asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a shop steward has been discharged from a factory in West London for serious misconduct, the charge being that he was playing darts, although at local appeals board no corroborative evidence was produced; and, as there is considerable evidence that the shop steward was not playing darts as alleged and that a miscarriage of justice has occurred, will he issue a direction for the reinstatement of this shop steward.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a shop steward, charged by the firm of serious misconduct, has been dismissed from a factory in West London, of which he has been informed; whether, at the hearing, the local appeals board had any conclusive corroborative evidence; whether the National Service officer will be instructed to issue a direction for reinstatement; and, if not, what action he proposes to take seeing the discharge of the person concerned is regarded by his fellow-workers as a case of victimisation.

This case was heard, on appeal, by the local appeal board who came to the conclusion that the worker concerned had been guilty of serious misconduct, justifying dismissal. Accordingly, I have no power under the Essential Work Order, nor has the national service officer, to direct his reinstatement. I would add that the board also recorded their opinion that there was no evidence of victimisation.

Is it not possible for the Minister of Labour to have a recall of the board, so that other evidence may be laid before it?

I cannot intervene on a question of serious misconduct.

Is it the fact that witnesses for this man were not heard by the local appeal board but witnesses for the firm were heard? In the second place, does my right hon. Friend think that when 30 men say he was not playing they were all telling untruths, and on this information surely the man should not have been dismissed?

When a question arises of a man being discharged for serious misconduct I am in the hands of the board. On other matters, which do not involve serious misconduct, the board is in the position of an advisory committee, but on this issue I am entirely in the hands of the board.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question; perhaps he has not access to the facts at the moment. What I asked was, is it the case that the witnesses for this man were not heard by the local appeal board, while witnesses for the firm were heard?

I have no evidence of that. I will look into it.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider this? What my hon. Friend on the Front Bench has said has been widely stated. Will he make inquiries into it, because, if it is true, it is quite obvious that through his Department or by mandamus or other proceedings in the courts, this tribunal could be compelled to reconsider the whole case and re-adjudicate?

I will look into the case.

When the Essential Work Order was introduced, did the Minister consider that such a question as serious misconduct would be raised? Are we to understand, when victimisation of this kind takes place, that this House is absolutely helpless to do anything on behalf of a citizen and a worker with a good record as in this case?

It is assumed under the Essential Work Order that the man should be available and do his job. He was guilty of misconduct, and the case went to the board. I cannot enter into a Debate in this House on the evidence given at the board. If it is alleged that something has happened which should not have happened, I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will institute a special inquiry into the labour conditions generally, at a factory of which he has been informed, in view of the firm's action in dismissing a shop steward without any proof of misconduct and previously refusing to establish wages rates for certain women until a case was taken to the industrial court; and, as efforts to establish trade union procedure have been met by the firm by victimisation, will he take steps to prevent this.

No, Sir. I am not aware of any matters which call for such a special inquiry. The dismissal of the shop steward has been dealt with through the machinery of the Essential Work Order; the question of the appropriate rates of pay for certain women workers was decided by voluntary arbitration; and a recognition and procedure agreement has existed since early in 1942 between the firm and the unions concerned.

Is the Minister not aware of the fact that this firm agreed to the terms drawn up by the trade unions and employers so far as women's wages were concerned?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received the text of the Report of Lord Hankey's Committee on Higher Appointments; and, if so, at what date he proposes to present it to the House.

Yes, Sir. I have received this valuable report and I am at present studying the numerous and far-reaching recommendations made by the Committee. I cannot at present make any statement as to publication.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will investigate the conditions at a war workers' hostel, the name of which has been communicated to him; and whether he will direct that, unless and until these conditions are satisfactory, no workers shall be transferred into the district in circumstances which require residence at the hostel.

I have ascertained that the camp to which my hon. Friend refers needed extensive repairs and reconditioning. There was some unfortunate delay in starting the work, but I understand that good progress has since been made, and I see no need now for special directions of the kind mentioned in the second part of the Question.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will expedite the repair of this place as much as possible?

I am doing my best in all these cases but I would ask the hon. Member to appreciate that the heavy demand for building labour makes my task rather difficult.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the withdrawal of workers taking place in certain workshops and factories in West Wales; the reason for these withdrawals; and whether alternative employment is available to these workers.

If my hon. Friend will send me the names of the workshops and factories to which he refers I will make inquiries and communicate with him.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, to stimulate the building up of an effective trades union movement in India, he will consult with the Viceroy on the advisability of appoint- ing to his Executive Council a representative of the workers.

The members of the Governor-General's Council are appointed on the ground of their capacity to administer the portfolio entrusted to each, and I am satisfied that the Member in charge of the portfolio of Labour (who belongs to a community which is predominantly working-class) is fully qualified to carry out the Government of India's policy of encouraging and supporting, by legislation and other means, the development of trades union organisation in India.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that much progress is needed to enable India to have a really strong trade union movement?

Yes, Sir, but the progress will have mainly to come from trade unionism in India itself.

Could I ask whether any Members of Congress belong to the trade union movement in India?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that wives of junior British officers residing in Kashmir have to pay a State Income Tax in Kashmir on allotments and allowances taxed at the source in British India; and what steps does he intend taking to rectify this anomalous position.

Kashmir is an Indian State with its own independent system of Income-Tax. A reciprocal scheme for relief in respect of double taxation is, however, in force between British India and Kashmir, and I have received no information to suggest that it does not meet the needs of the case.

Would the Minister not consider that this is an imposition? First of all, a junior officer has to pay Income Tax on his allowance where he is stationed and then, when that allowance goes to his wife in Kashmir, she has to pay Income Tax on her allowance there. Surely something can be done to rectify an anomaly of that kind? I have a letter here from the officer's wife stating—

The hon. Member must not read out a letter.

Surely something could be done?

No, Sir. If these ladies reside in Kashmir, they do so with knowledge of the fact that Kashmir has a separate Income Tax system from that in British India. There are, however, arrangements to avoid double Income Tax, which I suppose they know about and of which they can make use.

But is the Minister aware that those arrangements only affect the officer if he travels to Kashmir, and that the wife, residing there, has to pay that tax?

Yes, Sir, but it is no business of mine to interfere with the Income Tax laws of Kashmir.

Surely some arrangement could be made with the Government of Kashmir or India to give this woman some relief?

There is a double tax relief arrangement already; I can only hope she will make use of it.

asked the Secretary of State for India the names of the personnel of a Commission of Inquiry into the food shortage and subsequent epidemic in India, announced by the Government of India on 23rd June, 1944; and whether the Commission will have the power to investigate the charges of corruption, graft and hoarding, which have been made by responsible leaders in Bengal, which proved so disastrous to the people of the Province.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to announce the name of the personnel of the Indian Famine Commission and its terms of reference; whether he will take steps to see that the chairman of the Commission is an Indian who commands the confidence of the Indian people and that the composition of the Commission is also such as will command the confidence of Indian and world opinion.

I hope that the names of the Famine Inquiry Commission will be announced very soon. The terms of reference of the Commission already published required the Commission to investigate and report on the causes of food shortage in India in 1943, in particular in Bengal. It will be for the Commission itself to decide what matters are relevant to this inquiry.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider appointing as chairman of this Commission an Indian— someone who carries the full respect of everybody? Further, will the Commission inquire not only into the causes of the famine, but into the steps taken to relieve the suffering which followed the famine?

The appointment of the chairman is a matter for the Government of India. The terms of reference of the Commission are very wide, and cover all the points which my hon. and learned Friend has in mind.

Meanwhile, pending appointment of the personnel of this Commission, can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that everything is being done by His Majesty's Government, so far as they have any power to undertake the task, to prevent a recurrence of famine?

Yes, Sir.

Does my right hon. Friend anticipate that the Commission will consider that no limits are to be set for the scope of their inquiry because there have been alleged, as causes of the famine, ulterior factors such as inflation and failure to suspend certain Provincial Governments, and things of that sort? Surely there must be a more definite limit set to their inquiry.

Yes, Sir, those are in the terms of reference which were given to the House.

But the terms of reference refer merely to the causes of food shortage?

Cannot the Government influence the Government of India so that an Indian may be appointed as chairman of the Commission?

That might raise communal questions.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the proposals associated with Mr. Rajagopalachari and the pronouncement of Mr. Gandhi, particularly in relation to the Moslem community; and whether, to encourage the opportunities that may arise from these, he will release Congress leaders or, failing this, have facilities for consultation with Mr. Gandhi and other political leaders.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to pronouncements made by Mr. Gandhi in interviews held this month with Mr. Rajagopalachari, indicating his desire to promote co-operation in India and his disapproval of acts of sabotage committed during the period of his detention and to suggestions made by Mr. Gandhi to meet the demands of the Moslem League; and whether further steps are being taken to facilitate the formation of an all-party Indian National Government.

I have seen the Press accounts of certain statements made recently by Mr. Rajagopalachari and of an interview with Mr. Gandhi by a correspondent of the "News Chronicle." The former, apparently, refer to proposals for a Hindu-Moslem settlement which Mr. Rajagopalachari discussed with Mr. Gandhi in March, 1943. These proposals were recently communicated to Mr. Jinnah. The present position is obscure and I would prefer to refrain from comment until the situation is clearer. I would naturally welcome any effective move towards a settlement between the two major communities.

Do I understand that it is quite possible that in the near future the Government will seize this opportunity of resuming negotiations, or at least providing facilities for further consideration of the whole matter, especially in view of the statement made by Sir Firoz Khan Noon only yesterday?

I understand from Sir Firoz himself that there was a misunderstanding in the Press. His statement referred to a settlement after the war, and not to the present situation. Any settlement must be a matter for the two major communities to agree upon as between themselves.

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that in any negotiations in which the Government of India have a part, equal rights will be given to the Moslem League, as to the predominantly Hindu Congress, which is unalterably opposed to the views of the Moslem League and the great majority of Moslems in India?

There is no question of the Government in India exercising one-sided influence in the discussions in any manner.

Will the 50,000,000 people in India who are described as "untouchables" have the same consideration as Mr. Gandhi?

They will have their opportunity of urging their claims.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the representations made by 29 representative Indian leaders about the threat of a second and worse famine and the tragic conditions of epidemic in India; and whether he will make a full statement on the famine situation in India with particular reference to Bengal, Bihar and Malabar.

I have seen the statement referred to which was made before the recent announcement of additional shipments of grain to India in the immediate future. As regards the particular areas mentioned in the Question, in Bengal, where famine occurred last year, the Governor has given his own confident account of the position. I understand that in Bihar the supply position is quite good and that in the Malabar district the Madras Government have the situation in hand.

Is the Minister satisfied that every step will be taken to stop the recurrence of suffering, if there is another famine?

Yes, Sir, everything possible is being done in India, and also within the limits of our own serious shipping difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the shipment of 400,000 tons of grain promised by His Majesty's Government to be delivered by October will arrive in time to avert the threatened famine; and whether this quantity, together with shipments already sent or promised, totals the grain requirements of India which the Gregory Committee regarded as the minimum in present conditions.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would invite the hon. and learned Member's attention to the recently reported broadcast of the Governor of Bengal. He anticipates a successful issue to the combined efforts of His Majesty's Government, the Government of India and the Provincial Government. As regards imports, the quantity sent or promised for the twelve months ending October amounts to 800,000 tons, as compared with the round figure of 1,000,000 tons a year for current consumption recommended by the Gregory Committee. Further consideration has been promised in August and again in November. The difficulty in this matter has been to provide shipping, and His Majesty's Government have had to take risks to provide so much. What we have done and are doing is all that can be compassed without imperilling the success of our immense military undertakings. I share the Governor of Bengal's good hopes of the outcome, and I trust that everyone in whose power it is to influence opinion in India will do all that they can to stimulate and support the legitimate confidence of the people in the greatly improved control of the food situation, rather than to impair confidence by belittling what has been achieved.

Will my right hon. Friend advise the Indian Government to see that this grain does not get into the hands of money-lenders before it gets to the consumers?

I think that both the Central and Provincial Governments are very much alive to that problem.

Could the Minister say whether steps have been taken to build up the reserves of grain which the Gregory Committee recommended as soon as shipping facilities make it possible?

Yes, Sir, in so far as that can be done in excess of meeting current needs.

Will ruthless action be taken against food speculators and black marketeers, whose activities are one of the prime causes of famine?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the necessary instructions to stop the burning of wood on bombed sites and for such wood to be distributed locally.

I have no information to suggest that any usable timber is being burned on bombed sites, though timber which is verminous or impregnated with harmful substances is often burned on the site as the readiest means of disposal. Instructions have already been given to local authorities to make suitable arrangements for the collection of any waste timber from war-damaged property in firewood dumps from which it may be removed free of charge by the public.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as I come up in the train I see big bonfires burning of wood which would be very useful to housewives?

If the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars—I do not know whether he can in the circumstances—I will have them looked into but, if the timber is verminous, it is best to burn it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can make an additional allocation of Morrison table shelters to those households in rural areas, affected by flying bombs, in which there are young children.

Indoor table shelters are available to all householders who have not already been provided with other serviceable shelter in the rural areas extensively affected by flying bombs. Supplies of the shelters do not permit of a wider distribution at present, but the position is kept under continuous review.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that quite a large proportion of these bombs are shot down before they reach London, or fall in rural areas, where there are no public shelters at all, and where at present Morrison table shelters are not allowed to be distributed?

Yes, I am aware of that point and if I can do anything I will, but it is a question of supplies and priorities.

Will it be possible to augment the stocks of shelters in the affected areas, by bringing in shelters from other areas where there is not so much imminent danger from bombs?

That was one of the first actions that we took.

Will my right hon. Friend make an appeal to holders of shelters outside the bombing range to give them up?

We have done that and there is a considerable response in the North and so on. I am grateful for the public spirit of the people in the Midlands and in the North, and also in Northern Ireland, in that respect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to open the deep shelters in South London; and upon what basis tickets are being distributed to people to ensure priority to those who have been rendered homeless.

One shelter was opened last Sunday evening, another will be opened this evening and a third very shortly. As regards the latter part of the Question, tickets have been made available to certain local authorities for distribution to local residents without adequate shelter, and the local authorities concerned have been given instructions designed to ensure that preference is given to those who have lost their homes.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the district the name of which I have communicated to him those regulations are not being observed; that tickets are being distributed to the tube population, and that families recently bombed out, without any homes at all, and with children, are unable to get admission?

The first move was the transfer of the existing tube population to the deep shelter. That was for traffic reasons and reasons of general convenience. But there is a substantial margin beyond that and that was given to local authorities, including the one to which my hon. Friend refers. I rather fancy that the distribution there might have been better done. I have asked the local authority to look into it and see if it can be put right. The tickets are not necessarily permanent.

Will my right hon. Friend give distinct instructions to local authorities to give priority to homeless people, particularly those with children?

The instructions have been given and, if a local authority has not carried them out, the responsibility must fall there, though we will try to pull them round and get things right. It is only fair to say that the local authorities have been having a pretty heavy time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the tickets are not restricted to people living in areas immediately adjacent to the shelter but that people in other boroughs have also an opportunity of going to the shelters?

I have raised that point and I agree with my hon. Friend. It is probable that the predominant element will be people living fairly near the shelters but I entirely agree that other boroughs should have a proper chance, and I have given instructions to that effect.

For the information of Members would my right hon. Friend consider publishing in the OFFICIAL REPORT the boroughs to which these tickets have been sent, in order that we may be able to question him as to the necessity of their being sent to other boroughs?

It is clear that I cannot do that. That would be unwise. If my hon. Friend would like to know privately, I will inform him.

asked the Minister of Health whether accommodation is still being reserved in the London area for French and other Continental refugees; and, if so, whether he will consider other arrangements which will make all such accommodation available for bombed-out Londoners.

The bulk of the accommodation to which my hon. Friend refers is being used to house building labour brought into London from the provinces to carry out first-aid repairs to war-damaged houses. A small amount is still being reserved for the purely temporary housing of foreign refugees pending their transfer to other areas. This accommodation is not suitable for the permanent re-housing of persons rendered homeless by bombing.

Could it not be used even for the temporary housing of persons rendered homeless by bombing, who are often sleeping in street shelters?

This accommodation is not nearly so satisfactory as the large amount of accommodation which is available in rest centres.

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that people are pushed out of rest centres after 48 hours and have to go to street shelters?

No, Sir. No one is pushed out of a rest centre until he is found accommodation elsewhere.

No accommodation is being found for a great many of them.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the difficulties in providing accommodation both in London and the reception areas, he has, or will, procure a census or secure information both of large houses inadequately utilised and property that has been or should be evacuated by troops to enable the buildings to be used for accommodation of civilians.

Local authorities keep the position in their areas under constant review by means of survey and otherwise, in connection with their powers for the accommodation of civilians, and I see no reason for any special directions on this matter. The question whether houses occupied by troops can be released is one for the military authorities, but arrangements will be made to secure that any such houses released are used in the most suitable manner in the national interest.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware, when he says he is going to provide information with regard to the last part of my Question, that it falls within his own province?

I informed my hon. Friend a week or two ago that as soon as arrangements with the War Office were completed I would give him that information. That moment has not arrived.

asked the Prime Minister if he intends to make another statement in regard to the progress made in dealing with the flying bomb.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any further information to give the House on counter-measures against the flying bomb.

Not at present.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that a number of us, without wishing to exaggerate the seriousness of this matter, feel that this House should be given an opportunity of exercising its functions, in Secret Session or otherwise, in order to discuss a matter of great importance, such as the provision made for dealing with these bombs and, above all, the adequacy of the A.A. High Command and the Cabinet Committee dealing with the matter?

I am sure that if representations are made that a discussion in Secret Session is desired, the Government will be willing to meet that desire.

Is it not very desirable that those who are suffering from the effects of the flying bombs and who are not adequately protected against them, because of the absence of prevision, and in spite of the optimistic assurances given by the Government frequently, should have a little more information from the Government as to the steps that are being taken, within the limits of security, in order to offset their effect, particularly in relation to the anti-aircraft position?

I do not accept the suggestions made, and I think they are made without adequate knowledge. At the present moment the Prime Minister does not see that he can usefully add anything to what he has said already in public Debate.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that those who live in the affected areas are deeply concerned about this matter, and that though they realise that a statement cannot be made in Public Session, there is a strong demand that there should be a Secret Session where all these points could be discussed; and, further, that the people in those areas are not satisfied that all has been done that could have been done to meet the case or that all is being done now that is necessary?

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the prevision shown by the Government, especially in the raid on Peenemunde, reflects the greatest credit on all concerned and——

rose,——

Hon. Members must not interrupt.

—that those who reside in London fully realise the difficulties of dealing with this weapon?

May I suggest to the Prime Minister that he should reconsider his answer? Would it not be the best way to dispel the criticism that the Government were not prepared and were caught napping that they should give an opportunity so that they can state their case, either in public or in Secret Session?

I think that anybody who listened to or who read the speech of the Prime Minister would realise that the Government were not caught napping. I understood from the discussion in the House that there was not complete agreement in the House as to the desirability or undesirability of having a Secret Session, but, as I say, the Government will consider any representations on that matter.

May I ask my right hon. Friend—[Interruption.] I desire to raise a point of Order. I desire to ask whether I should be in Order in asking this question? The point is not whether we want to criticise the Prime Minister or not. The point is that we want to have an opportunity of expressing our views on this matter, and the fact that the Prime Minister has made a statement does not alter the point. We are Members of the House of Commons and the Government must have regard to that fact.

May I ask a question which will not do any harm at all? Will the right hon. Gentleman give attention to the following point, which may be a small one, but may have the effect of saving some lives? Will instructions be issued by the Service Departments to despatch riders and others to observe the law in relation to the cut-out? These people sometimes make such a din when going through the streets that when a flying bomb is coming people do not hear it and have not time to take cover.

I will see that the point is brought to the notice of the Ministers concerned.

With great respect, Mr. Speaker, if it is undesirable, or if you indicate that it may be undesirable, to press this matter in Public Session, and if we are to be precluded from having a discussion or a statement in Secret Session, indicating what——

Perhaps I might remind the hon. Member that I said the Government were perfectly willing to accept the will of the House. I do not think that an expression of opinion coming from some hon. Members necessarily represents the will of the House.

That is precisely my point. If you, Sir, say that it is undesirable to press this matter in Public Session and, because there is not a universal desire for a Secret Session and representations come only from a few hon. Members, the Government are not prepared to have a statement made in Secret Session, will you, Sir, indicate to a Private Member what steps are at his disposal in order to ventilate any grievances he has on this subject?

It has nothing to do with me whether the House has a statement or whether the House wants one or not.

In view of the fact that I had already given notice to your office, Mr. Speaker, that I am raising this matter on the Adjournment next Thursday, would it not be possible, by leave of the House, to prolong that particular Adjournment discussion?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that in all small and one-man factories sufficient air-raid shelter accommodation is provided for all employees.

The statutory obligation to provide shelter in factories extends only to those in which more than 50 per- sons are employed and which are situated in areas specified under the Civil Defence Act, 1939. Many occupiers of small factories which are not subject to this statutory obligation have voluntarily provided shelter for their workpeople, but I am afraid I cannot say what proportion the number of these cases bears to the total number of factories concerned.

Is my right hon. Friend's Department prepared to give every assistance, including financial assistance, to small factories to erect shelters, or to improve their shelter arrangements in view of the emergency?

I have no power to do so under the law. As to the supply of labour and materials, the repair of the homes of the people must come first. My impression is that there is no great problem about this.

asked the President of the Board of Education, in view of the contemplated expenditure of nearly £300,000,000 annually upon school education in England and Wales, what steps he has taken to consult industry and commerce in order to secure that the expenditure will make available the best possible preliminary training for their recruits.

I am not clear as to the basis of my hon. Friend's estimate of £300,000,000, which is substantially in excess of any estimates so far made. The many discussions which my right hon. Friend and his Department have had with representatives of various interests on the Education Bill after its first introduction included a number of discussions with representatives of industry. As my right hon. Friend has indicated, it is his intention that the Central Advisory Councils proposed under the Bill should provide for the representation of industry and commerce.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask if the House could have the assurance that he attaches the greatest importance to the fact that the wherewithal must come, in the long run, from the trade and industry of the country?

I willingly accept such a self-evident proposition.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give an assurance that the National Association of Schoolmasters will, in respect of its members, have access to individual local education authorities equally with those associations of teachers represented on the Burnham Committee.

Consultation between a local education authority and the representatives of the teachers in their employ is a matter within the discretion of the authority, and not one in which my right hon. Friend could intervene in the manner suggested.

Is not the Minister seriously prejudicing the whole position of this Association by excluding it from representation on the Burnham Committee?

I do not think that he is in this particular.

asked the President of the Board of Education, in view of the fact that a large proportion of road accidents are due to a want of alertness in observation by eye and ear, whether he will secure that all schoolchildren shall receive adequate training of their powers of observation instead of being encouraged to rely on the principle of Safety First.

It was pointed out in the report on road safety among school children, a copy of which is possessed by every school, that alertness is a quality which is important for all children on general grounds; its development is one of the normal functions of the school and training in road safety would find its place naturally in the curriculum as part of this wider training. I have no doubt that this aspect is not neglected in the work which the schools generally are doing for the promotion of the safety of children on the roads.

asked the President of the Board of Education in what form and when it is proposed to lay before Parliament proposals for the subjects and curriculum which are to be taught in schools as a result of the administrative machinery established by the Education Bill; and whether the Norwood Committee Report is to be accepted as a basis.

While the general principles to be observed in framing the curriculum may be laid down in grant regulations which are required to be laid before Parliament, it would not, in the view of my right hon. Friend, usually be appropriate in such regulations to enumerate the particular subjects to be taught. It is his intention, as soon as conveniently possible after the passage of the Bill into law, to issue circulars to local education authorities and others on the content of the instruction in schools of different types and other relevant matters. In preparing such circulars the recommendations of the Norwood Committee, in so far as they are appropriate, will be borne in mind. I cannot, however, at this stage give a precise date for the issue of these circulars.

Will the regulations that the right hon. Gentleman has mentioned be available for Members of the House? Is it not the undoubted right of this House and every parent to know with great exactitude what the children are to be taught?

The answer to the first part of the question is, "Yes, Sir." With regard to the second part, I am sure that the circular will have a wide publication in the educational and the general Press, and people will get a very good idea of what the Minister's views are on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education, if his attention has been drawn to the inquiries made by a certain education authority respecting the religious beliefs of teachers in council schools; whether he is aware of the disquiet this has caused; for what purpose such questions were put; and by what authority teachers are asked if they are Christians.

I have seen a reference in the Press to the matter but have had no further details. I appreciate the objections to applying religious tests to applicants for teaching posts in council schools and understand that it is not the practice of local education authorities to do so. In future the position of a teacher in this respect will be safeguarded by Clause 29 of the Education Bill.

Can my right hon. Friend reply specifically to the penultimate part of my Question—for what purpose were the questions put? Has he had any representations from any of the teachers' organisations?

To answer the penultimate part of the Question I should have to get into the mind of the local authority which put the questions. So far as I know, we have had no representations from teachers' organisations with regard to this matter, but we are aware that they watch this matter with considerable interest.

Are we to understand from the answer that local education authorities are now prohibited from inquiring whether those who are to teach the children are Christians?

That is the effect of Clause 29 of the Education Bill. When it becomes law undoubtedly it will not be possible to apply a religious test to a teacher in what will then be a county school.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he considers that in a Christian country it is unreasonable that Christian parents should be assured that their children are being taught by those who profess the Christian faith?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is asking for an opinion and not for information.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will grant the full subsidy to a house or flat built by local authorities even if it does not conform to model bye-laws and is built by modern and/or prefabricated methods.

The decision must depend on the nature of the proposals in each case.

Will not my right hon. and learned Friend give a lead in this matter to encourage wider development after the war?

I do not know what sort of lead can be given by me. Design and construction are matters for my Noble Friend the Minister of Works.

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends issuing any new model by-laws regarding party-walls as they apply to new forms of construction used for post-war buildings.

This matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many schemes under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, 1926 and 1938, for which labour is available are being held up pending an increase in the £100 grant; and whether he can now state what this increase will be and from what date it will become effective.

As I indicated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Linstead) on 25th May, I hope in due course to be submitting the Government's proposals for the amendment of these Acts on the lines recommended by the Rural Housing Sub-Committee of my Central Housing Advisory Committee.

Cannot my right hon. and learned Friend give an approximate date?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health how many applications for the reconditioning of rural houses have come to his Department for sanction during the last 12 months; and how many have been sanctioned.

One hundred and sixty-eight applications have been submitted and 167 approved, but applications for works costing less than £250 have, since October, 1943, been dealt with by the local authorities without reference to my Department and this limit was raised to £500 in January last.

When must the local authority apply to the Minister, and when can they act on their own?

When the cost is over £500, application has to be made to me.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Report of the Design of Dwellings Sub-Committee of the Central Housing Advisory Committee is to be published; and what action he proposes to take on the Sub-Committee's recommendations.

This report will be published on Monday next, 17th July. Copies will be circulated to the local authorities and will also be available in the Vote Office. The main recommendations in the report form the basis of a housing manual for the guidance of local authorities in designing post-war housing schemes which as recommended by the Sub-Committee, has been prepared by my Department and the Ministry of Works with the advice and assistance of the Ministries of Town and Country Planning and of Fuel and Power. This manual will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health when the Report of the Private Enterprise Sub-Committee of the Central Housing Advisory Committee is to be published; and what action he proposes to take on the sub-committee's recommendations.

The report of the Committee is being published to-day. The Government have considered this report and have decided to accept the recommendation that Exchequer subsidy should be provided for houses built by private enterprise (which for this purpose will include, among others, houses built by housing associations, houses built by persons for their own occupation and houses built for employees) during the early postwar period, subject to conditions as to size, construction, selling price and rent. It is proposed that the administration of the scheme should be in the hands of local authorities, who will have the necessary powers to prevent the risk of abuse by collusive arrangements. I propose to introduce the necessary legislation in due course. I am inviting representatives of local authorities to confer with me as to the administrative arrangements which will be necessary if legislation is approved by Parliament. The Government have also decided to accept the recommendation to reconsider the present limit of £800 fixed under the Small Dwellings (Acquisition) Acts and Section 91 of the Housing Act, 1936, for the purpose of advances and to introduce the necessary legislation for this purpose. Decisions as to the amount of the increase will be made when the time comes for the introduction of the legislation. The Government also accept the recommendation that support should be given to the development of a scheme on the lines of the National House Builders Registration Council for securing the maintenance of good standards of building.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say whether the legislation will be introduced during the present Session?