asked the Minister of Works what new buildings have been constructed since 1945, and for what purposes, by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and its research institutions.

As the list is long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me, in advance of my consulting that list, which of these buildings have been used for civilian research and which for military research; and whether, in the case of those which are used for research for military purposes, the expenditure is recoverable and has been recovered from the Departments concerned?

Most of the buildings are for civil work. I think perhaps the hon. Gentleman should look at the list, when I shall be very glad to answer any further questions.

asked the Minister of Works by how much it would be necessary to widen those roads in the parks where parking is now allowed in order to permit cars to be parked diagonally; and how many more cars it is estimated this would accommodate.

Cars parked diagonally would require between 19 and 20 feet of carriageway for each line of cars parked, as against about 6 feet for cars parked parallel to the kerb. If suitably widened, the roads in Hyde Park and St. James's Park at present designated for parking might provide space for about 75 per cent. more cars. This would involve large expenditure and the sacrifice of many trees.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that there are some stretches where this suggestion could be put into force without sacrificing trees? Does he not think that any contribution to a solution of the parking problem, however modest, should be considered at the present time?

I certainly agree wholeheartedly with the last part of the question, but if my hon. and gallant Friend would look at the width of the various carriageways on which there could be diagonal parking, and would do a little subtraction, he would find that there would be very little road left; sometimes it is a minus quantity.

asked the Minister of Works the weekly attendance of visitors to the Jewel Tower, Westminster, since it was opened to the public on 23rd April, 1956.

In the first week there were just over 2,600 visitors. In the second and third weeks there were about 1,200 visitors each week. Since then the number has ranged from 500–800 a week. The Jewel Tower is now among the more attractive and interesting of the smaller monuments of London. I hope that as it becomes better known more people will visit it.

Does not the Minister think it a little disappointing that the public have not reacted more positively towards one of the most attractive pieces of rehabilitation work for which his Department has been responsible and upon which I think the Ancient Monument Inspectorate deserves the warmest congratulations of us all? Has he any plans for action which will stimulate public interest in the Jewel Tower? For example, would he welcome a visit from the Russian Parliamentary delegation, whom we are all delighted to welcome to this country?

I had not thought of the last point, but I will consider it. I shall be very grateful if any hon. Members can think of methods by which the Jewel Tower can become better known.

Have a burglary there.

There are certain buildings between the road and the Tower which are shortly to be demolished, and the Tower will then be more open to view. I think that will help.

asked the Minister of Works what arrangements he is making for the unveiling of the memorial to the late Field-Marshal Smuts.

It is proposed that a statue to Field-Marshal Smuts, which is to be placed in Parliament Square, should be unveiled by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) on 7th November, 1956.

In addition to Members of both Houses of Parliament, guests to be invited to the unveiling ceremony will include Cabinet colleagues of the Field-Marshal, representatives of the Commonwealth, representatives of bodies with which the Field-Marshal was associated, such as Cambridge University, representatives of the Services, etc.

Is the Minister aware that the House will welcome the unveiling of this monument to a man who was a great friend of this country and a great enemy of racial discrimination?

Yes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will make a statement indicating when the Fishery Research Ship "Sir William Hardy" put to sea after her docking in Aberdeen for maintenance and the nature of the work then done on this ship.

The ship put to sea again on 2nd April. While she was in dock apparatus was fitted to the hull to enable the hull resistance to be determined at different speeds. The ship was painted from stem to stern above deck and her fuel tanks were cleaned out. Minor damage caused to the ship while moored in Aberdeen Harbour was repaired.

Is it not a fact that this ship is doing very valuable scientific research work commensurate with the very high cost of building her, and that therefore it is advisable that she should spend as much time as possible at sea doing that work instead of in dock? Will the Parliamentary Secretary take steps to that end?

The ship was in dock for about a fortnight in March, but since then she has been out to sea during the bulk of the time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, the relationship between the scales of pay and allowances laid down for members of the staffs of research councils working under the Privy Council; who is responsible for co-ordinating them; and if he will take steps to introduce standard scales for persons with similar qualifications.

The respective committees of the Privy Council are responsible for approving the pay and allowances of members of the staff of the research councils. In practice, this duty falls upon my noble Friend the Lord President of the Council in consultation with the Treasury. He has regard to the nature of the work and the responsibilities of the people concerned. Broadly speaking, Civil Service standards obtain, but the Medical Research Council is in a somewhat special position and its scientific staffs are aligned with the universities while most of its technical staffs are aligned with the National Health Service.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that those who work for the research councils and research associations should not fall below the comparable Civil Service rates of pay? Cannot something be done by the D.S.I.R. in relation to the research associations and by the Parliamentary Secretary's noble Friend to see that there are uniform scales of pay for persons who hold similar qualifications, which is not the case at the moment?

As a broad principle, I think that my noble Friend would be in agreement with what the hon. Member says, but there are exceptional cases. For example, the technical staffs of the Medical Research Council mainly work alongside technical workers in hospitals and are paid at Health Service rates of pay, but I understand that in that particular case, which is rather difficult, a claim to be paid at Civil Service rates of pay is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War what building or buildings in or about London are being used as an assembly centre for Her Majesty's troops since the Goodge Street Underground Station, which was formerly used for that purpose, was destroyed by fire; and if he will indicate the accommodation and amenities now available to such troops, together with the means of ingress and egress thereto and therefrom, and precautions against danger by fire there.

As a temporary arrangement, part of the Royal Artillery Depot at Woolwich is being used. There is accommodation for 275 soldiers who have access to all amenities at the Depot. The means of escape in case of fire are adequate.

Does the Secretary of State agree that soldiers in transit should be put in well-ventilated and healthy centres? Was not the Goodge Street episode a shocking example to the contrary? Will he take steps to ensure that it is not repeated?

I have always agreed about that. The problem is to find somewhere in Central London suitable for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the unpopularity of the Service issue of lingerie to the Women's Services, including the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps; and whether, in order to effect a changeover to an allowance in lieu of an issue, he will arrange for the stocks to be disposed of in other ways.

We are going to change over to an initial allowance for underclothes in the Women's Services.

May I thank my right hon. Friend that the battle has been successfully concluded, particularly having regard to the fact that the W.R.A.F. and the W.R.N.S. have already got the allowance in lieu of issue? I thank my right hon. Friend very much.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men in the Army in the United Kingdom are sleeping in two-tier bunks; and if he will state the figures and name the camps where this is still the practice.

The number varies from day to day but, on average, fewer than 900 soldiers in the Active Army are now sleeping in two-tiered bunks, many as a temporary measure because of reconstruction of accommodation or because units are in transit. In addition, during the training season, there are about 1,700 such beds in use at camps by reservists carrying out their 15 days' annual training. I have written to the hon. Member giving the details.

While thanking the Minister for the very full details of camps and of men living under these unfortunate conditions, does he not agree that the more we improve the accommodation and amenities of these men, the more likely we are to get them to volunteer for a professional Army?

Yes, I entirely agree.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that, just because this is a small number, it would be worth a great effort to sweep it away altogether, because this sort of condition is probably a greater detriment to recruiting even than rates of pay which may be thought not adequate?

It was 3,500 a year ago; so it is moving in the right direction.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he has not remitted the sentence of collective punishment imposed on men of the 4/47 Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery, Plymouth, for hanging a stove on the regimental flagpole, in view of its severity for a small unit.

No such sentence was imposed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that about 80 men were punished? Can he say whether each man was found guilty after trial? Is he aware that officers started these incidents, that they roll about the ornamental cannon balls after every party and that I am informed that they have let off thunder flashes at 1 a.m.? Can he say whether officers normally get preferential treatment over the men in similar incidents of this kind?

The hon. Member has got this wrong. Cannon balls were rolled about and there was something on the top of the flagpole, but that has nothing to do with this matter, which is concerned with the fact that there were complaints from the public that stones were being thrown over the ramparts. The commanding officer said that there would be a guard on the ramparts. The stone-throwing stopped and the guard was taken off, but it was not a punishment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arrangements for the other ranks serving in Cyprus to drink wine instead of beer if they so desire.

This is under discussion with the Air Ministry.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I had a letter from, I think, the Under-Secretary saying that wine is to be issued in Cyprus? Is it not very unusual for a Member of Parliament to have a success before the Service Departments make a final decision? It is most exciting.

The hon. Lady will understand that we cannot take unilateral action. This is a matter which concerns the other Services.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any provision is made for serving drinks for total abstainers?

I think there is a very good supply of abstemious drinks in N.A.A.F.I.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will apply the concessions in relation to cigarettes and chocolates operating in Malaya to the Services in Cyprus.

The only concession not common to both theatres is that troops in Malaya receive 50 free cigarettes a week. This was given because many soldiers were in the jungle on operations for long periods unable to visit canteens or shops. These conditions do not exist in Cyprus.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it would be very helpful to the Services in Cyprus to have this concession? I am all for the chaps getting encouragement in the difficult job they have to undertake. Will my right hon. Friend have another go at the Treasury?

I appreciate the hon. Lady's point, but I should point out that in Malaya it is extremely difficult during long periods in the jungle to get cigarettes and that in Cyprus there is a concession, because cigarettes cost only half a crown per 50, which I do not think is too bad.

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities are given to members of the Forces serving in Cyprus to spend their leave in this country if they so desire.

Subject to certain qualififications, married soldiers entitled to married accommodation who decide to leave their families at home may spend a minimum of twenty-eight days of their annual leave in this country. They receive free travel. Soldiers who do not qualify may come home for leave provided that they pay their own fares. Special cheap rates are available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider extending this concession? It is extremely difficult for a soldier or his family to find even the £55 reduced fare which is necessary to get back to England for leave?

Yes, but a soldier who leaves his family at home and who spends a two-year period on overseas service does get a free travel permit home.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what barracks in Great Britain are now being modernised and brought up to modern standards;

(2) what new construction of barracks is now taking place in Great Britain.

Sixteen new barracks are being built or rebuilt and 10 barracks are being modernised. I am circulating details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the number of 10 barracks being modernised is wholly insufficient? There are many old barracks in this country occupying valuable sites upon which no work is being done and in respect of which work is overdue.

I have only a limited amount of material, money and labour available, and I think that, on the whole, it is better to rebuild and make first-class new barracks than to tinker with old barracks and waste money in that way.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether grade III men are still being posted overseas.

Yes, Sir.

Now that grade III men are no longer called up at all for active service, can the Minister say whether precautions are taken to ensure that the complaints, or the factors which lead to a man's being graded in this lower medical category, are not being aggravated by sending him overseas, where his health will deteriorate?

Yes. Grade III men who have some health deficiency which would be made worse by a tropical climate are not sent, but if a man is short-sighted or has flat feet he probably is sent.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of British officers and non-commissioned officers remaining in the employ of the Gold Coast Government after the abolition of West Africa Command on 1st July, 1956.

Four hundred and sixteen.

Will the Minister be good enough to say whether these officers and other ranks are serving contracts the terms of which have been agreed by the War Office? Furthermore, are they volunteers, or have they been posted there?

In answer to the first part of that supplementary question, all this was gone into with care at the time when the Gold Coast went on to a different basis. I would not like to answer the point about volunteers without notice, but I do know that the recent improvement in terms of service in the Gold Coast has very considerably put up the percentage of volunteers.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Regular soldiers have been discharged from the Army on security grounds since 1950.

Twenty-seven since June, 1951, the earliest date for which the information is readily available.

Can the Minister say whether soldiers who are discharged in this way are given the reasons for their discharge, and any information as to the charges which are held against them?

Yes, Sir. If this occurs the man concerned is challenged and told the reasons. and is asked if he has anything to say upon the subject.

Does the Minister recall a recent case concerning a constituent of mine? The only reason which he was given was that he had been in the Communist Party for six months when he was 16 years old. Is this a sufficient reason for discharging a Regular soldier?

This is an extremely delicate matter. It is possible to give certain information, but some cannot be given because of the danger of compromising the sources from which it was obtained. We always aim to make it quite clear in these charges that it is because of something like Communist or Fascist sympathies that this has happened.

What character is such a man given on his discharge certificate?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for war what account he takes of an applicant's political associations when considering applications for enlistment in the Regular Army; and if he will make a statement.

We do not accept for the Regular Army men or women likely to be a security risk.

Can the Minister say what steps are taken in this matter at the time of enlistment? Is not he aware that soldiers are not usually asked questions of this nature when they enlist? A great deal of time is wasted before discharge takes place. Upon what basis is it decided that these people are security risks?

I think that the hon. Lady would agree that it would be extremely difficult to screen all the applicants for Regular service. The question whether each man should be challenged upon joining, and asked whether or not he is a Communist, is a difficult matter, and I do not think that it would disclose all those who were. It is when people are engaged in secret or confidential work that they are screened, and that is when this fact very often comes to light.

If, nowadays, one can get out of the Army by saying that one is a Communist, is not discharge by purchase a somewhat unnecessary facility?

We have had no experience of the use of Communism in that way.

Do not be too sure.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the principle or principles on which he acts in the allocation and fostering of light and heavy industries, respectively; and in particular whether he takes into account their distance from the centres requiring their products and the freight charges involved.

The Board has no powers to direct an industrialist to a particular location, but has the power to withhold an industrial development certificate. This gives the Board the opportunity to discuss with an industrialist his proposal for a new factory or extension and to suggest localities where there is a need for new industry, bearing in mind all relevant location factors.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that the ratio of commodity value to freight charges is an essential consideration, especially in relation to remote districts such as the North of Scotland? Will he take that fact into account with a view to encouraging light industries in the North of Scotland?

I think that the hon. and learned Member has already been informed that there is a new freight charges scheme under consideration by the Transport Tribunal at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the figures of the current reciprocal agreement between France and the United Kingdom relating to the exports and imports of motor cars; and what dependent territories are covered by the agreement.

It is not our normal practice to reveal publicly details of the quotas agreed upon in bilateral trade negotiations; interested United Kingdom exporters are of course kept fully informed of the export opportunities secured in such negotiations. An increase in the quota for United Kingdom motor cars imported into France and the territories of the French Union, and for French cars imported into the United Kingdom, was negotiated at the beginning of this year. Imports of United Kingdom cars into Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and the French dependent territories were included in the arrangements then made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the scope of the official talks which he proposes to conduct with the Egyptian Minister of Commerce when he leads the trade mission to this country later this month.

We welcome the Egyptian trade mission, which is headed by the Minister of Commerce and arrived on 8th July. Its purpose is to foster the expansion of trade between our two countries, as was the purpose of the 1955 British trade mission to Egypt. It will be meeting businessmen concerned in trade with Egypt in London, Lancashire and Scotland. My right hon. Friend and I have had talks with the Mission and will be meeting it again before it leaves. It has also met my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Will the Minister of State consider suggesting to his right hon. Friend that it might be urged upon Egypt to lift the boycott upon trade in the Middle East as a means of extending trade further?

I will certainly consider that.

Does my right hon. Friend propose to assist the Egyptians with their purchases in this country by releasing another quota of their sterling balances?

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary draw the attention of the Egyptian delegation to the fact that the free flow of trade between the two countries would be considerably assisted if the Egyptians refrained, in their trade with other countries, from imposing boycotts based upon racial and religious discrimination?

I understood that I had already answered that question, in reply to the right hon. Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mr. Bottomley).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to assist the hosiery and woollen goods industry to increase its exports.

The exporters of hosiery and knitwear are served by an active export group, which is in close touch with the Board of Trade on day-to-day problems affecting particular markets. All the services of information, help and advice provided by the Board of Trade and overseas officers for exporters generally are, of course, available to the industry; so are the facilities for export credit insurance offered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

But hosiery and woollen exports are falling. Are we to wait until they have fallen to the extent that motor car exports have fallen before the Government contemplate taking action?

I do not think that there is any reason to be so pessimistic. Certainly the total exports of hosiery and other knitted goods so far this year are not quite as good as they were a year ago, but in some parts of the trade great steps are being taken to do all that can be done, and I am sure that the industry is alive to the importance of increasing its exports.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the greatest difficulty being experienced by the woollen and hosiery trades upon the borders of Scotland is in relation to employees? What is needed is the establishment of new light industries which would attract workers whose womenfolk would be available to the woollen and hosiery employers and so enable them to fulfil the contracts upon their order books.

I will see that my right hon. Friend is made aware of my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of tomatoes have been imported from Bulgaria this year.

No fresh tomatoes, 197 cwt. of tomato puree, and 524 cwt. of other canned tomatoes in the first five months of this year.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the best form of East-West trade which can be devised is to export valuable machinery to Bulgaria in return for which we get tomatoes, often in cans or bottles, at a time when our own tomato crop is coming on the market and almost a glut is resulting?

Trade is a two-way matter, and some facilities—the House will know they are restrictive facilities—are given to countries in Eastern Europe for this sort of thing, including Bulgaria.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Mr. V. S. Whelan, a tobacconist, of Burnley Road, Leeds, is being coerced against his will to join the Tobacco Trade Association, because that association has notified the manufacturers of cigarettes who, in turn, are refusing to supply Mr. Whelan except at increased wholesale prices; and whether he will accordingly, as a result of this further case, reconsider his decision not to refer such matters to the Monopolies Commission.

I have seen a reference in the Press to this case. The kind of restrictive practice described would, under the Restrictive Trade Practices Bill, be a matter for the Restrictive Practices Court, and would not therefore be suitable for reference to the Monopolies Commission.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that it is the opinion of many people that the Restrictive Trade Practices Bill will not deal effectively with such cases? Is it not scandalous that this kind of thing should be allowed to continue without any effective action being taken?

Perhaps the hon. Lady would be good enough to refresh her mind about the provisions of Clause 6(1) of the Bill, under which this type of agreement would probably be registered.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that many of us are against any form of coercion or compulsion designed to force a man to join a trade association or trade union against his will?

Does it not appear from these facts that the Tobacco Trade Association has not yet been deterred by the President's Bill? Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us how soon the Board of Trade will ask for the registration of the type of arrangement described in this Question?

In answer to the right hon. Gentleman's invitation, I gave the projected programme of registration during the Third Reading of the Bill, and that position I cannot take any further today.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say how soon these particular arrangements will come under registration?

The whole process of registration, as the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate, will be concluded within a relatively short period from start to finish and, therefore, the precise position at which these agreements would be registered as opposed to any others would not be very material. The most important ones will be registered first, as I have observed before.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present restrictions on the export of rubber tyres from the United Kingdom to the Communist countries; and if Her Majesty's Government will further relax those restrictions.

The export to the Soviet bloc of certain specialised heavy tyres with potential military uses is subject to embargo. The details were published in the Board of Trade Journal on 16th October, 1954. As to China, all types of tyres, other than those used for pedal cycles and scooters, are subject to embargo, but applications for export licences will be examined on their merits under the exceptions procedure. As regards the relaxation of the controls, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 14th May by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury (Mr. Collins) and the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler).

Can information be given regarding the lighter types of tyre other than those to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred? In view of the easing of the embargo on the export of rubber from Malaya, does it not follow that there should be corresponding easements in the export of these lighter tyres from this country to these Communist areas?

When the hon. Gentleman has considered my rather full Answer, I think he will see that I have gone a long way to allay his anxieties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to abolish the British Film Production Levy and in its stead establish a direct subsidy from the Treasury.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) on 28th June last.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that legislation governing the statutory contribution made through the Film Finance Corporation for film production will soon be coming to an end, and what are the prospects of carrying on that Fund in some way or other? Is he further aware that, as a result of recent legislation, the contribution under the Eady Plan may possibly diminish—though I hope not—and would he say what plans he has to meet that contingency should it arise?

The current voluntary agreement in regard to the Fund does not end until 23rd October, 1957, and, of course, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the future of the Fund, together with various other matters regarding the film industry, is at present under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the approximate percentage increase in the numbers of those who are classified under the head of salaries, and the increase in the percentage of those who come under the head of wages, when estimating the earnings of each section, since 1938 to 1955; and what has been the percentage rise in the total earnings of each class from 1938 to 1956;

(2) the approximate numbers classified under the heads of wages and salaries, separately, in 1938 and 1955.

Between 1938 and 1955, total wages increased by 252 per cent. and total salaries by 271 per cent. Both figures are reckoned before deduction of tax. Figures for 1956 are not yet available. As my right hon. Friend said in reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member on 12th June, statistics of the total number of wage earners and salary earners in 1938 and 1955 are not available, but there is reason to think that the number of salary earners has increased since 1938 significantly more than the number of wage earners.

Can the Financial Secretary explain how he comes to the conclusion that the salaried section has increased more than the wages section when, in 1938, there were almost 2 million people unemployed who are now employed? Would not that indicate that the workers have increased at a greater percentage than the salaried class? Is he aware that wages for men have increased by an average of 27 per cent. or 28 per cent. less than general wages, and 37 per cent. less than salaries? Is it true that the salaried section covers the middle classes?

I know the interest of the hon. Member in these matters, and I think he might find it helpful to look at a book lately published by the Stationery Office called, "National Income Statistics, Sources and Methods", in which many of these details are explained.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the development of policy towards sterling convertibility and a free exchange rate since September, 1955.

There has been no change whatever in the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards sterling convertibility or the maintenance of our exchange parity of $2·80 to the £1.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, when sterling was converted in December, 1946, at a false rate of4 dollars and 3 cents to the £, it led to our subsequent undoing? Is he further aware that there are various rates in force today and it is necessary to bring them together by freeing the £ before sterling convertibility is resorted to, otherwise there might be other disasters, and would he make a statement in due course?

My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal, when he was Chancellor, made a firm statement at Istanbul in September, 1955. I have nothing to add to that.

Will the Financial Secretary assure the House that the Government intend to build up much larger gold and dollar reserves before making a rash experiment of this kind?

I am sure the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the conditions which my right hon. Friend said must be fulfilled.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this important subject on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what guidance he has given to local planning authorities on the subject of prefabricated houses sold by local authorities for re-erection for agricultural or other purposes.

My right hon. Friend has so far given no guidance on this matter; but he is considering doing so.

Will my hon. Friend do his best to inject some sense into the quite ludicrous situation which has arisen in Somerset, where the local housing authorities are, quite properly, trying to sell these houses, and the local planning authority, the county council, has issued a warning that, in the event of such sales, it is most unlikely that planning permission will be given for their re-erection? Does not my hon. Friend consider this to be quite absurd?

This is a matter for every local planning authority to consider in each particular case whether the re-erection of one of these dwellings would be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he received prior to the demolition of the Abel Collin's Almshouses, Nottingham; and on what grounds he declined to make a building preservation order under the Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings Act.

The Nottingham Corporation made strong representations supporting the proposal of the trustees of the charity concerned to demolish these almshouses. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the letter to the corporation which sets out the grounds on which my right hon. Friend decided not to make a building preservation order under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947. He has since received representations from the Georgian Group and from local architects expressing regret at this decision.

Is it correct that the advisory committee advised against that decision? With such a conflict of views, is it not desirable that there should be a public inquiry before any decision is taken?

There was no conflict of opinion amongst those primarily concerned in the future of these almshouses. I do not think it would be proper for my right hon. Friend to disclose the advice he took on this matter, but he fully informed himself of all the aspects.

I appreciate the interest rightly taken in these beautiful and historic almshouses by people even so far distant as Islington, but may I ask whether my right hon. Friend realises that these old buildings are now quite unsuited for their present purpose but that nevertheless they occupy one of the richest building sites in Nottingham—[HON. MEMBERS: "Ah."]—and that by their sale the trustees will be enabled to perform what is their overriding duty of providing the maximum number of homes for the old people of Nottingham? Does he also realise that, were the corporation to take over these almshouses, the ratepayers of Nottingham would have to find some £50,000 in compensation for the trustees?

My hon. and gallant Friend has correctly and fully stated many of the factors determining the decision.

What reasons were given by the Nottingham Corporation when urging the demolition of these premises?

I do not think I can do better than refer the hon. Gentleman to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Nottingham, Central (Lieut.-Colonel Cordeaux).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce amending legislation to require the levying of rates on unoccupied living accommodation in order to prevent such accommodation being empty for long periods, thus aggravating the housing shortage.

No, Sir.

In view of the decreasing number of houses being built and the increasing number of Nottingham premises taken for office accommodation, has the Minister any idea of what to do with the piling up of properties, usually rent-restricted, that are awaiting sale and are remaining empty? Does he not think this is a tragic situation to young people who are looking for a home?

I cannot see any connection between the decline in the number of houses being built, the increase in the number converted to office use and the increase—alleged—in the number remaining vacant.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary think it is right to encourage landlords to hang on to houses for sale, hundreds of which are standing idle in Birmingham, when hundreds of families are homeless through eviction and thousands of people are on the housing register in Birmingham? Should not these houses be let to these people? Will not the Minister take some action on a matter which is stirring the conscience, not only of the Churches and the political parties, but of the whole of the people in Birmingham?

Those questions go very far beyond the question of rating. Rates are a tax upon occupation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has yet issued general advice to local authorities on licensed caravan sites where a housing shortage exists.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Mr. Remnant) on 26th June last.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether his attention has been called to the London County Council report, a copy of which is in his possession, about office development in central London; and whether he will consult the London County Council about the action to be taken about the problem which it reveals.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give an estimate of the amount of residential property in central London now being used as offices; and whether, in view of the increase in new office accommodation, he will take powers to ensure that, where suitable, these houses, in addition to those with a temporary permission for office use, will revert to residential use.

Last year, after considering the County of London Development Plan, I asked the London County Council to carry out a survey of actual and proposed office building in central London. The report setting out the results of the survey was published last week.

I regret that the particular information asked for by the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Mrs. L. Jeger) is not available; but the report shows that, since 1948, office space for 96,000 workers has been provided in the central area of London, space for another 66,000 is under construction, and planning permissions already given, but not yet acted on, provide for 116,000 more. I have already had a number of discussions with representatives of the County Council about this problem, and I am expecting shortly to receive from them proposals for further action.

While appreciating the interest which the Minister is taking in this difficult subject, may I ask if he has been able to give any attention to the situation which arises when new office buildings are erected, as they have been in Holborn, and people who are occupying residential properties as offices—often delightful Bloomsbury houses—refuse to move into the new offices because the rents would be much higher, thereby continuing to use much needed residential property for office purposes?

That is one of the problems with which I am trying to grapple. The problem is to restrict the amount of additional office accommodation which is created without having to pay enormous sums in compensation. As I indicated in debate the other day, I have asked the L.C.C. to ensure that when temporary licences for the use of residential property as offices expire they should not be renewed. I have also asked the L.C.C. to make sure that only in very exceptional circumstances shall residential property be allowed to be changed into offices.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that these 116,000 people for whom office buildings are being provided will also bring their cars? Will he consult the Minister of Transport to see what accommodation can be made for those cars?

On the question of cars, I am glad to say that the London County Council is being very strict in requiring the provision of car parking space in the office accommodation erected.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his good offices to make copies of the L.C.C. report available in the Library?

Yes, I will use my good offices to that effect.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the list of employment exchanges and branch offices which will either be closed or have their standard of service reduced by the economies now being adopted by his Department.

My right hon. Friend has set on foot a review of the existing network of local offices of the Ministry in order to ascertain what changes can be made in the interests of economy and efficiency. It will be some time before he will be in a position to make a statement on the results of this review.

Would the hon. Gentleman look at that again, because it begins to look as though some of these Answers are a little less than frank with the House? Is it not a fact that, in negotiations with the Staff Side, the figure of 850 officers to be dispensed with—half by September—has already been notified? If the Minister has not yet made an investigation to see where economies can be made, how can he make a decision on who is to be dispensed with?

The position is that, in principle, we have decided that there is room for economies, but no decisions have been made about any particular offices. When those decisions have been made, information will be given.

asked the Minister of Labour what consideration has been given to the possibility of suspending the call-up in medical and other categories other than those in which the call-up of National Service men is already suspended.

The arrangements for suspension of call-up are continuously under review in the light of the competing calls on the manpower resources of the country.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that does not give very much information? Can he indicate whether there are categories under consideration with a view to abolishing the call-up altogether?

As I said, it is difficult to give categorical information because this matter is always under review. Only recently there have been one or two extensions as, for example, agricultural contractors and the stopping of the call-up of medical category III. It is under constant review, and I cannot say more than that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give particulars of the loan fund announced on 9th July designed to assist the growing of soft fruit in the North of Scotland.

An amount not exceeding £10,000 is being provided from the Development Fund, From this, individual loans up to £300 will be made to small farmers and crofters in the Moray Firth area, where soil and climate are well suited for the growing of soft fruit. The loans, which will be administered by a body entitled the Northern Fruit Growers Loan Fund Ltd., will be available to occupiers of holdings of 50 acres or less, against the actual cost of stocks, fertilisers and implements.

Is it not a fact that this praiseworthy scheme goes as far as Ross-shire? Is there any reason why it could not be extended a little further north, as soft fruit is grown in Sutherland and Caithness?