asked the Minister of National Insurance the total numbers of men and women now retired and in receipt of national insurance retirement pensions, at the last available date

It is estimated that at 31st December, 1946, 1,225,000 men and 2,085.000 women were in receipt of increased contributory pensions under the Regulations which became operative from 30th September. Of the men, 370,000 were between the ages of 65 and 70 and had qualified for the increase by retirement from regular employment; 855,000 were over the age of 70 to whom the retirement condition does not apply. Precisely comparable figures are not available for women but it is estimated that rather over 400,000 were women between 60 and 65 who satisfied the retirement condition for the increase.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that the referee appointed under the Contributory Pensions (Reference Regulations), in a case of which details have been sent to him, refused a pension on the grounds that a certain second marriage was not a valid marriage and the lady in question not a lawful wife, although a marriage was solemnised and a marriage certificate issued and if he will reconsider this case.

I have been in communication with the hon. Member about this case. The referee, who is an independent statutory authority, found that the death of this lady's husband was not established at the time of the second ceremony of marriage and his decision as to the validity of the second marriage followed accordingly. The referee's decision is final and conclusive and in the absence of fresh facts I have no power to reconsider the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in his scheme for the employment of disabled persons, special regard is had to the difficulties of obtaining employment for disabled young people who leave the special schools for handicapped children.

Yes, Sir. Advice and help in finding appropriate forms of employment are made available to all handicapped juveniles leaving special schools; special medical reports are obtained for this purpose, and there is close co-opera- tion between the juvenile employment service and the disablement resettlement officers.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of Polish troops repatriated from this country; the number still remaining; and the number who have taken up British employment.

Polish soldiers, sailors and airmen repatriated from this country number 56,00o. The number remaining here is 127,000 of whom 34,000 are awaiting repatriation. Approximately 6,900 have been relegated from the Resettlement Corps on being placed in civilian employment in this country.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now consider extending the provisions of Class B release up to at least Group 66 in order that all Servicemen who have been on short service courses at a university may be enabled to return this October to finish their studies.

No, Sir. It is, however, already open to universities to make special application for the release in Class B of scholars or highly promising students who have been on short service courses and who would have been within Groups 1–62 if the time spent on those courses had counted towards age and service grouping.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many employees of the Government, who absented themselves from duty with prior official permission for two days in order to deal with the results of their homes being flooded, have been deprived of two days' pay; and whether he will authorise up to three days' special leave with pay in all approved cases of this sort.

A general instruction would not, I think, be appropriate. A grant of special leave with pay in these cases, as in other cases of urgent domestic distress, is within the discretion of the Department concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total numbers of persons in receipt of State superannuation pensions at the last available date.

The following are the figures:

Members of the Armed Forces	184,800
Civil Servants	84,790
School Teachers	71,100
Local Government Officers approx.	55,000
Police approx.	55,000
Royal Irish Constabulary	11,900
Firemen	6,800
Total	469,300

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been made to the Nerwegian Government by His Majesty's Government to ensure that the Norwegian Government shall pay a proper price for the outstanding 200,000 5½ per cent. Debentures of Oslo Union Company still in British hands and that, pending agreement on terms of sale, dividends including arrears shall be paid.

The Norwegian Government withdrew the first offer, which, in my opinion was inadequate. A further offer is now awaited.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there is no uniformity of practice with regard to the insurance or non-insurance of goods, premises, etc., owned by Government Departments; and if he will ensure that a uniform practice shall in future prevail.

The general rule is against insurance of Government property. Any departure from this rule, for special reasons, requires the authority of the Treasury, who act in consultation with the Board of Trade in important cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increase there has been in the production of vacuum flasks recently; and what allocations are being made to agricultural workers.

The production of vacuum flasks of all makes is now running at a rate about 30 per cent. higher than that for the second half of 1946. 15,000 flasks per month are being allocated to agricultural workers under the "Thermos" priority scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amounts of rubber stocks in this country have been sold and have been delivered, respectively, to the U.S.S.R. or their representatives, and at what price.

5,988 tons of rubber have been sold and delivered to the U.S.S.R. from stocks in this country at a price based on 1s. ¾d. per lb. f.o.b. for standard sheet.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of goods in sterling exported to Sweden from 1st January, 1946, to 31st March, 1947; and the total amount of goods expressed in terms of sterling received from Sweden in the corresponding period.

Particulars of the value of exports to, and imports from Sweden during 1946 appeared in the issue of the monthly Trade Accounts for January, 1947. These particulars are now being published monthly one month in arrear, and particulars for the period January to March, 1947, will therefore appear in the April issue of the Trade Accounts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when a statement will he made regarding an issue of supplementary coupons to those who left the Forces in 1946.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton (Mr. Paget) on 3rd April

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a special allocation of clothing coupons to enable men in the Services to buy the civilian clothes which they are now allowed to wear when not on duty.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 13th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Winchester (Mr. G. Jeger).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of baby linen in South Wales and, in particular, Newport; and whether, in view of the large increase in the birth-rate, additional supplies are being made available.

I am very well aware of the shortage of baby linen and of the urgent need for increasing supplies in all parts of the country. All possible steps are being taken to make good the arrears of production brought about by the fuel crisis, and to meet the steadily rising demand

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of utility labels used in the manufacture of women's and children's clothing; and what steps are being taken to overcome such shortage.

I am not aware of any general shortage of labels for utility clothing, but if the hon. Member has any particular difficulty in mind, I should be glad to look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made, or are contemplated, with the joint Anglo-American import export agency for the manufacture of textiles in Germany.

Facilities have been provided for United Kingdom merchants and manufacturers to place orders for textiles by direct purchase or by putting in materials for further manufacture.

understand that a substantial contract was recently placed for wool combing and that negotiations are proceeding for wool and cotton cloth. The Board of Trade has placed a contract for a small quantity of cotton yarn and the possibility of obtaining cotton piece goods to supplement home utility production is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why £5,000.000 of electrical equipment was exported in February, 1947, nearly £2,000,000 more than in February, 1946, although 500,000 less than in January, 1947; and what representations he received from the Ministry of Fuel and Power with regard to the sufficiency or otherwise of this reduction from the January figure, in view of the present deficiency of electrical equipment.

The export of electrical equipment varies widely from month to month due to a variety of production causes, shipping, etc., which I am unable to particularize. No representations have been received from the Ministry of Fuel and Power with regard to either the January or February export figures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his intention to issue special clothing coupons for children prior to the next general issue to the adult population; when they will be issued; for what periods; how many coupons will be made available; and the total number of children to whom it will apply.

Yes, Sir. So far as can be seen at present, it will be possible to issue the children's TO coupons for 1947–48 on 1st August. The number entitled to this issue will be about 12,800,000. I hope also to be able to issue the same additional children's supplements as last year but I cannot at present give a firm undertaking, either as to the amount or as to the date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the degree of progress made regarding the erection of the 10 factories recommended by the committee presided over by the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell).

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the reply which I gave on 24th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. D. Williams) informing him of the position then of the nine factories under construction. Since then the two factories at LIwynypia and those at Ammanford and Aberbargoed have made good progress. Steelwork is a quarter complete at Ponthenry and has been started at Tumble, at Garnan, and at one of the Ferndale factories. The second factory at Ferndale is the only one where steelwork has not yet been started but the foundations are nearly complete. It has been decided to erect the tenth factory at Aberdare and work should begin shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the present shortage of bathing suits; and what steps have been taken to increase supplies.

Supplies of hosiery yarn are not good enough to allow of a significant increase in the production of bathing suits without a loss of more essential clothing for the home market or of goods for export. I regret therefore that we can only promise a very limited production of bathing suits this year

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to state when the Government's proposals for the granting of 25 per cent. of the cost of re-equipping the textile spinning industry will become operative.

I hope to make an announcement on this matter very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the stock of wool held in this country, over 58's quality, at 1st January, 1946, and 1st January, 1947.

The total stocks of wool of over 58's quality, actual weight, are estimated at about 440 million lb. on the 1st January, 1946, and 355 million lb. on the 1st January, 1947.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of hosiery exports of Scottish manufacture during the year ended 31st December, 1946.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the departure of the Secretary for Overseas Trade for trade talks in Moscow, the question of the resumption of the herring trade between this country and the U.S.S.R. will form part of the basis of these discussions.

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that his Department has granted a licence for the importation of substantial numbers of flower boxes from Holland and that this will operate to the detriment of box manufacturers in this country, particularly makers of fruit, flower and tomato boxes in Norfolk; and if he will look into the position with a view to having these importations stopped or appreciably reduced.

Two licences only have been granted for the import of flower boxes from Holland. These were intended for the special purposes of the Christmas trade. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield (Mr. Ernest Davies) on 21st October last about imports from countries whose economies have been disrupted by war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what attempts have been made to secure a settlement of the wartime trading account with the Soviet Union; and what results have been achieved.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Civil Supplies Agreement of 1941, under which the Soviet Government paid for civil supplies sent to Russia during the war, as to 4o per cent. of the value in gold or dollars and as to the remaining 6o per cent., out of a credit from His Majesty's Government. An understanding was reached last September on outstanding questions about the prices of these supplies, and payments are now being received from the Soviet authorities in accordance with the terms of the 1941 Agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to increase supplies of timber, particularly larch, for the boatbuilding industry.

The Board of Trade is making every effort to increase supplies of timber. As the hon. Member is aware, the quantity licensed for boatbuilding is a matter for my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, within the total amount allocated to them. I am not aware that suitable timber is not available to meet the licences issued by the Admiralty for boatbuilding but if the hon. Member knows of any such cases I shall he glad to have them examined.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why 80 lb. of streptomycin was recently exported from this country to Bangkok when, on the same day, a child died in Belvedere Hospital, Glasgow, because this drug is so scarce that none could be spared from the nearest supply four miles away in the Glasgow Royal Hospital for Sick Children; and whether he will give an assurance that exports of this drug will not be made in the future if it means that there is no supply left for people in this country.

I have no knowledge of the export to which the hon. Member refers As regards the last part of the Question, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, that if the clinical trials now being conducted prove the efficacy of this drug, the needs of the people of this country will receive first consideration out of the available supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many bales of Soviet cotton have recently been purchased for this country; what was the price paid per lb. for this cotton; and how does this price compare with the price of U.S. cotton of comparable qualities available at the same time.

The recent purchases of Soviet cotton were made at prices nominally somewhat lower than American, but the two growths are not fully comparable. The terms of contract for United States cotton are also in some respects more favourable. I do not consider it would be in the public interest to disclose the prices paid or the quantity bought.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of goods in sterling exported to Denmark from 1st January, 1946, to 31st March, 1947, and the total amount of goods expressed in terms of sterling received from Denmark in the corresponding period.

Particulars of the value of exports to, and imports from Denmark during the year 1946 appeared in the issue of the monthly Trade Accounts for January, 1947. These particulars are now being published monthly one month in arrear, and particulars for the period January to March, 1947, will therefore appear in the April issue of the Trade Accounts.

asked the Secretary of State for War if all German prisoners of war in this country can now send remittances home to their families; and if he will ensure that the facilities are generally understood.

All German prisoners of war in this country can send remittances to persons living in the British, American and French zones of Germany. It has not so far been found possible to include the Russian zone. Prisoners of war in every camp have shown considerable interest in the scheme and there is no reason to doubt that the facilities are generally understood

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he treats letters from serving soldiers written to Members of Parliament and subsequently forwarded to him as confidential.

When a letter from a serving soldier is forwarded to me by a Member of Parliament it is, of course, usually necessary that the letter should be seen by those who are responsible for investigating the matter raised. Where the investigation requires reference outside the War Office an extract from the soldier's letter may in appropriate cases be sent to the formation concerned, but only the essential parts of the letter are extracted and the soldier's name is not disclosed unless this is absolutely necessary for the investigation of the complaint.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) when he will implement his promises to reply to correspondence concerning the Army officer who acts for the insurance company;

(2) why the hon. Member for Coatbridge has not yet had a reply to correspondence placed before him four months ago on an urgent matter;

(3) whether Captain W. Allen Court, R.A.M.C., is still issuing certificates to his men, on behalf of insurance companies, ending compensation payments.

I regret the delay in sending my hon. Friend a final reply on this matter, but I hope to write to her very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that T/14802182 Lance-Corporal, R. Jones, H.Q. 258 Company (T.G.), R.A.S.C., M.E.L.F., who was due for release on 2nd November, 1946, has been held back from demobilisation in order to be a witness in a court martial; that his evidence had not been taken by 28th March, 1947; that this man's wife suffers from a rheumatic heart and has three young children to care for; that the Army welfare authorities have strongly recommended his immediate release; whether he will see that these legal proceedings are now brought rapidly to the point at which this man can be released; and what is the probable date of release.

Lance-Corporal Jones is an essential witness at the forthcoming trial of a warrant officer, a non-commissioned officer and eight drivers who have been charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs. The trial cannot take place until the arrival of another witness who is returning to the Middle East to give evidence, but it is hoped that it will start during this month. Lance-Corporal Jones will' be released as soon as possible, I hope during May.

asked the Secretary of State for War how soon the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford will receive an answer to his letter of 1st October, 1946, with reference to 6920899 Corporal Gaymer.

My hon. and gallant Friend has received several letters in reply to his original letter of 1st October and subsequent letters about this case. I hope to write to him further very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons for the delay from 24th June, 1946, to 21st March, 1947, in transferring the account of 14359703 Sergeant H. H. M. Kelly, R.A.E.C., to the appropriate paymaster and, consequently, in paying him his correct rate of pay as a sergeant.

The delay in transferring Sergeant Kelly's account to the appropriate paymaster, which I regret, was due to belated notification of his transfer by the military authorities overseas caused by shortage of trained personnel during last year. The arrears of pay and marriage allowance have, of course, been paid with effect from 24th June, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any report has yet been made by the inter-departmental committee on arrangements for relatives to visit the graves of Servicemen killed on active service overseas; and whether any financial assistance will be given to meet the expenses of such a journey.

I regret that I am not at present in a position to make a statement, as the committee has not yet reported.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the inter-departmental committee set up to study the problem of visits by relatives to the graves of men killed on the Continent has yet reported; and whether he will now make a further statement on the matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Southern Derby (Mr. Champion) yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that parents of soldiers stationed at Hudswell camp, Corsham, Wilts, are complaining that their sons stationed at this camp are being sent home on leave in a verminous state; that as a consequence much needed bed clothes have to be destroyed; and whether he will take steps immediately to investigate this matter.

No complaints have been received about this camp, where the accommodation is up to standard and adequate washing facilities exist. I am, however, obtaining a report on the matter, in view of the allegations contained in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the reasons for the retention of the Stanford battle area and the adjacent training area in Norfolk; and, in view of the fact that this area contains many acres of agricultural land, what use is being made of it at present.

No decision about the future of these areas has yet been taken by His Majesty's Government. The nature of the consideration which is being given to land requirements for the Services was explained by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his statement on 25th February. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to my hon. Friend the Member for South-West Norfolk (Mr. Dye) on 24th February.

asked the Secretary of State for War what cuts in the cigarette ration have been, or are to he, made in the British Army at home and abroad; and whether any exception will be made for those engaged in more arduous duties.

If the hon. Member is referring to cigarettes issued free, there has never been an issue of cigarettes to soldiers at home. The concession under which members of the Forces in the United Kingdom have been able to buy limited quantities of cigarettes at pre-1942 Budget prices will, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech, cease with effect from 27th April next. There have been no cuts in the free ration issue to troops abroad. The question how long this free issue, which was introduced as a wartime measure, should be continued is' at present being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that all necessary and available measures have been taken to remove land mines along the coast of Norfolk between Caister-on-Sea and Bacton.

The removal of these mines presents special difficulties and clearing operations have to be carried out with very great care. The work is, however, being pressed forward as fast as the Army's limited manpower resources allow.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the delay which has been taking place in mail deliveries between this country and members of the Royal Pioneer Corps Depot, M.E.L.F.; and if he will have the matter investigated as urgently as possible.

There have been no general delays recently in mail deliveries to the Forces in the Middle East, but a few hold ups did occur during the bad weather. The postal arrangements for the Royal Pioneer Corps Depot are being investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many surveyors of works serving abroad have been released with their age and service groups and how many have been compulsorily deferred; and what the comparable figures are for surveyors of works serving at home.

Since the release scheme started, 36 surveyors of works serving overseas have been compulsorily deferred for a period of three months. It has not been necessary to defer any serving in home commands. I regret that it is not possible readily to divide by home and overseas commands the number released with their age and Service Groups or under Class B, but the combined total for home and overseas is 177.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that no surveyors of works in M.E.L.F. are released with their age and service groups; and how long he expects that compulsory deferment of this category of officers will continue.

I am aware that the majority of surveyors of works in M.E.L.F. have been deferred for periods up to three months before being released. The demand for this type of specialist in M.E.L.F. is, and has been since the commencement of the release scheme, very acute, owing to the special problems of the theatre. I hope that the necessity to defer the release of this category of officers in M.E.L.F. will not continue for more than three months longer.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many applications he has received for short service commissions as surveyors of works; how many commissions have been granted and how many refused.

There have been 19 applicants, three of whom have been accepted as surveyors of works, and one as a combatant officer. Seven have been rejected and eight applications are still under consideration. Not all the applicants held the necessary professional qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the body of General Wingate, which has now been found in Burma, will be brought to this country for interment with military honours.

The policy of His Majesty's Government is that the bodies of those who fell overseas should be concentrated within military cemeteries in the countries and zones in which they fell. It is not proposed to make an exception to the general policy in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Captain Boydel was jointly charged with the late Captain Scrutton for offences contrary to military discipline and both were recalled to the forces after being demobilised for the sole purpose of facing trial in Germany; and whether it is his normal practice to recall into Army service civilians who are alleged to have committed offences whilst in military service.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, Yes, Sir. As regards the latter part, emergency commissioned officers remain subject to military law as provided in Army Order 78 of 1940 until the end of the emergency but it is not the policy to recall officers for trial unless the alleged offence is a grave one.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he has issued regulations to the effect that only Regular soldiers may be employed for duties such as storemen in Territorial Association halls; if civilians may be employed; and if any preference is given to ex-members of the Territorial Army.

The great majority of storemen's posts authorized for the Territorial Army are to be filled by civilians. The only exceptions are certain posts in technical units where military knowledge is necessary to handle the equipment held. Civilian storemen are appointed by the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association concerned, who in considering applicants who had been members of the Territorial Army would take that fact into account.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, prior to the execution of Dov Gruner and others, the G.O.C. Palestine and his Department had been informed that an appeal had been entered before the Privy Council and listed for hearing on 28th April.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will publish a list of all the raw materials and commodities controlled by him together with the individual prices changes which he has authorised during the last 12 months.

A list of the materials in question is published in the Raw Materials Guide issue by the Board of Trade. For the information of hon. Members I will place in the Library of the House a statement showing the changes authorised in the last 12 months in the controlled prices of materials for which the Ministry of Supply is responsible.

asked the Minister of Supply how many civil servants of all grades were employed in his Department on 1st April, 1947; by what extent this figure is lower than the figure for 1st March; and what further contraction of this wartime Ministry is expected.

The number of non-industrial civil servants of all grades employed in the Ministry of Supply on 1st April, 1947, was 41,383. This was 556 lower than the corresponding figure for 1st March. It is expected that the number will be reduced by some hundreds a month during the current year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much tobacco is now grown in this country and where; and if it is proposed to take steps to increase home production.

None, Sir. As to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for South-West Norfolk (Mr. Dye) on 17th March. I am sending him a copy of the memorandum mentioned in that reply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the loss of sheep on the W.D. property farmed by his Department in the areas of Redesdale and Coquetdale during the months January to March; what percentage it is of the stock held; and how does this compare with reports from the A.E.C. on privately-owned farms in Northumberland.

As far as can be ascertained at present the number of ewes lost up to the end of March on the land in question is 880, which represents just under 8½ per cent. of the total ewe stock. I understand that it is estimated that losses on privately-owned farms in Northumberland have on the average been somewhat heavier, although there is, of course, a wide variation in losses from one farm to another.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of fruit trees of each variety of fruit and the percentage increase that is being provided by nurseries in this country; and the numbers and variety for which provision has been made for imports from abroad.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd March, 1947; Vol. 59, col. 25], supplied the following statement:The full details asked for in the Question are not available but on the basis of the returns under the Ministry's certification scheme for apple and plum rootstocks it is estimated that the following stocks have been set out in nurseries for grafting and budding in 1947: Apples, 1000,000; Plums, 300,000. These figures are exclusive of stocks still in the stool beds, which are known to have been planted in very large numbers to meet future demands.

asked the Minister of Food what efforts have been made to ensure that fish merchants in Aberdeen have sufficient hoop iron to assemble the Swedish timber imported for fish boxes.

I have no reason to think that there has been any serious interruption in the distribution of fish through the shortage of hoop iron for fish boxes, though, of course, there is a general shortage of this material. Every effort is made in co-operation with other Departments concerned to see that permits are issued to meet essential needs. If the hon. Member will give me details of any special case of shortage, I will see that investigation is made.

asked the Minister of Food by what method and by whom is the official yield in rations from a given portion of meat calculated.

The official yield in rations from individual portions of meat is not calculated. The local food office issues a permit for a certain wholesale value of meat based on a percentage of the total requirements of each butcher in terms of the retail value of his registrations, etc. This method takes account of the difference between wholesale and retail prices and allows for losses due to cutting, defrosting, and so on. It is based on the results of a series of practical tests by the Ministry's trade officers on different types of meat in various parts of the country and of the facts disclosed by costings investigations of representative business.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that large quantities of biscuits and Scotch shortbread are exported to Australia, which is not in need of it, and is anxious to send food parcels to this country; and if, instead of exporting biscuits, he will consider recommending the export of crockery and machinery.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his Question on 10th February. No biscuits are now being exported to Australia. The last shipment took place in May, 1946.

asked the Minister of Food the reasons which have necessitated the rise in coffee and coffee mixture prices.

World market prices for raw coffee have increased considerably in recent months because of higher costs in production areas, a decline in world output, and an increase in total demand. It has now become necessary as a result to raise the price to the consumer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in the case of how many four-apartment houses approved by his Department is the price in excess of £1,500, £1,700 and 2,000, respectively.

Tenders have been approved for 112 houses of four apartments in excess of £1,500 and for eight in excess of £1,700. No such houses have been approved in excess of £2,000.

asked the 'Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that, on account of his recent restrictions upon the building of houses, the Scottish Veterans Garden Cities Association, to whom public subscriptions have been sent for the building of 50o houses, find their work brought to a standstill and are unable to construct any further houses; and, in view of the important objects of this Association and its wide public support in Scotland, what action he is taking in the matter.

I have arranged for the inclusion in the 1947 programme of 12 of the 14 houses which the Association have at present under construction, and am in touch with the appropriate local authority about the inclusion of the remaining two. The approval of new contracts, whether undertaken by housing associations or local authorities, depends on the capacity of the industry to take on new work in the district, I shall consider any further proposals submitted by the Association as sympathetically as I can from this point of view.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what action is taken by his Department to determine the width and type of surface of forest roads in proposed National Park areas; what are his recommendations in these respects in the case of forest roads in the Lake District; and whether the alterations now in progress to the occupation road running up Ennerdale conform with these recommendations and have received his approval.

The matters referred to can be dealt with more appropriately in relation to the circumstances of particular cases than by general recommendations. As regards the last part of the Question, I have been in communication with the Forestry Commission, and am in agreement with the proposals.

asked the Minister of Works what is the present size of the Mobile Land Force under the directorate of that name in his Department; what is the type and extent of the work already completed; and why it is now proposed to double the size of the directorate.

At 1st April, 1947, there were 4,111 operatives employed in the Mobile Labour Force (exclusive of local British labour, Belgians and prisoners of war). The work actually completed by the Mobile Labour Force since 25th June, 1946, includes war damage repairs to 365 houses and one block of flats; the complete rebuilding of 77 permanent houses; site preparation for, and erection of, 1,122 temporary houses, 18 Airey houses and 6o Howard houses; site preparation and bases for 200 further houses; the conversion of existing buildings to Teachers' Training Colleges at six towns and the debricking of Government buildings, schools and hospitals. All this work was carried out in areas where sufficient local labour was not available. In addition, a large amount of work is at present in various stages of construction. At 1st April, 1947, the Directorate, whose size is governed by the labour force required to be supervised, numbered 363. Provision has been made for an increase of 178 in 1947–48 to meet the extended operations which the Force will be called upon to undertake.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will, through the usual channels, inquire from every country that was neutral during the war, whether Hitler or any of the other Nazi criminals deposited any of their fortunes in those countries.

Laws have been passed in all the countries that were neutral during the war expressly requiring the declaration, subject to penalty, of all assets held by or on behalf of Germans. So far no assets belonging to the major war criminals already tried at Nuremberg have been revealed, nor has any reliable evidence yet been found in Germany that such assets exist in any of these countries. In the circumstances inquiries such as my hon. Friend suggests would be superfluous.