asked the Minister of Labour if he will take the necessary steps to assist the Nottingham Corporation to recruit alternative labour for their housing sites to replace the prisoners of war now engaged and shortly to be withdrawn and utilised in agriculture; and if he will postpone the withdrawal of prisoners of war until such alternative labour is assured.

The necessary steps are already being taken. I regret that there can be no question of postponing the withdrawal of these prisoners of war, who are urgently required for agriculture.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will give the effect to date of the recent increases in the Tobacco Duty and tax on the employment in the industry, with separate figures for the actual unemployed and the number on short time, and the amount of short time worked on a comparative basis with the hours worked before the increased tax;(2) what steps have been taken to utilise the surplus labour force in the tobacco industry made redundant by the recent increase in the tobacco tax.

Returns rendered by employers in the tobacco manufacturing industry in Great Britain show that between the end of March and the end of June there was a reduction in employment of about 300 men and 1,800 women. The workpeople stood off have been absorbed in other industries. At 14th April there were 656 insured persons in the industry registered as unemployed, including nine temporarily stopped; at 16th June the total was 638, including 37 temporarily stopped. In the week ending 28th June, about 2,900 workpeople lost two hours each on the average in short time. On the other hand, 2,480 workpeople were on overtime to the extent of 2f hours each on the average. No short time was worked in the last week of March, but 6,250 work-people worked 3½ hours overtime each on the average.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Poles are now employed in tinplate mills in South Wales; how many more could be employed; and what steps he is taking to make the additional labour available.

Seventy Poles have so far been placed in the tinplate industry in South Wales. Some hundreds more could be employed and my regional office has called a meeting this week between the Employers' Association and the appropriate trade union to discuss details. Selection interviews are meanwhile being conducted by the employers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information as to the number of employers other than the central and local governments, who have arranged pension schemes for their employees; the total number of wage and salary earners covered by such schemes, giving separately the schemes to which employers contribute and those in which no contribution is made by employers.

I regret that up-to-date information is not available. Some particulars relating to the year 1936 were published in the May, 1938, issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette."

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement about the removal of the control of engagement from the mining and agricultural industries.

I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement on this matter at the moment.

asked the Minister of Labour, why no factories have yet been established in the West Riding of Yorkshire by the Disabled Persons Employment Corporation; what revisions have been made in the programme announced on 17th April; and when the first factory will be opened.

The first of the Disabled Persons Factories in the West Riding of Yorkshire is that at Halifax, but the opening has been delayed because of difficulties in completing the electrical work. This is now in hand but I am unable at this stage to say when the factory will be ready. Two factories additional to those in the programme announced on 17th April are under consideration, one at Doncaster and one, to deal with cases of tuberculosis, at Sheffield.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men were released from the Forces for employment in the mines during this year.

From the beginning of this year up to 19th July, the latest date for which figures are available, 5,929 men had been released in Class B for underground coalmining work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement showing how the rates of pay, hours of work, living accommodation and general conditions of work of female nurses in Scotland compare with similar details in other comparable spheres of women's work in Scotland.

There are many careers open to young women in Scotland which could be regarded as comparable in some degree to nursing, but the prevailing rates of pay and conditions of service are not readily comparable without taking into account such factors as whether the post is a resident one or training facilities are provided by the employer. If my hon. and learned Friend will specify the occupations he has in mind I will endeavour to let him have the information he requires.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the qualifications of Mr. Montgomery, who has recently been appointed as a member of the Scottish Land Court.

Mr. Montgomery was appointed as the Gaelic-speaking member of the Scottish Land Court. He was born and bred on a croft in the Western Isles and has an intimate knowledge of crofting conditions.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that there are delays up to six months in delivery of spinal braces for patients in M.O P. hospitals; that this delay causes exceptional suffering; and if he will take steps to secure delivery of the equipment within a reasonable time.

There has been some regrettable delay in obtaining spinal braces of good quality. Steps were taken to deal with the problem and the position is improving. I am, however, looking further into the matter and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now state when value payments, and the interest thereon, will be paid to those entitled to them.

As from 10th November next. But in many cases there are two or more owners (for example, a freeholder and a leaseholder), who must agree on how the payment is to be shared (going to arbitration if necessary), before the War Damage Commission can make the payment, or even begin the necessary calculations of interest, percentage increase, etc. I have already appealed to owners to hasten this process, and the Commission have sent out forms asking for early information, but replies have been received in only one-fifth of these cases. I strongly urge those concerned to delay no longer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why his Department have not yet completed the acquisition of the Glanllyn Estate, Llanuwchllyn, Merioneth, although the decision to do so was announced at Whitsun, 1946; and whether he will now reply to the representations made by the hon. Member for Merioneth, dealing with the hardship to the tenants which the present position causes.

Because the draft contract for the conveyance of this estate to the Treasury was not received from the solicitors to the Trustees until 8th July last. An answer to the hon. Member's letter has been sent to him, pointing out that until the conveyance of the property is complete, responsibility for its management must remain with the present owners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, as a result of double-taxation agreements between the United Kingdom and Dominions or Colonies, some tax reserve certificates accumulated for payment of United Kingdom tax have become unusable; and whether he will consider the negotiation of an agreement for such certificates to be accepted in a Dominion or Colony.

If the hon. Member will send me particulars I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will grant a concession to all limbless persons entitling them to come under the £10 licence class although, by reason of the date of the previous licence, they do not qualify.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that if the landlord is to maintain the condition of controlled houses the annual cost of repairs is often higher than the rental received; and if he will allow a larger percentage than at present to be set against Income Tax.

I have promised to examine the scale of the Schedule A repairs allowance before next year's Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes to take any special measures to counteract the fall in net savings under the savings campaign, in view of the fact that the net investments are far short of his estimate for the present financial year.

I rely on the National Savings Movement to exert every effort to reach the target they have set themselves. A series of special Savings Weeks will be held later in the year, which I hope will receive the, strong support of all sections of the community. The Savings Movement has as great a part to play in the present emergency as ever before in its history.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the grievance of retired prison officers as to the inadequacy of their retired pay following recent increases in the cost of living; and what action he intends taking about it.

These officers, like other civil servants, are eligible for increases of pension under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1944 and 1947.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many of the boots and shoes imported from Czechoslovakia are not suited for English trade and are dearer than the home product; and if he will reconsider the policy of importing this footwear.

No. The type of Czech shoes imported is a matter for the enterprise and judgment of private importers. With regard to price, it must be remembered that these shoes carry Import Duty and Purchase Tax.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many human skeletons have been exported to South Africa during the past 12 months; and what is the reason for this traffic.

Separate export figures are not recorded in respect of human skeletons, and no record has been found of any applications for licences to export them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade who is the Tobacco Controller; what are his qualifications; and are his services given voluntarily.

There has been no Tobacco Controller since June, 1945. Sir Alexander Maxwell, formerly Tobacco Controller, has continued to assist the Board of Trade as Chairman of the Tobacco Advisory Committee. He receives no payment for these services. He has bad long experience in a firm of leaf tobacco merchants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to allow new firms who wish to set up in the import trade into Britain to be given some allocation.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him in answer to a similar question on 27th March last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department sanctioned a licence for the felling of all trees over the whole area of 147 acres of the Gwrych Castle Estate, Abergele, Denbighshire, in November, 1946, thus despoiling the amenities of this beautiful hinterland of a portion of the North Wales coast; and whether, before sanctioning this wholesale felling of trees, any consultation took place between his Department and the Abergele Urban District Council.

Home-grown timber is still urgently required for essential purposes. A licence to fell the trees on Gwrych Castle Estate was accordingly issued by the Timber Control after consultation with the Forestry Commission, who agreed on forestry grounds that the timber should be felled. The Abergele Urban District Council were not consulted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many hotels and other holiday establishments are blamed for deficiencies which it is not in their power to remedy; and if he will make a statement on the steps being taken to overcome these deficiencies.

Yes. The Government have done their best to make available to hotels, boarding-houses and holiday camps which suffered during the war from enemy action, requisitioning or billeting and those of special importance to overseas visitors special supplies of equipment, furnishings, linen, etc., as well as to facilitate structural renovations and repairs. More help will be given, through the British Tourist and Holidays Board, as soon as possible. But the goods which hotels, etc., need for their industry are much the same things as the housewife needs for her home and in many cases are also most valuable exports; and it is not possible, from the production at present available, to satisfy all these claims.I hope, therefore, that holidaymakers of all kinds will realise that holiday establishments are of necessity working under the handicap of deficiencies of equipment and will make proper allowances if, for example, they are asked to bring their own towels and soap, if hot water is not always as abundant as they could wish, if sheets are patched. They are entitled, however, to look for those things which even with shortages of staff are already within the reach of all establishments, courtesy, skill in the preparation of food, and the giving of good value for money. I am sure that the industry will do everything it can to provide this quality of service even though material resources are somewhat lacking. If they do, then, by the provision of good holidays for our own people and the development of our overseas tourist trade, they will be making a material contribution to the economic health of this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now completed his review of the needs of the textile industries, and especially carpet yarn manufacturers, for an increased allocation of card clothing; and whether, in view of the long delivery periods now required by card clothing manufacturers after presentation of the necessary licences by yarn manufacturers he will arrange for these licences to be granted immediately when the need is proved.

It is hoped to complete a review of the distribution arrangements for card clothing at an early date. Applications for licences for card clothing are considered individually, and in all cases where the need is proved licences are issued as speedily as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what encouragement his Department is giving to the Anglo-Belgian Exhibition to be held in Brussels in September which is backed by the British Chamber of Commerce in Brussels.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling) on 29th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why clothing coupons are demanded for abdominal belts for which a medical certificate is presented; and why the consent of his Department is also necessary for the transaction.

Abdominal belts of not more than 6 inches in width specially designed for a number of specified conditions are available coupon-free. In fairness to all, coupons are required for other types which cannot be thus clearly defined because some can be worn in place of other rationed garments. The endorsement of the Board of Trade is necessary to enable the manufacturers of the garment to supply in excess of their non-utility quota and to obtain the specially strong material used.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent his refusal to undertake fixed commitments for the delivery to the U.S.S.R. of timber and oil equipment was a contributing factor to the breakdown of the trade negotiations with the U.S.S.R.

As my right hon. and learned Friend stated in the House on 28th July, the cause of the breakdown of the negotiations was the refusal of the Soviet Government to enter into a trade agreement except on the basis of a very drastic alteration in the terms of repayment of the credit advanced under the Civil Supplies Agreement of 1941, and their refusal to accept the very generous concessions we offered in this connection. As regards timber equipment, we offered a definite commitment to supply during 1947 light rails out of surplus military stocks, and at an early stage in the negotiations Mr. Mikoyan agreed, in view of our steel position, to leave the supply of steel rails in subsequent years to be settled at a meeting to be held in January, 1948, at which time the quantities of timber to be supplied from the U.S.S.R. in those years were also to be agreed. He later agreed that oil drilling tubes, a demand which he only made on us at a relatively late stage in the negotiations, should also be left for settlement at the 1948 meeting.So far as other items of timber equipment, such as narrow gauge locomotives, trucks, timber carriers, winches, cranes, etc., are concerned, it was made clear from an early stage in the discussions that this was a matter for the Soviet importing organisations to settle on a contract basis with supplying firms in the United Kingdom. We, for our part, in addition to indicating the supply prospects for these items, undertook to do everything possible within the limits of our powers to ensure that the contracts were signed, fulfilled and executed in good time. We were not however prepared to grant the orders over-riding priority either over essential home requirements such as mining machinery and electrical generating equipment or over export orders placed earlier for hard currency markets or for destinations where they would, as in the case of the Soviet orders, assist the countries concerned to make available food and essential raw materials to this country. On the last day of our negotiations, Mr. Mikoyan agreed to the draft schedule to the Agreement giving the delivery prospects for such equipment, and agreed further that the dates of delivery were to be settled between the Soviet importing organisations and the firms concerned. Moreover, at our final meeting he said that we had now reached agreement on all trade questions, apart from the financial matters. It is, therefore, not correct to report the breaking off of negotiations as due to the "factors referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many factories are now in course of construction but not completed in the South Wales development area; and how many of these are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

In the South Wales development area, there were, in various stages of construction on 30th June, 1947, 109 new factories and extensions of 5,000 square feet and over, and site work on four more had started. In addition, 36 factories were similarly under construction in advance of specific demands from industrialists. In present circumstances, it is not possible to make any firm estimates as to the probable dates of completion of these factories, but I hope that by the end of the year about 30 of them will be so far advanced that tenants will be able to occupy them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement upon the provision of improved facilities for visiting war graves abroad; and what financial assistance will be made available.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Stockport (Wing-Commander Hulbert) on 22nd July.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the quantity and types of guns and other armaments in the dump at the ordnance depot, Green-ford, Middlesex; whether these armaments are expected to be of use; and how many soldiers and civilians are on duty guarding them.

Between two and three thousand pieces of equipment are held in gun parks adjoining this ordnance depot, including anti-tank, field artillery and anti-aircraft weapons, vehicles and other armaments. All are current types required for the Forces. No special guards are needed during the daytime when the depot is operating; at night there are four watchmen and four soldiers guarding the equipments.

asked the Secretary of State for War why air-mail letters from troops in Palestine are taking as much as a fortnight to reach their destinations in this country; and what measures he proposes to take to accelerate the service.

Troops air-mail is despatched from Palestine to this country daily and normally reaches its destination in five to six days. If the hon. Member has specific evidence that letters are taking appreciably longer than this and will let me have it I will look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now obtained information on a document, to which his attention has been drawn, reference No. M 42, which was circulated from Sara-fand, on 2nd May, 1947, by the adjutant of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, with instructions that it should be read by all officers and, later, made available for reading by other ranks and which included statements prejudging the findings of the United Nations Fact-Finding Commission on Palestine; and whether he will make a statement on the circulation by officers of political opinions on a matter which is sub judice.

H.Q. Palestine and Transjordan District publish an intelligence news letter from time to time, which is circulated to all units. This news letter includes as appendices copies of articles of all points of view. This is done in order that troops may be kept informed of current views on issues in Palestine. The document referred to by my hon. Friend was a copy of an article published in the "Atlantic Monthly" in February. This article had been republished in the news letter, which was circulated to the Welsh Guards as a normal routine matter. It was in no way presented as an expression of official opinion. Other articles written from entirely different points of view have been similarly republished in other issues of the news letter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the perpetuation of the names of the old county militia regiments by allotting these names to either P.T.Cs. or infantry depots.

If plans for the postwar organisation of the Army make it advisable to consider the future of the infantry militia battalions, the suggestion to use their names for P.T.Cs. or depots will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the approximate amount per month by which lieutenants, captains, majors, lieutenant - colonels, colonels, major-generals, warrant officers and staff-sergeants will be worse off due to the introduction of taxation of allowances; and whether he will cause this grievance to be remedied at the earliest possible moment.

There are many possible variations, but, in the case of the married man with a wife and one child, (a) as the extreme case, living with his family not in quarters, and (b) separated from his family and living in barracks, the approximate monthly differences, assuming no change in circumstances, in total net emoluments at the present time as compared with June, 1946, before the introduction of the new pay code are as follow:

	(a)	(b)
	£	£
Major-General	− 3	+ 17
Colonel	+ 1	+ 10
Lieut.-Colonel (in command)	0	+ 5
Lieut.-Colonel (not in command)	− 1	+ 4
Major	− 1	+ 5
Captain	+ 4	+ 8
Lieutenant	+ 2	+ 6
Warrant Officer I	+ 1	+ 1
Warrant Officer II	+ 4	+ 4
Staff Sergeant	+ 4	+ 4

The officers and other ranks concerned are assumed to have been drawing, and to be drawing, the basic pay of the rank under each code, with war excess under the new code where appropriate. Officers living with their families are assumed to have been drawing servant allowance under the old code, and war service increments have been taken as having been in issue at the following daily rates:

	s.	d.
Lieut.-Colonels and Majors	6	0
Captains	4	6
Lieutenants	3	0
Warrant Officers	3	o
Staff-Sergeants	1	6

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware- that when 11224629 Gunner C. Geeves surrendered as a deserter, a son and daughter, 19 and 17 years of age, were left alone, without means; that the son suffers from epilepsy; that there is no provision for the grant of a dependant's allowance in such cases; that until Gunner Geeves has been released and is paid again he cannot make a voluntary allotment; that, when these facts were brought to the notice of his Department by the hon Member for Finsbury, the only concession was to put in a claim for a War Service Grant on behalf of Miss Geeves; and whether he will now order the immediate release of Gunner Geeves and his compassionate discharge from the Army.

This soldier was found guilty of desertion for a period of nearly five years. In these circumstances the sentence of 16 months' detention may be regarded as lenient. It is subject to one-third remission for good conduct and is due for review on 3rd September. I regret that there are no grounds for anticipating this review and that the circumstances though hard, do not satisfy the conditions under which compassionate release may be granted.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to reply to the complaints, made by the hon. Member for South Derbyshire, of a failure of the postal facilities from the unit of Bombadier L. Samways which have been the subject of representations over the past three months.

This matter is still under investigation and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I have received the necessary information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that S/14928718 S/Sergeant Stanley, B Section, Cold Storage Unit, R.A.S.C., Athlit, Palestine, M.E.L.F., commenced his period of service in the Fleet Air Arm on 14th June, 1943, was transferred to Army service in February, 1945, and should, therefore, be demobilised with Group 54; that this demobilisation has not taken place owing to naval service being not counted, personal No. F.X.582031, 53rd Pilots Course; why naval service has been ignored in counting length of time in His Majesty's Forces; and if he will expedite demobilisation.

Sergeant Stanley was not called forward for release with Group 54 owing to an erroneous entry in his documents overseas. As soon as his unit drew attention to the error, his correct Group was confirmed and he is now on his way home for release.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many houses his Department propose to build on the 12½ acres of land surrounding Agaton Fort, Plymouth; has the layout been approved; are the plans and specifications prepared; has the local authority been consulted upon provision of educational facilities for the children; and when does he anticipate the work will commence.

Detailed plans for the use of this land cannot be made until the future accommodation requirements of the Service Departments in the neighbourhood of Plymouth and Devonport are known.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of married families, officers and other ranks, at present accommodated in Tripolitania; why is not additional accommodation made available; and what is the estimated cost of requisitioning such accommodation and putting it in a fit state for occupation by British women and children.

One hundred and eighteen officers' and 46 other ranks families are at present accommodated in Tripolitania. Certain additional accommodation, on which engineer repair work will be required, has been earmarked, but firm plans for the acquisition of these properties cannot be concluded until the final strength and location of the garrison are fixed. The cost of requisitioning this accommodation cannot be assessed until the extent of the commitment is known.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the main recommendations of the Manpower Committee set up to investigate processes and methods in ordnance depots; and what reductions he anticipates by their implementation.

The report of the Committee referred to by my hon. Friend has been sent to the Army Manpower Committee which has recently been appointed and its recommendations are being considered by that Committee as part of their general inquiry into Army manpower requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has given consideration to the desire of the people from whom the Stanford Battle Training Area was requisitioned in 1942, for the return to their possession of their lands and homes in accordance with the promises given on behalf of His Majesty's Government by the Commanding Officer, Eastern Command, and the Deputy Regional Commission; and if he will make a further statement on the release of this area.

This question will be dealt with in the White Paper which it is proposed to publish.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many nurses of the Q.A.I.M.N.S.R. are now working in India and how many of the O.A.I.M.N.S.; and if he will now release the volunteer nurses on the reserve from the work in India and allow the Regular nursing service to finish the job.

There are 33 members of the Q.A.I.M.N.S. and 241 members of the Q.A.I.M.N.S.(R.) and T.A.N.S. now serving in India. I regret that the replacement of Q.A.I.M.N.S.(R.) is not practicable, particularly in view of the short time for which they are now likely to be required in India.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many letters were received by his Department from hon. Members of this House during the months of May and June, respectively.

Two thousand two hundred and sixty-nine, and 1,970, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all detention reports for German prisoners have now been received from the U.S.A.: and when he proposes to inform all German prisoners in this country, who are still uncertain whether or not they will be detained, of his decision in this matter.

Lists of suspected war criminals are received from individual countries through the United Nations War Crimes Commission, who notify the country concerned when a wanted man has been identified. The decision to bring a suspect to trial or to drop the case then rests not with His Majesty's Government, but with the country which registered him. I am informed that the lists are not yet complete.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now reviewed cases of prisoners of war who have been sentenced for consorting with British women; and if he will make a statement.

I have examined the proceedings of 27 military courts which awarded sentences of imprisonment or detention to prisoners of war for establishing relations of an amorous nature with members of the public. It is no longer an offence for prisoners of war to establish such relations but in a few cases there are additional circumstances of which I must take a serious view. Where the case involves a prisoner of war of good character and his charge is solely connected with amorous conduct, I have remitted the balance of the sentence. This has been done in some 20 cases. In three other cases in which the conduct of the men concerned has been unsatisfactory in other respects, I have suspended but not remitted the sentences. There remain four cases in which I am not prepared to take any such action as the prisoners of war concerned are involved in charges of a far more serious nature.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the various social and educational activities in which prisoners of war are now permitted to engage, he will, during the coming autumn and winter, modify the regulations obliging them to be back in camp by dusk.

Instructions were issued on 17th July, which will allow prisoners of war to remain out of camp until 10 p.m. throughout the year.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now, in consultation with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, arrange for Ger-man prisoners of war who desire to enter into the employ of farmers in this country and wish first to visit their relatives in Germany, to return to Germany for a period not exceeding 56 says and, if they so wish, to bring back their wives and families, provided that their future employer certifies that suitable accommodation is available.

It would not be practicable to grant prisoners of war leave to Germany. I will consult my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary about the possibility of allowing wives and families to come to this country, but I cannot at the moment give any indication whether or not this will be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many prisoners of war were repatriated from Great Britain and the Middle East, respectively, during the month of July.

Fourteen thousand, three hundred and seventy-six and 5,741, respectively, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements will now be made for prisoners of war to make voluntary contributions to relief funds from money which is paid to them in sterling.

With the introduction of the privilege to use English money any prisoner of war is at liberty to make voluntary contributions in English money When he is outside camp limits. Instructions were issued on 21st July, 1947, permitting collections to be made by and on behalf of the International Red Cross Committee within prisoner-of-war camps on condition that any such donations should be entirely voluntary and no official accounting machinery was to be involved.

asked the Secretary of State for War the location and size of the areas available for the training of Territorial Army units of the Royal Armoured Corps stationed in London.

The problem of finding adequate training areas for units of the Royal Armoured Corps stationed in London is under urgent consideration and I cannot yet say where these areas will be located. Investigations are at present centred on the Aldershot district.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the possibility of making up to a reasonable maximum the difference between the civilian wages and salaries and the service pay of members of the T.A., during their annual camp, so as to encourage recruiting; and with what result.

The present system of payment by rank at the same rates as are applicable to the Regular Army is considered to be the only practicable way of paying the Territorial Army during annual training.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider increasing the consolidated rates of pay offered to non-Regular adjutants and quartermasters for the T.A., to bring them more into line with the emoluments offered to officers holding those ranks in the Regular Army.

I do not think these rates compare unfavourably with those of Regulars when it is remembered that the officers concerned have much lesser liabilities. They serve in a fixed position, generally near their homes, and are not liable to moves without their consent, whereas the Regular officer is liable to frequent moves, and to service in any part of the world. Full rates of pay and allowances, as issuable to Regulars, are, of course, issued during camp or training exceeding 48 hours.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it is proposed that suitable candidates amongst those conscripted should be offered an opportunity to take commissions in the T.A.; if a proportion of vacancies will be assured to them; and if it is proposed to reestablish the supplementary reserve of officers and the T.A. Reserve of Officers.

National service men will be given opportunity to obtain a commission during their service with the active Army. At the end of this service they may be granted a commission in the Territorial Army; at present this is, of course, only if they volunteer; after the new Act comes into force they will be able to perform their obligatory reserve service as officers. There is no need to guarantee them a proportion of vacancies because they will provide the source of junior officers for the T.A. The change in circumstances since before the war, as a result of the National Service Act makes it unlikely that the supplementary Reserve of Officers will be reconstituted in its prewar form as a means of providing young officers for the Regular Army on mobilisation. It is, however, intended to re-establish the Supplementary Reserve, and arrangements to this end are already in hand. The Territorial Army Reserve of Officers continues to exist as before the War, but pending full consideration of the future of the various reserves no fresh appointments are being made to it, except that officers may be transferred to it from the active list of the T.A.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is making any arrangements for properly- equipped theatres in new towns.

To secure that in new towns there is adequate provision for the arts—including the dramatic art with its need for properly equipped theatres—is a responsibility which rests primarily on the respective development corporations, and it is one which I am confident they will not overlook.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why, in view of the fact that the National Parks Committee recommended that Dartmoor should hold fourth place among all the potential national parks in England and Wales, before holding a public inquiry into training areas pro posed on Dartmoor, he, himself, took the initiative in calling a conference on 11th April and other dates whereby, with his concurrence, the Service Departments and local authorities reached a provisional agreement to allow training areas on Dartmoor, which disqualify, approximately, one-quarter of the moor for use as a national park and limit the recreational value of the rest.

A conference at Exeter on 11th April was called by the Devon County Council to enable the negotiating committee, on behalf of local authorities, to discuss Service land requirements on Dartmoor with representatives of the Services concerned. The chairman of the county planning committee, who was also chairman of the negotiating committee, presided. Representatives of the M.O.T.C.P. also attended. The provisional agreement reached at this conference will come under the further consideration of the Government when the report of the public local inquiry recently held is received. I am surprised that there should be the suggestion that it is a matter for reproach that my Department helped in reconciling conflicting views.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will give an assurance that a local public inquiry will be held before a final decision is taken to retain the R.A.C. range at Warcop, Westmorland, as a permanent military training area.

My right hon. Friend is at present in correspondence with local authorities and the C.P.R.E. about the proposed requirement of the War Department for an Armoured Fighting Vehicle Range at Warcop and I am unable at present to say whether the requirement, as eventually modified, would still meet with such objections, on the grounds of public interest, as to necessitate a public local inquiry.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when Mr. C. B. Keen, 7, Craven Avenue, Southwick Estate, Canvey Island, who was 65 years of age on 16th March, 1947, and made- application for his retirement pension on 12th December, 1946, may expect to receive it.

I regret that the investigation of Mr. Keen's claim has shown that he has no present or prospective title to a pension under the Contributory Pensions Acts and this has recently been explained to him.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether, before the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1946, is brought into force next year, there is to be any further legislation to clarify certain issues which have arisen in that connection.

No such legislation is in preparation at present.

asked the Minister or Defence what steps are taken to immunise our Forces in Germany against diphtheria.

Service men and their families are advised to take advantage before leaving for Germany of the facilities for diphtheria immunisation available in this country. In addition complete facilities are available to them on arrival in Germany or at any time thereafter.

asked the Minister of Defence whether the doctors who perform vaccination and/or inoculations of members of His Majesty's Forces are paid a fee for each operation, or whether operations are carried out as part of their normal duties.

Doctors who belong to the Regular medical services receive no special fees for vaccinations or inoculations. Other doctors who are engaged to supplement the Regular medical services are paid appropriate fees according to circumstances. A special fee for each inoculation and/or vaccination is provided for in certain of these cases.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the importation of Dutch bees, which are believed to be more resistant to bad weather conditions, has been prohibited, in view of the fact that British bee keepers lost a high proportion of their bees during the inclement weather last winter.

The importation of Dutch bees is not prohibited but is subject to licensing by the Board of Trade who act on the recommendation of my Department. Importation is recommended only if it is desirable in the national interest, having due regard to the risk of introducing disease.

asked the Minister of Food how long the average application for a licence for an iced wedding cake takes to be considered and granted.

Normally a licence can be issued within 24 hours of the receipt of the completed application form.

asked the Minister of Transport the figures revealed in the recent census of passengers using the 10 p.m. train from Waverley to King's Cross, and the 10.15 p.m. train King's Cross to Waverley, at the recently- suspended stops of Dunbar and Drem, respectively.

Before the stops were withdrawn the daily average number of passengers alighting at Drem from the 10.15 p.m. train from King's Cross was seven. The daily average number joining the 10 p.m. from Waverley at Dunbar was three.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the principal factors likely to produce abnormal difficulties in railway transport operations during the coming autumn and winter months.

The principal factor is likely to be the continuing shortage of locomotives and wagons, especially the latter. The effect of this shortage would of course be accentuated if weather conditions in the winter were exceptionally severe. Adverse effects on trade and industry can be mitigated by reducing the turn-round times of wagons at terminals and in particular by loading and unloading wagons on Saturdays at establishments where a 5-day week is being worked.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps have been taken during the past four months to complete and bring into service partially completed mineral wagons recently standing at Martin Mill and Gatwick, and to repair box wagons standing on the Maldon West branch line.

[pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th July, 1947; Vol. 441, Col. 1)], supplied the following statement:In view of the difficulty experienced by contractors in obtaining delivery of steel plate, arrangements were made for fabricated doors to be manufactured at the railway works at Ashford. This has enabled 50 of the wagons stabled at Martin Mill to be completed. Manufacturers are now producing doors at the rate of 40 sets a week and the Southern Railway Company are helping to assemble them; the 92 wagons stabled at Gatwick have been taken into the works and 75 of them have been completed and released to traffic. The rest are being dealt with as quickly as possible. With regard to the wagons on the Maldon West branch line there is at present insufficient capacity in depots to store all wagons awaiting repair, and this branch is used to stable crippled wagons pending repair.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give estimates of anticipated production for each of the months of August, September and October of bricks, cement, salt glazed pipes and conduits, roofing slates and tiles, plaster and plasterboard; and by when does he anticipate the present serious shortage in building materials will be made good.

The figures of production for the latest period available are:

Item	Period.	Production.
Bricks	June, 1947	400 millions
Salt Glazed Pipes and Conduits.	June, 1947	42,000 tons
Roof Slates	May, 1947	26,000 squares
Clay and Concrete Roof Tiles	June, 1947 (Prov.).	122,000 squares
Plaster	June, 1947	15,800 tons
Plasterboard	4 weeks ended 26th July,1947.	3,048,000 sq. yards
Cement	4 weeks ended 28th July, 1947	627,000 tons

The continuance of production at this level is in all cases dependent on the availability of coal and, in the clay and slate industries, upon the availability of labour. These remain the chief limiting factors.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a statement concerning the circumstances under which a Cardiff football pools firm acquired a factory intended for industrial purposes; and what action he proposes to take.

Inquiries are already being made into the circumstances of this case, but they are not yet complete and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Works (1) if he is prepared to grant a subsidy to West Riding brick manufacturers who have vast quantities of bricks in stock and are closing down owing to lack of orders, so that they may sell bricks to the North Eastern area at a price similar to firms receiving a Government subsidy;(2) why a subsidy of £62,000 is being paid to the London Brick Company; and if he is aware that this subsidy has enabled the London Brick Company to deliver bricks in Scotland at a price which has caused Scottish brickyards to stop manufacturing bricks and dismiss their employees.

The temporary scheme of assistance to brickworks in financial difficulty owing to lack of orders expired at the end of last month and I am not prepared to revive it. No brickmakers in West Riding have taken advantage of the scheme. No subsidy has been paid to the London Brick Company, but, owing to the shortage of bricks in Scotland a year ago, certain Scottish local authorities bought a number of Fletton bricks and were refunded the difference between local prices at Scottish brickyards and the cost of Flettons at the appropriate Scottish railhead. I am not aware that any Scottish brickyard closed as a result of that transaction

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a full statement on the case of Major Roy Farran.

The summary of sworn evidence was taken on 17th and 18th July and is under consideration by the G.O.C., Palestine. In the circumstances, I regret that I am not, at present, in a position to add more to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 2nd July.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the difficulty being experienced by management boards of old people's homes in obtaining the transfer of residents who fall sick to hospitals; and if it would be possible for arrangements to be made to ensure the admission of sick old people to hospital and there replacement by able-bodied old people.

I am aware of the difficulty of securing admission of the aged sick to hospitals, but this is a problem which extends to the sick population generally and is primarily due to staff shortage. I could not undertake to make special priority arrangements for the one class of patient to the detriment of others who need hospital treatment, but I trust that hospitals will do all they can to help.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that some voluntary organisations are deferring the setting up of homes for old sick people owing to their doubt as to whether such homes would come under the Regional Hospital Board; and if he will make clear the position of such non-profit-making establishments.

I know that doubts have been expressed. The position is that if a non-profit making home exists to provide medical or nursing care for old sick people it in future becomes the responsibility of the hospital service, unless specially disclaimed by me. This does not mean that a home existing for the aged non-sick is precluded from arranging minor facilities for minor ailments or, for example, the periodic visiting of a doctor. But if it becomes a place whose function is essentially the care of the sick the position is as above.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the experiments on living animals performed under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, during the year 1946, were carried out with anaesthetics and how many without; and in how many cases were the animals allowed to recover from the effects of the anaesthetic.

The figures are 66,101, 1,344,372 and 57,279 respectively.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that the payment of Burnham Scales is not conpulsory for direct grant schools; that some direct grant schools are not paying full Burnham Scales; and if he will introduce legislation making the payment of full Burnham Scales a basic condition of any Government grant.

I am aware that the salaries of teachers in direct grant schools are not subject to the requirements of orders made under Section 89(1) of the Education Act, 1944, and that the Burnham Scales are not necessarily applied to teachers employed in these schools. The existing regulations require that the teaching staffs of such schools shall be suitable and sufficient in number and qualifications and that their remuneration shall be adequate and reasonable. I have no evidence that circumstances have arisen which make an amendment of the regulations necessary at the present time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has yet agreed pension rates for Emergency Commissioned Officers previously British Other Ranks transferred to the Indian Unemployed List, on the same terms as for Emergency Commissioned Officers, British Service.

British other ranks of the I.U.L. granted emergency commissions are entitled to pensions under the Royal Warrant on the same terms as E.C.Os. of the British Service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when he expects that the personal accounts of all prisoners of war formerly in Japanese hands will be settled

I understand that the major adjustments have been made in all the accounts of Indian Army officers who were recovered from the Japanese, but that there may still be minor adjustments outstanding. If the hon. Member will give me details of the case which he has in mind I shall be glad to investigate it.