asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will now remove the ban placed upon men of the R.A.F. Regiment stationed at a place, the name of which he has been informed, so that they may enjoy the same bathing facilities as do members of the public who are holiday makers.

I have made inquiries, but I am not aware of any such ban as the hon. Member alleges. The airmen referred to, when off duty, enjoy the same facilities for bathing as members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number and titles of religious films that have been added to the group libraries of the R.A.F. as a result of the periodic reviews as to the sources of supply of the most suitable religious films available.

The Royal Air Force does not maintain its own library of religious films. Such films are hired as required from a contractor. This arrangement has proved convenient in practice. There have been no recent additions to the contractor's library of religious films, but no difficulty has been experienced in obtaining any film required by R.A.F. Chaplains. Up to the present it has not been necessary to make use of other sources of supply, though, as stated in reply to my hon. Friend's question on 10th July, the possibility has been kept in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to make a statement on what is to be the future policy of British civil aviation, with special reference to supply of aeroplanes, post-war control and freedom of operation.

No, Sir, I am not in a position to make any further statement at the moment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement on the progress and results of the harvest.

It is too early yet for my right hon. Friend to make a comprehensive forecast of the outturn of the harvest, since conditions have varied greatly in different districts. Reports so far received indicate that in the Eastern and Southern areas a high proportion of the corn was gathered in good condition and yields are expected to be above average. Over the rest of the country the position is less favourable, and I fear that there will be some loss of millable wheat and that both barley and oats will have suffered from unfavourable weather. Bean and pea crops are generally disappointing. The outlook for potatoes is promising, although there are some reports of damage and the sugar beet crop may not be as good as usual.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the Glasgow Town Council has agreed by a majority vote to allow facilities to Glasgow co-operative societies to conduct an essay competition in the post-primary departments of local schools on subjects relating to the co-operative movement; that this decision is viewed with grave concern by retail trades throughout Scotland; and what action he proposes to take to prevent the dissemination in Scottish schools of propaganda designed to further the interests of a particular form of trade organisation.

Under Section 47 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1872, a decision to allow facilities for competitions of this kind in their schools is entirely within the discretionary powers of education authorities, and it is therefore not open to me to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the corporation of Glasgow has approved of the proposal of the co-operative societies to donate prizes for essays from Glasgow schools on the co-operative movement; and will he prevent this means of advertising a trading and political concern which is not in the best interest of education.

Under Section 47 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1872, a decision to allow facilities for competitions of this kind in their schools is entirely within the discretionary powers of education authorities and it is therefore not open to me to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been built in the Camlachie Parliamentary division of Glasgow since the beginning of the war to the nearest available date; the number under construction; and the number it is hoped will be completed this year.

Since the beginning of the war 182 houses have been built by the Corporation of Glasgow in the Camlachie Parliamentary Division. The number now under construction is 102 and of these the Corporation hope to complete 66 this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the number of families living under overcrowded conditions in the Camlachie Parliamentary division of Glasgow and the number of such families who have been given more suitable housing accommodation since the beginning of the war to the nearest available date.

According to the overcrowding survey carried out in 1935, which is the latest available information, the number of families living under overcrowded conditions in the Division was at that time 6,135. The number of families provided with better accommodation since 1939 is 516.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the appointment of a committee of inquiry regarding the most suitable form of Government for Scotland after the war, with a view to a more efficient use of its land and industry and the raising of the standard of living of the people which would be possible under Home Rule.

A more efficient use of land and industry in Scotland and the raising of the standard of living of the people, are major aims of the Government's planning activities, and committees of inquiry have already had or have under examination a number of specific proposals designed to secure these ends. Any question, however, as to what is the most suitable form of Government for Scotland in post-war years also raises political and economic issues involving other parts of the United Kingdom, and can therefore only appropriately be raised as part of a general measure for the revision of the machinery of Government for Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is proposed to introduce the Education (Scotland) Bill.

I hope to be in a position to introduce the Education (Scotland) Bill towards the close of the present Session. I propose that this Bill should be given a First Reading only, so that before it is reintroduced next Session there will be an opportunity for full consideration and discussion of the Government's proposals by all parties interested. This will allow of any adjustment that is necessary being made in the terms of the Bill before it is reintroduced.

asked the Lord Advocate if he is aware that proceedings were instituted recently by his Department against two miners for being late at work two minutes on three occasions and one minute on five occasions; that the sheriff at the Edinburgh Court, who tried the men, declared that such proceedings were preposterous; and what disciplinary action has been taken against his officers responsible for instituting these proceedings.

Yes, Sir, I am informed that the result of these men being one or two minutes late at the pithead on these occasions was that they were at least 20 minutes late in reaching their working places and that production was hindered for those periods. In my view there was adequate ground for prosecution, especially as the men had been previously convicted of similar offences. Unfortunately, the full effect of the offences was not explained to the sheriff. I am taking steps to see that fuller explanations are available in similar cases in future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is in a position to make a further statement concerning the modification of existing black-out regulations and restrictions, especially as they affect transport by rail and road.

Since my hon. Friend put down this Question full public statements have been made and appeared in the Press on 7th September. In addition, improvements have since been authorised for railway passenger stations and the interior lighting of trains.

asked, the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the experience during the war years, he will consider the amendment of the Shops Act, 1928, so that the closing of retail shops may be fixed for not later than seven p.m., with one late night at eight p.m., leaving local authorities power to order earlier hours if such are considered advisable.

As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to Questions on 6th July, he fully recognises the importance of this matter to the large number of persons employed in shops, and the question of what is the most effective and speedy method of exploring the issues involved is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the word "Directions" was included in Defence Regulation 16A, having regard to the fact that the Emergency Powers Act authorises subordinate authorities to make only regulations, orders and bylaws.

Defence Regulations provide in some cases for legislative functions being exercised by subordinate authorities and they do so in pursuance of Sub-section (3) of Section i of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, to which the Question refers. In other cases the Regulations themselves require compliance with executive directions given by those authorised to give them. Regulation 16A is an instance in which both these methods are employed. It may be that the line between the two powers is not always easy to draw, but I do not think any question of substance is involved.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now able to make a statement about the plans for demobilisation.

My hon. Friend will now be aware of the Government's plans for release from the Armed Forces after the cessation of hostilities in Europe.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that grade C men who, through no fault of their own, were the last to be called into the Forces will be at a disadvantage in the first-in-firstout-plan; and what steps does he propose to take in this matter.

I am not clear to what class of men my hon, Friend is referring. Category C is an Army category and has no relation to calling up. In any case, however, the suggestion that the normal standard of medical fitness required for the Forces has recently been lowered is incorrect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have now acted on the recommendation of the Ministry of Home Security that they should appoint welfare officers to their Civil Defence services; how many have failed to do so; and if he will send a further reminder to the latter of the desirability of appointing welfare officers as soon as possible.

I am afraid I have no precise figures showing how many local authorities have acted on this recommendation. The information which I have indicates that the response has varied as between different Regions and different local authorities. In view of the large reductions which are now being made in the Civil Defence Services I do not feel that it would serve any useful purpose to send a reminder to local authorities at this stage of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that no provision has been made for British officers of the Indian Army and the Royal Indian Navy to vote at the next General Election; and whether he is taking any steps to rectify this anomaly.

The object of the existing law is to enable the Parliamentary franchise to be exercised not by all British subjects who are members of the Armed Forces of the Crown, but by those who are resident in or would, but for their war service, be resident in the United Kingdom. For this reason the provision in the Electoral Registration Act of 1943 is limited to members of the Armed Forces of the Crown raised in the United Kingdom. The question is at present under examination whether there are some officers of the Indian Forces who ought to be put in the same position as members of the Armed Forces raised in the United Kingdom, and if so whether any legislation can be devised to cover these special cases without opening the door to claims in respect of numerous other persons who cannot properly be regarded as persons who would, but for their war service, be residing in the United Kingdom; but I am not yet in a position to make a definite statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can state the ratio per 1,000 of decorations and mentions awarded to officers and to other ranks of the R.A.F., respectively, since the commencement of the war.

I regret that security considerations preclude the publication of these figures.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the ratio per 1,000 of decorations awarded to, or mentions in despatches of, officers, petty officers and men, respectively, of the Royal Navy since the commencement of the war.

I regret that for reasons of security I am unable to give this ratio, which would enable the total strength of the Navy to be calculated. My hon. Friend can rest, assured, however, that the gallant and devoted services of both officers and ratings of the Royal Navy are being adequately rewarded.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will reconsider the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a university graduate lady teacher who has been offered a teaching post from next September on the staff of a school, but whose release has been refused from her present employment under a local branch of the Ministry where her special training and talents are relatively wasted.

I wrote to my hon. Friend on 6th September explaining that in view of further information which had been received the lady teacher in question would now be released on giving the usual period of notice.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give up-to-date statistics showing the number of workpeople and employers, respectively, who have been prosecuted at the instance of his Department for violating the industrial code which did not exist before the outbreak of the present war, dividing the figures as between males and females; how many in each category have been imprisoned; and in how many cases have the courts refused to convict.

Up to 31st August, 1944, 29,677 male workers, 8,179 female workers and 173 employers were prosecuted for the offences mentioned in the Question. Of these 2,137 male workers and 371 female workers were sentenced to imprisonment. No employers were so sentenced. Detailed statistics are not available showing the number of cases in which the courts have refused to convict, but it is estimated that the number of cases dismissed did not exceed 2 out of every 1,000 prosecutions.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has any information as to what financial arrangements are made, or allowances or pensions paid by any of the Allied Governments to parents, irrespective of needs, in respect of the loss of a son or daughter serving in their fighting Services in the present war.

Such information as I have on this subject indicates that need or dependence on the deceased member is a necessary condition for the award of pension to a parent.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will take steps to amend the Royal Warrant so that the widow of an officer accidentally killed on duty in a theatre of operations shall be entitled to receive a gratuity in the same manner as the widow of an officer killed in action, or while on flying duty, or while being carried on duty in aircraft under proper authority.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for the North-West Division of Kingston-upon-Hull (Sir A. Lambert Ward) on 6th July last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the continuing shortage of combs for women; and whether he proposes further to increase the supply.

Yes, Sir. As I have previously told the House, as many combs are being sold as before the war. But I am doing all I can, with the labour and materials available, to increase the supply and improve the quality.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the resumption of any form of trade with France is contemplated in the near future.

At the present time trade with France must be subordinated to military considerations. The prospects of resuming normal trade depend on the progress of the war, and I can say no more at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the annual figures for the amount of shipping tonnage using the Port of London; and the value of their cargoes for the years 1913 and 1938 and for the latest available date.

Particulars of the tonnage of vessels arriving at the port of London in the years 1913, 1938 and 1939 in the foreign and coasting trades are given below, together with the value of imports recorded as entered at the port of London in the years concerned. Goods unloaded from vessels in the coasting trade are not recorded as imports. Figures for years after 1939 cannot yet be made public.

asked the Minister of Production if, in view of the large increase in the number of flies and other germ-carrying insects and the danger of a corresponding increase in disease, he will make available to the public the disinfectant, dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane.

The total production of D.D.T. available to the United Nations is at present required for military use and it is not possible to release any for general civilian use. A small quantity has, however, recently been allocated to the Ministry of Health for use in air raid shelters. Raw materials for effective fly sprays have been available to manufacturers during 1944.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that seed merchants and others are selling worthless bulbs at high prices; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the public in this matter.

I made some inquiries on this subject following a Question on 11th July by my hon. Friend the Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Ness Edwards). I found that Local Price Regulation Committees had received no complaints from members of the public about the price of bulbs. But if my hon. Friend will send me any particulars, I shall be happy to consider the matter further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to remove the ban on the export of manufactured paper, especially vegetable parchment paper.

Exports to meet the essential needs of Empire and Allied countries are permitted, but no increase is possible at present owing to the shortage of raw material and labour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the strong feeling in the furniture trade that the effect of the new maximum price orders will be both unfair and detrimental to the trade, he is prepared to make any modifications; and, in particular, whether he is prepared to amend the regulations so as to exempt existing stocks which already conform to previous regulations.

A scandalous state of affairs had developed in certain sections of the second-hand furniture trade, injurious alike to the general public and to honest dealers. I am determined to stop this exploitation of a scarcity market, and this is the object of these maximum price orders. My right hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade last week met representatives of trade organisations who have throughout been most helpful, and certain constructive suggestions made by them are now being considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if his attention has been called to the diminution in road fatalities in the U.S.A. since the legal introduction of the 35 m.p.h. speed limit in September, 1942, the death roll for 1943 being 23,300 against 40,000 in 1941; and will he now consider the introduction of a similar limit in this country.

Certain information received from the U.S.A. about the operation of the speed limit will be considered by the Committee on Road Safety, with the object of assessing, as far as may be possible, its effect on road accidents. I think it would be unwise to anticipate the conclusions which the Committee may reach.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances Gunner E. D. Curtis, recently sentenced to 112 days' detention for desertion, was enlisted into the Army.

Gunner Curtiss enlisted voluntarily in October, 1940. He is recorded in his attestation paper, which he signed, as having answered "Yes" to the question "Are you willing to serve outside the United Kingdom? "He would also at the time of enlistment have received a certified copy of his attestation in the normal way.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the fact that certain regiments of which he has been informed are being disbanded and converted into infantry, he will take steps immediately to demobilise all miners serving in such units.

The reason for the disbandment of these units is not because the Army has ceased to need the personnel. I cannot therefore go beyond the provisions of the existing scheme for the release of soldiers for work in the mines in their case.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Command Pay at the higher rate has never been granted to C.R.E.'s bomb disposal.

Bomb disposal units are widely dispersed under separate commanding officers and, in comparison with other cases, the command exercised by the Commander, Royal Engineers, is not regarded as warranting more than the normal rate of command pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether members of the A.T.S., volunteering for service in India or the South-East Asia Command, are being paid Indian rates of pay.

Auxiliaries of the A.T.S. arc not permitted to serve in India or the South-East Asia Command. A small number of officers of the A.T.S. have recently been lent for a limited period to advise and assist in training the Women's Auxiliary Corps (India). They are being paid normal British rates of pay, with the addition of a special allowance. Indian rates of pay are not applicable to the A.T.S.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the continued shortage of women police, if he is now in a position to give favourable consideration to the question of releasing a limited number of members of the A.T.S. who have an opportunity of employment in the police force.

I regret that the position has not improved since my hon. Friend asked a similar question in May. A.T.S. auxiliaries still cannot be spared.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give consideration to the appeal made by the soldiers who have been wounded in Normandy, and returned to this country to be transferred to hospitals near their homes, so that they can be visited by their relatives without causing undue hardship and expense.

asked the Secretary of State for Warnwhether he will make arrangements whereby wounded members of His Majesty's Forces and those now convalescent from Northern Ireland will be transferred to hospitals in their homeland where they can receive visits from their friends.

I fully sympathise with my hon. Friends. It is the general policy of the Army to send patients to hospitals near their homes. In the early stages of the operations in France this policy was temporarily modified owing to the need for rapid evacuation of the casualties from France, the great pressure on trains and the needs arising from the evacuation of certain civil hospitals. But since last Thursday patients who can travel in ordinary trains have again been sent to hospitals near their homes. I regret that such arrangements cannot for the time being be made for stretcher cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, before the Home Guard is disbanded, he will give instructions that it is to be technically mobilised and em- bodied in the Armed Forces of the Crown for a farewell parade, so as to give all officers and men the full status which this would imply as a symbol of their faithful and vital service.

The Home Guard already forms part of the Armed Forces of the Crown, and a technical mustering would not confer any status which its members do not already hold. I am, however, in sympathy with my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion for a farewell parade, and I hope arrangements will be made for the Home Guard to hold such parades before the Force stands down.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in connection with his instructions enabling members of the Home Guard to assist in fire prevention and other Civil Defence duties; what are the conditions to be fulfilled before their services can be used for these other duties.

Since 11th September, on which day compulsory Home Guard parades ceased, the Civil Defence services have been assisted only by volunteers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the pursuit of the enemy from Falaise to Holland, he is satisfied that the Cromwell and Sherman tanks were found fast, reliable and easy to manoeuvre; and how far the actions in Normandy confirmed the Russian experience that the antidote to the tank is the self-propelled gun and not the heavy tank.

Judging by results I should say that the Cromwell and Sherman tanks proved eminently effective in the rôle for which they were designed. These tanks, of course, played a great part in the very rapid advance from the Orne to the Scheldt, the Albert Canal and beyond. As regards the second part of the Question, there is no single antidote to the tank. This antidote is to be found in a suitable combination of all kinds of arms and weapons including, of course, some of those fired from aircraft. Incidentally, our heavy tanks achieved considerable success both in Normandy and in Italy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the possibility of substantially increasing the pay of the Forces engaged in South-East Asia Command.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the White Paper published on Friday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now consider the desirability of granting to officers war substantive rank after holding the temporary rank of an appointment for a period of, say, 12 months.

The rules governing the retention of temporary rank have recently been thoroughly reviewed, and the Prime Minister announced various changes in the reply he gave on 11th July to my hon. Friends the Members for Wallsend (Miss Ward) and East Birkenhead (Mr. G. White). I cannot add anything to that reply.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the financial claims of all escaped British prisoners of war have been settled.

The financial claims of escaped British prisoners of war are being dealt with as quickly as possible, but owing to the subsequent movements of the officers concerned I cannot give an assurance at present that all such claims have been settled. As indicated in a reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on 25th January, 1944, it is very desirable to avoid any public discussion of such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Italian prisoners of war now in this country who are recognised as collaborators in the Allied cause are not returned to Italy to fight for the liberation of their own land.

It is considered that the war effort of the United Nations is better served by the valuable work performed by these Italians in this country than by their repatriation to fight in Italy, even if shipping could be made available for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to use or repatriate the 1,000 coloured Empire soldiers who are prisoners of war at Dax in France.

The repatriation of these men is being arranged and I hope their evacuation from Dax will begin this week.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Germans have been taken by the Allies since the last return was given.

Between the end of July and the middle of September just under 400,000 enemy prisoners were taken by the Allied armies in Italy and Western Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the members of the Todt organisation captured in France are treated as combatants or are set to work to restore the damage wrought by enemy action in Normandy and elsewhere in Europe.

The members of this para-military organisation are treated, when captured, as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention, and may be employed on any work permissible under the Convention, including that mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Rudolf Hess is still in a British camp; how many miles he is away from London; if he is supplied with a wireless set so that he can listen to all the foreign and British news; and whether he is on a prisoner of war diet.

Yes, Sir. Hess is in a British prisoner of war camp, but I regret that I cannot disclose the location of such camps. He has a wireless set and is allowed to listen to British and foreign news. He continues to receive the same diet as his guards.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is aware that the college where the administration of London University has been since it was evicted from Royal Holloway College, was seriously damaged some weeks ago; and whether, as London University deals with 25,000 registered students and this work is crippled by the loss of its administrative offices, he will give priority for immediate repairs to be carried out.

Immediately after the incident at the Richmond College, a licence for repairs was granted and every possible assistance was given to the contractor in obtaining labour. I am informed that all the rooms in the Main Block and North Wing and 10 of the 16 rooms in the South Wing have now been made habitable. Three further rooms in the South Wing will be usable by 4th October.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the representatives of the United States Government and the Board of Inland Revenue reached any agreement likely to lead to the abolition of double Income Tax before the former returned to the U.S.A.; and, in view of the public importance and urgency of this question, will he take an early opportunity of making a statement upon the position.

As stated in the communiqué issued by the Foreign Office on 22nd August, the first phase of the discussions between the technical representatives of the United States Government and His Majesty's Government has been satisfactorily concluded, and the discussions are to be resumed in Washington at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate and introduce legislation to ensure that when fixing a farmer's profits for Income Tax purposes, premiums for insurance on agricultural products, his stock in trade, are allowed as items of expenditure, if the policy moneys received under the policies are to be charged as items of receipts, and if there is no claim under the policy.

The normal taxation rule in regard to insurance of trading stocks, which applies to the general scheme for insurance of trading commodities under the War Risks Insurance Act, 1939, is that the premium is allowable as a deduction and any policy monies received are treated as a trading receipt. Farming stocks are, however, not dealt with under the general scheme but are specially covered by policies issued under Part II of the War Damage Act of 1943. While the policy monies are liable under the general rule, Section 113 of that Act expressly provides that the premium payable is not to be a deduction for taxation purposes. It was with full knowledge that the premium would not be allowed as a deduction that it was decided to insure farming stocks under Part II of the War Damage Act and thereby secure for the farmer in addition to other advantages the benefit of a lower premium than is paid by the ordinary trader. I see no reason to alter the existing position under which farmers in general gain as compared with the ordinary trader.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the Government is committed by the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund signed at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, July, 1944.

The Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund drawn up at the Bretton Woods Conference have been submitted for the consideration of the Governments of the countries represented at the Conference. His Majesty's Government have already undertaken that they will be debated in this House before the Government takes any final decision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare if his attention has been called to an Order of the Eire Government, dated 11th August, requiring all Irish residents owing money to German firms or individuals to pay the money to the Eire Government; and what steps he has taken to prevent this money going to Germany.

Yes, Sir. I understand that the money collected under this Order is to be used to liquidate in part the liability of the German Government to the Government of Eire. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement about the explosion in a North-West factory on 15th September in which many workers were killed and injured.

I regret that a serious explosion took place in one of the Royal Ordnance Factories in the early hours of Friday, 15th September. The accident occurred in a building where an explosive filling of a new type was being undertaken. Five women and four men were killed and one man was seriously injured. In addition, ten other persons were also detained in hospital, suffering mainly from cuts and bruises. For several hours after the main explosion, small fires broke out and other lesser explosions occurred. However, as a result of the courageous and efficient work of the management staff, factory fire brigade and auxiliary services, the effects of the explosion were confined to the one building. A Court of Inquiry under the Chairmanship of His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Explosives was held on 18th and 19th September and their report is expected shortly. I am sure the House will wish to join in expressing sympathy with those who have been bereaved and injured.

asked the Postmaster General whether he can make a statement as to the Government's intention to reduce the letter postage rate from 2½d. to 1½d. or 1d. at the conclusion of hostilities.

The question of postal rates raises financial issues too wide to be taken in isolation, and I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement as regards the matter at present.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is making plans for the development of the telephone services throughout the country in the rural areas and villages at the conclusion of hostilities; and if he will give an assurance that it is his intention to ensure that every village is provided with a public telephone kiosk at the earliest possible date after the conclusion of hostilities.

:.The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir"; but my hon. Friend will realise that progress must depend largely on the availability of materials and skilled labour. As regards telephone kiosks, it is the Post Office policy to provide a public kiosk at every village on the mainland where there is a post office. There are a few cases where it was not practicable to provide a kiosk up to the outbreak of war, and these will be dealt with as soon as conditions permit. At villages without a post office, a public telephone kiosk will be provided, if the local authority agrees to pay the rental of an ordinary private subscriber's telephone line (at present £4 a year) for a period of five years, as a small contribution towards the heavy expenses involved.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the average time taken by the War Damage Commission in settling the accounts of builders, especially those in a small way of business, for emergency repair work carried out on buildings damaged by flying bombs.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to private claims made direct to the War Damage Commission. No separate information is available as to the average time taken to settle claims for repairs of fly bomb damage. I understand that before fly bombs started the average time taken in settling cost of works claims, small and large, was four-five weeks. Small claims were on average settled within a fortnight of receipt. Individual claims might, of course, be outstanding for a longer time for a variety of reasons. The additional burden on the War Damage Commission involved in handling the great numbers of notifications of damage temporarily slowed up the speed with which claims were handled, but the position is now generally returning to normal. Indeed, if all builders cooperate by tendering their accounts in accordance with the Commission's pamphlet ROD.1, recently agreed with their representatives, a still further improvement may be hoped for.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any decision has yet been reached as to what proportion of war-time temporary civil servants will be given preferential treatment in securing posts in the enlarged postwar peranent Civil Service; and to what extent these jobs will be kept available for ex-Service personnel.

The Committee of the Civil Service National Whitley Council, which is considering the problem of postwar recruitment to the Service, has not yet reported, but I hope that it will do so in the very near future. Its recommendations will be published as soon as possible. In the meantime, I regret that I cannot add anything to previous statements on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to deal with the confusing situation in which many thousands of children have been evacuated from Merseyside to other parts while, at the same time, some thousands of children are being evacuated from London and other places to Merseyside; and will he make a statement.

Yes, Sir. A circular has now been issued to local authorities (including those on Merseyside) which will initiate the necessary action to adjust the position to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take the necessary steps to ensure that the damage done to property by flying bombs shall be a national and not a county charge.

All war damage done to land and buildings by flying bombs is paid for by the War Damage Commission out of national funds. I understand, however, that my hon. Friend has in mind the question of an increase in the poundage of the precept levied by the County Council due to the diminished product of a penny rate. On this point I would refer to the Debate on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House on 26th March, 1942, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider supplying a limited number of mass radiography sets, from the stock of apparatus ordered by the Ministry from British manufacturers, to the Allied Governments in order that they may be able to estimate the extent of the tuberculosis problem in their countries after liberation; whether training will be provided through the Ministry's special training course to such allied mass radiography teams as require it; and whether the co-operation of British tuberculosis experts will be available to assist and advise the Allied Governments in their anti-tuberculosis work.

The question of making mass radiography apparatus available to the liberated countries is outside my responsibility, but I understand that it is under consideration by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. As regards the last two parts of the Question, I shall be glad to render all the assistance in my power.

asked the Minister of Health whether the local authorities intending to carry out housing work now possess powers to construct in advance the necessary roads, sewers and pumping stations; and, if not, whether he will introduce legislation to give them such powers.

Local authorities already possess all necessary statutory powers to enable them to carry out development works in advance of the erection of houses, and no further legislation is required.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now make a statement in connection with his plans and proposals for the conversion of existing buildings to make accommodation available for as many separate families as possible; and in connection with emergency measures, whether he will specifically make provision for the allocation of labour and materials to builders throughout the country.

I am sending my hon. Friend copies of circulars issued to local authorities last August and October and in January of this year, setting out the arrangements which have been made to these ends.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that through recent requisitioning of another 50 per cent. beds in the London hospitals occasioned by the opening of the Second Front, the admission of civilian patients to the London hospitals has become almost impossible; and, as this has serious results upon the civilian population, whether he will now release for civilian use a proportion of the empty beds reserved for military casualties.

As part of the plans for receiving casualties from Western Europe, hospitals throughout the country were asked to restrict the admission of civilian patients, the aim being to reduce occupancy on the average to about 50 per cent. of the beds. In some hospitals this step was necessary in order to secure more beds for the casualties, and in others, notably in London, to set free staff for for the hospitals specially designated to receive the casualties on arrival in this country. At the same time, it was made clear that the restrictions were not to be applied to patients in immediate need of treatment in hospital. In view of recent developments of the war situation my officers are now arranging for the restrictions to be relaxed, bearing in mind the varying needs at each hospital of civilian and service patients respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware that the motor driver's licence is the only one issued at different dates and the only one that has not a reminder sent; and, in view of the labour incurred by local authorities in re-issuing new licences to holders who had forgotten to renew, he will fix one date for all 5s. drivers' licences to be renewed, with or without a reminder, as may be decided.

As I have told my hon. and gallant Friend in answer to a previous Question, the Government instructed licensing authorities in 1940 to stop sending reminder notices to holders of driving licences. This was done in order to save paper and to simplify administrative work. These reasons still hold good. When the moment for restoring the practice arrives, I will consider my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion of a single date; but I am sure he will recognise the difficulties of dealing with three or four million licences within the space of a few days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the constitutional proposals formulated by the Ministers in Ceylon can be made available for the information of hon. Members.

Yes, Sir. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information concerning the attempt to assassinate Sir Harold MacMichael in Palestine on the afternoon of 8th August; whether any of the terrorists were apprehended; and with what group or groups they are connected.

As regards the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the official statements published in the Press. A considerable number of arrests have been made. The primary responsibility for the outrage is attributed to the Stern group.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) how many British police and officials have been assassinated since 1st January by Jewish terrorists in Palestine; and whether he will give their names and the amounts of compensation paid to their next-of-kin;

Details of British police and officials killed or wounded between 1st January and 3rd May have already been given in reply to previous questions on the subject. Since the 3rd May Major K. I. Nicholl, Aide-de-Camp to the High Commissioner, and British Sergeant J. H. Smith, were wounded when an attempt was made on the life of the High Commissioner on the 8th August, and British Constable W. J. Turner was slightly wounded in an incident on 22nd August. Information with regard to pensions to dependants of officers and constables killed and awards to officers and constables permanently injured is contained in the reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 11th May.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has now received the Report of the Committee on the Severn Barrage; and if he will indicate the nature of the Report.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the Report of the expert committee appointed to examine the scheme for a barrage and hydro-electric installation on the Severn has yet been received; and, if so, what measures are proposed to give effect thereto.

I expect to receive the report of the Severn Barrage Committee very shortly. In the meantime, and until the Government have been able to give it adequate consideration, there is nothing further I can say.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he proposes to take following the Report of the Committee on the problem of pneumoconiosis in the South Wales coalfield.

The Committee's recommendations with regard to the establishment and equipment of a Treatment and Rehabilitation Research Centre require discussion with other Departments than my own. These discussions are already proceeding. Concurrently I am examining, and propose to put into effect as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made, other recommendations which can be implemented by strengthening existing machinery. These, I hope, will include the initial radiographic examination of all new entrants into the industry in South Wales;theperiodicalexaminations of selected groups of miners in relation to concurrent assessments of the dust conditions of their employment; and, in association with the Minister of Labour, an investigation into the present and progressive medical condition of miners who because of the disease have left the industry and have taken up other employment, the object being to provide guidance as to what other occupations are best for such cases. The machinery of my Department is to be strengthened for this work by appointing a second Mines Medical Officer in South Wales and by adding to the Testing Station a new section of staff to concentrate on the work of dust assessments. I am doing everything possible to deal with this problem within the limits imposed by war-time conditions. It is my intention to pursue the subject vigorously and to spare no effort in tackling the problems created by this disease.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much anthracite has been exported to Italy for Italian consumption since the Allied invasion; and whether he will suspend further shipments for this purpose until British needs are satisfied.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will state generally what are the prospects of an adequate supply of coal during the coming winter.

The coming winter is likely to be the most difficult of the war so far as domestic supplies of coal are concerned. Merchants' stocks and stocks in consumers' cellars will be lower at the beginning of this winter than they were this time last year. Moreover, output of coal has fallen and coke is not available to the same extent as last year in substitution for coal. At the same time, the operational demands of our Armed Forces for good quality coals are heavy and likely to increase. It is imperative, therefore, that all consumers of solid fuel should exercise the most rigorous economy and that everybody who can build up his stock during the next two months should do so within the limits allowed. Consumers must be prepared to accept whatever fuel is available. While, therefore, the general supply position will be very difficult, I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort will be made to ensure equitable distribution and in particular to safeguard the position of the small consumer who has no storage space.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what salary has been paid to the Chairman of the Coal Commission during the period of the war.

The salary of Sir Ernest Gowers as Chairman of the Coal Commission has always been £7,000 per annum. Since the beginning of the war he has also, with the consent and approval of my predecessors and myself, exercised the functions of Civil Defence Regional Commissioner for London, a post which carries a remuneration of £2,500 per annum. By arrangement with the Ministry of Home Security, however, Sir Ernest's total salary has remained at £7,000.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if the percentage of avoidable absenteeism in the coalmines has increased or decreased since the guaranteed minimum wages agreement came into operation.

The percentage of avoidable absenteeism in the coalmines was 5·7 during the 21 weeks ended the 9th September last, as compared with 4·8 during the corresponding period in 1943.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will arrange that any future price changes in coal shall be announced under the same procedure as followed by other Ministries, in order to prevent loss to traders.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the estimated total income from the 4s. increase per ton in the price of coal for any given period; the cost of the increased wages which the increase in price per ton is to cover for the same period; and the credit or deficit arising between the two figures.

Deep-mined coal, available for sale commercially, is now being produced at the rate of about 170 million tons per annum. On this basis the annual income from the 4s. per ton increase in price would be about £34,000,000 per annum. More than half of this is required to meet the current cost of increased wages; the balance is required to meet other increases in costs which have occurred and to repay a very large deficiency on the Coal Charge Account which had accumulated at 1st August last largely because wages were increased several months before the price of coal was raised.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has any statement to make about the restoration of the basic petrol ration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has any statement to make on the restoration of the basic ration of petrol.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if the question of returning the basic petrol ration has been considered recently; and, if so, what decision has been reached.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the improved supplies, he will restore the basic petrol ration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is now able to say when a basic ration of petrol will again be allowed to private motorists.

As soon as supply and other considerations permit, the present system of rationing of petrol will be relaxed. The first relaxations to be granted will be directed to relieving those cases where the most hardship or inconvenience is caused by the present system. The whole question is being kept under constant review, but at the present time conditions are not such as to render any relaxation practicable.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will see that in the coming winter increases in the use of gas and electricity for street lighting are not allowed to restrict the supply for domestic heating.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the undertaking given by His Majesty's Government to purchase a minimum of 100,000,000 pounds of beef from the Dominion of Canada; the date of the contract; the quantity of beef already shipped to this country; and the terms and conditions of the contract.

A contract for the purchases of a quantity of beef from Canada has been under negotiation in Ottawa for some little time but has not yet been concluded. I am, therefore, not yet in a position to make the statement suggested.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the poor honey harvest, he will increase the sugar allowance of 10 lbs. per colony which can be purchased by beekeepers.

Yes, Sir. Arrangements have been made to increase the allowance of sugar to beekeepers by 5 lbs. per colony. The additional allowance may be taken either as an addition to the winter allowance of 10 lbs. per colony or as an addition to the spring allowance of 5 lbs. per colony, and will be available on application to the Food Office concerned at any time up to the 31st May, 1945.

asked the Minister of Food how many firms are included in the Essential Oils Control Scheme; and what quantities of essential oils have been imported since the scheme was introduced.

The number of firms participating as importers or merchants in the scheme for regulating the importation and distribution of essential oils varies according to the kinds of oil available and the countries from which imports are received. At present about 300 firms are operating in these capacities. Some 30 different manufacturing industries are represented in the scheme as users of essential oils. I regret that it would not be in the public interest to reveal the quantities imported under the scheme.

asked the Minister of Education if instruction on safety on the roads is now being given in all junior schools.

The need for including road safety training as a definite and regular part of the curriculum in all schools has been brought to the attention of local education authorities in a series of circulars from my Department, and I have no reason to doubt that this advice is being acted upon.