asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the acute shortage of agricultural labour and, in particular, the scarcity of domestic help which is essential to efficient farming, he will now direct an increasing number of young women to domestic service on the farms.

Farmers' households are included amongst those to which priority in the supply of domestic help has been given as explained in my reply to the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards) on 20th April.

Is the Minister aware that, although they may have priority, there is an immense shortage of domestic help on farms to-day, and that, without some more domestic help, the efficiency of our agricultural industry must be impaired?

I am aware of the shortage, and, until the battles are finished on the Continent, I of afraid the shortage will continue.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether arrangements are in hand to plan the rehabilitation and resettlement in civil life of the recently discharged prisoners of war at the end of their period of leave.

Yes, Sir. These discharged prisoners of war are dealt with under the current scheme for the training and resettlement of disabled persons. My officers have been instructed that special steps should be taken to see that everything is done by way of help and advice for such men.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, as a result of the closing down of two West End stage productions on l0th May, a number of young male actors have since been totally unemployed; that these men do not register at the employment exchange; and to what extent his officers have any record of their employment or whereabouts and what purpose such record serves.

Under the Notice of Termination of Employment Order, the details of such persons should have been communicated to one of my local offices. I am making inquiries to see whether this was done, and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the unsatisfactory effect of the allocation of firewood for household consumption in Madras on the basis of family income instead of the size of families and the hardship to the poorest section of the community involved in this; and whether a different basis has now been adopted.

The rationing of firewood in Madras City is a matter for the Madras Government and is not one which would ordinarily be brought to my notice. I understand that a special officer has recently been appointed to organise the supply arrangements, and that certain costs of supply are being borne by Government to avoid increasing the price to the consumer. The basis of the ration—which has been carefully considered by the Government of Madras so as to accord with local conditions—is related to the size of the family as well as to the income, which of course is largely governed by the numbers in the family.

Has there not been hardship in the last cold season owing to the size of income being the governing factor? Did not that result in great distress?

I have given all the information at my disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for India what practical steps the Government of India is taking to encourage the electricity industry in India now; and what long term plans are envisaged in this connection.

Additional capacity amounting to 200 megawatts has been supplied to India since the outbreak of war, and a further 150 megawatts are on order. The Government of India have the development of electricity supply in the forefront of their post-war reconstruction plans. They 'have already scheduled additional plant requirements for the addition of 560 megawatts to the existing capacity of public utilities and have further requirements under consideration. In addition, Provincial and State Governments are considering a number of important projects and the Government of India propose to set up a Technical Power Board to scrutinise and co-ordinate all schemes.

Will the Minister not circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT, or in some other appropriate way, a statement showing the enormous developments in India, and the active part the Government have taken therein?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can say if the Government of India has any long term plans for the development of the broadcasting services in order to ensure expert information on education, health, agriculture and weather reports.

I understand that a longterm plan for the development of broadcasting services in India is now in course of preparation by the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has given any thought to, or received any recommendation from, the Government of India on the advisability of dividing the Department of Education, Health and Lands, into three separate departments, namely, Education, Health and Agriculture.

The subjects covered by the title of the Department referred to are primarily the responsibility of the Provincial Governments and the functions of the Department at the Centre are mainly those of co-ordination. It would be for the Government of India to consider whether the work likely to fall on the Department for these purposes will in future be sufficient to require its division into three separate departments.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any statement on his discussions with the Government of India on canteens for the services.

I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that the Government of India have now agreed to exempt from customs duty all canteen stores whether for the India Command or the South East Asia Command with the exception of wine, spirits, beer and tobacco. The prices of beer and tobacco in Indian canteens already compare favourably with N.A.A.F.I. prices in this country and in overseas Commands. Gift parcels of tobacco sent from this country to India are already exempt from duty.

May I ask if the beer and tobacco are as good?

That is a matter of taste.

May I ask the Minister whether the tobacco prices, which he says compare favourably with N.A.A.F.I. prices, are for Indian tobacco or American tobacco; if it is not the case that they compare unfavourably with American tobacco, and why it is that the India Government will not allow American tobacco—which is what the troops want and not Indian tobacco—to come in free of duty?

I fully appreciate the fact that our troops, on the whole, prefer American to Indian tobacco, but for shipping reasons we decided some time ago that American tobacco could not be imported into India in large quantities, and the proportion of American tobacco in Indian cigarettes had to be cut down.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is complete equality of treatment betwen the American Red Cross and British canteens as regards tobacco, spirits and everything else?

I understand that the American Red Cross canteens look after their own arrangements.

I am afraid that I did not make myself clear. Are the American canteens getting their tobacco and spirits in duty free or not?

I believe that they are getting them duty free. As I have just pointed out, with the exception of the particular articles mentioned, they are duty free into India.

Is not this a breach of the Atlantic Charter?

May I ask my right hon. Friend not to overlook Rhodesian and other Empire tobaccos?

The shipping difficulty stands in the way there as well.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that we have ceased issuing or supplying those horrible and unpopular "V" cigarettes in India?

I have given answers in recent weeks showing that there has been a complete cessation of the issue of the "V" cigarette, but as to its quality I have no information.

Does the right hon. Gentleman assert that the shipping difficulty does not apply in regard to tobacco going to American Forces?

I beg to give notice that owing to the completely unsatisfactory nature of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I shall raise the matter at an early opportunity on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now make a statement on censorship in India.

I must ask the indulgence of the House for a somewhat long reply.

In regard to censorship of Press messages leaving India the Government of India have assured me that they are anxious to accord to correspondents of reputable newspapers and news agencies overseas the greatest possible measure of freedom to transmit news and views on the situation in India. The two main grounds on which Press messages from India are liable in war conditions to interference are, firstly, if they are likely to convey to the enemy information of military value, including news of events in India of which the enemy could take immediate military advantage; or secondly, if they contain information which, particularly if exploited by enemy broadcasts heard in India, would be likely gravely to threaten peace and tranquillity there.

As regards the first, the House will recognise that with the Japanese on the frontier of India military security is vital. Moreover the Government of India cannot be unmindful of the danger of presenting the enemy with information and material which he can exploit directly to his advantage in his wireless propaganda services to the Indian public and to Indian troops. Censorship on the second ground will continue to be exercised only in exceptional circumstances and under the policy control of competent higher authority. Whenever feasible correspondents will be informed of the reasons for the censor's action. The Government of India wish to make it clear that their censorship of messages leaving India is not applied on political grounds, and that they appreciate the importance of free transmission from India of the messages of news agencies and correspondents.

The Viceroy, who had looked into the matter personally, assures me that although there may have been some mistakes and errors of judgment, the censorship has not been applied in such a way as to hinder the presentation of a fair picture of the Indian situation. He points out that the censors had had to work in difficult conditions but he is having the departmental machinery overhauled so as to provide better safeguards against official over-caution. What I have just said does not of course relate to Censorship of Press messages handed in for transmission at the Headquarters of the r4th Army or of the South East Asia Command, responsibility for which now rests with that Command.

As regards postal and telegraphic communications other than Press traffic, I have already explained the general arrangements and principles of the Indian Censorship in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Fulham on the 18th of May. From a report subsequently received from the Government of India I find that certain allegations regarding the Postal and Telegraph Censorship which have recently been given currency here are either unfounded or grossly exaggerated. In particular I find that wide liberty is given to political comment and that indeed there is no political censorship, except where commerce exceeding a fair and reasonable explanation of views have to be treated as matter inimical to the national interest or providing valuable material for enemy propaganda.

May I ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker? When an answer is very long, would you not consider leaving it until the end of Questions? There are 89 Questions on the Paper and it is very difficult for hon. Members to get their Questions put, when long answers are given.

There is already one answer which is to be given at the end of Questions. It is, however, more convenient when there is a very long answer to have it at the end of Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for India the nature of any financial contribution which has been, or is being, made by India towards the present war effort.

In accordance with the agreement announced in the House in February, 1940, India has borne during the war the cost of her pre-war forces increased by rises of pay and prices; the normal cost of the external defence troops, plus a contribution of 10,000,000 rupees towards their extra costs while employed overseas. India has also borne the cost of local measures of defence, including the cost of raising, training and equipping large bodies of Indian troops the pay of all British Forces at present in India, the cost of aerodrome construction and military works, and of the Royal Indian Navy. In addition Reciprocal Aid has been afforded to the American forces in India and supplies of foodstuffs and raw materials are being furnished to America for war purposes. The sums borne by India under these heads to 31st March last are estimated to amount to approximately £600 million and the costs are now running at about £225 million a year. India's pre-war defence budget was £34 million.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mr. Gandhi and other popular leaders in India were consulted before these contributions were made?

They had their opportunity, of raising the matter in the discussions on the Indian Budget.

In view of the great interest which is taken in the financial relations between this country and India, will my right hon. Friend consider the issuing of an explanatory White Paper; and will he also take advantage of the presence in this country of a high Indian financial authority to see that that individual places his opinions before Members of this House?

I will keep these matters under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India what instructions have been issued to troops in India and adjacent Commands concerning the method of registering as voters and the appointment of proxies.

Copies of the relevant Army Council Instruction were sent to the India Command who will take the necessary steps to give effect to it. As regards adjacent Commands the matter is one for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

As the right hon. Gentleman is not very informative, may I ask him whether he has seen the Army Council Instruction in which it is stated that steps will be taken by overseas Commands themselves to provide these facilities? I am asking the right hon. Gentleman what facilities are being provided by these oversea Commands, and not for the Army Council Instruction, which I know.

I have not had an opportunity of discovering precisely what detailed facilities the overseas Commands, have given. I have no doubt that they have done their best to carry out the instructions of the War Office.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman himself, at the India Office, personally responsible for the Indian Command carrying out those instructions? Has he taken steps to see that they have done so?

Yes, Sir, there is no doubt that the responsibility of the Indian Command does rest with the Secretary of State, but these instructions were sent out by the military authorities here to the military authorities in India, and, presumably, the military authorities have done their best to carry out those instructions.

Are serving soldiers being encouraged to fill in the necessary forms, and have all proper steps been taken?

I presume that the military authorities, in corresponding with each other, have dealt with that matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) how many council schools have been built since 1902 in areas which were hitherto single church school areas;

(2) how many proposals have been made for the building of council schools in single-school areas since 1902; and how many such proposals were turned down by his Department or by the local education authority on account of Church opposition and through the opposition of the ratepayers, respectively.

Some of the information for which he asks is not available and the rest could be obtained only by a scrutiny of the Board's records since 1902. I should find it difficult to justify the expenditure of time and labour on this task, especially in view of the impossibility of giving information which exactly tallies with the hon. Member's request.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he accepts the recommendation of the McNair Committee with regard to arrangements for the secondment of teachers throughout the education service; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes, Sir. The principle of this recommendation is one with which I am in full agreement, and I propose, at the appropriate time, to call into consultation representatives of the various interests concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in favour of seconded teachers receiving equal pay for equal work?

I have been caught on that before, and I do not propose to be caught now.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the difficulty experienced by qualified teachers and lecturers over 40 years of age in obtaining appointments; and whether he is taking steps, in view of the shortage of teachers, to facilitate the appointment of such teachers and the re-entry into teaching of suitably qualified persons whose teaching careers have been interrupted.

My information is that, so far from qualified teachers experiencing any difficulty in obtaining employment, local education authorities are in many cases unable to fill vacancies in their teaching establishments for lack of qualified applicants. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any cases he has in mind, I will gladly look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will take steps to allow experienced graduates teaching in secondary schools who have a good teaching record to transfer to posts in elementary schools without being treated as uncertificated teachers.

The whole question of the recognition of teachers will require review in the light of the reconstruction of education contemplated in the Education Bill and particularly the proposed operation as from 1st April, 1945, of Part II of the Bill, under which public elementary schools as such will cease to exist. In the meantime I am aware of no graduate teachers in secondary schools who are in fact desirous of a transfer to elementary schools and who are being deterred by present conditions of recognition.

Would it not be desirable, in the meantime, to encourage the transfer of teachers by removing the existing obstacles?

I am always ready to consider any such proposal. Perhaps my hon. Friend will have a word with me about it.

asked the President of the Board of Education what action he proposes for those children and young persons who have been evacuated to the U.S.A., by private firms, at their own expense, and who have provided good educational facilities for their employees' children; and will such children return to the same or similar standard of education they are now receiving in the U.S.A.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward) on 2nd May, a copy of which I am sending him.

Who is responsible for seeing that the children who have been evacuated to America are properly educated?

Those who are in charge of them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious situation which is arising owing to the shortage of veterinary surgeons; and what steps he is taking to prevent further members of this profession being called up for military service.

The question of the allocation of veterinary surgeons to meet the requirements of agriculture and of the Army is receiving the consideration of my right hon. Friends the Minister of Labour and National Service and the Secretary of State for War and myself.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the shortage of veterinary surgeons is already seriously affecting the welfare of all kinds of high class British livestock? Does he appreciate how extremely serious the matter is?

Will the Minister try to make sure that only qualified persons are allowed to practise in this field?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that considerable difficulty has been experienced by farmers in obtaining spare parts for Massey-Harris and Allis-Chalmers tractors; that there is apparently no stock of these parts in this country at the present time and that tractors are standing idle owing to inability to repair them; and whether he is taking steps to remedy the situation.

The hon. Member will appreciate that at the present time there are special transport difficulties which may delay delivery of spare parts. Nevertheless, my information shows that it is rare for wheeled tractors to be immobilised for more than a few days. Very substantial stocks of parts for both Massey-Harris, and Allis-Chalmers tractors are held at the main depots of each of the two firms concerned as well as by their dealers. Suitable provision has been made in our programme of imports and a steady flow of parts is reaching us from the U.S.A. I should be glad to look into any instances which the hon. Member may be able to give me provided that he furnishes full details of the parts that are required.

Is the Minister aware of the serious delay in field work owing to the absence of spare parts?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the disastrous consequences of the frost on 6th May and the inability of the agriculturalists to take adequate safeguards owing to the lack of reliable weather forecasts, he will confer with the appropriate authorities with a view to some relaxation of the existing regulations.

I am in consultation with the authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to amplify the last announcement of a four years' guarantee of present prices for milk and fat cattle, so as to include wheat, oats and barley, in view of the fact that cereal farmers throughout the country have spent large sums on agricultural implements which they have had to purchase out of taxed profits to meet the compulsory orders for these staple foods and are anxious to know what prospects there are for them for the future.

No, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his announcement of a four years' guarantee is only part of the picture? Is he aware of what the people who provide the machinery for growing corn have done? Ought they not to be protected in future?

Does the Minister also recollect the very pressing just claims of the horticultural industry?

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent his advisers have reported any depreciation in the soil during the war.

My information is that, taking the country as a whole, the fertility of the soil has during the war been maintained.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the documents sent to him by the hon. Member for Denbigh about the township of Kinmel Bay, near Rhyl; whether he is aware of the conditions under which many of the residents live there, with impassable roads, inadequate drainage and lack of proper sanitation; and what steps he intends to take to see that the necessary amenities are provided for its inhabitants.

The answer to the first two parts of the Question is "Yes, Sir." As regards the third part, the primary responsibility for securing that provision is made for such sewers as may be necessary for effectually draining this area and that private streets are repaired or made up rests with the district council and I am prepared to consider any proposals for the purpose submitted by them.

Will the Minister be prepared to send down an inspector to investigate conditions, since in this area the problem is beyond the powers of the local authority, in view of the expense involved and the impossibility of recovery from the estate company?

As regards sewerage, I have taken the matter in hand and asked the local authority to submit a scheme, and there will be a public inquiry. With regard to the improvement of the estate that, of course, is a matter in which the expenditure of public funds on a private estate must be one for inquiry. When the council make proposals I shall order a local inquiry into that as well.

Will the Minister examine again the origins of this most unsatisfactory estate, and see that the necessary steps are taken to prevent a recurrence?

Yes, Sir.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend extend his attention to a similar set of circumstances which exists in East Sussex?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put that point to me by means of a Question on the Order Paper.

In view of the difficulty of ventilating this matter at Question time I give notice that I shall raise it again on the Adjournment, at the first opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider amending the National Health Insurance regulations to ensure that no person shall forfeit any degree or percentage of benefit by reason of service in any of His Majesty's Forces; to make it obligatory upon approved societies immediately to restore such persons, on discharge, to the same degree of benefit to which they were entitled before such service, or such greater degree of benefit as he may direct and to ensure that Service men and women are fully informed, upon discharge, as to their position under the regulations.

As the answer is somewhat long I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take good care that no liability will be thrown on friendly societies and approved societies which ought to fall, in respect of ex-Servicemen, on the Ministry of Pensions?

Why should they not be paid national health benefit even though they are in receipt of pensions? They are paying their contributions even though they are in the Service. Are they not entitled to the benefits?

It would appear from these supplementary questions, that this is a controversial matter. Perhaps the hon. Member will look at the long answer which will be circulated.

asked the Minister of Health how frequently routine and special inspections of voluntary hospitals participating in a national health scheme will take place.

No, Sir. Details of the arrangements for inspections are clearly matters to be considered at a later stage.

Is it not clear that the inspection of voluntary hospitals is calculated to be the first step towards the servitude of these great and free institutions?

No. I am sure that if the system of visit and inspection is well devised all hospitals will welcome it.

asked the Minister of Health if he has estimated what average proportion the Exchequer grant and the payments of joint local authorities towards the cost of maintenance and treatment of patients would be to the total cost of such maintenance and treatment of patients in voluntary hospitals participating in a national health scheme.

No, Sir. In the White Paper it was contemplated that, in the hospitals' interests, the aggregate of the central and local payments would be such as still to leave an opportunity for voluntary support. How this may best be arranged remains for discussion with the hospitals' representatives.

In view of the fact that legacies and gifts to hospitals are already falling off since the publication of the White Paper is it not clear, too, that the under-payment of public funds will destroy public generosity altogether and complete the process towards servitude to which I have just referred?

The hon. Member may not have noticed that the British Hospitals Association themselves seem to think that an opportunity for voluntary support is desirable.

asked the Minister of Health in view of the postponement of the annual representative meeting of the British Medical Association at the request of the Government, will he give an assurance that legislation on a national health service will not be introduced by him until after negotiations have taken place between him and the medical profession, bearing in mind that under its constitution only the representative body of the association can determine the policy of the British Medical Association.

On a point of Order. May I call your attention, Sir, to the matter contained in this Question, where it is suggested that Parliament should abandon, its work of legislation merely because the annual conference of the British Medical Association has been postponed? Are we to shut down altogether in view of the fact that so many conferences have been postponed?

That has nothing to do with me. Any hon. Member can put down any Question he likes.

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I cannot give an assurance quite so absolute as he suggests. It is still my wish to have full discussions with the profession before introducing legislation, and I see no reason why I should be prevented from doing so by the delay which will be caused by the profession's inevitable postponement of its conference.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has now been made with the promised 3,000 rural houses; and if he can give the number completed for occupation.

Approximately 80 per cent. of the building work involved in the construction of the 2,838 houses for which tenders have been approved has been done. 1,534 of those houses are completed and another 967 are roofed-in or at a later stage.

In view of the fact that some small builders gave up their labour and equipment for the construction of aerodromes and camps, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman see that they get their labour returned?

I am glad to say that there is quite a nice measure of return of such building labour to small builders going on at present.

How many of these cottages are occupied?

Of the 1,534 completed houses, 1,111 are occupied.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that Members on all sides are getting a great many letters from small builders saying that they are being entirely overlooked in these contracts and that they are much better able than big contractors to deal with local building?

I am not quite clear what my hon. Friend is referring to but I can assure him that we are very fully aware of the importance of small builders.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the concern felt among local authorities in the rural areas of Wales at the prohibitive costs of constructing agricultural houses and complaints of prices being forced up by builders' rings; how many houses have been built in Wales under this scheme; the average cost per house; and what steps he is taking to deal with the complaints made to his Department.

I am aware of the concern felt about the high cost of house building at the present time, but no complaints of the nature indicated in the Question have been received by me. The last part of the Question does not therefore arise. Sixty-six houses have been completed in Wales under this scheme. The final costs of these houses are not yet available, but the average estimated all-in cost was £925 for non-parlour houses and £1,010 for parlour houses.