Written Answers

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Written Answers To Quoestions

Monday, 4th June, 1956

Fuel And Power

Mine Workers (Housing)

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what general directions have been given to the National Coal Board concerning the building of houses for mine workers, and the repairs and occupancy of houses now in its control.

None.

Nuclear Power Programme

17.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action is now being taken to accelerate the programme for the development of atomic power plants.

I believe that in due course it will be possible to accclerate the original nuclear power programme. But until plans for the design and construction of the first nuclear power stations have been received from industry and considered by the Central Electricity Authority, no firm re-appraisal of the programme is possible. These plans are due to be submitted this autumn.

Coal Prices

18.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what general directions, under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, he is considering to stabilise the price of coal since it is not possible to control inflation while coal prices continue to increase because they determine so many other prices such as gas, electricity and transport.

The course of coal prices must of necessity be determined by the trend of production costs, and these are not susceptible to control by Ministerial direction. I have, however, impressed on the National Coal Board the importance of increasing productivity so as to enable any unavoidable cost increases to be absorbed, and it is partly in order to give an impetus to productivity that I have approved the Board's revised and extended development plans.

19.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the unfairness caused by the price-zoning system for retail sales of coal and coke, particularly in regard to Phurnacite; and if he is now prepared to replace this by a more equitable system.

So long as price control has to continue, some system of price zoning in which transport charges are averaged over a zone is essential and must involve price differences on either side of zone boundaries. The alternative to price zoning would be such a multiplicity of controlled prices as to render price control unworkable.

The present system of price zoning is among the matters under review by the Robson Committee. Subject to the findings of the Committee, I have no reason to believe that the zones are not as fair as it is practicable to make them.

Hospitals

Kitchen Block And Canteen, Birmingham

32.

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has received for the erection of a kitchen block and canteen at the West Heath Hospital, Birmingham; and when he expects to give permission for this work to be started.

My right hon. Friend has authorised the Regional Hospital Board to invite tenders for the erection of a single storey building as soon as bills of quantities have been prepared. The Answer to the second part of the Question is as soon as satisfactory tenders have been obtained.

Medical Certificates (Charges)

asked the Minister of Health the total sum obtained within the last convenient period by hospital doctors in the National Health Service from extra charges made to patients needing medical certificates in connection with legal claims.

I regret that the information is not available.

Dental Consultants, Birmingham Region

asked the Minister of Health how many full-time consultant dental surgeons are employed by the regional board in the Birmingham region; which areas they serve; and which areas are not adequately covered by the services of a full-time consultant dental surgeon.

Eleven consultants or senior hospital dental officers: all hospital groups are served either by whole-time or part-time consultants except St. Margaret's which has a general dental practitioner on call. The Board has under consideration an additional part-time appointment to improve the service in parts of north Staffordshire.

Chronic Sick (Survey)

41.

asked the Minister of Health, as a result of his survey of the hospital and other services for the chronic sick, what instructions he has given to local authorities concerning additional accommodation for elderly sick persons.

My right hon. Friend's assessment of the results of this survey is not yet quite completed. He will then consult the associations representing local authorities before giving general guidance.

Ministry Of Health

Health Visitors (Working Party's Report)

38.

asked the Minister of Health on what date the Report of the Working Party on Health Visitors is to be published; and what action he proposes to take on it.

The Report will be published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office tomorrow. The organisations principally concerned must be consulted before it is decided what action should be taken. Coples of the Report will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mental Deficiency Institutions And Approved Homes (Children)

39 and 40.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many children classified as ineducable are in special homes under the care of his authority;

(2) how many children who are mentally handicapped, mongol, spastic, or for other reasons classified as ineducable, are waiting admittance to special homes under his authority.

At the end of 1954 there were 7,577 children under 16 in mental deficiency institutions and approved homes. The waiting list for children at the end of 1955 was 3,320. I am unable to say in either case how many of the children were originally reported as ineducable.

Medical Auxiliaries (Report)

42.

asked the Minister of Health when the recommendations of the working party set up to inquire into the possibilities of State registration of medical auxiliaries are to be published; and what action he proposes to take regarding these recommendations.

My right hon. Friend does not propose to publish this Report, since it was prepared for confidential circulation only. He is considering the views of all the bodies concerned and hopes to make a further statement soon.

Nhs (Working Parties And Committees)

asked the Minister of Health to give the names of the members of the eleven working parties and committees who are due to report on different aspects of the National Health Service.

Following is the information:

Mileage Committee

E. Cassleton Elliott, Esq.. C.B.E., F.S.A.A. (Chairman).
S. H. Bennett. Esq., A.C.I.I.
A. Brown, Esq., M.B., Ch.B.
R. J. Buckland, Esq.
A. J. F. Danielli, Esq., C.B.E., M.C.
C. F. R. Killick, Esq., M.B., Ch.B
W. S. MacDonald, Esq., M.C., M.B., B.Ch.
W. J. Mottram, Esq.
E. J. Rees, Esq., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. J.
A. Speed, Esq., O.B.E.
T. Williams, Esq., F.C.I.I.

Committee of Inquiry on the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons

The Rt. Hon. Lord Piercy, C.B.E. (Chairman).
Brigadier J. A. Barraclough, C.M.G., D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C.
F. Bray, Esq., C.B.
Sir Claude Frankau, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.S., F.R.C.S.
Anthony Greenwood. Esq, M.P.
Dame Florence Hancock, D.B.E.
J. H. L. Ludgate, Esq., C.B.E.
Dr. C. G. Magee, C.B.E., F.R.C.P.
J. E. Pater, Esq., C.B.
A. B. Taylor, Esq.
Miss J. Hope Wallace.
P. H. St. John Wilson, Esq., C.B.E.

Working Party on the Recruitment and Training of Health Visitors

Sir Wilson Jameson, G.B.E., K.C.B., M.D., F.R.C.P. (Chairman).
A. Beauchamp, Esq., O.B.E., M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
Alderman Mrs. K. Chambers. C.B.E., LL.D., J.P.
Miss E. W. Himsworth, R.C.N., S.C.M., Q.N., H.V.
Miss E. Stephenson, S.R.N., R.F.N., S.C.M., H.V.
J. F. Warin, Esq., M.D., D.P.H.

Committee on Hospital Supplies

Sir Frederick Messer, C.B.E., J.P., M.P. (Chairman).
Alderman A. F. Bradbeer, J.P.
Professor Sir Henry Cohen, J.P., M.D., D.Sc., LL.D., F.R.C.P., F.F.R.
P. H. Constable, Esq., M.A.
Sir Basil Gibson, C.B.E., J.P.
The Hon. Sir Arthur Howard, K.B.E.. C.V.O.
H. Lesser, Esq., C.B.E.
Sir George Martin, K.B.E., LL.D., J.P.
T. E. Parker, Esq.
F. S. Stancliffc, Esq.
Captain J. E. Stone, C.B.E., MC., F.S.A.A.

Joint Sub-Committee on the Control of Dangerous Drugs and Poisons in Hospitals

Miss J. Aitken, C.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.P. (Chairman).
Sir Ernest Rock Carling, M.B., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.P., LL.D., F.F.R.
Miss K. G. Douglas, S.R.N., S.C.M.
Miss B. N. Fawkes, S.R.N., S.C.M.
C. R. Jolly, Esq., F.H.A., A.R.San.I.
J. B. Lloyd, Esq., M.P.S.
W. G. Masefield, Esq., C.B.E., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.M.
S. C. Merivale, Esq., M.A., F.H.A.
Miss A. E. A. Squibbs, S.R.N.
W. Trillwood, Esq., M.P.S.
J. H. Wood, Esq., M.P.S.

Study Group on Maintenance of Building Plant and Grounds

A. R. W. Bavin, Esq. (Chairman).
L. T. Davis, Esq., A.M.I.E.E., A.M.I.Mech.E.
A. Roberts, Esq., A.R.I.B.A.
W. H. Evans, Esq., A.M.I.Mech.E.
C. M. Ker, Esq., O.B.E.
C. F. Scott, Esq., A.R.I.B.A.
A. L. A. West, Esq., F.I.M.T.A., F.H.A.

Committee on Medical Manpower

Rt. Hon. Henry Willink, M.C., Q.C. (Chairman).
J. T. Baldwin, Esq., M.B., Ch.B.
Sir Harold Boldero, D.M., F.R.C.P.
Sir John Charles, M.D., F.R.C.P., D.P.H.
Professor Sir Henry Cohen, M.D., F.R.C.P., J.P.
Sir Andrew Davidson, M.D., F.R.C.P.Ed., D.P.H.
A. B. Davies, Esq., M.B., Ch.B.
J. P. Dodds, Esq., C.B.
Professor Sir Geoffrey Jefferson, C.B.E., M.S., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.S., F.R.S.
L. G. K. Starke, Esq., C.B.E., F.I.A.
A. B. Taylor, Esq., D.Litt.

Committee on Recruitment to the Dental Profession

The Rt. Hon. Lord McNair, C.B.E., Q.C., F.B.A., LL.D. (Chairman).
J. E. H. Duckworth, Esq., M.C., L.D.S., R.C.S.(Eng.).
Sir Wilfred Fish, C.B.E., M.D., Ch.B.. F.D.S.R.C.S.(Eng.), D.D.Sc., D.Sc.
C. E. Gittins, Esq., M.A.
I. D. McIntosh, Esq., M.A.
G. R. Moxon, Esq.
Mrs. Mary Stocks, B.Sc.
A. P. Thomson, Esq., M.C., M.D., F.R.C.P.
J. L. Trainer, Esq., L.D.S.R.C.S.(Edin), L.R.C.P.(Edin.), L.R.C.S.(Edin.), L.R.F.P. and S.(Glas.).
R. O. Walker, Esq., L.D.S., H.D.D.(Edin.),
F.D.S.R.C.S.(Eng.), L.R.C.P.(Edin.), L.R.C.S.(Edin.), L.R.F.P. and S.(Glas.).
F. C. Wilkinson, Esq., M.D., Ch.B., B.D.S., D.D.Sc., M.Sc., F.D.S.R.C.S.(Eng.).

Working Party on Social Workers

Dr. Eileen Younghusband, C.B.E., LL.D., J.P., (Chairman).
R. Huws Jones, Esq., M.A., B.Sc. (Econ.). Miss Robina Addis.
Mr. C. G. T. Berridge.
Dr. Peter Crawford McKinlay, M.D. (Edin.).
Professor A. B. Semple, V.R.D., M.D., D.P.H.
Mrs. P. E. Steed.
Miss E. Swallow.
P. S. Taylor, Esq., M.A.
Mr. T. Tinto

Study Group on Application of Electronic Devices to Hospital Accounts and Costing

W. O. Chatterton, Esq., C.B.E. (Chairman).
N. Hollens, Esq.
J. Wrigley, Esq.
F. S. Adams, Esq., A.I.M.T.A., A.S.A.A
S. F. King, Esq.
G. McLachlan, Esq.
C. Montacute, Esq., LL.B., D.P.A. (Lond), F.I.M.T.A., F.H.A.
J. W. D. Rowlandson, Esq., A.C.A.
R. Stacey, Esq., M.B.E., F.I.M.T.A.. A.A.C.C.A.
Captain J. E. Stone, C.B.E., M.C., F.S.A.A.
H. W. White, Esq., A.H.A., F.C.C.S., A.I.C.A., F.S.A.A.

Committee on Maternity Services

The Earl of Cranbrook, C.B.E. (Chairman).
Dr. A. Beauchamp, O.B.E., M.B., Ch.B.. M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
Mr. G. F. Gibberd, M.S., F.R.C.S.. L.R.C.P., F.R.C.O.G.
Sir Basil Gibson, C.B.E., J.P.
Dr. W. V. Howells, O.B.E., M.B., B.Ch.. M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
Dr. Jean Mackintosh, M.D., Ch.B., D.P.H D.P.A
Mr. H. J. Malkin, M.D., F.R.C.S. (Ed.), F.R.C.O.G.
Lady Pakenham.
Miss V. Shand, S.R.N., S.C.M., M.T.D.
Dr. J. Forest Smith, F.R.C.P., M.R.C.S
Miss M. Williams, S.R.N., S.C.M., M,T,D.
Mrs. Geoffrey Wilson.

Royal Navy

War-Time Oil Stocks, Singapore (Compensation Claim)

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the present position in respect of the claim by oil companies for compensation for oil stocks which disappeared in the closing stages of the fighting in the Far East in 1945.

Judgment was given for the oil companies by the Court of Appeal in Singapore on 13th April, 1956, reversing the award of the Singapore Compensation Board, but a stay of execution pending consideration of an appeal by the Crown to the Privy Council is at present in operation.

Kenya

Dr A H Becker

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date Dr. A. H. Becker was transferred from the Lamu Detention Camp, Kenya.

On 16th January, 1956.

Education

Schools (Employment)

asked the Minister of Education how many schools make vaccination a condition of employment.

I do not know of any.

Post Office

Postal Service, London—Swindon

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to improve the postal service between London and Swindon; and whether he is inquiring into delays to a communication referred to him by the hon. Member for Swindon on 29th May.

The communication to which the hon. Member refers was posted at the minimum printed paper rate on 24th May after the advertised time for the acceptance of such packets intended for dispatch the same day. It was accordingly held over for sorting after the fully-paid letters had been disposed of and was dispatched from London on 25th May. It was delivered in proper course by the first post in Swindon on 26th May.

Mail Cancellation Stamp (Liner's Maiden Voyage)

asked the PostmasterGeneral whether he will issue a commemorative date stamp for cancelling mail posted on board the Cunard liner "Carinthia" on the occasion of its maiden voyage from Liverpool on 27th June.

I understand that the Cunard Company does not want the facility for this voyage.

Trade And Commerce

Indian Cotton Textiles (Exports To United Kingdom)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the exchange of notes between Japan and the United States of America which aims at limiting the exports of Japanese cotton cloth to the United States of America to a yardage which is less than 1½ per cent. of United States production, he will take steps to attempt to reach an amicable agreement with India to limit her exports of cotton textiles to the United Kingdom.

We ourselves limit by quota imports of Japanese cotton cloth. Our relations with India, as a fellow member of the Commonwealth, are not analogous to those between the United States and Japan, and in present circumstances the Government would not feel justified in changing the basis of our trade arrangements with India.

Volume 553: debated on Monday 4 June 1956