asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what allocation of coal it is estimated will be released for domestic and industrial purposes between November, 1945, and April, 1946, by reason of the closing down or change-over of factories which during the same period of last winter were using coal for the manufacture of war materials.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what tonnage stock of coal he has been able to allocate to this winter's supply to domestic users by reason of the fact that he has had a reduced demand from war factories due to the cessation of hostilities.

The amount of coal suitable for domestic use which is being consumed by industrial undertakings is very small. Changes in industrial production are, therefore, unlikely to have any material effect on the house coal position. So far as industrial coal generally is concerned, the changes in the incidence of industrial demand result from so many and such variable factors that it would be unsafe to attempt any estimate of the effect on coal availability of conversion from war to peace production

Is not the Minister aware that there must be an appreciable amount, in any event, of industrial coal so released, and can he not give us some figures? He has made estimates in the past, but can he not now give us some figures in which the householder can have some confidence?

The hon. and gallant Member asked for particulars of the amount of industrial coal that could be made available for domestic purposes. I have pointed out in my reply that it is impossible, because of the fluctuations in the demand for industrial coal and the availability of the coal supply, to form such an estimate.

Is it not highly important that the Minister should be in a position to give us the tonnage involved? There must be some information on the subject, and the House is entitled to it.

The House is entitled to information if that information can be supplied without misleading hon. Members, which I am not inclined to do.

On a point of Order. As a new hon. Member, may I have your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on this matter? I have put down a Question asking for specific figures, which are available. I think there is no doubt about that. Cannot the Minister inform us what the position is?

If the hon. Member is dissatisfied with the reply, there are other ways in which he can pursue the matter.

The hon. Member will get used to being dissatisfied.

Might I suggest to the hon. and gallant Member that, if he is dissatisfied, he can raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that anthracite and phurnacite are now unobtainable in Aberdeenshire, with the result that people who possess Aga or Esse cookers are unable to use them; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.

Sized anthracite and phurnacite are generally in short supply, but large anthracite is fairly plentiful and stocks are widely distributed over the county of Aberdeen. Though not ideal for the purpose, this can be broken up and used in stoves of the Aga or Esse type, and many consumers are using this type of fuel. I am not aware of any case in Aberdeenshire where an Aga or Esse stove cannot be used because of lack of fuel, but if the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars of any such cases, I will investigate them.

Is the Minister aware that there is a great shortage of anthracite in the whole of my division, concerning which I have written to him, and will he not look into it?

the matter is being investigated, but the hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that, not only is anthracite in short supply, but there are considerable transport difficulties, because the bulk of it comes from South Wales.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much coal is going to be allocated to the Army at home in the corning winter, in order to maintain the weekly allowance to units of 112 pounds per head.

Coal supplies to the Army at home are not based on a specific weekly allowance per head but are allocated on a programme agreed with the War Office which is designed to meet the minimum requirements and is subject to review each month to allow for changes in strength.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that the allocation of coal to the Army will be reduced in conformity with the numbers of men being demobilised?

I am doing everything possible to reduce supplies for the Army, but, of course, we have to see that they are properly supplied. I am trying to supply them with wood fuel as an alternative.

If we put down a Question, can the Minister give us the actual figures month by month?

I can give the right hon. Gentleman figures of the allocation of coal and coke for the Army now. It is approximately 30,000 tons per week—17,000 tons of coal and 13,000 tons of coke.

Would the Minister not agree that these figures do not give a very comprehensive picture unless we know the number of men involved?

If the right hon. Gentleman is dissatisfied he can always put down another Question.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will see that permits for additional fuel are readily granted to those returning Servicemen who, with their wives, have to share a house, so that they may enjoy the privacy of a separate heated living room.

Instructions have already been issued to local fuel overseers that the supply allowed in the cases referred to should provide for reasonable use of a separate living room.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while the situation may appear to be satisfactory to him, the facts are very different, and that ex-Servicemen have great difficulty in getting this priority allocation of fuel?

I am not prepared to agree with that. If the hon. and gallant Member has any specific instances of shortage in the case of ex-Servicemen, he might let me have them.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the local fuel officers-in the county of Norfolk have now dealt with all the applications for additional supplies of hard fuel during the winter where neither gas nor electricity is available for heating or cooking.

I am informed that with-the exception of two out of 26 local fuel overseers' districts in Norfolk over 90 per cent. of applications for licences have been dealt with. In these two districts there are some arrears due partly to a rush of late applications, but additional staff has been authorised to meet the situation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what has been the reduction in the consumption of electricity for industrial purposes in Lanarkshire and the reduction in the consumption of gas for the same purpose during the past six months, respectively.

Comparisons of consumption of gas and electricity between the present and six months ago is of little value because of seasonal variations. However, the information available from gas and electricity undertakings indicates that compared with the corresponding period last year there has, in Lanarkshire, been a reduction in the industrial consumption of gas of about 25 per cent. and of about 12 per cent. in the consumption of electricity. I have no reliable information on the quantities of gas and electricity made by industrial firms in Lanarkshire for their own use.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power in view of the decison of the Electricity Commissioners which prevents the borough of Pudsey carrying out its promise to purchase the electricity undertaking of Farsley and Calverley, now incorporated in the borough of Pudsey, how many households it is estimated in Farsley and Calverley will have to pay dearer for their electricity than the rest of Pudsey.

As I explained to the hon. and gallant Member on 23rd October, piecemeal changes in the organisation of the electricity supply industry cannot at present be authorised. As a result, consumers in Farsley and Calverley, in common with many other consumers, will have to wait a little, but they will benefit more from a general reorganisation than from piecemeal changes.

Is the Minister aware that the inhabitants of Farsley and Calverley are likely to have to pay at least 50 per cent. more for their electricity, and is he also aware that, when Farsley and Calverley were taken into the borough of Pudsey, an agreement was arrived at by which Pudsey would continue to supply electricity and the Electricity Commissioners—

Speech.

I think the hon. and gallant Member is giving information, not asking for it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, if he is aware that his Ministry undertook to store 1,800 tons of wood fuel in the Metropoli- tan borough of Lambeth against emergency requirements during the coming winter, of which amount only 458 tons had been delivered by 24th October; and when he proposes to complete delivery of the total amount promised.

The arrangements provide for deliveries to this borough to be completed by 31st January next.

Will the Minister in order to allay the anxiety of local authorities in the London area as to what the position will be between now and 31st January, when we hope the winter will be over, consider the circulation to these local authorities of something in the nature of a progress report of the deliveries of wood and other forms of fuel?

I have met all the local authorities in the London area and have explained the matter to them, and I am doing everything possible to step-up the allocation for London consumers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the number of producing oil wells in the United Kingdom; and what is their present production.

There are 240 producing oil wells in this country which are producing at the rate of rather less than 70,000 tons per annum.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, bearing in mind the recent 25 per cent. increase in the basic petrol ration for motorists, he will reconsider his decision to cut off the five gallons monthly petrol allowance previously allowed to owners of motor-boats, thus allowing the working-men members of the Ouseburn motor-boat club, full particulars of which have been sent him, to take advantage of the fishing season.

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Winchester (Captain G. Jeger) on 30th October, petrol allowances for private motor-boating have always been confined to the summer months, and when these allowances were restored last June the same rule applied. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has local arrangements for granting an allowance at any time to any motor-boat owner who can show that this is likely to result in his catching marketable quantities of fish.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the total number of boys directed to the mines; how many of these are missing; and if he will take steps to end this form of conscription.

The number of boys who have been directed into the mines under the ballot scheme is 20,893. In addition, some 24,000 optants have entered the industry as an alternative to the Forces. Of the optants and ballotees on colliery books about 5,000 are unaccounted for. As regards the last part of the Question, the ballot scheme has been suspended since the end of the European war.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the son of one of my constituents committed suicide and will he stop this form of conscription, because the free people of Britain will not stand for it?

I am extremely sorry to hear about the fate of the hon. Member's constituent, but I assure him that it has nothing to do with the mining industry.

As men engaged in the industry can now absent themselves from work as much as they please without penalty, what is the point of retaining this conscription for boys?

The two points are quite unlike. We are dealing with cumulative measures in respect of miners in general, which have nothing to do with optants or ballotees subject to the directions of the Minister of Labour under the National Service Acts.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether it is his intention to issue a White Paper on the Nationalisation of the Coal Mines in advance of the publication of the Bill or Bills.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that leaders of the Labour Party at various times have subscribed to the White Paper technique as being the best way of bringing before the public—[Interruption.] Will he not consider—

Order!

This seems another Question.

The Bill will be before the House very shortly.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that quantities of coal can be salvaged from the River Usk; and whether he will arrange to have additional boats, now considered surplus by the Admiralty, available for such purpose by men in Newport, who are hampered in this work by lack of river transport.

I am making inquiries into this matter and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Would the Minister also make inquiries into the possibility of expanding the salvage of coal in other directions, because, apparently, there are very large quantities available?

The coal may be available, but we have to see that the labour is available.

We have the labour available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what percentage of the 8,000,000 tons increase in production he hopes to obtain from opencast mining and deep coal mining.

The additional 8,000,000 tons refers to mined coal only.

Is there no contribution from opencast coal towards the coal supply?

Of course there is a contribution from opencast coal, and if the hon. Gentleman wishes to have information on that point, I will let him have it.

I am asking the right hon. Gentleman if he will give me the figures for the quantity of opencast coal expected out of this 8,000,000 tons.

I think I have given the hon. Gentleman the information for which he has asked.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether any limits are placed on the extent of open- seam coalmining; whether he is aware of the damage to agriculture caused there by; and whether the agreement of both the Ministers of Agriculture and of Town and Country Planning is obtained before open-seam operations are started in any area.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative; to the second part, that whilst damage to agricultural land during the process of work is unavoidable restoration is carried out after the coal has been extracted; to the third, that the consent of these Ministries, as appropriate, is obtained before entry on opencast sites.

Can we be given the extent of the limit mentioned in the first part of the Question? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the deep soil turned up in this way makes heavy land useless for agriculture for a long time afterwards?

The limitations depend on the circumstances, and if the hon. and gallant gentleman wishes to have information on any particular matter, I shall be very glad to let him have it. I am doing everything possible to prevent any spoliation of amenities.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power by what extent average earnings per wage earner in the coal industry have increased since the outbreak of the war.

In the second quarter of 1945 the average cash weekly earnings of workers in the coal industry was £5 13s.10d. as compared with £2 18s. 3d. in the corresponding quarter of 1939, an increase of 95 per cent. There was a similar increase in the value of allowances in kind.

Is the Minister satisfied that the present rate is commensurate with the services of the miners to the community, and can he give the relative position of wages in the mining industry and those in other industries?

This, of course, is the average rate; it applies equally to adults and to juveniles. It does not give the earnings in every case, which are sometimes very much higher. As regards the comparative position, there was a time not so long ago when the wages of miners were about 86th on the list; now they have reached almost the front rank.

Do these wage earnings include the wages of surface workers as well as of workers at the coal face?

This applies to all the workers at the colliery.

Could the right hon. Gentleman circulate in HANSARD, in addition to his answer, a percentage figure giving the output per man for the corresponding period?

If the right hon. Gentleman, who is well acquainted with the rules of the House, will put down a Question, he will get an answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us the relative purchasing power of those two figures which he gave for 1939 and 1945; and has the increase of wages brought any betterment to those who receive them?

I think that Question might properly be put to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what are the average earnings assessed on an hourly basis of all adult workers in coalmines under ground and at the coalface.

I regret that there are no official statistics distinguishing between the earnings of adults and juveniles or between those of workers at the face and other workers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how his estimate of 87,000,000 tons production for the six months November, 1945, to April, 1946, is arrived at.

This estimate was made last March as part of the budget for the current coal year. It was based upon what were then considered to be the most reasonable assumptions regarding the manpower likely to be available and the output per man likely to be secured.

Arc we to take it that, with the extra 8,000,000 tons, the Minister anticipates that the total production will be 95,000,000 tons during the period in question?

The hon. Gentleman's assumptions are not far out.

Could the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Minister of Health so that we may have a similar production target for housing?

The hon. Gentleman knows only too well that if he addresses a similar question to the Minister of Health he will get an appropriate reply.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the average output of coal per manshift in the month of September, 1945; and the average of the output of coal per manshift in the month of September, 1944, in the coal industry.

During the whole of September, 1945; the output per manshift over-all was 20cwt. 9lb., and for September, 1944, the figure was 20cwt. 13lb.

Is the Minister aware of the consternation in the mining world over the slip that he made last week which amounted to 36,000,000lbs. this winter—(Laughter.) I mean, of course, tons. (Laughter.) I do not think that the difference between pounds and tons is so funny. (Laughter.) It is a natural mistake to make, and I ask the pardon of the House. The point I am trying to make, Mr. Speaker—

The hon. and gallant Member must ask a question and not make points.

The consternation to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers is purely imaginary and only resides in the minds of those who are seeking to cause mischief.

Will the Minister afford an opportunity to the hon. and gallant Gentleman who asked this Question to go down a pit and work there for a bit?

With the greatest pleasure, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the figures showing the comparison of coal output for the coal year 1943–44, and the average number of men engaged per month for that year, with the estimated coal output, including the extra 8,000,000 tons, for the coal year 1945–46, and the average number of men engaged per month in the five months ended October, 1945.

Output in the coal year 1943–44 was 189,000,000 tons and the average number of men on colliery books in that year was 705,000. The target output for the coal year 1945–46 is 179,000,000 tons; the average number of men on colliery books on the five months ended October, 1945, was 706,200. The number of men in the industry at present is 697,300.

In view of the drop in output per manshift, does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that he will still get his target of 179,000,000 tons?

The output per manshift is going up.

But the right hon. Gentle man has just given us figures—

Order.

Many of these questions asking for information are apparently put down for the purpose of asking supplementary questions which do not aim at securing information.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, the average number of mineworkers during the coal years 1941 and 1944; and the corresponding figures of output.

The average number of men on colliery books in the coal years 1941–1942 and 1944–1945 was 702,000 and 714,300 respectively. Corresponding figures of output were 206,100,000 tons and 182,400,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how the number of fatal accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain, reported in the most recent period available, corresponds with the number of such accidents in the immediately preceding years.

In the nine months January to October this year the number of fatal accidents, underground and surface, was 457 as compared with 521 in the corresponding period of the previous year. There has been a progressive fall in the number of such accidents since 1941, the number having fallen from 925 in that year to 623 in 1944.

In view of the destructive criticism from hon. Members—

That is the sort of supplementary to which I was referring earlier and which I deprecated.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what annual tonnage of coal would be released for general consumption and export if the issue of miners' coal were to be suspended and replaced by a cash payment.

If the issue of miners' coal based on district agreements were to be suspended and met by a cash payment it would amount to 4,500,000 tons annually.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of operatives employed in the woollen and worsted combing and spinning industry on 30th September, 1939, and 30th September, 1945, respectively; and what net increase in the labour force has taken place during the last three months.

The combing and spinning sections of the woollen and worsted industry are not separately distinguished in the available employment statistics. Figures are available for the industry as a whole up to the end of September, 1945, when employment was at about 65 per cent. of the level of mid-1939. There was a net increase in the number of operatives of 1,700 in the period from the end of June to the end of September, 1945.

Is the Minister aware that the figures given in the last part of the answer are very disappointing; and is he further aware that the clothing of the people of this country is mainly dependent on this industry, and that unless more labour enters the industry there is a danger of the collapse of the clothing ration system?

Without expressing an opinion on those points, I can inform the hon. Gentleman and the House, that there is considerable improvement since the date I mentioned in the number of operatives in the industry.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to "state the total number of war workers transferred to civilian industry during the two months ended 23rd October.

These figures can only be derived from returns rendered by employers under the Undertakings (Records and Information and Inspection of Premises) Order. The October returns relate to the week ended 27th October, and the statistics derived from them cannot become available until next month.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, with a view to encouraging increased production per man hour, he is taking steps to encourage the extension of the individual piece work bonus system.

I am of course anxious to give all possible encouragement to increased production, but the question whether a particular system of payment, such as the individual piece work bonus system, would be advantageous to an industry is primarily a matter for the employers' and workers' organisations in the industry to consider.

Is the right hon. Gentleman ever going to do anything to encourage production in the various industries?

That is another question. I have answered the one on the Order Paper.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these incentive methods of payment cause many administrative and personal problems; that they are at best a necessary evil; and that all ranks in industry will be greatly relieved when these systems can be finally dispensed with?

It is impossible to lay down any general rule relating to the methods of production. Many industries and many operations in the same industries vary considerably, and no general rule can be laid down.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Service or ex-.Merchant Navy men and women, shown separately, have passed through the Government training centres, technical colleges or been trained by specially selected employers; and how many of these men and women have been placed in suitable employment.

About 6,100 ex-Service and ex-Merchant Navy men have been placed in suitable employment since August, 1943, after passing through Government training centres, Technical colleges or specially selected employers establishments. In addition to these a small number have terminated their training voluntarily without completing the course. Separate figures relating to ex-Service women are not available but the number would be small.

Is it not a fact that applicants for training still far exceed the number of vacancies available, and how much longer have we to put up with these dilatory methods?

No, Sir. The number, if you take the total of the persons concerned, is not very high; it is somewhere around 4,500. The delay is mainly caused by the difficulty of getting possession of buildings which would have to be cleared of their goods, and this is being rapidly pressed forward. Applications have very much increased of late, and while there is a delay of over a fortnight before people can get in, we are doing our best to shorten that period.

Is it not a fact that applicants for training far exceed the number of vacancies?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that considerable delay between interview and calling up is taking place in connection with the Government's vocational training scheme; and whether he will take immediate steps to remove this discouragement to candidates for training.

Some delay in allocating applicants to training has been inevitable owing to difficulties in securing and adapting suitable premises and obtaining necessary equipment. Every effort is however being made to overcome this.

Is the Minister satisfied with the progress made in obtaining colleges or premises for the building trade and building trade workers generally? Is he getting enough of them?

If my hon. Friend will put that Question down I will give him an answer.

But my right hon. Friend has referred already to the same subject.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of unemployed in the Bellshill, Uddingston and Baillieston districts; and the percentage that figure is of the insurable population.

At 15th October there were 322 unemployed insured persons aged 14 years and over on the registers of Uddingston employment exchange, including 16 men who had been classified as unsuitable for ordinary employment. This figure represents 7 per cent. of the number of unemployment books exchanged at the office in question. There arc no employment exchanges at Bellshill and Baillieston and separate figures for these areas are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers registered as unemployed, men and women, at Coat-bridge and Airdrie.

At 15th October there were 383 insured men and 1,075 insured women, aged 18 years and over, registered as unemployed at Coatbridge employment exchange; at Airdrie the corresponding numbers were 433 men and 8:8 women. The figures exclude 87 men on the registers at Coatbridge and 115 at Airdrie who had been classified as unsuitable for ordinary employment.

Mr. Speaker, I could hardly hear a word for the noise on the benches. I am very sorry that I could not hear the reply, although I am sitting very near to my right hon. Friend. I would like to ask him further if he could tell me, perhaps in a written reply, since I have not heard him orally, what percentage relationship these figures bear to the total insured population of those burghs?

If my hon. Friend will put that Question down, I will see that an answer is given.

Are the figures of unemployment in the country not steadily increasing?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the Motherwell and Wishaw, Hamilton and Larkhill exchanges, respectively, and the percentage that is of the insurable population; and the number of unemployed in Hamilton and Larkhill and the proportion that is of the insurable population.

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour why the Central Medical War Committee is only allowed to recommend 33 medical officers per month for demobilisation in Category B, in spite of the fact that over 100 cases worthy of their recommendation come before them each month.

The number to be released in Class B, in the medical profession as in other professions and occupations, is necessarily limited. Within this limited number the committee are able to deal with the cases where the need is most urgent, in the light of their knowledge of the position over the country as a whole. Releases of medical officers in Class A are of course proceeding concurrently with releases in Class B.

Is the Minister aware that there are three times as many doctors in the Fighting Services as there are in the civilian population; and would he be prepared to increase the number who can come out under Class B, when each month the Central Medical Council has to turn aside many who would be quite worthy of release under Class B?

We do not think it appropriate to interfere further with the Class B scheme, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the question of the relative number in the Forces and in industry is at present under consideration. I hope that I, or another of my colleagues, will be able to make a statement in a few days on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour when the release of 3,000 arts students under Class B was decided on; and what is the number of such releases so far.

The arrangements for the release of arts students in Class B were announced on 28th July. Up to 31st October, the number released under these arrangements was approximately 970.

Will the Minister say whether these releases show any signs of gathering speed?

Yes, Sir. During the last month there has been a considerable increase on these figures.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these students were architectural students, and does he realise that this is a matter of great importance?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are a number of men who volunteered to join the Army at 18 or 19 years of age, have served for four and a half or five years and now wish to undergo training as medical students but are not eligible for Class B release; and whether he will alter the regulation so that these men, who have given their services voluntarily, should not now find themselves debarred from taking up their future career at once, whereas men who have done no service can claim deferment or exemption from service if they arc accepted for a degree course at a medical school.

I regret I am not prepared to extend the scheme of release of students in Class B in the manner suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour what groups of building operatives in the Army, Navy and R.A.F., respectively, have been released under block arrangements in Class B up to the last convenient date.

Information is not available as to the age and service groups from which building operatives have been released in Class B. The groups to which it is necessary to make offers of release in order to secure the required numbers vary widely according to the precise occupation concerned.

May I ask the Minister to say how the schemes of block releases can be administered equitably, if this information is not available; and if this information is available, will he say why it is not divulged to the House?

That sounds rather like the question of "Have you stopped knocking your wife about?" I gave some explanation in the Debate on Friday, which meets the situation to some extent. So far as the Army is concerned, we are combing out the various sections which industry requires for builders from Groups 38 to 68.^*

Is the Minister aware that there are many men in Germany in the Army engaged in rebuilding there, and why cannot these men be employed in rebuilding in this country and let the Germans do their own rebuilding?

asked the Minister of Labour what group of agricultural workers in the Army, Navy and R.A.F., respectively, have been released under block arrangements in Class B up to the last convenient date.

There are at present no arrangements in operation for the black release of agricultural workers from the Forces in Class B.

Will the Minister inform the House how agricultural workers can be released under Class B?

I have answered the Question on the Order Paper. I would like to add for the information of the question of getting more agricultural workers into the industry is being effectively pursued.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the delay, of two to five months, in obtaining a new pair of spectacles; and if, in view of the loss of production efficiency on this account, he will consider the release under Class B of skilled men for the workshops.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production, to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) on 12th November, a copy of which I am sending him. As regards the second part of the Question, I have every hope that the position will improve with demobilisation and releases from munition production and I do not consider that I should be justified in extending Class B releases in the manner suggested.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the average age of a workshop employee in this industry before the war was only 25, and, therefore, their demobilisation in the ordinary way is a long way off?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of

During October, 257,127 men and 23,022 women, making a total of 280,149, have been reported as released or discharged from the Forces and Auxiliary Services. This shows an increase of 131,993 over the total for September. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving details for each of the Services.

Does the Minister think, from the number of people now going through the centres, that he will reach his target of 1,500,000 by 31st December?

I hesitate to give a guarantee, but there is every prospect that that will be done.

How many per week will the Minister have to release by the end of the year in order to achieve that target, seeing that he had only released 70,000 a week up to the end of October?

I could not give that figure. Somewhere between 80,000 and 100,000 is as near as I can do so.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the need for increase in export trade, he will arrange for Class B releases for members of the Forces who were managers of export trade departments prior to joining His Majesty's Forces.

Yes, Sir. I have for some time been recommending release in Class B of individual specialists duly sponsored by the Board of Trade for key posts in export trade.

asked the Minister of Labour why a conditionally registered conscientious objector, who subsequently joined the Forces, will be released after men who remained conscientious objectors for the duration.

Civilian employment before enlistment in the Armed Forces is not taken into account in assessing war service for the purpose of release from the Forces. There would be no justification for making an exception to this general rule in favour of men who joined the Forces after a period of conditional registration as conscientious objectors, and to do so would be a grave injustice to thousands of other young men who were compulsorily retained in industry before being allowed to enlist.

asked the Minister of Labour why it is necessary, in making application for temporary employment in the Government service, to complete a questionnaire containing over 70 questions and to give such details as the colour of the applicant's eyes and the birthplace of his mother.

The form in question was agreed with all Government Departments concerned as appropriate for issue to candidates for temporary Government employment. During the war, mainly for security reasons, candidates for employment in temporary Government service were required to complete the form in all respects. Consideration is now being given, in consultation with Treasury, to the possibility of adopting a more simple type of application.

Can the Minister say what is done with all these forms when they are filled up?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give any approximate date when the Estate Duty Office Branch of the Civil Service, now at Llandrindod Wells, will return to London.

No, Sir. I am afraid that the shortage of accommodation in London makes this impossible. This office is at Llandudno, not at Llandrindod Wells.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his correction, may I ask whether, in view of the great anxiety felt about' the families of these men, the Chancellor cannot give an approximate month, or even year, which would help them to have something to which to look forward?