asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet been able to assess the extent of damage done to the agricultural industry by February's exceptionally severe weather; and what estimate he has made of the likely effect on the prospects for the season.

A special inquiry has been carried out to assess the damage to agriculture caused by the recent bad weather. This has indicated that autumn-sown corn crops have suffered a setback and some damage has been done. Although it is too early to be precise about the extent of the damage, it is clear that a proportion of these crops will have to be re-sown. In the case of the 1½million acres under autumn-sown wheat the proportion may turn out to be reasonably small; it is likely to be considerably greater for autumn-sown barley and oats, but the acreage under these crops is relatively small. Grassland generally made no growth and some pastures have been burnt by frost: early bite will be delayed for some weeks, but meanwhile stocks of winter-keep on farms are likely to be sufficient. Potatoes in clamps appear to have suffered little damage.It is also too early to assess to the full the damage caused to vegetables, but it is clear that spring greens, spring cabbage and broccoli, the main greenstuffs for March and April, have been severely damaged. Carrots and other root vegetables have been only slightly affected. Flower crops have been retarded, and some damage has been done to outdoor flowers, such as anemones. Supplies will be reduced in coming weeks. Damage to fruit trees and bushes is negligible.Livestock appear to have come through quite well. Some outlying stock have lost condition, but cattle and sheep generally have been maintained with the use of extensive hand-feeding. Lowland ewes are in satisfactory condition, and in the early flocks they are lambing quite well. Hill flocks have suffered in some areas, but on the whole their condition is fair to good.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that at a recent inquest on a man accidentally gassed in a bedroom at his home the coroner warned of the possible danger from slot gas meters if they are not used correctly; what records he keeps of deaths from this cause; and whether he will issue regulations under Section 67 of the Gas Act to make it compulsory to have notices informing people of the danger attached to every meter supplied.

Since 1930, with the exception of the war years, my Department has kept records of accidental deaths from this cause. Gas boards already issue warnings about the danger. But I will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion in my present examination with the Gas Council of the general problem of gas poisoning accidents.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what has been the annual percentage increase in gas production in therms produced since 1951.

1·6, for public supply.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the annual percentage increase in electricity production in kilowatt hours produced since 1951.

7·7 for public supply.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what has been the percentage increase of annual coal production since 1951.

The total of deep-mined and opencast production was a half of 1 per cent. less in 1955 than in 1951.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will take steps to expedite the issue of the White Paper on the genetic effects of atomic radiation, in view of the interest in this subject and the alarm arising from the lack of information.

I cannot at present give any precise date for the issue of the White Paper on the medical aspects of nuclear radiation. But I can assure my hon. Friend that the highest priority is being given to its preparation.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the compulsory use of the now obsolete National Registration identity card numbers in connection with claims for dental treatment: and if he will substitute a more appropriate code occasioning less inconvenience to the dentists and the general public.

When the abolition of National Registration was announced on the 21st February, 1952, it was explained in this House that National Registration numbers were being taken over as National Health Service numbers as a matter of convenience in order to save the labour and expense of introducing an alternative code.

asked the Minister of Health how far any new type of hearing aid is being produced; and when it is likely to be available to the public.

The development of new types of hearing aid for the National Health Service has been continuous, the latest model Mark IIIA already being available to the public. For the next projected development I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 6th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe (Mrs. Hill).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how soon he will be able to make a statement on future policy for industrial derating.

This is being considered as part of a comprehensive review of local government finance, I do not expect to be able to announce conclusions for several months.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now state his proposals for a review of rent restriction legislation.

I have at present nothing to add to my statement on this subject on 27th October last, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to give the number of institutes for agricultural research in Scotland to which his Department contributes funds; and by whom they are financed and administered.

There are eight such institutes. They are financed by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland and administered by independent governing bodies under the general scientific guidance of the Agricultural Research Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to give details of the amount of Government funds spent in Scotland on agricultural education, agricultural research, and the agricultural advisory service, respectively.

The estimated total of Government expenditure approved for the current financial year on agricultural education, agricultural research and the agricultural advisory service in Scotland is £1,775,500 made up as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the fact that the duplication of carriageways between Victoria Road and Park Royal Station, Western Avenue, was authorised some thirteen months ago, that virtually all the land required is within the limits of the existing right-of-way, and that the road is a trunk road and the sole responsibility of his Department, why there has been delay in calling for and approving tenders; and why it has not been possible to make substantial progress with the improvement by now.

The delay was due to the time taken to prepare the details of the scheme and the contract documents, and in the circumstances was not unreasonable. The contract for the road works is now about to be let.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to give details of how a reduction of £9 million capital expenditure on British Road Services is to be effected.

The original programme for capital expenditure in 1956 amounted to about £14,500,000. This total has been reduced by £9 million of which £8 million is accounted for by a reduction in the programme for new vehicles and £1 million by deferring the modernisation of depôts and workshops.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how much was spent last year by the Transport Commission on its railway re-equipment and modernisation plan; how much is being spent this year; and how much it is proposed to spend next year.

It is not possible to draw a clear line between expenditure under the modernisation plan and other capital expenditure on British Railways since most of the Commission's capital expenditure contains elements of modernisation. The Commission's total capital investment in respect of British Railways was about £70 million in 1955 and is expected to be about £90 million in the current year. I cannot yet give a figure for 1957.