asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the present rates of pay for the boys' service of the Royal Navy.

The rates of pay are at present 1s. 3d. a day for boys 2nd class, and 1s. 9d. a day for boys 1st class, boy telegraphists and signal boys. These rates include 6d. a day war bonus.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why ordinary seamen and equivalent grades are to receive no extra pay after 12 months' service, whereas a non-tradesman private in the Army will receive 6d. per day increase after serving for the same period.

Most ordinary rates are normally advanced to the corresponding able seaman rate at or before the end of 12 months' service. There is, therefore, no need for a progressive pay rate for ordinary seamen.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps have been taken to enable all ranks serving with the Royal Navy to be registered as electors.

The declaration cards and the general pamphlet of instructions which has been drawn up by the three Service Departments in collaboration are in process of distribution to the Fleet. An Admiralty Fleet Order dealing comprehensively with the arrangements for absent voters will be issued shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider informing recruits for the Fleet Air Arm previous to undergoing the selective tests and being interviewed by the Selection Committee how long they have to wait before being called up, in case they wish to join another service with a quicker rate of entry.

I have under consideration arrangements for candidates for air crew duties to be informed at the time of their interview when any considerable delay in call-up is expected.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why his Department has refused to agree to arbitration with regard to the dispute with the Admiralty Industrial Civil Servants Federation as to the present inadequate arrangements for negotiations about conditions of employment between his Department and themselves; and, if this refusal is final, what alternative steps he proposes to deal with this long-outstanding grievance.

As I stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge) yesterday, it is not considered that the claim by the Admiralty Industrial Civil Servants' Federation for increased facilities for conducting negotiations with the Department is a suitable and acceptable subject for arbitration. It cannot be regarded as a trade dispute under the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, or the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order, 1940, as the Federation was informed in 1942. The Admiralty cannot agree that the present arrangements do not enable the Federation to make adequate representations on behalf of their members. In any event, these could not be altered as desired by the Federation without changes in the composition or functions of the Industrial Whitley Councils, and the trade union sides of these Councils have not, up to the present, been prepared to agree to any changes of the kind. In the absence of agreement to modify the established machinery of negotiation, the Admiralty do not propose to take the matter any further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will draw the attention of Colonial Governments to the decision of this House to increase the pensions of retired State servants who have served under the Home Government and take steps to secure that Colonial Governments follow suit in respect of retired Colonial civil servants.

I am communicating with Colonial Governments concerning this matter, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the interests of Colonial development, more extended use will be made of the scientific bureaux of the Imperial Institute by arranging for additional financial assistance towards its salaries, travelling expenses and technical equipment from the research funds now at his disposal under the Act of 1940.

The Imperial Institute is not organised to undertake fundamental research work, and the question of financial assistance to the Institute from the research provision made under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1940, does not therefore arise. Research work on new uses for Colonial raw materials is carried out with funds provided from this source, by the Colonial Products Research Council, whose Director of Research has his office in the Imperial Institute and works in close association with it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any consideration has yet been given to setting up an experimental employment exchange in one or more of the principal towns in some of the Colonies.

In reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend on 3rd March, 1943, I gave a list of Colonial Dependencies where such exchanges had already been set up. Northern Rhodesia can now be added to this list, and plans are being made to set up similar exchanges or bureaux in Nigeria and Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any control of profits in the Tanganyika sisal industry; what taxation is imposed; what wages are paid; and approximately how many Africans are now employed.

The prices paid by the Ministry of Supply for East African, including Tanganyika, sisal are fixed from time to time after a close scrutiny of actual costs of production in respect of the industry as a whole. The Tanganyika industry is subject to local Income Tax at 4s. in the £, and to Excess Profits Tax at the rate of 60 per cent. In addition, companies registered in this country are subject to United Kingdom taxation, with the normal double taxation relief in respect of taxation payable in East Africa. Minimum wage rates prescribed in respect of each 30-day ticket are 15s. for cutters and skilled labour and 12s. for cleaners and unskilled labour, to which are added quarters and rations on a prescribed scale. The approximate number of Africans employed in the sisal industry in Tanganyika is 100,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what representations have recently been received from the local authorities in Inverness-shire on the need for a viaduct from North Uist to Benbecula similar to the new South Ford viaduct; and whether he is prepared to include this as a post-war development scheme in the Isles.

I have received no recent representations from the local authorities in Inverness-shire about the need for a viaduct from North Uist to Benbecula. I am, of course, always ready to consider any plan which the authorities may lay before me, but, as at present advised, I am inclined to doubt whether the amount of traffic that would pass between the islands would justify the very considerable expenditure which the construction of a viaduct would involve.

asked the Prime Minister if he can give dates for the publication of the White Papers on a unified system of social insurance and the control and direction of the use of land as promised in His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to Parliament on 24th November, 1943; and also the forthcoming White Paper on employment policy.

The final formulation of Government policy on these important and urgent subjects must be undertaken by the War Cabinet itself, and will be undertaken in due course, but the House will realise the heavy pressure on Ministers at the present time.

asked the Minister of Information whether in view of the fact that no person is allowed to establish a radio station in this country in competition with the B.B.C., he will publish the agreement entered into between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the U.S.A. covering the radio station established in this country by the latter.

No, Sir. The radio station in question is being operated by the B.B.C. partly for themselves and partly for the American authorities, for political warfare purposes only, and no question of competition with the B.B.C. arises.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make a statement on the priorities of allocation of the prefabricated temporary house.

No statement can be made until after the prototype house has been approved and arrangements settled for production and distribution.

asked the Minister of Health whether local authorities erecting prefabrication houses will be entitled to a subsidy in respect of each of them.

No statement can be made until after the prototype house has been approved and arrangements settled for production and distribution.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works if he will arrange for a rain-water tank to be added to the fittings of the new houses; and what is the area, in superficial feet, of the roofs.

The addition of rainwater butts is being considered with other detailed suggestions that have been made by hon. Members and others in connection with the prototype factory-made house. The superficial area of the main roof is 700 sq. ft. and that of the flat subsidiary roof over the porch and shed is 49 sq. ft.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the continued complaints of abnormal delay and even of non-delivery of parcels sent from this country to His Majesty's Forces in India and Italy, he will take immediate measures by which improvements can be effected.

Having regard to the large number of parcels dispatched to troops in Italy and India relatively few complaints are received. Parcel mails are shipped to India and Italy by every opportunity. The transmission from this country to the Base at Bombay averages 51 days, and to the Base Army Post Office in Italy the average is 27 days. I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope of an improvement on those times. I am satisfied that parcels are distributed from the Base to the addressees as rapidly as circumstances allow. If my hon. Friend will forward me full particulars of specific complaints of abnormal delay or non-delivery, I will have them investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present position with regard to Italian prisoners of war now in camps in Great Britain; and whether they are free to leave camps without escort.

As stated by my right hon. Friend in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. I. Thomas) on 9th May, Italian prisoners of war in this country have been given the opportunity of volunteering to cooperate in the war effort. Co-operators are given certain privileges, one of which is permission to exercise without escort after working hours outside their camps but within bounds prescribed by the local military commander.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that several newsagents in Glasgow who closed their shops on Monday, 10th April, being the statutory Glasgow Easter holiday, are now being refused their supply of Scottish daily and evening newspapers by a body called the Scottish District Newspaper Society, which is composed of the circulation managers of the Scottish daily press; and, as this action is a case of restriction of trade by that body, what action is he prepared to take to stop it.

I understand that this dispute has now been settled between the parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what sums under agreement we have already paid over to the Government of Ethiopia; and what use is being made of them.

Under the terms of the Anglo-Ethiopian agreement of 31st January, 1942 (Command 6334), £1,500,000 sterling were paid to the Ethiopian Government in respect of the year reckoned from that date, £1,000,000 sterling in respect of the subsequent year and, to date, £125,000 sterling in respect of the third year of the currency of the agreement. These sums have been applied to meeting budgetary expenditure in accordance with Article 4 of the agreement, which provides that they shall be used to assist the Emperor of Ethiopia "to re-establish his administration."

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the German Legation in Tangier has been closed; and if the Legation staff have been given their passports following the recent arrangement between His Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made to-day on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many representatives on the new primary and secondary Burnham Committee panel he has allowed to the National Union of Teachers, National Association of Schoolmasters, National Union of Women Teachers, Joint Four Secondary Associations and Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions, respectively; and what membership of each of these bodies he assumed for the purpose.

The Teachers' Panel of the Burnham Committee dealing with salaries in Primary and Secondary Schools numbers 26 representatives, allocated as follows:

National Union of Teachers	16
Joint Four Secondary Associations	6
Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions	4

The National Association of Schoolmasters and the National Union of Women Teachers are not represented. Representation has not been strictly related to any such assumptions as my hon. Friend suggests, but is based on an adjustment of existing representation to meet changing conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has any information as to the cause of the serious outbreak of dysentery at an A.T.S. station of which he has been informed; and if appropriate disciplinary action has been or will be taken if there has been negligence on the part of any responsible person.

I understand that there have been 53 cases of a mild type of dysentery in this unit. The infection was traced to symptomless carriers. Since they were removed to hospital I am glad to say no further cases have occurred. No infection of milk or water was discovered, and the sanitation in the cookhouse and dining hall was found to be satisfactory. I am advised that this unfortunate outbreak was not due to negligence.

asked the Minister of Health what initial steps should be taken by a rural district to induce the appropriate authorities to instal an adequate water supply.

Under the existing law it is the duty of the rural district council to provide or secure a supply of water to every part of their district in which danger to health arises from the insufficiency or unwholesomeness of the existing supply and a general scheme of supply is required and can be carried out at a reasonable cost. If the area to be supplied lies within the statutory limits of supply of statutory water undertakers the rural district council may not itself supply without their consent. It would normally approach them with a view to the execution by them of the necessary works, and may undertake to pay, or guarantee payment to them of such periodical or other sums as may be agreed as a consideration for the provision of the supply. A rural district council proposing to carry out a scheme itself would normally take skilled engineering advice.During the period of the war the execution of any scheme of water supply requires special authorisation under the Defence Regulations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the discontent prevailing amongst drivers and employees of the Eastern National Omnibus Company because they are not considered to be on duty or paid during waiting times, which often exceed an hour or so in rural areas during a day, nor is any allowance made for meals during those periods; and, having regard to the long hours employees have to be away from home, whether he will consider having wages paid during waiting periods or an additional allowance being made to employees during the present war.

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir. I have not previously had my attention directed to any difficulties in the condition of employment of this firm. The settlement of wages and conditions is a matter for the represenstatives of employers and workpeople end it would not be proper for me to intervene. I understand, however, that negotiations are in fact proceeding on the National Joint Council for the Omnibus Industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many cases of foot and mouth disease were notified in England and Wales between the years 1934–39 and 1939–44, respectively.

The number of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease confirmed in England and Wales during the years 1934 to 1944 was as follows:

1934	…	…	79
1935	…	…	52
1936	…	…	67
1937	…	…	183
1938	…	…	190
1939	…	…	99
1940	…	…	160
1941	…	…	243
1942	…	…	640
1943	…	…	22
1944 (to date)	…	…	19

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will have inquiries made of the Worcester War Agricultural Executive Committee, in connection with the issue of permits for fertilisers to Mr. H. J. Small of Blackminster, Evesham, who has recently taken over additional land and has been unable to obtain the necessary permits to ensure good husbandry.

I am informed that permits have been issued to this grower by the Worcestershire War Agricultural Executive Committee for the full quantities of phosphatic and potassic fertilisers that can be allotted to him under the fertiliser distribution scheme for the 1943–44 season, on the basis of his cropping proposals for the land in his occupation, including the additional land recently taken over by him. Increased allocations could only be given if the land were deficient in phosphate or potash, which I am advised is not the case.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the duties of the mail porters at the Northern. District Office are so arranged that some of the men on certain nights are only able to get four and a-half hours sleep; and whether, in view of the age of many of these men, he will revise the duty rosters.

Duties involving a late attendance on one day followed by an early attendance the next day were introduced at the request of the staff representatives. They do not occur more than twice a week for any individual, and no request for their modification has been received. The interval between the night and morning attendances exceeds eight hours in all cases. Sleeping accommodation is available at the office for any of the men on these duties who wish to use it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when he intends to introduce a new type of hat for airwomen members of the W.A.A.F.; and whether it is intended that a change shall be made to the present hats supplied to the officers of the W.A.A.F.

The matters referred to by the hon. Member are now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the usual period of service in Aden for members of the R.A.F.; how many, now on the spot, have served there for two to three years; and whether it is possible, on health grounds, to transfer such men to other stations

The overseas tour of duty for R.A.F. personnel posted to Aden is three years. It is, however, the practice, so far as Service requirements permit, to allow men who have served for two years in Aden to complete their overseas tour elsewhere. It would not be in the public interest to disclose details of the personnel strength of this station.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make leprosy a notifiable disease.

No, Sir. This question has been carefully considered, but I am advised that leprosy is not in the same category as the diseases to which compulsory notification applies in this country, where conditions are such that it is most unlikely to spread. The disease is almost exclusively contracted abroad and administrative arrangements are in force whereby any case of leprosy found by the Service medical authorities or through the Emergency Hospital Service is brought to my Department's notice: and all practicable steps are taken to deal with it with due regard to the medical and social wellbeing of the unfortunate sufferer.

asked the Minister of Supply the duties of each of the following grades, with special reference to the nature of any clerical work performed by them and the proportion of the clerical to the non-clerical duties: stocktaker, examiner, viewer, storeman A and B, storekeeper, overlooker and tally clerk.

The following table sets out the duties of the grades concerned:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will extend every reasonable assistance to small shopkeepers whose business has declined or been closed down as a result of wartime conditions, so that such shopkeepers may be enabled to restart remunerative businesses in the future.

As I have previously stated, so long as the present system of licensing retailers continues, licences will be granted as a matter of course to persons on the Board of Trade's Register of Retail Traders who wish to re-establish themselves in their former businesses.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps are being taken to provide for and accommodate the large number of Indians desiring to come to this country for advanced study and training as soon as circumstances permit.

The Government of India have had these questions under active consideration for some time past in consultation with the High Commissioner for India. All possible steps are being taken to make adequate and proper provision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why war risks assurance in approved mutual war risks associations, with Gov- ernment reinsurance of a part of the liability, is available for vessels on the Eire register.

As I explained to my hon. Friend on 28th March, these facilities have been available, since the early days of the war, to all ships on British, not only United Kingdom, register, and many of the vessels to which my hon. Friend refers have been engaged in trade with this country.