asked the Minister of Labour for what reason William Finnan was dismissed from Dawn Mine, Nether-burn, Lanarkshire; and why he has been directed to employment outwith the mining industry.

Mr. Finnan was dismissed for serious misconduct. He was sent, but not directed, to other employment temporarily pending suitable coalmining employment being found for him. I am pursuing the question of the possibility of his return to coalmining.

Is the Minister aware that the nature of this man's misconduct was that he refused to work a double shift in the pit?

I was not aware of that. I will look up the papers.

Is the Minister aware that a number of these youths have been discharged by the employers in the mining industry and are being permitted, by National Service officers, to go into employment other than mining?

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of that matter, I will look into it. I was not aware of it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that the necessary number of new entrants to the coal-mining industry will be provided by the existing compulsory recruitment machinery.

The number of new entrants into the coalmining industry through the machinery of the ballot cannot be dealt with in isolation but must be considered in conjunction with all men from the military field available for call up and directed to coalmining, as well as with men released from the Forces for coalming for whom replacements have to be provided. Taking these sources together, and having regard to the acute stringency in man-power, I am satisfied with the progress that is being made. There may be fluctuations from time to time in the number of recruits compulsorily directed to the coalmining training centres, especially having regard to claims of other urgent requirements.

Has the right hon. Gentleman found it necessary to amend to any extent the scheme which he described to us last December?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the circumstance that Henry Robert Hale, of Luard Street, Islington, who was killed in an accident at Heworth Colliery, Durham, would, if he had been directed into the Fighting Forces, have qualified for the payment of a pension to his parents in a similar case; and if he will look into the disadvantageous position of boys directed to the mines in this regard.

Men selected by ballot for service in the coal mines work under the same conditions, and the same rights to compensation apply in respect of injury or death as in the case of other miners. It would not be practicable to apply to these men provisions applicable only to members of H.M. Forces without reconsideration of the whole basis of their employment, and also that of other men who, though liable for military service, are required to remain in, or transfer to, essential civilian work.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is satisfied that he now possesses full power to compel the employers in the mining industry to employ those youths who are being trained for the industry; and whether he can give the number accepted into full employment below ground.

Yes, Sir. The Coal Mining Undertakings Control Order, 1942, General Direction (Employment in Coal Mines) No. r dated 14th March, 1944, and the Coal Mining Undertakings Control Order, 1942, provide the requisite powers. I am not yet in a position to give my hon. Friend a reply to the latter part of his question. I will let him have the information as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-officers are on the books of the Central Registry awaiting suitable appointments; and will he give a tabulated statement in HANSARD showing the numbers by service, ranks and age.

I regret that the available statistics do not enable me to give the information required by my hon. Friend. I am considering whether information of this kind could be conveniently recorded in future.

Could not my right hon. Friend make further inquiries, because my information is that a considerable number of ex-officers, especially senior officers, are now being retired from the Army, and are waiting on his books, with very little hope of getting suitable employment?

Yes, Sir, but the hon. Gentleman has asked me for precise information, and I have said that it is not being kept in that form. I think I have met my hon. Friend in saying that I am considering whether the information can be kept in a form which will satisfy him in future.

asked the Minister of Labour why his Appointments Department usually inquires of persons enrolled on the Appointments Register, who have obtained employment by other means, the medium through which they obtained such employment; and whether he will prohibit such inquiry.

The practice referred to is not restricted to persons enrolled on the Appointments Register. It is part of the general machinery for ensuring that manpower is used to the best advantage, and I cannot agree to its modification in respect of a particular class of persons.

What is the purpose of this question? Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is even asked of persons who are not restricted in finding employment, and who have accepted employment with firms who are not restricted to engaging their labour through the Ministry?

There is the Restriction on Engagement Order, under which certain persons in certain age groups and for certain industries must be employed through the employment exchanges. If I do not ask this question, I do not discover whether employers are evading their obligations or not, and I am not prepared to make any distinction as to the class of person of whom I ask the question.

Surely my right hon. Friend knows which category a particular employee and a particular employer is in.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the large numbers of State employees in industry, he has made the powers of the factory inspectorate equally applicable to both State and private enterprise.

The Factories Act itself expressly provides that it applies to factories belonging to or in the occupation of the Crown, and such factories are inspected by the factory inspectorate in the ordinary course.

Have factory inspectors the right of prosecution in the case of factories owned by the State, in the same way as they have in the case of privately owned factories?

One cannot prosecute the Crown. If a matter is wrong, then it becomes the Government's responsibility to put it right.

Has the Government's responsibility always been accepted in Royal Ordnance Factories?

I think so.

If an accident happens in any of the Government's factories, I take it that the Government are responsible?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to relieve the acute shortage of staff in mental hospitals; and if he is able to say what progress has been made in this direction.

Since the registration of all nurses and midwives took place in April, 1943, under the Nurses and Midwives (Registration for Employment) Order, 1943, steps have been taken by my Department to increase the number of new entrants to the nursing and midwifery profession, to secure the return to these professions of women with experience who are not now employed in them, and to see that women with special qualifications are employed in posts where those qualifications will be used. Since August, 1943, nearly 1,800 women have been placed by the appointments offices of my Department in employment, or training in mental nursing work, and, in addition, nearly 550 persons have been engaged by mental hospitals and institutions direct. As a further step to improve the position in this and other shortage fields of nursing work, mental nursing has been included amongst the fields of special service which newly state registered nurses are required to perform for 12 months after registration.

In view of the difficulty indicated, would my right hon. Friend consider consulting the Minister of Health to see whether some of these mental patients could not be let out?

Where should I transfer them to? Here?

When my right hon. Friend refers to mental nurses, does he mean male or female, or does he include both?

Both.

Would not my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in any matters concerning mental hospitals, he should have the closest consultation with the Minister of Health, in regard to patients?

Obviously. All I do is to provide training. The actual work of dealing with the hospitals is my right hon. and learned Friend's job.

Is the Minister aware that many patients in mental hospitals are quite capable of assisting in nursing?

All questions dealing with the administration of the hospital service should be addressed to my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Health what reports he has received from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and other authorities with regard to the nuisance during recent weeks, near Minworth and Curdworth, from crane flies, which breed in the sewage filter beds of the Birmingham Tame and Rea District Drainage Board; and to what extent measures taken by the drainage board have reduced this nuisance by comparison with the corresponding periods of previous years.

The information received from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research indicates that this is a matter requiring lengthy expert investigation, which is continuing. The trouble varies greatly with the weather, and it is not, therefore, easy to assess results by comparison with previous years. A chemical treatment is now to be tried. I shall be happy to arrange for my hon. Friend to discuss the matter with the investigators, if desired.

While thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for his reply may I ask him whether he will have this horrible nuisance kept under specially close observation during the next few weeks?

Certainly, Sir. As my hon. Friend knows, it is being considered by the Water Pollution Research Board, and two universities, and I will take note of what he has suggested.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that this nuisance is not confined to the Birmingham area; and will he consider having an inquiry as to the prevalence of the nuisance over the whole country?

All of us who are aware that the crane fly is the "daddy long legs," or leather-jacket, are aware that the nuisance is prevalent over the whole country.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentlemen stop considering, and get something done?

Will my right hon. and learned Friend answer my question whether he will have an inquiry into the prevalence of the nuisance over the whole country?

I will consider that.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider granting a free issue of tobacco or cigarettes to such patients in mental hospitals under the Board of Control as are allowed to smoke.

The question of a free issue of tobacco and cigarettes to patients in a mental hospital is one for the visiting committee of the institution and I am not empowered to give any direction in the matter.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the very real hardship to these unfortunate people who may be inveterate smokers?

No, Sir; if any case of real hardship such as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests were brought to my notice I should bring it to the notice of the proper authorities.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that to say that these cigarettes or tobacco are given free, is quite misleading, because the mental hospital has to pay for them?

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in one mental hospital in Cheshire no such complaint as that exists?

asked the Minister of Health how many of the doctors appointed to negotiate with him before the publication of the White Paper on National Health Services serve, and have served during the last two years, on advisory committees appointed by his Ministry; and how many serve, and have served during the same period, on advisory committees of other Ministries.

With regard to my own advisory committees I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my predecessor gave him on the same point on 21st October last. I am afraid I have not enough information to answer in regard to the advisory committees of other Departments.

Seeing that that answer was that there were 13 of these advisers to the Minister, will the Minister say whether these negotiator advisers are paid or, if not, whether they are living in expectation of glory and honour to come, which is the general impression?

No members of my medical advisory committee are paid as such.

asked the Minister of Health if the Council or any executive body of the British Medical Association act in a general way in an advisory capacity to his Ministry.

It is my practice to consult the British Medical Association on matters affecting, the professional interests which it represents. But neither the Council nor any of its executive bodies acts in an advisory capacity to my Department in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend's question. That is the province of my Medical Advisory Committee and other special advisory bodies constituted by me for the purpose.

In view of the fact that it is asserted by those who are well informed that the negotiators are known to have been responsible for part of the White Paper, does my right hon. and learned Friend think that to speak of them as advisory is putting rather mildly this very unhealthy alliance?

No member of the British Medical Association was responsible for any part of the White Paper.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend inquire how long it is since the council of the British Medical Association was re-elected, and whether it represents up-to-date medical opinion?

That seems to be an entirely different question. If it is put down, I shall endeavour to answer it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the trying circumstances under which recipients of Health Insurance benefits are placed owing to the increased cost of living; and, in view of this, whether he will take immediate steps to have these benefits substantially increased.

The whole future of Health Insurance is under consideration in connection with the Government's social insurance proposals, and I cannot make any statement on the matter in advance of the White Paper.

As this matter is most pressing and urgent, and the need great, will my right hon. and learned Friend further the interests of these Health Insurance recipients by increasing the benefits?

I think that the value of the Health Insurance benefits is universally recognised.

Is the Minister aware that, when the present Prime Minister was Chancellor of the Exchequer, he re- duced the State subsidy to Health Insurance by £2,250,00o per annum; and that if he had not done so, this question would not have arisen?

No, Sir; my memory is not so good as that of my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a nurse on the staff of the Northern Hospital has been given notice consequent upon her pending marriage; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the nursing profession from the effect of the marriage ban.

No, Sir. Staffing matters are ordinarily for the hospital authority concerned, but if the hon. Member will let me have further particulars of the case he has in mind, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

In view of the fact that this is a concrete example of the marriage bar against nurses, will the Minister consider raising the bar in that profession, particularly in view of the fact that it has been raised in other professions?

I could not possibly deal with this most far-reaching matter by way of question and answer.

asked the Minister of Health how much housing accommodation is vacant in the areas controlled by the Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District Council and the Orpington Urban District Council; and, in view of the shortage of housing accommodation, will he give the necessary instructions to release these empty houses and to give preference to the wives and families of serving soldiers.

Two hundred and two houses are held on requisition by the Clerk of the Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District Council and of these only 32 are kept in reserve for persons who may be made homeless. The figures in Orpington are 190 and 50 respectively. I do not at this moment feel able to reduce the homeless reserve further but the figures are kept under review and developments in the war situation may enable me to revise my decision in the near future.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that many people who want housing accommodation are the very people who are suffering from enemy action? Why keep these houses empty for hypothetical use, in a set of circumstances which may never arise? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is very galling for these people, especially soldiers' wives, to see houses empty when they are not able to get accommodation?

From three years' personal experience I am very fully aware of the difficulty of balancing these needs, but they are weighed constantly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is making an endeavour to bring greater uniformity and simplicity to building laws and regulations to eliminate the delays now inseparable from the production of constructional working drawings caused by variations in bylaws now in force in the different built-up areas.

As I stated in reply to the hen and gallant Member for Skipton (Mr. H. Lawson) on 4th May, by-laws made under the Public Health Act, 1936, are now practically everywhere in force, apart from London and the provincial towns where the position is governed by special Acts. The by-laws under the Act of 1936 are substantially uniform and in accordance with my model by-laws. I do not know of any variations between different areas which would cause delay in producing constructional working drawings, but if my hon. Friend can call attention to any such variations I will look into them.

Could my right hon. and learned Friend look into it anyhow, because if he does so, he will find that the towns have so many slight variations, that they delay the architects and engineers considerably in producing their. working drawings?

My hon. Friend is an expert and I have given him an invitation to produce examples of this. I think that is perfectly fair.

I have not an entire Department at my disposal to do this. My right hon. and learned Friend has.

asked the Minister of Health whether any new developments, approved by the Building Research Station or other authorised body, will be made available and legally usable throughout the country without further separate applications having to be made in each individual case to the different local authorities before they may be employed.

It is not proposed to take away from local authorities their present statutory duty of considering whether building plans satisfy the Public Health Acts and by-laws made thereunder. Outside London these are based upon model by-laws which were issued just before the war, and the model can be revised, as necessary, in the light of any important developments in building technique.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that this House votes money to the Research Station? Could not the nation get the advantage of its work, instead of the advantage being confined to one place only?

If my hon. Friend can suggest any way in which the nation does not get the advantage of that work, I shall, of course, consider it.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend make a model by-law every time a system is approved, so that the nation will get the advantage?

I cannot imagine that such a procedure would be practicable.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the statement in circular 49/44, that all war damage repairs should be completed, so far as practicable, by local authorities by the end of the current year, what approximate estimate exists of the houses which will be thus dealt with.

I have asked local authorities to furnish estimates of the work. When I receive these estimates, the preparation of which will involve a considerable amount of surveying in some areas, I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend give instructions to the local authorities to grant more readily and more speedily these certificates so that many other houses can be repaired as well?

I will take note of what my hon. and gallant Friend says.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he can now state the decisions of the Government with regard to the Barlow, Scott, and Uthwatt Reports; and when any legislation or White Papers may be expected on any of the questions involved.

I have nothing at present to add to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 30th March, 1944.

When does my right hon. Friend think he will be in a position to give a decision on this matter? Is it true that all efforts to secure agreement on Uthwatt have failed?

It is not true that all efforts to secure agreement on this matter have failed. My hon. Friend's Question deals with three Reports. I stated the Government's views on the Scott Report on 30th November last.

Is it not true to say that the Government have not the slightest intention of implementing the recommendations of the Uthwatt Report; and would it not be only fair to the country to say so?

No, Sir, it would be neither fair nor true.

I hope my right hon. Friend will not be stampeded by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Air.

When is the legislation promised a year or two ago to enable local authorities to purchase bombed sites likely to be introduced?

I hope that that Bill will be before the House very shortly.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning, whether, in view of the inevitable complications arising in the large bombed areas from the question of rights of light, etc., he will introduce regulations ending the causes of expense and delay formally associated with ancient lights.

This matter is under consideration in connection with the Bill shortly to be presented to Parliament.

Will my right hon. Friend give the matter very urgent consideration, because it has caused delays and great expense for many years, and it would be undesirable to allow that state of affairs to continue in the post-war years?

I have given the matter very careful consideration, and I hope that the provisions I shall include in the Bill will meet the difficulties my hon. Friend has in mind. If they do not, I shall be very glad to have his observations.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether copies of "A Plan of Economic Development of India," published in Bombay last January, by a group of Indian industrialists, can be made available to Members of Parliament.

A copy is being placed in the Library of the House. I understand that the Plan will shortly be published commercially in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India publication, "Postwar Educational Developments in India: Report by Central Advisory Board of Education, January, 1944," can be reprinted and made generally available in this country.

Copies of this report are on the way to this country from India, and will be obtainable before long from the office of the High Commissioner for India. Meanwhile, copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

Can a summary of this report be printed and made generally available?

I hope to have copies in a month's time. They are on their way by sea.

Can the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the Congress leaders to come here and address the Members of the House of Commons?

That is a separate question.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware of the continued concern expressed by Indian and British persons and organisations at the institution of lottery bonds; whether any reply has been given to the protests of religious leaders on this matter, including the Metropolitan; if there is any likelihood of this method of raising money being brought to an end; and how much money has been raised by this means up to date.

I am not aware of the grounds on which the first part of the question is based, but I have no doubt that the Government of India have given due attention to any such representations as they may have received. As regards the last two parts of the Question, I am not prepared to anticipate any announcements which may be made hereafter by the Government of India.

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is unaware of the protests made by large numbers of people in India against this method of raising finance, and is the financial gain equal to the moral loss?

There is self-government in India.

Cannot we have an opportunity to buy some of the lottery tickets here?

Although there is self-government in India, has the right hon. Gentleman not received many protests from India about this method?

No, Sir.

Which Governments in India are making use of this method of raising finance?

The Central Government.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has any further statement to make on the illness and present condition of Mr. Gandhi; whether he will also report on the health of Jawarharlal Nehru and Khan Abdul Goffur Khan; if they are receiving every medical attention; and whether they and other detainees are likely to be released.

Mr. Gandhi, whose health was giving cause for serious anxiety, was released solely on medical grounds on the 6th May. Subsequent bulletins issued by his private doctors have been reported in the Press. I have received no adverse reports on the health of Jawarharlal Nehru or Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, who will, of course, receive any medical attention that they may need. As regards the last part of the Question, the policy of the Government regarding the detention of the Congress leaders is on record and I have no further statement to make in the matter.

Might I ask the Minister whether Gandhi was not released unconditionally, and will not the same principle apply to the other detainees if, in fact, they become ill?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and the answer to the second part is that that is a matter which the Government of India will consider in due course.

If Gandhi does recover, the right hon. Gentleman will not consider putting him back again?

That is a matter which we must leave until the situation arises.

Is there any truth in the report that Gandhi is about to see the Viceroy?

I have no information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make any statement as to the revised by-law of the Essex River and Catchment Board which, if approved by his Department, may affect the cultivation of cricket bat willows.

The object of the revised bylaws of the Essex Rivers Catchment Board is so to regulate the future planting of willows that the Board's excavators will be able to operate along the banks of the rivers. Under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, a by-law is not valid until it has been confirmed by me. The Catchment Board gave the usual notice on the 13th April that on the expiration of one month from the date of the notice, during which period objections may he addressed to me, they intend to apply to me for confirma- tion of the by-laws. I have already received a number of objections and I will carefully consider them, together with any others that may reach me before the notice expires, if I receive the Board's request to confirm the by-laws

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he will bear in mind that cricket, though a slow game, is still played in this country?