comply with a training notice served upon him under the National Service Act, 1948, and was dealt with under the provisions of that Act and the Auxiliary Forces Act,1953. He was dealt with summarily by his commanding officer, but he could, if he wished, have elected to be tried by court-martial.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) why, when a National Service man dies in Germany, he can only be brought home to be buried in his own country at his family's expense;(2) why the parents of 23036498 William Laffin, Manchester Regiment, who died in Germany last Sunday, have had to pay £90 cost of transport from Germany to have him buried in England.

It has for many years been the custom in the Services for those who are killed or die abroad to be buried where they die. In war-time no exceptions are made to that rule, but in peacetime relatives may have a body brought home for burial from most overseas stations if they so wish and are willing to meet the expense themselves. I regret that public funds can meet no part of the cost, which may be considerable. We do, however, make arrangements on behalf of relatives when we are asked to do so, and British Railways help to keep down the cost by charging reduced rates for rail movement in this country. For these reasons, the parents of Private Laffin were called upon to bear the cost of bringing his body from Germany. Movement was by commercial means, and the amount charged in such cases is outside our control.

asked the Secretary of State for War what effect the disbandment of Anti-Aircraft Command will have on the training of National Service reservists.

Only National Service reservists in Anti-Aircraft Command who become surplus because their units are to be converted, amalgamated or disbanded will be affected. Wherever possible they will be posted to other Territorial Army units of their own or different Arms to complete their part-time training. Some will, however, have to be transferred to the Army Emergency Reserve, and their future training is now being planned.

asked the Secretary of State for War his estimate of the number of men available for a strategic reserve of land forces as a result of the reduction of commitments mentioned in paragraph 17 of Command Paper No. 9391.

Since the war it has not been our practice to give strengths of theatres or formations.

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities will be given to volunteers of all ranks of disbanding Territorial units of Anti-Aircraft Command to join the Mobile Defence Corps.

I hope that a large number of the Territorial Army volun- teers who become surplus will volunteer for this new Corps. We have set up local boards which will give all particulars concerning service in the Mobile Defence Corps. Units of the Mobile Defence Corps will consist of National Service subalterns and men who will have done one month's Civil Defence training during their full-time service. For their more senior officers, warrant officers and noncommissioned officers we shall rely on volunteers, who will be invited to attend short courses to make them ready to receive national servicemen into their units. The Mobile Defence Corps will have a vitally important role and I can assure all those volunteering for it that they could find no better way of continuing to serve their country.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the £15 million programme for building and modernising barracks has been allocated to Scotland; and if he will give the details and, in particular, state his proposals to provide modern married living quarters at Maryhill Barracks.

5 per cent. The Black Watch and Highland Light Infantry Depots are to be rebuilt while that of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is to be enlarged. New barracks are under construction at Craigie Hall and the Military Hospital at Cowglen is to be modernised. New accommodation will also be provided at the range at Kirkcudbright. Married quarters fall outside the £15 million programme and a considerable sum is being spent on them in Scotland. Twenty-seven married quarters at Maryhill Barracks are to be modernised and 11 more are to be converted into eight modern quarters.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Gunner Francis Jinks was kept in custody for five months before being tried by court-martial at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh, on 22nd February, 1954.

I am looking into this.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the cost to Britain, in terms of sterling, of the 6 per cent. deterioration in the terms of trade which took place during the year ended January, 1955; and to what extent this loss cancelled out the increase in our exports.

The deterioration of 6 per cent. in the terms of trade took place between January, 1954, and January,1955. In the 12 months ended January, 1955, the terms of trade were between 2 and 3 per cent. worse on average than in January, 1954. If the terms of trade had remained unchanged during this year the excess of imports (c.i.f.) over exports and re-exports (f.o.b.) would have been about £90m. less. No useful measure can be made of the gain in our earnings from exports during the period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the rates of interest charged per annum for hire purchase in the main trade groups; and what steps he proposes to take to control them so as to effect a reduction.

The rates of interest charged for hire purchase vary considerably according to the circumstances of individual transactions, and it would be misleading to give particular rates. My right hon. Friend does not propose to control rates of interest for hire purchase.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the word "preferential" has been used in some sections of the hosiery trade to describe imperfect goods; and this description is being applied to substandard seconds or imperfect goods in contravention of the Merchandise Marks Act; and, as this is designed to mislead the public, if he will initiate prosecutions in the public interest.

I have seen references to the practice mentioned in the first part of the Question. The Board of Trade will consider a prosecution under the Act, if they obtain sufficient evidence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is being done in Cyprus by his Department to counteract the effect of anti- British propaganda there.

Information about the United Kingdom and the policies of Her Majesty's Government is supplied for dissemination and use by the Department of Information Services in Cyprus, and that Department also issues information designed to make clear the policies of the Cyprus Government and to counter tendentious propaganda.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what social services, including old-age pensions, are now in force in Cyprus; and what steps the British Government is taking to improve them.

There is an extensive range of social services in Cyprus, although old-age pensions are not at present paid. For example, the health services include Government hospitals in all principal towns, T.B. sanatoria and other specialised hospitals and clinics,43 maternity and infant welfare centres, dental centres in all principal towns and mobile dental units in rural areas. Free or reduced-cost medical treatment is available to persons of small means. For further details I would refer the hon. and learned Member to Chapter 7 of the Annual Report on Cyprus published by H.M. Stationery Office. I have arranged for a copy to be sent him.As regards the introduction of a social insurance scheme, including old-age pensions, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) on 24th November; and as regards the extension of educational services, I would refer him to the reply by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Colonial Affairs last Wednesday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Major Wall) about the building of a teachers' training college.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his present plans for increasing and extending the British educational and social services in Cyprus.

The Cyprus Government are planning numerous extensions of the health and other social services already existing, of which I gave the hon. and learned Member information in reply to his oral Question today. I would refer him to my reply to that Question regarding the introduction of a social insurance scheme. On the educational side, it is planned to extend technical education considerably, and shortly to commence the building of a new teachers' training college.

asked the Minister of Education the present whereabouts of the water-colour painting by John Glover, entitled "Tivoli" and numbered F.A. 478, in the Victoria and Albert Museum collection.

This picture is at present hung in Her Majesty's Legation in the Vatican City.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what amount of coal has been imported into this country during the past year; what was the price per ton; what proportion of this was carried in British and foreign-owned vessels; and how far it was a condition of sale that a specified percentage should be carried in United States ships.

3½ million tons in the 12 months ended 31st January, 1955, at an average landed cost of £5 15s. per ton. About 83 per cent. was carried in British-owned vessels. 30,000 tons was carried in United States vessels under the terms of an agreement with the United States Government for the purchase of 250,000 tons of coal for sterling.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of paying the family allowance of 8s. for the first child or the eldest child; and how many of these children there are now.

The answer to the first part of the Question is about £130 million a year and to the second about 6¼ million.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the estimated saving to the Exchequer in the form of payments to the National Insurance Fund since July, 1948, as a result of the postponement of retirement among men and women reaching the age limits.

None; the condition of the Fund has been such that even if there had been no postponement, no further payment by the Exchequer would have been required.

asked the Minister of Health the number of registered blind persons for each of the counties in Wales and the number able to read Welsh Braille; and what provisions are being made for those who are Welsh speaking to receive literary material.

The information is as follows:

BLIND PERSONS—WALES, 31ST DECEMBER, 1954
Counties	Number Registered	Number able to read Welsh Braille
Anglesey	157	1
Breconshire	176	—
Caernarvonshire	426	3
Cardiganshire	223	2
Carmarthenshire	597	1
Denbighshire	450	6
Flintshire	318	2
Glamorgan:
Admin. County	1,730	18
Cardiff C.B.	590	—
Merthyr C.B.	338	—
Swansea C.B.	395	10
Merioneth	106	6
Monmouthshire:
Admin. County	768	—
Newport C.B.	221	—
Montgomeryshire	109	1
Pembrokeshire	360	6
Radnorshire	56	—
	7,020	56

Under arrangements made by the Welsh Local Authorities, the library services of the Royal National Institute for the Blind, the National Library for the Blind, and (in the case of the North Wales' counties) the North Wales Society for the Blind, are available to Welsh blind readers of Braille and Moon.

asked the Minister of Health the number of patients treated in hospitals last year in England and Wales whose illnesses arose from accidents in the home, the average stay of such patients in hospitals, and the total cost.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Food what evidence led him to decide that tests for radioactivity on imported Japanese canned fish were unnecessary.

RETAL PRICES IN U.K. AND OTHER O.E.E.C. COUNTRIES
Shillings and pence per 1b. (except where otherwise stated)
Item	U.K. Jan., 1955				France, Jan., 1955		Austria, Jan., 1955		Denmark, Jan., 1955		Switzerland, Dec., 1954		W. Germany Dec, 1954		Netherlands, Oct., 1954		Norway, Oct., 1954
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Bread		4¼				7½		5¼		6¾		5¼		6¾		4¼		7¼
Potatoes		2¼		2½		1¾		1¾		2		3¼		1½		2		2
Sugar (Granulated)		7½		8	1	0¾		10		5¾		8¼	1	0½		8½		8
Butter	3	8–4		2	6	8¼	4	3	3	5½	7	6¼	5	1¼	3	10¼	3	11
Margarine	1	4–2		3	2	11¼	1	9	1	5½	(a)		1	6¾	1	2¾	1	11
Lard	1	10–2		2	2	9½	2	0	1	9¼	2	2¼	3	0	1	6	(a)
Cheese (Cheddar types)	1	10–2		6	4	9½	3	2¼	2	7½	4	2½	2	5	2	2¼	(a)
Eggs, home produced (large) (per dozen)	5	0–5		6	7	4	4	7¼	3	10¼	6	10¼	5	1¼	4	6¼	(a)
Bacon (Middles)	3	0–3		4	2	8¾	(a)		(a)		6	1¾	3½	6¾	2	3½	4	1½
Beef (Ribroast)	2	10–3		5¼	(b)		2	10¼	2	11¼	4	10	3	3¼	3	2½	5	0½
Mutton (Leg)	2	10–3		11	7	10½	(a)		(a)		5	7½	3	0	(a)		(a)
Pork	2	10–4		0	5	1¾	3	7¼	3	2½	6	5½	3	11¼	3	8¾	(a)
Tea	7	0–10		0	(a)		14	11¼	11	3	11	11	24	4¼	(a)		14	10
Coffee	7	0–9		0	9	6½	11	11½	9	5¼	8	1½	17	7¾	(a)		8	7¼
(a) Not available.
(b) The two quotations available for France are (i) ribs 2s. 4¾d., (ii) steak 6s. 7d.

NOTES:

Prices have been converted to sterling at official exchange rates.

As far as possible definitions for commodities are the same in all countries, although there may be some discrepancies in the meat groups.

No official information is available on apples, oranges and lemons.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to undertake experiments with the explosion of nuclear weapons in this country or in home waters; and what permission has

The advice which I was given was based on the known properties of the fission products resulting from atomic and thermonuclear explosions and their extreme dilution after dispersal in the sea.

asked the Minister of Food to state the retail prices, at the latest convenient date, of sugar, butter, margarine, lard, cheese, eggs, beef, mutton, pork, bacon, tea, coffee, bread, potatoes, apples, oranges, and lemons, respectively, in the United Kingdom and other Organisation for European Economic Co-operation countries, in a form similar to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wembley, South, on 31st July, 1952.

The following is the information:been sought, or arrangements reached, for the testing of these weapons in Commonwealth or other countries.

No experiment involving the explosion of a nuclear weapon is planned to take place either in this country or in home waters. Discussions are taking place with the Australian Government about the holding of further atomic weapon trials in Australia, and arrangements for holding certain minor tests in Australia later this year have been agreed.

asked the Minister of Defence by how much actual defence expenditure was less than estimated defence expenditure in 1952–53 and 1953–54; and what is his estimate of under spending for 1954–55.

After allowing for receipts from American aid, the estimated defence budget was overspent by £15 million in 1952–53 and under spent by £139 million in 1953–54. As regards 1954–55, I am not in a position to add to paragraph 55 of the Statement on Defence, 1955.

asked the Minister of Defence the number of hydrogen and atom bombs held by the United States Forces in the United Kingdom.

I am not in a position to give the hon. and gallant Gentleman the information he asks for. I would remind him that it is public knowledge that American air forces based in Britain will only be used with the consent of Her Majesty's Government.