asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the desirability of making slate available for the housing programme, he will arrange that quarrymen are made eligible for release under Class B; and whether, in view of the fact that no development has been possible in the slate quarry industry for the past six years, because of the shortage of labour, he will now give special priority to this provision of labour for the slate quarries.

Workers from slate quarries are included in the present programme of releases under Class B. Everything possible is being done to meet the industry's need for labour, including the giving of priority and a scheme for the return from other industries of workers nominated by their former employers.

asked the Minister of Labour what specific action, other than demobilisation under Class B, he is taking so that architects, surveyors and other technical staff needed by local authorities to enable them to make progress with their housing work can be released without further delay from the Services.

No action is contemplated to release members of the technical staffs of local authorities from the Forces otherwise than in Class A or Class B.

asked the Minister of Labour why soldiers given short periods of leave for agricultural purposes are penalised by forfeiting one group number for every two months of such leave; and whether he will consider remitting this penalty in the case of agricultural leave in view of the national need for this work.

Agricultural leave is normally given for a period of up to 28 days, but in certain circumstances an extension may be given up to a further 28 days. Such periods of agricultural leave are not regarded as breaks in military service and do not, therefore, affect a soldier's age and service group.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to give special consideration for release to those men in the R.N. desirous of being chartered accountants whose articles will have expired before their release under Class A.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend is not at present able to recommend that young men should be released from the Forces in advance of their normal turn on the grounds that their professional training has been interrupted.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women normally engaged in the retail trade have been released from the Services since 30th June.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that appeals tribunals set up under the National Service Acts have recently cancelled the direction to certain employments made in cases of conscientious objectors, to enable the latter to return to study at universities and other educational establishments; whether this policy has received his approval, and whether equal consideration will be given to students who are still serving in His Majesty's Forces.

My right hon. Friend is aware that local and appellate tribunals have recently made a few orders of this kind, in cases which possessed special features, such as medical unfitness. The tribunals are independent statutory bodies, with complete discretion to prescribe the form of work to be undertaken by persons who are ordered to be registered conditionally as conscientious objectors. No question, therefore, arises of approval of their action by my right hon. Friend. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hallam (Mr. Jennings) on 9th October.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can provide statistics with regard to those who were granted full or conditional exemption from national service under the National Service Act, upon objections of conscience; and whether he can give the totals for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Major Beamish) on 10th October, a copy of which I am sending him. The totals for England, Scotland and Wales were 26,589,2788 and 2,920 respectively. The National Service Acts do not extend to Northern Ireland.

asked the Minister of Labour how many boys have, on call-up, opted for the mines in preference to the Services since the ballot was abolished in May.

The number of young men registered under the National Service Acts since May, 1945, who have opted for underground coalmining employment is approximately 900.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that manpower boards when dealing with applications for deferment do not always prevent the withdrawal from industry of those young men whose retention in their present employment is essential in the national interest; and whether he will review the standing instructions under which they act.

It is the duty of District Man-Power Boards to have regard to the needs of employers engaged on work of national importance when deciding applications for deferment, as well as to the requirements of the Forces. The instructions have recently been reviewed to ensure that adequate consideration is given to the needs of industry.

asked the Minister of Labour how big a proportion of the intake to the three Services is allocated to the R.A.F.; to what extent that proportion can be raised to offset the lag in the R.A.F. release rate; and whether, for the same purpose, a proportion of Army and Navy personnel in late release groups is being or will be or can be remustered into the R.A.F.

Over 31 per cent. of the intake of men into the three Services in the second half of 1945 has been allocated to the R.A.F. and this has involved the diversion to the R.A.F. of substantial numbers of men who have expressed a preference for the Army or the Navy. There is, as stated in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 16th October, a limit to the extent to which releases can be accelerated by call up or by the transfer of inexperienced men between the Services. It is hoped that the new arrangements for release from the R.A.F. announced yesterday by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air will make it unnecessary to consider such transfers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the delays in demobilisation from the R.A.F., he can hold out hope that a larger proportion of new recruits will in the future be enrolled in the R.A.F. in relation to other Forces.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I have to-day given the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Levy).

asked the Minister of Labour if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to retain for a period the Military Service Act; and if he will give an assurance that in no circumstances will the calling-up age be earlier than 22 years, and that the period of service will be limited to three years.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the Question, I am unable to give such an assurance, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Edinburgh West (Lieut.-Colonel Hutchison) and the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) on 18th October.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider calling up some of the men over 30 years of age in order to make it unnecessary for men over 40 years of age and those previously repatriated under the Python scheme to be sent overseas.

No, Sir. The approved allocations of recruits to the Armed Forces are based upon the respective needs of the three Services and their ability to absorb and train a given number of recruits within a given period. These allocations can be met without calling up men over 30 years of age.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of bricklayers, builders' labourers and workers, respectively, from Northern Ireland engaged in Great Britain at present.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what Departments he has consulted with regard to the recommendations made by the Catering Wages Commission, on subjects for which those Departments are responsible; and what has been the result in each case.

This Report was brought to the notice of all Government Departments concerned through the ordinary machinery of the Government and is being kept under constant review by each Department in so far as the Report deals with a subject for which it is responsible. As regards the second part of the Question, I would suggest that the hon. Member should put down a Question to the Minister responsible for any subject in which he may be particularly interested.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that it has recently been necessary to closedown the maternity ward of the County Infirmary, Louth, in view of the shortage of mid wives; whether the Appointments Branch of his Ministry will assist in this matter; and what steps are being taken by himself in consultation with the Minister of Health to overcome the present shortage of nurse-midwives throughout the country.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 17th October.

asked the Minister of Labour if it is intended to supersede the present cost-of-living index, that was formulated on a 1914 basis, by an index based upon modern standards.

Yes, Sir, as soon as a return to more normal conditions makes this possible.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is prepared to seek powers to abolish night baking.

I understand that arrangements are being made for the matter to be discussed between organisations representative of master bakers and operatives, and if a mutually acceptable settlement can be reached as a result of such discussions this will be the best way of solving this difficult question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action has been taken on the request from the Fishermen's Association in East Fife for the reopening of the Firth of Forth for ring-and drift-net fishing; and with what results.

I am glad to say that, subject to certain restrictions of which the fishermen have been informed, the naval authorities have reopened the Firth of Forth area to ring- and drift-net fishing.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Swedish wooden houses have been allotted to Scotland; whether additional supplies are likely to be available when the present quota is exhausted; and whether individuals who are willing to bear the whole cost of erecting such houses for occupation by themselves will have an opportunity of buying them.

Of 5,000 timber houses ordered from Sweden 2,500 have been allotted to Scotland. The question of ordering more is not being overlooked. All the houses to be supplied will be erected by or on behalf of local authorities under the Housing Acts and none will be available for private purchase.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the disadvantages arising in Scotland in connection with the remittance of notes and specie to and from London; and is he prepared to make arrangements for the establishment of an agency of the proposed National Central Bank to be established in Edinburgh to avoid the considerable expenses at present involved.

I shall be glad to consider any evidence which my hon. Friend may care to send me regarding the disadvantages to which he refers. But I anticipate that, if it were proposed to establish a branch of the Bank of England in Edinburgh, controversy would arise.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in view of the short- age of coal supplies, arrangements can now be made to facilitate supplies of crude oil for oil-burning heating plant; and whether he can give any indication of the stocks of oil in this country and the position with regard to imports.

I regret that until the future supply position of fuel oil is clearer it will not be possible for me to consider requests for the release of fuel oil in place of other fuels. Fuel oil stocks in this country were about 515,000 tons at nth October, and are falling. Reliable estimates of imports cannot be made in present circumstances, but every effort is being made to improve the position.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when it is expected that oil permits for Quiet May oil burner apparatus for use in churches are likely to be issued.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him in answer to his other Question this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, apart from increasing their petrol allowance at the moment, he will relax the regulation governing the distances taxi-cab owners may cover in Northern Ireland and allow them a wider area over which they may ply for hire.

In view of my statement on 9th October I am not prepared to modify the limitations imposed upon the movement of taxicabs, since this would mean either that the rations granted to these vehicles would need to be increased or that the normal transport needs of the localities immediately served by these vehicles would not be met.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will increase the petrol allowance for industrial agents and commercial travellers so that they can do their jobs efficiently, especially so that returning members of the Forces can again build up their livelihoods; and if he will reply to cases of great hardship put to him over a month ago.

I regret that the present petrol supply position precludes me from granting a general increase in the allowances for this class of business applicants. As to the second part of the Question, I have completed my inquiries in the case sent to me by the hon. Member, and am writing to him.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider making a special allowance of one ton of coal for each of the prisoners of war returned from the Far East to help them to face the rigours of the coming winter.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 16th October to the hon. and gallant Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Lieut.-Colonel Clifton-Brown).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that there is still a large quantity of gas going to waste at Colville's Tollcross Works; and if he will give a report of the negotiations between Lanarkshire County Council and Colville's, Limited, as to the usage of this waste gas.

Most of the gas made at Tollcross Works is used in the adjoining steelworks. Relatively small quantities are bled to waste at weekends. The Lanarkshire County Council have been unable in the past to use this surplus gas owing to lack of purification plant, but I understand that negotiations between the Council and Colville's, Ltd., are now proceeding.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the large quantity of firewood available in this country is cut up and distributed at a fair price in order to supplement the limited amount of coal now available to the domestic consumer.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 16th October to the hon. and gallant Member for Canterbury (Major J. B. White).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the monthly production figure of petrol produced in the Persian Gulf and Trinidad, and any other places in the sterling area, and how does that figure compare with our needs based on the 1938 figures; and what prevents such need being filled by supplies from that area at the present time.

Because of the much greater military needs now as compared with 1938, any comparison such as my hon. Friend has in mind would be misleading unless military figures were disclosed, which I am not prepared to do. As I have explained in reply to recent questions, the supply of petrol from British-controlled sources is insufficient to meet the present needs of the sterling area. The most recent month for which particulars of production of petrol from British-controlled sources are available was July, when the quantity produced was about 420,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the urban districts of Farsley and Calverley did not oppose incorporation in the borough of Pudsey because they were promised that their electricity undertakings would be purchased by the corporation of Pudsey; that the Electricity Commissioners have refused permission to the corporation of Pudsey to exercise their right of purchase; and will he cause this decision to be reversed in order that the borough of Pudsey may carry out the promise made to Calverley and Farsley.

As I informed the hon. Member for Holland with Boston (Mr. Butcher) on 9th October, I hope to make a statement on the future of the electricity industry in the near future. Pending this statement I regard it as desirable that there should be the minimum of disturbance in the existing organisation of the industry, and I am afraid, therefore, that I cannot accept the suggestion of the hon. Member in regard to electricity supplies in Calverley and Farsley.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the high cost of Diesel engine fuel in this country is a grave handicap to the development of efficient Diesel engines and that this in turn reacts adversely on the development of the export trade in such engines and vehicles propelled by them; and whether he will undertake to review the present rates of taxation on this fuel at an early opportunity.

I have noted the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many tons of coal have been exported to Spain during each of the last three months.

The quantity of coal exported to Spain in July, August and September of this year was 15, 150, nil and 1,708 tons respectively. The September figures are still provisional. As already explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff Central (Mr. G. Thomas), this coal was of low quality and of little use in this country. In future figures of coal exports will be shown in detail in the Trade and Navigation Accounts published quarterly.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were the stocks of coal available for industrial purposes on 31st December, 1944,30th June, 1945, and 30th September, 1945.

The stocks of coal held by general industrial consumers at the dates in question were:At 30th December, 1944–4,621, 100 tons.At 30th June, 1945–3,729,000 tons.At 29th September, 1945–4,295,200 tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the number of men and boys on the colliery books on 31st December, 1944,30th June, 1945, and 30th September, 1945.

The total numbers of wage-earners on colliery books at the dates mentioned were 714,200,711,400 and 700,700 respectively. Figures for men, boys and women separately are available only at mid-December of each year.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why a fully paid union card 13 essential for the issue of a collier's supplementary coal allowance.

If the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars of the case he has in mind I will have inquiries made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of his inability to give any date for complete settlement of claims under the War Damage (Chattels) Scheme, he will make arrangements to pay out as soon as possible on those claims where it can be established that there is hardship involved in the delay; and whether he will give a definite date as to when such concession will be made.

Section 85 of the War Damage Act, 1943, empowers the Board of Trade to make the whole or part of any payment in advance of the date of general payment if they are satisfied that it is expedient that the payment or that part thereof should be made to avoid undue hardship. Considerable sums have been, and continue to be, paid out under this provision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardship caused to many persons, particularly those over 65 years of age, who were solely dependent on rents from property which has been declared a total loss by the War Damage Commission but who are unable to obtain the value payment to which they are entitled under the War Damage Acts, 1941 and 1943, until a date is specified by the Treasury; and whether, in such cases, he will make a regulation so that an immediate payment on account can be made, or alternatively release at once the interest authorised by Section 8 (2), War Damage Act, 1941.

I do not feel able to single out this class for special treatment. Section 10 of the War Damage Act, 1943, provides that interest shall be payable when a value payment is discharged, and there is no power under the Act to make an earlier payment of interest.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that claims for value payments under the War Damage Act submitted three years ago have neither been accepted nor rejected by the War Damage Commission and if, in view of the hardship being caused to owners, he will accelerate the consideration of claims.

No, Sir. Nearly all claims sent in before the middle of 1944 have been provisionally decided by the War Damage Commission and their decisions communicated to the owners. If the Noble Earl will send me any individual cases of hardship, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Minister of Information why the B.B.C. report on Parliament only mentions the proceedings in one House; and whether he will take steps to remedy the omission.

Important Debates in the other place are reported in the B.B.C. survey "To-day in Parliament"; but compression into 15 minutes makes it impossible to give a summary of all Debates in both Houses.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will arrange to have additional telephones placed at convenient points in the House of Commons for the use of Members.

I am arranging for an early discussion with the Serjeant at Arms with a view to the provision of such additional telephones for the use of hon. Members as may be practicable with the limited accommodation available in the House.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that mail is now taking from three to four weeks to reach men stationed in East Africa where formerly it took only seven or eight days; and will he take steps to try to secure a speedier service.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer on this subject which I gave to the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. A. Nutting) on 18th October and of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will release Oakley House, Bromley Common, at an early date, to enable the Peckham Health Centre to carry on its valuable work.

I regret that it is not at present possible for the Admiralty to give up Oakley House which is being used as a medical rehabilitation centre, fitted with a considerable amount of orthopaedic equipment for the treatment of approximately 100 patients. The extent to which rehabilitation facilities of this kind will be required has not yet been determined, but as soon as a decision has been reached I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give much wider publicity than at present to the movements of H.M. ships, so that relatives at home may be able to follow the whereabouts of their men folk.

In order to facilitate the release scheme, ships about to return home from a commission abroad make very considerable changes in their crews just before sailing. Until this situation alters I think that greater publicity for the movements of H.M. ships might cause more disappointments than pleasure. I will, however, keep the hon. Member's suggestion under review.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of the men, both in the Services and in civilian life, who have volunteered for each of the Services since 18th June when group releases began.

The information desired by my hon. Friend is not immediately available. I will communicate with him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour the approximate number of men and women in His Majesty's Forces who have expressed a wish to stay beyond their demobilisation period.

By the end of September, approximately 47,000 men and 10,000 women in the Services had volunteered to serve beyond their normal release dates

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Servicemen have applied for resettlement grant, how-many have been refused, or been granted up to 25 per cent., up to half of the maximum, and the full amount, respectively.

From the inception of the scheme to 30th September, 1945, 3,652 applications have been received from former members of the Armed Forces. Of these, 983 have been rejected. Grants have been authorised in 992 cases, 1,617 are under consideration, and 60 have been withdrawn. Of the grants authorised, 172 are for amounts up to £50, 351 between £51 and £100, and 469 between £101 and £150.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that many manufacturers are being pressed by the Government for payment of tax which they find it impossible to pay owing to the delay in receiving payments due from other Government Departments; and if he will give direction that in such cases they shall not be pressed for payment.

I do not consider that any such general direction is necessary. But the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have regard to any representations by the taxpayer such as those to which my hon. Friend refers, and, according to the facts of the particular case, have power to allow the taxpayer all reasonable latitude in meeting his liability.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when, having regard to the terms of the Purchase Tax (Alteration of Rates) Order, 1945 (S.R. & O., 1945, No. 1272), it is proposed to abolish the Purchase Tax on all classes of carpets, so as to reduce the burden falling upon those setting up housekeeping for the first time.

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await my right hon. Friend's Budget statement later to-day.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of the Government to continue the regulation whereby a married woman is not transferred to an established post in the Civil Service unless the Civil Service Commissioners, the Treasury and the Department are satisfied that there are special reasons for the appointment; and if he will state in how many cases, during the last convenient period, sanction has been given to such a transfer.

The rules governing the employment of married women in the Civil Service are at present being reviewed by a Committee of the Civil Service National Whitley Council. Until recently no married women had been newly appointed to established posts (as distinct from being retained in such posts after marriage), but within the last few months sanction has been given for four such appointments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the desirability of maintaining and improving the efficiency of the Civil Service to deal with the new conditions, he proposes to set up a working party to review this field in the same way as other working parties are to review various sections of industry.

No, Sir. I do not consider that the circumstances are similar; but in any event, responsibility for the efficient working of the machine of Government must rest in the main with Ministers in charge of Departments.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will provide facilities for the reception of broadcasting in some convenient place in the vicinity of the House of Commons.

A wireless set is installed in the Committee Room corridor on the first floor outside Room No. 13. I am not aware of any general wish on the part of Members to have the installation elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Jewish immigrants, approximately, entered Palestine in violation of its immigration regulations since 1919; how many in 1945 up to date; and how many Jews, approximately, have emigrated from Palestine since 1919.

I am asking the High Commissioner for Palestine whether it is possible to furnish the information desired.

asked the Minister of Works if he will consider taking steps to suspend all building and constructional labour on aerodromes and other military or naval establishments until the present shortage in housing accommodation has been overcome and, in so far as service requirements may be necessary, to arrange that these be carried out by service personnel.

It would not be possible to suspend altogether the use of civilian labour on work required by the Service Departments, but the amount of such labour employed on this work is being very substantially reduced. I am investigating the question of the use of Service labour on suitable work.

asked the Minister of Works the number of prefabricated kitchen-bathroom units that have been ordered by his Department or that his Department have authorised others to order; and how many of these have been delivered so far.

Orders have been placed for 38,830 prefabricated timber kitchen-bathroom units and the Ministry of Supply and Aircraft Production have been asked to plan production of steel units for delivery at the rate of 6,000 a month. The number delivered to date is 15,458, all but 12 being of timber.

asked the Minister of Works how many buildings have been requisitioned by his Department, which have been empty for the past six months, in Greater London, England other than Greater London, Scotland and Wales, respectively.

My Department hold on requisition the following buildings which have been empty for the past six months:

Greater London	199
England (other than Greater London)	16
Scotland	3
Wales	2

Most of these buildings are waiting for the necessary labour to be available for their repair or adaptation for office use, in order that the Ministry may be able to release flats or office buildings at present occupied by Government staffs.

asked the Minister of Works whether he proposes to retain the wireless station at Kings Standing on Ash-down Forest permanently; and, if so, whether, in conjunction with the Conservators of Ashdown Forest, steps will be taken to procure an equivalent area of land in substitution for that taken from the Common.

The land in question was formally requisitioned by my Department on behalf of the Foreign Office and is still in use. I understand that the future of the wireless station there is under consideration. The suggestion in the latter part of the question is being kept in mind.

asked the Minister of Works, approximately, how many establishments capable of accommodating 500 men or more he has had at his disposal at any time since the ending of hostilities.

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. and learned Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Works when the temporary houses for the Margate Council's Dane Valley, Garlinge and Westgate-on-Sea housing estates will be delivered; and will he expedite this matter as the sites are ready and waiting.

Production of the Uni-Seco central hall type of temporary house allocated to the Margate Council has only recently begun. Deliveries to local authorities will, as a rule, be made in the order in which the sites were handed over. It is not yet possible to give a firm date for the delivery of the houses to Margate but there will be no avoidable delay.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that local authorities now placing orders for bricks and cement are faced with considerable increases in price; and if he is in a position to give any reason for these increases.

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir, the increases are mainly due to the additional cost of fuel, labour and transport. The prices are subject to control.

asked the Minister of Works if he has considered the complaints of the Bristol housing committee that the delay in getting temporary houses ready for occupation was due to their inability to obtain electric fittings which are controlled by his Department; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this shortage.

I am aware of the complaints with regard to the supply of electric fittings for certain temporary houses at Bristol, Those required both for the American and for the Uni-Seco houses have now been supplied. Electric fittings are not controlled by my Department and those required for these houses' were ordered on contract. Production has been delayed by shortage of labour in the factories.

asked the Secretary of State for War what delay now exists in repatriation from India under the Python scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the present prospects of repatriation of men who have served in the Far East for three years and four months.

The qualifying Python period for India is three years four months, whereas the actual length of tour is still approximately three years eight months. This delay of about four months is due chiefly to transport difficulties (including internal movement problems within India). The latest reports indicate that the situation is gradually easing. I hope that by the end of the year most or all of those who have completed three years four months' service in India or S.E.A.C. will have left India on their homeward journey.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action has been taken to meet the messing complaints of the A.T.S. girls now stationed with C.M.F., of which particulars have been sent to him.

It is possible that, at the time of the complaints referred to, the messing of this unit may not have been all that could be desired owing to frequent changes of cooks caused by releases of married auxiliaries and to the fact that their replacements were inexperienced in using the cooking apparatus. To overcome these difficulties a specialist messing officer was posted to the unit and the standard of feeding and cooking was improved. On a recent unexpected visit the food was found to be well cooked and the menu well balanced.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that an instruction has been issued that G.H.Q., C.M.F., will close down except for a skeleton staff on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons; that these rest periods are in addition to the one day per week already granted to all personnel; and how he reconciles this instruction with the decision to retain large numbers of officers beyond their release dates on the grounds of a shortage of officers.

The arrangement referred to was adopted as the most convenient and economical method of providing for a total of 1½ days' rest in each period of seven days. It does not represent additional time off. Unfortunately, owing to pressure of work, many branches are still unable to take advantage of the facilities and a large percen- tage continue to work late at night owing to pressure of work. The establishments are under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that British troops now stationed in the Channel Islands are regarded as Home Forces and in consequence are deprived of certain minor concessions which are available to troops in the B.A.O.R., whale the leave granted to them is considerably less favourable than that enjoyed by troops stationed in the United Kingdom; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter.

The Channel Islands are regarded as part of the United Kingdom for leave purposes and the intention is that leave from the Channel Islands shall be the same as for troops stationed on the mainland. The difficulty has been lack of shipping, but as I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Brighton (Flight-Lieutenant Teeling) in reply to a question on 9th October, leave began on 4th October and it is now hoped to maintain a regular service. I am not sure what minor concessions the hon. Member has in mind. As regards N.A.A.F.I. supplies, I would refer him to the reply given on 9th October to the hon. and gallant Member for Brighton.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the disappointment which has been caused by the fact that men of Group 17 have not yet been arriving from the Far East despite the announcement that they would be in the United Kingdom by the middle of October; and when it is expected that men of this group will reach England from the Far East.

The homeward lift from India has greatly improved in recent weeks, and very considerable numbers of soldiers have recently arrived or are on their way home for Class A release. While I cannot give a definite assurance on the point, it is fairly safe to assume that the men in Group 17 are by now cleared from the Far East except for a few unavoidably delayed through sickness or other temporary causes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that men who were transferred to the Army after years of service in the R.N., will be released when their appropriate group in the R.N. is released, even when that is earlier than the corresponding group in the Army.

No, Sir. Such an arrangement could not be justified and it does not follow that it would always operate to the advantage of the soldiers concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent it is estimated that the use of troops to unload ships will delay demobilisation in the Army.

The operation of the release scheme is not affected by the work in question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the complaints made by young soldiers who are registered dental students, having begun their university course before call-up; whether it is intended to release such men to complete their studies, particularly in view of the fact that young students now at the university are allowed to continue their studies.

It has recently been agreed that the provisions for the release in Class B of certain students will be extended to include a limited number of dental students. The conditions of release are:

(a) that individuals must be recommended to the Ministry of Labour and National Service by their universities or schools.

(b) They must be in release groups 1 to 49.

(c) They must have given up the reservation to which they were entitled, in order to join the Forces or must have joined the Forces before the present conditions of reservation were in operation, but would have been reserved if these conditions had been in force.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent regular officers of His Majesty's Army are being superseded for promotion while at the same time told that they may not retire during this emergency; what precise meaning is attached to this term; how many officers are so affected; and on what general grounds he justifies such action.

About 1,000 regular officers are still being held to serve after being superseded for substantive promotion. The term "superseded" is applied to officers who have been passed over for substantive promotion to the rank of lieutenant-colonel or above. An officer who has been superseded is no longer considered for substantive promotion in the Regular Army. It must be realised that regular officers who are superseded for substantive promotion are not thereby debarred in any way from getting further temporary promotion. Temporary promotion entitles a regular officer to a proportion of the benefits of substantive promotion, the proportion increasing with the time that the rank is held. All officers who are superseded for promotion are informed that they will not be retired, but will be required to serve on so long as their services are needed during the emergency.The term "will not be retired" does not prevent an officer from making an application to be allowed to retire. Applications are considered sympathetically at the War Office provided that they are made on grounds that would be accepted for a Class B or Class C release under the demobilisation scheme.The retention of these officers during the emergency is provided for in Article 213 of the Royal Warrant for the Pay, etc., of the Army, 1940, and is necessary because of the present acute shortage of officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement as to the organisation, strength and methods of recruiting of the post-war Army, including the Territorial Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many officers being demobilised are anxious to belong to the T.A. or to the volunteer pre-war Reserves; and whether he will expedite a statement in this respect.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Members to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Members for Barn-staple (Brigadier Peto) and Salisbury (Major J. Morrison) on Tuesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the need for temporary housing accommodation during the coming winter, he will reverse the present policy of his Department, of releasing large requisitioned houses, and concentrating Army units in hutted camps, in view of the fact that such hutted camps can more quickly and easily be converted into temporary housing accommodation than can large houses.

No, Sir. I am afraid I could not substantiate a refusal to release requisitioned properties when the military need for their retention has ceased. Moreover, the release of requisitioned properties at the earliest opportunity is in accordance with general Government policy.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will issue orders for the Folkestone brickworks to be derequisitioned at once, or stop them from being used as a dump for salvage, in view of the fact that the local quartering commandant has already proposed putting them up for derequisition.

If, as I assume, the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the Cheriton Brickworks, which are now used as a training area, they will be made available for release at about the end of the month.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many coaches and passenger-carrying vehicles, with seats in them, are being used to convey prisoners of war to and from their work.

In some isolated cases civilian motor coaches, up to a total of about four, have had to be hired to convey prisoners of war employed by the War Department to and from their work, when military or other load carrying vehicles have been unavailable. As a general rule, only load carrying vehicles, sometimes provided with temporary seats, or troop carrying vehicles when available, are used for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it took from 1st September until 12th October to decide that the transport of prisoners of war to farms, from camps in Eastern Command, which was the subject of a letter to him on the former date, was not the responsibility of his Department.

I much regret the delay which occurred in this case; but until the matter had been investigated locally I was unaware that all the transport in question had been arranged from other than Army sources. As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan) on 16th October, 1945, there has been recently some unavoidable delay in answering letters owing to the enormous mass of correspondence now being handled at the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatisfaction among the men in the Aden Command on the questions of unsatisfactory food, leave to the United Kingdom and transfers from this station under two years and that the men recently marched to the Governor's Residence with a petition protesting against them; and if he will take early steps to meet the men's request.

I am not aware of the complaints and incidents referred to by my hon. Friend, but I have called for a report and will write to him in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in the removal of unexploded missiles in the South Downs; and when he expects to be able to hand over these areas so that they can again be used for food production.

One area has now been completely cleared and clearance is proceeding as rapidly as possible in two other areas. In the remaining cases it has been found necessary to keep the land in use a little longer but it is hoped to free it for clearance within the next two or three months.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to increase the N.A.A.F.I. canteen cigarette ration to men serving in the B.A.O.R.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. and learned Member for the City of Chester (Mr. Nield) on 9th October last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers whose length of service overseas makes them eligible for privilege leave under the Python scheme are not being granted such leave if they are also due for release; and whether he will arrange that in such circumstances soldiers shall be granted privilege leave for the normal period under the Python scheme before and in addition to their release leave.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to him on 16th October last.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider taking steps to ensure, where possible, that Christmas leave be given to all serving men who have spent five or six consecutive Christmas days away from their families.

Leave is already given to the maximum extent possible, at approximately three monthly intervals in the United Kingdom, and it would be inequitable to others to give certain men leave at Christmas out of their turn on the roster. It is within the discretion of a commanding officer to allow a man who has missed Christmas leave for three years to defer his leave until Christmas. This is subject to the proviso that the normal Christmas quota is not exceeded and it involves the man foregoing his place on the roster in favour of others. I am afraid I cannot do more.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the 3rd British Infantry Division, and certain regiments attached to the 6th Airborne, were recently drafted to Egypt after unbroken service on the Continent, most of the men being denied any embarkation leave which means they have not been home since D-Day; and whether he will give instructions that all men whose leave is due, or overdue, get it as soon as possible.

Embarkation leave is granted before departure from the United Kingdom for an overseas tour. Men who are serving on an overseas tour are liable to be moved from one command to another to meet changing military requirements, and they often move direct without coming into the United Kingdom for special embarkation leave. Where time and movement facilities permit, men going from B.A.O.R. to the Middle East pass through the United Kingdom and receive leave before going on. Unfortunately this was not possible in the case of the 3rd Division. Men moving from B.A.O.R. to the Far East get leave in the United before going to the Far East.The vast majority, if not all men, who took part in the invasion of France have had at least one leave to this country since that date. Some have had two leaves.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement about the case of 1721056 Fusilier W. Gavine, particulars of which were sent to him on 12th August; whether he is aware that hardship was caused to the wife of this soldier by an admitted error on the part of the regimental paymaster; and whether he will deal more expeditiously with inquiries of this kind from Members of Parliament.

A credit balance of this soldier's account was notified by the Regimental Paymaster last April at a wrong figure owing to the omission of a previous charge of £8. During May and June the soldier's drawings resulted in a debtor balance of nearly £12, part of which has been recovered by gradual instalments under normal rules including the stoppage of a voluntary allotment to the soldier's wife. In the circumstances, I have given instructions that £8 is to be recredited to the soldier's account. I much regret the delay in dealing with the inquiry, which, as explained on 16th October in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan), was due to the exceptional mass of correspondence recently reaching the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that conditions in No. 2 Holding Battalion, R.A.S.C, Southend-on-Sea, are far from satisfactory; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation.

This unit is well housed in requisitioned premises, and so far as I am aware there no grounds for complaint, apart possibly from some temporary overcrowding recently. The congestion has been relieved by the removal of 500 men to another centre.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether inquiry has been made into the death of Signalman Philip Horace Keeble,31, Royal Corps of Signals, of 59, Medway Road, Ipswich, on 15th June, in a regimental aid-post at Worstead; on what date was Keeble vaccinated against smallpox; on what date he had been inoculated against tetanus, typhoid, paratyphoid and typhus fever; and whether the medical officers concerned in the case were aware that vaccination has caused a considerable number of cases of encephalitis, half of them fatal.

Inquiry has been made, but expert examination of the organs of the deceased has so far failed to disclose evidence to support a view that death resulted from post-vaccinal encephalitis; but this aspect of the inquiry is not complete and further complex technical investigations are proceeding. The late Signalman Keeble was vaccinated against smallpox on 5th June, 1945, and against tetanus, typhoid, paratyphoid and typhus fever on 9th June, 1945.The occasional occurrence of encephalomyelitis subsequent to vaccination against smallpox and the possible seriousness of the condition are well known to Army medical officers, and a note on the condition was included in the Army Medical Bulletin in April, 1944.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Rugby, dated 17th September, 1945, dealing with the case of Lieutenant J. L. Solomon, No.182884.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 19th October. As regards the delay, I would refer the hon. Member to the explanation given by me on 16th October, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that key men, urgently required in Malaya to start rubber production, are being held up in India and subsequently sent by sea from Calcutta to Singapore; and what arrangements are being made to expedite their journey.

I have no information on the point, but I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ensure that men who have been transferred to the Army from the R.A.F. and are anxious to sign on for a further term as tradesmen in the R.A.F. will be allowed to transfer back again.

I am prepared to consider individual applications for re-transfer, where the man concerned has been a mustered tradesman in the R.A.F., and undertakes if transferred back to the R.A.F. to re-engaged for a further period with that Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that no cinematograph entertainments may be provided for men in Army camps if there is a commercial cinema within two miles; and whether, in view of the fact that this restriction is applied to camps where there is only a small cinema within the two mile radius which cannot provide adequate accommodation or entertainment for the men, he will either abolish the restriction or arrange for it to be applied with greater discretion and elasticity.

The present agreement with the trade concerned is that in the United Kingdom the Army will not exhibit films less than 12 months old within two miles of a commercial cinema which can provide adequate accommodation for the troops in the area. There is no restriction on exhibitions abroad and no restrictions in the United Kingdom, in the use of films over 12 months old. Cases where the accommodation in local commercial cinemas is inadequate are considered on their merits. The trade has shown every consideration for the needs of the troops and, in every case which has been dealt with under this procedure, has agreed to meet the requirements of the military authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War for how much longer it is anticipated that it will be necessary to schedule agricultural land under Defence Regulation 52 for the training of troops, having regard to the difficulty experienced by farmers in such areas in arranging to protect their livestock and preventing widespread damage to crops and hedges.

I regret I cannot make any reliable forecast at present. In view of the continuing intake into the Army, the need of land for training will also continue, though I hope to a diminishing extent as time goes on. Land is already being released in proportion to the reduction of troops under training in this country. As far as possible land of low agricultural value is being retained and high class farming land released, though this policy cannot always be applied.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, having respect to the widespread damage to livestock and crops, caused by troops in agricultural areas which have been scheduled for training purposes, he is prepared, now that the war is over, to consider more generously claims for compensation from landowners and farmers who have suffered in this respect.

Compensation is paid on an ex gratiabasis for the actual damage sustained by farmers on land over which training rights have been exercised. Complaints as to the compensation so paid are rare, and if they do arise they are given full consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider paying soldiers engaged in dock work on account of the strike, pay equal to that which was paid to the dockers.

No, Sir. These men are on military duty.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to householders in Kingskettle, Fife, on account of the delay in removing tank traps still remaining in their gardens; and when these traps are to be moved.

The War Office are not making arrangements for the removal of these concrete blocks, but have invited claims for appropriate compensation in all the cases in question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the conditions now operating on the railways transporting officers and men from Toulon to Dieppe on their way to and from the Middle East will be immediately improved.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Mr. G. Allighan) on 17th October last.

asked the Secretary of State for War why air mail from England to soldiers serving in the Middle East arrives without any regularity and frequently takes as many weeks as it used to take days during the war.

I am not aware of any disruption of the air mail service to the troops in M.E.F. Despatches of letters by air are made daily, and there have been no appreciable delays in despatches due to bad weather or other causes in recent months. If the hon. Member will supply details of specific instances of delay, I will certainly have them investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a full inquiry has now been made into the circumstances of the death of a private soldier found hanged in Stakehill military detention camp, near Rochdale, and if so, what were the findings.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Aston (Major Wyatt).

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the ascertained average total cost per week, including pay, allowances, accommodation, messing, clothing, medical treatment and administrative overheads, involved in the employment of a lance-corporal A.T.S., with three years' service, on clerical duties in his Department; and what is the average number of hours spent per week on clerical duties.

On the assumption that the lance-corporal, A.T.S., is not in receipt of dependant's allowance, is housed in Army accommodation and fed under normal Army arrangements, a very rough figure for the current weekly cost for a lance-corporal, A.T.S., with three years' service employed on clerical duties on the headquarters establishment of the War Office may be taken as about £3 7s. The average number of hours per week spent on clerical duties, excluding lunch time, is 44 in the War Office and 45 in War Department out-stations.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total weekly cost, including pay, allowances, accommodation, messing, clothing, medical treatment and administrative overheads, involved in the employment on clerical duties in his Department of a warrant officer, Class I, R.A.P.C. or R.A.O.C., with three years' service.

On the assumption that the warrant officers concerned are unmarried and are neither accommodated nor fed under normal Army arrangements, a very rough figure for the current weekly cost of a warrant officer, R.A.P.C. or R.A.O.C. with three years' service employed on clerical duties on the War Office headquarters establishment may be taken as about £8 16s.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any arrangements are made whereby members of the B.A.O.R. who have married on the Continent are enabled to bring their furniture home with them when they return to residence in this country.

The personnel in question are entitled to the carriage at the public expense of their normal baggage allowance, and its shipment is arranged by the military authorities. But they are not entitled to free conveyance of furniture and other household effects, which could only be shipped as and when possible under their own arrangements and by commercial means.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to revise the Regulation whereby combined service in the Army does not count for pension when the break in service has been of more than five years' duration.

No, Sir. The regulation referred to is under review, in common with other features of the Army Pension Code, but I cannot at this stage say whether or not a change will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make concerning the conditions regarding food, clothing, retraining and other matters in which displaced persons are at present retained in camps in Germany.

In the British zone in Germany the food ration scale laid down for displaced persons in assembly centres is 2,000 calories a day. Every effort is made to produce a well-balanced diet. Clothing is obtained mainly from German sources, including levies on the German population. One such levy is now taking place. This is supplemented by imported stocks. Every effort is made to provide both mental and physical occupation for the displaced persons. The services of U.N.R.R.A. are being increasingly used and raw materials and tools are requisitioned when available.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many former inmates of German concentration camps are at present still in camps without the means to return home.

I am endeavouring to obtain figures for the British zone, but they are not yet available. Every endeavour is being made to repatriate former inmates of German concentration camps as soon as possible. I am not, of course, in a position to supply figures in respect of the other zones.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the complaints that the basis of selection for employment in the interpreters' branch of the British section of the Allied Control Commission depends less on linguistic qualifications than on the absence of left-wing political sympathies and affiliations; and if he has any statement to make.

I am not aware of the complaints to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. The first and essential qualification for an interpreter is the ability to speak a foreign language. From applicants who fulfil this requirement selection is made on grounds of personal suitability and linguistic qualifications. Personal suitability is assessed on character and general bearing and not on political sympathies or affiliations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the urgency of replacing the present three-year maximum contract for military government officials in Germany by a long-term contract if the standard of efficiency of military government is not to deteriorate; and whether he can make a statement on the matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier to-day by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Westmorland (Colonel Vane).

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of school teachers now employed in German schools by military government in the British zone of occupation were previously employed by the Nazis in a similar capacity.

The figures are not available, but I am having inquiries' made and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and other ranks are engaged either directly or indirectly in the Belsen trial, in such capacities as members of the court, prosecution staff, defending officers, military police, guards, transport personnel, interpreters, clerical staff, or are otherwise similarly involved.

These figures are not available and I regret I do not feel justi- fied in authorising the disproportionate amount of work and correspondence which would be necessary to obtain them. Hon. Members will appreciate that many of the personnel in question are performing their other duties as well and that there can be no exact or clear-cut answer to the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has noted the remarks of Major Winwood on 8th October, during. the Belsen trial, in his defence of Kramer, that the precedent of concentration camps to keep undesirable elements out of the way till fighting was over was set by the British during the South African war and more recently also in Egypt and, further, that the German concentration camps contained the dregs of the ghettos of middle Europe; and, in view of the double slur cast by a British officer on the British authorities and also on the recent victims of the Nazi terror, will he take appropriate action against Major Winwood.

Major Winwood is in the position of defending counsel and, as such, is entitled to the privileges of that office. Within the limits of normal legal practice he is obliged to accept and put forward the instructions he receives from the accused he is representing. Therefore in doing this it cannot be said that he, as a British officer, is committing any offence.It would be contrary to all the principles of British justice, upon which such emphasis is being laid in these trials, if a British officer acting as defending counsel were to be restrained from exercising his normal rights by the fear of possible disciplinary action. It is the province of the court to intervene if it considers any statement made by defending counsel improper or irrelevant. Any outside interference in the conduct of the court would be improper.

asked the Prime Minister whether members of the Government make arrangements for visits to Germany on their own initiative or whether there is consultation with the Allied Control Commission or any other authority in occupied Germany; and who undertakes the publicity for such visits.

I have been asked to reply. Arrangements for the visits of members of the Government to Germany are made by the Departments concerned, through the Control Commission for Germany (British Element), to the Travel Bureau at Main Headquarters. On receipt of approval from the Travel Bureau, Military Permit Offices issue the necessary permit. The publicity for such visits is handled in Germany by the Public Relations and Information Services Control Branch of the Control Commission. Publicity in this country is handled by the Department whose Minister is going to Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken, in collaboration with the Essex County Constabulary, to apprehend the soldier suspected of having unlawfully removed the Member for Chelmsford's motor-car from outside the Chestnuts, Boreham, at 1 a.m. on Saturday,6th October.

This matter is not being dealt with by the military authorities but is, I understand, in the hands of the civil police to whom the offence was reported.