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Written Answers
HOUSE OF COMMONS
that
Mr. H. Wilson: I am aware makers-up would like to get more utility cloth but supplies of cloth for the home market are limited by the need to meet export targets. Within the total so avail- able the proportion within the utility scheme is being increased.
Power Plant (Export)
97. Sir W. Smithers asked the Presi- dent of the Board of Trade if, in view of the cuts in electricity supply in Britain, he will cease the export of electrical power plant to the U.S.S.R.
Mr. H. Wilson: The plant we are now sending to Russia is not of the kind re- quired for the British Electricity Autho- rity programme.
Softwood (Cost)
98. Mr. Marples asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the average cost f.o.b. of the 1.6 standards of soft- wood required for a house on the basis of imports from the dollar area this year. Mr. H. Wilson: About £65.
Germany
99. Mr. Platts-Mills asked the Presi- dent of the Board of Trade what progress has been made towards the conclusion of a bilateral trading agreement with the Joint Import-Export Agency of the Anglo-U.S. bizone of Germany.
Mr. H. Wilson: We reviewed with the Joint Export-Import Agency last May the probable course of trade in 1948 between the sterling area and the bizone and we hope to have further talks in the near future about trade in the first six months of 1949.
Pianos
100. Mr. De la Bère asked the Presi- dent of the Board of Trade whether he will now authorise the retention of some pianos for sale in this country, in view of the fact that no pianos have been made for the home market since 1940; that many British people are waiting for new pianos, and that the price fetched by second-hand pianos as a result of the continuation of the present policy is pro- hibitive.
Mr. H. Wilson: No. 109 0 12
Written Answers
Grey Granite Imports
101. Mr. G. Roberts asked the Presi- dent of the Board of Trade if he is aware that foreign grey granite is being im- ported to this country despite the fact that British granite quarries are fully capable of meeting home demands; and whether, in view of the detrimental effects such imports will have on employment in granite quarrying areas, particularly in Trevor, Caernarvonshire, he will take appropriate action.
Mr. H. Wilson: Limited imports of grey and other rough granite are being allowed under trade agreements under which we secure essential supplies of raw materials. As I have previously ex- plained in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Barrow-in- Furness (Mr. Monslow) on 18th Decem- ber last, import licensing restrictions are not intended to provide protection for the home industry.
CAR PARKING, GREATER LONDON
102. Mr. Platts-Mills asked the Minis- ter of Transport whether he will amend his orders concerning the parking of cars in the Greater London area so as to take more account of the legitimate interests of street traders many of whom are at present suffering hardship as a result of the rigid application of the present rules.
Mr. Callaghan: My right hon. Friend has already provided for the legitimate interests of street traders by exempting those licensed to sell from an authorised pitch. He cannot do more than this without seriously impairing the effective- ness of the no waiting orders.
BRISTOL TRAMWAY CONSTRUCTION WORKS
103. Mr. Awbery asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the Trans- port Commission, which has acquired the Bristol Tramway Company's construction works, is precluded under the terms of the Transport Act, 1947, from producing buses for export; that 30 per cent. of the production in the past was for this purpose; and whether he will introduce legislation to remove this restriction on manufacture for export, or increase the
83
Written Answers
9 DECEMBER 1948 que à for the home market in order to prevent an increase in unemployment among this class of workmen.
Mr. Callaghan: My right hon. Friend is aware of the limitations placed on the British Transport Commission in this respect, and is not prepared to ask Par- liament to alter the provisions so recently incorporated in the Transport Act, 1947. My right hon. Friend is discussing with the Minister of Supply what quota should be allotted to this company for next year.
IRON CASTINGS (DISTRIBUTION)
Mr. Sharp asked the Minister of Supply when authorisations for iron castings will cease to be issued by his Department; what arrangements will then be made to ensure proper distribution of available supplies; and when and in what form the relevant information will be passed to all concerned.
Mr. G. R. Strauss: The order giving effect to the new arrangements for the distribution of iron castings comes into force tomorrow. On specialised items, which constitute the greater and more important part of the iron casting indus- try, arrangements have been made for a voluntary system of control. The balance of the production, which is mainly handled by jobbing foundries serving local needs, will not be centrally con- trolled. I announced the new arrange- ments at a Press conference on 22nd November. The iron foundries have also been advised through the appropriate trade association, and in the trade Press.
MAURITIUS (TEACHERS'
SALARIES)
Mr. Skinnard asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what increases, as a result of recent inquiry and negotiation, have been made in the salaries of primary and secondary teachers in Mauritius.
Mr. Creech Jones: The Legislative Council of Mauritius has recently been .asked to sanction the following revision of salary scales in respect of secondary teachers in Mauritius. Education Officers Grade I: Existing scale £450 to £675; New scale £375 to £840. Education Officers Grade III: Existing scale £225 to £380; now extended to £450. Women 209 0 13
84
Written Answers Education Officers: Existing scale £375 to £562 10s.; now extended to £660. There has been no change in the salaries of primary teachers since my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 17th March.
CYPRUS (AIR BASES)
Mr. Gallacher asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why U.S. air bases are to be established in Cyprus.
Mr. Creech Jones: There is no pro- posal for the establishment of U.S. air bases in Cyprus.
FIRING RANGE,
ST. MARGARET'S BAY
Mr. John R. Thomas asked the Secre- tary of State for War if he is aware that in order to minimise damage to the houses and contents by the blast from big gun practice firing, the inhabitants of St. Margaret's Bay have to have their win- dows and doors open; and will he either have the guns removed from the imme- diate vicinity of the village or give in- structions that firing practice should cease during the winter months and so enable the inhabitants of St. Margaret's to enjoy their homes without damage and discom- fort.
Mr. Shinwell; Recent firing of heavy guns in the St. Margaret's Bay area has been necessary to carry out important trials. These trials have been finished and no further firing of heavy guns is con- templated, but I cannot promise that it will never be necessary. The firing of medium guns must continue at intervals for the training of National Service men. These guns are about one mile from the nearest houses in St. Margaret's Bay and fire only a reduced charge. This firing has no adverse effect on military build- ings in the immediate neighbourhood and is unlikely to cause damage or discom- fort to the residents or their property.
SCHOOL CHILDREN,
CAITHNESS
(DENTAL TREATMENT)
Mr. Gandar Dower asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, in Caithness, school children under 15 years, suffering from dental pain, are being obliged to wait three days for dental