asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the date when the soft drinks were sent to Normandy for the troops and the date when the same arrived; and whether the trading of beer for bars of chocolate among the troops has now ceased.

Soft drinks were available for issue from N.A.A.F.I.'s stores in Normandy on and after 13th July. I have no knowledge of the practice referred to in the last part of my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the clerks in the ex-soldier class employed in his Department have not, in fact, had military service.

As far as I am aware all clerks of this class have served in the Armed Forces. In a few cases the men served not in the Army but in the Navy or the R.A.F.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any large numbers of recruits will soon be needed by the A.T.S.; and what steps will be taken to secure them.

Recruits between 17½ and 19 years old are urgently needed in the Auxiliary Territorial Service and I hope that all available women will volunteer.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many cases of small-pox have been reported amongst our troops in Italy since their first landing in that country and how many of them were fatal.

Reports at present available in this country show that the answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is 41 and to the second part 2.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that No. 14567454, Lance-Corporal W. F. Hudd, medical category B 1, suffers from flat feet, varicose ankles and veins and performs the duties of a military policeman under extreme pain and difficulty; and, as he is a foreman bricklayer, under present conditions would be better employed at his trade, will he consider releasing this man from his military duties in order that he may perform his civilian duties.

Although this non-commissioned officer suffers from the disabilities mentioned, these were not sufficiently serious, when he was last medically examined, to preclude him from carrying out his duties as a noncommissioned officer in the Corps of Military Police. He has not made any complaint on account of his disabilities in the eleven months during which he has been serving in his present unit. I regret that I cannot release this non-commissioned officer in present circumstances. If a request for his release on industrial grounds is submitted by the Department concerned it will, of course, be dealt with in the normal manner.

asked the Secretary of State for War the percentage composition of the different nations composing the Fifth Army in Italy.

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to publish such figures.

asked the Secretary of State for War what plans are being made for the post-war development of British Somaliland and for the resettlement and re-absorption into civilian life of Somali troops.

The Military Governor of British Somaliland has submitted proposals for present and post-war development in the Protectorate, and after consultation with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies certain of the proposals are being implemented. The necessary proposals to cover the last part of my hon. Friend's Question will be formulated in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities are being provided in the African Colonies to enable Africans to acquire the technical skill necessary for them to enter the higher grades of employment in the mining industry.

In order to provide my hon. Friend with up-to-date information, I am making inquiries of the Governors concerned, and will communicate with him on receipt of their replies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the functions of the new Settlement Schemes Sub-Committee recently established in Kenya.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar Question by the hon. Member for the Combined English Universities (Mr. E. Harvey) on 13th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have been or are being prepared for the post-war development of Fiji and the Western Pacific territories; and the re-absorption into civil employment of the Colonial troops from those territories.

In Fiji a Reconstruction Commissioner has been specially appointed and there are plans under consideration in particular for land settlement and the development of health and education services. Other plans are in preparation. In the British Solomon Islands surveys of mineral, forest, and soil resources are about to be undertaken with assistance under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act as soon as the necessary expert personnel can be found. Plans for the economic future of the territory will be based on the results of these surveys. In the Gilbert and Ellice Islands little economic development is possible owing to the extremely small area and barren soil of these coral atolls, but plans are in mind for the improvement of educational facilities, including higher education, and for medical and technical training to provide the essential background which will enable the local administrations to be more fully developed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there has been any departure from the proposals of the Jamaica Constitution announced by him last year in the Draft Order in Council which has recently received the consideration of the Legislative Council; whether any alteration is contemplated in the relative position of the Executive Council and the Privy Council; and whether it is still intended that the working of the Constitution be reviewed after five years.

There are two points of some importance on which, after consideration, I have proposed departures from the White Paper (Cmd. 6427). My first proposal is that there should be no property qualification for membership of the House of Representatives. The second is that eligibility for election as President of the Legislative Council and Speaker of the House of Representatives should in each case be limited to members. There is no foundation for the suggestion that a very important departure has been made and that the Executive Council is not to be the principal instrument of policy in Jamaica. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has yet received a Report from the Governor of Jamaica about the number of doctors who have resigned from the Jamaican medical service during the last three years, together with the reasons for their resignations.

Ten doctors have resigned during the last three years. One of these doctors resigned when on leave in the United Kingdom, where her husband was posted on military duty; one returned to the United States, of which he was a citizen; one, a Dutch refugee, proceeded to Curacao at the request of the Netherlands Government; one resigned without giving any reason and one has since rejoined the Medical Service. In general, the reasons put forward for resignation were inadequate travelling and subsistence allowances; trivial differences with the Senior Medical Officer; protests against transfers and lack of time for private practice. The salaries of Medical Officers were substantially increased as from 1st April, 1943. Newly appointed officers who previously received a fixed salary of £400 per annum now get £500 per annum, rising to £600 per annum plus a sum of £300 per annum in lieu of private practice, where that is not available or permitted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what report he can make on the steps taken by colonial Governments to improve the pensions of retired colonial civil servants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is yet in a position to make any statement regarding increases in the pensions of colonial civil servants to meet the increased cost of living.

A number of Colonial Governments have informed me of their willingness to grant allowances to their pensioners resident in the United Kingdom on a basis similar to the general scheme prescribed by Section 1 of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944. I am still in communication with them on matters of detail, and the precise arrangements will be made known in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what recent steps have been taken in Nyasaland to extend the work of native authorities and develop regional councils and build up African local government.

African Provincial Councils are being set up in each of the two Provinces of Nyasaland. These Councils will be composed of chiefs and other responsible African members under the presidency of the Provincial Commissioner and are intended to provide an authoritative means for the expression of African opinion and to promote the development of political responsibility among Africans. In addition, I have agreed that an African Council for the whole Protectorate, consisting of members of the Provincial Councils, shall be established when the Governor considers that the Provincial Councils have gained the necessary experience to warrant this further development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans exist for the demobilisation and re-absorption into civilian employment of Colonial troops from Mauritius.

The demobilisation of Mauritians serving in the local forces will be undertaken through the machinery of the Nairobi Standing Demobilisation Committee, with whom the Governor of Mauritius will maintain the closest collaboration. Plans are well advanced for the re-absorption into civil life of Mauritians on demobilisation, and a local committee has been appointed by the Governor which will maintain a classified register of these men and make recommendations for their civil re-employment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what help and encouragement were given by the administration to the scheme for the manufacture of cocoa-butter which was started in the Gold Coast last November; what facilities were given to the manfacturers taking part in this scheme to obtain machinery comparable in efficiency with that used by commercial firms elsewhere who manufacture this product; and whether there is any prospect of the scheme being continued.

The Gold Coast Government arranged in 1942 for the manufacture of cocoa butter by simple methods from cocoa beans which were either off-quality or which for other reasons could not be exported. This local manufacture, which was not economical, was discontinued so soon as freight became available to lift all Gold Coast cocoa. No elaborate plant was required for local manufacture by these methods, and none was imported for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is in a position to make any statement on the Report of the British Guiana Franchise Commission.

Yes, Sir. The Report has been presented to the Governor and has been discussed both in the Legislature and by the Governor with his Executive Council. The Executive Council has asked him to discuss with me the question of action to be taken on the Report on his visit to this country during August, and I hope that it will be possible for me to make a full statement immediately after the Parliamentary Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any statement to make on the Report of the Trinidad Franchise Committee.

The Report of the Franchise Committee of the Colony of Trinidad and Tobago has been laid in the Library of the House to-day. The Executive Council in Trinidad has been consulted, and I have had the advantage of discussing the Report personally with Sir Bede Clifford in this country. The action proposed involves legislation in Trinidad as well as an Order-in-Council, and local legislation will be prepared and submitted to the Legislative Council in Trinidad in due course.I will now indicate the main recommendations of the Committee with the action which it is now proposed, with my approval, to take upon them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position of food supplies in Gambia; whether adequate measures have been taken to ensure both a sufficient supply now and for the future and also that efficient organisation exists to secure proper distribution and control of prices.

In the Gambia Protectorate steps have been taken during the last ten years to encourage the local production of foodstuffs and the situation of recent years has improved. The Township of Bathurst still depends to some extent on imported foodstuffs and difficulties of supply and transport have caused temporary shortages. I may add that the development plan for the Gambia envisages the cultivation of rice in the Protectorate on a scale to provide in full for the Bathurst market. I am satisfied that distribution and price control are adequately organised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent plans have been prepared for Ceylon that can take advantage of funds available under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act; and how much has been granted for this purpose.

It has been unnecessary for Ceylon up to the present to have recourse to assistance from the Colonial Development and Welfare Act for schemes of development and improvement in the Island, as the Ceylon Government has fortunately been in a position to finance such undertakings from its own resources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have been made for the demobilisation and reabsorption into civil life of Cingalese troops.

Demobilisation plans rest with the Military Command in consultation with the Government of Ceylon, and plans for reabsorption into civil life rest with the Ministers and State Council. The State Council has approved legislation for the reinstatement of Service men in civil employment, but I have at present no detailed information of the plans of the Ceylon Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the personnel and functions of the standing demobilisation committees in East and West Africa.

I am circulating the names of the members of the East African Demobilisation Committee. I have not available the exact terms of reference, but the general object of the Committee is to secure uniformity of pre-dispersal arrangements for the demobilisation of Army personnel (European, Indian and African) of the territories concerned, and to provide machinery whereby the wishes of the Colonial Governments, based on their post-dispersal plans, may be discussed with the military authorities responsible for demobilisation. The Committee is advisory to the General Officer Commanding in Chief East Africa on all matters affecting pre-dispersal arrangements for demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the acceptance by the Kenya. Government of the principle concerned, any action will be taken to establish one service only for all European civil servants in Kenya.

I have not yet received the final views of the Government of Kenya, and am not at present in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is in a position to make a statement about the development of regional native councils in Northern Rhodesia.

Yes, Sir. Eight Regional Councils have been formed in the Territory; six have already held their first meeting and one its second meeting. The Councils consist of representatives chosen by the native authorities from their most progressive members, together with representatives of Urban Advisory Councils or African Welfare Associations. It is the policy of the Northern Rhodesia Government actively to develop these Councils, and when they have gained sufficient experience it is intended to set up an African Central Council consisting of members drawn from the Regional Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any attempt is being made, in conjunction with our American Allies, to continue the education of German prisoners, aged 18 years and under; and whether they are kept apart from older prisoners.

No, Sir. German prisoners under 18 have so far not been kept apart from older prisoners, neither have any steps been taken to continue their education.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation in order that compensation under the War Damage Act is made available to those who have been subject to looting after bombing attacks.

As has been frequently explained in this House, the general principle of War Damage Insurance deliberately excludes such loses. I regret, therefore, that my right hon. Friend could not adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have the Government of Palestine for meeting the serious housing shortage which has arisen, as revealed by the Palestine Economic Advisory Council; and whether the recommendations of the Council to relieve the shortage of houses are being acted upon.

During recent months releases have been granted by the Government of Palestine of cement and other controlled materials to enable the completion of half-finished houses and, where Government approval has been given, the erection of small houses. Recently it has been possible to release materials more freely to permit construction at the rate of 1,000 rooms a month.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will give such instructions as may be necessary to ensure that murder trials are conducted by judges versed in criminal law.

Murder trials are conducted by Judges of the King's Bench Division who are versed in the criminal law. I have no power to give any directions to His Majesty's Judges, but I can assure my hon. Friend that his object is already secured.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is now in a position to make any statement in connection with the amendment of the law in respect of overseas domicile acquired through women resident in this country marrying persons with overseas domicile.

His Majesty's Government are anxious to proceed with legislation on this subject as soon as possible. It is, however, a matter about which it is proper to communicate with the Dominions, and while we have already taken this action, we have not yet received an answer from all of them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare what effect the Allied bombing and blockade has had upon enemy stocks and supply of oil; and whether Germany is now short of essential requirements.

As regards enemy supplies I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 21st July to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough East (Mr. A. Edwards). I can state with confidence that since the entry of Russia into the war Germany has been compelled to rely entirely upon the resources available in the territories under her own control, that no supplies have arrived through the blockade from or through neutral territories and that there has therefore been no contribution to Axis supplies or stocks from this source. It is believed that owing to the inadequacy of his production, and the heavy demands of the Russian front in recent years, the enemy has been un- able to accumulate and hold any substantial stocks, and that the limited stocks in existence have been drawn upon in recent months to meet the deficiency caused by the inroads of Allied bombing on current output. It would not be desirable for me to disclose a precise estimate of the position at the present time, but I can state that the enemy has suffered a substantial loss of stocks as a result of damage to tankage at producing installations and by the destruction of storage dumps and tank-cars in transit.As regards requirements, there is no doubt that Germany's war effort has for many months been handicapped by lack of oil. It is also clear that in recent months this has had an increasing effect, directly as well as indirectly, on the enemy's operational efficiency.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the 1939–43 Star will now be awarded to members of the minesweeping and patrol services who took part in the Battle of the Thames in 1940–41 and helped to keep the Port of London open.

No, Sir. The matter has been further considered, but it has been decided to maintain the rule requiring that in order to qualify for the 1939–1943 Star, naval personnel shall have served in an area of active operations at sea.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can give the estimated weight of high explosive from flying bombs dropped on this country to the latest available date, and the figures of high explosives dropped on Germany by the R.A.F. and the American Air Force for the same or nearest comparable period.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement to be made later by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that there are a substantial number of old people still wishing to leave London, he will afford further facilities for them to do so.

Apart from the organised evacuation of old people who have been rendered homeless, the Government Evacuation Scheme already provides for the issue of travel vouchers and billeting certificates to old people who can make private arrangements for their accommodation in safer areas; and the evacuation of old people must depend primarily on such arrangements. However, I am glad to say that some hostel accommodation has been made available for the reception of a strictly limited number of old people who cannot make their own arrangements, and vacancies are allocated by a selection panel under the chairmanship of Mr. I. P. Hayward of the London County Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what fares are charged to ordinary passengers travelling by British Overseas Airways between America and this country; and whether British or American aeroplanes are used on this service.

Under the conditions of the permit to operate the existing services to the United States of America, which include certain Lease-Lend arrangements for maintenance, B.O.A.C. is unable to charge fares to passengers travelling on these services. Owing to war priority requirements passages are, however, very rarely provided for persons not entitled to travel at the public expense. The aircraft used on the service are of American manufacture.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will now circulate in HANSARD, as promised, particulars of the arrangements being made for members of the Canadian Forces serving in Europe and elsewhere to record their votes in the forthcoming Canadian federal election.

I am taking action, as suggested, to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the information which has now been received from the Canadian authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now announce a decision about the black-out.

I am sorry that I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave to a similar Question by my hon. and gallant Friend on 25th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many women are, according to the latest available returns, employed in the civil department of the Government in established and temporary posts, respectively, in the grades of principal and above that of principal, respectively, excluding executive specialist and advisory posts.

On 1st July, 1944, 100 women were employed in the Civil Service in the grade of Principal, and 17 in administrative posts above the grade of Principal. Of these, 39 and 13 respectively were established civil servants, and 61 and 4 respectively were temporary civil servants.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that a Hungarian Council in Great Britain has recently been formed uniting all shades of Hungarian opinion; and whether the council will be asked to submit material for consideration for use as propaganda to Hungary.

Yes, Sir, I am aware that a Hungarian Council has been formed. A number of its statements and declarations have been broadcast in the Hungarian Service of the B.B.C.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the latest information in his possession on the treatment of the Jews in Hungary.

I am glad to be able to announce that according to information reaching His Majesty's Government, deportation of Jews from Hungary has ceased until the Swiss Government have completed the evacuation of Jews in certain categories whom the Hungarian Government appear to be ready to allow to leave the country. It is reported that among such categories are all Jewish children in Hungary under the age of ten years and in possession of visas for other countries, and also all Jews in Hungary, either adults or children, who have been pronounced by the Government of Palestine as eligible for admission into Palestine.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state the procedure which is adopted when a parent applies for a pension in respect of the death in action of a son or daughter; and by whom inquiries as to the means of the said parent are made.

Application forms are supplied to the parent and more often than not the information given on them is adequate. If further details are necessary they are obtained either by letter or on a personal visit by a member of my staff, who has instructions to make inquiries in a sympathetic and tactful manner.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now publish the details of the tripartite agreement between His Majesty's Government, the U.S.A. and the French Committee of National Liberation on the administration of liberated French territory.

The negotiations in Washington are reaching their final stages, but they are not yet actually concluded and my hon. Friend will understand that it is therefore impossible for me to make any further statement on this subject at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the basis of the agreement come to between ourselves, the U.S.A. and the French National Committee.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Martin) to-day.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what instructions are issued to His Majesty's representatives abroad to assist the policy of His Majesty's Government to promote British trade abroad.

Commercial Diplomatic Officers and Trade Commissioners have standing instructions as to the assistance to be made available to United Kingdom exporters and are kept informed as to any changes of policy affecting their work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the disastrous results of the disposal of surplus stocks in Ulster after the last war, he will include a representative of the Ulster linen trade in Northern Ireland on the Surplus Textile Corporation, which he announced was open to textile merchants from any part of the country, or an any other body which may be appointed by his Department for this purpose.

Ulster linen traders will be consulted before plans are made for the disposal of surplus textiles in which they are interested. Membership of the Surplus Textiles Corporation is already open to textile merchants in Northern Ireland, and a number have joined this organisation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to act in concert with the Government of the U.S.A. for the regulated disposal of stocks of war material.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the White Paper on Government Surplus Stores (Cmd. 6539) and to the statements made on behalf of His Majesty's Government in the Debate on this subject on 25th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to check the rising cost of living and in particular the prices of household commodities such as sheets, towels and domestic linen, which bear heavily upon the lower wage-earning sections of the community.

The Government's policy is to stabilise the cost of living within the limits laid down by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech. In the execution of this policy I have made Orders controlling the prices of all important consumer goods falling within my responsibility. The bulk of household textile articles now being produced are utility goods, the prices of which are strictly controlled. There have been no material increases in these prices during the past two years.

asked the Minister of Information whether suitable leaflets telling the German people how they can assist the revolt against the Nazis are being dropped on Germany by the R.A.F.

The German people are being constantly advised to take such action as they can to bring the war to an early end.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether meteorological experts are attached to the headquarters of General Montgomery for the purpose of giving advice on likely weather conditions in Normandy.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of civilian casualties in the town of Caen.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 19th July, to which I have nothing at present to add.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the weight of the weekly soap ration to the troops in Normandy; and if he is satisfied that the ration is adequate to ensure reasonable personal cleanliness.

A soldier normally buys his own soap from N.A.A.F.I and I understand that provision has been made in Normandy to enable him to buy one 3-ounce tablet a fortnight. In the early stages of this operation the available transport had to be used for more important stores than N.A.A.F.I. stores. During this period a 2-ounce tablet of toilet soap was issued to every man every, fortnight. The ration packs also contained enough soap for each man to have a further tablet every fortnight. In addition, soap was issued for washing clothes. Generally speaking the answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

Position of Scheme.	Number of Schemes, preliminary Statements, or Resolutions.	Number of Authorities who have taken action at stage specified			Total No. Local Authorities whose districts are wholly or partly subject to planning.
		Local Authorities.	Joint Committees.	County Councils.
1. Schemes:
(a) Approved and operative	157	99	11	1	172
(b) Submitted but not yet approved	211	124	48	5	319
(c) Requiring re-submission under Act of 1932 but yet re-submitted.	9	8	—	—	8
2. Draft Schemes:
(a) Adopted for local deposit but Schemes not yet submitted.	188	104	45	1	273
(b) Requiring re-adoption under Act of 1932 but yet re-adopted.	7	7	—	—	7
3. Preliminary Statements:
Approved but Draft Schemes not yet adopted or Schemes submitted.	76	58	—	—	70
4. Resolutions:
Resolutions to prepare Schemes which have taken effect but Preliminary Statements not yet submitted or Draft Schemes adopted:
(i) Resolutions of Authorities under Acts prior to Act of 1932.	494	271	5	1	320
(ii) Resolutions under Act of 1932 approved.	408	220	58	3	524
Total	—	627(net)	125(net)	6(net)	1,241(net)

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many local authorities have resolved to prepare a scheme under Section 6 of the 1932 Act; how many have prepared and submitted to him a scheme under Section 6; how many schemes have been the subject of a local inquiry as provided by Regulation 15 (1) of the Provisional Rules and Orders, 1933; and how many schemes have been approved by him under Section 8 of the 1932 Act.

The present position in England and Wales is shown in the following table; but I would remind the hon. Member that, under the Town and Country Planning (Interim Development) Act, 1943, all land not the subject of an operative scheme or of a resolution in force to prepare a scheme is now deemed to be subject to such a resolution. Local inquiries were held in the case of each of the 157 schemes which have received Ministerial approval and are now operative, and, in addition, 122 local inquiries have been held into schemes submitted but not yet approved.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will retain after the war, at State expense, selected evidence of enemy action which will afford foreign visitors an idea of the national experiences of 1939–44.

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many homes and institutions run by charitable voluntary organisations axe subject to inspection by his Department; and how many inspectors are employed by his Department for this purpose.

The total number of such homes and institutions is 205. Their inspection is included in the normal duties of H.M. Inspectors.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the poor response made by L.C.C. teachers to the demand that they should voluntarily accompany evacuees into the country; whether he will inquire into the reasons for this; what inducements were used to persuade the teachers to volunteer; and whether he will immediately endeavour to remove grievances which explain this reluctance on the part of teachers to perform services outside their contracts.

I am aware that the number of L.C.C. teachers volunteering to go to reception areas was at first inadequate. The reasons for this were discussed by my Department with representatives of the teachers and the L.C.C. with the result that arrangements have now been made whereby, I understand, the immediate needs of the reception areas have been met and sufficient volunteers are available to satisfy further requirements as they arise.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the recent Debate in the French Assembly at Algiers, he is prepared to repeat his offer of 1940 to the democratic leaders of the French National Committee of Liberation.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for the revenue from Income Tax, Surtax, National Defence Contribution and Excess Profits Tax, recorded in the Treasury's statement of revenue and expenditure, to be subdivided to show under each of those headings what payments have been made in cash and how much represents the application to tax revenue of holdings of Tax Reserve Certificates and accrued interest thereon.

No, Sir. My hon. Friend's proposal would unduly complicate the Exchequer Returns and would be of no practical advantage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make about the amount of the fiduciary note issue.

Yes, Sir. The Treasury acting under the power conferred by Section 8 of the Currency and Bank Notes Act, 1928, as subsequently amended, have authorised an increase in the amount of the fiduciary note issue by £50,000,000 to £1,200,000,000 as from 1st August, 1944. The Treasury Minute will be laid before Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the White Paper containing the documents relating to the Bretton Woods Conference will be available.

The White Paper will be available in the Vote Office at 12 o'clock to-morrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to give the names of the personnel of the Herring Industry Board.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Home Secretary and I have appointed the following to be members of the Herring Industry Board:

• Mr. Frederick A. Bell (Chairman).
• Sir T. George Wilson.
• Sir Evan Gibb.

Mr. Bell, who was a leading member of the Departmental Committee on the Herring Industry, and Sir Evan Gibb nave since 1938 rendered valuable service as members of the Herring Industry Board; and Sir T. George Wilson, as Chairman of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board, has a wide reputation as an expert in organised marketing and in education and research.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are contemplated to penalise employers who do not feel able to approve suggestions for either the removal of their existing factory or the location of any part of it elsewhere; and whether this will take the form of refusal to licence or the withdrawal of the use of labour and material.

It is not part of the Government's policy to suggest the removal of existing factories, except where this may be necessary under local authority planning schemes.

asked the Minister of Health if he will approach the War Office with a view to taking over huts in a neighbourhood, of which he has been informed, recently vacated by troops in order to utilise the space for the temporary accommodation of workers, discharged soldiers and their families, some of whom are living in appalling conditions of overcrowding.

I am informed that the War Office have no huts they can release, in the neighbourhood referred to, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have particulars of the huts he has in mind I will have further inquiries made and will ask my right hon. Friend to consider whether it would be practicable to use the accommodation for the purpose suggested.

asked the Minister of Health (1) in what manner have the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts been used since the war for carrying out essential improvements to agricultural workers' houses; what is now the minimum sum that has to be expended to earn the subsidy, in view of the great increase in cyst of labour and materials; and in what other ways have the conditions laid down in these statistics been overridden by wartime regulations of other Departments;(2) what is the exact procedure that now has to be followed if an owner of agricultural property desires to carry out urgent improvements to agricultural workers' houses under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, for laying on water or carrying out improvements, in view of the Regulations issued by the Ministry of Works and other Departments who issue permits and licences which prevent builders accepting contracts.

In the early years of the war all private building work had to be restricted to essential repairs. Since January last the Acts have been operated in the ordinary way. The minimum cost of works eligible for assistance remains at £50. The owner should apply to the local authority administering the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts. If the application is approved and assistance granted, no licence is required. The applicant should apply to the Regional Licensing Officer for any controlled materials required, in the case of timber to the Area Officer, Timber Control.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government intend to conclude with the Czechoslovak Government an agreement for the administration of liberated Czechoslovak territory similar to those recently concluded by His Majesty's Government and the United States Government with the Governments of Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway.

His Majesty's Government trust that the liberation of Czechoslovakia by the united efforts of the Allied nations and of the Czechoslovak people will not now be long delayed. They accordingly welcomed the recent Liberation Agreement between the Soviet and Czechoslovak Governments, about which they were kept fully informed in advance. These Agreements are, however, intended to meet certain immediate practical necessities arising out of the entry of liberating forces into Allied territory. In view of the present disposition of Allied Forces, no useful purpose would at present be served by an Anglo-Czechoslovak agreement on similar lines. I am, however, glad of this opportunity of reaffirming the warm and sympathetic interest of His Majesty's Government in the future welfare of Czechoslovakia and their desire that the close and amicable relations now happily existing between them and Dr. Benes' Government in London shall be maintained and developed between the peoples of the two countries after Czechoslovakia has resumed her rightful place as an independent nation, making her own contribution once again to the stability and prosperity of Central Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that in any new military arrangements decided upon by the Allies in Yugoslavia while the House is in Recess the interests of the Serbs will be adequately safeguarded.

Yes, Sir. In all questions affecting military arrangements in regard to Yugoslavia, the interests of the Serbs, as of the other peoples of Yugoslavia will always be given careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India what were the reasons for the termination of the work of the last Standing Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament on Indian Affairs; and whether he will consider setting up this body with the same terms of reference as before.

I understand that a Standing Joint Committee on Indian Affairs was constituted in 1921 and that the Motion appointing the Committee, as revised in 1923, provided for the appointment of members

"to examine and report on any Bill or matter referred to them specifically by either House of Parliament, and to consider, with a view to reporting if necessary thereon, any matter relating to Indian Affairs brought to the notice of the Committee by the Secretary of State for India."

As a result of discussions as to the most appropriate body to consider the anticipated Report of the Indian Statutory Commission no steps were taken by the House of Commons to set up the Committee in 1929, and in fact the Committee has never been appointed again since 1928.The Committee transacted a limited amount of business between 1921 and 1923, but none at all thereafter, and would thus appear to have failed to establish its usefulness. If, however, there is evidence of a substantial body of opinion among hon. Members that the experiment should be renewed I shall be ready to submit the matter for the pleasure of the House and ascertain whether similar steps might be taken in another place.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what are the main causes of the restricted number of meals served in colliery canteens; and whether these can be removed.

On the whole colliery canteens are well patronised and I assume that my hon. Friend's inquiry relates to the limited extent to which underground workers take a full meal in the canteen. Undoubtedly the main reasons for this are the nature of the miner's calling, which does not permit him to go to the canteen during working hours, and his not unnatural desire to return home as soon as possible after his day's work is done. In collaboration with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food and the Miner's Welfare Commission everything possible is being done to encourage miners to "feed on the job," both by insuring that the supplies of food available to their canteens are fully purchased and used in the provision of meals and by adoption of the services to meet local conditions and preferences.