asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the intention of the Government to take special steps to encourage the breeding of pedigree stock in this country?

The improvement in the general standard of livestock is one of the targets I have set county war agricultural executive committees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the uncertainty that exists among market gardeners as to what policy to pursue in regard to cropping for next winter; and whether he can announce his Department's plans now in order that the necessary seeds may be sown this month?

There is no need for any uncertainty as any grower who is in doubt as to what crops he should grow this year can obtain advice and guidance from his county committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Allied Post-War Requirements Bureau has yet been established on a specifically inter-Allied footing; and, if not, what plans exist for so establishing it?

No, Sir. The present bureau is a small British secretariat attached to the Inter-Allied Committee. The estimates of post-war requirements presented by the Allied Governments and authorities are being co-ordinated by the Inter-Allied Committee itself, working through a series of sub-Committees on which all the Allied Governments and authorities concerned are represented. These committees provide the inter-allied basis for the work and there has been no need for an inter-allied secretariat. The future organisation of the bureau will be dependent upon the outcome of the discussions on the organisation of relief on a United Nations basis.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reason for the extension of the Location of Industry Order to cover premises below 3,000 square feet in area?

Under the Location of Industry (Restriction) Order, 1941, the starting up of any form of production in premises of 3,000 square feet or over in area, or a change-over in the type of production carried on in such premises, was subject to the issue of a licence by the Board of Trade. With the progress of the war it became essential to cover all premises, whatever their size, so that there should be no waste anywhere of our resources, whether of space, raw material or labour. Accordingly, following consultation with the Ministry of Production, an Order was made in October last abolishing the exemption of premises below 3,000 square feet in area and thus bringing within the Department's control all premises, whatever their area. The Order is administered in close consultation with the regional boards of the Ministry of Production. The Order also governs the use of premises for storage purposes.

asked the Minister of Supply what proportion of the various labour management grades employed in Royal Ordnance factories, the names of which have been communicated to him, were previously employed by Messrs. Littlewoods, Limited, and Messrs. Lewis, Limited; and what is the comparable proportion in the filling factories?

Out of a total labour management personnel of 661 in the 41 factories named, 8 were previously employed by Littlewoods Mail Order Stores, Ltd., and 11 by Lewis's, Ltd. The corresponding figures for the filling factories alone are 6 and 9, out of a total of 409.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that placards are posted on hoardings throughout East and North London and on the tubes, by private firms advertising for women machinists; and, in view of the fact that all labour is now recruited through Employment Exchanges, will be stop this waste of paper?

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service in regard to advertisements of the kind referred to.

asked the Minister of Supply the number of counties to which the compulsory requisitioning of privately-owned tyres has been extended; and the terms upon which such tyres are being acquired?

Requisitioning has taken place in certain areas in Berkshire and London, but has not been extended further for the present. Compensation is payable in accordance with the terms of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939,

Grade	Scale of Pay	Range of pay applicable to war-time entrants*	Normal qualifications
Assistant, Grade III
Male	£130 X 12—£310	£130—£300	At least Intermediate B.Sc. or equivalent.
Female	£130 X 12—£260	£130—£250
Assistant, Grade II
Male	£315 X 12—£385	£315—£350	As for Assistant Grade III with useful practical experience in addition.
Female	£265 X 12—£315	£265—£300
Assistant, Grade I
Male	£400 X 18—£515†	£400—£450	As for Assistant Grade II.
Female	£325 X 12—£349 X 18—£415†	£325–365
Chemist
Male	£275 X 18—£455 X 25—£580‡	—	1st or 2nd Class Honours degree or equivalent.
Female	£275 X 12—£347 X 18—£464‡	—
Experimental Officer
Male	—	£275—£550	As for Chemist.
Female	—	£275—£440
* War time entrants to the Assistant grades are designated Experimental Assistants. Rates on the range are assessed in individual cases according to qualifications, experience, etc.
† With extensions in special cases by annual increments of £18 to £580 for males and to £465 for females.
‡With extensions in special cases by annual increments of £25 to£680 for males and to £580 for females.

These rates are basic. Civil Service bonus being paid in addition to salaries not exceeding £519 11s. 0d. The qualifications shown indicate the general standard required. Particularly useful experience may be regarded in certain instances as equivalent to academic qualifications. Assistants Grades II and III (and the corresponding grades of the Experimental Assistant) are eligible for payment for overtime. Assistants Grade I

asked the Minister of Supply what are the qualifications required and the salary scales, respectively, for the following classes of staff in the Chemical Inspection Department of the Ministry of Supply: Assistant, Grade I, Assistant, Grade II, Assistant, Grade III, and Chemist or Experimental Officer; and whether overtime is paid to any workers in these categories?

The following statement shows scales of pay and the normal qualifications appropriate to Assistant Grade I, Assistant Grade II, Assistant Grade III and Chemist or Experimental Officer in the Chemical Inspection Department of the Ministry of Supply:(and Experimental Assistants Grade I) receive a modified form of overtime.

asked the Minister of Production what steps he has taken to co-ordinate the costing systems of the production Departments under his control?

Questions concerning costings investigations for contract purposes which are common to Departments are reviewed by the Contracts Coordinating Committee, an interdepartmental committee under Treasury Chairmanship, which lays down the principles under which such investigations should be made.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will inquire into the case of Samuel Naylor, of South Hetton, who was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for refusing to work underground though he offered to join the Royal Navy; and whether he will recommend a revision of the sentence?

My right hon. Friend has had full inquiries made about this case, but regrets that he has been unable to find grounds on which he would be justified in recommending any remission of the sentence which the court thought it right to impose on Naylor and which was confirmed on appeal to quarter sessions.

asked the Home Secretary whether he plans to keep full-time Civil Defence workers at their duties or on other part-time work; and, in the latter case, whether this is to be near the Civil Defence post to which they are normally attached?

There are arrangements under which whole-time members of the Civil Defence Services may undertake essential work away from their posts during their duty hours, and I am anxious that those not required for the purposes of the Services should be so occupied. In particular I have recently asked local authorities to co-operate with the war agricultural committees in providing labour for food production in time of seasonal stress. Some risks must be taken, but I have suggested that in coastal areas personnel may not be available for such work at any distance from their posts. They will, of course, in any case return to their posts at night.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Royal Navy are proposing to adopt the scheme of legal aid now in operation for the Army and the Royal Air Force?

A legal aid scheme on lines generally similar to that in operation for the other Services is shortly being introduced for the Navy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what number of ship-repairing shops are being used in South Wales and what number of men are employed thereat; whether any steps are taken to increase the number; and what number has been closed down since 1930?

Twenty-eight ship repairing shops are at present in use in South Wales: no increase in this number is contemplated at present. The number of ship repairing shops in this area which it was necessary to close in 1930 was nine; of these four have been reopened for ship repairing since 1939 and one for shipbuilding. Speaking generally, however, our policy during the war has been to create additional capacity by extending shops already in use rather than by reopening derelict establishments. It would not be in the public interest to make any public statement as to the size of the labour force engaged in ship repairing work in this area, but I will communicate the figure to the hon. Member privately.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many town councils exist in the Gold Coast; what number and percentage of elected members is there; what is the basis of franchise; and what is the constitution and basis of franchise of the Kumasi Town Council?

There are three town councils in the Gold Coast Colony and one has recently been proposed for Kumasi in Ashanti. In each of the three Colony town councils there are four elected members out of a total of 10. All men and women are entitled to be enrolled as electors who are 21 years old and own or occupy property in the town of a minimum rateable value of not less than £6. It is proposed that the composition of the Kumasi town council shall be as follows:—The Assistant Chief Commissioner and three other members nominated by the Chief Commissioner of Ashanti; two members nominated by the Asantehene and the Kumasi Divisional Council; one member nominated by the Kumasi Chamber of Commerce; and six members elected by the six wards of Kumasi. It is also proposed that the right to vote for the elected member of each ward should be given to any person of not less than 21 years of age who owns or rents a room in that ward and had owned or rented a room in the township for not less than six months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give information on any recent developments in municipal government and responsibility in West Africa, and particularly in the Gold Coast?

Approval has been given to proposals made by the Governor of the Gold Coast for setting up a town council at Kumasi to replace the Kumasi Public Health Board. There will be thirteen members, of whom at least eight may be Africans. Subject to the general control of the Governor, the council will have a free hand to administer the township. The Governor's proposals have been well received by local public opinion. The Governor of the Gambia has invited the elected members of the advisory town council, Bathurst, to consult with the people of their wards and then, with the aid of the chairman, to formulate for his consideration definite proposals for replacing the advisory council by a local government body.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when a report of the Trinidad Franchise Commission can be expected; how long it has been operating; and whether adult suffrage for Trinidad is likely to be recommended?

My latest information is that the committee had completed the taking of oral evidence early this month and that their draft report was being prepared. The committee, which is not an official body, has been operating for nearly two years and I have intimated more than once that it is my hope that they will expedite then proceedings. I cannot forecast the committee's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is being done to develop the fishery resources of the West Indies; whether he will ensure that the proposals of Dr. H. Brown, director of fisheries investigation in the comptroller of developments staff will immediately be put into operation to meet the local protein shortage; and whether the proposals put forward for Trinidad fisheries will be implemented?

Two schemes have been made under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act for the investigation of the fisheries of the West Indies. The first scheme provides for a detailed investigation of the fisheries of the various Colonies, which is being conducted by Dr. H. H. Brown. Dr. Brown's investigations have been interrupted to enable him to take part in the second scheme which provides for a joint Anglo-American survey of the fisheries of the Eastern Caribbean. This survey was commenced early in January and is expected to occupy six months. The United States Government has provided a survey vessel and an expert free of charge. The proposals made by Dr. Brown in the reports which he has completed so far are being adopted as far as possible by the Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which Colonies have introduced an Excess Profits Tax; and whether colonial companies registered in England pay the whole of the Excess Profits Tax to the British Exchequer?

The following Colonial Governments have enacted legislation for imposing an Excess Profits Tax:—Aden, British Guiana, Ceylon, Jamaica, Kenya, Mauritius, Northern Rhodesia, Seychelles, Tanganyika Territory, Trinidad, Uganda and Zanzibar. In the case of companies registered in the United Kingdom and trading in the Colonies, provision is made in the legislation of the United Kingdom and the Colonies the effect of which is that the total Excess Profits Tax payable is shared between the Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that British constables in Palestine who marry women of Arab or Moslem extraction receive no marriage allowance or matrimonial increments to their salaries, whilst those who marry native women of European origin receive increases in their pay; whether he will state the reason for this ban upon marrying women of local nationality and institute an inquiry with a view to the removal of this discrimination?

I am consulting the High Commissioner for Palestine and I will communicate to my hon. Friend in due course the result of my inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Yermiyahn Mizrabi, ex-temporary additional constable, was seriously injured by a bomb explosion whilst on duty in the chief post office, Jerusalem, in 1939; that his applications to be readmitted to the force have been repeatedly rejected in spite of almost complete physical recovery; and that he receives a pension of only £116s. per month upon which to maintain himself, wife and nine children; and whether the Minister will have this case reviewed in order that this applicant may be re-enlisted as a supernumerary constable or have his pension increased to a reasonable sum?

I am asking the High Commissioner for a report on the case and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in discussions regarding the future of the Rhodesian railways in Northern Rhodesia and Bechuanaland?

I have no recent information about these discussions but. I would remind my hon. Friend that they were to be preceded by an investigation by experts. So far as I am aware, this investigation has not yet been completed. I am asking the Governor for information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that British Imperial troops in Kenya who have to purchase such things as cap badges and crowns are charged by the Indian shopkeepers 2s. 6d. each as against 6d. and 3d. at home; and whether he will take steps to control this exploitation?

I have no information on this particular matter, but am making inquiries of the Governor of Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the case of 1539184 A.C/I Hart, L., who desires his release on compassionate grounds in view of the serious condition of this man's wife and that there are young children to be cared for; and what action he proposes to take?

Yes, Sir. I have given this airman's case very careful consideration and in the special circumstances I have authorised his release from the Royal Air Force for an indefinite period.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the letter from the hon. Member for North Battersea, dated 1st April, relating to a soldier who is suffering from a serious affection of the eyes and is not receiving treatment for it; and what action he is taking in the matter?

Yes, Sir. A reply was despatched last Monday in which it was explained that this man was examined by ophthalmic specialists in June and December, 1942, and that spectacles have been prescribed for him.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total quantity of coal produced and the quantity consumed in the nine months ending 30th March, 1943; the quantity in stock on that date; and the comparable figures for the corresponding period of 1941–42?

The total production of coal in the nine months ended 30th March, 1943, was 155,792,000 tons, compared with 156,233,000 tons in the same period of 1941–42, a difference of about 400,000 tons. It would not be in the public interest to give figures of inland requirements and foreign shipments separately, but the total of inland consumption plus overseas shipments, was 152,413,000 tons in the nine months ended March, 1943, against 156,543,000 tons in the corresponding period of 1942. I do not consider it advisable to give in public the figures of stocks held at different dates, but, thanks to the efforts which have been made and the exceptionally mild weather of the first two months of the year, the stock position is easier than it was this time last year.

asked the Minister of Health how many evacuated children were, on or about 1st October, 1942, maintained wholly out of public funds, other than children of parents who were in receipt of assistance, or whose means were below the adopted scale?

The parents of all unaccompanied evacuated children are required to make payments towards the billeting costs, with the exception of the two classes of parent mentioned in the Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the reasons for the amalgamation of the food offices of the Llanelly Borough and Rural Council; and why the rural district council were not consulted before the amalgamation took place?

The amalgamation of the food offices for the borough and rural district of Llanelly was carried out as part of the policy of my Department to secure economy of man-power and expenditure by amalgamating offices when two or more exist in one comparatively small town. The chairmen of the two food control committees were consulted but not the rural district council as the food office is a local office of the Ministry of Food and not of the local authority.

asked the Parliamentary-Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in the interests of ensuring a fair deal among the competing interests of the larger and smaller firms in the soft drinks industry, he will appoint an independent chairman of the committee of the Soft Drinks War-time Association?

My Noble Friend has received proposals for the reconstitution of the committee submitted in accordance with the articles of association of the War Time Association. He is considering the proposals together with the representations which he has received from the recognised trade associations in the industry and otherwise, and his decision will be given in due course.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the fact that the official war communiqués do give an idea of the relative importance of the operations of the different units of the British Army and that the accounts of correspondents frequently fail to do this, he will see that the British Broadcasting Corporation put the former in front of the latter so that all sections of the public would then be satisfied?

I regret I cannot add to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on 14th April.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his Department, in consultation with the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, will review the existing traffic lighting in the London area, taking into account the reduction of traffic from seven in the evening, the delay caused to such traffic as does ply and the waste of electric current and time; and whether it could be arranged that all traffic lights be extinguished between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. except at such places where policemen would have to be posted on point duty?

In co-operation with the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, my Ministry has, in the last eight months, made two general reviews of all traffic lights in the London area, and it continues to give the matter constant and close attention. Only 30 per cent. of the lights are now in continuous operation, and about 50 per cent. are put out at night. I hope my hon. Friend will agree that further economies might be detrimental to the public safety.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is satisfied that it is necessary to retain the present number of traffic lights on the Great West Road?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, there is still a considerable volume of traffic on the Great West Road, and no speed limit is imposed. As at present advised, therefore, I think the retention of the present traffic lights will promote the public safety, but I will make further inquiries and will then communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport who were represented at the recent Cairo conference on motor transport in the Middle East; what matters were discussed; and what decisions were arrived at?

The Cairo conference on motor transport was held under the auspices of the Middle East supply centre. The main purpose of the conference was to promote economy in the use of road transport, to survey the supplies of vehicles, tyres and spare parts, and to secure the help of the various Governments concerned. It is not yet possible to assess its results, but I have every reason to think that the conference was a success.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what has been the outcome of the conference held at Cairo to consider transport problems of the Middle East?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I have given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for East Fulham (Mr. Astor) in which I explain that this conference, which was held under the auspices of the Middle East Supply Centre and opened by the Minister of State, was of an explanatory and informative character. Preliminary reports indicate that the conference was a success.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that certain motor-omnibus drivers in London, finding that they are ahead of their schedule, crawl the last part of their journey, thus causing annoyance to their passengers who are frequently made late for their appointments; and whether he will take up the matter with the London Passenger Transport Board?

The London Passenger Transport Board inform me that with fluctuating conditions of traffic and of weather, drivers occasionally get ahead of their advertised schedule time. When this happens the drivers must adjust their running to avoid the serious inconvenience which would be caused to the public if they were in front of their timetable. My hon. Friend will, however, be glad to know that the summer time schedules come into operation to-day, and it is hoped that this will reduce the present difficulties, at least in the evening.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will take steps to see that for the convenience of the public and to safeguard against possible accidents, omnibuses No. 77 and 77A shall pull up at King's Cross railway station to set down passengers, as they have done for many years except recent months, instead of taking passengers into the terminus?

In order to save fuel and tyres, omnibuses working on these routes, and on certain others, have been using the coach station on the south side of Euston Road as their terminus. This has made it impossible for them to use the normal stopping-place in front of King's Cross railway station and there has been considerable difficulty in arranging a satisfactory alternative on the north side of Euston Road. It is now proposed however that they should use the new stopping place opposite Tonbridge Street which will, I hope, be brought into operation very shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is in a position to say when the canteen for railway workers who are continually on outside work at Rotherham, will be built; and whether negotiations, which commenced a year ago, will be completed this year, so that a start may be made with the building?

As my hon. Friend is, no doubt, aware, arrangements have been made for the provision of a considerable number of canteens for railway workers. It has been recently agreed that the railway companies and the railwaymen's trade unions shall jointly decide the order in which canteens which are not yet under construction shall be built. The canteen at Rotherham will thus receive the priority which the company and the unions agree to give it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport for how many of the main railway stations in London and in the provinces have plans been prepared for re-roofing to enable aircraft to alight and take off therefrom?

No plans for transforming the roofs of railway stations into landing grounds for aircraft have been prepared; but the proposal put forward in my hon. Friend's Question will be borne in mind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, in view of the control exercised by him over long-distance road transport through the appointment of some 450 unit controllers, how far it is the duty of these officials to allocate traffic to the vehicles of controlled undertakings and others?

Unit controllers will so allocate long distance traffic as to secure the maximum saving of fuel and rubber, and the most efficient use of vehicles.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how far, in considering the facilities available as an alternative to road transport, the regional traffic commissioners, with full knowledge of all road facilities in their respective areas, are compelled to call into consultation the appropriate railway representatives to advise on available rail facilities?

Regional transport commissioners, and their officers, maintain constant touch with the railway companies when they are considering the diversion of traffic from road to rail.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the latest available number of passengers travelling by railway since the last increase in fares and the comparable figures for the period previous to the increase?

I assume that my hon. Friend, when he speaks of an increase in fares, is referring to the withdrawal of cheap day fares six months ago. As the effect of that withdrawal is difficult to estimate, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, send him the information on the subject which I possess.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, in view of the fact that only one of the divisional road haulage officers, none of their assistants, and very few area road haulage officers were appointed from the Ministry of Labour Appointments Department, by what means, and by whom, in respect of all parts of the country, the others were chosen; by what advertisement or other media or competitive selection; and what steps were taken to bring these appointments to the notice of suitable ex-Servicemen?

One divisional road haulage officer was promoted from a lower rank; ten were appointed after consultation with the industry, and after consideration by my Department of other candidates who had the experience and the qualities required. Twenty-two area road haulage officers were promoted from other posts under the Ministry; thirteen were transferred from Wholesale Meat Transport Association or from the Hauliers National Traffic Pool. Eight had applied for consideration or were recommended from various sources. These eight candidates were considered together with 300 candidates submitted by the appointments department of the Ministry of Labour, of whom 63 were interviewed and eight were chosen. The appointments department of the Ministry of Labour brought to our notice ex-Servicemen on their books with suitable qualifications. The posts were not advertised, but the industry was generally aware, and the Ministry of Labour were advised that there were a number of vacancies to be filled. Candidates were interviewed by a suitably constituted selection or promotion board.