asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to assist the Neath Borough Council and the residents of the town who have suffered serious loss as a result of the recent floods.

I understand that all practical first aid measures were put in hand by, the authorities on the spot as soon as the floods subsided. Officers of the engineering division of my Department are available to give any technical advice or assistance required.

asked the Minister of Labour how many farm workers and farmers' sons were called up for National Service in the past twelve months; and how many were allowed deferment.

5,840 agricultural workers, including farmers' sons, for

—	1951	1952	1953	1954
Number of men—
(a) who applied for postponement	4,270	4,956	3,980	3,736
(b) whose applications were rejected by—
(i) Hardship committees	2,064	2,230	1,780	1,632
(ii) the umpire on appeal from decisions by hardship committees	90	89	72	72
Total rejections (i) plus (ii)	2,154	2,319	1,852	1,704
(iii) Hardship committees but granted by the umpire on appeal	22	38	31	37
NOTE: This table includes only first applications made in the years in question. Applications for renewal of postponement are excluded.

asked the Minister of Labour how many National Service men have been rejected through physical incapacity; how many men have objected on grounds of conscience; how many have asked for deferment in the six months ended 30th June, 1955; and what proportion each figure represents of the total of National Service men called up during this period.

asked the Minister of Labour how many fishermen whose eyesight is below standard for the Royal Naval Reserve Patrol Service have been called up for the Army during the last twelve months.

I regret that the information is not immediately available, but I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of youths who applied for the postponement of call-up for National Service on grounds of hardship, and the numbers whose applications were rejected in each of the years 1951 to 1954, respectively.

The information is contained in the following table:

During the first six months of 1955, about 21,000 men were rejected as medically unfit for National Service; in that period, about 350 applied to be registered as conscientious objectors and it is estimated that over 60,000 applied for deferment. It is not possible to give a figure for National Service men called up during that period with which a valid comparison could be made. The figure includes many men of different age classes, who for one reason or another have had their call-up deferred or postponed.

asked the Minister of Labour to give an estimate of the loss to industrial production caused by the registration for National Service and the call-up, in the years from 1951 to the latest available date.

I regret that it is not possible to make such an estimate.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the number of National Service men who in each of the last three years on the completion of their military service failed to return to their previous civil occupation.

The information desired by the hon. Member is not available. But the detailed examination of the results obtained from an inquiry into the experiences of men who completed their National Service in September, 1953, has now been completed and it is hoped to publish a full report in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress is being made in the dispute affecting salaried staffs of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company, Bath Electric Tramways Limited, Bath Tramway Motor Company, Cheltenham District Traction Company submitted to his Department under the appropriate Order on 27th May last.

A letter was received on 31st May from the trade union concerned reporting that a dispute existed affecting members of the union employed by these companies and asking that the dispute be referred to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal for settlement. The letter did not contain sufficient particulars of the dispute to constitute a valid report under the Industrial Disputes Order, 1951. The further particulars which the union undertook to furnish have now been received, and the dispute is being referred to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal for settlement.

asked the Minister of Labour when he intends to recommence publishing information on copartnership schemes in the Ministry of Labour Gazette.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend gave on 7th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Barry (Mr. Gower).

asked the Minister of Labour to institute discussions about profit-sharing, co-partnership, pension and other schemes in industry with industrial and trade organisations, the Co-operative movement, the trades unions, and other bodies having experience of operating such schemes.

No. While my right hon. and learned Friend will always be ready to consider requests from representative organisations to discuss or arrange for discussion about these subjects, he does not think it is for him to initiate action for the institution of such discussions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the pay claim made to his Department on 6th July, 1954, by the Institution of Professional Civil Servants, on behalf of the entry grade of the Factory Inspectorate has now been met; and the reasons for so long a delay in the process of negotiation.

The basis of this claim was unacceptable to the Department and at a meeting on 8th November, 1954, the Institution agreed not to press it. My Department has since been examining the position, which is a complicated one, with a view to considering whether it would be justified in making alternative proposals on a different basis.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that the number of factory inspectors with professional qualifications in building construction and civil engineering is sufficient to safeguard the safety, health and welfare of workers engaged in building operations; and what steps he is taking to reduce the number of fatal and nonfatal accidents.

It is not necessary that factory inspectors, who inspect building operations together with all other classes of premises subject to the Factories Acts which are in their districts, should have professional qualifications in building construction and civil engineering. Though I should welcome an increase in the numbers who have such qualifications I am satisfied that the General Inspectorate is fully competent to carry out this

NUMBERS OF OPERATIVES ON SHORT-TIME IN THE FURNITURE AND UPHOLSTERY INDUSTRY DURING THE UNDERMENTIONED WEEKS*
Region		Number of operatives on short-time			Aggregate number of hours lost owing to short-time
		Week ended 23.5.53	Week ended 29.5.54	Week ended 28.5.55	Week ended 23.5.53	Week ended 29.5.54	Week ended 28.5.55
London and South Eastern	…	591	709	3,174	6,840	7,093	39,388
Eastern	…	—	53	64	—	454	855
Southern	…	488	308	712	5,120	2,520	6,263
South-Western	…	161	138	154	2,711	2,073	1,636
Midland	…	222	63	134	2,211	411	1,028
North-Midland	…	56	2	89	568	12	830
East and West Ridings	…	155	264	526	1,571	2,517	5,992
North-Western	…	294	326	809	3,535	3,288	8,905
Northern	…	180	209	1,060	1,574	1,350	16,694
Scotland	…	183	43	393	2,090	1,334	7,138
Wales	…	39	13	123	471	445	1,604
Great Britain	…	2,369	2,128	7,238	26,691	21,497	90,333
* The figures relate to establishments with more than 10 employees from which returns were received.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the concern at the recent substantial rise to 150 points, on 14th June, of the cost-of-living index; what is the increase or decrease for the month ended 14th July; and what action is being taken to reduce the cost of living to the level of October, 1951, at 129 points.

asked the Minister of Labour to make a statement on the cost-of-living index figure just issued by his Department.

The rise of three points in the Index of Retail Prices for June compared with the previous month is due

asked the Minister of Labour to collate and publish the figures of short-time working in the furniture and upholstery industry for the London and other regions during recent months, with the estimated figures for 1954 and 1953.

The following table gives the information that is available for one week in May, 1953, 1954 and 1955.mainly to the exceptionally early exhaustion of stocks of old potatoes and their replacement by new potatoes at higher prices, and partly to some seasonal influences. The figure for July will not be available until the third week in August. The Government's policy will continue to be aimed at providing conditions which will enable productivity to be increased as the only way of keeping costs down.

asked the Minister of Labour to give an estimate of the effect on the cost-of-living index of an increase of 12s. 8d. per ton in the price of coal.

An increase in the prices of all grades of domestic coal and coke of 12s. 8d. a ton would increase the all-items figure of the Retail Prices Index by about one-half of a point. An increase in the prices of coal used for industry, transport, etc., would probably give rise to other price increases, but I cannot estimate the effect of these increases on the Retail Prices Index.

asked the Minister of Labour how many requests for agricultural workers were outstanding at employment exchanges in the county of Norfolk on the latest available date.

180 on 29th June.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to find employment for men engaged in the manufacture of domestic refrigerators in Dundee, who have recently been made redundant.

Of the forty-five men recently discharged on redundancy, all but six are now in other employment. My local officers expect no difficulty in placing the remainder after the trades holidays.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to improve the nursing staff position at Storthes Hall Hospital, Kirkburton, near Huddersfield.

I have been asked to reply. In addition to the normal steps taken by my nursing appointments offices for the recruitment of nurses, an intensive local recruitment campaign was held in Huddersfield for the Storthes Hall Hospital last year.This hospital is at a disadvantage, so far as local recruitment is concerned, because of its isolated position and, to meet this difficulty, a special scheme for providing free or assisted travel for staff living at a distance has been authorised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. As the hon. Member will be aware, a number of measures are being taken by my right hon. Friend which it is hoped will have a beneficial effect on recruitment for mental hospitals.

asked the Minister of Labour to make a statement on the organisation and policy of Remploy in the light of the advice tendered to it by the Organisation and Methods Division of the Treasury.

As the House was informed on 19th July, the Report furnished to Remploy by the Organisation and Methods Division of the Treasury is at present being considered by the company. Questions arising on the Report will be the subject of discussion between Remploy and my Ministry.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the number of disabled miners who, because of their disability, are unable to work in the mines; and how far, in those cases where they are able to do light work, arrangements are made to enable them to do so.

I regret the information is not available. All unemployed disabled workers are given assistance by my officers in securing work of a kind which is suitable for them having regard to their disabilities.

asked the Minister of Labour when he anticipates that the National Advisory Committee on the Employment of Older Men and Women will make a further report; and what aspects of the problem they are now studying.

The National Advisory Committee hopes to submit a second Report towards the end of this year. I understand that this will be in the nature of a progress report and will include a review of the results of an inquiry made by the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance into the reasons given by elderly workers for retiring or continuing at work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is proposed that New Cumbernauld should be designated under the New Towns Act.

I am today publishing a draft Order under the New Towns Act designating land at Cumbernauld as the site of the proposed new town. Copies of the draft Order and of an explanatory memorandum, also being published today, about the proposed new town are available to Members through the Vote Office and have also been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will abolish the charges for spectacles, dentures and other health service facilities for old-age pensioners.

No. Facilities have been provided whereby the National Assistance Board can come to the aid of anyone for whom it would be a hardship to pay these charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the increased price of coal is inflicting damage on the fishing, shipping, and transport industries in the North of Scotland and also the consumers of fish throughout Britain; and what steps he is taking alone, or in conjunction with other Ministers, to minimise this damage.

I am aware that the increased price of coal will have repercusions in the North of Scotland and elsewhere. As regards the fishing industry, for which I am responsible in Scotland, a revised scheme for the white fish subsidy taking into account various factors affecting the industry's position, including coal prices, will be introduced after the Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to announce the members of the Scottish River Purification Advisory Committee; and when this committee will start to function.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Lanark (Mr. Patrick Maitland) on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will draft byelaws to serve as a model for river pollution boards in framing their own.

Until greater experience and knowledge has been gained as a result of the river surveys now being made by the boards, no useful purpose would be served by the making of model bye-laws of general application. The services of my technical officers are, of course, at the disposal of any river purification authority which may wish any general advice on the framing of byelaws for its particular district.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many men and women, respectively, have been sentenced to death in Scotland during the last thirty years; and in how many cases the Secretary of State has recommended the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.

Since the beginning of 1925, forty-seven men and two women have been sentenced to death for murder. Of these, twenty-five men and both women were reprieved: the convictions of six others were quashed on appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women have been hanged in Scotland since 1951.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the result of discussions which he initiated with the Scottish Council in 1953 about the Report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research upon' the stone-building industry.

The Scottish Council has had discussions with representative bodies in the stone-quarrying and stone-building industries and with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. The Council's activities have helped to maintain interest in stone-building in Scotland and a number of suggestions, including some concerned with the improvement of publicity, are still being followed up.Wherever practicable stone is incorporated in Government buildings. It is also used in other public buildings, and the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board in particular gives special consideration to its use in its schemes. Stone is also being used in some instances in house building by local authorities in stone-quarrying areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were employed in the stone-building industry in Scotland each year since the war and at the latest convenient date.

The numbers of masons employed by contractors, local authorities and public utilities^* in Scotland for the years 1946–54 were as follows:

1946	…	…	…	2004
1947	…	…	…	2407
1948	…	…	…	2833
1949	…	…	…	2819
1950	…	…	…	2623
1951	…	…	…	2811
1952	…	…	…	2673
1953	…	…	…	2812
1954	…	…	…	2829

In the Scottish stone-quarrying industry (which covers more than building stone) the numbers of insured workers employed in each year since 1946 were as follows:

1946	…	…	…	3768†
1947	…	…	…	4178†
1948	…	…	…	5040
1949	…	…	…	4850
1950	…	…	…	4840
1951	…	…	…	4990
1952	…	…	…	4670
1953	…	…	…	4730
1954	…	…	…	4370
*From time to time a varying proportion of these masons may be employed on forms of building other than stone-building.
† These figures are not comparable with those for subsequent years, because of changes in National Insurance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of women who enter the teaching profession in Scotland are still in full-time employment in that profession at the ages of 30, 40 and 50 years; and the corresponding figures for men.

I regret that the information asked for is not available, but the Departmental Committee on the Supply of Teachers in Scotland, on the basis of an investigation for the years 1947–50, estimated that in the period 1952–57 the probable wastage rate for men would be 2·8 per 100 per annum and for women 4·8 per 100 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what effect he estimates the increased price of coal will have on the price of horticultural products grown under glass in Scotland.

The prices of horticultural products grown under glass are determined by supply and demand in the market. I cannot say what effect, if any, the increased price of coal may have on these prices.

asked the Minister of Works what plans he now has to relieve the daily traffic congestion at the Victoria and Alexandra Gates, Hyde Park; and when he proposes to put them into effect.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has received recommendations for improvements at both these gates to relieve traffic congestion. I am considering them with him and the other traffic authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will seek the opinion of the Royal Fine Art Commission about the desirability of placing Rodin's "Burghers of Calais" in single file, as desired by the sculptor, instead of in a group, when re-erecting this statue in Victoria Embankment Gardens.

I do not think that this course is necessary, for the reasons given in my reply to the noble Lord the Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel) on Tuesday last.

asked the Minister of Works if he will undertake, when further hutments are derequisitioned on the Royal Air Force site at Ludford, Lincolnshire, that they are offered first to the local farmers before being demolished.

In this case the land has not yet been derequisitioned and the surplus huts have, therefore, been put up for sale and removal. If any further huts have to be dismantled before the land is given up, I will arrange that they shall first be offered to the owner of the land. Local farmers who wish to purchase such huts for removal should tell the regional officers of my Department.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that proposals were first made in 1912 for the Government Chemist to be provided with a new building for his department; what steps have been taken since that time to make such provision; and when he anticipates providing the Government Chemist with a new building.

Yes. Between the wars an extra storey was added to part of the Government Chemist's building in order to provide more space. The whole question of the future accommodation of the Government Chemist is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Works how many times during 1955 the lift serving the Government Chemist's staff in the Customs House, Lower Thames Street, has fallen from the top of the building to the basement; and when he anticipates having the lift reconstructed so that such accidents do not recur.

This has never happened. But the lift is old and I hope it will be replaced within the next two years.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that in the part of the Customs House, Lower Thames Street, occupied by the staff of the Government Chemist's department, it is necessary, when it rains, for buckets and jam jars to be arranged at points on floor and tables so as to catch the rain coming through the roof; and when he anticipates remedying this situation.

No. The glazed roof has in the past occasionally leaked, but these leaks have been quickly repaired.

asked the Minister of Works his proposals with regard to the whitening of the ceiling and upper wall- panels of the House of Commons Library in the manner already indicated in part of the Library's A Room.

asked the Minister of Works when he proposes to complete the repainting of the ceiling of the Library and the alterations to the curtains, so that Members may enjoy more natural light than has hitherto been available.

New light fittings are being designed for the Library, and the curtains will be altered. This should materially improve the lighting, and in the circumstances I think it would be wrong to alter the original decoration.

asked the Minister of Works the total cost in man hours spent and materials used in preparing and dismantling Westminster Hall for the Commonwealth Law Conference; the number of persons who attended; and the length of time, in hours, the meeting occupied.

It cost £300 to prepare and clear the Hall. The opening session lasted an hour and was attended by about 1,200 people.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, how many members of the committee appointed by the Medical Research Council to prepare a report on the medical aspects of nuclear radiation have clinical or research experience on the biological effects of high-frequency radiation.

Nine.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will give information on the efforts being made in Africa to find a vaccine safer than the Salk vaccine, under the authority of his Department.

As I explained yesterday in a reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin), the Medical Research Council has made arrangements for preparations of monkey tissue to be sent from the Gambia for use in poliomyelitis work in this country. It also proposes to send out an investigator to study the possibility of finding strains of virus occurring naturally among the relatively immune local population. Such strains might be suitable for inclusion in an improved form of the Salk vaccine.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the pamphlet entitled "The Rules of War on Land" will be published.

I hope it will be published next spring.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement on results achieved from the setting up of an experimental helicopter squadron.

The Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit has been in existence for less than four months, and it is too early to announce results. The training of pilots is, however, going well and such problems as the operation of helicopters in all conditions, the sort of ground organisation required, concealment and dispersion are now being studied. We plan that the Unit should carry out field trials in Germany next year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will increase the daily rate of ration allowance, now at 4s. 6d.

Ration allowance is based on retail prices and is reviewed every six months. It was increased to 4s. 8d. at the last review on 1st July.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will uplift the conditions of service of Territorial Army civilian employees, so that they are no worse off than established War Department employees engaged on comparable work.

The recommendations which the Committee on the Administration of the Territorial Army made on this point are now being examined.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of those serving in the Territorial Army were unable to go to camp owing to the railway strike; and in how many cases alternative arrangements have been made.

Nearly 21,000. Alternative camps have not been arranged for reasons given by my right hon. Friend in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr. Gough) on 28th June.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the standard of maintenance of pool transport used at Territorial Army training camps is inadequate; and what steps he is taking to ensure a higher standard.

I have heard no complaints on this score, but if the hon. Member will let me have details of the instance he has in mind I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now undertake to release 23021012 Signalman P. Carr, stationed in Hong Kong.

I regret that I cannot meet the hon. Member's request for reasons which I explained to him in my letter of 1st July.

asked the Secretary of State for War why there has been such a long delay in paying Mr. H. T. C. Laker of 70A, Queen Street, Horsham, compensation for clearing unexploded bombs on his land; and whether he is further aware that Mr. Laker agreed the amount he would be prepared to accept as long ago as 8th February, 1955.

This claim has a number of unusual features and other Government Departments have, therefore, had to be consulted. I regret the inconvenience caused to Mr. Laker by this delay and assure my hon. Friend that everything is being done to reach a very early settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to receive the findings of the court of inquiry set up to inquire into the circumstances under which Trooper John Grant, 3rd King's Own Hussars, lost his life at Hamborn, Germany, on 12th July.

At the end of this week. As promised in my letter of 21st July, I shall then write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War what improvements have been made in the burial ground for Chelsea Pensioners at Brookwood Cemetery.

A comprehensive plan for improvement is in train, but this was delayed by the weather last winter. So far the ground has been levelled and top soil has been added in readiness for the planting of heather in the autumn, which is the only suitable time of year. At the same time stones to mark the graves will be put into position. Trees have already been planted on the east and west sides of the burial ground and are now well established.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the respective import duties on nylon type staple fibre and continuous filament yarn;(2) in view of the insufficient supply in some deniers of United Kingdom produced nylon type staple fibre and continuous filament yarn, if he will remove the import duty on comparable foreign fibres and yarn.

The duties are 9d. per lb. on staple fibre and 9d. per lb. plus 22½ per cent. ad valorem on continuous filament yarn. Production of nylon yarns and fibre in the United Kingdom, which is substantially higher than it was a year ago, is still increasing; and according to my information supplies are now reasonably adequate in all deniers. As stated in reply to previous Questions, there are procedures whereby interests concerned can apply for changes in protective duties. My right hon. Friend has had no applications in relation to these duties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to publish in the monthly digest of statistics the new Board of Trade Index of Manufacturers' Stocks.

An index of the total value of manufacturers' stocks will be published shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent it is the practice of his Department when envelopes are in use for the first time to send them out with economy labels containing the recipient's name and address affixed thereto; and whether in the interests of economy he will take steps to stop such a practice.

The standing instruction is that addressed labels should only be applied to used or ungummed new envelopes where these are available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulties being experienced by engineering firms in obtaining supplies of steel tube, sheet steel, flats and other kinds of steel; and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation, which threatens the employment of large numbers of engineering workers.

During the past year there has been a substantial increase in the volume of orders on the steel industry. The import duties on a wide range of iron and steel products in short supply have been suspended and the general productive capacity of the industry is constantly expanding. The duties on tubes and certain other types of steel more readily available have not been suspended. Supplies of steel to home users including imports are now some 10 per cent. above those available a year ago. If the hon. Member has particular difficulties in mind, the Iron and Steel Board would willingly examine them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new factories have been built since 1945 in the north-east Cheshire area covered by the Stalybridge and Hyde constituency.

According to the latest information available to the Board of Trade, twenty-five new industrial buildings and extensions of more than 5,000 sq. ft. were completed in this area between 1st January, 1946, and 30th June, 1955.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will retain a tariff of 4d. per lb. on imported tomatoes until the end of October in order to assist the grower of outdoor tomatoes to market his crop.

No. The duties on tomatoes were increased in December, 1953, and I have no reason to suppose that the new duties are not adequate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make a statement on the proposals for the expansion of the Imperial College of Science and Technology.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement on this subject made last Thursday by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the resolution, a copy of which has been sent to him, passed at the recent Conference of the Transport and General Workers' Union in respect to the excessive tax on fuel oil, and particularly to the effect such high taxation has upon cost of transport and the living cost of the travelling public; and whether he will give consideration to this and other protests which have been made and give relief at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the resolution of the Transport and General Workers' Union, a copy of which has been sent to him, asking for an immediate and substantial cut in the fuel tax; and whether he will consider making a cut in this tax in the immediate future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider steps to reduce the fuel tax in order to assist the motor transport industry.

I have studied the Resolution and will bear this matter in mind in my next review of taxation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when considering his next Budget, he will give consideration to a reduction in the tax on petrol and diesel fuels in view of its effect on the cost of living generally.

I will consider this when reviewing taxation before my next Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish the figures of the sterling balances each month at the same time as those of the gold and dollar reserves.

No. Even if this were practicable, I am satisfied that the figures of sterling liabilities cannot usefully be published apart from other figures in the balance of payments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the unsatisfactory conditions in the advance luggage section of the Customs department at Victoria Station; and if he will take immediate steps to improve the conditions.

I understand that the basement warehouse at Victoria Station was flooded out on 11th July as the result of an exceptionally heavy storm which overloaded the drainage system. This emergency disorganised the sorting of luggage and Customs clearance had to be suspended until the warehouse had been pumped out and cleared up.The provision of the accommodation, porterage and other facilities necessary for sorting registered luggage and presenting it for Customs clearance is the responsibility of the British Transport Commission, which, I understand, has recently approved plans for structural alterations and improvements to these premises. It is hoped that work will be started by the end of this year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the £ sterling for internal purchasing purposes at the latest available date, taking the value in October, 1951, as 20s.

Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ as 20s. in October, 1951, it is estimated that the corresponding figure for June, 1955, was 18s.This estimate is based on the Consumer Price Index between 1951 and 1954, and the Interim Index of Retail Prices thereafter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further proposals he has for strengthening the £ sterling.

I am confident of the effect of the measures of which I informed the House yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that a number of valuation assistants employed on rating valuers duties in the valuation office of Inland Revenue, have not been promoted to valuer, class III, whereas younger, less senior and, in some cases, less qualified officers, have received this promotion; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that men's double texture waterproofs of class A material continue to attract a D figure of £2 5s., whereas similar garments if of class B material have a D figure of £3 10s. and women's double texture waterproofs of class A material a D figure of £6 10s.; and what steps he proposes to take to remove these anomalies.

I am aware of the position, which will be considered whenever the D scheme is next under review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reduce the existing fiat-rate car tax.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement regarding the hire-purchase restrictions.

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to prohibit the growing practice of some insurance companies who, without requiring medical evidence, insure the lives of old-age pensioners who, at the time, were suffering from diseases which invalidate the claims at death.

No. As far as industrial assurance policies are concerned there is nothing new in the practice of insuring without medical examination. The Industrial Assurance and Friendly Societies Act, 1948, provides that a company or society cannot repudiate liability on health grounds in the case of a policy issued after 30th June, 1948, unless the proposer made an untrue statement or withheld information on some health matter within his knowledge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration in his next Budget to providing Income Tax relief on a graduated scale for small profit earners particularly as it applies to farmers on small holdings.

The system of personal allowances and reduced rate reliefs applies to all individuals and I could not see my way to discriminate in favour of this special class.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchancellor whether he has now considered the Report of the Royal Commission on Taxation of Profits and Income, with special reference to the amendment of Schedule E, concerning the allowance for deductible purposes of expenditure reasonably incurred for the appropriate performance of the duties of the office or employment; and whether he will make a statement.

This, along with the Royal Commission's other recommendations, will be considered before next year's Finance Bll.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the proposed increased price of coal will make the operation of coal-burning herring drifters from the port of Lowestoft so costly as to restrict fishing activities; and what steps his Department, with the Herring Industry Board, propose to take comparable with those taken by him and the White Fish Authority, in respect of coal-burning trawlers.

The increase of 7s. 6d. a ton at Lowestoft is less than at other ports and although my right hon. Friend recognises that it adds to the owners' difficulties he hopes that they will be able to continue fishing. The general subsidy arrangements for herrings are quite different from those applying to white fish.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the loss per lb. on the imported meat sold by his Department during the present financial year.

The loss incurred on imported meat (other than Danish, Dutch and Irish pork) sold in the present financial year is estimated at 1¼d. a lb. after allowing for the provision made in the 1954–55 accounts for losses on stocks held at 31st March. 1955. As regards the pork I cannot forecast the results of trading not yet completed.

asked the Minister of Education what share of the 1956–57 school-building programme will go to Staffordshire; and how many projects for rural reorganisation will be included in this total.

The Staffordshire school-building programme of major projects to be started in 1956–57 is estimated to cost about £1,450,000. It includes no project for rural reorganisation.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that the responsibility allow- ances are operated in varying ways by education authorities and that in some districts science teachers are prevented from qualifying for the maximum allowance because each scientific subject is taught by one master and only one assistant; and whether, in view of the importance of encouraging all science graduates to take up the teaching profession or remain therein, he will review the present arrangements with a view to modification.

I have asked local education authorities to let me have by next October details of their revised schemes of allowances so that I can see how these arrangements are working.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the finances allocated to the Manchester Regional Hospital Board were expended in the last financial year.

On the provisional figures of expenditure for the year, the allocation to the Board on maintenance account was fully expended and expenditure on capital account amounted to about five-sixths of the capital allocation.

asked the Minister of Health the number of developments in the Health Service in the area governed by the Manchester Regional Hospital Board, both of a capital nature and by the expansion of existing services, which are held up through insufficient financial resources.

There are of course a number of developments in this as in other areas which it would be desirable to undertake if resources were unlimited, but I am not aware of any particular scheme held up at the moment for lack of finance.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of fatal accidents, the number of injury accidents, the number of damage only accidents, and the total number of accidents on the Al road from the Hertfordshire county boundary at North Mymms to the Welwyn rural district boundary at Woolmer Green for 1952, 1953, 1954 and during the first six months of 1955.

The numbers of accidents reported on this section of the A1 road during the first six months of 1955 and in the three previous years are below:

Year	Number of Accidents
	Fatal	Injury	Damage only	Total
1952	3	111	168	282
1953	15	101	172	288
1954	11	104	220	335
1955 (to 30.6.55)	2	54	90	146

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation which of the existing roads included in the Cromwell Road Extension Scheme are to be widened; and by how much in each case.

In the L.C.C. area:
Colet Gardens (from Gliddon Road westwards for about 24 yards)	40 ft.
Great Church Lane (from Short-lands to Queen Caroline Street)	35 ft.
Hammersmith Bridge Road (on section between Sussex Place and Black's Road)	35 ft.
Fulham Palace Road (on short diversion immediately south of Great Church Lane)	20 ft.
In Middlesex:
Mawson Lane	25 ft.
Hogarth Lane	67 ft.
Great West Road (from junction of Chiswick High Road northwestwards for about 350 yards)
10 ft. to 44 ft.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet met a deputation from the British Medical Association to discuss his decision to prohibit the manufacture of heroin; and whether he will make a statement.

With my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health I am considering the representations made by the deputation from the British Medical Medical Association when I received them on 11th July.