asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the policy of the Government to encourage talks on post-war trade between industrialists and representatives of Allied Governments now in London.

His Majesty's Government would welcome the earliest possible resumption of contacts between our industrialists and all potential overseas markets with a view to exploring openings for post-war trade. The parties to such contacts will, of course, bear in mind that during the early post-Armistice period combined decisions under the U.N.R.R.A. arrangements will govern the placing of orders for relief and rehabilitation goods, and that, so long as we remain at war in any part of the world, the claims of war production must come first.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue in the form of a White Paper an account of the measures that are being actively pursued to promote British trade with South America.

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department affords facilities to exporters to develop trade with Italy, Sicily and North Africa; and whether he has taken steps so to inform exporting firms.

I would refer my Noble Friend to the answer given on 1st August to my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) which applies with equal force to North Africa.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a greater allocation of children's footwear to the reception areas to meet the increased needs of the population.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to him on Tuesday last. My right hon. Friend has also asked footwear distributors to bear in mind the extra needs of reception areas in allocating supplies to retailers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has consulted the exporting industries of this country and, in particular, the engineering industry, to ensure that the future organisation of the Export Credits Guarantee Department would be in accordance with the requirements of exporters, particularly in the heavy engineering industry.

Yes, Sir. The adequacy of export credit facilities was among the questions discussed with the various sections of the engineering industry in recent consultations with them about post-war problems.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what materials are available to replace worn carpets; and if he will ensure that supplies of these materials can be purchased at reasonable prices.

Yes, Sir; limited supplies of linoleum, felt base and coir matting are available. Maximum prices have already been fixed for linoleum, including substitute linoleum, and my right hon. Friend is hoping to fix maximum prices also for felt base and coir matting. As was indicated in the reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Mem- ber for Bewdley (Major Conant) on Tuesday last, proposals are under consideration for the manufacture of a limited quantity of carpets of specified types and at fixed prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is in a position to make a statement as to when it will be possible to take some steps towards the de-concentration of the cotton industry.

No, Sir; this must depend on the future course of the war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken in 1944 to restore and extend British overseas trade after the war with India.

During the war our efforts are directed to seeing that India gets the essential supplies for which she is dependent on us. Recently, special steps have also been taken, despite wartime difficulties of supply, to increase where practicable supplies of certain consumer goods to assist the Government of India in dealing with the problem of inflation. As soon as supply conditions and the war situation permit, we look forward to a growing trade with India. His Majesty's Senior Trade Commissioner in India has been brought home for consultation with Government Departments and with industrial and commercial bodies on post-war trade questions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to restore and extend British trade after the war with the U.S.S.R.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith) on 16th May and 4th July. Discussions are proceeding.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what preparations have been made in 1944 for the restoration and extension after the war of British trade in Egypt, Italy and the Middle East.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his Question on 1st August. For the present we must concentrate on seeing that wartime needs are met, but our post-war prospects in Egypt and the Middle East are under constant examination. So long as Italy remains a theatre of war it would be premature to make detailed preparations for post-war trade in that market.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, how many applications for assistance, financial or otherwise, he has received from exporting firms in each of the years 1938 to 1944.

My Department does not render financial assistance to exporters. The number of inquiries received by letter, telephone and by personal call runs into very many thousands a year and covers many kinds of assistance. It is not possible to furnish figures, but so that my Noble Friend may know what forms of assistance are normally given to exporters by my Department, I am sending him a copy of the last issue of the Department's Handbook. The services there described are now being reviewed by the Committee of business men on D.O.T. Practice and Procedure, the composition of which I announced on 22nd June, and the future Handbook will be much fuller.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the influx of evacuees into a certain area, he will increase the allocation of Exide dry batteries as the present allowance is inadequate to meet the additional demand.

The supply of dry batteries for the civilian population is limited on account of large and vital Service demands, but I am making every effort to see that available supplies are distributed in accordance with local need.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state the meaning of the Allied Powers (Maritime Courts) (France) Order in Council (S.R. & O., No. 824, of 1944) and, in particular, what is meant by the phrase France is a Power allied with His Majesty.

The meaning of the Order referred to is that under the Allied Powers (Maritime Courts) Act, 1941, the French authorities are now empowered to set up in the United Kingdom a maritime court to deal with certain classes of offences committed by French merchant seamen in the same way as our other Allies. The meaning of the phrase "France is a Power allied with His Majesty" is that this country and France are, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, Powers allied with each other in the struggle against the common enemy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why Royal Marines returned to this country for commando training after active service abroad are not allowed to wear the medal ribbons for which they have qualifying service.

All Royal Marines who have returned to this country from abroad are permitted to wear the medal ribbons for which they have qualified under the Regulations issued to date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any consideration is being given to the question of electoral qualification for exercising the vote in Northern Rhodesia for Africans; and whether consideration is being given to enable Africans in Northern Rhodesia to be elected to the Legislative Assembly.

I regret that I am not at present in a position to make a statement on these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that the pay of Civil Defence workers is based on that of a private in the Armed Forces, married with one child, and that such private received 13s. 6d. increase in basic allowances on 1st May, 1944, he can assure the House that a similar adjustment will be made in the case of Civil Defence personnel.

An application for an increase of pay is being discussed by the Civil Defence Services Joint Consultative Committee, on which the Government Departments and the Trade Unions concerned in Civil Defence are represented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that there is in existence an instruction that local authorities shall not repurchase Morrison shelters; and whether he will cancel this instruction in order that a freer flow of shelters to Southern England may take place.

It has been decided temporarily to resume the repurchase of indoor table shelters sold to householders and Civil Defence Regions have been notified that local authorities may be authorised authorised to repurchase the single-tier type for £5 and the double-tier type for £7.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Austrians are serving in the Army and A.T.S., respectively; and whether they wear any distinguishing mark on their uniform to show their country of origin.

I regret that it is contrary to accepted policy to give figures such as those asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend. As regards the second part of the Question I regret that I have nothing to add to the reply I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on 19th July.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will place the services of the Home Guard at the disposal of the Civil Defence authorities for the purpose of preventing looting.

My right hon. Friend is most anxious that members of the Home Guard should do all they can, consistent with their military duties, to help to prevent looting. Arrangements already exist whereby the Home Guard renders assistance to the police or the Civil Defence Services. The exact form of assistance rendered is a matter for arrangement between the local heads of the respective services, and I have every reason to believe that substantial assistance is being given.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he intends, in view of the altered military situation, to relax the duties imposed on members of the Home Guard, especally those who work long hours in industry.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 1st August.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the speed with which N.A.A.F.I. are establishing canteens in Normandy and with the services which they are rendering there.

The movement of N.A.A.F.I. personnel and stores to any theatre of war is entirely under the control of the military authorities. It is obvious that in the early stages strictly operational requirements must have first priority. As far as N.A.A.F.I. is concerned, they were both prepared and willing to land in Normandy on D-Day. In Normandy, N.A.A.F.I. personnel were landed six days behind schedule owing to exceptional weather conditions, but they opened their service to the complete satisfaction of the military command. Through N.A.A.F.I. foresight and with the concurrence of the authorities, all units took with them special "canteen packs" for the initial period. These packs contained cigarettes, razor blades, soap, matches, boot laces, tooth paste, shaving cream and letter cards. They proved immensely popular, and when the few days' delay due to weather occurred, N.A.A.F.I. had additional supplies of these "canteen packs" in Normandy to cover this period. I am more than satisfied with the service N.A.A.F.I. gave in the initial stages and are giving in Normandy, and I am pleased to be able to have this opportunity of paying tribute to the N.A.A.F.I. staff who have achieved these results.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the danger to the lives of road users, he will issue instructions to remove the road blocks throughout the country.

Army Commands have already received instructions that road blocks may be dismantled if no longer serving a useful purpose, and in pursuance of this instruction many of these road blocks have already been removed. I should, however, like to stress that owing to the shortage of military labour it is in many cases not possible at the present time to divert soldiers to carry out this work from duties more directly concerned with promoting the war effort.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that on a crowded train which left Westbury, Wiltshire, for Portsmouth, at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday, 26th July, a third-class compartment was reserved for two persons, one a prisoner of war and the other his guard; and will he avoid this procedure in future.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." An Italian prisoner of war who had been discharged from hospital was being taken back to his camp. Under existing regulations all prisoners of war are segregated when they are in transit, but as far as Italians are concerned the regulations are now being re-considered and a case such as this should not then arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men are being discharged with 96 clothing coupons and only £2 3s. in cash to provide themselves with clothes; and whether he will take steps to bring the financial payment more into line with the number of coupons.

I append particulars of the clothing which soldiers receive on discharge from the Army. I would also refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) and the hon. Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams) on 1st August. When a man is discharged he may apply to His Majesty's Customs and Excise for coupons to fit himself with civilian clothes. I understand that the number of coupons granted depends on the clothes the individual possesses. Such coupons are given directly to the individual. The War Department has no responsibility in such matters.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give an assurance that soldiers who have been serving in the Middle East, North Africa, Sicily and Italy will be given home leave in this country before being required to fight in the Pacific.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Heywood and Radcliffe (Mr. Wootton-Davies) on 28th July.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether A.T.S. officers will in future be accepted for service with R.E.M.E.; and whether they will receive increased emoluments on the same basis as military officers.

A.T.S. officers are at present employed with R.E.M.E., and are eligible for additional Corps pay on the same basis as military officers. R.E.M.E. is not now short of officers, and in future A.T.S. officers will be posted to that arm only to fill specific A.T.S. appointments.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that no religious films are available for the chaplains of His Majesty's Forces, there are religious films available for chaplains of His Majesty's Forces overseas from any Department whatsoever.

I am inquiring into the supply of religious films in overseas theatres of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to see that an adequate supply of religious films are made available to chaplains through their Command film libraries in the same way that entertainment and instructional films are made available to welfare and educational officers.

Arrangements are being made by which religious films will be made available to chaplains if they so desire.

asked the Secretary of State for War the names of serving officers in His Majesty's Army who have been offered and have accepted a degree or other academic honour, honorary or otherwise, from Italian or Sicilian universities or similar institutions since 9th July, 1943.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) why the pay and allowances of V.A.D.'s working in military hospitals was reduced from 30s. to 22s. 6d. per week on 1st January of this year; and whether he will amend the Regulations so that the service in E.M.S. hospitals of V.A.D.'s who have served for considerable periods in such hospitals before being transferred to military hospitals may be included when calculating their rates of pay;(2) whether he is aware that although the status and rates of pay of V.A.D.'s serving in military hospitals was reduced by his Department as from 1st January, 1944, no such action was taken by the Admiralty or the Air Ministry; and why his Department found it necessary to take this step which has created a widespread feeling of injustice.

The change which took place on 1st January last did not result in any reduction in pay, but rather in an increase due to the grant of increments for previous service. The allowance of 24s. 6d. a week for board and washing previously admissible for Grade I nursing members was, however, replaced by the provision of food in kind, in accordance with normal Army practice, supplemented by a special allowance of 2s. 6d. a week for washing. On the introduction of increments for service, the normal practice was followed of allowing only service with the Armed Forces to reckon for this purpose, and I am not prepared to make an exception to this rule by permitting service with a civil organisation to reckon. The changes which took place on 1st January of this year were the result of recommendations made by the Elliot Committee, whose report was published as Command Paper 6448. I would also refer my Noble Friend to what I said in the Debate on women in National Service which took place on 3rd August, 1943.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all music for the Forces is under the control of the Music Council over which Sir Victor Schuster presides.

I am informed that the Advisory Music Council over which Sir Victor Schuster presides acts in an advisory capacity only to E.N.S.A., and possesses no executive authority.

asked the Secretary of State for War who was responsible for the appointment of Sir Victor Schuster to the chairmanship of the Music Council.

Sir Victor Schuster was appointed chairman of the Advisory Music Council by the members at its inaugural meeting in March, 1941.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, under the chairmanship of Sir Victor Schuster, the Radio Music Council has been overburdening the musical programmes for the Forces with renderings characteristic of Oriental and African races; and whether he will ensure that programmes shall contain a greater proportion of music characteristic of the white races and especially those inhabiting the British Islands.

The hon. and gallant Member is mis-informed. The Advisory Music Council is concerned solely with the place and share of classical music in the general contribution which E.N.S.A. makes to the entertainment of the fighting Forces, irrespective of whether such contributions are broadcast or not.Special effort has, I understand, consistently been made to include works by leading British composers and several of the most eminent have, at the request of the Council, written works specially for E.N.S.A. concerts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information regarding the disagreement between Sir Victor Schuster and the seven advisers to E.N.S.A. who have recently severed their connection with the Radio Music Council, over which he presides.

I have no information of disagreement referred to. The Department of National Service Entertainment is responsible for these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can now be made for the grant of privilege leave to Service personnel.

I regret that privilege leave cannot at present be restored and I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Members for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) and Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) on 25th July. But special consideration is being given to the grant of leave for certain compassionate reasons and in other cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War if compassionate leave will be granted to a soldier serving overseas, of whom particulars have been sent to him, in view of the fact that his wife and her mother were recently killed by enemy action, his home being destroyed at the same time, his personal belongings scattered and also in view of the fact that he has served overseas for some years and has been severely wounded with many months in hospital.

The full particulars of this case have been forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief in the theatre of war overseas in which this man is serving. In compassionate cases of an exceptional character the Commander-in-Chief decides whether he can allow the man to revert to the Home Establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the present anxiety of certain soldiers in C.M.F. and Normandy to have information quickly with regard to other relatives, he will make a statement concerning the facilities at present available for soldiers in those areas to send cables; and how long such cables and replies to them may be expected to take in transit.

Personnel serving with the Central Mediterranean Force have the following facilities for sending telegrams:

(1) Concession Service Telegrams.—These telegrams are handled over Service channels and the number is therefore restricted to two a month in each direction. The telegrams are allowed only between the soldier and his next-of-kin and they may deal only with the most urgent private affairs. They take about two days between this country and the Base Post Office.

(2) European Letter Telegrams.—There is no restriction on the number of telegrams or the number of words sent. They take between three and four days to reach the Base Post Office from this country and slightly less in the homeward direction.

(3) Expeditionary Force Messages.—An unlimited number of such messages can be sent, but the texts are restricted to three standard phrases which may be chosen from 189 phrases. They take between three and four days.

Of the above only the Concession Service is available to troops serving in Normandy. The telegrams normally take 36 hours in transit.The Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association have branches throughout the Central Mediterranean Command through which inquiries about domestic matters may be sent. Such inquiries are handled by military means of communication. The same service will shortly operate in Normandy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement in relation to food supplies, in particular bread, now available for the civilian population of France in the parts occupied by the British and American Armies.

There are ample quantities of food available in the areas in which the Allied Armies are at present operating to meet the needs of the civilian population. In particular there is sufficient capacity for milling and baking and there is so far no shortage of flour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the currency arrangements made for liberated France before the invasion took place and any subsequent modifications.

The tripartite discussions in Washington on this subject have made very satisfactory progress, but as they are not yet concluded, my hon. Friend will recognise that I am unable to make any further statement at the moment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of interest-free loans made by the Treasury since the outbreak of war.

I assume that my hon. Friend intends to refer to interest-free loans made to the Treasury. If so, the figure is £68,850,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts of subscriptions to 3 per cent. Savings Bonds, 1960–70, on the Bank of England Register and the Post Office Register, respectively.

The amounts received by the Exchequer to 29th July were:Bank of England Register—£966,000,000.Post Office Register

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the position that arises when the Inland Revenue authorities instruct inspectors of taxes that no allowances can be made for essential Improvements and repairs to agricultural workers' houses under the conditions of the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, as this attitude, together with other departmental restrictions, is one of the causes of bad housing accommodation being inevitable for rural workers.

I am not clear as to the type of case my hon. Friend has in mind. He is no doubt aware that under Rule 8 of No. V of Schedule A of the Income Tax Act, 1918, as amended by Section 25 of the Finance Act, 1924, an agricultural landowner is given the right to include in his claim to an Income Tax allowance in respect of the cost of maintenance, etc., of his estate, expenditure on additions or improvements to farm cottages, provided that no increased rent is payable in respect of the additions or improvements and in so far as they are made in order to comply with the provisions of any statute or the regulations or by-laws of a local authority. Additions or improvements made to comply with the direction of County War Agricultural Executive Committees are treated similarly.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he can give any information to show whether the reluctance of boys to work underground is peculiar to this country, or whether this phenomenon applies to other coal-producing countries; and, if not, will he make inquiries.

There was some indication before the war of a diminution in the rate of juvenile recruitment in the Euro- pean coalfields, but for obvious reasons I cannot obtain recent information on this subject.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will place in the Library of the House the recent Report of the Joint Resources Board dealing with the use of American mining machinery supplied to this country.

The final Report of the U.S. Coal Mission has not yet been received. It will be a secret report to the Combined Production and Resources Board, and as such will not be available to the House.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is yet in a position to make any statement on the possibilities of district heating in the postwar period.

I have at present nothing to add to the answer I gave on 16th May to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Sir W. Wakefield), of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works the quantity of steel required in the Portal house; the price of that quantity of fashioned steel in 1939 and the present or proposed price of this steel; and similar information regarding other material required for the Portal house.

The quantity of steel required, including the shed, is 5¾ tons. The 1939 price of the sheet steel was £18 2s. 6d. per ton; the controlled price is now £24 15s. The prices of steel for the emergency house will be specially negotiated. The present price of imported timber is £45 per standard, which is about 150 per cent. above the 1939 price.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works why it is considered impractical to grant the request of the Sheffield City Council for the erection of a model Portal house in that city, having regard to the housing situation there.

As already announced, a model is to be erected in each of the Regions; the locations will be settled by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, including that for the North East Region.

asked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation to empower him to issue a standstill order so that tenants in reception areas, with young children, and who have had notices to quit as a result of the invalidity of their agreement under the term "The Duration of War," shall not be compelled to return to London during the present state of emergency evacuation.

My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware of the proposals in the Validation of War-time Leases Bill regarding tenancies of this kind, and I am not clear what form of Order he has in mind. I see, however, no grounds for any action of this kind. Any woman with young children whose normal place of residence is in an area from which evacuation is being operated is entitled to be officially accommodated in a reception area under the Government Evacuation Scheme.

asked the Attorney-General what is the position of a tenant towards his landlord when a portion of his house is rendered uninhabitable by enemy action.

It is for the Courts to decide what degree of damage renders premises unfit so as to bring into operation the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Acts, but it is plainly not necessary that every room should be rendered uninhabitable. If the damage to a portion of the house renders the premises unfit within the Acts the provisions of the Acts are briefly as follows. If the premises are held on a weekly, monthly or quarterly tenancy the rent is automatically suspended so long as the tenant remains out of occupation. Where, notwithstanding damage to part of the premises, the tenant continues in occupation of or re-occupies the remainder, he can ask his landlord to agree a suitable reduction in the rent, and if this fails he can apply to the County Court to fix a reduced rent. Until such reduced rent is agreed or fixed by the Court he remains while occupying liable for the whole of the rent.In the case of longer tenancies the liability for rent continues notwithstanding the unfitness until the service by the tenant of a notice of disclaimer or retention, whereupon the rent ceases to be payable. Where a notice of retention has been served and a part of the premises becomes capable of beneficial occupation, the landlord may apply to the Court to fix a rent for the part. I should perhaps also refer to a provision under which a dwelling-house let on a short tenancy can be certified as fit if repaired to such an extent as is reasonably practicable and so as to render it reasonably capable of being used for housing purposes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what approaches the Mersey Tunnel Joint Committee have made to his Department with proposals for an amendment of the Mersey Tunnel Act to vary the financial arrangements for the purpose of freeing the tunnel from tolls; and what reply has been given.

The Mersey Tunnel Joint Committee have not yet made any proposals to my Department about freeing the tunnel from tolls.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in view of the chaos at railway stations, he will make arrangements for certain carriages to be reserved for Service personnel until a specified time before the departure of the train from terminal stations to enable those on postings and urgent business to be sure of accommodation on the train.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the delay due to congestion of transport to those travelling on urgent Government and commercial business; and whether he will consider the institution of passes entitling those travelling on such business to reserved accommodation.

Government Department can reserve seats or sleeping berths on certain trains for persons who must travel on urgent and important national work. Compartments can be reserved for parties of Service personnel who are travelling on duty. I regret that, for reasons which I have explained in answer to previous Questions, the introduction of a system of passes or permits for railway travel would require an administrative staff out of all proportion to the advantages that might result.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is satisfied that the war conditions of road traffic will permit, at the present time, the necessary safety facilities for massed-start cycle races during the coming Bank Holiday period.

No, Sir. Massed-start cycle racing on the public highway is, at any time, open to objection, as it may all too easily become a cause of obstruction to other traffic and of danger bath to the competitors themselves and to other users of the road.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (1) what steps he is taking to secure priority for the erection of the Neath River Bridge and to prepare post-war schemes for highways to serve industries in South and West Wales and to link up these areas by a satisfactory road connecting with the Severn Bridge which is essential for South Wales areas in general;(2) what action his Department is taking to instruct highway authorities to submit schemes for improved transport facilities for post-war industrial purposes in South Wales; and whether steps are being taken to connect the various mining valleys with improved East to West road communications.

The line of the Neath bypass, of which the Neath River Bridge forms a part, has already been safeguarded by an Order made under the Trunk Roads Act, 1936. Instructions have been given to consulting engineers to complete the detailed plans for this bypass and bridge, so that constructional works may be put in hand at the earliest suitable date after the termination of hostilities. The highway authorities to whom my hon. Friend refers are already aware that I am very willing to consider any proposals they may desire to make for improvements of the road system in their respective areas which may be necessary to meet the post-war industrial requirements of South Wales. In making their proposals, I am sure the Authorities will bear in mind the need to connect the mining valleys with an improved road from East to West.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why airmen who have served three years in India and who have returned are being sent back to serve in the same area; and whether consideration has been given to the effect upon their health.

It is not the policy of my Department to repost to India airmen who have served a tour of duty in that country during the war. If, however, the hon. Member has any particular case in mind and will let me have details, I will gladly look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that R.A.F. police personnel employed surplus to establishment on police duties are not paid their 1s. a day police pay; and whether he will allow all fully qualified R.A.F. police to draw this pay pending the absorption of these surplus personnel within establishment.

My information is that no R.A.F. police are now employed surplus to establishment on police duties, but if the hon. and gallant Member has information to the contrary perhaps he will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will arrange for an inquiry into the proposal to erect cooling towers in the neighbourhood of Lincoln Cathedral.

My right hon. Friend is in consultation with the Minister of Fuel and Power and the Electricity Commissioners on this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works if, in view of the need for protecting relics of historic interest, he will give an assurance that instructions will be issued to contractors' foremen to cease work and report immediately when any sign of Roman or mediaeval London is discovered.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Members for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) and Twickenham (Mr. Keeling) on 11th and 12th July. This matter is under consideration, and it is hoped that with the co-operation of the civic authorities and before rebuilding operations actually commence, arrangements will be made to enable excavations to take place under adequate archaeological supervision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many homes and institutions run by charitable voluntary organisations were registered at the Home Office during 1943; how many children under the age of 17 they contained; how many of these homes and institutions are subject to inspection by his Department; how many inspectors were employed for this purpose; and how many visits were made by the inspectors.

The number of voluntary homes in respect of which prescribed particulars were received at the Home Office in 1943 was 828, and the number of boys and girls under 17 in these homes was reported to be 34,355. The number of homes open to inspection by the Home Office was 406. The staff of inspectors attached to the Children's Branch numbers 14, but the visitation of voluntary homes is mainly undertaken by those specially allotted to this work. The number of visits made last year was 296. Two more inspectors have recently been appointed to enable more visits to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state for each year since the commencement of hostilities the total casualties, fatal and non-fatal, caused by enemy action in this country.

I am unable to give figures for total casualties, but the following are the figures for the number of civilians in the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) killed, or injured and detained in hospital, as a result of enemy action, for each year from the outbreak of war to 30th June, 1944.

—	Killed.	Injured and detained in hospital.
1939	Nil	Nil
1940	23,767	30,529
1941	20,881	21,841
1942	3,236	4,150
1943	2,367	3,456
1944 (first 6 months only).	3,496	8,822

asked the Minister of Labour if, in the process of demobilisation after the war, he will give special consideration to the urgency of restoration of man-power in undertakings which, in a large measure, depend upon export and which have suffered dislocation owing to reduction of staffs and skilled workpeople.

This is one of the matters with which I cannot deal in advance of the Government's general statement of their proposals for the release of men and women from the Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour whether engineering cadetships for which applications were invited in February will be awarded in 1944 as in 1942 and 1943.

The scheme of engineering cadetships was introduced in 1942, in order to supplement the supply of young men with suitable qualifications to be trained for technical Commissions in the Forces, and to avoid undue demands upon productive industry for the withdrawal of qualified engineers for this purpose. In February of this year, when it was not possible to know whether the award of further engineering cadetships would be necessary, it was announced that it was proposed, subject to the circumstances then prevailing, to award further cadetships to boys during the autumn of 1944 and applications were invited. The response was good, and a substantial number of these applicants are now being interviewed, in order to determine their suitability. The view now taken, in the light of the development of the war situation and of the latest estimates of the requirements of the Forces, is that the future demands of the Forces will be adequately covered without the need to train further engineering cadets under this scheme. It has accordingly been decided that the Education Departments shall not be asked to award further engineering cadetships this year. Arrangements are, however, being made to complete the interviewing of candidates selected for that purpose, so that applicants enlisted into the Services who had been adjudged to be suitable for engineering cadetships may be specially noted by the Services, with a view to their consideration for training for Commissions in branches of the Services which do not call for engineering qualifications, together with the further possibility of their being sent to Technical Colleges for specialised technical training at a later date, if circumstances should alter and make that desirable.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered an appeal from 42 patients of the Morland Hall Clinic, Alton, Hants, asking if he will apply the scheme of maintenance allowances already in operation to alleviate the hardship of pulmonary tuberculosis patients to those who are suffering from the same disease of the spine, hip, leg and arm; and what reply he has sent in response.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, which I gave to-day to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg).

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make a statement as to the availability of penicillin for the treatment of civilians, the arrangements for its distribution and the measures which are being taken to ensure its purity and potency.

Up to the present all official supplies of penicillin, apart from a small quantity used for clinical trials, have been reserved for the Services and air raid casualties. Production is, however, increasing to such an extent that it will shortly be possible to make some penicillin available for general civilian use and it is expected that some time next year the supplies will be sufficient to meet all requirements. During the transitional period it is essential to restrict the use of penicillin to cases in which it is likely to save life, or to be the only available means of effecting recovery from grave illness. With this object in view it has been arranged to issue the available supplies to University Medical Schools for use in their teaching hospitals and other hospitals approved by them in their areas. For the time being the issue will be made free of charge. The conditions for which penicillin should be used will be indicated in an official memorandum and suitable cases will be admitted to the hospitals concerned. It will not be possible at present to make penicillin available to private practitioners.I am advised that the preparation of penicillin requires the highest possible technical control in order to prevent the marketing of inferior and possibly dangerous preparations. For the present all supplies are obtained from the Ministry of Supply, who satisfy themselves through their staff of competent inspectors as to the quality of the penicillin before issue. Regulations have also been prepared for prohibiting the manufacture of penicillin for sale except in accordance with a licence issued under the Therapeutic Substances Act, and in conformity with prescribed conditions, including tests for strength, quality and purity.

asked the Minister of Health if his advisers on mass radiography have yet arrived at any decision as to the correct period of time between each photographing of the public which would assure the discovery of tuberculosis in its early stages.

I cannot add to my predecessor's statement in reply to my hon. Friend's similar question on 14th October last.

asked the Minister of Health if any estimate has been formed or suggested of the amount of the loans which will be required by local authorities for immediate post-war purposes.

It is not practicable, without more knowledge of the conditions likely to obtain, in relation particularly to the availability of labour and materials and the cost of works, to form any reliable estimate of the loans which will be required by local authorities for immediate post-war purposes. The average amount borrowed by local authorities for capital purposes in the three years preceding the war was approximately £118,000,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that temporary civil servants who suffer injuries from flying bombs during the early months of their service receive no pay during such sick leave as they may have to take following such injuries; and whether he will take steps to remove this hardship.

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the position as stated in the first part of the Question. It is a normal condition of service that paid sick leave is not granted until after a short qualifying period has been served. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that civil servants, like other members of the general public, are entitled to injury allowances under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that when factories have been built by Government or with Government aid in war-time on the shore line, in their disposal first preference will be given to the use of such sites and to the modification of the buildings for recreational, social and educational purposes.

The Government desire to ensure that Government factories which become available are put to the best possible use in the national interest and such considerations as those which my hon. Friend has in mind would not be ruled out.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what new approach has been made to the newly appointed Cabinet in Tokyo in order to impress upon the Japanese Government that the existing lack of knowledge concerning Allied prisoners of war in Japanese hands is causing resentment, and that the previous representation of His Majesty's Government and that of the Government of the U.S.A. should be met forthwith.

His Majesty's Government are continuing to press the Japanese Government for satisfaction on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will, for the information of Members of this House, obtain and make available a translation of the decree recently issued by the Russian Government with the object of increasing population by, among other means, large increases in allowances paid to mothers of large families, reduction of school fees, the issue of motherhood medals, the taxation of small families, spinsters and bachelors, the abolition of affiliation proceedings and the virtual abolition of divorce.

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend will make available a translation of the decree in the Library of this House as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an undertaking that no final decisions will be taken by His Majesty's Government on the proposals agreed to by the experts at the Bretton Woods Conference until the House has had an opportunity of discussing them.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the supply of milk in the United Kingdom in June, 1944, as compared with June, 1943, and with average supplies in June before the war.

The supply of milk in the United Kingdom in June, 1944, was 145,025,000 gallons. In June, 1943, the supply was 145,055,000 gallons, while the average supply in the month of June for 1937, 1938 and 1939 was 123,072,000 gallons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the number of men below the age of 35 employed by each war agricultural executive committee and the number of executive employees of war agricultural executive committees who are fulfilling part-time duties.

I regret that it is not possible to give the desired information without very considerable research, which would not be justified in present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is yet in a position to make a statement regarding the proposed contract with the Government of New Zealand for meat and dairy produce.

Agreement has been reached between the Governments of the United Kingdom and New Zealand for the sale to the United Kingdom of the total exportable surplus of New Zealand butter, cheese beef, veal, mutton and lamb for the next four years. In addition, the United Kingdom will purchase the exportable surplus of pig meat up to the end of June, 1946, and thereafter such quantities as may be agreed.The prices have been agreed for the first two years. Prices, as well as other provisions of the agreement, are subject to review in respect of the third and fourth years on the grounds of substantial changes in conditions. Sales will continue to be on an f.o.b. basis, the United Kingdom Government being responsible for freight. Arrangements are included by which the United Kingdom Government will make advances in respect of produce which owing to unforeseen shipping difficulties may be left in store for an unduly long period.

Commodity Group	1938	1940	1941	1942	1943
	£ millions
1. Household Expenditure
Bread and cereals, etc.	165	220	244	246	225
Meat, bacon, etc.	275	256	241	275	273
Fish, fresh and canned	43	39	46	36	35
Oils and Fats	98	65	59	57	57
Sugar, preserves and confectionery	108	128	112	110	105
Dairy products	189	183	194	213	203
Fruit, fresh, canned and dried	79	62	32	41	35
Potatoes and vegetables	84	85	119	125	126
Beverages	54	52	51	50	46
Other manufactured foods	33	57	51	44	37
Total	1,128	1,147	1,149	1,197	1,142
2. Personal expenditure on food other than household expenditure	70	88	111	123	122
TOTALS, as in Cmd. 6520	1,198	1,235	1,260	1,320	1,264

NOTE.—1. These estimates have been prepared for the purposes of the White Paper. It should be noted that household expenditure is based on retail prices, whereas non-household expenditure is based on the prices at which food is purchased by canteens, restaurants and hotels (See note (1), page 6, of Cmd. 6520).2. The pre-war and early war year estimates are not so reliable as those for later years because many of the present statistical series were not available then.3. In all years the estimate for fruit and vegetables is based on scanty data.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent Argentine flour is being imported into this country; and if he has received any complaints as to its quality.

A comparatively small amount of Argentine flour has been imported into this country during the

asked the Minister of Food whether he can supply details of the figures of personal expenditure on food given in Cmd. 6520.

Estimates have been made of the total personal expenditure on food by categories. These are naturally subject to a considerable margin of error, as full data are not available in all cases. The figures are given in the following table:last year. This flour is white flour of satisfactory quality, but its condition on arrival has sometimes been such as to necessitate re-conditioning:

asked the Minister of Food why there is to be less fish for caterers; and whether supplies of fish are decreasing.

Yes, Sir. It is anticipated that there will be some reduction in landings of fish during the current four-weekly period. As regards supplies to caterers, there will be no restrictions during the period 3rd to 9th August inclusive, and the reduction to which my hon. Friend refers will apply to only three weeks out of the four weeks' period. It does not, therefore, follow that for the four weeks' period as a whole caterers' supplies will show a reduction on the previous period.

asked the Minister of Food how far he has taken over the bulk of the cheap plum crop for jam.

Plums are being pre-empted only in the three main producing areas. The minimum quantity necessary to maintain the jam ration and to provide Service requirements for canning will be obtained.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has yet come to any decision in regard to the resumption of the distillation of whisky.

Yes, Sir, I am arranging for whisky distillation to be resumed over the coming twelve months, but this can only be to the limited extent which present supplies allow and after taking into consideration the other calls upon those supplies.

asked the Minister of Information when he proposes to put copies of the broadcasts to occupied countries in the Library of the House.

The scripts of all the B.B.C.'s broadcasts to occupied countries in Europe cover 1,800 sheets of foolscap daily. Providing copies for the Library of the House would consume 2½ tons of paper annually. Nevertheless, if there is a general demand for this vast collection of papers I shall, of course, be glad to meet the wishes of Members.

asked the Minister of Supply whether an agreement has been made between representatives of the U.S.A. as to the allocation of goat-skins between Great Britain and the U.S.A.; and if so what ratio does the quantity allocated to Great Britain bear to that allocated to the U.S.A.

A basis of division of supplies of raw goat-skins has been arrived at with the United States Mission which recently visited this country and awaits consideration by the United States Government and the Combined Raw Materials Board. Meanwhile it would not be proper to publish the proposals in this country.

asked the Minister of Supply what ratio the quantity of goat-skins used for manufacturing purposes in the U.S.A. in the years 1934–39 bore to the quantity used for such purposes in Great Britain in that period.

4·4 to 1, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply why the protesting deputation from the Amalgamated Society of Leather Workers was not received until after negotiations with an American mission to cut the British quota of raw goat-skins had been completed.

The tentative agreement referred to concerning the basis of division of goat-skins was reached before a communication was received from the Society.

asked the hon. Member for Dulwich, as chairman of the Kitchen Committee if he is aware that the present failure of his Committee to provide any proper supper, either for hon. Members or for the staff of this House, who have to stay for the full period of the Sitting, imposes considerable hardship; and if he will take prompt steps to remedy this.

Owing to the very rare occasions on which the House has sat beyond the usual time, the Kitchen Committee have not found it necessary to provide supper, except in the Cafeteria and the Staff Canteen. The Committee do not agree that any undue hardship has been caused.

asked the Minister of Health why Mrs. Mapother was authorised by him to visit people living in the Hungerford district to make enquiries about their health and past illnesses without consulting their local doctor who attended them; and whether he will stop these proceedings in future.

The lady named is a representative of the War-time Social Survey of the Ministry of Information, which since January has been carrying out, on behalf of my Department, a sampling inquiry in England and Wales. The object is to assess the amount of ill-health, including minor illness which does not necessarily come under treatment by a doctor and is not otherwise recorded. This survey is providing information which is essential to a proper understanding of health statistics and which cannot be obtained in any other way. I could not agree to stop the survey, but any information given by people in response to it is given entirely voluntarily, and experience has shown that practically everyone approached has been very willing to be helpful.

asked the Minister of Health why representatives of his Ministry have been visiting private citizens questioning them regarding their medical history and marital relations, enquiring whether they were satisfied with their doctor and other medical services and how many rooms they had, etc., on the grounds that the Government required this information for post-war planning for social security and giving the impression that compliance was compulsory; and whether he will countermand these activities.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, which I gave to-day to a similar Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Newbury (Brig.-General Clifton Brown).

asked the Secretary of State for India what measures are being taken for a similar increase in Indian service pensions to those recently passed under the Pensions Increase Act.

I would refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave to-day to a Question on the same subject by the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown).

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will give an assurance that he will consider civilian claims for personal injuries received when a British aircraft crashed at Pendlebury, on Sunday, 3oth July, when returning from operations; and that a claim from any person who is partially or totally incapacitated, or in some other way is deserving of compensation, will be treated, exactly as if the injury had been sustained as the result of direct enemy attack.

Injuries sustained in the incident mentioned are within the definition of "war injuries" and the injured persons will be eligible for any compensation which would have been payable under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme if their injuries had resulted from direct enemy attack.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the increasing difficulties arising from the growing shortage of text books; and what improvement in the position may be anticipated as a result of his communications with the various Government Departments concerned.

The reply to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Some scarcity is unavoidable owing to the acute shortage of paper supplies, but I am in constant touch with those of my colleagues who are concerned, and my hon. Friend can rest assured that the need for better supplies for text books is fully appreciated and that everything will be done to improve the position which can be done without impeding the national war effort.