asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the activities of many manufacturers in preparing for export trade are restricted by the difficulty in obtaining craftsmen for their particular industries; and whether he will allow firms to advertise for the men whom they require.

I am aware that many employers are experiencing difficulty in preparing for export trade. So far as skilled and experienced men can be made available without interference with the production for the Japanese war, arrangements made provide for them to be placed on important civilian work, including work for export. It is of course open to employers to advertise for workers who are outside the scope of the Control of Engagement Order, 1945, but unrestricted advertising by competing employers for workers, who are in short supply, would not be in the public interest nor would it resolve the difficulties of the export trades.

Is the Minister aware that the immediate repeal of the Essential Work Order would do more than anything else to restore our domestic and foreign trade, and will he undertake to do that?

I am afraid that things are not quite so simple as the hon. Gentleman thinks.

Is the Minister aware that, if this occurs, there will be a lot of miners wanting to work somewhere else and then the hon. Gentleman will be crying out about it?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the railways are not in a position to handle a greatly increased holiday traffic this year owing to the large number of locomotives awaiting repair and for which adequate labour is not available; and whether he will now regard the repair of locomotives and rolling stock as a No. 1 labour priority so as to enable the railways to carry the large numbers of workers to seaside or country holidays this summer.

The supply of labour for the repair of locomotives and rolling stock has for long received a very high preference in the allocation of labour. The fact that it has not kept pace with the demands of the railway companies has been solely due to competing demands for workpeople of the same type in posts of equal or greater urgency.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are hundreds upon hundreds of disabled locomotives lying in the engine sheds, with nobody to repair them, and that there will be millions of people wanting to go on holiday this year and no trains to take them? Can he not see that efficient engineers are provided to repair these engines and put them on the rails right away?

I am quite aware of the urgency of the matter, and this is designated work and has been given first preference. Subject to the shortage of the skilled people necessary, we shall do our best to provide them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not switch over skilled engineers from other work to do the job?

Engineers are the one class of people who are not usually redundant.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the new European situation, he will now take further steps to ensure that juveniles do not work excessive hours of labour and that supervision and inspection in respect of this matter are extended.

The present situation in Europe and elsewhere does not admit of an immediate return to peace-time hours in all factories, but the Factory Inspectorate are actively reviewing the position to see that abnormal hours are not continued unnecessarily.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that, for some years past now, evidence has been accumulating in certain quarters interested in juvenile labour that many of these juveniles were working excessive hours to the detriment of their health; and cannot he either have the number of inspectors increased, or special inquiries made?

The fact is that factory inspectors are investigating the position, and I should naturally wish to keep the House informed.

Does the Minister know that we have had a very big increase in Scotland, and that this matter is very urgent, and will he see that something is done to look after their welfare?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has prepared, or is preparing, a scheme for the rehabilitation of miners who are certified to be partially disabled by silicosis or pneumoconiosis; whether he is aware of the deep concern caused by this problem to the miners and their families; and whether he will make an early announcement of proposals for providing suitable employment for the large and increasing number of men who are certified unfit for further employment at the collieries, and for whom no alternative employment is available at present.

Miners partially disabled by silicosis or pneumoconiosis are eligible for the training and other facilities now provided by my Department to assist the resettlement of disabled persons and a number have secured satisfactory employment in this way. These cases will also be eligible for the further facilities to be provided under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act which are in active preparation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this problem has acquired terrifying proportions, especially in South Wales, and that very little has been done for these men up to now?

My answer indicates that we do realise the position.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are now employed in the building industry; what steps are being taken to release more of such persons from the Services and other industries; and what action should be taken by employers and individuals desiring engagement in connection with housing in the national interest.

It is estimated that at the end of May there were 537,000 men aged 16 to 64 employed in the building and civil engineering industries of whom about 387,000 were in the building industry. With regard to the release of building workers from the Services, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made in the Debate on Resettlement on16th May. I am proposing shortly to register former workers in the building and civil engineering industries who are now employed elsewhere as civilians with a view to their return to those industries. Individual workers desiring engagement in connection with housing and employers desiring to engage them should apply to their employment exchange.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless workers are made available for building houses great indignation will be caused among those who are waiting for these houses, particularly among Servicemen?

It is obvious that the provision of additional labour is required and this is one of the reasons why registration is being undertaken, and that, I hope will provide results.

Will my right hon. Friend give careful consideration to the cases of small master builders who were taken away from rural areas, where there is nothing to do in either building or repairs?

I constantly have those cases brought home to me.

Is the Minister aware that £7,000 worth of building work is to be done on rebuilding the Harringay Sports Arena, while in that neighbourhood there are hundreds of houses waiting to be repaired?

I have not those figures by me, but in view of the statement made by the hon. Member, I will certainly look into them.

And put a stop to it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us are receiving correspondence from men engaged on non-combatant duties in the Services who claim that they are in the building industry; and cannot they now be released?

I should be glad to receive any information from my hon. Friend or anybody else, and I trust that our re- searches which are described in the answer to the Question will, as I said, yield some proper result.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the men in the Army who were previously building trade operatives are expected themselves to make an application for release under the B Scheme?

Under the B Scheme they do not make application themselves.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that release under category B will be fairly and equitably distributed all over the country as there appear to be rumours in the B.L.A. that the releases are conditional on the application of certain big firms in the London area?

The scheme is going to be administered as described on 16th May, and rumours that we are going to yield to certain pressures and interests are quite untrue

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that skilled engineers in factories which are soon to be redundant are being restrained by Man-power Board officials from taking up work in their own trade although vacancies are available in other factories; and if he will give a direction to prevent this practice.

The policy of my Department is to permit the return of workers to their previous employment wherever possible. But, particularly in the case of skilled workers, regard must be had to the comparative importance in the national interest of the work to which they propose to return and that on which they might otherwise be engaged. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular case in mind I should be glad to inquire into it if he will give me particulars.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that factories engaged on very essential work and clamouring for men are prevented from getting men by the idiotic instructions issued by his predecessor and his Department? Is not the Department preventing men from taking vacancies in these factories and thus remedying the great difficulty which exists?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, owing to shortage of staffs, laundries in the coastal areas of West Sussex are having to refuse their services to returning residents, hotels and customers catering for holiday crowds; and if he will take steps urgently to relieve this situation.

I am aware of the existing shortage of staff at laundries in Sussex and in other parts of the country. My Department has been for some time, and still is, taking such steps as are practicable to relieve the situation but, as my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware, there is still a serious over-all man-power shortage. A special publicity campaign is about to be launched with a view to securing the return of former employees to a number of important occupations, including those in laundries, in which there is a persistent labour shortage, and I hope that this will assist to remove the difficulties.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it has been possible to increase the labour force available to laundries in these areas since the removal of the ban and the consequent return of population?

We have not been able to do all we would desire in the neighbourhood to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I will look at the figures and statistics of laundries in the area, and we will do everything possible to help.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the position has already reached a stage in which hotels in London are refusing to accept guests unless they bring their own linen?

Can we be assured that laundries will be available to wash dirty linen during the coming Election?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that ex-shop assistants returning to the employ of owners of medium-sized shops which deal in furniture, textiles, footwear and household goods, are being warned that due to present and future shortage of supplies a full working week cannot be assured them; and, in view of the legal guarantee that ex-Servicemen will have their jobs restored will he make it clear that full wages are also to be paid to all shop assistants who return to their pre-war employer or employment.

I am not aware of the issue of a warning to ex-shop assistants in the terms suggested. Apart from the statutory rights of ex-Servicemen and women under the Reinstatement in Civil Employment Act, there is no legal obligation on employers to reinstate ex-shop assistants. The question of the regulation of wages and conditions is a matter for negotiation between the parties concerned.

Does the Minister not realise that certain letters have been passed and have his officers not reported to him that small, or even medium-sized shops are sending information and warnings of the kind indicated in the Question?

Perhaps the hon. Member will send me the information.

I shall be delighted to do so.

asked the Minister of Labour whether civilians who have taken up work at the direction of his Ministry will be released concurrently with members of the Armed Forces under the demobilisation scheme; and, if not, what provision has been made for the release of such persons.

The plan for the re-allocation of workers between civilian employments was set out in a White Paper CMD.6568 published last November which forms the civilian counter-part to the plan for release from the Armed Forces. All the necessary measures to implement this plan have been taken.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that employers of labour in the secondary industries who are required to take their former employees back on demobilisation will not be able to give them work owing to lack of materials; and what steps is he taking to meet this position.

The question of the supply of materials to industry is not a matter for me. In cases where lack of materials temporarily prevents an employer from reinstating an ex-Service man, the man's rights can be kept alive, if he so wishes, by periodical renewals. In the meantime my Department will do all in its power to help the man to obtain suitable alternative employment.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the conditions for demobilisation of the Friends' Ambulance Unit and similar units now serving in Europe and in the Middle and Far East.

The conditions under which members of the Friends' Ambulance Unit and similar Units will be released from their voluntary service are for the voluntary organisations themselves to decide. The members of the Units are not subject to the Government's scheme for release from H.M. Forces.

Do we understand from that reply that the right hon. Gentleman will release any of them who apply?

I would have to consider the circumstances.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that some of the older men in the R.A.F., who have seen long service overseas, are dissatisfied with the decision not to recruit men over 30 years; will he therefore reconsider the decision, or give some explanation as to the position of these men, which may satisfy them that their prospects of release will not be worsened by the proposed age limit for recruitment.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on the Adjournment on 31st May.

Has the position not altered slightly since then, and will it be fair to tell these men that, in effect, the limit will not make any difference to their chances of release, and is that still the proper interpretation?

I must say that I perused the statement made by my hon. Friend, and I really cannot enlarge upon it or improve upon it. I should be glad if the hon. Lady will refer to it.

As the main trouble is that the men do not know the reasons, can anything be done by the Department to inform them and make it clear that it will not make the slightest difference to their release?

The position is as I have stated.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that there is a strong feeling of disappointment amongst men in the Services in regard to the relatively small number to be demobilised this year, and that there is a feeling of confidence at the demobilisation stations that they could handle considerably larger numbers; and will he reconsider the number proposed to be demobilised with a view to its increase.

No, Sir, I am not aware that such feeling exists. As regards the second part of the Question, the rate of release will be governed by operational requirements and transport facilities. The capacity of the dispersal centres is fully adequate to deal with the numbers involved.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what on earth he has been doing not to be aware of the very strong feeling that men were mobilised for the purpose of doing a job when the job had been done, and that, as far as these men are concerned, they ought to be released at a more reasonable and a quicker rate than is the case at the present time? Has not every hon. Member received hundreds of letters? I have had a great number.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great concern caused as a result of his own recent statement that only men in the early 20's groups will be released by the end of the year, whereas the Parliamentary Secretary had said that men up to the middle 20's will be released? Is the position more or less favourable than it was when the hon. Gentleman made that statement?

In answer to the last supplementary question, certainly, in the main, the figures are as stated previously by my hon. Friend and by the Parliamentary Secretary. I naturally thought it wise, so that the men should know where they are, to give particulars of age groups to be released. In reply to the first supplementary question, I am aware that everybody wants to be released as quickly as possible, but I am not aware that troops do not understand that operational requirements and other matters may not permit their release as quickly as they would have desired.

Will the Minister give the number of groups he hopes to release by the end of the year?

I would rather not make a statement now, but I hope in due course to give the House as full information as possible.

asked the Minister of Education whether Draft Regulation 23 has now been withdrawn; and when the promised redrafting of it will be laid upon the Table.

Regulation 23 of the Draft Primary and Secondary Schools Regulations has been withdrawn in the form in which it was published and a new Regulation has been substituted. The Regulations have now been established and will be laid before the House to-day.

In view of the fact that there is a good deal of anxiety about this matter, could the right hon. Gentleman say how the required 40 days will be affected by the Dissolution of Parliament?

I think it would be better if the hon. Gentleman waited until he saw the Regulation, and no doubt there will be opportunities for him to put his point of view on this matter.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how the position of the people concerned with this Regulation will be affected meanwhile?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question off-hand.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has come as a painful surprise to many who are too young to remember the old controversies to learn that such discriminatory regulations exist in this country?

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that some of the education authorities find it impossible to administer the grant for posts of special responsibility; that they propose to distribute it among all the secondary teachers in their employment; and whether such a plan has been approved by him.

No representations on this matter have reached me from any education authority. Additional allowances for posts of special responsibility have long been an element in the Burnham scales and I am not aware of any reason why authorities should now find difficulty in administering such allowances, with the principles of which they are familiar, under the scales recently approved.

Will the Minister kindly answer the second part of my Question?

As I said, no such plan has been put up to me and therefore I have not had a chance of considering it.

Is not the grant for posts of special responsibility a particularly useful means of encouraging students and their parents to undertake the extra cost of training for a degree, and cannot it be so used?

I certainly think that allowances for posts of special responsibility represent an extremely good principle.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in Nottinghamshire in the last 12 months in the provision for maternity cases; and whether he will give the number of beds now available for women who cannot have their babies at home owing to unsuitable conditions as compared with the position a year ago.

According to the returns made by the welfare authorities, at 31st December, 1943, there were 301 maternity beds in hospitals and institutions available for residents in Nottinghamshire, and 307 at 31st December, 1944. In addition, a number of schemes for adaptations of existing institutions were approved during the last months of 1944, in respect of which works are now in progress which when completed will provide a further 43 beds. Negotiations are also nearly completed for the transfer to Nottinghamshire County Council of an emergency maternity home providing 25 beds.

Since the net increase is only six beds in 12 months, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take what steps he can to effect the increase in buildings that he mentioned?

Certainly, Sir, but as my hon. Friend probably knows, the main difficulty is staff and not buildings.

Is it not a fact that even where accommodation is found, the shortage of nurses makes it impossible to have them operating?

That was what I indicated.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of local authorities are training their midwives to administer gas-and-air analgesia; and how this compares with the number before the war.

Out of 188 local supervising authorities in England and Wales, 101 had made arrangements before 31st December; 1943, for the instruction of their midwives in the administration of analgesics in childbirth. The corresponding figure in the 1938 returns was 30, but there is reason to think that this was an under-statement.

While the Minister's reply is very encouraging, will be consider taking steps to make this obligatory, instead of permissive?

I am quite prepared to look into that. I am sure the hon. Lady will realise that with the present very great shortage of midwives, it is very difficult to spare them for additional training.

Might I ask the Minister if the Prime Minister was giving a demonstration to the midwives the other night on the radio?

asked the Minister of Health the nature of the recommendations from his advisory committee on tuberculosis as to the exclusion of chronic cases of pulmonary tuberculosis from the scheme of financial allowances under Memorandum 266/T; and what action he proposes to take thereon.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to my Standing Advisory Committee on Tuberculosis which, in September, 1943, urged a modification of the instruction to tuberculosis authorities that the tuberculosis allowances were not payable in cases where treatment cannot do more than alleviate a chronic condition. It has not been possible to accept this recommendation because these allowances have been paid under emergency powers with the object of restoring the capacity for work of persons suffering from tuberculosis. Allowances could not be paid in chronic cases under these powers, but as the hon. Member is aware provision for disability, including that arising from tuberculosis and without the limitation in question, forms part of the proposed National Insurance Scheme.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, the Tuberculosis Association, and all those bodies actively engaged in this work, believe that his scheme is weakened by its limitations?

That, apart from committing myself to all the associations to which the hon. Member has referred, I know is the opinion of many competent folk, but I have explained that there was no legislation which enabled this to be done. All that could be done under the Emergency Powers was done and we hope to do better under the National Insurance Scheme.

Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman considered the recommendations of the authors of the Medical Research Council Report on miniature radiography; and will he now commit himself to the viewpoint that the allowance should be paid, whether or not the people are fit to go back to work?

I have considered that Report, and it will most certainly be taken into account. Further, I cannot go at the moment.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Bath City Council applied for compulsory powers to acquire, for housing purposes, 10·546 acres of land at Poolemeade, Tiverton; why negotiations to purchase have broken down; what price was offered; what price has been awarded after arbitration; and what is the present rateable value of the land.

Yes Sir. The land comprises buildings used as an institute for the deaf and dumb. I understand that the city council proposed to acquire the whole of the land and to lease the buildings to the owners, and that their offer of £4,000 on this basis was rejected. The Compulsory Purchase Order is still under consideration. The rateable value of the property is £155.

asked the Minister of Health at what price the L.C.C. is acquiring the site for a new elementary school in the Abney Park District, Stoke Newington; and if he can state the area and the previous rateable value of that land.

I understand that negotiations for this acquisition are not yet complete and the price is therefore not available. The area is 2·1 acres. The site consists of parts only of existing properties and I regret, therefore, that I am not able to state the previous rateable value.

asked the Minister of Health what report his inspector has given on the application by Manchester City Council for compulsory powers to acquire at Wythenshawe about 97 acres on the Timperley Golf Club and two market gardens; what price has been offered or demanded for the land; what is its present rateable value; and whether he is aware that the plans include 2,400 houses with schools, shops, playgrounds, a health centre and a community centre.

I am considering the report of my inspector on the local inquiry and my decision will be given at an early date. I have no information as to the price offered or demanded for the land or as to its rateable value. I am aware that the plans include the provision of 2,400 houses with schools, shops, open spaces, a health clinic and a community centre.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Worthing Town Council has been in negotiation for the acquisition of 48½ acres of land for housing purposes at the south-west corner of Field Place Estate; at what price the land is to be acquired; and what is the present rateable value of the site in question.

Yes, Sir; negotiations for acquisition are still in progress. The land is agricultural and de-rated.

Could the right hon. and learned Gentleman give us any idea of what price is being asked for this site?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health what negotiations preceded the decision of the Ulverston Urban District Council to make a compulsory purchase order for the acquisition for housing purposes of Watery Lane Farm, outbuildings and five fields adjoining Watery Lane, the whole containing 16,719 acres or thereabouts; what is the rateable value of these properties; and whether purchase has taken place and at what price.

The owner was willing to sell the land at the District Valuer's valuation. The Council decided to acquire the farm buildings as well and as the owner was unwilling to sell them they have made a Compulsory Purchase Order, which has been submitted to me for confirmation. I have decided to hold a public local inquiry before making my decision. I am not aware of the rateable value of the properties.

In view of this series of Questions, would it not be desirable for the Minister and the Government to take over the land and see that it is properly administered by the local authorities?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health what is the extent and general nature of the powers which he has delegated to the clerks to all local authorities to requisition suitable property for the accommodation of persons inadequately housed, other than, bombed-out persons; and, approximately, how many premises have been requisitioned in the County of London under these powers in the last three months.

I am sending to the hon. and learned Member a copy of the relevant circular issued to local authorities. Because of the need to provide for families made homeless by flying bombs and rockets all but one of the 2,300 houses requisitioned in the County of London in the last three months have been requisitioned for them, though in other ways 26 houses have been made available for the inadequately housed.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell me whether the last date of delegation of any such powers was in August, 1943, shortly before his appointment? In those circumstances, would he like to withdraw or correct the answer he gave a few days ago to the effect that he had delegated these powers, which implied that he had done it himself recently?

I do not follow the implication that it was recent. I am sorry if I took the credit to myself of something that should have stood to the credit of my predecessor, but I am surprised that a learned Member should suggest that delegation would be any stronger or more effective by repetition.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman look again at his answer and see that this reference comes immediately after another sentence in the same reply, implying, to any person who reads it reasonably, that it was something he had done to deal with an emergency that had arisen during the last few months? Would he look at it and see if it is not plainly a rotten trick?

I shall certainly be pleased to look at, my reply. The hon. and learned Member no doubt appreciates that I am just about to answer a Question dealing with dates, but I leave it to the House to decide as to whether his description of my reply was justified.

In view of the fact that an answer by the Minister to a supplementary question last week left the impression that Servicemen who lived in the East End boroughs but had no accommodation there, could be provided with accommodation in other parts of London, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether any circular to that effect has been sent out to local authorities?

Arrangements for mutual liaison and accommodation between boroughs were in existence when I was Special Commissioner in charge of the homeless in London. I think all London Members will appreciate that there is not one London area which has not great difficulties, so that very wide distribution as between the boroughs is not easy to effect.

Does not that apply to the inadequately housed as well as to the bombed-out?

The power given to the clerks is to requisition for the inadequately housed, and is not limited to those who previously resided in their areas.

asked the Minister of Health on what date he last informed billeting officers that they may henceforth use their powers to provide housing accommodation for all who need it, including the families of Service and ex-Service men, and not only for war workers.

The power to requisition houses for persons inadequately housed was delegated to clerks of local authorities on 4th August, 1943. The last circular on the subject was issued on 17th April, 1944.

Is the Minister aware that I am not referring merely to the requisitioning of houses, but to providing room accommodation? Could not billeting officers who have dealt with war workers now be told to deal with Servicemen and ex-Servicemen and their families, and women expecting babies, who have no accommodation after confinement?

It would need careful consideration whether, at this stage, there should be any wide extension of billeting powers, as opposed to other powers to assist in such cases.

But do not the circumstances justify such an extension?

I am continually considering what measures can be taken to make the best use of our existing accommodation.

Is it not true that a first-class billeting officer can get these things done? It needs a lot of tact.

The Noble Lady had better do it.

Can the Minister say whether local authorities, particularly in mining areas, have been told that they must use the requisitioning powers when ex-miners' families are being evicted?

I am quite prepared to consider whether local authorities or, rather, their clerks, to whom these powers are delegated, are fully aware of the way in which the powers should be used, but I have no doubt that the delegation of such responsibility is fully within the minds of the officers in question.

asked the Minister of Health if any local authorities outside the London area have applied for an allotment of Uni-seco type hutments; have any of these been allotted; and, if so, how many.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir." The other parts, therefore, do not arise.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say whether local authorities have any facilities for acquiring these Uni-seco hutments?

My hon. Friend is about to ask another Question on this subject. Distribution of these very small and low standard emergency huts was restricted to areas which were affected by flying bombs and rockets.

In view of the speed, economy and facility with which these huts can be obtained, is my right hon. and learned Friend satisfied that the present housing plans of the Government will cope with the emergency without using these huts?

I am quite satisfied that the time has passed when it would be right to make the provision of such hutments as these part of the Government's current housing programme.

asked the Minister of Health if any estimate has been made of the number of Uni-seco type hutments, which could be supplied and erected throughout the country within the next 12 months, as emergency dwellings.

No further Uni-seco type hutments are available, as the entire production is being devoted to other purposes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes, by the licensing of production or by other means, to ensure the installation in privately as well as municipally built houses of modern fuel-burning equipment designed for high efficiency, smoke reduction and the use of smokeless fuels, as recommended in the Housing Manual, 1944.

The licensing of production is not a matter for my Department. So far as I am concerned with privately built houses, I cannot, at present, go beyond the recommendations in the Housing Manual.

As my right hon. and learned Friend is not responsible for production, but is responsible for health, will he ask the Minister of Works, who is responsible for production, to endeavour to promote health by ensuring the installation of smoke abating grates?

The position with regard to these modern fuel-burning appliances is that they are being developed, and that prototypes are on exhibition at the Building Centre in Conduit Street. Standard specifications are being prepared, and arrangements will be made by the Ministry of Fuel and Power for production. The price is not yet known, but it is hoped that it will be economic, and that any extra expenditure will be compensated for by the lower running costs.

asked the Minister of Health whether approval of housing schemes submited by local authorities will be withheld unless provision is made for the installation of modern fuel-burning equipment, designed for, high efficiency, smoke reduction and the use of smokeless fuels, as recommended in the Housing Manual, 1944.

No, Sir, not at present. Local authorities are, however, expected to adopt British standard specifications where they exist, and their attention is being drawn to the new appliances which are being developed and are becoming available.

Does that answer mean that my right hon. and learned Friend is powerless to bring pressure to bear upon local authorities to abate smoke, and that he is merely hoping?

I am not only powerless, but I am most reluctant to delay the production of houses by insisting on appliances that do not yet exist.

Have all the pre-war arrangements for limiting smoke now been re-established?

That hardly applies on this Question.

Will the Minister take note of the insistence of his supporters on State control and interference?

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses now needed in Wales; and what steps he is taking to enable Welsh local authorities to commence their building programmes.

While no accurate estimate can be given of the total housing need in Wales, the short-term programmes of Welsh housing authorities cover 20,979 dwellings. Sites for approximately 8,000 have already been acquired. The local authorities are being authorised to invite tenders for the erection of houses as and when sites become available. In addition, 8,000 temporary houses have been allocated to Wales, for which 6,179 house sites have been approved.

In view of the number of houses needed in Wales, would the Minister tell us when local authorities there can commence operation?

As sites become available, I am authorising them to obtain tenders for houses.

Are there any difficulties in obtaining sites in most of these local authorities' areas?

I know of no difficulty in obtaining sites.

asked tine Prime Minister if it is the purpose of the Allied Control Commission in Germany to set up a common and correlated policy for the four zones of occupation so that the resources of Germany may be made available to the country as a whole.

The hon. Member may possibly find an answer to his Question in Paragraph 2 of the statement issued on Tuesday by the Control Council in Berlin. It reads:

"The Control Council, whose decisions shall be unanimous, will ensure appropriate uniformity of action by the Commanders-in-Chief in their respective zones of occupation and will reach agreed decisions on the chief questions affecting Germany as a whole."

asked the Prime Minister whether, before the Dissolution of Parliament, he will arrange for a high officer from military government in North-West Germany to attend this House and give an account to Members of the fine work done and being done by our Forces in those regions.

While thanking my hon. and gallant Friend for his appreciation of the work being done by the military government in Germany, I regret that it will not be possible to adopt his suggestion.

Would it be possible to issue a report in the form of a White Paper, as the public are very anxious to know what is being done?

We were for a very long time short of white paper, and now we are very short of time.