asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is considering the advisability of the participation of naval officers in A.M.G.O.T.; and whether he will arrange for naval representation on the directorate of civil affairs at the War Office?

It is considered inappropriate for the Royal Navy to participate in the military Government of territories occupied by predominantly military forces. The fact that the terri- tory is under the administration of A.M.G.O.T. does not involve any change in the normal duties of naval officers in ports operated by the Royal Navy. There is, accordingly, no need for a body of naval officers specially trained and organised for working in territory under military Government.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will arrange that, upon discharge from the Navy or from the Royal Marines of a rating or marine who took part in the action at Dieppe in 1942, an appropriate entry of this action is made in the certificate of discharge?

I regret that I cannot agree to single out this particular action in the manner proposed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why naval auxiliary personnel are only granted compensation for injuries sustained ashore if this is directly attributable to enemy action whereas this restriction does not apply to disablement sustained in the Royal Navy Reserve; and, as both Services are subject to the same naval discipline on shore or afloat, will he consider including naval auxiliary personnel in the benefit of Sections I and II of the recent White Paper on Entitlement and Accident?

I have been asked to reply. Naval auxiliary personnel, unlike Royal Naval reservists, are persons serving under special war-time agreements in a Mercantile Marine capacity and at Mercantile rates of pay. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 26th October.

asked the Minister of Supply how many trained nurses are employed in factories and establishments under his control; how many of them are trained in midwifery; and how many of the total number are under 30 years of age?

Four hundred and twenty-four State-registered nurses are employed in Ministry of Supply factories and establishments. Of these, 145 are qualified midwives and 176 are under 30 years of age.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been called to the threatened shortage of wood pulp in Canada; and whether, in view of the probability that such shortage will become generally accentuated, he will take steps to expedite and increase the use of straw, of which we have large quantities, for the manufacture of paper and cellulose to replace wood pulp?

Yes, Sir. The use of straw and other materials is being extended so far as is possible within our available resources of plant and labour.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent the Ministry has used the ideas and inventions of Mr. Kenneth Hindley; and what compensation has been paid to him for the use of same and for his personal services?

Mr. Kenneth Hindley's flax retting process has been thoroughly investigated, but has not been adopted by the Ministry. He was paid £1,186 13s. 4d. for his personal services as consultant during the investigation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why, when considerable quantities of fish are arriving in the London markets, so few still appear in the retail shops?

At the present time the quantity of fish arriving in Billingsgate is not sufficient to meet total demand or to allow more than a relatively small allocation to individual fishmongers and I have no doubt that fishmongers dispose of their stocks almost as soon as they are received.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether the Hoover Scheme for sending food to Belgium in 1941 was approved by the Belgian Government; whether the German Government agreed to it in principle involving as it did the sending by Germany of 1,000,000 bushels of grain a month into Belgium; and why His Majesty's Government rejected the proposal?

In March, 1941, the Belgian Government informed His Majesty's Government that they had recently heard from Mr. Hoover that the Germans would be willing to accept a plan by which meat and fats would be imported into Belgium from overseas and cereals from Germany. They invited His Majesty's Government to give this proposal sympathetic consideration. As regards the attitude of the German Government, I have nothing to add to the statement which I made in the Debate on 8th July, The proposal was rejected because it was contrary to the blockade policy of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of claims made since 22nd June, 1943, against the estates of deceased officers in respect of overpayments of pay and allowances; the smallest amount claimed since that date and the total amount of such claims?

Three such claims have been made since 22nd June, 1943. The smallest amount claimed was £8 1s. 7d., and the total of such claims was £193 19s. 2d.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether there is any age limit beyond which men are not posted overseas?

Airmen up to and including the rank of corporal are not normally posted overseas if they have attained the age of 48 years. For officers, and for airmen of the rank of sergeant and above, the normal age limit is 50 years. These limits may be exceeded in cases of operational necessity, subject to medical fitness.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will investigate the conditions at a W.A.A.F. camp, details of which have been submitted to him, at which the accommodation consists in part of condemned buildings with roofs leaking and damp dormitory huts, in consequence of which many of the occupants last winter suffered from rheumatism; where, for 340 girls, only one wash basin with hot and cold water is supplied; and where baths are a considerable distance away and out of bounds at certain times?

The reports which I have received do not suggest that the conditions at this station are generally as described in the Question or that the incidence of rheumatism amongst the W.A.A.F. personnel has been in any way unusual. I am, however, writing to my hon. Friend dealing in detail with the various points raised in the Question and in correspondence.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether he can now make an issue of boots to the cadets of the A.T.C.; (2) whether he can now make an issue of overcoats to the cadets of the A.T.C.?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham (Sir A. Maitland) on 13th October, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by Army welfare officers, many of whom have served in that capacity for more than three years and have had previous military service, due to the appointment of officers with no previous welfare service and, in some cases, of no military service, to deal with entertainments and the provision of amenities, while local welfare officers ate left with, as their main duty, dealing with matrimonial disputes; and whether a record of the services of all welfare officers is available from which to select for appointments those proved suitable by previous welfare service?

I am not aware of dissatisfaction to which my hon. Friend refers. Voluntary Army local welfare officers are appointed by Territorial Army Associations in consultation with Commands. The duties of these officers as laid down in the pamphlet "The Soldier's Welfare" is to assist unit welfare officers in every possible way to maintain their men's morale, especially by doing all in their power when asked to help to relieve the anxieties of soldiers about their private and family problems. Entertainment officers are serving officers and are found within the establishment of the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the circumstances in which ex-Captain K. Pennell, having been dismissed the Service by sentence of a field-general court-martial on 1st April, 1943, was prevented from presenting any appeal or petition but was forthwith, and in spite of protests, compulsorily enlisted as a private soldier?

Inquiries are being made into the circumstances of this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War upon what principles are officers entered in the register of those eligible for post-war commissions; and to what extent distinguished service in the present war is taken into account?

A candidate for a postwar commission must have six months' commissioned service on full pay during this war; must be recommended by his Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander; and must be recommended by a Selection Board appointed by the War Office, or in India by the Commander-in-Chief, India. Candidates for technical arms are required to possess certain additional technical qualifications. Candidates are required to possess qualities of leadership, character, and intelligence. Distinguished service in the present war is taken into account, but the weight given to this factor in relation to the qualities mentioned, is left to the discretion of the Presidents of the Selection Boards who are senior officers of considerable service and experience and well capable of assessing the soldierly qualities of candidates.

asked the Secretary of State for War what clothing allowance has been made to repatriated prisoners of war who have been, or are being, discharged from the Army?

Repatriated prisoners of war discharged from the Army will be issued with sufficient clothing to place them in the same position in this respect as other soldiers discharged from the Army. My right hon. Friend gave some particulars of this in a reply he gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for West Willesden (Mr. Viant).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement about the proposal to set aside a large area of agricultural land in an area of which he has been informed, for tank exercises and troop manoeuvres; whether there is any control by British officers; and whether the Claims Commission is authorised to restrict definite areas where milking herds or special forms of agriculture are practised?

The decision to utilise a considerable area of agricultural land in the district referred to for military training was only taken after the whole matter had been given the most careful consideration. The area in question is needed by the American Forces and its use is essential for their adequate training. It is recognised that unfortunately a considerable degree of agricultural damage and interference will be inevitable but all steps open to us tending to mitigate this will be taken in so far as they are not inimical to efficient training. The Americans are fully conscious of the importance of this matter and have undertaken to co-operate to this end as far as may be practicable.Whilst exercises will naturally be carried out under American direction, arrangements have been made whereby British claims officers will be kept in close touch with the whole situation and the British Claims Commission will be responsible for the assessment and settlement of agricultural claims arising out of the exercises. In fact so far as the public is concerned it is intended to follow normal procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that complaints still exist that N.A.A.F.I. food is charged on a higher scale than is the case in outside establishments; and will he make inquiries?

If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the cases he has in mind I will gladly have them investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of claims made since 22nd June, 1943, against the estates of deceased officers in respect of overpayments of pay and allowances; the smallest amount claimed since that date and the total amount of such claims?

This information is not readily available and I hope my hon. and gallant Friend will not press for the work involved in obtaining it to be undertaken. The rules I outlined in an answer to a number of hon. Members on 22nd June are being carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the military command referred to in Clause 7 of the Draft Agreement of U.N.R.R.A. is to be held responsible, morally and politically, for giving relief to the civilian population during the period that consent is withheld for U.N.R.R.A. to operate?

The responsibility for giving relief to the civilian population in any area while actual hostilities or other military necessities exist lies, of course, on the Government or Governments whose military forces are operating in that area, and the military commander of those forces will be charged with carrying out that duty so far as operational necessities permit. All the relief possible in the pre- vailing military circumstances will be given to the civilian population, but great difficulties must be expected in handling large quantities of relief supplies for countries where hostilities are actually in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers in the London district are obliged to draw their chocolate ration from their local N.A.A.F.I., which generally is unable to supply more than a small proportion of the ration in chocolate, whereas civilians in London have at present no difficulty in getting their full ration; and whether, in future, soldiers may be permitted to draw their ration of chocolate from the shop of their choice and not be confined to a N.A.A.F.I.?

The effect of the frequent movement of Service personnel on retailers' stocks cannot be predicted and allowed for and it is therefore impossible to include members of the Services in the civilian rationing scheme. A bulk allocation is therefore made to the Services and this is distributed by N.A.A.F.I. I am not aware that in general Service personnel are, within the limits of N.A.A.F.I. zoning, less able than civilians to buy chocolate and I regret that I cannot see my way to changing the present system.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, recently, an exclusively Chinese platoon has been enrolled as a separate unit in the Jamaican Home Guard; why they have been segregated from other Jamaicans; and whether any black Jamaicans have been given officer rank in the Jamaican Home Guard?

Inquiries are being made into this matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many petrol stations there are in the city of Truro?

The number of garages open in Truro City for storing and supplying petrol is eight. There are also a number in the immediate vicinity.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will reopen the petrol station at Three Mile Stone near Truro?

For the reasons which have already been given to my hon. and gallant Friend I regret that I am unable to accede to his request.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total number of undertakings in the mining industry which have become necessitous undertakings under the Coal Charges Order, 1942, giving the latest figures, and separate, for each district in the British coalfield?

The total number of undertakings to which financial assistance has been given under the Necessitous Undertakings schemes in the coal industry is no, divided between the districts as follows:

Scotland	31
Northumberland	4
Durham	4
South Wales	21
Yorkshire	16
Notts and Derby	6
South Derby, Cannock Chase Leicester and Warwick	8
Lancashire, Cheshire and North Staffs.	10
Other districts	10
	110

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of German and Italian prisoners of war now working in British coalmines?

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is satisfied that reserve stocks of coal in the Medway area are adequate for the coming winter both for manufacturing and domestic purposes?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of undertakings scheduled under the Essential Work (Coal-mining Industry) Orders and the number, separate, for each district in the British coalfield?

The number of undertakings in Great Britain scheduled under the Essential Work (Coalmining Industry) Order was 1,900 up to 20th October, 1943. It would not be in the national interest to give the numbers for each district.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now permit those in possession of motor-car radios to re-instal them?

The Government has under consideration the question of allowing some relaxation of the restriction on wireless receiving apparatus in motor cars, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when a decision has been reached.

asked the Postmaster-General whether original photographs sent to his Department by relatives of members of the Forces serving overseas for airgraph letter transmission, and which are generally costly to the sender, may in future be returned to them if a stamped addressed envelope is provided for the purpose?

The selection of original photographs printed on airgraph forms, for return to the sender, presents serious practical difficulties. I am, however, considering whether these can be overcome, and will write to the hon. Member later.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the desire of men and women serving in the Forces at home and overseas to keep in touch with events in their home locality; and whether he will arrange for copies of all local newspapers that are handed in to local post offices to be bundled up and sent weekly, without further charge, to the Central Newspaper Army Post Office Centre, and thence despatched to the appropriate county units in the Army at home and especially overseas?

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that the needs of the Forces overseas are at present being met by daily cable and other services containing news of both national and local events by towns and regions, and that these services are being largely expanded. Limitations of man-power and transport would in any case preclude the free carriage of newspapers by the Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to establish a Settlement Board for Europeans in Tanganyika on the same lines as that already set up in Kenya?

As I explained on 3rd November in a reply to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen), the Settlement Section in Kenya is only concerned with settlement in the European areas of that Colony. There is no area in Tanganyika similarly reserved for Europeans, and a Settlement Board on the Kenya lines would not be appropriate in that Territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the draft Bill in Kenya, providing powers to a control board in respect to dealings in land, and for the acquisition of land for settlement purposes, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government; and whether he will state the principles of the new legislation?

The object of the Bill is to prevent speculative dealings in agricultural land and to provide for the re-acquisition of alienated land by the Crown for settlement and other public purposes. I am in correspondence with the Governor in reference to this Bill, and I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, concurrently with the survey now being prepared in Kenya of lands suitable for European settlement, a survey will be undertaken of native reserves, including proposals for the improvement of agriculture, and the prevention of soil erosion, and a survey of unoccupied land outside the reserves which might be utilised by African cultivators?

Large scale proposals for agricultural development in the Native Reserves in Kenya, including special provision for soil conservation measures, have already been submitted by the Governor. The possibility of a substantial grant for this purpose from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote is now under examination. These proposals form only one item in a comprehensive development programme, which includes schemes for making additional areas available for cultivation by Africans, by irrigation, development of water supplies, the clearing of tsetse fly, and by the rehabilitation of eroded land. I will place a copy of the Governor's despatch outlining his programme in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of public money which is at present allocated to improving the position of native African land cultivators in Kenya?

The Provincial Administration, the Agricultural, Educational, Medical, Veterinary and Forest Department all contribute directly or indirectly to the improvement of the position of African cultivators. Any attempt to assess the share of benefit derived by Africans from these various services would be difficult and would be likely to be misleading.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether aerodromes built in British possessions for the use of the United States Air Force have been built by the United States of America under lend-lease or by the British Commonwealth under reverse lend-lease?

Apart from leased bases areas in the West Indies, where the airfields are provided by the United States authorities, there has been no uniform practice in the Colonial Empire. In some cases the cost has been borne on British funds, in some on United States funds, and in other cases both British and United States funds have been used in the construction of a single aerodrome.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what financial grants he has made over the past four years, or what grants he intends to make, from both the Research and the Welfare and Development Funds to assist the Sierra Leone Government in carrying out the urgently needed social and public works improvements at the port of Freetown?

During the past four years the following grants for development and research in Sierra Leone under the Colonial Development Act, 1929, and under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1940, have been approved:

	£
Sleeping sickness campaign	50,000
Irrigation and drainage research	12,000
Sierra Leone and Gambia Joint Veterinary Department	72,800
Assistance to Fourah Bay College	4,000
Women's education	23,500
Drainage and irrigation	303,500
	465,800

In addition, during the same period, grants totalling £24,100 have been approved for schemes specifically relating to Freetown and its immediate neighbourhood, namely,

	£
Malaria control	22,900
Juvenile Delinquency	1,200
	24,100

A number of schemes has also been approved of a more general character from which Sierra Leone will benefit to a varying extent which it is not possible to estimate precisely.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to state the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the prohibition of opium smoking in Far Eastern possessions after the expulsion of the Japanese?

By the Hague Convention, 1912, His Majesty's Government undertook to take measures for the gradual and effective suppression of opium smoking. The Geneva Agreement, 1925, contained provisions supplementary to and designed to facilitate the execution of the obligations assumed under The Hague Convention and in particular provided that the importation, sale and distribution of opium and the making of prepared opium for sale shall be a monopoly of the Government. Under the system of Government monopoly, supplies of prepared opium were restricted to habitual smokers and as a result of the administrative measures and the general improvement brought about in social conditions during the 20 years preceding the Japanese aggression much progress has been made towards the suppression of opium smoking.His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have now decided to adopt the policy of total prohibition of opium smoking in the British and British protected territories in the Far East which are now in enemy occupation and, in accordance with this policy, the prepared opium monopolies formerly in operation in these territories will not be re-established on their re-occupation. The success of the enforcement of prohibition will depend on the steps taken to limit and control the production of opium in other countries. His Majesty's Government will consult with the Governments of other countries concerned with a view to securing their effective co-operation in the solution of this problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will place a copy of the West India Royal Commission Report, 1938–39, in the Library of the House for the information of Members?

On 20th February, 1940, the then Secretary of State for the Colonies informed hon. Members that the Government had decided not to publish the full Report. I have nothing to add to that statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Report of the Land Settlement Committee of the Jamaican Government was published in Jamaica the first week in September of this year; and whether he will consider placing a copy of the Report in the Library of the House as early as possible?

I will certainly consider this suggestion as soon as I receive copies of the Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why only one African has been appointed to the post of education in Nigeria; what steps are being taken to ensure that administrative offices shall be filled by qualified and trained Africans; and whether he will state the number of such posts now filled by Europeans?

Within recent years three Africans have been appointed to the post of Education Officer in the Nigerian Education Department. It is the declared policy of the Government to facilitate the appointment of qualified Africans to vacancies in the higher grades of the Civil Service as and when suitable candidates become available. A progressively increasing degree of Africanisation is aimed at and the provision of suitable candidates will be one of the problems which the Commission of Inquiry into higher education in West Africa will be considering. As regards the last part of the Question, the answer is 81.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken respecting the grievances expressed by the Nigerian Union of Teachers in regard to salaries, which are lower than those paid to lower civil servants and to cost of living allowances, which are also lower; and whether their proposal for the setting up of statutory local education committees will be accepted and implemented?

It has recently been agreed that the salary scale for non-Government certificated teachers in grant-aided schools should be improved so as to bring it closer to the scale paid to Government teachers, which is similar to that paid to lower civil servants. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer to my reply given in the House on 21st July. I am satisfied that everything possible will be done to facilitate the establishment of local committees with power to levy education taxes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions have responded to the proposed establishment of regional commissions as suggested by him on 13th July; whether he is in consultation with these Governments either directly or indirectly through the Dominions Office; whether His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom has been approached by, or proposes to approach, those foreign Powers with colonial territories and/or those States which possess a major strategic or economic interest in the regions concerned; and will he make a statement?

The statement which I made on 13th July was designed to give the House at the earliest possible stage a general indication of the views of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom as to the lines on which inter-imperial and international co-operation could most suitably develop in relation to Colonial territories. As in all questions affecting Imperial policy, the Dominion Governments were kept fully informed while the question was being considered. As regards the last part of the Question, none of the foreign Powers concerned has yet expressed any views officially.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why adequate arrangements were not made by his Department to inform passengers for a town of which he has been informed and other stations on the same railway, from a certain station on the morning of Saturday, 6th November, that there had been a bomb on the line and that traffic diversion was necessary and why one trainload of passengers was left in the train standing at the terminal station for nearly an hour after its due time of departure and then informed that the train would not run; and what steps he is taking to prevent a recurrence of such inconvenience to travellers, especially Service men?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the shortage of teachers, he will take steps, in conjunction with the other Departments concerned, to prevent the making of compulsory billeting orders in regard to the houses of married women teachers who may thereafter be required to cease teaching in order to look after persons billeted upon them?

Any occupier of premises who is aggrieved by the service of a billeting notice can appeal to a Billeting Tribunal set up under the Defence Regulations, and the Tribunal has power to cancel or to vary the billeting notice if it considers that the circumstances justify it. This machinery provides adequate protection against unreasonable billeting, and I see no grounds for suggesting that married women teachers should be considered on a different footing from other married women engaged in employment.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the award of a proportionate Southbury bonus to teachers employed part time on the Burnham scales of remuneration?

No, Sir. The bonus awarded by Lord Soulbury is an addition to the Burnham scales which are applicable only to full-time teachers. It is for the local education authority or other responsible body to determine whether any increase is desirable in the remuneration of part-time teachers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of farms taken over by the Durham County War Agricultural Committee; the reason for taking them over; where they are situated; and the names of the farmers and landowners?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis) on 7th May, 1942, of which I am enclosing a copy.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he can make any further statement about the destruction of foxes in some of the North Wales counties giving, if possible, the number destroyed by the employees of the Forestry Commission up to a recent date in each county?

The killing of foxes in North Wales has been prosecuted assiduously by the Forestry Commission, the agricultural authorities and other agencies throughout the year. The total number of foxes killed in North Wales by the Commission's employees alone during the 12 months ended September last was 555, the numbers for the respective counties being as follows:—Caernarvon 64, Merioneth 68, Montgomery 179, Cardigan 100, Denbigh 101, Radnor 43. The Commissioners have not yet been informed of the considerable number of foxes destroyed by other agencies during the period.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in consultation with the Minister of Town and Country Planning, any of the new roads or motorways extending from the London area to Birmingham, Nottingham, Grantham, Basingstoke, Winchester and Norwich, suggested by Sir Charles Bressey in his report on the Highway Development Survey, 1937, have been included in their national post-war plans?

My Noble Friend, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning, is now examining the proposals for road construction and improvement, made in Sir Charles Bressey's Report of 1937, in order to decide which of these proposals can advantageously be included in our post-war plans.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, as the Portuguese steamer "Padua," when sunk off Marseilles was carrying parcels for our prisoners of war, he will, if possible, replace this vessel in view of its humanitarian effort?

Tonnage has already been chartered to replace the "Padua."

asked the Minister of Production whether, in view of the complete change of outlook that has taken place in the potential output of rubber available, he will take steps to release the Ceylon rubber producers from destroying 20 per cent. of their mature planted areas?

I am advised that even with the growing output of synthetic rubber all available supplies of natural rubber are still necessary to meet the total demands of the United Nations, and therefore the intensive tapping to which my hon. Friend evidently refers is an unavoidable war measure. The acreage however at present affected under the scheme is not 20 per cent. but between 6 and 7 per cent. of the total acreage.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether any report has yet been furnished to him by the Advisory Council for Reconstruction in Wales: whether this may be made available to the Welsh Parliamentary representatives; and when does he anticipate the final Report of the Council?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 22nd June last to a Question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Merthyr (Mr. S. O. Davies). I have not yet received the council's first annual Report, which I understand will be ready towards the end of the year, or early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what negotiations he has had with parties in Italy regarding a mandate for that country over Ethiopia?

None whatever, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British children are still stranded at Estoril, Portugal; how many are unaccompanied by any adult; and what are their ages?

Fifty-nine British children are still held up in Portugal. Three of these, aged 16, 13 and 8 respectively, are unaccompanied by an adult.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the question of financial assistance to the parents of children now stranded at Estoril, Portugal, who are being accommodated at their parents' expense at high charges?

In cases where either parents or children in Portugal find themselves unable to obtain funds, His Majesty's Consul-General at Lisbon has authority, under standing instructions, to advance funds to them in suitable cases against their undertakings to repay. There can, I fear, be no question of His Majesty's Government assuming any financial responsibility for expenditure incurred by the parents or children in Portugal.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to prevent further children, returning to this country from the United States of America, being stranded in Portugal?

In view of the recent congestion of British children at Lisbon, steps have been taken to prevent further departures from the United States of America for the present. It is hoped that when this traffic is resumed, it will be found possible to achieve the closest relation between departures from the United States and the numbers that can be carried by air from Lisbon to this country taking into account the possible hold-up of aircraft operating the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether steps will be taken officially to thank the Swedish Government and people for their solicitude towards our returned prisoners of war?

My hon. Friend will be glad to know that His Majesty's representative at Stockholm promptly conveyed to the Swedish Government, the Swedish Red Cross, and other Swedish organisations and individuals, the warmest thanks of His Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom and the Dominions for the great assistance rendered by them in connection with the recent exchange of prisoners of war.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to express to the Swedish Government and people our appreciation of the kindness and helpfulness shown to our disabled prisoners of war during their repatriation from Germany?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Rochester (Captain Plugge).

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the grave congestion in divorce courts; and what action it is proposed to take to expedite the hearing of cases?

The present congestion of business in the divorce courts is due to the increased number of petitions which have been put down for trial, either as contested or uncontested cases, mainly during the last 18 months, and there is no ground known to me for assuming that the flow of applications of this nature is likely to fall off, at any rate for some considerable time. The division of the High Court which deals with these matters also deals with Admiralty and probate cases and many Admiralty cases in war time are especially urgent. The judges of the division have made, and continue to make, special efforts to cope with the divorce list and not without some success. Nevertheless, in the view of my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, there is no remedy for the delay in disposing of many of these cases other than the provision of additional judges for the purpose. My Noble Friend recently appointed a committee to consider whether the trial of defended matrimonial causes in the provnces, instead of in London, would not help to relieve the strain and be on other grounds an improvement in our procedure. This committee has just reported, and its report is under consideration.