asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will be in a position to announce the proposals of the Government with regard to the reform of Scottish education; and whether he will do so in the form of a White Paper.

I would refer the hon. Members to my replies to his previous Questions on these subjects of 12th and 19th October, 1943, and 30th November, 1943, to which at the moment I am unable to add.

Cannot my right hon. Friend give any indication of how long it will take to complete his investigations?

In the meantime, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that a great deal can be done by enlightened administration as well as by legislation?

That is quite true.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government proposes to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee on the Herring Fishing Industry.

The report of the Committee is presently being considered by the Fishery Ministers in consultation with the other Ministers concerned, and a decision as to the action to be taken upon the report will be announced alt the earliest possible moment. Discussions regarding post-war herring supplies are already proceeding with representatives of European allied countries.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the report presses the urgency of the matter, and the necessity for legislation to reconstitute the Herring Board at the earliest possible moment?

My hon. Friend is well aware that the report was published only three weeks ago and that there are many interests to be consulted before legislation can be drafted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will inquire into the methods adopted in allotting the new hutted houses at Clydebank among applicants: and is he aware that some of these houses have been allotted to people who already have houses while other homeless people, even including wounded ex-service men and their families, have been refused.

I am informed that the selection of eligible applicants for the houses to which my hon. Friend refers was made by the town council on the basis of the rules which they have publicly announced as governing their selection of these applicants. The town council are unaware of any cases in which houses have been allocated to persons who are already tenants of other houses. If my hon. Friend has any information of cases of this sort the council will be glad to receive it and make investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the case of Mr. Hemphill, details of which have been sent to him; and what steps he is taking to secure a house for this ex-Service man, who has lost an arm in the Middle East, in view of the fact that he and his wife and daughter are now forced to share a small room with his landlady and her two sons and that the 200 new houses allowed to be built in Clydebank are insufficient even to replace those destroyed by enemy bombing.

I have brought the case to which my hon. Friend refers to the notice of the town council and the Scottish Special Housing Association to see whether there is any possibility of accommodation being made available to the family either in Clydebank or in the hostel now being converted at Milngavie. In addition to the 200 houses which the town council have recently been authorised to erect there are 40o houses in course of erection in Clydebank for occupation by families living in overcrowded or otherwise unsatisfactory housing conditions.

Is the Minister aware that the council had notice of the fact that this man was coming home minus an arm since last July? Surely in that time they ought to have had a house waiting for him, in view of the fact that this House was of opinion that he should have a house waiting and ready?

I have no information as to the prior knowledge that the council had as to when this man was returning. I have given all the information I have in my answer.

Is not the Minister aware that the case was raised in this House last July by the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) on a letter which the man had sent to his wife saying that he had lost his arm and hoping that when he returned she would have a home?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give any indication of the Government's intentions with regard to the provision of adequate water supplies in the rural districts of Scotland.

As the House was informed on l0th February the Government propose, as part of their general reconstruction programme, to introduce a Bill in the near future authorising Exchequer assistance for water supply and sewerage in rural localities, and to lay a White Paper outlining the Government's policy on water supply. These proposals will apply both to Scotland and to England and Wales.

Will there be a separate White Paper for Scotland?

I think that there will be a separate section dealing with Scotland.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in connection with the civilian and commercial supplies of coal to North Africa and Italy, he can make some pronouncement of the Government's policy and the basis on which the export quantities are arrived at.

For the Government's policy upon the supply of coal to liberated and ex-enemy countries, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on the 4th August last in reply to a Question by the Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) and to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on the 23rd September in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Newport (Sir R. Clarry). With regard to the last part of the Question, the quantities supplied are based on the minimum essential services of those countries.

Are we to understand that there has been no alteration since last August? Does not the position alter each month?

We are in constant communication. This responsibility is shared and we are in constant touch with each other.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend assure the House that coal is not going to Italy to be consumed by private persons, and that it is used only by the Allied Forces and by public utilities which help the Forces?

My answer of 4th August went into that very fully.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the shortage of coal for domestic purposes and the difficulties experienced by the public in obtaining supplies, the Government will make arrangements with the U.S.A. whereby some part of the supplies necessary for civilian and commercial requirements for North Africa and Italy are obtainable from the U.S.A.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on the subject of combined planning in the Debate on the coal mining situation on 12th October last. As a result of the work of the Combined Committees in London and Washington a large part of the requirements of the Mediterranean is now being supplied from Allied sources other than the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the coal ration brings considerable hardship to houses without gas and other ancillary cooking facilities; and whether any steps can be taken to increase the ration in such cases.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on the 23rd November last in reply to a Question by the Member for East Rhondda (Mr. Mainwaring), in which I explained that there is no specific ration of coal for each household. The position since then has deteriorated owing to strikes and transport difficulties, and I can hold out no hope of any relaxation in the existing restrictions, though I would point out that provision is made for local fuel overseers to grant allowances for additional quantities in cases of illness or where there is an exceptional need.

Is not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to do anything for those houses which have no supplementary method of cooking and where the small ration that is given is largely taken up by stone? Can he give an assurance that the stone might be replaced by coal?

Naturally I would if I could. My hon. friend probably knows better than I do the difficulties with regard to screen work at the present time, and there is certainly a deterioration because of that. With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, exceptional need does mean cases such as he has referred to.

Is it correct to use the word "ration"?

No, Sir.

Is it not a fact that in certain areas there is unequal distribution of coal among registered customers because some suppliers have an unduly large number of registrations, which they are unable to handle? Is it not possible in such cases to secure that the registrations are spread more equitably over all the suppliers in the area, so as to ensure consumers getting their allocation?

I am prepared to look into that point if my hon. Friend has cases of that sort.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the so-called coal ration is frequently much reduced by the inclusion of stone in the ration and that this causes serious hardship to homes where no other cooking resources exist; and whether he is prepared to ensure that only coal will be supplied or that the charge for stone will be refunded to those so overcharged.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a Question on this subject by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Ilford (Mr. Hutchinson) on 18th February.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how the average weekly output of coal from British mines during the month of February compares with the similar period in each of the four preceding years?

As the answer involves a number of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the fact that only five years are involved, could my right hon. and gallant Friend not give the figures now?

That means 35 figures. It would take rather long.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say to what extent the shortage exists, compared with last February?

Certainly. The shortage is in the neighbourhood of 200,000 tons.

Will he bring to the notice of those responsible for the stoppage of work in the coal industry the results which would accrue if the Merchant Navy and the Services went out on strike?

Would it be possible for the Minister to give figures for the net output of coal without the dirt?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has any statement to make with regard to the proposal to discharge 450 employees of the Easington coalmine.

Following the award of the National Reference Tribunal on the 22nd January, output at the Easington Colliery declined very sharply from about 15,000 tons a week to 6,500 tons. In these circumstances I had to consider whether it was in the best interests of production to continue working the colliery, having regard also to the fact that the men's wages were being made up to the guaranteed minimum from the Coal Charges Account at the expense of coal consumers generally. After full consideration, I decided that certain sections of the colliery which were particularly affected could not be kept in operation and on the 6th March, at the request of my Regional Controller, the men concerned were given 14 days' notice to determine their employment at this colliery with a view to their being transferred to other collieries in Durham where the output per man is very much higher. Following this action, I understand that the question of restoring normal working at Easington was the subject of a ballot taken on the 9th March, and that a majority of the men voted in favour of lifting the restriction on output. I am not yet able to say whether this majority decision has been implemented.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend seriously contend that the way to increase output is to direct miners from one particular mine and distribute them to other mines, and to close down mines where output is available?

I thought I had made the position clear to my hon. Friend that, while output was available, it was not being got, and that 15,000 tons had dropped to 6,500. My duty is to use my power to the best possible purpose.

Was it not a foolish thing to threaten the men with transfer to other collieries, instead of trying to understand their grievances and to correct them?

I think my hon. Friend knows perfectly well that that is not a very good description of the situation.

Is not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this colliery is in my area and that I understand the matter very much better than he does?

The colliery may be in my hon. Friend's area, but if he does understand the matter, he has not been very successful, judging by the result.

rose—

Order.

I am on my feet, and the hon. Member must give way. I have called another hon. Member.

That is not the end of the matter, I can assure the Minister.

Are there not other factors responsible for the fall in output at this colliery, other than the action of the workers?

That is a very large question to discuss by question and answer. My hon. Friend knows that certain things are going on at the present time and I am very hopeful, as a result of the negotiations, that some of these difficulties will be removed. I could not possibly deal with the matter by question and answer.

Is not the right hon. and gallant Member aware that there have been legitimate grievances at this colliery for many months past, which are now admitted? Why was it necessary to threaten to transfer the men to other collieries; and why was not an attempt made to deal with those grievances?

I have always done my best to deal immediately with grievances brought to my notice. My hon. Friend ought to know perfectly well that that is no excuse for reducing the output in the way I have described.

There has been an awful lot of bungling here.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, taking the figures for 1939 and 1943, the increases or decreases in the wages costs per ton, selling price per ton, profit per ton and wages per man-shift in the Somersetshire coalfield.

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will with my hon. Friend's permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, for the years 1939 and 1943, respectively, the average pithead price obtained by collieries for commercial disposals of coal, the wages cost per ton and the owners' credit balance per ton; and if he will also give in each case the percentage increase or decrease.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the date when his Department commenced consideration and consultations with other Departments regarding the question of subsidence in the mining areas of this country; and when it is expected these will end.

Consideration by the various Departments concerned commenced in the autumn. It is not possible to say when the necessary enquiries into this difficult and complicated matter will be completed.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not agree that there are so many reports on this question that

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I ought, however, to add to the figures shown that while the provisional credit' balance during the year 1943 was about is. 4½d. a ton, the Government is committed to making this up to 1s. 6d. a ton.

The only thing I would ask the hon. Member to consider is that there are good many other Departments concerned with this matter, particularly in regard to housing and so on, and that the Departments are very fully occupied at the moment. I can assure my hon. Friend that no unnecessary delay will occur.

In considering the problem of subsidence in coal mining areas and areas which are depressed, will the right hon. and gallant Member's Department take into account the very im- portant fact that new industries will not come to those areas because of the fear of subsidence of new factories?

I am fully aware of that, and it is a very important point.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the number of complaints received at the Fuel Overseer's office respecting shortage of fuel in Epsom and Ewell; and what measures he is taking to deal with the matter.

There is no shortage of coal in Epsom and Ewell. Merchants' stocks are adequate, and Government reserves are also available in the area. Merchants are not seriously in arrears with their deliveries, except in the case of one of the larger merchants who has experienced considerable difficulty owing to sickness. In this case assistance has been rendered by other merchants and this arrangement will continue.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that last Thursday I telephoned the local fuel officer at Epsom and was informed by the assistant in charge, when I made a specific complaint, that the complaint was only one of many hundreds? When I told the assistant that the Minister said there were no complaints, the assistant expressed some surprise. Could the right hon. and gallant Gentleman explain that?

I did not say there were no complaints. If the hon. Member had listened to my answer he would know that there were difficulties in one case due to one of the large suppliers, the South Suburban Co-operative Society, having had very serious illness among their staff in the last few weeks, with the result that they have been very hard pressed to get their supplies delivered. There have been 150 complaints, largely because of the circumstances I have mentioned, but in a population of 60,000, it is not bad proportion.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that any complaints in the Epsom and Ewell district which have been made to me, have been brought to the notice of the Minister's Department and have been dealt with promptly as far as possible? Is it not a fact that any shortage of fuel in Epsom and Ewell is due not to his Department but to the coal industry itself?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is seized with the significance of the economic as well as the cultural value of British book exports; whether his Department has analysed current tendencies; and whether he is making preparations against the day when conditions will permit a revival and extension of this vital export.

Yes, Sir. My Department is in close touch on these matters with the Publishers' Association, who estimate that the percentage of turnover exported has fallen from 30 before the war to 21 in 1942 and slightly more in 1943. I look forward to a rapid expansion in our exports of books after the war, but the rate of the expansion must, of course, depend on the labour and paper available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in close touch with the Dominions Office and the British Council on certain aspects of this matter?

Yes, I shall be very happy to do so.

If I brought the right hon. Gentleman some books which are being published now, which not only are not fit for publication in this country but are a hindrance to the publication of books for the export trade, would the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter?

I am not a censor of morals, whatever else I am.

That we all know.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is still in many districts a great shortage of radio sets and parts; and whether he can state the exact position regarding deliveries both from home manufacturers and from the U.S.A.

About 55,000 sets were put on the market during 1943. The number of sets already imported from the United States is about 25,00o, and distribution will begin within the next week or two. As regards components, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers) on 1st February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the handicap suffered by British industry before the war by reason of the wholesale and often vague patent rights secured by Germany in connection with the processing of British and other inventions and discoveries whereby rights of manufacture had to be bought and were frequently refused; and will he see that this impediment to British industrial expansion is removed in any peace terms granted to Germany, as well as by any necessary amendment of our patent laws, in order to secure more precise specification of manufacturing processes.

There are specific provisions in our patent law directed against the refusal by a patentee of reasonable licences in certain circumstances, including the non-working of the invention in the United Kingdom, and against vague and insufficient specifications. The question whether these provisions require strengthening will be for close consideration when our patent law is under review. The point regarding enemy-owned patents to which my hon. Friend has called attention will not be lost sight of in connection with the peace terms.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the late Mr. Joseph Chamberlain and the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) drew attention to this matter but nothing was done; and is he further aware that owing to the vagueness of the specification it is quite impossible to manufacture many of these patents without the assistance of Germany? It is a most serious matter which ought to be receiving attention at the present time from his Ministry.

Yes, Sir, it is receiving attention and will continue to do so.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to set up an inquiry where these matters can be comprehensively dealt with and in such a way that papers can be sent for to enable the suggested overhaul of the patent laws to be carried out?

I have given a good deal of thought to the matter raised by the hon. Member, and I hope to be able to make a statement on the subject very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satis- fled that manufacturers of photographic material are, in general, able to supply retailers with their entitlement under the quota provisions.

As my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, the demands of the Services for photographic material are very heavy and are increasing. In these circumstances, I regret that it may be not possible for manufacturers to supply in full their quota for the civilian trade.

While I appreciate the reasons the right. Gentleman has given, will he do everything possible within his power to increase the supply of photographic material for photographers, as many are being forced out of business?

I will do everything I can, but the needs of the Services must come first.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement as regards the Government's policy in relation to the future of the cotton industry of this country both on the productive side, spinning, weaving, etc., and in relation to the position of traders in raw cotton.

Since receiving the Report of the Cotton Board Committee, I have held a number of consultations on the post-war organisation of the cotton trade; but I am not at present in a position to make a further statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to expedite his inquiries as far as possible to allow those in the industry to know where they are to be in the future?

A number of things are going on. The Chairman of the Cotton Board is, I hope, going to undertake some inquiries for me into the finishing section of the industry, as recommended in the Cotton Board Report. There is a Mission proceeding shortly to the United States, led by the Cotton Controller, to make a study of war-time conditions there, from which we may learn something.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Cotton Industry Act and the Spindles Act, those remarkable examples of planning, by no means did what those who advocated them anticipated?

May I ask my right hon. Friend in view of the very serious position facing the cotton industry in Lancashire whether he can give any idea of when he will be able to make a statement?

No, Sir, not at the moment. It took the Streat Committee eight months to make their report to me. The whole matter is very complicated, those concerned are not in agreement and I must have a little time to unravel it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the financial position of the War Commodities Damage Insurance Fund.

No, Sir. It would not be in the public interest to disclose this information.

Why is all information "not in the public interest"? It is time we had a little more light on this matter.

The enemy would like this information. Therefore, I shall not give it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the Footwear Manufacture Directions, 1944, the substitution of "more" for "less," made by No. 178, of Statutory Rules and Orders, is a change of policy or the correction of an error.

The latter, Sir.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that an Order which appears to make a drastic, and, indeed, a revolutionary change, ought to be accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum, as recommended by the Committee on Ministers' Powers?

Even the best proofreaders sometimes nod. The point has been met, I think, by my answer to my hon. Friend. It is a very simple matter. If necessary, I shall be glad to issue a further Explanatory Memorandum; but I do not think that that will be required.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise the difficulty in which it places a manufacturer who is told that he must not make the heel of a lady's shoe of less than a certain height, and is then told some weeks afterwards that the word "less" should have been "more"?

I have tried to remove the unfortunate misunderstanding, which otherwise would have arisen, by the answer which I have given to-day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many proprietary articles are now frequently sold in containers which are only about three-parts full, although no notice to this effect is given to the purchaser; and what action he proposes to take.

This matter has not previously been brought to my notice, but if my hon. Friend will send me particulars I shall be very glad to look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his intention to remove the control on the design of furniture at the cessation of hostilities.

The demand for furniture after the war will be very heavy and the supply of material very limited. It will be necessary, therefore, to ensure that the best use is made of what is available. I have received a valuable report from the Furniture Industry Post-War Reconstruction Committee, who recognise the need for the continuance of control over production during the transition period after the war.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a great deal of the designing of ordinary-price furniture is done by craftsmen-woodworkers themselves, and does not require a great designing staff? Therefore, will be consider the decontrol of design before the decontrol of production?

I think I had better await the further report which is coming from the Furniture Industry Post-War Reconstruction Committee, on which both employers and employees are represented. Not all design before the war was worthy of British craftsmanship.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it essential that control should continue until production overtakes consumption?

Yes, Sir, that is certainly my view.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the wife of a serving soldier cannot be given sufficient coupons to enable her to set up house for her husband on his return from abroad if she happens to have been married before 1st January 1941.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to utility furniture permits. Production is only sufficient to allow permits to be granted to very limited classes of people, including the newly-married. The latter have hitherto been defined as persons married since 1st January, 1941. But I am glad to say that, as output is increasing, I am now able to include those married on or after 1st September, 1939.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to provide additional commissioned officers at all military prisons and detention barracks, as recommended in the Report of the Oliver Committee.

The establishment of commissioned officers has been increased by six majors and 18 captains. Nineteen new officers have so far entered the Military Prison and Detention Barrack service.

asked the Secretary of State for War if sick quarters have now been provided in all military prisons and detention barracks, as recommended in the Report of the Oliver Committee.

Sick quarters are now installed at all military prisons and detention barracks except Aldershot. At Aldershot considerable difficulties were experienced in finding suitable accommodation, but these have now been overcome, and the work should be completed before long.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that road accidents are occurring owing to the absence of automatic windscreen wipers on many Army vehicles; and whether steps will be taken to have these fitted.

The information at my disposal does not confirm my hon. Friend's suggestions. I understand that, with two exceptions, all types of vehicles supplied to the Army are provided with automatic windscreen wipers, and that accidents due to the absence of such wipers or to defective wipers are rare.

In view of the fact that the Question has a foundation of fact, will the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiry into the number of accidents that take place on our roads due to the absence of these wipers, and see that Army vehicles and other road vehicles are protected by a further supply?

I have made inquiries, and they go to show that the number of accidents is very small; but if the hon. Member has specific information which will add to my knowledge, I shall be very glad to receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether a soldier who has been tried by court-martial for larceny and the case dismissed is entitled to any form of compensation for having spent 27 days in detention barracks awaiting trial, or to the return of £3 3s. paid to his defending solicitor.

I am afraid that a soldier is not entitled to any compensation in such a case. I understand that this follows the general practice in civil life. The Army pay due to him for the period he spends in close arrest would, however, be issued to him on acquittal. A soldier may make what arrangements he wishes for his defence. If, for example, he asks for an officer to defend him he incurs no costs. If, however, he arranges for his own solicitors to do it he must bear their charges.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that in civil life a man would not be put under close detention for 27 days before being tried on a charge that an extra blanket was found on his bed? In view of the fact that in this case the man preferred to have his own solicitor, because he thought he would have a better opportunity of having his case put, and as the case was dismissed, ought not some regard to be paid to his case?

I am in some difficulty about this case as to whether my hon. Friend sent me particulars of it or not. But if he will send particulars of the individual case I shall be very glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his atten- tion has been drawn to the case of 14202464 Private W. R. Watts, sentenced to six months' detention for not obeying call-up notice of February 1943, which was not received by him; and whether he is aware that, on receipt of a further call-up notice in November 1943, he immediately obeyed his instructions; and why, if the former instructions were issued, no steps were taken to enforce them.

This man was court-martialled for failing to obey an enlistment notice which was returned undelivered from the address which the man gave on registering. Inquiries as to his whereabouts were made, and it was found that he had moved twice without informing the Ministry of Labour. There is no evidence that any of the authorities concerned departed from the procedure normally followed in such cases.

Would my right hon. Friend inform the House whether the inquiry as to the delivery of this note was made at the house of the father of the man, where he lived at the time; and is he also aware that since then he got married and that immediately on receiving his final call-up notice he obeyed it?

asked the Secretary of State for War what complaints he has received from soldiers in Italy that they have no tank equal to the German Tiger or Ferdinand; and is he aware that the provision of such a tank would contribute considerably to ultimate success.

I have had no such complaints. I do not, of course, accept the implication in the hon. Member's Question.

Is it not a fact that soldiers coming home have stated that such a tank would be useful, and was not a tank equal to the "Tiger" tank offered more than two years ago and sabotaged by the Tank Board?

asked the Secretary of State for War what opinions soldiers at the front have expressed on the new B.B.C. programmes designed for the Forces; and if he will make arrangements to obtain their views.

My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the transmission to listeners in this country of a programme which has been transmitted for over a year to troops overseas is the main change which has been made. It is as yet too early to assess the views of the soldiers in operational theatres about this change, but arrangements are being made to find out. I do not think they will hesitate to let the B.B.C. and the Army authorities have their views.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many Members are receiving letters from constituents in the Forces expressing their extreme dissatisfaction?