asked the Minister of Labour the number of dock workers and fish porters in the Fleetwood area; how many are of a military age; how many prosecutions have taken place, and with what results; and whether he has considered the advisability of withdrawing the reservations of men of military age and capacity who decline to return to work?

It would not be in the public interest to give the figures asked for in the first and second parts of the Question. I am unable to answer the third part without more information as to the offences which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind. With regard to the last part of the Question, it is already the general rule that if a man of military age fails to satisfy the conditions on which his deferment was granted the deferment may be cancelled.

asked the Minister of Labour whether medical boards are made familiar in any way with the intensive training expected of men in a modern army when they examine them for military service?

No, Sir. The medical boards' decisions indicate whether or not in their opinion a man is capable of undergoing physical exertion involving severe strain, and the allocation of men to the various corps by the Army authorities is made in the light of this and other relevant information.

asked the Minister of Labour how many cases have been brought to his notice of forgeries of grade 4 medical or complete exemption cards?

A small number of such cases have been brought to my notice. I would point out that the possession of a forged grade card would be of little use in evading military service as the Department's records, on which any calling up action would be based, would show the true medical category.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that real property is changing hands at inflated prices throughout the country; and, in view of the serious effect that the continued speculative purchase of land must have upon any schemes for national reconstruction and development, whether he will give an assurance that a statement of Government policy with regard to town and country planning will be made at the earliest possible moment?

I am aware that in some cases real property is being sold at prices above those current at the 31st March, 1939. The Government have already announced their acceptance in principle of the recommendation of the Uthwatt Committee that, in order to prevent post-war reconstruction from being prejudiced, the compensation payable in the public acquisition or control of land should not exceed the standard of values at that date. The detailed application of that principle is still under examination and I cannot say how soon it will be possible to make a further statement on the matter.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware that considerable land speculation is now taking place; and does he intend taking any action to halt such practices during the war?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to-day to the Question by the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether, as the Royal Academy of Arts, the Royal Institute of British Architects and the London County Council have each prepared and exhibited their recommendations for the post-war development of London, he intends taking any action to ensure that London gets the best elements of these and of any other proposals; and what procedure does he propose following to achieve this?

The statutory planning authorities for London have not yet submitted any scheme for my approval. I have no doubt that before they do so, they will consider the suggestions already publicly made by responsible bodies and persons. These will also be available to me when the plans of the statutory authorities come before me.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning, as local authorities have been instructed to consult the recently appointed regional planning officers in connection with their post-war housing schemes, what is the basis of the advice planning officers can give; and have they any authority to insist upon such advice being followed as this House as not yet approved any codes or laws to control town and country planning?

The advice given by regional planning officers in the matter referred to is directed to assisting housing authorities to select sites which will fit in with any major planning or development schemes, as directed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in the circular which he addressed to the housing authorities on 4th March, 1943. As regards the last part of the Question, my right hon. Friend, who is working in close consultation with me on this matter, and, I am sure, the housing authorities, would take fully into account any advice given by a regional planning officer.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many town planning schemes had received final approval by the 31st December, 1939; and how many by the 31st December, 1942?

The figures are 147 and 157 respectively.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether building development is prohibited by town planning schemes over moorland and woodland in the North Riding of Yorkshire, the county of Westmorland and the greater part of the South Downs; whether the same prohibition applies over Dart- moor, Exmoor, the Cotswolds, the Pennines and the Welsh Mountains; and what other parts of England and Wales are covered by such prohibition?

No absolute prohibition is imposed on building development in those moorland or woodland areas specifically referred to, or elsewhere in England and Wales, except in very limited areas mainly on the ground of danger to health. In so far, however, as any of the areas in question are not already subject to an operative scheme or to interim development control under the Town and Country Planning Act of 1932, they will become subject to such control as from a date three months from the passage into law of the Town and Country Planning (Interim Development) Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what further Measures in connection with town and country planning he intends to introduce before the Summer Recess?

None, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the issue of British emigration after the war is being discussed with the Governments of the different Dominions; and whether any tangible principles have yet been agreed on?

This subject has been taken up with His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in possession of their views.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on what items of food the Government makes £10,000,000 profit annually?

The profit of £10,000,000 per annum was referred to by my Noble Friend in another place on 14th July, 1942, and was an annual rate of profit based on the three months ended 31st March, 1942. The principal commodities concerned at that time were oils and fats, rise, cocoa and dried fruits. Since that period, such profits have declined substantially and now amount to between £2,000,000 and £3,000,000 per annum, the principal commodities now concerned being cocoa and oils and fats.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the details of the annual Government subsidy of £145,000,000 to food?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the OFFICIAL REPORT for 13th May, 1943, [col. 815; Vol. 3891 which contains details of the items making up the cost of food subsidies £150,000,000 from which must be deducted profits on other commodities amounting to £5,000,000, leaving the net figure of £145,000,000 referred to in the Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give to roadmen the same extra rations as are given to agricultural workers and quarrymen, in view of their outdoor work, more particularly in the winter months?

Roadmen employed by county and rural district councils are, on production of certificates signed by or on behalf of their employers, granted the same special cheese ration which is allowed to agricultural workers and to quarrymen. Roadmen employed in urban areas normally have access to catering facilities, including British Restaurants, and are, therefore, not eligible for the grant of the special cheese ration.

asked the hon. Member for Dulwich, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he and his Committee will arrange for tobacco to be on sale at one or more of the refreshment rooms in the House.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a statement indicating what further action he proposes to take to deal with the Rent Restrictions Acts; and with the increased prices at which houses are sold?

No, Sir, but each of the matters to which my hon. Friend refers is under active consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 18 unfinished houses in Middlesbrough could be completed at small cost to meet an acute need; and why he has refused to allow this work to go forward?

If, as I assume, my hon. Friend is referring to houses of which particulars have been furnished to me by the town council, the proposals would entail substantial demands on labour and materials. In view of the present restrictions I am not able to authorise the proposal which was submitted to me, but I am keeping it in mind in connection with the review of the position which I am undertaking in consultation with representatives of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health the number of partially-built houses now awaiting final construction in different parts of the country?

The latest statistical returns relate to the 31st March, 1942, at which date there were 11,600 dwellings, of which 7,426 were begun before the war, in various stages of construction in schemes approved under the Housing Acts. I have no similar information, at present, regarding dwellings under erection by private enterprise, but it is being obtained by my officers in the course of visits which they are paying to local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain landlords of large working-class property in London still make it a condition that all tenants and their children must be vaccinated, and evict some tenants who exercise the right of conscience accorded by Parliament to object to having their children vaccinated; and whether he will take any steps to prevent landlords making conditions of tenancy contrary to the principles accepted by Parliament?

I am not aware of the practice to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will let me have any information in his possession, I shall be glad to consider it. I may, however, point out that under the Rent Restrictions Acts, possession of a house to which those Acts apply cannot be recovered except by means of an order of the court. The court is required not to make an order unless it considers it reasonable to do so, and either has power to make it on any of the grounds specified in the Act, which do not include those referred to by my hon. Friend, or is satisfied that suitable alternative accommodation is or will be available for the tenant.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that landowners in South Wales are asking for a ground rent of £5 per annum as a condition of renewing leases on ground on which cottages have been built on an original lease of 6s. per annum; and whether he will take steps to end this exploitation of the people's needs?

It is not clear from the Question whether it is suggested that an increase in the ground rent falls on the tenant in possession, who is very often not a direct tenant of the ground landlord. The tenant in possession will normally be protected by the Rent Restriction Acts, and will not be affected by any increase in the amount of the ground rent. If my hon. Friend cares to let me have particulars of the case he has in mind I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has further considered the incidence of empty houses not requisitioned for Civil Defence purposes now existing in some overcrowded London and other areas; whether he will enable local authorities to requisition them for families who urgently need better accommodation for health reasons; and whether he will get local authorities to compile records of those in their areas who are overcrowded to the danger of their health and who should be given prior consideration during the war?

As I have already stated, I have been in consultation with the associations of local authorities on various matters relating to existing housing difficulties. Amongst the questions discussed has been that of the most suitable measures which could be adopted to secure that the best possible use is made of existing housing accommodation in order to alleviate the present unsatisfactory conditions. I am not at the moment in a position to make a statement on this urgent matter, but I hope to be able to do so shortly.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the shortage of nurses, he will arrange for suitable Voluntary Aid Detachments who have substantial nursing experience to qualify for State nursing examinations after a shortened course, reasonable credit being given to them for their Voluntary Aid Detachment experience?

This is primarily a matter for the General Nursing Council, who, I understand, already have it under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health why he has decided to close the hostel for neurotic and difficult children at Bourton Grange, Flax Bourton, near Bristol, in view of the fact that the children were benefiting greatly by the psychiatric treatment they received there, and the probability that many of them, if that treatment ceases, may develop into child delinquents?

It has been decided to close this hostel in view of the decline in the number of evacuees in the area and the fact that accommodation is available in other suitable hostels. A number of the children in the hostel whose treatment has been completed have been billeted. The remainder are being transferred to other hostels, where they will continue to receive appropriate treatment.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons, men and women, have been informed against by two contacts under Regulation 33B during the last three months?

I am not yet able to give this information as figures that are being obtained from all the authorities concerned for the period mentioned are at present incomplete. I will be glad to send my hon. Friend the figures as soon as they are available.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that 200 expectant mothers are refused admission to Queen Charlotte's Hospital every month for lack of accommodation; and what action he proposes to take?

I understand that substantial numbers of mothers who make inquiries at this very popular hospital have to be refused admission. The arrangement made to compensate for shortage of maternity beds in London is by provision in the Emergency Maternity Homes established in safer areas for the purpose. Additional maternity beds are being opened in London as fast as adaptation can be carried through and trained staffs secured.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a widow drawing pension in respect of her deceased husband can continue to receive the pension if she leaves this country to reside in another part of the Empire?

Payment of pension granted to a war widow can, on application, be transferred to any part of the Empire, within the sterling area, to which she is proceeding. If she is proceeding outside the sterling area, transfer of payment may be made in certain exceptional circumstances but otherwise the pension would of course remain available to her in this country.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will indicate the constitutional or other difficulties, which are not capable of solution and which prevent the Royal Warrant for the Military Forces, Command 6419 (Statutory Rule and Order, 1943, No. 204), Navy and Marines and Order by His Majesty for the Air Force, No. 61, being co-ordinated into one system whereby anomalies and complications might be removed?

The three instruments to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are identical in substance and I am not aware of any anomalies or complications which would be removed if one instrument were issued instead of three. In these circumstances, as such a step would require to be considered in relation to the administration of Service pensions in peace time, I see no occasion for any departure from the long standing practice under which separate instruments are issued in respect of the Navy, the Army and the Air Force.

asked the Home Secretary how many men and women, respectively, on the staff of the London Regional Commissioner are under the age of 40 and over the age of 18½ years?

The number of men and women respectively on the civilian staff of the London Civil Defence Region who are under the age of 40 and over the age of 18½ are:—Men, 91; Women, 375; Total, 466.

asked the Home Secretary what was the total staff employed at the London Regional Commissioner's offices on 1st July, 1941; and what is the total at the latest date for which figures can be given?

The total staff of the London Civil Defence Region on 1st July, 1941, was 706. The corresponding figure on 1st July, 1943, was 939, but this latter figure includes 219 non-industrial and non-uniformed staff dealing with National Fire Service matters; on 1st July, 1941, the Fire Service was under the local authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will reconsider the case of Mr. Ganell, an Italian internee, with a view to setting him at liberty and finding him some useful work?

From the particulars which my hon. Friend has kindly supplied to enable me to identify this case, it appears that his Question relates to Ambrogio Zanelli to whose black market offences he drew attention in Questions on 25th February and 12th March, 1942. This man was interned at the end of his sentence of imprisonment, in accordance with the assurance which I gave my hon. Friend at the time. It is now open to Zanelli to apply, through the representative of the Ministry of Labour and National Service in the Isle of Man, for release for employment in work of national importance, if he is fit for and willing to undertake such work as may be found for him.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes in his forthcoming legislation on Electoral Reform to substitute a scheme of voting by post and/or proxy in lieu of the present position of voting at specified polling stations under the Ballot Act of 1872; whether the present privilege of voting by post or proxy, enjoyed by absentee voters, may be extended to invalid and blind persons, or whether he proposes to abandon this method of voting except in the case of the Armed Forces of the Crown and men in the merchant services, including pilots and fishermen?

The object of the proposed legislation is to deal with those matters of electoral machinery which were dealt with in the report of the Departmental Committee. The proposals of the Committee do not involve substantive changes in the provisions relating to absent voters, but are designed to enable effective use to be made of the existing provisions in present circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary what are the existing arrangements for munition workers to visit their homes in Ireland during their annual leave?

Like all other persons who have their homes in Ireland, munition workers may visit parents, children, husband or wife in Ireland twice a year. During the summer holiday season special arrangements are in force which enable them, on production of leave certificates issued by their employers and authenticated by the police, to visit their homes in Ireland without having also to obtain exit permits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before the next Budget, he will make an inquiry into the position of all people living on small pensions, whether State pensions or privately earned pensions, with the object of seeing whether their condition merits special consideration in the shape of reduced taxation or increased allowance?

I do not consider it would he practicable for the Government to undertake a special responsibility for private pensions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the ploughing grant is to be treated as income and therefore liable to Income Tax?

The matter to which my hon. Friend refers is at present the subject of appeal to the Special Commissioners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will withdraw from the operation of the Purchase Tax the appliances and requirements used in hairdressing upon which this tax is placed, as hairdressing is an essential national service for purposes of personal cleanliness, comfort and better appearance, indispensable requirements for the maintenance of public morale?

No, Sir. The incidence of the Purchase Tax was determined after careful consideration and I cannot see my way to provide the exemption suggested.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Govern- ment offices are to regard 2nd August as a holiday; and whether they will be closed from Saturday, 31st July, to Tuesday, 3rd August?

Saturday, 3rst July, and Monday, 2nd August, will be treated as public holidays in the Civil Service, as in industry, but where necessary Government offices will remain open on those days.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many copies of the Fifth Anniversary Birthday Greetings to the Women's Voluntary Services were printed by His Majesty's Stationery Office; the weight of paper involved and also the weight of the cardboard cartons in which they have been distributed?

5,000 copies were printed involving 2½ cwts. of paper. I understand that the supply of the cartons was a private arrangement with which the Stationery Office was not concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department is offering any advice regarding the plague of ants from which various districts are suffering this summer?

I have received no reports to suggest that ants are unusually abundant this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade who are the members of the committee under the chairmanship of Sir Walter Moberley, charged with the distribution of the reserve of paper for books of special importance; how often clues this committee meet; what was the last date of meeting; whether any record of its decisions is accessible to Members of Parliament; and, if so, where?

The members of the committee which advises me on the distribution of the book publishers' reserve of paper are:

• Sir Walter Moberly,
• B. W. Fagan, Esq.,
• R. C. Holland, Esq.,
• R. J. L. Kingsford, Esq.,
• W. G. Taylor, Esq.

The committee meets regularly once a month and held its last meeting on 15th June. It does not take decisions, but makes recommendations to me.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will ensure that ships' lifeboats are fitted with hooks and lines for catching fish?

Fishing tackle for use in the lifeboats and the rafts of oceangoing merchant ships is being provided by shipowners under an arrangement made by the Chamber of Shipping in October, 1942.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, with the co-operation of the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission, several thousands of Jamaican agricultural labourers are being emigrated to the United States of America to relieve farm labour shortage; and has he considered the desirability of importing West Indian agricultural labourers to this country for similar purposes?

Yes, Sir. The question of bringing labourers from the West Indies to this country has received consideration at various times, and I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on 22nd April, 1942. Owing to the wide divergencies between types of agricultural work in the West Indies and in this country, it is doubtful whether the recruitment of West Indians for such work in this country would be justified, but in any case the shortage of shipping at the present time precludes the importation of any considerable number of West Indians into this country either for agricultural work or for unskilled labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent there are more facilities available for up-grading tradesmen in the Army than are being used at the present time?

Subject to the needs of the service all tradesmen who need a course of instruction in order to pass their trade tests into a higher class are sent to an upgrading course. Generally speaking, existing Army facilities are fully occupied with these courses.