Written Answers To Questions
Agriculture
New Cultivation (Retention Of Land)
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet decided to retain in the possession of his Ministry and under continued cultivation by the various war agricultural executive committees the thousands of acres of uncultivated land that were brought back into cultivation by these same committees.
The present critical food situation does not justify any change of policy with regard to the retention of land of which possession has been taken.
Spring Traps
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now withdraw the Defence Regulation which authorises the setting of spring traps for catching rabbits.
I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 15thOctober, to which I can add nothing at present.
Agricultural Work (Ex-Servicemen)
asked the Minister of Agriculture how many men from the Services have been released for training in agriculture in the North Riding of Yorkshire.
I am not aware of any arrangements under which men may be released from the Services for the particular purpose of taking up agricultural training. To date, only one ex-Serviceman has applied for and been placed in training in the North Riding of Yorkshire.
asked the Minister of Agriculture how many key men have been released from the Services under Class B, for work in agriculture in the North Riding of Yorkshire.
No key farm workers have been released under the Class B individual specialist scheme for work in the North Riding of Yorkshire.
Veterinary Surgeons (Loveday Report)
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now completed his consultations with the veterinary profession on the recommendations of the Love-day Report, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
No, Sir. I have invited the President and representatives of the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to see me on this subject, and I think it would be better to defer any further statement until after this proposed meeting.
Allotments
asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the number of allotments in England and Wales on 3rd September, 1939; the highest number during the war; and the present number.
According to returns from local authorities there were 815,000 allotments in 1939. It is estimated that in 1942 there were 1,450,000 as compared with 1,400,000 at the present time.
Home Production And Imports
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the difficulty of paying for essential imports of raw materials, he is taking steps to augment the production of home-grown food; and to what extent it is estimated that our import of foodstuffs in 1946 will be reduced.
:Yes, Sir. Farmers have already been asked to maintain the maximum production of food next year, and where necessary directions will be served upon them to grow the most essential crops, viz: potatoes and sugar beet. The level of imports of foodstuffs in 1946 will depend only in part upon the volume of home production, and I am unable to make the estimate for which my hon. Friend asks.
Fire Risks (Water Supplies)
asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that because this year's grain harvest has been exceptionally good, it has proportionately increased the fire risk; that at a With call farm in 1943 a fire destroyed 15 stacks of corn of about 600 quarters where the water pond had not been cleared out since 1890; and will he consult with the Departments concerned and see if the N.F.S., which is now largely unemployed, can be used for inspecting and improving water reserves on large farms and so minimise the risk of loss from fire of valuable foodstuffs.
It is important at all times, and particularly now that food is in short supply, that farmers should be active in taking proper precautions to protect farm crops against fire. Farmers have had an opportunity to purchase surplus static water tanks, and these could suitably be used in or near stack yards as a fire-fighting reserve. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs does not accept the suggestion that the personnel of the N.F.S., which has been greatly reduced in numbers, is largely unemployed. But subject to their primary fire-fighting responsibilities, the N.F.S. will continue, on request, to assist farmers to fill tanks, or ponds that have dried out. Alternatively, the drainage machinery of county war agricultural executive committees can be used, on request, by farmers, to clean out ponds and thus increase water resources. On many farms the position has been met by the installation of a piped water supply system with the assistance of a grant from my Department under the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1941.
Irish Bulls
asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is satisfied that the standard of bulls imported into this country from Ireland is equal to the standard now required by this country under the new licensing regulations.
Very few bulls are now being imported from Eire into Great Britain. No bull over the age of ten months that is imported for breeding purposes can be kept unless it is licensed in accordance with the Regulations made under the Improvement of Livestock (Licensing of Bulls) Act, 1931. Any imported bull that does not reach the required standard must be castrated or slaughtered.
Cattle Diseases (Penicillin)
asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in applying penicillin to the cure of cattle diseases in this country; and whether he anticipates that it will be possible, as a result, to improve present arrangements for dealing with bovine tuberculosis, mastitis and Johnnes disease.
Penicillin is being used in experiments in the control of mastitis in dairy cows. The work is being carried out at several centres in England and Scotland under the co-ordination of the Agricultural Research Council. The stage has not yet been reached when definite conclusions can be drawn, but the results to date have justified an extension of the trials, and arrangements for this have been made. Penicillin therapy has not been found effective in the control of diseases such as bovine tuberculosis and Johnnes disease.
Board Of Education Studentships
asked the Minister of Education if and when it is proposed to revive the Board of Education studentships for teachers, to assist them to follow approved courses of advanced study and referred to in Form 125 N, 1938.
:In view of the present difficulties in the way of securing adequate staffs for the schools, I am not able to say when it will be possible to revive these or similar arrangements.
Barbed Wire (Salvage)
asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware of the large amount of barbed wire which is still lying about the country despite the cessation of hostilities; and whether, in view of the danger and unsightliness thereof and its value for salvage, he will take steps to have it collected by voluntary effort in connection with the salvage campaign.
Barbed wire has no salvage value and its removal by voluntary helpers is not practicable. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War and I are, however, pursuing the matter of its collection.
Royal Navy (Requisitioned Properties)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give a complete list of the properties and houses held or occupied by his Department in the Maidstone Parliamentary division; and can he give the approximate date when these will be derequisitioned.
The following is a list of the premises held on requisition by the Admiralty in the Parliamentary division of Maidstone:Ground Floor (showrooms), Granada House, Maidstone.Sandling Place (private house) and outbuildings, Maidstone.Premises of Messrs. Len, Ltd., 113, Water Lane, Maidstone.Part of Aylesford Pottery Works, Larkfield.Aylesford Paper Mills, Larkfield.Part of Manor Works, Hailing.Part of Aylesford Paper Mills is being released forthwith, but I regret that I am not in a position to say when the remaining properties will be released.
Temporary Civil Servants
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if consideration will be given to making possible the early release of temporary civil servants in Government Departments who wish to return to their pre-war posts and occupations.
We shall need to retain the services of many temporary civil servants for some time to come if Government policy is to be efficiently executed and essential public services properly maintained. Departments have, however, been instructed to reduce redundant staffs without delay and to deal as sympathetically as possible with individual applications for release.
Airfield, Boxted (Paper Salvage)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the recent broadcast by the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production, calling for greater efforts in paper salvage, he is aware that on 28th October, at Boxted airfield, near Colchester, some two and a half tons of paper were burnt; and whether he will take steps to ensure that in the closing down and evacuation of quarters of other airfields similar waste of salvage paper will not occur.
The airfield at Boxted has recently been transferred from the United States Army Air Force to the Royal Air Force. I understand that some paper was burnt in the process of clearing up at the station before the transfer, but salvage was handed over for proper disposal. Very careful arrangements have been made for collecting salvage throughout the Air Force at all times, and I should add that the American authorities have always given us their ready co-operation.
Tenancy Agreements (Interpretation)
asked the Attorney General whether in view of the fact that many tenancy agreements depend on the end of the emergency which was the occasion of the passing of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, he will cause regulations to be issued for the purposes of the construction of tenancy agreements specifying the date on which the emergency shall be treated as having come to an end, as has been done in the case of tenancy agreements dependent on the end of the European war.
:S.2 of the Validation of War-Time Leases Act, 1944, under which Orders in Council have been made declaring the end of hostilities in Europe and with Japan for the purpose of certain tenancy agreements, does not cover the case which my hon. Friend has in mind. It was not the purpose of that Act to interfere with the construction of tenancy agreements in which the parties expressly limited the term of the agreement to the duration of a particular Act of Parliament or of the emergency which occasioned the passing of the Act. Careful consideration has been and is being given to the question whether any statutory provision would be helpful for the purpose of interpreting tenancy agreements not covered by the Act of 1944. But having regard to the variety of expressions used in many such agreements, the present view is that any statutory provision would be more likely to be disadvantageous than helpful, and that it is better to leave it to the courts, in disputed cases, to decide what was the intention of the parties.
Special Passages (Crown Servants)
asked the Prime Minister how many passages have been granted so far under the recent concession to families of Crown Servants; and how they are distributed between members of the different Services and Government Departments.
The number of passages which have been granted so far under the recent concession is three. These were granted to the families of Army Officers. In addition, during the period in question, 24 passages have been provided for the wives of members of the Colonial Service.
Economic Development Council, Wales
asked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement about the setting up of an Economic Development Council for Wales.
I am not in a position to make a statement at present.
Drowning Accidents, River Wharfe
asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the concern caused by the frequent drowning accidents in the River Wharfe at Castley Ford; and will he immediately cause some form of warning notice to be erected.
My attention has not previously been drawn to this matter, but I am having inquiries made and will let the hon. and gallant Member know the result.
Old Persons (Encouragement To Letting)
asked the Minister of Health whether arrangements will be made, in view of the present shortage of accommodation, to enable old people who are drawing supplementary pensions or public assistance allowances to gain some financial benefit from the letting of vacant rooms instead of deducting such rent paid by sub-tenants from the old persons allowances thereby discouraging them from letting unused rooms.
So far as supplementary pensions are concerned, I am discussing the matter with my right hon. Friends the Minister of National Insurance and the Secretary of State for Scotland. So far as public assistance is concerned, the proposal would require legislation.
Housing
Sites Acquisition
asked the Minister of Health if he will state briefly the processes through which a local authority has to go between selecting a piece of land for a housing project and obtaining the final approval of his Ministry; what is the average time taken for this procedure; and what steps are being taken to speed it up.
Before obtaining my approval to the purchase of a site for housing purposes, a local authority must obtain the agreement of the local planning authority and of the Regional Planning Officer. The latter ascertains that the site is free from objection by other Government Departments, including the Ministry of Agriculture. In the normal straightforward case this process is completed within three to four weeks, I am proposing to discuss with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether any steps can be taken to speed up this procedure without prejudice to planning and agricultural interests.
Timber Houses (Prefabrication In Germany)
asked the Minister of Works what negotiations have taken place and what arrangements have been entered into for the construction in Germany of timber houses for erection in this country.
A small staff of experts has been attached to the Allied Control Commission in Germany to explore the possibility of obtaining building components and complete prefabricated houses for shipment to this country. It was not anticipated that any such arrangement could be made in the first year or 18 months.
Motor Cars (Purchase Permits)
asked the Minister of War Transport how many new motor cars are ready for sale to the public but have not been sold because the requisite licences for their sale have not been granted.
So far as I know, none, Sir. The position is the reverse of that suggested in the Question. Nearly 9,000 licences have been issued and only about 2,000 cars have so far been notified by the manufacturers as having been delivered against those licences.
asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware of the difficulty doctors and nurses have in obtaining the promised reconditioned motor cars for their work; and if he can see his way to make larger supplies available for these essential services.
These vehicles are at present reserved for disabled ex-Servicemen who need a car to follow an occupation, nurses and midwives. In June last I announced that in view of the very restricted supply of surplus ex-Service cars, and the urgent need of disabled ex-Service applicants, I could no longer consider applications from doctors but would give the latter priority in the grant of licences for new cars. I am informed by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for War and the Minister of Supply and Aircraft Production that no early increase in supplies of reconditioned surplus ex-Service cars is likely, and accordingly I regret that I cannot either entertain applications from doctors or increase the small number of permits being issued to nurses.
Merchant Navy
Crews' Quarters
asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory condition of the living and sleeping quarters of the crew in many British ships; and what steps are being taken to remedy this evil.
The standard of crew accommodation necessarily varies with the age of the ships. In general I am satisfied that ships built since 1937, when revised Regulations for crews' quarters came into force, give reasonable living conditions. A review of the 1937 standards is now under consideration both by my Department and by the Committee of the National Maritime Board representing owners, officers and men, with a view to ensuring that the ships of the future provide a proper standard of comfort and hygiene. Many of the ships built before 1937 if well maintained should give no reasonable ground for complaint. The construction and layout of others make it difficult greatly to improve matters, except perhaps in details.
Maltese Tonnage
asked the Minister of War Transport how many of the ships allocated to Malta are still running on services other than Maltese; and how many of these are running on Maltese service.
Of the 13 vessels acquired by Maltese owners or registered in Malta since the outbreak of war, two have been sunk, three are employed in deep sea trades, five in the United Kingdom coasting trade, and three in the Mediterranean, of which one is in the Malta trade to-day. Supplies to Malta are not dependent upon Maltese, or Maltese owned, ships. If programmed requirements of Malta cannot be met by Maltese tonnage, allocations of tonnage to cover the deficiencies are made as necessary by the United Maritime Authority.
Canadian Servicemen (British Wives)
asked the Minister of War Transport how many British wives of Canadian Servicemen left this country for Canada during the months of September and October, respectively; and how many of these had been accorded priority as expectant mothers.
:The number of British wives of Canadian Servicemen who left for Canada during September and October were 70 and 19 respectively. Of these 41 were accorded priority as expectant mothers.
Coastguard Force (War Gratuities)
asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will reconsider the decision not to grant war gratuities to members of the regular Coastguard Force.
The decision not to grant war gratuities to members of the regular Coastguard Force was taken after most careful consideration, and I see no reason for re-opening the question.
Burma (Ledo Road)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma what are the Government's intentions regarding the future of the Ledo Road.
I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement.
Poles (British Naturalisation)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Polish citizens now in this country have applied for naturalisation as British citizens.
I have been asked to reply. Since the outbreak of war 537 formal applications have been made by Polish nationals who have the statutory qualification of at least five years' residence, but this figure does not include inquiries to which replies have been sent, calling attention to the public announcements that naturalisation has been suspended except for certain specified classes of applicants.
National Insurance (Old Age Pensioners)
asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will expedite the national insurance legislation which particularly includes old age pensions so as to benefit the old people this winter.
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 1st November to the hon. Member for Camlachie (Mr. Stephen).
Sanitation (Tetney, Lincolnshire)
asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in the village of Tetney, Lincolnshire, the system of night soil collection has broken down; that the matter was reported to the parish council by the sanitary inspector, but no action was taken; and since over 80 householders have petitioned asking for a publicly-operated service and there is fear of infection, what steps does he propose to take.
My attention had not previously been drawn to this matter. I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.
Trade And Commerce
Raw Materials
asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, seeing that the British Commonwealth will be able to supply only £150,000,000 of our estimated requirements of £350,000,000 of imported raw materials in 1946, he is taking steps to increase supplies from the British Commonwealth;(2) whether, seeing that the sterling area will be able to supply only £130,000,000 of our estimated requirements of £350,000,000 of imported raw materials in 1946, he is taking steps to increase supplies from the sterling area.
A number of factors have to be taken into account as affecting the origin of imported raw materials. A full survey of all available sources of supply is being made before decisions are taken.
Aluminium Ware
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to ensure a more equitable distribution for small traders in Hastings and St. Leonards of aluminium ware, such as kettles and saucepans.
Supplies of aluminium ware are increasing rapidly, and I hope that before very long any inequalities in distribution will disappear.
Furniture And Furnishings
asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to expedite the application for utility furniture and priority dockets made by Mr. A. E. Lugg, Crossways, Yeovil Road, Sherborne, full details of whose case were sent to him on 17th September.
Some units for utility furniture and dockets for household furnishings were sent to Mr. Lugg on 13th September and a further issue was made on 13th October. I am sorry that the hon. and gallant Member was not informed of this sooner. I am writing to him about it.
asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the fact that people whose homes have suffered recent bomb damage are given a permit to buy curtains without coupons, a clergyman, whose vicarage was bombed in March, 1941, and is now being repaired, is refused such a permit.
Curtain material was not rationed until 1st June, 1942, and only those setting up house since that date have been eligible for coupon-free supplies. If, however, the hon. Member will send me particulars of the case to which he refers, I shall be glad to look into it.
Licences issued. | |||||||
Month 1945. | Independent Traders. | Multiple Shops. | Co-operative Societies. | Others. | Total. | ||
August | … | … | 2,765 | 32 | 24 | 37 | 2,858 |
September | … | 2,653 | 19 | 28 | 40 | 2,740 | |
Grand Total | … | 5,418 | 51 | 52 | 77 | 5,598 |
Licences Transferred to Multiple Shops and Co-operative Societies from Independent Traders.(Included in above figures) | |||||
Month 1945 | To Multiple Shops. | To Co-operative Societies. | Total. | ||
August | … | … | 15 | 17 | 32 |
September | … | … | 5 | 23 | 28 |
Grand Total | … | … | 20 | 40 | 60 |
Short Weight
asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take arising from the Report of the Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures for the year ended 31st March, 1945, to safeguard the public from short weight; and whether he will now introduce consolidating legislation on the lines suggested.
I have noted the suggestions in this Report, and as soon as pressure on the staff of the Board is lessened, I will consider whether there should be an inquiry into these and other suggestions that have been made regarding the Weights and Measures legislation.
Retail Businesses
asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of licences issued since VJ-Day, to date, under the Location of Retail Businesses Order, distinguishing between individual unit traders, branches of multiple shops and co-operative societies, respectively; and the number of transfers of licences which have been made to multiple stores and co-operative societies from independent traders.
Figures of licences issued since VJ-Day are not readily available, but possibly the following figures for the months of August and September, 1945, will be of assistance to the hon. and gallant Member. Those for October are not yet available.
Factory Space, Scotland
asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of factory space available for new enterprises in Scotland on existing industrial sites; the number of applications that have been received for the establishment of new enterprises; the space involved in these applications; and the types of industry concerned.
The area of existing Government factories in Scotland which have so far become available for allocation to industry is approximately 2,000,000 square feet. Of this area just over 1,000,000 square feet have already been allocated. These figures exclude those Government factories which it is proposed to operate as Government undertakings engaged on civilian production. One hundred and sixty-six firms have made inquiries for factories in Scotland involving a total of just under 6,000,000 square feet of factor space. Thirteen of these firms have already been accommodated in existing Government buildings. Building licences have been granted on behalf of 67 firms involving a factory area of just under 2,000,000 square feet. Active discussions are still proceeding with some of the remaining firms in an endeavour to settle them in Scotland.The applications received cover a wide range of industries:
Clothing | 39 |
Furniture and Woodworking | 13 |
Light Engineering (including motor vehicles and aero parts, bicycles and prams) | 12 |
Machinery and Plant | 12 |
Food and Drink | 11 |
Textile Goods | 10 |
Radio and Electrical | 8 |
Heavy Industries (steel, iron and chemical) | 8 |
Housing Fitments and Accessories (including cookers and refrigerators) | 7 |
Plastics | 4 |
Prefabricated Units | 4 |
Miscellaneous | 38 |
166 |
Overseas Trade (Trade Union Advisers)
asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps he is taking to associate the trade unions with his plans for developing overseas trade.
I have appointed Messrs. E. W. Bussey, of the Electrical Trades Union, Alfred Roberts, of the Amalgamated Association of Card Blowing and Ring Room Operatives, and Jack Tanner, of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, as members of the Overseas Trade Development Council. I have also appointed Mr. Luke Fawcett, O.B.E., of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers, as a member of the Exhibitions Policy Committee as announced in my answer to a Question put by the hon. Member for Marylebone (Sir W. Wakefield) on Thursday, 25th October. These appointments were made after consultation with the Trades Union Congress. I am assured of the assistance of the T.U.C. in a similar way when any other advisory bodies are appointed. I hope to obtain the advice of the gentlemen so appointed upon future and fuller contacts with the trade unions about the development of overseas trade.
Towels
asked the President of the Board of Trade what stocks of towels are at present held in this country; what is the monthly production; and what are the monthly sales to the consumers of towels at the present time.
Full particulars of producers' sales of towels to the home civilian market were published in the special section of the ''Board of Trade Journal'' for 27th October. For all types taken together, but excluding tea-towels, the rate for July-August was just over 1,000,000 per month. The corresponding figure for stocks held by the producers at the end of August was 2,250,000. These stocks have been falling recently, the decline since the beginning of 1945 being 1,000,000 towels. Figures are not available for stocks held by distributors or for monthly sales to consumers. Production is now at a level just sufficient to maintain an adequate cushion of stocks.
Hides (Export)
asked the President of the Board of Trade why in view of the urgency of increasing the export trade, the firm of William Barkers, of Otley, have been refused an export licence to export to Denmark £7,000 worth of coloured hide bellies which they have in stock.
Owing to the difficult leather and footwear supply position in the United Kingdom very limited exports only are possible at the present time. Firms having previous trade with the particular markets concerned are given preference.
Hairdressers' Garments
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered an appeal from the National Hairdressers' Federation for an allocation of clothing coupons to enable them to replace towels, gowns, coverings and personal overalls; and what reply he has made to this appeal.
Yes, Sir, but while supplies remain so short, I regret I have not yet been able to give extra coupons to hairdressers for the garments mentioned. I am, however, keeping the matter under review in the hope that at some future date this may be possible. As regards towels, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given today to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Ely (Major Legge-Bourke).
Mahogany
asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the shortage of furniture, the unlimited supplies of mahogany available are not being used.
The supplies of mahogany available are not unlimited, but purchases of suitable specifications are being made to the greatest possible extent and are utilised for furniture and other essential requirements.
Lamp Chimneys
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider lifting the prohibition on the import of lamp chimneys, in view of the hardship entailed on those living in rural areas where gas and electricity are unobtainable.
I am not aware of any serious shortage of lamp chimneys which are now produced in this country, but, if the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars of any cases which he has in mind, I will look into them.
Surplus Government Stores
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all surplus Government stores are being released for public use; and if every effort is made to give equal opportunities to acquire them to all members of the community.
Goods which become surplus are allocated in accordance with the provisions of the White Papers on the Disposal of Government Surplus Stores, one of the chief objects of which is to ensure fair distribution.
asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware of the great demand for typewriters among business and commercial interests; and whether he will make immediately available surplus typewriters hitherto in use by service units.
I have been asked to reply. Arrangements have been made for bringing on to the market as rapidly as possible those typewriters which are now becoming surplus to Government requirements. The first batch has just been notified to the trade.
Vacuum Flasks
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulty existing at the present time to the general public making long journeys in trains where no provision is made for refreshments; that Thermos flasks are only obtainable to those who have a permit and refills cannot be purchased at all; and if he will look into this matter and endeavour to put more of these essential articles on the market.
Vacuum flasks are scarce because most of our supplies came from abroad before the war, and it has not been possible to expand our productive capacity during the war. My Department is endeavouring to secure more labour in order to get the utmost production from the existing plant.
Christmas Cards And Toys
asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to avoid excessive prices for Christmas cards and toys.
As regards toys, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for North Portsmouth (Major Bruce) on 29th October. Christmas cards are price-regulated articles under the Prices of Goods Act, 1939, and if any specific cases of overcharging are reported to the Local Price Regulation Committees, they will make investigations. I should add, however, that practically no complaints about these goods have been made to the Committees, and I do not consider them a sufficiently important item of expenditure to justify making a special request to the Committees to allocate to them the time of the limited staff available.
Food Supplies
Potatoes
asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the shortage of food in Europe, he will consider prohibiting the sale of potatoes for stock-feeding, with a view to exporting the excess of our requirements to the liberated countries.
Sound ware potatoes may not be sold or used for stock-feeding, except with the agreement of my Department; those we are now releasing are damaged or unsuitable for keeping or shipping. If the census of potato stocks now being taken confirms that there is a surplus over home and Forces requirements, export to Europe will be considered.
Milk Diversion
asked the Minister of Food from what towns in the West Midlands, including Birmingham, school milk is being diverted during the current weeks of mid-term school holidays; to what districts the milk is being sent; what quantities are involved; and on whose authority this is being done.
Owing to a shortage of milk in the West Midlands, milk not required for schools during the present holidays has been used to supplement the supplies for domestic consumers and establishments to enable their authorised requirements to be met. The withdrawal of school milk mainly affected Birmingham, where the school requirements are approximately 33,000 gallons weekly. The arrangements were made by the Ministry's Regional Milk Supply officer to secure more equitable distribution of the available supplies.
British Army
Leave
asked the Secretary of State for War why soldiers posted from the B.A.O.R. to the Middle East or Far East are not allowed embarkation leave in this country.
I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Garry Allighan) on 23rd October last.
Releases And Compassionate Postings
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many Army Welfare officers, unit Welfare officers and commanding officers show themselves to be unaware of the recent relaxations of the conditions under which compassionate release for a fixed period, compassionate posting and indefinite release under Class C may be obtained; and whether he will take steps to inform these persons of the changed conditions in. detail.
Where there has been any relaxation in the conditions for compassionate release, compassionate posting, or indefinite release, full information has, as a matter of course, been circulated through Command Welfare Officers at home and Command Headquarters abroad. In particular the recent relaxations as regards one-man businesses, and as regards cases where a parent was dying, the appropriate information was at once given and is being acted upon.
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give instructions that, so far as possible, Christmas leave shall be made available to all those serving at this time in the United Kingdom who have been overseas for the last three Christmas Days.
I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on 23rd October to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Sparkbrook (Mr. Shurmer).
Clothing Losses, Malaya
asked the Secretary of State for War why members of the 18th Division have only been allowed to claim compensation for tropical clothing, in view of the fact that every member of the division lost not only tropical clothing but also home service scale of clothing when Malaya fell to the Japanese.
The restriction mentioned would be contrary to the regulations, particulars of which are available at the reception camps. If the hon. and gallant Member will send me details of the case he has in mind I will make inquiries.
Untraced Personnel (Notifications)
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give instructions that an interim report be sent at once to the next of kin of men who are still missing and who have received no official notification since they were informed in many cases two or three years ago, that the man in question was a prisoner or missing.
With the notification to a next-of-kin that a soldier was missing a leaflet ''Advice to the relative of a man who is missing" was sent, in order to assure the relative that immediately any reliable news was received of his fate, it would be communicated. This is done. The leaflet also explained the steps taken to trace missing men. In the case of some prisoners of war, known to be such, reports of their subsequent deaths have been received from other prisoners of war, but some of these reports, based on memory or hearsay, have afterwards proved unreliable. In such cases discretion has been exercised in the matter of communicating with relatives, pending the confirmation or otherwise of the report, in order to spare them unnecessary anxiety and grief.
Requisitioned Properties
asked the Secretary of State for War when Littledene, near Lewes, was requisitioned for military purposes; how long it has been empty; whether it is being kept in a state of repair and by whom; whether he is satisfied that the water supply is adequate for the maximum number of troops; why his Department recently refused to return this property to the owner, who is homeless; and by whom the large and formerly productive vegetable garden is being cultivated.
:This property was requisitioned in July, 1943, and has been unoccupied since October, 1944. It is being maintained by the local Garrison Engineer. Under normal conditions, the water supply is adequate. The property was held against a requirement which can now be met in War Department premises and action to derequisition it is being taken. The owner is aware of the position. The garden was not requisitioned.
War Decorations And Medals
asked the Secretary of State for War to what war medals British troops are entitled who have served for the last four years in India or Ceylon.
All such troops are entitled to the Defence Medal. In addition, they may qualify for the 1939–45 Star if they rendered six months' service within certain defined operational areas of the North-West Frontier during prescribed periods between 3rd February, 1940, and 18th August, 1942. They may qualify for the Burma Star if they served in any part of Bengal and Assam between 1st May, 1942, and 31st December, 1943, or East of the Brahmaputra River between 1st January, 1944, and 2nd September, 1945, provided they had already qualified for the 1939–45 Star.
White Fishing Industry (Committee's Report)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the report of the committee which inquired into the white fishing industry has yet been received by His Majesty's Government; and whether it will be published.
The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16th October to the hon. and learned Member for the Northern Division of Aberdeen (Mr. H. Hughes), a copy of which I am sending to him.
Middle East (Government Personnel)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the State Department officially accuse this country of having broken an agreement with regard to the withdrawal of Government personnel from the Middle East; and what reply he has returned thereto.
I am aware of a Press report from a certain agency to this effect, but I have no official confirmation.
Germany
British Books (Translations)
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken to publish in Germany, German translations of British books.
As part of the measures for re-education, arrangements are in hand for publishing in Germany German translations of recent British books. Shortage of paper, and copyright and other difficul- ties have hitherto made it impossible for the translations to be published, but it is hoped that the difficulties will be overcome to some extent in the near future.
Re-Education
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the four occupying Powers have agreed on the general lines of the re-education of Germans in German schools and universities; by whom this re-education is being co-ordinated; and whether he will give an assurance that the re-education of Ger- mans in all four zones is proceeding, and will proceed, on similar lines.
The co-ordination of education policy in Germany is vested in the Co-ordinating Committee of the four Occupying Powers, working through an Allied Education Committee, which consists of an official representative from each zone. The general principles governing the reopening of schools and universities are much the same in all zones, though the progress varies according to the availability of premises, books and teachers.