asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is aware of the rapidly increased prices charged for tiles, slates and bricks adding considerably to the cost of repair work to houses; and what action does he intend taking to prevent excessive profiteering which may hold up much needed housing schemes.

My Noble Friend has recently approved increases in the producers' prices of slates and bricks, which had become necessary owing to increases in production costs. The question of the prices of roofing tiles, production of which has not hitherto been sufficient in volume to justify price control, is now under consideration. An inquiry into the profits earned by the distributors of the commodities mentioned is in hand.

asked the Minister of Health if the building materials which will be available after the war will be at the disposal of the small and medium-sized builders on equal conditions with local authorities, in both cases required for house building.

The answer is "Yes, Sir," as regards approved schemes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, what building labour is needed for the erection of the Portal house; how many man-hours are required to complete one house with all fittings ready for occupation; whether any independent evidence has been obtained from contracting firms to support these estimates; and whether the building trade associations of employers and operatives have endorsede such figures.

Normal building labour will be employed on the erection of the pressed steel bungalow. The number of man- hours required to complete one bungalow ready for occupation is estimated, as stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production, on Tuesday last, at 570, of which 220 is for the erection and fitting of the bungalow and the balance for foundations and all services. The figure for erection is based upon the experience of the erection of the several prototypes and the balance on normal building experience and practice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether the Portal house is in all respects up to the standards recommended by the Burt Committee; and if he will state the variations and the reasons for not following the recommendations.

The Burt Committee have stated that they consider the materials and methods of construction of the pressed steel bungalow satisfy the requirements of an emergency house with a minimum life of 10 years. As stated by my Noble Friend on 2nd May last in another place, he was advised on such matters as heat insulation by the Building Research Station. In this respect the bungalow is not inferior to the normal brick house.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what arrangements have been made for the production of the Portal house; upon what date can the first deliveries be made; what quantities will be available in each quarter of 1945; and whether these dates and quantities have been agreed by all production departments including the Ministry of Supply and the Board of Trade.

No arrangements could be made for the bulk production of pressed steel temporary bungalows until approval had been given to the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Bill. As mentioned by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production' on the Second Reading of this Bill, certain jigs and tools have been ordered in anticipation of this approval. As regards the dates of delivery, I can only refer the hon. Member to the Minister of Production's statement on that occasion. As already announced, the main contracts will be placed by the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Minister of Health which local authorities in the Northern Region have informed him of their requirements for Portal houses.

A circular was issued on 15th August to 40 local authorities in the Northern Region inquiring whether he Councils wished to apply for an allocation of temporary houses and, if so, how many.The following authorities have replied:

Local Authority			No. of houses asked for Durham
West Hartlepool C.B.		…	…	…	400
Stockton-on-Tees B.		…	…	…	250
Consett U.D.	…	…	…	…	550
Crook and Willington U.D.			…	…	200
Felling U.D.	…	…	…	…	100
Chester-le-Street R.D.		…	…	…	500
Durham R.D.	…	…	…	…	400
Easington R.D.	…	…	…	…	800
Northumberland
Blyth B.	…	…	…	…	200
Ashington U.D.	…	…	…	…	50
Seaton Valley U.D.		…	…	…	236
Yorkshire, North Riding
Scarborough B.	…	…	…	…	100
Eaton U.D.	…	…	…	…	200

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the urgency of immediate housing needs, any steps are being taken to encourage the manufacture of other types of houses in addition to the Portal house; whether the many firms interested in the production of such houses are being asked to assist in supplementing the supply of the Portal house by the provision of other types; and whether arrangements will be made to enable Members of this House, local authorities and the general public to see for themselves the various types of manufactured houses which can be made available.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the discussion which took place in this House on 26th September on the resumed Second Reading of the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Bill.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what supply of building labour it is estimated will be available to deal with works to be executed under private arrangements, such as war damage repairs, rebuilding and conversion, after providing the necessary labour force for the Government's building programme.

The number of building and civil engineering operatives available at 1st September, 1944, for work other than Government new work and maintenance is estimated to have been about 215,000. It is hoped that this number will be hi-creased by the end of the year. A large proportion of these men were, of course, employed on war-damage repairs to houses carried out by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether the smaller and medium-sized builders will be offered the opportunity of tendering for reconstruction and post-war housing contracts.

Yes, Sir. Small and medium-sized builders will certainly have an opportunity of tendering for contracts for post-war housing schemes or for the rebuilding of houses destroyed by the enemy which are carried out by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the 3,000 new rural cottages have been completed and occupied.

2,268 are completed and 1,958 occupied.

asked the Minister of Health why the Housing (England) Form of Orders and Notices Regulations which were signed on 2nd September have been made retrospective to 3rd August, 1944.

asked the Minister of Health the purpose and effect of the Housing (England) Form of Orders and Notices Regulations.

The Housing Act (Form of Orders and Notices) Amendment Regulations, 1944, amend the prescribed Form of Notice to owners, lessees and occupiers of the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order for the purposes of Part V of the Housing Act, 1936. The amendment was necessary in order to make the terms of the Notice an accurate statement of the law as amended by the Housing (Temporary Provisions) Act. This Act, which was passed on the 3rd August, 1944, enables me to confirm such an Order if submitted to me within two years of the passing of the Act without causing a public local inquiry to be held.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the present organisation of the available building resources for war damage in London is making the fullest use of man-power and technical skill and is calculated to give the quickest results in providing and maintaining shelter during the coming winter.

No, Sir. The matter is, however, being considered this week at conferences with the local authorities and other bodies concerned, held by Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve, who has been appointed by my Noble Friend the Minister of Reconstruction, at the invitation of the Minister of Works and myself and with the concurrence of the Minister of Labour and National Service, to concert the activities of all the various agencies, both Government Departments and local authorities. Sir Malcolm has already made certain important recommendations, on which provisional decisions have been taken, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government fully share his view of the need for speedy action. All practicable measures will be taken to this end and, if my hon. Friend would care to put down another question next week, I hope to be able to give him further information.

asked the Minister of Health the estimated cost of the huts proposed to be erected to meet the urgent housing shortage in the London area; for what period it is proposed to use these huts; and how the amenities to be provided compare with those of the Portal house.

The cost of the two types of hut under consideration for this purpose is about £100 on the average (exclusive of erection and equipment). The period of use will naturally depend on circumstances, but it is hoped that it will be quite short. The proposed equipment will have to be limited to essentials, and there is no comparison with the amenities of the emergency factory-made bungalow.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any estimate of the number of people in the London area rendered homeless by bombing; how many of these are now sleeping in rest centres or other similar accommodation;- and, in view of the hardship endured by many, what further plans he has for providing immediately sufficient shelter for the homeless.

It is impossible to form reliable estimates of the numbers of per- sons made homeless by bombing, but since the beginning of enemy attacks on London approximately 700,000 homeless persons have been billeted or rehoused by the authorities, rather more than 100,000 of these during the flying bomb attacks. At the present time there are about 400 persons accommodated in Rest Centres in the London Region. As to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to a question to-day by my hon. Friend, the Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Martin).

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the serious rise in the prices of small houses and house property during the recent years, he proposes to introduce any form of control so as to protect would-be purchasers from this particular form of profiteering.

As I have previously stated, I have been in consultation with the other Government Departments concerned on this matter. Although it does not appear that, in general, houses are changing hands at prices which are unreasonable in existing conditions, or which are disproportionate to the increase in building costs and of prices generally, there are instances of excessive prices having been charged and the position is undoubtedly one which gives rise to some concern. If there are indications of an increased tendency to charge unreasonable prices, I shall consider the matter further but I think that I shall be in a better position to consider the matter when the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee which is considering the allied problem of Rent Control is available.

asked the Minister of Production whether, as the housing situation is pressing in Northern Ireland, he will do everything in his power towards expediting the delivery of the required materials for the erection and repair of houses and provide as many temporary houses as possible for occupation at the earliest possible moment.

As regards permanent houses my right hon. Friend knows of no difficulty in the supply of materials to meet Northern Ireland's needs and he will continue to do all he can to allocate sufficient to cover the programme. As regards temporary houses it is not at present possible to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for Belfast, West (Mr. Beattie) by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works on 24th May last.

asked the Minister of Health under what authority a Public Assistance Committee -has the power to arrange for the disposal of children under their care by legal adoption, without the knowledge or consent of their responsible relatives.

The question of making an Order authorising the adoption of a child is one for the Court, and unless the Court decide to dispense with this requirement an Order may not be made without the consent of the parent or guardian, any person or body who has the actual custody of the child and any person who is liable to contribute to the support of the child. Where the child is being maintained by a Public Assistance Committee it is not necessary for the Committee, before giving their consent, to ascertain that the consent of the other persons concerned will also be given.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will now consider the modification of Control of Paper Order No. 36, of 7th November, 1941, prohibiting publication of local guide-books.

This and other similar restrictions effect an appreciable saving in paper, but as soon as the supply position improves they will be reconsidered.

asked the Minister of Health what was the average cost per out-patient and in-patient in the hospitals controlled by the L.C.C. and by hospitals controlled by the county councils of Lancashire, Leicestershire and Kent in the last complete financial year before the war.

Appended is such of the information requested by my hon. Friend as is available in respect of in-patients. He will see that I have included not only hospitals strictly so called but also public assistance institutions providing largely for the sick. I regret that no corresponding information is available as regards out-patients.The following information is extracted from Parts I and II of the Costing Returns for the year ended 31st March, 1938, published in 1939.

WEEKLY COST OF TREATMENT PER IN-PATIENT:
(A = including Loan Charges
B = excluding Loan Charges)
	A.		B.
	s.	d.	s.	d.
London County Council—
Average for 27 General Hospitals for acute cases.	69	2·7	68	6·2
Average for 6 General Hospitals for chronic cases.	50	4·1	50	0·7
Lancashire County Council-
Poor Law Hospital:
Park Hospital	92	9·9	66	10·2
Poor Law Institutions:*
Ashton under Lyne	37	5·2	36	11·2
Barton upon Irwell	23	7·7	23	7·7
Bury	24	10·2	24	5·6
Chorley	34	11·4	34	8·6
Clitheroe	44	1·4	43	2·2
Garstang & Wesham	20	11·8	20	11·8
Haslingden	29	8·1	27	7·6
Ormskirk	26	7·1	26	3·0
Leicestershire County Council—
Poor Law Hospital:
Bosworth Park Hospital	53	6·2	42	9·6
Poor Law Institution;*
Market Harborough	37	2·4	32	10·0
Kent County Council—
Poor Law Institution:*
Bridge	22	5·5	22	5·5
Chatham	42	3·4	39	9·9
Coxheath	30	4·4	26	9·0
Dartford	48	7·6	45	4·9
Dover	45	4·4	37	1·4
Eastry	36	6·6	36	5·4
Farnborough	45	11·6	42	5·1
Faversham	29	4·1	28	1·7
Herne Common	47	5·3	45	0·9
Hothfield	26	2·2	25	8·8
Lyminge	29	1·4	28	0·1
Mailing	25	5·8	25	5·8
Milton Regis	22	3·6	21	8·6
Minster in Sheppey	43	10·0	40	11·3
Minster in Thanet	31	0·9	36	9·5
Orpington	37	7·5	36	9·5
Pembury	43	1·9	38	7·8
Sundridge	27	0·1	24	7·5
Willesborough	25	8·7	23	3·0
* Where the number of inmate days in infirmary or sick wards exceeds 50 per cent. of the total inmate days.

asked the Minister of Health if he will assure the House that where existing conditions of service of attendants at mental institutions are better than those recommended by the Rushcliffe Committee in its third Report, that Report will not be used to depress conditions of existing personnel.

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to paragraph 79 Of the Report of the Rushcliffe Mental Nurses Sub-Committee, which recommends that nurses employed in mental hospitals and institutions when the Report was published should be given the option of accepting the Sub-Committee's proposals or of remaining on their existing scale of salary, emoluments and conditions of service. I have commended the Committee's proposals to the authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will investigate the possibility of opening a temporary maternity home in the Stroud valleys forthwith in view of the urgent need for this service.

The need for additional maternity accommodation in the Stroud Valley has recently been investigated, and I am informed that beds in institutions in the neighbourhood are reasonably adequate, combined with the domiciliary service of midwives in the district, to meet demands. As regards the proposal that a temporary Home might be opened, my hon. Friend will realise the extreme difficulty of undertaking the necessary building or adaptation works at the present time. I am writing to him more fully as to the particular case.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether the proposed Government plan for social security will extend to Northern Ireland.

Legislation giving effect to the scheme outlined in the White Paper on Social Insurance would be confined to Great Britain; but the Government of Northern Ireland have already announced their intention of introducing, a scheme of social insurance substantially corresponding to the new scheme in Great Britain. It will thus be possible to maintain the existing integration between the social insurance schemes of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as explained on page 63 of the White Paper.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will place in the Vote Office copies of a chart showing by diagram the various stages of acquiring land under the Town and Country Planning Bill.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health the number of school children evacuated since the beginning of the flying bomb attacks and the number who have returned since Government statements announced that the Battle of London had been won.

The number of schoolchildren evacuated since the beginning of the flying bomb attacks is estimated to be about 350,000. Precise information is not available as to the number who have returned, but it is estimated to be between 10 and 15 per cent. of those who went out. As reference is made in the Question to Government statements and was made on Tuesday to a statement by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, I should point out that in the course of his statement my hon. Friend specifically stated that attacks by flying bombs launched from aircraft might continue and that this form of attack could be carried on from airfields in the heart of Germany. He went on to say, and I am quoting his words:

"We cannot, therefore, as yet assure the public that flying bomb attacks will cease altogether."

asked the Minister of Health whether he will indicate the proportion of the revised billeting allowances attributable to rent, clothing, food, laundry and profit, respectively.

The revised billeting allowances are intended to cover the cost of maintenance of a child exclusive of cloth- ing and medical attention. In view of the different standards prevailing in different households it is not practicable to apportion each allowance under the headings specified by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will abolish the system of National Registration identity cards as soon as possible after the end of the war.

The National Registration Act, 1939, expressly provides that it will automatically expire on such date as may be declared by Order in Council as ending the emergency which was the occasion for its passing. The continuance of National Registration beyond that date would accordingly require fresh legislation. I am not at present in a position to express any view as to whether it is more desirable that it should expire or that it should continue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what number of young persons have since 31st January, 1939, to the last convenient date, been sentenced by courts of competent jurisdiction to three years' detention in Borstal institutions; what number of such persons so sentenced have been released without completing 15 months of such periods of detention; and what number of such persons so released have subsequently been convicted of offences triable on indictment.

I regret that it is not possible without searching each individual record to give the figures in the exact form asked for by my hon. and learned Friend. During the four years 1940 to 1943 4,654 young men were discharged from Borstal institutions, of whom up to 28th August last 1,614 or 34·6 per cent. had been reconvicted. Of the total discharges 3,879 had served 15 months or less and of these 35 per cent. had been reconvicted, 775 had served over 15 months and of these 34·3 per cent. had been reconvicted. It is satisfactory to find that, notwithstanding the dislocation of the Borstal system caused by the war, the authorities have succeeded during the past four years in restoring to honest citizenship more than six out of every ten youths committed to their care, a slightly higher proportion than in the preceding three years. The average period of training has steadily risen, and whereas in 1941 only 13 per cent. of those discharged had served over 15 months, during the last seven months of this year the figure had increase to 39 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the directions issued by the Regional Commissioner for the South-Eastern region have not been published as Statutory Rules and Orders, having regard to the fact that many of them may affect any inhabitant of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any Regulation has been made under Section 3, Sub-section (4) of the Rules Publication Act, 1893, exempting Regional Commissioners from the duty under Section 3, Sub-section (1) from sending to the King's Printer copies of orders or directions made by them under the Emergency Powers Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Regional Commissioners have made orders, directions and rules under the Emergency Powers Act which have not been sent to the King's Printer, despite the provisions of Section 3 (1) of the Rules Publication Act, 1893; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Directions to 53 inclusive, made by the Regional Commissioner for the South-Eastern area, have not been published as required by Section 3 of the Rules Publication Act, 1893.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the directions issued by the Regional Commissioner for the South-East area, under the provisions of Defence Regulation 16A were not sent to the King's Printer in order that these should be published as Statutory Rules and Orders, as provided by Sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Rules Publication Act, 1893.

The question whether directions issued by Regional Commissioners should have been published as Statutory Rules and Orders is among the questions raised in proceedings which are pending before the High Court at the instance of one of my hon. Friends, and it would not be right for me to offer any opinion on a legal question which is still sub judice. Local publicity was given in the localities affected to all Directions of a Regional Commissioner, for instance in the localities where restrictions on access to beaches were imposed. Notices were exhibited in these localities, and in view of the recent admission of visitors to the localities fresh notices have been put up. According to my information, there has been no failure to make such restrictions well known to all persons who live in, or come as visitors into, the localities in question and are liable to be affected by the Directions. I might add that in some cases the general publication might have given information useful to the enemy and Directions of this kind had often to be given at short notice and subsequently altered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the new electoral register will be available for use.

As I indicated before the Recess, I hoped that the new registration arrangements would be operative from 1st October, or shortly thereafter, though I warned the House that I could not be certain of this and unfortunately it has not been possible to work to this time-table. I am required by the Act of 1943 to fix one appointed day for the country as a whole, and accordingly can-not make the Order until I am reasonably satisfied that all Electoral Registration Officers will be in a position to compile the necessary registers on the occasion of an election. Without my going into detail, the House will appreciate that, in London particularly, as a result of the flying bomb attacks, a very heavy burden has fallen on the Electoral Registration officers, who are the employees of local councils, in connection with the arrange- ments for evacuation and with the amendment of the electoral records necessitated by the large number of electors who left London. All possible steps have been taken to augment the staffs and already there are signs of improvement, but I am satisfied that the earliest date from which the new arrangements could be expected to operate successfully is the 1st December, and I propose to make an Order fixing that date as the appointed day for the commencement of the new registration arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which war-time regulations and restrictions affecting his Department have already been rendered less onerous or totally abolished.

The following restrictions, with which the Home Office and Ministry of Home Security were concerned, have been totally abolished:

The Control of Maps Orders, which prohibited the acquisition of large-scale maps without a licence.

Defence Regulation 8 (3a), which prohibited the unauthorised possession of wireless receiving apparatus in road vehicles.

The Regional Commissioners (Powers of Detention) Orders, made under Defence Regulation 18BB, empowering Regional Commissioners to direct the detention of suspects.

The Aliens (High Frequency Apparatus Restriction) Order, 1940, which prohibited enemy aliens from having high frequency apparatus without the permission of the Secretary of State.

The Aliens (Protected Areas) Orders in so far as they declared the High Wycombe area, the Leighton Buzzard area, the Northampton area and the Stanmore and Northwood area to be Aliens Protected Areas.

Part of the Aliens (Movement Restriction) Order, 1940, including the obligation on occupiers of premises to report to the police particulars of foreigners staying in the premises.

The prohibition on liberation of racing pigeons without permission from the police under Defence Regulation 9 (2).

The Vessels on Inland Waters (Immobilisation) Order, 1940, which required the immobilisation of unattended vessels on any inland waters.

The Motor Vehicles (Control) Order, 1940, which required the immobilisation of unattended motor vehicles.

Restrictions imposed under Defence Regulation 16A.

Restrictions on visits to or residence in certain coastal areas (known as the Visitors' Ban).

All curfew restrictions on persons, vehicles, and places of public resort.

The requirements (which applied only in certain areas) upon owners of unlicensed cars to deposit car parts with the police.

The following restrictions have been rendered less onerous:

Control of High Frequency Apparatus Order. It is now open to any person, and not only limited classes, to apply for a permit to possess high frequency apparatus under that Order.

Removal of Direction Signs Orders. Any direction sign can now be exhibited except such as can be seen and understood by a low flying aircraft.

Aliens (Movement Restriction) Order, 1940. The hours of the curfew restriction imposed by this Order have been decreased during summer time.

Aliens (Firearms, etc., Restriction) Order. Chief officers of police have been given complete discretion whether to permit any foreigner to have any firearm, ammunition or explosive.

The Lighting (Restrictions) Orders made under D.R. 24. The black-out has been relaxed by admendment of these orders.

Restrictions imposed under Defence Regulation 16A. The restrictions on access to many beaches have been withdrawn.

The Camping (Restrictions) Order, 1940. Article 1 (i) of the Order, which prohibited camping anywhere within a 10-mile belt of the coast from Duncansby Head to Hengistbury Head, has been revoked. Camping may still be prohibited near important Service establishments, etc.

Fire Guard duties and Civil Defence duties have also been considerably relaxed.

Exemptions from the restrictions on foreigners have been granted to the following classes of persons:

Exemption from most of the main restrictions on foreigners has been granted to—

(a) Wives and minor children of foreign members of His Majesty's or Allied Forces.

(b) Foreign widows of members of His Majesty's or Allied Forces.

(c) British women who became aliens by marriage.

Nationals of all Allied States have been exempted from the main Aliens Movement Restrictions and the main restrictions on entry into Aliens Protected Areas.

All but a very small proportion of foreigners have been exempted from the Aliens (Movement Restriction) Order, 1940.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to state when Defence Regulation 18B will be withdrawn.

I am not in a position to say when the Regulation will be withdrawn, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on Tuesday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the reason why the Leicester City authorities decline to operate the master-switch system of higher illumination for street lighting which they have available for immediate use.

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that this is a matter within the discretion of the Leicester Corporation. I understand that the Corporation have preferred the lower of the new standards on the grounds that in their view that standard gives an adequate illumination and that it does not require to be extinguished on a warning.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the indifferent response by all concerned in the London area to the new facilities with regard to lighting restrictions; and whether he will take steps to encourage all the authorities in the London area to provide the maximum lighting which is permissible under the new dispensation.

The authorities concerned are fully alive to the advantages of installing higher standards of lighting in their streets; but substantial technical and practical difficulties are involved, and these are now receiving consideration in consultation with my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the written instructions or orders to the authorities concerned relating to the relaxation of the black-out were in the hands of such authorities for issue; and on what date notice of such relaxation was given to the B.B.C. and to the newspapers, respectively.

Circulars were issued on 9th September to Chief Constables and local authorities giving particulars of the relaxations due to come into force on 17th September and of the areas to which they would not in the first instance be applicable. Certain additional areas were mentioned in the Schedule to the Order published on 16th September and formal directions in regard to these areas were issued to Chief Constables on 15th September for communication to the public concerned. The Press and the B.B.C. were given an outline of the relaxations, without particulars as to areas, for publication on 7th September.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now abolish the blackout in all areas except those that may still be regarded as vulnerable areas.

The Government have announced their intention of abolishing the black-out throughout the country so soon as circumstances permit.

Grade.	1st January, 1944, to end of May.									From beginning of pay week in which 1st June, 1944, fell.
	Civil Defence Pay.			Service Pay.						Civil Defence Pay.			Service Pay.
				one yr.		two yrs.		three yrs.					one yr.		two yrs.		three yrs.
	£	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	s	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Party Member	3	18	6	1	6	3	6	7	0	4	0	6	4	0	8	0	12	0
Lorry Driver	3	18	6	1	6	3	6	7	0	4	0	6	4	0	8	0	12	0
or the local authority rate for their own lorry drivers, whichever is higher. (It is understood that on 1st January, 1944, the rates in London were generally from £4 5s. 6d. to £4 13s. 0d. on the (higher) local authority rate. They are now understood to be from £4 12s. 6d. to £4 16s. 0d.)
Skilled Party Member	4	15	6	1	0	2	0	3	6	4	17	6	2	6	5	0	7	6
Party Leader	5	3	6	—		—		—		5	5	6	2	0	4	0	6	0
Station Rescue Foreman (L.C.C.)	5	8	6	—		—		—		5	10	6	1	6	3	0	4	6
Party Supervisor	5	8	6	—		—		—		5	10	6	1	6	3	0	4	6
	or									or
	5	11	0	—		—		—		5	13	0	1	0	2	0	3	0
	(according to degree of responsibility).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the written instructions or orders to the Civil Defence services regarding the reduction in establishment were in the hands of the controllers concerned; and on what date the relative broadcast or speech was made.

Preliminary outlines of the plans for the Regions concerned were notified to Regional Commissioners for the information of local authorities The relaxations already made are the first stage in the process. Further relaxations must depend on changes in the strategical position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the weekly wages paid to the various sections of workers attached to the London heavy rescue squads from 1st January, 1944; whether any additional wage advances, or bonuses, have been given and, if so, what the amounts are and the conditions attached thereto.

The pay rates of men in the main grades in the Heavy Rescue Service in London since 1st January, 1944 (exclusive of Post War Credits) are shown in the table below:affected and to the Press on 6th and 7th September respectively. This notification was followed by a circular to the local authorities concerned on the 19th and a fuller Press announcement on the 21st.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the manner of announcing recent reductions in the Civil Defence services has caused apprehension that the Government's purpose is to disperse and abandon the whole Civil Defence organisation completely at an early date; and whether, therefore, he will make a statement on the future of Civil Defence.

No, Sir, I am not aware that the recent announcements have caused apprehension or have in any area brought the strength of the services below reasonable safety. On the contrary, the changes appear generally to have been welcomed. The scale of preparation has consistently been adapted to changes in the probable nature and scale of attack and further changes may be introduced as the situation permits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what power torch the people are allowed to use during the black-out when walking about the roads; and what power torch is allowed when the siren has been sounded.

There is now no restriction on the power of torches either before or after the siren has been sounded. save that the light must be emitted through a single aperture the area of which does not exceed that of a circle one inch in diameter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give as on the last convenient date the number of aliens detained under Article 12 (5A) of the Aliens Order, 1920, as subsequently amended, on the ground that their detention is necessary for the maintenance of public order.

On 22nd September there were detained on grounds of public order 45 aliens against whom deportation orders had been made but whose deportation would in present circumstances be impracticable or prejudicial to the successful prosecution of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a stoker in the R.N. and his wife, whose house was bombed in Nuneaton, who are now living somewhere in Scotland where the husband is stationed, and who are anxious to be electors in the Parliamentary division of Nuneaton, can, under the Regulations, achieve their object by giving the address of their old house, which has since been repaired and is occupied by other persons.

Under the new registration arrangements, a civilian can only qualify to vote for the constituency containing the address for which he or she is registered in the National Register. Accordingly in the case mentioned if the wife is resident in Scotland she could only be qualified in respect of her Scottish address. A member of the Forces should declare to the address at which he would be residing but for his service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the hardship caused by the application of the Police Pensions Act, 1921, to those police inspectors already then serving who were engaged upon more favourable terms both as to pension and length of service, he will introduce some amending legislation to regularise the position of officers so adversely affected.

Police officers serving at the time the Police Pensions Act, 1921, came into force fell into two classes—those who had been serving in a police force before 1st July, 1919, and those who had joined after that date. As regards the first class, the Act specifically provided that the scale of ordinary pensions applicable immediately before the commencement of the Act should continue to apply to them unless they gave written notice to the contrary. As regard the second class, it has to be borne in mind that the changes effected by the Police Pensions Act, 1921, were only part of the general measures of reform flowing from the recommendations made by the Committee on the Police Service under the chairmanship of Lord Desborough; and, in applying these changes to new recruits, it would have been inequitable to have made an arbitrary distinction between men who joined the police service after the coming into force of the Police Pensions Act and those who joined in the period between the Desborough Report and the coming into force of the Act. Parliament accordingly enacted that, for the purpose of distinguishing between men with substantial service and new entrants, the dividing point should be the date of that part of the Desborough Report which contained the recommendations on this subject, namely, 1st July, 1919. I am unable to find any grounds on which I should be justified in introducing legislation for the purpose of amending this provision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement as to conditions of service of personnel serving in the N.F.S.; and particularly whether the men will qualify for pension under the present police regulations.

The conditions of service of the members of the National Fire Service are governed by the National Fire Service (General Regulations)–1944, and in particular by the Third Schedule to the Regulations. Police Regulations do not apply to members of the National Fire Service, but I presume that my hon. Friend has in mind the question whether benefits similar to those conferred on the police by a recent amendment of the Police Regulations will be extended to those firemen who were formerly members of a police force or of a regular fire brigade having pensions provisions similar to those of the police. I have this question under urgent consideration and will be happy to inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the inconvenience of Summer Time to the farming community, he will consider the discontinuance of it during the winter months, or at the earliest moment.

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the extension of Summer Time throughout the winter months was adopted for war-time reasons, and experience has shown that this measure makes a substantial contribution to production and to the maintenance of the war effort. The time has not yet arrived when any slackening of effort to meet the needs of the Armed Forces can be justified, but the matter will, of course, be reconsidered as soon as these paramount war-time considerations cease to operate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now make any statement concerning the continued detention of British subjects without trial.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is proposed to introduce legislation to deal with the question of tabling Regulations and Orders.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct war agricultural executive committees to advise firms and stockbreeders that no child under 12 years of age should drive cattle or other animals on the roads unless he is actually assisting his parents in the driving of their own cattle.

The employment of children under the age of twelve is prohibited by the Children and Young Persons Acts except in a few areas where local education authorities have exercised their power to make byelaws allowing the employment of children under 12 by their parents or guardians in light agricultural work. I have no information to suggest that the statutory prohibition is being disregarded, but if my hon. and gallant Friend has information to the contrary perhaps he will send me particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys and how many girls over 17 years old are in the voluntary charitable homes registered at the Home Office; for what purpose they are there and what work they perform; and whether they receive wages in accordance with the recommendations of the Hetherington Committee.

The voluntary homes required to send particulars to the Home Office are those which maintain children and young persons under 17, but according to the returns furnished last year there were in these homes 4,436 girls aged 17 or over. These figures include some who are physically defective, others who are educable mental defectives, and others who go out to work as wage earners. They also include a number who are engaged in domestic work or laundry work in the homes. These, for the most part, will be in homes for adolescent girls to which they are admitted for training. Much of the work therefore forms part of the girls' training. The returns furnished to me do not contain information as to the wages paid for work of this character.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the nature, quantity and value of the clothing advertised for sale by tender by the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District on 31st August.

This advertisement related to the sale of clothing and other articles of Metropolitan Police equipment of over no kinds which will be condemned during the year commencing 1st October as worn out and of no further use for police purposes. Their number and value is not therefore known now. The amount received annually in recent years has varied from £5,000 to 135,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in considering any amendments to the Shops Act, 1928, he will provide for a limitation of the working hours of employees, as the early closing of shops does not necessarily mean that assistants are then free to leave the premises.

I have noted my hon. Friend's point as one of those which will require consideration in connection with any amendment of the Shops Acts. As stated in the reply given on Tuesday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Coventry {Captain Strickland) the question of what is the most speedy and effective method of exploring the various issues arising in connection with this subject is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, owing to the easing of the war situation, he will make arrangements whereby the issue of travel permits between Great Britain and Northern Ireland can be extended, as many cases of great hardship could be obviated by wider travel facilities.

It is the Government's intention to reduce the restrictions upon travel between Great Britain and Ireland to a minimum as soon as circumstances permit, but I regret that the time has not yet come for any major alteration of the present system. Permits are at present granted for visits to parents, children, husbands or wives who have established homes in Northern Ireland or Eire, for visits to attend a funeral of a near relative or to see a near relative who is dangerously ill and for business of national importance recommended by a Government Department, chamber of commerce or other recognised trade association. Applications for exceptional treatment on compassionate grounds, where it is claimed that substantial hardship would be caused if facilities were withheld, are sympathetically considered, and if my hon. Friend will send me details of any cases which he has in mind in which hardship has been caused by the refusal of a permit, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now make a statement on the Exchequer grant payable to the Wolverhampton Town Council in respect of the borough police force and which is still withheld.

In answer to a question by my hon. Friend on 8th June, I explained that I had decided to withhold from Wolverhampton the half yearly instalment of the Exchequer grant in aid of their police expenditure, amounting to £13,000, because I was not satisfied that the police force was at that time efficiently maintained and properly administered. I have now reviewed the position, in the light of a report submitted by H.M. Inspector of Constabulary following a special inspection of the borough police force, and I am glad to be able to say that I have felt able to authorise the payment to Wolverhampton of the sum in question.

asked the Minister of Pensions if, in view of the large number of children orphaned by the war, he can make any statement as to the extent to which adoption is being encouraged.

—	Childless Wife.	Wife with Children.	Children.
			(a) (b) (c)
	s. d.	s. d.	s. d. s. d. s. d.
Bermuda	21 6	21 6	9 6 8 6 7 6
Jamaica	15 6	18 6	8 6 each child.
Trinidad	15 6	18 6	8 6 each child
Barbados	15 6	18 6	8 6 each child
			(a) (b) (c)
Remainder of Caribbean Area	14 11	14 11	6 4 5 8 5 0
Gibraltar	17 0	20 0	8 6 each child.
Malta	15 6	18 6	8 6 each child
Palestine	15 6	18 6	8 6 each child
Cyprus	15 6	18 6	8 6 each child
			(a) (b) (c)
Ceylon	12 6	12 6	4 9 4 3 3 9
			(a) = 1st child.
			(b) = 2nd child
			(c) = 3rd child and subsequent children.

The comparable United Kingdom weekly rates are:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received

The policy of my Department as regards adoption of war orphans was stated in the reply to a question by the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) on the 20th July, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the wives and dependants of Jamaican and other colonial soldiers serving in the war reecive the same allowances as are paid to the dependants of British soldiers; and, if not, what are the allowances to the families of colonial serving soldiers.

The rates of family allowance payable in respect of the wives and children of Colonial soldiers vary in accordance with the standard of living in the country where the families live. Following are details of the various rates:any reports on the effect of the current war on the British and Dominions cemeteries of 1914–1918 in France and Belgium.

Pending the resumption of their work in France and Belgium by the Imperial War Graves Commission, arrangements have been made for the Army Graves Registration, Units in the course of their duty to inspect cemeteries of the late war. The information so far received is that their general condition is satisfactory but reports on individual cemeteries are expected shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the impracticability of dealing with damage done to commons during the war by the Services, by claims for compensation made by the lord of the manor and the commoners; whether, in view of the public interest in commons as open spaces, as an alternative to the payment of compensation, arrangements can be made by the Service responsible for the damage, to take steps, when hostilities case, to restore to their former state, as far as is practicable, the damaged commons as open spaces and grazing grounds.

The difficulty of formulating claims under the Compensation (Defence) Act in respect of Common Land is appreciated: the public interest in commons as open spaces is also appreciated and His Majesty's Government has under consideration the question of rehabilitation of such land.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether our troops in West Africa have had any visits from E.N.S.A. performers; and, if so, can he state the approximate number of such visits.

E.N.S.A, supply a regular service of concert parties to West Africa, each party consisting on the average of seven members. Earlier in this year the number of parties maintained in the Command was five. This number was temporarily reduced owing to the recent travel restrictions, but I understand that by the beginning of November there should be three parties working in West Africa, to be followed by a fourth. In addition to the provision of concert parties, an individual star performer will shortly visit the Command.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made for the accommodation of soldiers' families returning from overseas; whether married quarters are available for those who desire them; and what steps are taken to bring to the notice of soldiers returning to this country arrangements for the accommodation of their families in married quarters or elsewhere.

A considerable number of quarters is held in reserve in various parts of the country to meet the needs of families returning from overseas. Before the families leave the station overseas they are asked whether they have arranged for accommodation or whether they wish to have a War Department quarter allotted to them. An officer meets them as soon as they arrive in this country and completes the arrangements. As far as I am aware every request for married quarters has been met. In the past the married quarters have been provided temporarily in order to enable the family to find other accommodation No family has ever been evicted from such quarters, but in view of the increasing difficulty of finding other accommodation instructions have now been issued that the quarters need no longer be allotted for a limited period. In cases where families find that the private accommodation which they have obtained is unsuitable or ceases to be available for them War Department quarters are allotted provided that application is made within two months of landing in this country and that no other suitable accommodation can be found.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to increase the pay and allowances to all our Forces fighting Japan, so as to make them equivalent to those received by our Dominion Forces and those of the U.S.A.

The increases in pay and allowances are set out in Command 6553 which was published on Friday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent hospital treatment is now being given near their homes to wounded men from the front; and whether he is aware that in many cases parents have still to travel long distances to wounded relatives.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friends the Members for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) and Down (Viscount Castlereagh) on 26th September.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the officers of the Allied Forces, on the spot, appointed as mayor of the liberated German town of Kornelimunster a leading member of the Nazi Party; whether this policy is to be pursued; and whether he will give an assurance that no member of the present German Government will be appointed by the Allies to responsible positions inside liberated Germany.

This is a matter for the Supreme Allied Commander. He has had clear directions which provide that all leading Nazis shall be removed from any position of authority in conquered Germany and excluded from such positions in future. I understand from S.H.A.E.F. that the individual in question was not a leading Nazi—indeed there is no evidence that he was ever a member of the Nazi Party.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his Department have decided definitely upon their policy on the construction of transatlantic civil aerodromes, particularly with regard to the North-west; and has the Association of Municipal Corporations been so informed.

A final decision in this matter has not yet been taken. The Association of Municipal Corporations are aware of the position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as many pianos have been destroyed through enemy bombing and compensation for same will be fixed at pre-war rates, he will take steps to have prices fixed for the several makes of pianos in order to bring them into line with the compensation to be paid.

Compensation for private chattels destroyed by enemy action is based not, as the hon. Member suggests, on pre-war values, but on the value of the articles at the date of the loss. The Central Price Regulation Committee are at present considering the question of a maximum price Order for pianos, and I am expecting to receive recommendations from them on this subject shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give specific details of defects in the Commodity Standard which has operated in this country since 1933, and upon which the Sterling Group is based comprising many other countries, which are the reasons for changing over to the proposals recommended by the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference recently held at Bretton Woods.

To deal fully with this Question would require more time than is now available, but I may say that since 1933 the monetary policy of this country and all other parts of the British Commonwealth in the Sterling Area has been on the one hand to maintain sufficient flexibility in the rate of exchange between sterling and other currencies to avoid a deflationary restriction of credit for monetary reasons, and on the other hand to avoid unjustifiable and undesirable exchange fluctuations and to preserve stability so far as this is consistent with the avoidance of deflation. The International Monetary Plan, as I understand it, seeks to extend very much the same principle over a wider area. It will be seen, therefore, that my hon. Friend's Question rests on a fundamental misapprehension. What is true is that the Plan recognises gold as a standard of value as must be the case in any plan concerned with the regulation of relations between gold-based currencies such as the dollar, and managed currencies such as our own, but that fact does not in any way justify the assertion that acceptance of the Plan would involve a return in this country to the Gold Standard. I endeavoured to make this point clear with respect to the Plan in its earlier form in the Debate on the 10th May last, and I am satisfied that there is no change in this respect in the Plan as it emerged from the Bretton Woods discussion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration to holding an inquiry into the various alternative plans to the Bretton Woods proposals as a basis of international trade before any decision is taken.

No, Sir. The Bretton Woods proposals are to be debated by the House, and I think that the matter should be dealt with in this way rather than by holding an inquiry of the kind suggested in the Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by the Universities Grants Committee in assisting the post-war capital and revenue requirements of the universities; and by what date he expects to be in a position to make an announcement about this subject.

During the summer the University Grants Committee have discussed with representatives of all the universities their provisional estimates of post-war needs. I understand that the Committee are actively engaged in considering recommendations to the Treasury as to the Exchequer assistance which should be provided towards meeting the additional expenditure, both annual and capital, which will be incurred in the postwar period. I hope to receive these recommendations by the end of 1944 or very soon thereafter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider scheduling the cost of artificial limbs, surgical appliances and wheel chairs as personal allowances for income tax purposes.

I am afraid that I cannot entertain my hon. Friend's proposal. Suggestions have been made from time to time in the past for special allowances in respect of expenses arising out of illness and disability. However much sympathy may be felt with such cases it has been necessary to adhere to the principle that the Income Tax cannot be adjusted so as to take into account in this way of the varying circumstances of individual taxpayers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what circumstances the contents of parcels sent to this country by persons serving in the forces overseas are subject to purchase tax.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Loverseed) on 26th September.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will set out in a table of figures indicating the precise basis upon which peacetime leave is granted to the various grades of employee in the Civil Service; showing separately the number of employees eligible for each period of leave; and stating the numbers of hours worked per week by employees in each grade.

There are in the Civil Service between 400 and 500 distinct grades of non-industrial employees, including over 100 grades special to the Post Office; and to collect in respect of all of these grades the information asked for in the Question would involve an expenditure of time and labour which would not be justified in war-time conditions.

I take it, however, that my hon. Friend has in mind chiefly the general classes (the so-called Treasury classes) which are employed on scales of pay common to the Service as a whole. The accompanying table sets out, for the main grades in these classes, the pre-war entitlement of annual leave, together with the hours which, in peace-time, each grade is normally required to work without payment for overtime. In practice London staff in junior grades worked for rather shorter hours than those shown, except in time of pressure. Provincial staff worked for the hours shown—or longer in times of pressure. No payment is made for overtime to senior grades (including all administrative, legal and higher executive grades) and many of them normally worked much longer hours than are shown. The numbers given for each grade are those employed at 1st April, 1939, but as the grouping for census purposes does not in all cases coincide with the grouping for leave entitlement, these figures must he regarded as approximate.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government after the war will approve the voluntary retirement of civil servants before reaching pensionable age and on a proportionate pension basis.

No decision has yet been taken on this matter, but it is receiving consideration, in common with various other matters affecting the post-war Civil Service.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will consider obtaining from India and publish in the autumn a Report on the working of welfare arrangements for the British troops in India and Burma.

Yes, Sir. After my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for India has completed his consultations with the authorities in India of which I informed the House yesterday, I propose to publish a full account of the welfare arrangements in the India Command for the information of hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the average supply of beer per head in the 14th Army; and what is the price charged.

The present scale of provision of beer for British troops in India generally is three quart bottles a month per man. Every effort is made to provide this quantity to troops of the 14th Army, but difficulties of transport on the Indo-Burma frontier are, of course, formidable. Most of this beer is locally produced and sells at 14 annas per quart bottle in Government canteens.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now make a statement regarding length and conditions of service of British troops in India; what reduction in terms of years does he propose to make; and whether welfare services have been extended and improved.

The period of service of British troops in India is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, and I would refer the hon. Member to the full statement which he made to the House on the 26th September. As regards conditions of service, I have nothing to add to the announcement made in the recent White Paper on additional financial benefits for members of the Forces. As regards welfare, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the House yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of British troops serving on the Indo-Burma front at the lack of amenities; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this complaint.

Welfare in South-East Asia Command itself is a matter for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War is responsible, though in existing circumstances South-East Asia Command is to a large extent dependent on the co-operation and assistance of the Government of India. So far as the Government of India's services are concerned I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the House yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the large amount of money spent on creating the Mauripur aerodrome, he will arrange for an all-weather road to be built from Karachi so that this aerodrome can be approached throughout the year.

My hon. Friend's suggestion has been brought to the attention of the Government of India, who, I understand already have it under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India what negotiations are in progress to revise the agreement between India and this country relating to the proportion borne by each of the cost of defending India against Japan and other enemy powers.

No such negotiations are in progress. Under the existing agreement India already bears the cost of the local defence against Japan.

asked the Secretary of State for India what communications respecting political issues arising from the Gandhi-Jinnah discussions have been addressed by these Indian leaders to the Viceroy; and whether the Viceroy and Governor-General will take steps to confer with them at the termination of their discussions.

I am not aware that any communication has at present been addressed by either leader to the Viceroy in connection with the discussions. Hon. Members will have seen the report in today's Press that the conversations have broken down. In the circumstances I should prefer to say nothing more until the situation is clearer.

asked the Secretary of State for India why the Army Order dealing with the registration of voters was not issued in India on the same day as the War Office issued A.F. B2626.

Copies of this Army Council Instruction were not available for despatch to India until after its issue by the War Office here, and as proofs were not available till 48 hours before its issue it was not possible to attempt simultaneous publication.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can yet state when it is proposed to announce the long-term agricultural policy of the Government; and whether he will give an assurance that the recommendations contained in the recent Report issued by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on a Scientific Policy for Agriculture will be given full weight in the drawing up of such policy.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." With regard to the second part, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the recommendations of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee will receive full consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any policy has yet been decided on regarding the return of unwanted airfields to agriculture especially in respect of the payment of the heavy cost in connection therewith.

No, Sir. The question is under consideration between the Departments concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the annual value of the poultry industry, he proposes to take any action to revive its prosperity and increase its development.

Some revival in the poultry population has already begun and the rate of development largely depends on the future general food and feeding stuffs situation. In the meantime I hope to announce shortly certain further measures for developing the production of sound breeding stock to meet the expected demands of post-war expansion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps have been taken by the reconstituted Agricultural Improvement Council to evolve effective machinery for assisting British farmers to take advantage of recent scientific discoveries connected with agriculture; and what plans, in particular, have been made by this council to provide for an adequate regional service.

Pending the establishment of a National Advisory Service, with which it will be closely associated, the recently reconstituted Agricultural Improvement Council will make use of the existing machinery for ensuring that promising results of scientific research are incorporated into farming practice as rapidly as possible. The main channels through which such knowledge is disseminated are the Ministry's Technical Development Committee, Technical Development Sub-Committees and technical staffs of County War Agricultural Executive Committees and the Provincial Advisory Service; and progressive farmers play an invaluable part in furthering the adoption by the industry generally of up-to-date methods of farming.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department has intimated any future policy for agricul- ture belonging to the Borough of Lytham St. Annes; and whether he can make a statement on the subject.

The answer to both parts of the question is: "No, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any statement to make with regard to the termination of the appointments of district commissioners and deputy district commissioners in Scotland.

Yes, Sir. In view of the present war situation and the adjustments which are being made in Civil Defence, the District Commissioners and Deputy District Commissioners in Scotland are demitting office on the 14th October. I have expressed to the Commissioners and their Deputies, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security and myself our deep gratitude for the invaluable services which they have given to the country during their tenure of office; and our thanks for the unselfish devotion they have given to a task always difficult and often thankless and for the admirable way in which they have helped to maintain an efficient civil defence organisation and to further generally the war effort in their district. I am sure that the House would wish to be associated with this expression of appreciation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether in connection with Treatment of Offenders (Scotland) he is yet in a position to announce the names of the members of the Scottish Advisory Council which he has decided to appoint to consider the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders.