asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) to what extent farmers carrying out their own work in schemes approved in connection with the new improvement grants referred to in Command Paper No. 23 will be entitled to reimbursement;

(2) whether the principle that a farmer may be reimbursed in respect of part of the cost of his own work in approved cases now conceded in the Silo Subsidies Act, 1957, will now be extended to schemes under the Hill Farming Act 1956.

For reasons given on 23rd October, 1956, in Committee on the Hill Farming Bill, it would not be practicable, even if it were acceptable in principle, to pay grant on the farmer's personal services. The Government is, however, seeking power in Clause 13 (2) of the Agriculture Bill to make regulations fixing standard costs for particular items in the farm improvement scheme. I would prefer to wait until experience has been gained of the working of the silo subsidy scheme before considering how far it may be practicable to use this power, should it be authorised by Parliament, or whether it could usefully be extended to livestock rearing schemes.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware—as I am sure he is—that there is considerable feeling on this point among the farming community and that people are of the opinion that it is illogical to have one system for one Act and not for another? Will he please keep the situation under permanent review?

Yes: I most certainly will do that. I know full well the feeling on this matter, but, as my hon. Friend knows, it has been an established principle of a number of legislative Measures that a man cannot charge his own labour.

While not wishing to discourage self-help, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman, if he intends to keep this under review, to consider, should the occasion arise, consulting the building trade unions about it?

I will consider the point the hon. Gentleman has made. I should not have thought that it was relevant to this problem, but I will consider what he said.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total number of suspected cases of swine fever reported during the last six months; how many of these were subsequently unconfirmed; and, of the latter, what were the causes of swine fever suspicions; and in how many cases were the suspicions not attributable to any positive cause.

1,945 suspected cases of swine fever were reported in the six months to 28th February, 1957. 1,591 have been found not to be swine fever; in three cases it has not yet been possible to arrive at a diagnosis. I cannot say precisely what symptoms in pigs prompt owners to suspect the disease, but I think it unlikely that owners would report suspicions without positive cause. It is certainly in the public interest that owners should report promptly the least suspicion of swine fever rather than waiting to see whether their suspicions are justified, even though this means that many cases are reported that are not subsequently confirmed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the large number of cases which subsequently prove not to have been swine fever? In such cases should not the pig producer be informed of the nature of the disease and the cause of death? He is put to considerable expense and is never informed by the Minister's officials what the cause of death is, unless it happens to be a case of swine fever.

I will look into the point which my hon. and gallant Friend has raised, but he knows that one of the main problems about swine fever is that the diagnosis is particularly difficult.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to permit the completion of the Theddlethorpe drainage scheme, on which£95,000 has already been spent, and which requires only£7,000 to complete; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that the Theddlethorpe drainage scheme does not come within the classes of scheme that I can at present authorise, having regard to the Government's general policy of restricting capital expenditure. I will, however, see that this scheme is kept specially in mind as soon as any change in the application of this policy to the approval of land drainage schemes becomes possible.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that there are 1,500 acres of very rich soil which is producing only about two-thirds of the crop it is capable of producing and that it needs only a 50 per cent. grant from his Department—that is, less than £4,000—to complete a scheme on which nearly £100,000 has been spent? Surely he can find less than £4,000.

Unfortunately, there are a great many other applications for £4,000 being received from many other parts of the country. I am anxious to be fair in the allocation of the present resources. I would remind my hon. Friend that grants have not been brought to a standstill. On the contrary, during the past twelve months we have approved schemes in Lincolnshire alone amounting to £450,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action he is taking to prevent the introduction of sheep scab with sheep imported from Ireland.

I have come to the conclusion that the present regulations give as much protection as is practicable, and that the imposition of additional safeguards, such as requiring fat as well as store sheep to be dipped at the ports, would not be justified.

Can my right hon. Friend say why we should not have effective safeguards against sheep scab brought into Britain by Irish sheep? We have not had a single case of sheep scab in Britain since 1952, but we have to go on taking precautions against the eventuality of sheep scab coming from Ireland. Why cannot we take effective action?

I think that the present provisions are reasonably effective. I am told that in 1956 only 12 sheep in three consignments were found to have sheep scab on inspection at the landing places out of a total of 327,771 imported.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many animals were slaughtered on account of foot-and-mouth disease in 1956; what was the total cost to public funds in compensation and administrative services; and if he will give further information on the sources of infection and the research being undertaken into possibilities of treating South American meat shipments to render them harmless.

As regards the number of animals slaughtered, the cost of compensation and the probable sources of infection, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 22nd January, except that two of the six primary outbreaks whose origins were then obscure are now thought to have been due to infection introduced from the Continent. The cost of central and local administrative services can be broadly estimated at £250,000 for 1956. The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Institute at Pirbright has for some time been studying the effects of radiation on the virus.

Could my right hon. Friend keep a very close eye on this problem, because I am sure that he himself recognises that it would be a very great boon to the farmers of this country if we did not have this very heavy risk of foot-and-mouth disease being brought in by South American meat?

I will indeed, and I very much appreciate the close interest which my hon. Friend is taking in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been received from Continental countries about the export of British eggs receiving a subsidy.

Representations have been received from Denmark, Holland and Western Germany.

Will the Minister say what he is doing about these representations in view of the fact that Germany has placed an import duty upon these eggs to counteract the subsidy, which virtually means that the British Treasury is subsidising the German Treasury? Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this is an abuse of a consumer subsidy, and will he see what he can do about it?

I would prefer not to anticipate the replies which I shall be sending to these representations, but I think it is important that we should keep the matter in perspective. For the year 1956, exports of our eggs amounted to £12,000 as against imports amounting to £6,200,000.

Is it not the fact that this difficulty has arisen very largely during the last few weeks as the result of the prodigious output of the hens? We have never had a situation of this kind before, and as it is reported that the egg subsidy is costing the British Treasury about £1 million a week at the present time, is not some urgent action called for?

I agree that the hens are exceeding all previous records.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman realises that this is very much to our prejudice. It is going to make it very difficult for us to complain of dumping, not only of eggs, if we go on doing this. Will the right hon. Gentleman treat the matter seriously?

I treat the matter as a serious question, but, in reply to what the hon. Gentleman said, I do not regard these exports as contrary to G.A.T.T. in its present form.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was production of eggs for 1954, 1955 and 1956, respectively.

The production of eggs in the United Kingdom is estimated to have been 795 million dozen in the calendar year 1954; 815 million dozen in 1955; and 858 million dozen in 1956.

Can the Minister say how successful he is being, not only in increasing the production of eggs, but in making that production more even over the year, and so avoiding the difficulties into which we appear to be running at the moment?

That lies with the hens rather than with me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the Report of the Food Standards Committee on improving the quality of bread.

The Committee is still taking evidence. While I can make no forecast, a considerable time must certainly elapse before it will be able to report on the complex matters referred to it.

Will the Minister say why it takes so long to verify a simple fact? Most of our bread is steamed, not baked, thus producing loaves at the required weight with an excess of moisture. How much longer are the multiple bakeries to be allowed to operate this very lucrative racket at the public expense?

I cannot accept the view, which seems to lie behind the hon. Gentleman's Question, that the quality of bread has deteriorated recently. The evidence is to the contrary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure at the same time that we now have cheaper bread as the price of wheat has fallen rapidly?

There is a great deal of competition in that section of the trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the 26 licences to existing employees of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals which he was recommended in paragraph 77 of the Report of the Committee on Licences under Section 7 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1948, to issue, have, in fact, been issued.

The recommendation referred to covered the period to the end of 1953 after which, the Committee concluded, there would be sufficient veterinary surgeons to meet the needs of animal welfare societies provided use was made of part-time services. Seventeen licences were applied for shortly after the Committee reported and these were granted. One further licence was applied for in 1953 and this was not granted.

Does not my right hon Friend recognise that these 26 licences were all virtually promised as a result of the Report of the Champion Committee and that the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals has very good grounds for grievance in the withholding of further licences? Will my right hon. Friend reconsider his whole attitude in regard to this matter?

I believe that all the licences which were applied for immediately, namely 17, were granted.

Were the 17 licences which were granted limited to the ten-year period as recommended by the Committee?

I believe they were the terms on which they were granted in accordance with, I think, the recommendations of the Committee over which the hon. Gentleman presided.

Does my right hon. Friend maintain that the ten-year period was to be the period for which the licences were granted or the period during which applications might be made?

I would prefer to look into that point and let my hon. Friend know.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the availability of the services of full-time veterinary surgeons with reference to paragraph 75 of the Report of the Committee on Licences under Section 7 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1948;

(2) if he will make a statement on the availability of the services of part-time veterinary surgeons with reference to paragraph 75 of the Report of the Committee on Licences under Section 7 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1948.

The number of veterinary surgeons registered in the United Kingdom at the end of 1956 was about 6,000, which is about 1,000 more than in 1949 and about 650 more than when the Committee on Licences reported at the beginning of 1952. There is still a strong demand for veterinary surgeons, but I see no reason why the part-time services of a considerable number of those in private practice should not be available to animal welfare societies.

Does not my right hon. Friend recognise that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recommended against the use of part-time services in this connection when it was negotiated before the introduction of the Veterinary Surgeons Bill, and is he now discounting this whole consideration when applications are made for licences under Section 7.

I am bound to say that my present view is that the use of qualified veterinary surgeons on a part-time basis will provide a very great deal of help to the P.D.S.A.

Does not the Minister appreciate that this organisation which has done some wonderful work is being crippled because the Minister will not be sympathetic to its claims, which are based largely on helping the sick animals of poor people?

I agree with the hon. Gentleman as to the good work which this society has done, but I cannot agree with the view expressed in the last part of his question.

Would it not be true to say that every other animal society uses only qualified veterinary surgeons for whole-time or part-time services and that there is no reason for a special exemption in the case of this society?

Is the Minister aware that if this organisation paid salaries of a reasonable kind, as does the R.S.P.C.A., it might be able to solve its difficulties and get whole-time veterinary surgeons? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that the veterinary profession is prepared to negotiate with this body about part- time service and is quite willing to look at the problem objectively?

I think the whole House will be anxious to ensure as far as it can that sick animals receive the benefit of treatment by qualified veterinary officers as far as ever possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Farm Price Review.

I hope to be able to make a statement shortly.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the agricultural community is looking forward to a fair settlement this year, and that the consumers are most anxious that there should be a continued supply of fresh food from our own farms which can be bought at a price to give the producer a fair return for his capital and labour?

Although I am sure that what my hon. Friend says is right, I would ask him to contain himself in patience for a few days, and to remember the words of Robert Louis Stevenson that:

" To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive…"

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average annual number of deer destroyed by the Forestry Commission since 1951; and what method is used.

The average number of deer destroyed by the Forestry Commission annually from 1951 to 1956 was about 3,800. The usual method is shooting.

Will the right hon. Gentleman advise the supporters of the Devon and Somerset Stag Hunt to adopt the less revolting methods of the Forestry Commission, which at least does not pretend that the deer enjoy being hunted?

No, I do not think that I could do that. The conditions applying in the Devon and Somerset hunting country and in the Forestry Commission's plantations are considerably different.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the unsettling effect on the meat market of the irregular arrivals of chilled beef from Argentina; and whether he will consult further with importers to ensure more level supplies from this source to the advantage of home beef producers and consumers.

Some irregularity in arrivals is unavoidable, but it is largely offset by the control which importers exercise over the rate of unloading so that actual marketings are much more even. I have no evidence that the variations that have occurred have adversely affected home producers or consumers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the Report of the Food Standards Committee on improving the quality of ice cream.

I regret that I cannot say when its Report will be available.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the public is very disturbed since he told this House about a fortnight ago that ice cream contained about 65 per cent. water and that they feel it should contain a very much greater percentage of milk products?

I am not sure about the public feeling so disturbed; the consumption of ice cream does not show their disturbance to be very great.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals have been submitted for his approval in regard to the amalgamation of Swanley Horticultural College and Borden Farm Institute, Sittingbourne.

The Kent County Council has submitted proposals to me for the establishment of a combined agricultural and horticultural institute on the site of the Borden Farm Institute. These proposals are under consideration.

Is the Minister aware that these two establishments have built up a reputation that goes far beyond the County of Kent, or even these islands, and, when he is considering the decision in this matter, will he bear that fact in mind as well as cost?

Yes, I most certainly will. We certainly would not want to change, unless it were a change to something still better.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of cattle in the County of Kent are now free from tuberculosis.

At 31st December, 1956, approximately 65 per cent. of the cattle in Kent were in attested herds.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that he is getting the maximum co-operation from the farmers and others concerned in this matter?

In general, I think, yes. In Kent, good progress has been made among dairy herds, but not such good progress among feeding herds. There is a good deal of room for faster progress there.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what factors have caused the fall in consumption of full price fresh milk by 1·5 million gallons in January compared with January, 1956.

Sales of full price milk in January, 1957, were 1·3 million gallons below last year's level. The change in the price and the warmer weather may have been contributory causes, but it is impossible to be precise about the factors which resulted in the fall which is only about 1 per cent.

Is the Minister further aware that the fall, compared with 1951, is 4 million gallons, and that this is a shocking reflection on the price policy of his Department?

No. I think that the main reason for that is that the variety and quality of foodstuffs now available to the public are very different from what they were in the grim days of 1951.

Can my right hon. Friend bring this information up to date by giving us an indication of the comparative milk sales in February, to show that this January fall was merely a temporary one?

If my hon. Friend would put down a Question, I should be glad to supply the information

In view of the intensified publicity campaign to "Drink More Milk", is it not rather disappointing that this fall should have occurred at a time when we should have expected an increase, and has not the price a lot to do with that?

Price has certainly something to do with it, I agree. I am very anxious that everything possible should be done to stimulate the consumption of liquid milk, because I do not think that we have yet reached anywhere near our desirable ceiling.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that nothing can stimulate increased consumption less than deliberately increasing the retail price?

The hon. Gentleman knows, because I have explained it in this House on several occasions, that this decision was reached on the general economic grounds of the undesirability of subsidising the whole nation with general food subsidies.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the defence programme proposals for Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Limited and other factories in Coventry.

Until the current review of the defence programme has been completed, I am afraid I cannot say what its effect will be on individual firms.

Is it possible for the Minister to realise that this matter is urgent; that we in Coventry have skilled men being turned off because of the cutting back of defence orders, and can he say when we will be given an answer?

In answer to the hon. Lady, I should like to say that the defence review is being undertaken with all possible speed and all possible sense of urgency.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he is taking to safeguard the former shadow factories of which he is proprietor against fire; and, in particular, what measures he has taken to replace or protect the highly inflammable insulating board with which the roofs are in many cases lined.

It is the responsibility of the occupiers to take any necessary precautions against fire, but my right hon. Friend has arranged for them to be reminded of this.

While welcoming that reply, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he will bear in mind that the violent spread of the number of catastrophic factory fires in recent years has been directly attributable to the use of untreated insulating boards, and though he is not directly responsible in a technical sense as a proprietor, will he not arrange for a special survey to be made of the former shadow factories Which are actually in his own responsibility?

That Question anticipates consideration of the Reports referred to by my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department on 7th March, 1957, in reply to the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Miss Burton), but I would say that, as regards the factories which are operated by the Ministry of Supply, countermeasures have been taken in all the Royal Ordnance Factories in which any risk may be thought to exist. But a further review is being undertaken of these and other premises occupied by the Ministry. This review will take some time to complete and, even then, it should not be assumed that protective measures will necessarily be applied.

In these circumstances, will my hon. Friend have full regard to the conditions of the Thermal Insulation (Industrial Buildings) Bill, which received its Second Reading on Friday last and bears directly on the Question asked by the hon. Member for Coventry, North (Mr. Edelman)?

I am sure that it would be improper for me to anticipate any future legislation in this House.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will state the number of 'hydrogen bombs to be exploded in connection with the forthcoming nuclear tests to be held between March and October.

I would refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) on 13th March.

In that reply the Minister sheltered behind the veil of national security. Is it not the fact that in June of last year the then Prime Minister stated that the Government had decided to carry out a number of nuclear test explosions, in the megaton range, during the first six months of 1957? If that policy is carried out, does not it mean that at least two—and in some quarters it has been suggested that as many as five—hydrogen bombs will be exploded before the end of June? Surely the Government are not attempting to carry out that number of explosions in that period, and is it consistent with the proposals put forward to the Disarmament Sub-Committee for the limitation of test explosions?

The number of intended explosions will certainly be limited, but I am afraid that I cannot speak more specifically than that, and certainly cannot anticipate the outcome of any disarmament talks.

Since all the Governments with nuclear weapons will immediately detect our explosions when they take place, on what grounds does the Minister refuse to give this information to the House?

To answer this question would be to give a potential enemy knowledge of techniques which it would not be in the national interest so to reveal.

Is not the purpose to disguise the number from the House?

No, Sir. A full knowledge of the techniques involved and the detection of the number of explosions are two quite different things.

Will the Minister say whether there will be more than one test?

I am afraid I cannot add to the Answer I first gave.

rose——

The Minister said that he cannot say any more.

asked the Minister of Supply what was the number of razor blades sold by public auction since 1st January, 1955; how many blades were offered in each lot up for sale; and what was the average price realised per blade.

Since 1st January, 1955, 7,513,580 razor blades have been sold for £3,680, approximately one-eighth of a penny per blade. The blades were offered in lots varying in size from 6,080 to 500,000.

Will the Minister explain why razor blades were held for such a long time and were not offered to the Service men at a price that they could afford to pay, and will he also explain why these razor blades have got to be sold in half-million lots to racketeers who make big money out of this disgraceful procedure?

It seems to me that the first part of that question should be addressed to the Service Departments. My Department can deal only with the question of the disposal of surplus material which is made available to my Department for disposal.

As a very hard-headed Yorkshire business man, will my hon. Friend look into these sales with the same care with which he looks into his own business and see whether he can get better prices?

As I said in reply to a Question last week, there is only one effective way of dealing with this matter, and that is to sell the surplus goods by auction. The alternative method would be to sell by tender, which would involve increasing the number of people engaged in this work, and I do not think that would be desired. There is no evidence of any "rigging" in this matter. Steps are taken to combat rings, but it would defeat the object if I gave details.

When the Service Departments make available to the Ministry of Supply material of this kind, has it occurred to the Minister of Supply, who is present and who perhaps would care to answer this question, that he might advise the Service Departments to make available to the men in the Services these razor blades and other useful material at cheap prices?

The remarks of the right hon. Gentleman will be noted by the Departments concerned.

Will the Minister recall that some time ago the Prime Minister, no doubt disturbed as we all are by the Questions put by my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) and the implications in those Questions. promised to make a review of this matter? Is that review still continuing, and when may we expect an answer?

No undertaking has been given to make a review. What I said last week was that I would look into the system under which these goods were sold, but I did not hold out any promise at that time that there would be any material alteration in the present method.

I think that I am within the recollection of the House. Does not the hon. Gentleman recall that the Prime Minister said that he would consult his colleagues in the appropriate Departments to examine this matter? May I ask the Minister concerned, as the head of the Department, whether that investigation by the Prime Minister is continuing, and, if so, when we may expect a statement from him or from the Prime Minister on the matter?

That seems to me to be a question of which we should be given notice.

asked the Minister of Supply what use is now being made of the factory at Girvan, Ayrshire; and whether he is satisfied that it is not possible to use it to give greater employment in the area.

The present requirements of the Service Departments would not justify reopening the factory, which is on a care-and-maintenance basis.

Is this "hard-headed business man from Yorkshire" aware that for many years this factory has been hired out to I.C.I., and that the benefit is far greater to I.C.I. than to the Government? Will the hon. Gentleman look into this matter?

This is a question of the Service Departments' requirements for particular materials made in this factory. There has been no use for this factory. It has special plant, and the plant cannot be used for commercial purposes. In view of the declining requirements of the Service Departments for explosives, it is impossible to carry on this factory in the way that it used to be carried on up to 1945.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a detailed statement concerning the progress of the phase three rebuilding programme at Stoney Stanton Road Hospital, Coventry.

As this project comprises seven separate items, I will, with permission, circulate a detailed statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that this matter has been dragging on for a long time in Coventry and that there has been great dissatisfaction among doctors and patients because the Midland Regional Board has seemed quite incapable of spending the money which it was given? Does the right hon. Gentleman feel that the project is making the progress that it should?

When the hon. Lady sees the statement, she will see that work is still to start on only two of the seven items, and one of those cannot start until work in another part is completed. I do not think there has been any unreasonable delay in the last few months.

asked the Minister of Health when the lease of the Leeds Regional Hospital Board Headquarters expires; and what steps he proposes to take to provide alternative accommodation.

On 31st January, 1976. My right hon. Friend has not yet considered the provision of other accommodation.

Does not the Minister agree that these offices should be situated in a more populous area instead of standing in splendid isolation, as they are at present?

The buildings are also used for other purposes, such as a nurses' home and a preliminary training school. The previous premises were vacated because they were very unsatisfactory.

asked the Minister of Health the estimated cost per bed of the proposed hospital to be built at Huddersfield.

For the first phase about £5,700 on the regional board's estimates.

Does not the Minister agree that this cost is far too high? Does he not further agree that it would be far better to build a hospital to last fifty years, thereby providing more hospitals and better amenities, than to build a hospital to last for 200 years?

I think the hon. Member should know that these figures have not yet been analysed in detail in the Department. I think it is also fair to state that the cost per bed is not the only relevant factor, because one has to take into consideration the equipment which enters into the total overall cost of the hospital and, as a matter of fact, the estimated cost per bed in the first ward block is £2,500, which is a very different figure.

asked the Minister of Health what progress he has made in his investigations in respect of the payment by mental patients engaged in remunerative employment outside the institution who are required to make payments from their earnings towards their maintenance as in-patients; and if a decision has yet been reached as to whether or not the patients are, in future, to be given receipts for the money they are required to pay.

My inquiries have shown that in nearly all cases receipts are given to these patients in mental hospitals, but less frequently in mental deficiency hospitals, where the wages are often paid direct to the hospital authority on behalf of the patients and receipts are given to the employers. I propose to ask hospital authorities to give receipts in future in all cases where money is paid over by the patient himself and the authority is satisfied that he is capable of understanding the nature of the document.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it will give a good deal of satisfatcion to know that he has taken action to ensure that cases who continue to work outside and receive wages will get receipts for money which they pay into the hospital, as until now there have been grave doubts about these financial transactions?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of public anxiety concerning the exploitation of patients in mental and mental deficiency hospitals; and if he will set up a committee to inquire into the system of employment of such patients and of their rewards.

I am aware that this allegation has been made from time to time, but I doubt if a formal inquiry would serve much purpose. I shall always be anxious to hear of any particular cases if they come to the notice of hon. Members.

Is the Minister aware that, whilst I do not altogether share this anxiety—indeed, I used the words "alleged exploitation" in the original Question—nevertheless there are wide variations of practice in this matter and some anomalies? Will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this suggestion in order to allay the anxiety in the public mind?

I am aware that there is concern about this matter, and I am, in fact, looking into it. At this stage, however, pending the Report of the Royal Commission on Mental Health, I think that an inquiry of this nature probably would not help us.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of inmates of Rampton State Institution; and how many of these have had criminal convictions.

One thousand and ninety-two. Full information is not available as to how many have had criminal convictions, but 539 were dealt with as mental defectives either by the courts or by the Secretary of State whilst being detained in prison, approved schools, or elsewhere.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the anxiety of many people that inmates who have criminal convictions are mixed with many others who have no criminal convictions of any kind? Will he give this matter his special attention when considering the forthcoming report?

I will do that, of course, but all the inmates of Rampton have this in common, that they are of violent propensities, and it would be very difficult to separate the two categories which my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the report of the Board of Control in respect of Rampton State Institution.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the right hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 4th February.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the Board of Control can give special attention in the report to the psychological effect that is brought about by long and indefinite detention to which the inmates of this institution are subjected?

The report to which I referred was, of course, a report dealing only with the security arrangements at Rampton. Since that date, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has visited Rampton and expressed himself more than satisfied both with conditions there—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—Yes—and with the high quality of the staff. I think that further consideration must await the Report of the Royal Commission.

Will the Minister state why mental defectives who have done no one any harm are kept in these institutions with criminal lunatics? Does he think that he is giving them the best opportunity to get back into life again?

I think that the hon. Member is mistaken. All the inmates of Rampton Institution are mental defectives.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now indicate when it will be possible to replace the open-type electric tricycle issued to some registered disabled persons by the issue of all-weather electric models.

The open-type tricycles are being withdrawn when they become unserviceable, but it will be some time before they can all be replaced by all-weather models. As these become available they are allocated to existing users and new applicants according to need and ability to drive these models.

Will the Minister do everything possible to expedite the provision of these all-weather models, since the existing open-type models are only protected by a hood and apron and are most unsatisfactory in bad weather?

I will do that. The open-type tricycles have not been manufactured for the last two years, and the manufacturers are now concentrating on the all-weather models.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will circularise all doctors informing them of their right to prescribe quantities sufficient for a period of three months or more of items required by diabetics.

I have no reason to doubt that doctors know they can prescribe sufficient medicaments to last for considerable periods in suitable cases where the need is a continuing one.

Is the Minister aware that when a diabetic in my constituency took the circular of the British Diabetic Association to her doctor and pointed out that he could prescribe for a three months' period, he said that he was totally unaware of any such facilities and could, therefore, prescribe for only two weeks? I have sent details of this case to the Parliamentary Secretary. Is it not important fully to inform doctors of this matter?

I am naturally reluctant to issue circulars to general practitioners, most of whom are aware of these provisions, but I think that this will help again to bring the matter to their notice.

Why has the British Diabetic Association, which is a voluntary body, circularised doctors in the name of the Minister? Why is he prepared to accept that and not do it himself?

I was not aware that the Association had used my name in its circular, but I feel that this matter has been brought to the notice of doctors, and I am not aware of other individual cases like that mentioned by the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle).

asked the Minister of Health what multiple packs of medical supplies may at present be prescribed by doctors as one item for the purposes of the prescription charge; and what suggestions he has now received from the British Medical Association for further multiple packs.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18th February to the right hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Ness Edwards). No suggestions for further multiple packs have so far been received from the British Medical Association.

Is the Minister aware that he may himself have discouraged the British Medical Association by suggesting on 11th February that it was doubtful whether any further composite packs could be provided? Can he explain why there has been no approach by the B.M.A., if it is not because he has discouraged it?

I am sorry if I have discouraged the Association, but I am afraid that it is doubtful whether further packs will be forthcoming. I am in communication with the British Medical Association, which may still have further suggestions to make.

Will the Minister authorise doctors to treat all chronic cases who need more than one item in the same way as diabetics are treated?

I do not think that I can answer that in general terms. These are cases which must be dealt with on their individual merits.

asked the Minister of Health whether patients suffering from ileostomy and who usually have five items prescribed on each form for their disability, may now receive sufficient supplies which will last for three months on one prescription.

I am advised that the items normally required in these cases can, at the doctor's discretion, be ordered in sufficient quantities to last for a considerable period, which might be three months.

While thanking the Minister for that specific statement on behalf of these unfortunate patients, will he provide conveyances to take the material away, as it weighs about 50 1b?

I will look at that, but I think the hon. Gentleman will find that the answer is entirely favourable to his original Question.

asked the Minister of Health what reply he has sent to the resolution forwarded to him by the Blackburn Executive Council protesting against the recent increase in the prescription charges?

I have informed the Executive Council that the Government decided that the revised charges were necessary because of the present financial and economic situation, but that every effort is being and will be made to avoid hardship, and the working of the new arrangements will be closely watched with this in view.

Is the Minister aware that the executive council passed this resolution unanimously and that those members who were strongest in their condemnation of the increase were the doctors, speaking from a professional point of view, one of whom described the increase as another in a series of Ministry blunders over recent months? Is it not a fact that an increasing number of executive councils are protesting simply because the experience of the doctors shows that the Ministry's safeguards to help chronic cases and the like are, in fact, valueless?

The number of executive councils who have protested is surprisingly small. If, however, the hon. Lady or the Executive Council can send me details of cases of individual hardship, I will investigate them as closely as I have done those that I have received already.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Advisory Committee on Radioactive Substances has as yet considered the use of X-ray machines for shoe fitting; and when the report of the committee is likely to be published.

A panel of experts appointed by the Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee is considering this, but I cannot yet say when they will make their report.

Does the Minister remember that in June last year the Medical Research Council emphatically said that these machines were not desirable, except for special orthopaedic purposes? In view of the undesirability and uselessness of these machines, will he waste no more time but do something about the matter?

I remember that report. It was as a result of that report that the panel was asked to look at the matter in more detail, and I must await its report.

asked the Minister of Health how many children aged five to 10 years died of leukaemia or aleukaemia in 1924, 1934, 1944, and 1954.

The numbers were 28, 57, 58 and 111, respectively.

Is it fair to ask whether this rather rapid rise is paralleled in many other countries of Western Europe where diagnostic X-ray is used very widely? Is it true to suggest that the use of X-ray techniques with expectant mothers is the most deplorable method of using X-rays and is responsible in part at least, if not entirely, for this sudden rise?

As a matter of interest, the death rate among adults has increased at a more rapid rate than among children. If the hon. Gentleman will put down another Question, I think I can give him figures in a more relevant form.

asked the Minister of of Health if he will now indicate when transistor hearing aids will become generally available through the National Health Service.

Field trials began last week on the transistor hearing aid designed for the Medical Research Council. Further progress must depend on the results of the trials.

Is the Minister aware that the hard-of-hearing in this country are watching these experiments very anxiously? Will he do everything possible to ensure mass production of these hearing aids as soon as it becomes practicable, so that they can become generally available through the Health Service?

I hope that will be possible, and I hope that the tests will be completed within a reasonably short period.

Is the Minister aware that for a number of years there has been a considerable body of experience in the use of commercial transistor aids? Will he give an indication of what categories of the general population will be provided with these aids when they become available?

To some extent that is anticipating a successful trial, but it is my hope that the children will be the first recipients.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take to ensure that all civilians who suffered serious disability as a result of enemy action in the United Kingdom during the 1914–18 war are given adequate disability pensions.

I regret that I cannot now re-open the award of ex-gratia payments to civilians disabled in the 1914–18 war.

One of my constituents was injured in an air raid on Tipton in 1916 when he was thirteen. Since then he has received no payment from the Government. Would it not be more equitable to treat the small number of civilians who were injured as a result of enemy action in the First World War in the same way as those injured in the Second World War, by giving them a disability pension, even at this late stage?

I am aware of this case, and I looked at it most closely, but my responsibility in this matter ceased in 1922, since when no awards have been made, and I have no means at my disposal for helping this particular case.

The Minister will be aware that only nineteen persons are involved, and that all are between sixty-three and sixty-five and will not qualify under the Ministry of Pensions award to the ageing disabled ex-Service men. Why should those who suffered in the war of 1914–18 have treatment inferior to that received by those who suffered in the Second World War?

I may have misunderstood the hon. Member, but the awards to which he referred were all made before 1922. What his right hon. and learned Friend is now asking is that I should make an award thirty-five years later, which is what. I am afraid, I cannot do.

In view of the Minister's unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health what instructions he has given to his regional officers in connection with payments to dentists for the conservation and extraction of teeth.

None; regional dental officers concern themselves solely with clinical considerations. The assessment of fees is for the Dental Estimates Board.

Is it not a fact that the parsimonious attitude of the Minister encourages dentists to pull teeth out rather than to keep them in? In the circumstances, will he not put the emphasis on the protection of teeth rather than on their extraction?

Oh, no, I do not think I could accept that at all. If the hon. Member studies the new scale of fees, he will see that very definite emphasis is to be given to conservative treatment.

asked the Minister of Health whether the proportion of conservative treatment to total dental courses rose or fell in 1956, or the latest convenient period, compared with 1955 or the comparable period; and by how much.

The percentage was about the same in 1956 as in 1955, 36 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health how many dental courses of treatment in 1956 were for the 0 to 14 age group; whether this is more or less than in 1955; and by how much.

About 2,560,000 in 1956, which was 320,000 more than in 1955.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases of change of sex registered under the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1953, since the inception of the Act.

My hon. Friend appears to have been misinformed. Corrections authorised to be made in the register by this and earlier Acts relate only to errors made in any particular at the time of the original registration. If there was no such error, no correction can be made by reason of any subsequent changes or alleged changes in the particulars or otherwise.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he is aware that the draft regulations recently submitted by the General Dental Council under Sections 18 and 19 of the Dentists Act, 1956, make no provision to permit dental hygienists to work under the direct personal supervision of a registered dentist in private practice; and what steps he is proposing to take in the matter, in view of the fact that this was clearly contrary to the intention of Parliament.

Yes, Sir; but the General Dental Council has been asked to give further consideration to its draft regulations in the light of the known intentions of Parliament.

May we take it that the Minister will not approve any regulations unless they are in accordance with the intentions of Parliament?