asked the Minister of Health if he has now fully considered the post-war housing plan submitted to him by Mr. Harold Elliot; and has he any statement to make.

I have seen the plan, which is being considered, along with other proposals, by the sub-committee of my Central Housing Advisory Committee on private enterprise housing.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now sanction applications from housing authorities for the completion of houses started before the outbreak of war but which have not progressed beyond the first-floor level.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular I have just issued to local authorities permitting expenditure up to extended limits on, amongst other things, the completion of unfinished houses.

asked the Minister of Health whether the increased expenditure available for local authorities to spend on repairing, converting, or completing houses partially built will be available to owners and leaseholders who wish to carry out this work themselves for reoccupation or reletting of their houses prior to their being seized by local authorities on the grounds of being empty.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health with whom the selection of tenants for the new agricultural cottages rests, as there appears to be some uncertainty on the point.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemsworth (Mr. G. Griffiths) on 19th January, of which I am sending him a copy. I shall be glad to look at once into any particular case which my hon. Friend may have in mind.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware of the serious shortage of housing accommodation in Blackpool which results in the families of Service and ex-Service men living in overcrowded conditions; and whether he is prepared to grant to the corporation, for the duration of the war, the same powers to requisition empty houses for their needs as is given in the case of industrial workers, provided that the landlord has first been given a reasonable opportunity of letting and has failed to do so;(2) what assistance he can give to the corporation of Blackpool in its efforts to provide suitable housing accommodation for the families of Service and ex-Service men who are now living in overcrowded conditions;(3) whether he is prepared to allow the corporation of Blackpool to use the properties requisitioned for his Department as an insurance against his needs in the case of evacuation and at present unoccupied for the purpose of housing families of Service and ex-Service men who are at present living in overcrowded conditions.

I am aware of the shortage of accommodation in Blackpool, as in most other parts of the country. The power to requisition houses for any families inadequately housed has been delegated in Blackpool as elsewhere by a Circular dated 4th August last, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy. The housing problem can only be solved by the building of new houses, but owing to the overriding demands on labour and materials for war purposes I am not yet able to authorise such building. The Government are considering whether it will be possible before long to initiate preparatory work so as to expedite building when the time comes. I understand that only three houses are at present held in reserve in Blackpool for emergency purposes, and consideration is being given to the possibility of releasing them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to reply to the request made on behalf of the residents of an estate, of which he has been informed, for resident medical facilities in view of the large and increasing population and the fact that urgent medical attention can only be procured from doctors resident several miles away.

A house has been provided for a resident medical practitioner on the estate to which my hon. Friend refers, and I am informed that the doctor who is to practise there will be taking up residence at a very early date. In the meantime the facilities available are, according to my information, by no means so unsatisfactory as the latter part of the Question suggests.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that service by supplementary teachers in non-provided schools does not rank for pension under the Local Government Superannuation Act, 1937; and will he take steps to have this injustice removed.

A supplementary teacher in a non-provided school is an employee of the managers of the school and not of the local authority, but the Local Government Superannuation Act, 1937, simplified the procedure of securing superannuation rights for the employees of the managers. I am aware than when an employee of the managers is made superannuable previous service with other managers cannot be reckoned for superannuation purposes. Amending legislation would be required to effect the change desired, and I am afraid that I can hold out no hope of the introduction of such legislation at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour if a supplementary teacher at present serving in a public elementary school is free to resign and accept a better paid job; and, if not, for what reasons.

A supplementary teacher is free to resign, subject to the terms of her contract of employment. On resignation, such a person, unless outside the age groups covered by the National Service Acts and the Registration for Employment Order, would be placed under direction, if necessary, in suitable work of high priority.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet any proposals to make with regard to the treatment of expectant mothers in industry.

The inquiries which I have been making have recently been completed, and I hope to make a statement at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation requiring prison authorities to remove pregnant women, undergoing sentences in prison, to an institution, not attached to the prison, for the period of their confinement.

I regret that I could not undertake to introduce legislation confined to this particular matter, but, as I stated in September last in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Blackley (Mr. Lees-Jones), this question will be borne in mind when it is possible to introduce legislation dealing with prison matters generally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that on 31st December and 5th January two ex-Army lorries, registration numbers GXR 202 and GXR 204, were delivered to the county council of Dumbarton under the Ministry scheme for the issue of reconditioned ex-Army lorries for C.D. purposes; by whom these lorries were reconditioned; the cost of the work in question; by whom they were inspected and accepted on behalf of the Ministry; and will he take steps to have the lorries removed and replaced by vehicles in proper running order.

The vehicles are two of a number of serviceable vehicles which are being taken over direct from the Army and are not subjected to mechanical inspection on behalf of my Department until they reach the local authority. Minor repairs and adjustments, if necessary, are undertaken at that stage, the cost being borne by my Department. No cost of mechanical reconditioning had been incurred between the release of the vehicles from the Army and the time referred to in the Question, and since Dumbarton county were unwilling to arrange for the necessary work to be put in hand they have been sent to Ministry of Supply workshops in the district, after which they will be returned to the county. The amount of work required is, I understand, small.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many magistrates are engaged in how many juvenile courts; how many are women; and into what age group do these justices fall from the age of 40 years upwards in periods of five years.

I am collecting the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks, but it is not yet complete. I will send it to him as soon as it is ready.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the request of the local Advisory Committee of the State Management Scheme at Carlisle to open cafés or milk bars in the evenings for the use of civilians and Service men has been refused by the Central Office.

This matter was carefully investigated by the State Management Districts Council, who collected full information as to the position in Carlisle, conferred personally with members of the local Advisory Committee, inspected the accommodation already provided in the city by voluntary organisations, and consulted with the Army welfare authorities. As a result, the Council came to the conclusion that the existing accommodation was adequate for the existing need. The Council will continue to watch the situation, but it would not be right for them to open more premises, at considerable expense of labour and materials, unless it should be found in the future that existing arrangements fail to meet the need.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the preparations for reconstruction, any temporary modifications of the Standing Orders of the House which regulate legislation by Private Bill or any other appropriate steps are contemplated, or have been considered, to avoid local legislation in conflict with comprehensive plans of reconstruction for the country as a whole.

This is a point which is being kept in mind, but His Majesty's Government are not at present proposing to suggest any modification of the Standing Orders of the House.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that teachers in Great Britain receive on retirement, in addition to their pension, a lump sum of one-thirtieth of their retiring salary for each year of service up to a maximum of forty-five thirtieths or one-and-a-half years' salary, and that teachers in Northern Ireland receive no credit in the calculation of their lump sum for service rendered prior to 1922; why his Department refuses to recognise its financial responsibility to the teachers in Northern Ireland up to the year 1922; and whether all financial responsibility due to teachers up to 1922 will be met by his Department so as to establish parity of treatment in that area with the teachers of Great Britain.

Responsibility for the superannuation of Northern Ireland teachers was transferred by statute to the Government of Northern Ireland in 1922, and I could not agree that the cost of adopting the proposal in the hon. Member's Question should be a charge on Imperial Votes. I have, however, received a communication on the subject from the Northern Ireland Government, which is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether inoculation and vaccination upon soldiers serving in India is obligatory; if he is aware that soldiers have been called insulting names by their commanding officers and permanently confined to camp; and what he intends doing about the matter.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative; if the hon. Member will give me details of the matters referred to in the second part I will ask the Government of India for a report.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of inspectors of mines who have left the inspectorate during the last 10 years to take up civil employment.

Twelve, Sir.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether any research work is now being done in order to utilise this country's coal resources for the production of substitute fuels other than synthetic fuels.

Yes, Sir. I may add that some of these fuels are now being used with satisfactory results on a large scale.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that out of 1,872 households in the Monmouthshire district canvassed by local billeting authorities to receive young mining trainees, only 17 consented to do so owing to reluctance to take in strangers while sons who are skilled colliery miners are retained in the Forces; to what extent it is this difficulty which will necessitate the provision of hostels for these trainees at a time when the demand for building facilities greatly exceeds supply; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter.

The 17 billets were an immediate response to a circular letter. The canvass of this and neighbouring localities is still proceeding. Eighty trainees were lodged in the area on Monday last and lodgings to meet the immediate future needs are already available. I am not aware that householders in this area are refusing lodgings for the reason mentioned. The contemplated provision of hostels is in respect of a general shortage of existing accommodation; the reply to the second part of the Question is therefore "No, Sir," and the last part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Labour how many conscripts have been sent from Scotland to the mines.

The transfer of men resident in Scotland who are selected by the Coal Mines Ballot will not begin until the opening of the Scottish Training Centre to which I referred in my reply of 27th January, to my hon. and gallant Friend. I anticipate that this will be within the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed by his Department in June, 1939, and at present; and how many of those now employed are engaged in the capacity of National Service officers.

The total number of persons employed in my Department in June, 1939, was 31,589, and at 1st January, 1944, the latest date for which figures are available, the number was 40,282, on the basis that the 3,358 persons employed part-time are counted as half that number of units. Of those now employed, 3,486 possess National Service Officer powers.

asked the Minister of Supply if can give particulars about the reduction in staff which it is proposed to make in his Department; to what extent it will be applied rigidly to scientific and technical staff as well as to industrial staff; and whether, before any reduction of the former takes place, there will be any discussion with the Government scientific advisers.

Having regard to the necessity for economising man-power, a review of the non-industrial staff of this Ministry is being undertaken with a view to making substantial reductions. It is, of course, not intended to adopt any rigid rule-of-thumb in the distribution of the cut between the various branches. It is not proposed to make any general reduction in the scientific and technical staff employed in the research and development establishments. The scientific advisers of the Ministry have naturally been closely consulted on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made with the investigation into the training of civil servants; and by what date he anticipates that it will be possible to announce any proposals, both in general and in particular, with regard to the training and status of scientific and technical staff in the Civil Service.

I understand that the Committee on the training of civil servants is likely to report to me in the near future, but, until I have received and considered the Report, I am not in a position to answer the second part of my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Postmaster-General how many depositors have savings in the Post Office Savings Bank; what is the total amount of deposits; and whether there has been an increase in both cases during the war.

At the outbreak of war there were approximately 11,620,000 Post Office Savings Bank depositors, and the aggregate balance due to them was £537,530,000. On 26th January, 1944, there were about 17,300,000 depositors with an aggregate balance of £1,262,830,000 in round figures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give, for the year 1943 for England and Wales, the names and ages of all persons condemned to death for murder; the names, dates and prisons of execution of all persons executed for murder and the names of those reprieved; and for the same period the names, dates and prisons of execution of all persons executed for offences other than murder.

Twenty-six persons were condemned to death on conviction of murder in 1943. Fifteen have been executed, nine (including two persons certified as insane subsequent to conviction) were reprieved; in one case the conviction was quashed and in one case a verdict of manslaughter was substituted on appeal. I am sending my hon. Friend the other particulars for which he asks in respect of persons condemned to death on conviction of murder. The particulars for which he asks in the last part of the Question concern certain classes of case in regard to which all the information which can properly be given has already been made public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether all local authorities are offering free repairs of gas-masks; and how far, generally, has use been made of this opportunity.

The waiver of charges during the two months of January and February was notified by my Department to every local authority responsible for the distribution of civilian respirators (which in most county areas is the county council) and I have no reason to suppose that any local authority has not acted upon the circular. With regard to the public response, I would refer to the Answer I gave on 27th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Dr. Guest).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women prison officers have been recruited as the result of the recent advertising campaign; how many have resigned after appointment; and what was the average period of service of such officers as have resigned.

As a result of the advertisements published at the end of last December, nineteen war auxiliary women officers have been appointed, and of these fourteen have already joined for duty. Four of the latter resigned after periods of service averaging ten days. Applications are still being received and are under consideration, and further appointments are expected to be made in the near future.

asked the Lord President of the Council if particulars relating to the Government scheme for further education and training for men and women discharged or demobilised from His Majesty's forces have been communicated to the men and women at present serving in His Majesty's forces.

I have been asked to reply. Army Education officers in commands at home and overseas are regularly informed of the progress of the measures to which my hon. Friend refers, and they have been instructed to make them known as far as possible among those about to be discharged from the Army who are likely to be considered under the scheme. Similar arrangements are in force in the Navy and R.A.F.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a recruit to the R.A.M.C. who objects to vaccination and inoculation is obliged to assist in inoculating other recruits.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 28th January.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total pay and allowances receivable by an officer of major's rank while serving at the War Office.

My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that the pay of a major in the War Office varies according to the length of his service, the arm of the Service to which he belongs and the nature of his appointment. But, to give an example, a major drawing combatant rates of pay in a non-technical appointment with less than 22 years' commissioned service receives £648 a year in all. The allowances which such an officer draws also depends on a number of factors. If he is unmarried he probably receives £192 a year in addition to his pay. Further allowances are payable under the normal rules if he is married and if he has children.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will notify each individual seriously disabled war pensioner of eligibility for supplementary allowances direct from his Department in cases where they become unemployable on account of their pensionable disability.

It has been for some time the practice of my Department, when notifying the first award of pension, to enclose a leaflet explaining to a pensioner his position in regard to a variety of matters. In the latest edition, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, information is included regarding the unemployable supplement. In the case of existing pensioners there is no means whereby my Department could send a notification to pensioners as they become unemployable, because it cannot become aware of this fact unless and until it is so notified by the pensioner concerned. I have, however, taken various steps to ensure that the new provisions are well known, and I have no reason to think that there is any general ignorance with regard to them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider providing mobile grain-driers for use in the wet districts situated to the west of Dartmoor.

The bulk of the grain in the area west of Dartmoor is cut by binder, and if wet can be dealt with by other methods than by the use of mobile driers which are still in the experimental stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Report of the Special Committee on Housing will be published.

The Report of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee on the design and layout of houses and on the furnishing and equipping of local authority houses is now in the press and will be published by the end of this month. A further Report by the Committee on the measures required to secure the most appropriate distribution of houses in the immediate post-war years is now in draft and will be submitted to me in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any arrangements have now been made with the United States Government and the United States authorities regarding compensation to British citizens injured by United States service vehicles.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave on 26th January to the hon. Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor). I am not yet able to add anything to that reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now make a statement in regard to the political and military parties in Yugoslavia; and whether the Governments of the United Nations are satisfied with the position.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement I made on 14th December last, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that a number of Territorials, called up on the outbreak of war, desired, and asked, to serve overseas, but were directed to remain at home and train men called up under the Military Service Act; and whether the 1939–43 Star may be granted to such Territorials.

The 1939–43 Star was instituted for service in certain operational areas, and, while appreciating the spirit of the men to whom my hon. and learned Friend refers, I regret that it would be contrary to the purpose of the award to grant it to men who wished to serve in those areas as well as to those who did in fact serve there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his Department has under consideration measures whereby it might be possible to arrange for the speedy release of British prisoners of war in enemy hands immediately hostilities cease so as to avoid the danger of these prisoners being exposed to the chaotic conditions which may arise in some countries when the war ends.

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Information why he has sanctioned the plan by which the approval of the advertising committee of the Brewers' Society must be obtained before the public advertisements of his Department in the "What do I do?" series may appear; how many advertisements have been so dealt with; and whether he will in future desist from consulting brewers about any public advertisement which raises no technical brewing consideration.

No such plan as the hon. Member suggests has been sanctioned. The "What do I do?" series of advertisements appears in advertising space which is reserved by the Brewers' Society and by their courtesy made available to His Majesty's Government. As a reciprocal courtesy their representatives are shown an advance copy of the advertisements that are to appear in the space presented by them.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the importance of exports after the war, he will consider the early establishment of a special office concerned with the scientific analysis of export markets.

It is the primary function of my Department, both at headquarters and through its overseas organisation, to keep under constant review the possibilities for United Kingdom exports in overseas markets. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 16th December last to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, West (Mr. Higgs). In these circumstances there is no reason for the establishment of the special office suggested.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare the approximate quantities of tin metal and of tin concentrates, respectively, supplied by Portugal during the last two years to European countries under German rule; and the number of commercial agreements concluded by Portugal with these countries covering their tin requirements.

In 1942 Portugal exported to Axis Europe 1,165 meric tons of tin metal, of which 757 tons were consigned to Germany, 398 tons to satellite countries, and 10 tons to Luxemburg. She also exported to Germany 10 tons of tin concentrates. My Department estimates that the total quantity exported in 1943 was approximately the same. I have no precise information as to how far Portuguese commercial agreements with countries in Axis Europe cover the export of tin.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare if he has any information as to the extent to which German capital has succeeded in penetrating directly and indirectly into Spain; and what degree of control the enemy exercises over the Spanish shipbuilding, mining, iron and steel, chemical and road transport industries, respectively.

Yes, Sir. I have received in recent months considerable evidence of German infiltration into Spanish industry. Spanish law prohibits the acquisition by foreign companies of controlling interests in Spanish companies. German infiltration, however, takes the form of making available processing and patent rights and supplying technical plant, advisers and engineers. It is not possible to assess with exactitude the degree of control obtained by such methods over the industries mentioned in the second part of the Question.