Written Answers of 13 May 1946

  UNITED NATIONS (OBLIGATIONS)
  Mr. Nutting
  asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to say which of the other United Nations are taking action similar to that taken by His Majesty's Government in the United Nations Bill, to ensure by legislation their compliance with any collective action in the field of economic sanctions under Article 41 of the United Nations Charter.

  Mr. McNeil:
  As a result of inquiries made through His Majesty's representatives accredited to States Members of the United Nations, I am able to give the following figures. Twenty-one Governments indicate that they have powers to fulfil their obligations under Article 41 of the United Nations Charter without special legislation and simply by virtue of their ratification of the Charter; one Government has passed special legislation enabling them to fulfil their obligations under that Article; and the remaining eight either do not yet possess the required powers and are considering taking the necessary legislative measures, or are still examining their constitutional position with respect to this Article. I am hoping to obtain information about the position of the other States concerned and will then pass it on to the hon. Member.

ROADS

  Ex-Government Vehicles (Registration)
  Wing-Commander Hulbert
  asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for all service motor vehicles bearing Government identification numbers, and which are now being disposed of to the public, to be issued with distinctive registration markings in order to indicate that these vehicles were not registered for the first time at the time of sale.

  Mr. Barnes:
  No, Sir, but I have arranged that when the vehicles are registered by the purchaser the registration books shall be marked "Ex-Government."

  Secondhand Cars (Price Control)
  Mr. Usborne
  asked the Minister of Transport whether he will circulate in the
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  OFFICIAL REPORT the reasons why the prices of secondhand motorcars cannot be controlled.

  Mr. Barnes:
  The proposal to impose price control on secondhand cars was frequently considered during the war years and rejected for the following main reasons:

  In so far as it might have been effective, it would have tended to defeat the object of making secondhand cars available at prices lower than those being paid. Owners of good cars who might otherwise have been ready to sell would have refrained from doing so and those in need of a reliable car would have found it even more difficult to obtain one.

  It would have been impracticable to fix any limits other than the list prices new, and this would have tended to level prices at the maximum with a consequent increase for poor cars otherwise obtainable at a lower price.

  Many dealers had made bonafide purchases at higher prices and it would have been unfair to forbid them to sell except at a loss.

  a black market would undoubtedly have been created and it would have been impossible to prevent the surreptitious inclusion of additional consideration in transactions.

  To make the control effective a system of licensing all sales whether by private individuals or by dealers would have been required. This would have been difficult to administer effectively, and would have required a substantial organisation.

  These considerations still arise, though in different degrees, but the most serious objection to imposing price control at the present time is that it would be ineffective. If control were restricted to sales by dealers, as was done in the case of motorcycles, cars would continue to be sold privately at high prices. If control were applied to all sales, a black market would at once develop, and the setting up of a licensing system or other machinery necessary to check such a development would not be justified at a time when the

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  production of new cars is rapidly increasing.

  Agricultural Tractors
  Mr. S. Shephard
  asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that men between the age of 17 and 21 may drive a tractor on the road, but are not allowed to drive produce to the local railway station or to the local market; and, since this prohibition is inconvenient to farmers, if he will take steps to amend the regulation.

  Mr. Barnes:
  The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." I do not think on the grounds of public policy it would be wise to allow youths of 17 to 21 to drive heavy vehicles which may be used to despatch produce from farms. To make such a concession would go far beyond the wartime concession relating to agricultural tractors which are not normally driven on public highways. As to the second part, neither my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture nor I am aware of any difficulty being experienced by farmers, but if the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

  North and South Wales
  Lieut.-Colonel Price-White
  asked the Minister of Transport whether the projected schemes for new main arterial roads will provide for a direct and new road linking North and South Wales; and if, in view of the necessity for improving the existing communications between North and South Wales, he will include such road within the national scheme in accordance with plans therefor already prepared and approved of by many county authorities in Wales.

  Mr. Barnes:
  The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." With regard to the second part, while I am anxious to improve communications between North and South Wales and also roads which can serve tourist traffic, I do not think we should be making the best use of our resources by constructing at this stage a new arterial road on the lines suggested. Such a road would have to traverse mountainous country, and would be both difficult and extremely expensive to construct.

  Lune Valley
  Mr. Vane
  asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet come to a decision either to improve the existing Road A6 where it crosses Shap Fells or to construct a new road through the Lune Valley; and what consultation his Department has held with local agricultural interests to ensure that good agricultural land is not lost to food production.

  Mr. Barnes:
  Surveys are at present being made to ascertain the possibilities of constructing a new road through the Lune Valley to provide a better route for through traffic which at present uses road crossing Shap Fells. Before any final decision is reached the Ministry of Town and Country Planning and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be consulted. The proposals for the necessary Order under Section 1 (2) of the Trunk Roads Act, 1946, will be published and at this stage all the interests concerned will have an opportunity of making representations.

  New Housing Estates
  Sir R. Glyn
  asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn by rural district councils to the grave risks run by pedestrians approaching or leaving houses in rural areas which have been occupied before the roads and services are substantially completed; and whether he will take steps, in conjunction with the Minister of Town and Country Planning, to introduce the necessary legislation to forbid the occupation of such houses until the roads are approaching completion.

  Mr. Barnes:
  I can trace no representations from rural district councils on this matter, and so far as I am aware the difficulties to which the hon. Member refers are not such as to warrant the introduction of legislation on the lines he suggests.

  RAILWAYS (COSTS AND CHARGES)
  Sir F. Sanderson
  asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that wage rates have increased by 57 per cent. and the cost of coal has risen by over 120 per cent. since 1939, railway fares and charges have been increased by

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  only 162/3 per cent. above prewar, an adjustment of fares and charges is proposed to be made with a view to meeting the increased charges and to maintain the railways on a sound financial basis.

  Mr. Barnes:
  The increasing discrepancy between the costs of railway working and the current level of charges to which the hon. Member refers has naturally en-engaged my attention but I am not at the moment in a position to make any statement.

SHIPPING

  Repair Facilities, Newport
  Mr. Peter Freeman
  asked the Minister of Transport how many ships have been sent abroad for repairs since 1st April; whether he will now make inquiries of the facilities at Newport for undertaking such works, as some yards are not fully employed at these docks and many men have been dismissed as redundant.

  Mr. Barnes:
  I have not directed any ships under my control to be sent abroad for repairs since 1st April. I am assured by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty, who is responsible for control of ship repair facilities generally, that in allocating repair work the Admiralty considered fully the facilities at Newport in common with facilities elsewhere. Certain labour difficulties at Newport are at the moment tending to restrict the use of available capacity but it is hoped that these will be quickly overcome. Fourteen ships are under repair there at present and local unemployment among shipyard workers is slight.

  Mail Delivery (Crews)
  Mr. Medlicott
  asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied that the arrangements for the delivery of mail to the crews of merchant vessels are uniformly speedy and efficient; and if he will draw the attention of shipowners to the importance of this matter in the interests of the men and their families.

  Mr. Barnes:
  The delivery of mail to crews of merchant ships is, so far as I am aware, generally satisfactory. In certain areas, however, notably the Far East, occasional delays may be experienced because of local conditions, but as recently as 22nd March, 1946, the Ship
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  ping Federation, at my request, drew the attention of shipping companies to ways by which deliveries in these areas might be improved.

  Priority Passages
  Mr. Warbey
  asked the Minister of Transport what is the method of allocating berths to persons whose names have been on sea-passage waiting lists for a long period and who have good reasons on health or business grounds for travelling, but whose case is not considered strong enough for acceptance by the Sea Passage Priority Board.

  Mr. Barnes:
  The demand for passages on most routes is so heavy that only persons travelling in the national interest, or having urgent need to travel for compassionate reasons, can be allotted berths. Business men must be sponsored by the Government Department most closely concerned with their business. Compassionate cases are dealt with by a special subcommittee of the Sea Passage Priority Board. Persons to whom priority passages are refused should maintain their registration with a shipping company in case an unexpected opportunity to sail should arise.

  VETERINARY PRACTICE (UNREGISTERED PERSONS)
  Mr. Prescott
  asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the Report of the Chancellor Committee on Veterinary Practice by Unregistered Persons.

  Mr. T. Williams:
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Southport (Mr. R. S. Hudson) on 1st April last.

  LAND DRAINAGE, RIVER RAIN
  Mr. Osborne
  asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that over 100 acres of good farm land cannot be properly cultivated in the River Bain basin, Lincolnshire, because of inadequate drainage; and what steps he proposes to take in the immediate future to put this matter right.
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  Mr. T. Williams:
  I am aware that some agricultural land in the River Bain basin is in need of improved drainage. The catchment board in whose area the greater part of the watercourse is situated have submitted for my approval proposals for the improvement of the river. Owing to the shortage of materials and labour a comprehensive scheme cannot be undertaken at present, but the catchment board hope shortly to put in hand work at specific points where agricultural land will derive immediate benefit.

MINISTRY OF SUPPLY

  Steel Window Frames
  Mr. Nield
  asked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied that deliveries of steel for the manufacture of window frames for houses are adequate and regular; and what steps he is taking to improve the position.

  Mr. Wilmot:
  There is a temporary shortage of steel for window frames, but we have already arranged for additional production in this country and for imports from the Continent, which should ensure that supplies are sufficient to meet requirements.

  Iron and Steel Industry
  Lieut.-Colonel Byers
  asked the Minister of Supply whether he will publish the findings of the recent departmental inquiry into the functions and practices of the Iron and Steel Federation.

  Mr. Wilmot:
  No such inquiry has been made.

  Sir H. Watt
  asked the Minister of Supply what consultation with the iron and steel industry took place before the Government policy was announced on 17th April.

  Mr. Wilmot:
  Exploratory discussions took place with representatives of the British Iron and Steel Federation and the Joint Iron Council on certain aspects of their reports.

  Radio Valves and Electric Lamps
  Mr. A. Lewis
  asked the Minister of Supply whether, to counteract the cartel activities in the radio valve and electric
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  lamp industries, he will consider introducing legislation to nationalise these industries.

  Mr. Wilmot:
  I have not seen evidence which would necessitate the course which my hon. Friend suggests.

  Requisitioned Premises, Manchester
  Sir W. Smithers
  asked the Minister of Supply whether he will review the conditions under which five rooms at Clydesdale House, 27 Turner Street, Manchester, are occupied by his Department; if he will arrange for the contents of the five rooms to be placed in the basement and arrange with the President of the Board of Trade for the release of this accommodation as soon as possible, so that it may be used for production purposes.

  Mr. Wilmot:
  We hope to be out of these premises within two months.

  Surplus Watches
  Mr. Swingler
  asked the Minister of Supply how many wrist-watches are at present stored in Government depots; and what instructions he is issuing for their disposal.

  Mr. Wilmot:
  We have invited all traders who sold watches before the war to tender for the 40,000 wrist watches we have for disposal. Today is the final date for receiving tenders.

  Building Industry (Machinery)
  Mr. T. Brown
  asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken by his Department to supply machines, excavators, etc., to local authorities and private contractors for the purpose of speeding up the building programmes which are now being held up due to the lack of the essential machinery.

  Mr. Wilmot:
  The industry is fully loaded with orders. We are helping them in every way we can. The larger types, and all surplus excavators, are subject to allocation. Nearly all surplus excavators are unfit for use until they have been reconditioned.

  Surplus Cars (Condition)
  Sir P. Hannon
  asked the Minister of Supply whether in view of widespread

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  complaint of the bad condition of motor cars used in various branches of the public services and now offered for sale by auction at various centres, he will take steps to have such motor cars as still remain unsold, inspected, cleaned and saved from further deterioration.

  Mr. Wilmot:
  All practicable steps are taken to protect the vehicles, but I am sure that the best way to save them from further deterioration is to concentrate on quick disposal, both through the trade scheme and by auction, and that is what I am doing.

  Electrical Accessories (Specification)
  Sir I. Fraser
  asked the Minister of Supply if all electrical accessories being made at the present time in Britain with phenolic moulding powder conform to the British Standard specification.

  Mr. Wilmot:
  There is no obligation on manufacturers of these accessories to conform to British standard specifications, but in their own interest most of them do so. Conformity to a specification is required in the case of direct Government orders.

  Surplus Rifles and Ammunition
  Mr. Mitchison
  asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make arrangements for second-hand rifles and ammunition, which have been surrendered to the police or are otherwise surplus to requirements, to be sold to county rifle associations desiring to purchase rifles instead of hiring them from the National Rifle Association.

  Mr. Wilmot:
  We have made arrangements with the National Rifle Association to sell to them in bulk, for re-sale to their affiliated members, rifles and ammunition declared surplus to us by the War Office. The quantity at present available is small, but if my hon. Friend knows of any case where a county association has been unable to purchase these rifles or ammunition, and will let me have particulars, I shall be glad to look into it.

TRADE AND COMMERCE

  Cotton Control (Contract Form)
  Mr. Erroll
  asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will re-examine the conditions of sale which form part of
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  the Cotton Control's contract form and delete Clause 1.

  Mr. Marquand:
  The present form of contract was drawn up to meet the special circumstances of the war period, some of which still apply, especially the lack of suitable storage and sampling facilities. The conditions of sale including Condition 1 are being kept under review so that they may be modified where desirable as circumstances permit. It is a regular practice of the Control to make a proper allowance in any appropriate case.

  Fibre Boards
  Mr. Erroll
  asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware of the inadequate supply of fibre boards for the British travel goods industry, which is likely to cause a permanent loss to our export trade; and what steps he is taking to rectify the position;
  whether he will now allow limited importations of varnished as well as unvarnished fibre boards from Sweden.

  Mr. Marquand:
  Supplies of fibre board, as of other paper boards, are limited, and I have discussed with the appropriate association the improvement in exports which could be secured if they were increased. I have also considered sympathetically various suggestions for increasing the output of varnished boards by the home industry. In the light of these discussions limited imports will be allowed.

  Shirts
  Sir R. Ross
  asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the shirt and collar trade in Northern Ireland is at present allocated wholly inadequate quantities of material and is, consequently, unable to meet demands for export or home consumption; and what steps are being taken to deal with this situation.

  Mr. Belcher:
  It is not a question of allocation, but a general shortage of the more popular shirtings. Following arrangements made some time ago, there should shortly be a substantial increase in deliveries. Moreover, considerable quantities of surplus Government cloth are being diverted to the shirt trade, and Northern Ireland will benefit very substantially.
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  Paper ("Horticultural Trades Journal")
  Mr. Touche
  asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, owing to shortage of paper, a number of persons in the horticultural trade are unable to become subscribers to the "Horticultural Trades Journal;" and, in view of the difficulty of members of the trade keeping themselves informed of Government orders and directions affecting their trade unless they obtain their trade's journal, if he will take steps to increase the supply.

  Mr. Belcher:
  Additional paper, over and above the normal allocation, is already allowed to the "Horticultural Trades Journal," and I regret that I cannot, at present, increase the quantity.

  Tractor Tyres
  Mr. Hurd
  asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the delay of six weeks and longer in supplying replacements of rubber tyres for farm tractors, resulting in many tractors being idle; and what steps he is taking to remedy the position.

  Mr. Belcher:
  While the conversion of steel wheeled tractors which the owners wish to turn over to pneumatic equipment can only proceed gradually, I am not aware of any such delay as is suggested in replacing worn out rubber tyres on tractors already using them. If the hon. Member will furnish particulars of any cases he has in mind, I will have them investigated.

  Cotton (Lend-Lease Stocks)
  Sir W. Smithers
  asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the U.S. Government did not call upon His Majesty's Government to pay for any of the cotton imported since Lend-Lease began up to 2nd September, 1945, if he will now state the amount, the price at which it was taken over and the total value of U.S. cotton in our stocks on 2nd September, 1945.

  Mr. Marquand:
  411,445 bales of American cotton were in our stocks or afloat to this country on 2nd September, 1945. The settlement reached with the U.S. Government in respect of Lend-Lease stocks was a global one covering all materials, and no specific transfer price
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  or value was allocated to individual items such as cotton.

  Nyasaland Cotton
  85. Sir W. Smithers asked the President of the Board of Trade what price the Government are paying for Nyasaland native-grown cotton; and what price for similar cotton grown in Egypt.
  Mr. Marquand:
  We are buying Nyasaland cotton on a long-term agreement by which we undertook to purchase all cotton not sold elsewhere. The present price is 8.15d. per lb. f.o.b. for the Southern crop and 8.60d. per lb. for the Northern. We are not buying similar cotton from Egypt.

  Clothing Coupons
  Mr. Shurmer
  asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the public expectation of easier supplies of clothing and textile goods for domestic use, he will announce as early as possible which goods can be expected to be in better supply; and what reliefs the public can expect.

  Mr. Belcher:
  I hope that supplies of clothing and household textiles of all kinds will continue to improve steadily from now on, but, as I informed the House on Monday last, the extra supplies of clothing and rationed goods will in general be made available to the public by increasing the size of the basic ration rather than by exceptional concessions on particular classes of goods.

  Mr. Leslie
  asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that retailers have large stocks of men's winter underwear, with coupons sunk there, and are therefore unable to procure new summer goods; and, in view of this handicap, if he will consider reducing the number of coupons for winter underwear so as to enable traders to dispose of some of their surplus stock.

  Mr. Belcher:
  I am aware that some traders hold some relatively large stocks of men's underwear, but I do not think it can be assumed at this date that these will be surplus to requirements next winter. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

  Mr. Gaitskell
  asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now prepared to grant coupon floats to enable

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  disabled ex-Servicemen to set up in business in the wholesale manufacture of clothing.

  Mr. Belcher:
  Yes, Sir. It is already the practice of the Board of Trade to issue coupons so that war disabled ex-Servicemen can set up in business for the wholesale manufacture of clothing, provided they have some previous experience of the trade though not necessarily as principals. It is also a requirement that the Ministry of Labour consider that they are disabled persons within the meaning of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, and that work on their own account affords the best means of resettlement.

  Mr. Burden
  asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Major Emrys Jones, T.D., who returned to this country after serving four and a-half years in the Indian Army, applied on 20th February for coupons to purchase warm clothing and, notwithstanding the fact of repeated applications, including a registered letter enclosing a stamped-address envelope, that Major Emrys Jones has not received even an acknowledgment; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

  Mr. Belcher:
  Coupons were issued to Major Jones on 23rd April. I am satisfied that this case, which was complicated by doubts as to the applicant's civilian status, is not characteristic. I am, however, reviewing the position to see whether the present arrangements can be improved.

  Mr. Boothby
  asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will grant an extra clothing coupon allowance to women and girls engaged in gutting and kippering herring.

  Mr. Belcher:
  Women and girls engaged in guttering and kippering herring are, like other port fish workers, entitled to the Industrial Ten supplement. In addition, their employers may provide them with coupon free oilskin aprons and leggings or gaiters, rubber boots and in certain cases with oilskin jackets and industrial gloves. No further concession would be justified.

  Restrictive Practices
  Mr. A. Lewis
  asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider introducing anti-trust and anti-
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  cartel laws, similar to those now operating in America.

  Mr. Belcher:
  No, Sir. As already announced, the Government intend, pending legislation on the lines foreshadowed in the White Paper on Employment Policy, to use their existing powers to prevent anti-social restrictive practices.

  Export Trade (Fine Gold Equivalent)
  Mr. D. Marshall
  asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of our export trade in 1938 calculated in fine gold; and how this compares with the first three months of 1946 calculated on the same basis.

  Mr. Marquand:
  The export trade of the United Kingdom in 1938 was equivalent to 66 million ounces of fine gold. The corresponding figure for the first quarter of 1946 is 21.4 million ounces.

  Plastics Raw Materials
  Mr. T. Lewis
  asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the grave shortage of raw materials needed for the plastics industries; and whether he is taking steps to remedy this.

  Sir I. Fraser
  asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has recently taken, and is taking, to ensure increased supplies of phenolic moulding powder, particularly for those firms who are having to put employees off, or on short time, on account of the shortage of this material.

  Mr. Belcher:
  Although supplies of plastics raw materials in general exceed prewar levels, they are in many cases insufficient to meet the present heavy demands, which arise from world shortages of consumer goods. Steps have been and are being taken by our producers to expand manufacturing capacity; import licences are being issued in respect of those materials needed here which can be obtained from abroad.

  Cigarette Shortage
  Mr. G. Thomas
  asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the reasons for the present chronic shortage of cigarette supply.

  Mr. Belcher:
  Public demand is greater than the shops can satisfy at all times

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  because stocks were run down to meet Service requirements and have not yet recovered. Supplies have, however, increased since October last, and I hope that if all cigarette smokers confine their purchases to meet their immediate needs the shops will again be able to build up their stocks.

  Motor Car Production
  Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchison
  asked the President of the Board of Trade, under what circumstances the production figures for private motor cars for the first three months of 1946, and the target production figures for the rest of the year, were overstated by 200,000 motor-cars in the issue of the "Board of Trade Journal" of 20th April.

  Mr. Belcher:
  I very much regret the mistake to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. This was due to a printer's error which unfortunately was overlooked in the reading of the proofs. A correction was published in the issue of the "Board of Trade Journal" of 4th May last.

  Fishing Nets
  Mr. Hector Hughes
  asked the President of the Board of Trade, where and when new and second-hand nets. respectively, will be available for the inshore fishermen of the north-east of Scotland.

  Mr. Belcher:
  Manufacture of new fishing nets is proceeding at maximum capacity subject to existing labour shortages. There is no control of second-hand fishnets.

  Hire Purchase Order (Exemptions)
  Lieut.-Colonel Lipton
  asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increasing variety of goods exempted from the operation of the Hire Purchase and Credit Sale Agreements (Control) Order, 1943, he proposes to allow credit traders to make a reasonable service charge on all goods sold under credit sales agreements.

  Mr. Belcher:
  Service charges may be made for all goods exempt from the operation of this Order, and these include most price controlled goods of a costly and durable nature. If there are any which it is suggested should be added to the list of
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  exemptions, we shall be prepared to consider them; but we are not prepared to permit an increase, by way of a service charge for credit facilities, in the cost of other consumer goods.

  Wavell Works, Helmshore
  Mr. Walker
  asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Wavell Mill at Helmshore, Harlingden, has not been declared redundant; and why the mill is allowed to remain unoccupied and unused in an area ripe for industrial development.

  Mr. Belcher:
  The Wavell Works at Helmshore was declared to be redundant to the requirements of the Ministry of Supply in December, 1945. Since then, a number of industrialists have inspected it at the suggestion of the Board of Trade but none has so far applied for it. The Board of Trade is, however, hopeful that a way will be found to put it to good use.

  Government Factories, Cardiff
  Mr. G. Thomas
  asked the President of the Board of Trade how many factories in Cardiff have been empty for three months or longer; and what steps are being taken to introduce industry to these places.

  Mr. Belcher:
  Three Government factories in Cardiff are now empty. One of these is the subject of negotiations with potential users. The other two house specialised plant at present in excess of required capacity and the future of these buildings is under consideration.

  Furniture (Colonial Supplies)
  Sir W. Wakefield
  asked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department prohibits the importation from the colonies of available furniture and fittings urgently needed in the United Kingdom, thereby restricting inter-imperial trade.

  Mr. Belcher:
  If the hon. Member will let me have details of any cases which he has in mind, I will be glad to look into them.

  Wallpaper
  Mr. Hale
  asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that ex-soldiers who are granted licences to commence business in the decorating industry are being refused supplies of wallpaper on the ground that they were not

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  purchasers in 1939; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this hardship.

  Mr. Belcher:
  Only about 2/5ths of prewar supplies of wallpaper are available for the home market. Distribution is not subject to control but I understand the manufacturers endeavour to distribute the limited supplies equitably among their existing customers.

  Brazil Railway Development
  Sir P. Hannon
  asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the decree signed by the Government of Brazil approving a general plan of railway equipment covering construction of linking-up lines, acquisition of rolling stock, signal apparatus, etc.; that the details of the plan are being compiled by the Commercial Secretary to Rio Janeiro for the information of British manufacturers willing to compete for the supply of materials comprised in the plan; and what steps he is taking to enable British manufacturers to obtain orders in Brazil.

  Mr. Marquand:
  Yes, Sir. The Counsellor (Commercial) to the British Embassy at Rio de Janeiro has drawn my attention to the decree in question and has given me a comprehensive report. The appropriate trade organisations have been informed.

  Swedish Market
  Sir P. Hannon
  asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the illustrated booklet "Sweden as an Important Market," recently issued by the Federation of Swedish Wholesale Merchants and Importers, a copy of which has been sent him; and if the value of the Swedish market from the point of view of British export trade will be communicated to British industrial and trade organisations.

  Mr. Marquand:
  This booklet was received by the Board of Trade and has been carefully considered. I have myself visited Sweden recently, and am fully alive to the importance of the Swedish market for many classes of British exports, and every opportunity has been taken to investigate the possibilities of that market and to bring them to the notice of interested British industrial and trade organisations In that connection,
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  I would refer the hon. Member to the article on "Prosperous Sweden as a Field for United Kingdom's Exports." published in the Board of Trade Journal on 6th April last. The British Export Trade Research Organisation has also appointed one of its first two overseas representatives to Stockholm.

  Gas Mantles
  Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre
  asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of gas mantles; and what steps are being taken to increase the supply.

  Mr. Belcher:
  I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for North Kensington (Mr. Rogers) on the 13th March. Progress has been made in the directions indicated.

  Cotton Market (Inquiries)
  Sir W. Smithers
  asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange in future that when any of his representatives visit Liverpool to inquire into conditions prevailing in the cotton market, he will officially invite members of the Liverpool Cotton Association to meet them.

  Mr. Marquand:
  The hon. Member's suggestion will be borne in mind if and when the occasion should arise.

  SHIPPING (I.L.O. DRAFT CONVENTION)
  Mr. Piratin
  asked the Minister of Labour why the British Government representative at the last I.L.O. Maritime Session, Copenhagen, abstained from voting in favour of a convention on manning and hours; and if he has any statement to make on the instruction that he has given on this issue for the Seattle session in June.

  Mr. Isaacs:
  In the absence of agreement between the two sides of the industry in the United Kingdom, the Government delegate abstained from voting on the preliminary text at the Preparatory Technical Conference at Copenhagen in order to enable the United Kingdom Government to give free and unfettered consideration to the opposing points of view prior

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  to the Seattle Conference. As regards the second part of the Question, I can only say that the United Kingdom Government will, having regard to the views of the two sides of the industry in the United Kingdom, support proposals which are likely to receive a wide measure of acceptance among countries represented at the conference.

  BRITISH ARMY (PERSONAL CASE)
  Mr. Driberg
  asked the Secretary of State for War if he will expedite the repatriation on compassionate grounds of 14401073 Sergeant T. M. Yule, Ordnance Branch, H.Q., Burma Command, S.E.A.C., whose application has been under consideration by the military authorities and by S.S.A.F.A. for more than three months.

  Mr. Bellenger:
  This case was not reported to the War Office by the command concerned until 29th April. The necessary investigations are now being carried out through welfare channels and the command will be informed of the results of these investigations as soon as possible. It will then rest with the Commander-in-Chief to decide whether or not repatriation on compassionate grounds would be justified.

DEMOBILISATION

  Victory March (Effect on Release)
  Major Legge-Bourke
  asked the Secretary of State for War how many men of the three Services, now serving overseas, will be delayed in transit to the United Kingdom for release as a result of contingents being brought home for the Victory Celebrations.

  Mr. Bellenger:
  So far as I am aware the only men whose release will be delayed in order to enable contingents for the Victory March to reach this country in time are just over 600 Army officers and other ranks serving in East Africa. About half of them will be delayed some three weeks beyond their release dates and the remainder about one week. I very much regret that the release of these men should have been delayed but unfortunately it was impossible to make addi
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  tional transport available without very much more serious repercussions on the repatriation of other Service personnel due for release.

  Release Leave (Reduced Fares)
  Mr. Beswick
  asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether reduced rate railway fares available to Servicemen on demobilisation leave are available to those men who take up any employment during the leave period.

  Mr. Strachey:
  I understand so, except that the railway companies do not extend this concession to regular journeys between residence and place of business.

ROYAL AIR FORCE

  Explosives Dumps
  111. Mr. Drayson
  asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will give any information as to the length of time it will take to remove the bombs and explosives at present stored in the Bolton-by-Bowland, Halton, West, area of the West Riding of Yorkshire.

  Mr. Strachey:
  Some of these explosives will be needed for the Royal Air Force and we are also looking after those which are surplus until they are handed over to the Ministry of Supply for disposal. As I said in the House on 1st May, there simply is not enough labour or transport to get the whole job done quickly all over the country. The order of clearing the various dumps depends largely on the facilities available from time to time, and on varying considerations of safety and so on. So I am afraid that at present I can only say that it will be some time before all the roadside storage has been cleared away from this unit in the West Riding.

  Airmen's Arrest, Germany
  Mr. Driberg
  asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that two airmen, whose identities have been communicated to him, were held under close arrest for 57 days in Germany, while awaiting courts-martial; that at their courts-martial they pleaded guilty to drunkenness, whereupon other charges were not pressed; that after conviction they were still detained to await the promulgation of their sentences in cells which

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  had been pronounced unfit for occupation by Germans under arrest; and if he will see that relatively trivial offences are dealt with more expeditiously and humanely.

  Mr. Strachey:
  I am aware of this case but inquiries have not yet been completed into all the points which my hon. Friend has raised. If, however, he would like to put down a Question next week I hope to be able to make a statement then.

  Mail Delays (Far East)
  Mr. Renton
  asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why members of 209 Squadron, R.A.F., at Kai Tek, S.E.A.A.F., have not been receiving their mail regularly during the past six months; and whether he will take steps to ensure that mail is regularly delivered to this squadron.

  Mr. Strachey:
  I know that in November and December last year there were considerable delays in the delivery of air mail to members of the Royal Air Force in the Far East. There may also have been particular difficulties when the unit to which the hon. Member refers moved from Ceylon to Hong Kong. These delays have been overcome and the daily airmail service is now taking an average of seven days to reach Hong Kong.

  Personal Cases
  Lieut.-Colonel Mackeson
  asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the hon. and gallant Member for Hythe can expect an answer to his letter of 18th April.

  Mr. Strachey:
  The hon. and gallant Member will by now have received my letter of 8th May.

  Lieut.-Colonel Lipton
  asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when he will reply to a letter addressed to him on 9th March last about the application for compassionate release of an airman, details of whom have been submitted.

  Mr. Strachey:
  My hon. and gallant Friend will by now have received my letter of 8th May.

  TAXI CABS (AGED DRIVERS)
  Mr. Peter Freeman
  asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is any age-limit for
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  taxicab drivers; whether he is aware that many men over 80 years of age are still driving taxicabs; and whether it is his intention to take any action in this matter.

  Mr. Ede:
  There is no upper age limit for motor taxicab drivers licensed in the Metropolitan Police District. At the beginning of this year 21 licensed drivers were over 80 years of age. The Commissioner of Police has recently considered whether any further precautions beyond those now in force are necessary in the case of drivers aged 70 or over. He has been advised that the present medical requirements cover all reasonable needs.

FOOD SUPPLIES

  Poultry Food
  Mr. Baker White
  asked the Minister of Food, in view of the crippling effect of the recent cuts in agricultural feeding stuffs, particularly for poultry, what steps are being taken to increase imports of alternative feeding stuffs such as maize and cotton-seed cake.

  Dr. Edith Summerskill:
  Maize has been imported for feeding stuffs, but such supplies as we secured have or are being released. I regret it will not be possible to secure the import of larger supplies as the stocks in exporting countries are being diverted for human food. Cotton-seed cake is not a suitable food for poultry. This commodity, in common with all oil seed cakes, is subject to Combined Food Board allocation and we are already obtaining our share.

  Cattle Collecting Centres (Weighbridges)
  Mr. Butcher
  asked the Minister of Food whether he will indicate the nature of the complaints received about the accuracy of weighbridges at three official cattle-grading stations; whether these complaints were investigated; with what result; and what steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of such complaints.

  Dr. Summerskill:
  In two cases the complaint was that the weighbridges were in an unsatisfactory state. Investigations were made and the inspector of weights and measures, who made special tests,

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  found one machine to be quite satisfactory, and the other, although still effective for its purpose, to require certain minor adjustments. In the third case it was alleged that the machine was totally unreliable and inaccurate. This machine was, in fact, out of action for three weeks in December, 1945, owing to a breakdown of the machinery under the platform. This was rectified by the makers and the machine was certified by the inspector of weights and measures on 19th December as in complete and satisfactory working order.

  As regards the arrangements for the maintenance and servicing of weighbridges at collecting centres, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his Question on 13th March.

  Lettuce (Northern Ireland)
  Sir W. Smiles
  asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, owing to imports of foreign lettuce into Northern Ireland, local market gardeners cannot find a market for home grown lettuce; and if he is now in a position to divert foreign lettuce to feed the starving people of Europe and leave the market in Northern Ireland to the home grown lettuce.

  Sir B. Smith:
  According to my information, the quality of much of the home grown lettuce in Northern Ireland makes it difficult to market. The attention of the Irish Wholesale Fruit Merchants Association has, however, been drawn to the fact that local growers are having difficulty in disposing of their crop.

  NATIONAL SAVINGS POSTERS
  Sir R. Glyn
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give instructions that the National Savings posters which now disfigure many public monuments in London and elsewhere shall be removed, and that this be done before the celebrations decided on by the Government on 8th June.

  Mr. Dalton:
  The savings posters on the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square will be withdrawn before 8th June, but in view of the national importance of the Savings Campaign I cannot agree to prohibit the placing of National Savings posters on all public monuments. I am not aware of any cases of disfigure
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  ment, but if the hon. Member will send me information of any instance he has in mind I shall be glad to look into the matter.

  GOVERNMENT INTERNAL DEBT
  Mr. Lipson
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the loans due for repayment between 1946–1951 and between 1952–1959, inclusive.

  Mr. Dalton:
  The total amounts of internal British Government debt—other than floating debt, small savings and other securities repayable on demand or at short notice, and debt which is only optionally redeemable—which are finally repayable, other than by annual instalments, by dates falling within the periods mentioned are:
  1st May, 1946—31st December, 1951, £2,154 million.
  1st January, 1952—31st December, 1959, £2,784 million.

  In addition, the following total amounts will be payable in the two periods in respect of loans redeemable by annual drawings, annuities, etc.:
  1946—1951, £303 million.
  1952—1959, £417 million.

MINISTRY OF WORKS

  Electrical Components
  Mr. Hoy
  asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the shortage of supplies to the electrical contracting industry in Scotland; and what steps he is taking to meet its requirements.

  Mr. Wilson:
  The supply of electrical components and accessories is limited but is sufficient to meet the needs of priority work, and I am not aware of any particular shortage in Scotland as compared with other parts of the United Kingdom. My Department will investigate and take action in any specific cases where priority work is in danger of being held up due to shortage of these components.

  Industrial Building Licences
  Squadron-Leader Fleming
  asked the Minister of Works whether he has considered a letter, dated 25th April, 1946, from Mr. Churchill, Secretary of the Grip

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  Steel Bar Company, Limited, of Manchester; and whether any instructions have yet been issued in reference to the issue of licences for industrial buildings of an essential nature in the Manchester area.

  Mr. Tomlinson:
  I have considered Mr. Churchill's letter. In the country generally licences are issued for industrial buildings which are sponsored by the Government Departments concerned provided the whole of the labour and materials necessary for the scheme are likely to be available.

  Glazing, London University College
  Mr. Haydn Davies
  asked the Minister of Works why the eight soldier glaziers who have been working on the hospital and medical school windows of University College, Gower Street, W.C.1, have been withdrawn with about 40 per cent. of the work still to be done; and whether, in view of the importance of the job, he intends to take the necessary steps to see that it is completed.

  Mr. Tomlinson:
  The Pioneers employed on glazing work at University College Hospital were attached to the Ministry's Special Repair Service, which last year, when building labour was very scarce, undertook some work at hospitals on behalf of the Ministry of Health. Owing to demobilisation the numbers of Pioneers have had to be reduced, and replacements could not be supplied from the Special Repair Service without withdrawing glaziers from housing. There is now, however, no serious shortage of glaziers in London and the hospital should not have difficulty in making alternative arrangements.

  Temporary Houses (Cost)
  Major Guy Lloyd
  asked the Minister of Works the average figure of accepted tenders for site work and erection of each of the types of prefabricated houses sponsored by his Department.

  Mr. Tomlinson:
  I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on 16th April to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Bucklow (Mr. W. Shepherd), of which I am sending him a copy.

  TELECOMMUNICATIONS (EMPIRE AND U.S. AGREEMENT)
  Lieutenant Herbert Hughes
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange for the publication of the agreement reached between representatives of the Governments of the British Commonwealth and of the U.S.A. at the recent Telecommunications Conference at Bermuda.

  Mr. Dalton:
  Yes, Sir. A White Paper containing the text of the Agreement has been laid before the House and copies are now available at the Vote Office. All the signatory Governments have approved the Agreement.

EAST AFRICA

  Italian Workers
  Colonel Ponsonby
  asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the skilled Italian artisans, now usefully employed in East Africa, are to be repatriated in spite of the anxiety of many of them to remain in the country and of their employers to retain their services.

  Mr. George Hall:
  The question whether a certain number of Italian prisoners of war and civilians evacuated from Italian. East Africa during the war and now in essential employment in the British East African territories can be allowed temporarily to remain in these territories, if the Governments concerned so desire, is at present under consideration. In the meantime individual cases of such persons wishing to remain in East Africa will be considered in the light of the interests of the territory concerned.

  Indians (Taxation)
  Sir G. Fox
  asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the percentage of taxation revenue contributed by Indians in East African colonies compared with the total European revenue for the period 1939—1945.

  Mr. George Hall:
  The information is not readily available, but I will endeavour to obtain it from East Africa and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member when the reply is received.

  WARTIME HOSPITALITY, TEL-AVIV (ALLIED SERVICEMEN)
  Mr. Monslow
  asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement indicating to what extent the municipality and citizens of Tel-Aviv provided hospitality and entertainment for British troops in the Middle East during the war; and what official action has been taken to acknowledge these services.

  Mr. George Hall:
  At the outbreak of war a Tel-Aviv Hospitality Committee was formed under the auspices of the Municipal Corporation and established the Tel-Aviv Services Club, reputed to be one of the best run volunteer welfare institutions in the Middle East. During the war over two million members of the Allied Services enjoyed the amenities of the Club. In addition, 485 private homes offered hospitality to many thousands of men in the Services. Countrywide tours were arranged for about 200,000 men. A restaurant in the Club run by volunteers and supplied through the N.A.A.F.I. catered for some 70,000 personnel monthly. Dances were arranged at regular intervals and partners volunteered from a list of 800 hostesses. Fifteen thousand hospital patients were also brought to the Services Club for recreation. A branch of the Club also catered for women members of the Services. A volunteer organisation known as the "Scopus Club" was visited by many thousands of officers during the war. Officers were put in touch with private homes in many cases and frequently entertained to tea at the Club. Omnibus companies granted a minimum fare to members of the Services; all cinemas and theatres introduced a special reduction in prices for Service personnel and arrangements were made so that such personnel did not have to queue up for tickets. Reductions were also made in hotel charges. A municipal information office was also set up which answered inquiries and assisted many thousands of personnel. The work of the Club and all other facilities were warmly appreciated by the many Servicemen who had occasion to be in Tel-Aviv. The General Officer Commanding Palestine and many senior officers visited the Club on occasions and expressed their appreciation of the volunteer work which was being done and the services of one of
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  the leading organisers received a special mention from the Commander in Chief.

WEST INDIES

  Whipping Incident, Bahamas
  Mr. G. Jeger
  asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a child was recently charged in a police court in Nassau, Bahamas, with skipping school on two occasions and was ordered four lashes by the magistrate, which whipping was administered by the police; and whether he will take steps to prevent the flogging of children in territory under British control.

  Mr. George Hall:
  I am making inquiries into the instance of whipping quoted by my hon. Friend and will communicate with him further when a reply has been received.

  Technicians (Repatriation and Resettlement)
  Mr. Piratin
  asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision has been made for the repatriation and resettlement in the West Indies and, in particular, the Bahamas, of service and civilian technicians who were brought from there to the United Kingdom during the war.

  Mr. George Hall:
  Service technicians brought from the West Indies to the United Kingdom during the war are normally given free passages to their homes in the West Indies before they are demobilised. Civilian technicians are offered facilities for repatriation at public expense as passages become available and many have already returned to the West Indies. As regards resettlement, both Service and civilian technicians are being given opportunities to apply for training in the United Kingdom, prior to repatriation, in order to assist them on their return to civil life in the West Indies, special attention being given to the particular requirements of the Colony concerned. All West Indian Colonies have made arrangements to facilitate the resettlement of their personnel who were brought to the United Kingdom during the war. In the case of the Bahamas, I am informed that no difficulty has so far been experienced, or is expected in absorbing technicians into local industrial undertakings.

  NIGERIA (TIN MINES, ROYALTIES)
  Mrs. Middleton
  asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what royalties were paid to British companies in respect of tin mines in Nigeria in 1945; and whether he will take steps to secure that these payments are retained in Nigeria for the benefit of the local population.

  Mr. George Hall:
  Separate figures for tin are not readily available but the estimated amount paid in 1945 in respect of the half share of royalties due to the successors of the Royal Niger Company is £168,400. These payments were unconditionally guaranteed as from 1st January, 1900, by the British Government of the day to the Company for a period of 99 years under the agreement compensating them for the surrender of their rights. That agreement is still in force. The problem of these arrangements is engaging my attention.

  PETROL ALLOWANCE (OVERSEAS SERVICEMEN)
  Mr. Mitchison
  asked the Minister of Fuel and Power in what circumstances additional petrol allowances are refused to soldiers coming on leave from the B.A.O.R.; and what are the reasons for such refusal.
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  Mr. Shinwell:
  The petrol allowance for members of H.M. Forces on leave in this country from service overseas provides for 600 miles of motoring in any 12 months, but with a limit of 300 miles for any one leave period, except that in the case of personnel on leave longer than 28 days after service overseas the limit of 300 miles for any one leave period may be increased by 75 miles for each period of seven days in excess of 28 days, up to the maximum of 600 miles. The ration is available for use only in a car owned by the applicant or his wife or her husband as the case may be, or by one of their parents. If my hon. Friend knows of any case where these qualifications apply and an allowance has been refused; I shall be glad to investigate the matter.

  ROYAL NAVY (AIR RADIO MECHANICS, DEMOBILISATION)
  Mr. McEntee
  asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when Fleet Air Arm radio mechanics in Group 50 will be demobilised.

  Mr. J. Dugdale:
  Air Radio Mechanics in age and service group 50 are being released in the current period (29th April to 10th June, 1946).