asked the Minister of Works how many disused prefabricated houses were sold during June for export abroad; at what price they were sold; what conditions were laid down as to their resale price; and how many will fall to be disposed of in the immediate future.

Last month 14 redundant houses were sold direct to an overseas buyer by my Department. The price, excluding the refrigerator and cost of dismantling, was £120 a house. No re-sale price conditions were imposed. Local authorities have given preliminary notice that a further 600 houses will be available for disposal in the near future.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will give details of the £150,000 reduction in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Vote and state in which divisions of the department it is to take effect.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what is the nature of the cut of £150,000 that is to be made in the Vote of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

I would refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop) on 5th July last.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many personnel were employed in the War Office at the latest date compared with the previous year.

6,644 on 31st May compared with 6,639 twelve months before.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his recent talks with the Australian Minister of Trade; and what estimate he has made of the effect which recent Australian import cuts will have on the Sheffield tool, cutlery and silverware industries.

No. These discussions are still in progress and I am not able to make any statement about them at present. As regards the second part of the Question, it is estimated that the recent cuts in Australian quotas for hand tools and engineers cutting tools, cutlery and silverware might result in a reduction of about £1 million per annum in our exports of these goods to that country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the desirability of not hampering the development of small diesel engines he will review the requirements of the Customs and Excise in regard to log books, etc., being kept by various owners of diesel motors.

Although I have every sympathy with the hon. Gentleman's purpose, I must state frankly that no effective and economical alternative to these requirements has so far been discovered which would provide the necessary safeguards against the irregular use of duty-free diesel oil as road fuel.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the rate of exchange which is now allowed as the basis of negotiation for purchases of meat from the Argentine; what currency is permitted; and what other rates of exchange are accepted by the Argentine for their other exports to this country.

At present, the effective rate of exchange for Argentine meat exports (other than pork) is about 43 pesos to the £. This is the official rate less a 15 per cent. export levy. Pork is sold on the free market and the rate fluctuates. On 3rd July, 1956, it was 90·26 pesos to the £.Under the recently introduced arrangements for multilaterally-based trade and payments, U.K. imports from Argentina may be paid for in any of the following currencies:—Sterling, Belgian francs, Danish kroner, French francs, Netherlands guilders, Norwegian kroner, Swedish kronor and Swiss francs. The rate of exchange for other export proceeds depends upon the commodity. Some qualify for the official rate of 50·4 pesos to the £ but may be subject to an export levy of up to 25 per cent. The proceeds of a limited number of exports are converted at the free market rate.The following table gives the effective sterling/peso rates for Argentina's other principal exports to the United Kingdom to which the official rate and export levy (if any) apply:—

Commodity	Export levy	Approximate effective rate
	Per cent.	Pesos per £
Oats, barley, maize, sunflower seed and ground nuts	None	50·4
Other grain	10	45·4
Wool (scoured)	20	40·3
Wool (greasy)	25	37·8
Some animal feeding stuffs	None	50·4
Other animal feeding stuffs	10	45·4
Hides and skins	25	37·8
Dairy produce	15	42·8
Linseed oil	10	45·4

These rates are subject to marginal variations, because a proportion of the export proceeds of most commodities may possibly be exchanged at the free market rate. This is because an official valuation is placed on such exports and the exporter is allowed to sell any excess received over this valuation on the free market and has to buy on the free market any foreign exchange needed should he fail to realise the valuation.The same effective rates would apply in respect of these transactions if payment were made in any of the other permissible currencies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what rate at the present time Purchase Tax is charged in respect of uniform and clothing supplied or made available for issue to officers and men of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, police and Merchant Navy; and in what respect exceptions are made.

On most articles of uniform and clothing the rate of tax is 5 per cent. of the wholesale value; on headgear the rate is 10 per cent. and on certain items such as badges and belts, the rate is 30 per cent. Tax is not charged on any such articles drawn by ratings and other ranks of the Armed Forces from Service stores.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he will, during his discussions with representatives of the trade unions and industry on the country's present economic difficulties, give them an assurance that the Government will not take any action which will cause any rise in the cost of rents, prices and services, etc., coming within the control of the Government, and thus assist in combating the present inflationary spiral;(2) whether he will, during his discussions with the representatives of the trade unions and industry on the present economic difficulties confronting the country, give them an assurance that the Government will not take any action in the next 12 months which will have the effect of increasing the inflationary spiral.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave on 28th June.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government in how many cases he has refused application for loan sanction from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council since 1st January, 1956; what was the total value of the projects involved; and if he will publish details of the names and nature of the projects.

Nine cases, to a total value of £44,467. The following are the details:

Name of Project	Nature of Project	Amount of Loan applied for
		£
Knutton Farm	13 garages	1,785
Bradwell Farm	27 garages	3,605
Knutton Estate	Road completion works	20,625
Bradwell Estate	Footways and verges	945
Seabridge Lane	Road completion works	3,387
Bradwell Working Men's Club.	Advance towards building works	7,000
Orton Road, Cross Heath.	Private street works	605
Vale View, Wolstanton.	Private street works	2,250
Clifton and Edward Streets.	Private street works	4,265

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the total value of loans for which local authorities have applied for sanction since 1st January, 1956; what proportion of these applications has been sanctioned and what proportion refused.

Combined records are not kept by the Departments concerned of the value of loans for which sanction is asked. I regret, therefore, that the information sought is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what sums were paid out in compensation for planning restrictions under Parts II and V of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1954, up to 31st March, 1956; and if he will give this information in a form comparable to that of Appendix F of the Report of the Central Land Board for 1955–56.

£1,924,448 and £5,464,854 respectively. I regret that an analysis of types of cases is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps are being taken to ensure that ade- quate provision is being made for children's playgrounds in the slum clearance programme now being prepared.

Local authorities have received advice on this subject in Manuals and Circulars, and I have no doubt that they will keep it well in mind.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities now require council tenants to undertake some or all of their repairs and decorations.

This is a matter for individual local authorities and statistics are not available. I understand that in the north it is the general practice for council tenants to be responsible for internal decorations. Elsewhere the practice varies.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement about the future of the National Service Hostels Corporation.

Yes. This corporation was set up in 1941 as a non-profit making body to administer hostels for war workers and, in 1946, its powers and objects were extended to meet post-war needs, including accommodation for European voluntary workers. Now that the hostels have been taken over by other interests, or have otherwise been disposed of, its task has been completed and the corporation is winding up its affairs. I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the valuable rôle of the corporation, first in the war effort, and later in dealing with the difficulties of the post-war reconstruction period. I should like to put on record the Government's appreciation of this work and to pay special tribute to the chairman, directors and staff of the corporation, and to all who have contributed to their success.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if, in connection with the scientific manpower census, he will ascertain to what extent directors and managing directors of companies possess scientific and technological qualifications;(2) if, in connection with the census of scientific manpower, he will investigate to what extent experienced, as distinct from newly-qualified, scientists and technologists are leaving this country for work in Canada or the United States of America.

The inquiry referred to by the hon. Member is almost completed, and it would not be possible to ascertain what directors and managing directors possess scientific and technological qualifications without re-opening the inquiry and putting a new question to employers, which I should not feel justified in doing at this stage.With regard to the question of emigration to North America, the inquiry related to qualified scientists and engineers in this country. I am informed that the available statistics of emigration do not provide the information asked for on this point.I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the way in which industry has co-operated in the inquiry.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he proposes taking in the dispute between skilled maintenance men and the employers in the steel industry, whereby a strike of 14,000 men is imminent.

As the hon. Member will be aware, I have decided to appoint a court of inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the value, in encouraging friendly relationships, of the interchange of theatrical, choral and other cultural groups between this country and the Union of Societ Socialist Republics; and if he will arrange for Government assistance to be given to increase the number of such exchanges.

The importance attached by Her Majesty's Government to cultural exchanges with the Soviet Union is clearly shown in the Joint Declaration issued at the end of the Soviet leader's visit to this country in April.In May of last year, the Soviet Relations Committee of the British Council was set up at the request of Her Majesty's Government. It has achieved a considerable increase in exchanges of the type to which the honourable Member refers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, as rabbits are again increasing rapidly throughout Kent, he will give guidance to farmers on effective measures of destruction, as shooting is not sufficiently effective.

It is of the utmost importance that farmers in rabbit clearance areas should carry out their obligations under the Pests Act by destroying wild rabbits on their land. I agree with my hon. Friend that shooting is not usually the most effective method. Any farmers who want advice on rabbit destruction should get into touch with the pest department of their county agricultural executive committee. A leaflet has been sent to occupiers in rabbit clearance areas in Kent and elsewhere drawing attention to this facility, of which I hope full advantage will be taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will advise farmers that hay or corn stacks should not be built near overhead electricity lines, nor elevators and other tall machinery brought near them.

Warnings of this danger have been given to farmers by the National Farmers' Union and by some electricity boards and have been published in the agricultural and country Press. I will gladly consider what further publicity may be desirable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will advise poultry-keepers of the importance of clean nesting conditions so that the eggs are clean and do not have to be washed, which leads to spoiling and rotting.

Yes. Officers of my Department are constantly advising poultry-keepers of the importance of clean nesting conditions, and will continue to do so.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the continual wastage of ancillary staff of hospitals in Woolwich; and what steps he is taking to enable hospital management committees to compete effectively for staff with local government and industry.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 4th July.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give full particulars of the recent outbreak of food poisoning at Pontardawe; how many people were affected with physical and nervous symptoms; what was the nature of such symptoms; how long these continued; to what has the poisoning been attributed; and whether the poisoning agent has been isolated.

This outbreak on 2nd and 3rd May was caused by bread made from contaminated flour. The contamination is considered to have occurred during transport of the flour in sacks. 59 cases were notified by general practitioners but there were probably others mildly affected where the doctor was not consulted. Symptoms varied with the amount of bread consumed. Half of the patients became unconscious and developed sudden fits lasting several minutes, with recovery of consciousness in a quarter to half an hour. Less acute cases suffered from dizziness, weakness, abdominal discomfort and nausea. In most cases there was almost complete recovery in 24 hours. The contaminant has been identified as endrin.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the position of Adviser in Parentcraft to the Ministry of Health is now vacant, he is satisfied that existing arrangements are adequate or whether he contemplates making a fresh appointment.

I am satisfied with the existing arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many reports affecting Scotland the Inter-departmental Committee on Home Safety has issued; and how many are now available for hon. Members.

This is a standing Committee which does not present reports as would a committee of inquiry. In 1953, however, it did prepare a progress report, which was published by the Stationery Office and circulated to local authorities. Copies of this Report are now available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the Scottish representatives on the Inter-departmental Committee on Home Safety.

My Departments are represented on the Committee by two officers, one from the Department of Health for Scotland and the other from the Scottish Education Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many of the doctors serving on pneumoconiosis medical panels and boards are unpaid for this work; and what is the average monthly payment made to those who receive both fees and allowances.

Thirty-nine doctors who serve on the pneumoconiosis medical panels are full-time hospital chest physicians in the National Health Service and receive no extra payment from my Department. The average monthly payment made to the other part-time members of the pneumoconiosis medical panels in the financial year 1955–56 was as stated in my right hon. Friend's reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 15th June, namely, £62.