asked the Minister of Labour what proposals he has for the housing in the London area of those persons engaged in the building trade who are brought to London for assisting in urgent reconstruction in that area.

Where not accommodated in lodgings these men will be housed in various premises adapted for use as hostels. Many such hostels are already in use and others will be provided as required.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Army personnel used to assist in the repair of bomb-damaged houses in the London region since the introduction of the fly-bomb.

Something over 2,500.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of Royal Navy personnel used to assist in the repair of bomb-damaged houses in the London region since the introduction of the fly-bomb.

2,000 personnel from the Royal Navy, including Royal Marines, have been continuously employed on the repair of bomb-damaged houses since mid-July.

asked the Minister of Health the number of agricultural workers' cottages erected and finished during the past 12 months.

During the twelve months ended 30th September, 1944, 2,325 houses in the war-time agricultural cottage scheme were completed.

asked the Minister of Health how many agricultural workers' cottages were scheduled to be built in each of the six North Wales counties; how many of these have yet to be completed; how many of those completed are not yet occupied; and why this is so.

The statistical information required by my hon. Friend is as follows:

County.	Number of cottages scheduled to be built.	Number yet to be completed.	Number completed but not occupied.
Anglesey	16	2	Nil
Caernarvon	26	10	4
Denbigh	30	2	Nil
Flint	16	Nil	Nil
Merioneth	12	10	Nil
Montgomery	26	22	Nil

I am informed that the reason why the four cottages in Caernarvonshire are not occupied is that sufficient applications have not been received from agricultural workers engaged in food production. Authority has now been given for application from other persons to be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to restore to their owners, for civilian occupation, the houses in Acton requisitioned by his Department which he recently handed over to the Office of Works and in which that Department have now revised their decision to house Italian prisoners of war.

I understand that the houses referred to will be offered to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health as they are no longer needed by the Ministry of Works to house Italian prisoners of war. He will no doubt consider whether they can be used to alleviate the shortage of houses.

asked the Minister of Health the area of land owned by his Department and local authorities in each of the years 1914, 1924, 1934 and on the latest date for which figures are available.

No land is owned by my Department. Figures are not available showing the amount of land held by local authorities, and my right hon. Friend does not think that in present circumstances he would be justified in asking authorities to furnish such returns.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the area of land owned by his Department in each of the years 1914, 1924, 1934 and on the latest date for which figures are available.

The area of land owned by my right. hon. Friend's Department in the years mentioned was as follow:

• 1914— 227 acres.
• 1924— 15,536 acres.
• 1934— 11,070 acres.
• At the present time— 14,071 acres.

Included in the above figures are certain lands which have been purchased by my right hon. Friend's Department, of which the title is for legal reasons vested in other Government Departments. Lands of which possession has been taken in exercise of the Minister's powers under Defence Regulation 51 are excluded, except where they have been subsequently acquired under Section 9 of the Agricultural (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1941.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the practice of the war agricultural executive committees to give preference to ex-Service men in the appointment of officials under their authority; and whether he is satisfied that this is made clear in Press advertisements of vacancies.

The Committees have been instructed to notify all vacancies on their staffs to the Ministry of Labour and National Service, which has made special arrangements for the registration of men discharged from any of the three Services. The names of any suitable ex-Service men who may be available, even if not fully qualified, are submitted by that Department for vacancies as they arise; there would, therefore, be no advantage in making specific reference to ex-Service men in the Press advertisements.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of domestic help on farms and the burden already borne by farmers' wives, he will arrange for trainees in agriculture to be accommodated in hostels and make use of the existing hostels now occupied by Italian prisoners of war for this purpose.

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the difficulties to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but my right hon. Friend must make use of every kind of accommodation suitable for trainees and cannot exclude the possibility of lodging some of them on farms where domestic conditions permit. The fullest possible use will, however, be made of available hostels.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make a statement regarding the system adopted for the men in the Forces who, on discharge from the Forces, are given a chit for a suit made out for a particular chain store tailoring concern; and whether he will consider giving the discharged Service man an option so as to enable him to choose his own tailor.

The contract for the supply of civilian suits to discharged naval ratings, which was placed with a tailoring firm with branches throughout the country, has been cancelled. Naval ratings on discharge are now given a voucher enabling them to obtain a civilian suit from any outfitter.

asked the Minister of Food if the Soap Substitute (Labelling and Prices Order), 1943 (S.R. and 0., 1943, No 638) is intended to restrict, by licensing the use of labels, those who are allowed to distribute soap substitutes to any particular category or class or group of distributors and manufacturers.

I am not quite clear as to my hon. Friend's meaning, although on the interpretation I think he intends the answer would be "No, Sir."

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give figures showing how the £221,000,000 to be spent on subsidies during the current financial year is divided up in respect of bread, milk, sugar, eggs, etc.

Since the figure of £221,000,000 was given by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food on 7th June, in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Heywood and Radcliffe, the forecast, which is revised monthly, has fallen to £214,000,000 per annum, largely on a revision of the estimates of shipping losses. This figure can be apportioned as follows:

Commodity.				Cost of Subsidy.
				£
Bread, Flour and Oatmeal				64,000,000
Meat	…	…	…	23,000,000
Potatoes	…	…	…	27,000,000
Eggs	…	…	…	15,000,000
Sugar	…	…	…	15,000,000
Milk	…	…	…	17,000,000
Cheese	…	…	…	3,000,000
Bacon	…	…	…	2,000,000
				£166,000,000
Other subsidies		…	…	48,000,000
				£214,000,000

asked the Minister of Food why instructions have been issued to milk retailers to reserve their supplies of milk from T.T. or attested herds for customers suffering from tuberculosis, children and persons holding priority certificates.

No instructions such as my hon. Friend mentions have been issued to milk retailers.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that in certain areas of Surrey there is a demand for milk from attested or T.T. herds which retailers say they cannot satisfy; and whether, in view of the large quantities of such milk produced in Surrey and Sussex, why retailers cannot Obtain sufficient supplies for all their customers who desire it.

I am not aware of any unsatisfied demand for T.T. milk in Surrey. If my hon. Friend will let me have the names of the milk retailers whom he has in mind I will see what can be done.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how long he estimates it will take to extend the provision of school dinners for all children over the whole of the Scottish schools, elementary and secondary respectively, coming under his Department.

When the accelerated programme aiming at the provision of midday meals to 75 per cent. of the school children in Scotland was launched in May, 1943, it was hoped that the objective would be reached in about three years. As the result of urgent claims on building labour, transport and certain articles of equipment brought about by war conditions, my right hon. Friend regrets that it is meantime not possible to say when the objective aimed at will be realised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the area of land publicly owned in Scotland in each of the years 1914, 1924, 1934 and on the latest date for which figures are available.

I shall send to my hon. Friend as soon as possible a statement showing the area of land owned by the Secretary of State for Scotland in connection with the work of the Departments for which he is responsible. Information as to the area of land owned by local authorities in Scotland is not available, and my right hon. Friend does not think that in present circumstances he would be justified in asking for it to be compiled. Information about land owned by Government Departments other than those for which my right hon. Friend is responsible is a matter for the appropriate Minister.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the ever increasing size of his Department, he will give an assurance that there will be a comprehensive survey of the whole structure before the end of 1944 for the specific purpose of enabling the Department to deal with the maximum amount of efficiency with the period of post-war trade.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given last Tuesday to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall (Sir G. Schuster). My aim is continuously to adapt the size and structure of my Department to the changing calls upon it, but always with due economy of manpower.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, having regard to the difficulty the public experience in getting footwear repaired, he has made it illegal, under S.R. & 0., No. 1060, to repair footwear without a licence.

Under this Order a licence is required only if the repairer repairs more than 15 pairs a week or was not carrying on the business between 1st June and 31st August, 1944. Materials for footwear repairs are very scarce and the postwar interests of repairers who have joined the Forces or who have been directed away to war work must be protected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is being done to provide permits for the installation of plant and machinery to improve working conditions in the textile trade.

Of the applications made by textile manufacturers for dust and waste removal plant in the last six months, ninety-three have been granted and only six refused.

asked the Minister of Production what releases of labour and capacity from war work have been made during the past three months, or other convenient period, to enable an increase in the production of civilian goods to be made for the home and export market.

No releases of labour and capacity from war work have been made specifically for the purpose stated in the Question. In general, labour and capacity released from war work have been and are still required for other war work.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will take steps to facilitate the visits of British industrialists who desire to proceed overseas for the purpose of reestablishing overseas trade.

Yes, Sir. It has been possible, particularly within the last two months, to arrange for the issue of exit permits and provision of transport facilities to a considerable number of business men desiring to proceed overseas to renew contact with export markets. Recently many export groups and trade associations have been informed of the readiness of my Department to consider applications made for exit permits with this object in view. Transport and other conditions do not permit of equal facility for travel to all countries which business men would like to visit. I am, however, anxious that the fullest use should be made of the facilities available.The Noble Lady was informed on the 27th September of the position as regards travel to countries still the scene of military operations or under military administration. But even in these cases my Department is prepared to receive applications with particulars of the grounds upon which they are made, in order that, as soon as conditions make travel possible, the delay involved in considering applications for the first time may be avoided.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps have been taken to bring to the attention of the Italian Government the deplorable treatment accorded to British prisoners of war, especially as regards diet and medical treatment, while they were in Italian custody.

At the time when British prisoners of war were in Italian custody repeated and urgent representations particularly on the subject of diet and medical treatment were made to Mussolini's Government. It is not considered that any useful purpose would be served by drawing the attention of the present Italian Government to misdeeds committed by the Fascist régime.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will now take the initiative in proposing the addition of a French representative to the European Advisory Commission.

The question of associating France with the work of the European Advisory Commission is at present under consideration between the three Governments whose representatives compose the Commission. I regret that I am therefore not in a position to make any further statement in the matter at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the institution of homes of a similar kind to Royal Naval and Royal Marines Orphan Homes for the reception of soldiers' children who may lose their parents or a parent.

In addition to the Duke of York's Military School and Queen Victoria's School a number of voluntary organizations receive soldiers' children who lose one or both parents. Thanks to these institutions there is, as far as I am aware, as much accommodation as is needed. If, however, my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular cases in mind I will gladly look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the present condition of a house, to which his attention has been drawn; and whether he can give an estimate of the amount of public money needed to restore it to the same condition as it was in before occupation by his Department.

I understand that the house itself is not in a bad state. The gardens have been neglected owing to the illness of the gardener and to the shortage of labour, and the drive has suffered severely from military traffic. I regret that the figure asked for by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he has refused a pension to the widow of No. S/6001 Staff Quarter-Master-Sergeant Williams, R.A.S.C., who died on service after 24½ years continuous service with the Regular Army.

As the death of the late Staff Quarter-Master-Sergeant Williams was not due to service, I regret that his widow is not eligible for a pension, either from the Ministry of Pensions or from the War Office, on account of the cause of his death. His rank and service were not such as to qualify his widow for a pension without regard to the cause of death.

asked the Secretary of State for War what Army ranks are granted to those officers who are now approved for release from service; and in what cases is permission granted for the wearing of uniform on ceremonial occasions.

Honorary rank equivalent to the highest rank held during the war subject to a minimum period of six months is granted to officers on being relegated to the appropriate Reserve, or to unemployment, or when their commissions are terminated, provided that they have rendered satisfactory service during the present emergency. The wearing of uniform during the war has been restricted for security reasons to serving military personnel. In certain exceptional cases which have been referred to the War Office, retired officers or officers released from the Army have been allowed to wear uniform for particular occasions. Each case is treated on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to bring home to all serving soldiers overseas the conditions under which they can send home quarterly parcels to friends and relatives without paying Purchase Tax and Customs Duty.

A letter was issued in August to all commands overseas instructing them to make it clear to all troops that the contents of parcels bearing a special label were not subject to Purchase Tax. The information was also given in Forces newspapers. Similar action was taken to inform all concerned that such parcels are not subject to customs duties. The contents of other parcels are liable to Purchase Tax and Customs Duties in the normal way and in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 26th September in answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Loverseed).

asked the Secretary of State for War if a soldier can communicate with his Member of Parliament without being punished provided that no military secrets are disclosed.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the procedure for the redress of grievances. This is laid down in King's Regulations, paragraph 530 and in Section 43 of the Army Act. I would also refer my hon. Friend to an interpretation of the regulations given by the then Secretary of State for War in a statement on 10th December, 1940.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the scheme of additional benefits for members of His Majesty's Forces with prolonged service during the present war, or a similar scheme, will cover Colonial Forces.

Appropriate War Service Increments are being authorised for the local forces raised in Malta, Gibraltar, Palestine and Cyprus. In other cases the local military commanders are being instructed to consult the Colonial Governors concerned and to submit recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to remove the concrete blocks, barbed wire and iron stakes from the shores of those holiday resorts from which the ban on entry has now been removed.

There is no longer any operational objection to the removal of temporary defence works. The provision of the necessary labour is another matter. Military authorities will remove dangerous objects and will give locally such other assistance as they can afford without prejudicing the completion of other necessary military undertakings. In the meantime there is nothing to prevent local authorities or others from undertaking removal themselves. The question of the payment of the cost falls to be considered under the provisions of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. The method of application of these provisions is under the urgent consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for War why a number of men from the Royal Artillery Depot, Woolwich, who had been assisting in repairing bomb-damaged houses, have been diverted to cleaning up West Ham dog-racing stadium.

Before the operations in France began this stadium was used as a transit camp. In order to provide protection for troops passing through the camp large masses of earth had to be moved. The stadium is no longer needed by the Army and the earth is being moved back in order to avoid the heavy compensation which would otherwise be payable. The work has been done by casual labour from among men from the Royal Artillery Depot, Woolwich, who are awaiting posting or drafting and the number of men provided for the repair of bomb damage has not, as far as I am aware, been reduced on this account. Many times the number of men employed on the work in this stadium have regularly been provided over the past months for clearing bomb damage.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the advantages enjoyed by members of the Navy and Air Force in respect of sick leave, plaster leave and short passes when in hospital and whether he will see that military personnel are given, the same advantages at least where they are in the same hospital as members of the other Services.

Experience shows that a soldier becomes fit for duty more quickly by a stay in an Army Convalescent Depot, where he is constantly under expert supervision, than by the grant of sick leave. A soldier in hospital is, however, given privilege leave under the normal rules if the hospital authorities are satisfied that he is fit to go on leave. Hitherto he has not been given leave on short pass for 48 hours, but I am arranging that in future such leave may be allowed at the discretion of the hospital authorities. I understand that the Navy and the Air Force do not provide convalescent depots for their personnel to the same extent as the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can now state an approximate date for the de-requisition of private and boarding-houses in the southeast part of Kent.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of dwelling houses in London and Greater London now occupied by troops or used for military purposes; how many of these have been vacated during the last six months; and whether, as some of the premises have been left vacated for many weeks and in view of the urgent demand for houses for civilian purposes, he will devise swifter means of enabling such premises to me transferred to the control of local authorities for re-housing purposes.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 25th July. The number of dwelling houses, including individual flats, at present held for military purposes in London and Greater London, is 3,851. During the past six months approximately 610 have been de-requisitioned or transferred to other Ministries. The position is being reviewed at the present time and every house which is not needed for military purposes will be released.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied with the living conditions obtaining in Mustapha detention barracks, Alexandria.

I am not aware of any grounds for complaint.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make on the granting of compassionate leave from the Middle East.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the communication forwarded to him on behalf of women relatives of troops now fighting overseas who were domiciled in Leyton and district; if he will state the arrangements for repatriation on domestic grounds of many soldiers in Cairo; how many applications from troops overseas had been received for this purpose; and whether similar consideration to those in Cairo are likely to be extended to troops in the Far East.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply I gave a number of hon. Members last Tuesday.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that his announcement that all branches of the Home Guard should be on a voluntary basis is warranted on security grounds.

If I had not been satisfied I would not have issued the instructions to which the hon. and gallant Member refers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is possible to make the canteen facilities of N.A.A.F.I. available for civilian employees engaged upon the sites occupied by Armed Forces.

The rules governing the use of N.A.A.F.I. canteens authorise General Officers Commanding-in-Chief, if they think it necessary, to give special permission to civilians employed on military service in barracks or camps or on War Department property to deal at these canteens.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of King's Corporals; how many have been created during the present war; what are the rules and conditions governing the rank, together with the award and privileges; and whether he can give a list of such King's Corporals together with the reasons for the appointment in each case.

Extensive investigations have failed to disclose any factual basis for the suggestion made from time to time that there is, or has been within living memory, any such rank as King's Corporal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the formation of officers' wings attached to the Army Rehabilitation Centres throughout the country, in view of the success of the scheme for other ranks, and the fact that no adequate similar facilities exist for the benefit of wounded officers whose need is as pressing.

Officers have received this treatment for some time either in the officers' wing of a military convalescent depot or in convalescent hospitals for officers. The accommodation thus afforded for rehabilitation is, I understand, adequate at present but in view of possible increased requirements more accommodation is being provided.

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities are available for the supply of religious films in overseas theatres of war; and if any steps are being taken to meet the demands of chaplains serving with His Majesty's forces in Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and the Gambia for a supply of religious films.

Investigations made in overseas theatres do not so far show that there is any appreciable demand for religious films. One chaplain in the Gold Coast has, I understand, written to a commercial firm about such films and inquiries are being made as to whether this represents any general demand in West Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the present rates of field and Colonial allowance paid to officers and other ranks serving in the Far East.

I have been asked to reply. With the exceptions referred to below, the only officers and other ranks on the British pay code at present serving in the Far East are those in Ceylon, Australia and New Zealand. There is no Colonial allowance for Australia and New Zealand. The rates in Ceylon are as follow:

		Daily
		s.	d.
Officers	…	3	9
W.O.I	…		11
W.O.II	…		8
W.O.III	…		8
Staff Sergeant	…		8
Sergeant	…		5½
Corporal and below	…		3

Field allowance is drawn by officers and warrant officers living in entirely unfurnished accommodation or under canvas. The rates do not vary at different stations and are as follow:

		Daily
		s.	d.
Majors and above	…	3	6
Captains	…	3	0
Subalterns	…	2	0
W.O.I	…	1	0
W.O.II	…		6
W.O.III	…		3

In theatres of operations where the majority of the personnel are serving under field allowance conditions a field allowance area may be declared and the allowance is then issued to all officers and warrant officers in the area, whatever the nature of their accommodation. In such an area any rates of colonial allowance in issue are reduced by half.Personnel of Missions, Military Attachés and their staffs and those serving in China receive consolidated allowances, station pay, or special China allowance which cover colonial allowance inter alia. They also draw field allowance when entitled.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the amount of money, including the Absent Minded Beggar Fund, which was raised by public subscription for the benefit of men who served in the South African War, 1899–1902; if any and how much of this money was handed to the Patriotic Fund Corporation; if any and how much is still in hand; and in what manner it is being utilised for relief of these war veterans.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Deritend (Sir S. Crooke) on 5th October.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that American business men desirous of proceeding to France for the purpose of trade matters have their visits facilitated by the grant of temporary military rank: and will he consider the same facilities in the case of British business men.

I would refer the Noble Lady to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 5th October to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward).

asked the Secretary of State for War why Hawaiian dollars have been issued as the currency for British New Guinea and other recognised British territories in the Pacific while Dutch East Indies guilders have been issued for Dutch New Guinea and other Dutch possessions.

I am advised that under arrangements made with the Australian Government Australian currency is being used so far as practicable in Papua and the Mandated Territory of New Guinea. It is also the intention to use the normal currency in territories formerly under United Kingdom administration. For security reasons, however, it has been necessary, in certain cases, to use dollars as a temporary arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that many German prisoners of war are in prison camps on Wanstead Flats, Stratford East; if he is aware that people living close to these camps have protested against them being there; and how long these Germans will remain in those camps.

The camps referred to by my hon. Friend are temporary, and I hope they will be closed by the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the present trend of production in the cotton-spinning trade in comparison with 12 months ago.

The recent level of yarn production is appreciably below that of the corresponding period of last year. The decline is due to the difficult labour situation in the main cotton-spinning towns and to the high rate of labour wastage.

asked the Minister of Supply if he has consulted with the Minister of Labour with a view to securing increased production from the cotton industry; and with what results.

Yes, Sir. There has been frequent consultation, and large numbers of ex-cotton workers have returned to the industry; but the numbers have been insufficient to offset the wastage, which is heavy owing to the high average age and the large numbers of women employees with domestic responsibilities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare, if he has any information as to the amount of the financial burden imposed by Germany upon each of the occupied territories, including those not yet relieved.

The table given below shows the estimated financial exactions in the form of occupation costs and clearing balances, etc., made by Germany in occupied countries. The total exactions are estimated up to the end of August, 1944, since that is thought to be the latest date at which Germany could have exacted the full amounts from those countries which are in process of liberation.In estimating the present rate, the already completed liberation of great areas of France, Belgium and Holland is taken into account, as far as statistically possible. Greece is omitted from the tables since the process of hectic inflation makes it impossible to convert German exactions into sterling. Poland, the temporarily occupied parts of Russia, Croatia and Slovakia do not appear in the table of occupation costs. In the case of the first two countries exploitation largely took the form of loot, the value of which cannot be assessed, and any mention of occupation costs alone—even if up-to-date figures were available—would minimise the actual extent of exploitation. No recent information is available concerning occupation costs levied in Croatia and Slovakia.No clearing balances are given for Norway, Serbia or Croatia. Information available suggests that only the Norwegian balance is of any magnitude; it is in favour of Germany, but includes the equivalent of imports into Norway for account of the "Wehrmacht." Italy, Hungary, Roumania and Bulgaria are not considered as occupied countries for the purpose of this inquiry, although they have made considerable financial contributions to the German war effort, and in Hungary occupation costs have been levied since March, 1944. Reliable information regarding the amount is not available. The annual rate in Hungary is, however, thought to be not less than md. R.M. (£75,000,000). In addition a German clearing debt of about 1 md. R.M. exists.Conversion into sterling has been effected by first converting national currencies into Reichsmarks at the present official clearing rates and then converting Reichsmarks into sterling at the rate of R.M. 13⅓ = £1.

Occupation Costs.
—	Total up to 31.8.44.		Present Annual Rate.
	md.RM.	mill £	md.RM.	mill £
France	35·3	2,648	0·7	53
Belgium	5·7	428
Holland	8·6	645	0·9	68
Denmark	1·8	135	1·1	83
Norway	7·4	555	1·7	128
Bohemia and Moravia.	1·8	135	0·3	23
Serbia	0·9	68	0·2	15
Total	61·5	4,614	4·9	370

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is intended to continue the regional offices of various Departments throughout the country.

I am not in a position to make a full statement, but there is no doubt that the efficient application of Government policy, and the maintenance of a proper service to the public, will require a number of Departments to maintain regional representation. I would refer my hon. Friend in particular to paragraph 30 of the White Paper on Employment Policy (Command 6527).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is now the practice of the War Damage Commission to require proprietors of war damaged premises to submit for approval, to the War Damage Commission, an estimate of the work to be undertaken before it is put in hand.

No, Sir. In the explanatory pamphlet, ROD. I, on the subject of cost of works payments which was published by the War Damage Commission in June of this year, the Commission announced a procedure under which the owners of war damaged properties or their professional advisers are advised, though not required, to consult and agree with the Commission, before the works of repair are executed, as to the work to be done and the price to be paid. For the present, this procedure is confined to cases where the works are likely to cost more than £250, as it would be impossible in present circumstances to make it universal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to reduce the waste of public expenditure due to the retention of idle personnel in munition factories.

I can assure my hon. Friend that the need for economy in this field is engaging the continuous attention of my right hon. Friends the Ministers responsible for the Supply Departments and the Minister of Labour. Detailed questions should be addressed to these Ministers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to introduce the legislation, recently promised, dealing with various matters relating to the rehabilitation of British industry.

I am not yet in a position to say when the necessary legislation will be introduced. The detailed working out of the proposals is in hand and consultations on the subject are taking place with representatives of industry and the accountancy profession.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that payment of Customs Duties on parcels remitted by men in the Armed Forces serving overseas has aroused considerable dissatisfaction; and whether he is prepared to admit such parcels without payment of duty.

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 Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the general feeling in the services that the freedom from Purchase Tax and Customs Duty of four parcels a year from the troops in the Middle East is inadequate, he will waive the Purchase Tax on all parcels sent to their families by these troops.

As I explained to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Lover-seed) on 26th September, I regret that I cannot agree to provide unlimited freedom from Purchase Tax for parcels from the Forces overseas. The concession to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, which permits any member of those Forces, wherever stationed, to send home each year goods to a value of £8 free of Customs Duty and Purchase Tax, was designed to enable Servicemen abroad to send presents from time to time to their families and Friends. When it is remembered that no one is privileged to obtain British-made goods tax-free, this concession is, in my judgment, adequate for its purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether consideration has been given to the owners of business premises who have constructed air raid shelters for the protection of their tenants and who are being charged Income Tax on the tenants' repayment of the cost, since the Government grant of 7s. in the £ towards the cost was a contribution towards the loss by the owner through vacant premises and interest on the outstanding capital.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my predecessor gave to a similar question asked by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Salisbury (Major Morrison) on 2nd February, 1943, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider in his next Budget the case of elderly single men and women of 70 years of age and upwards now in receipt of pensions of £150 to £160 per annum who cannot claim old age pensions and who find the present Income Tax a heavy burden; and, if he cannot reduce the Income Tax, will he consider making an extra allowance equivalent to the amount of the tax.

I am afraid that I could not see my way to entertain my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state for the three months to 30th September, 1944, the amount of Treasury deposit receipts cashed before maturity and the approximate total of each form of Government loan to which the proceeds of such encashments were applied.

Following are the figures in continuation of the statement which I gave to my hon. Friend on 7th July, 1944:Repayments of Treasury Deposit Receipts before maturity in the three months ended 30th September, 1944, £115,000,000.Loans to which proceeds of encashments have been applied:

		£ millions
Savings Bonds	…	27
National War Bonds	…	19
Tax Reserve Certificates	…	68
Post Office Issues	…	1
		115

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of 3 per cent. Terminable Annuities, created in exchange for loans to His Majesty's Exchequer, held on zoth November, 1943, and included in the figure of £59,723,580 reported in the Annual Return of Trustee Savings Banks and Friendly Societies, issued by the Treasury on 16th February, 1944, as representing annuities for terms of years; whether, in future returns of the Trustee Savings Banks, information relating to 3 per cent. Terminable Annuities can be quoted separately as in the Annual Return of the Post Office Savings Banks; and what are annuities for terms of years.

The amount of capital outstanding in respect of 3 per cent. Terminable Annuities created for the purpose named and included in the figure mentioned was £59,635,459. The reply to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative. Annuities for terms of years are annuities of which the principal is repayable by instalments spread over the terms specified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state, for the quarter ended 30th September, 1944, what were the separate average daily amounts of Treasury bills, Ways and Means advances by the Bank of England, ways and means advances by public Departments and Treasury deposits by banks; and what amount of the total of Ways and Means advances by public Departments outstanding on 30th September, 1944, was free of interest.

I append figures of the average daily amounts outstanding for the quarter ended 30th September, 1944, in continuation of the statement which I gave to my hon. Friend on 7th July last.

	£000
Treasury Bills	3,600,058
Ways and Means Advances:
Bank of England	6,266
Public Departments	459,619
Treasury Deposit Receipts	1,461,750

The amount of Ways and Means advances by public Departments outstanding on 30th September, 1944, free of interest was £233,330,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state for each six months during the 18 months ended 30th September, 1944, what amount of the interest charge on the National Debt as recorded in the Treasury's weekly return of revenue and expenditure was respectively for floating debt, other internal debt and external debt; and what were the separate figures for the same half years in respect of interest on Treasury bills, Ways and Means advances, Treasury deposits by banks, National Saving certificates and Tax Reserve certificates.

The figures are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of Tax Reserve Certificates, including accrued interest thereon, was applied to revenue payments under the following separate headings during the three months to 30th September, 1944: Income Tax, Sur-Tax, National Defence Contribution, Excess Profits Tax, Land Tax and War Damage Contribution.

The total amount of redemptions of Tax Reserve Certificates, including accrued interest thereon, applied to tax payments during the three months to 30th September, 1944, was £69,249,000 made up as follows:

	£000
Income Tax	4,558
Sur-tax	101
National Defence Contribution	3,219
Excess Profits Tax	60,779
Land Tax	1
War Damage Contribution	591
	69,249

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the net receipts from Stamp Duty for each six months during the 18 months ended 30th September, 1944, under the following four headings; English cheques; Scottish cheques; Bills of Exchange and Promis- sory Notes; and Scottish Bankers' Bills and Notes.

The net receipts from Stamp Duty for the half-year ended 31st March, 1943, and for the half-years ended 30th September, 1943, and 31st March, 1944, in respect of English cheques, Scottish cheques, Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes, and Scottish Bankers' Bills and Notes were given in reply to a question by my hon. Friend on 6th July. The corresponding figures for the half-year ended 30th September, 1944, are estimated to be:

Cheques:
England	£1,481,000
Scotland	£154,000
Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes	£41,000
Bankers Bills and Notes:
Scotland	£123,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the extra cost above the proposals in the Social Security White Paper of raising old age pensions to 30s. per week per person as a minimum without a means test.

To give an old age pension of 30s. to every man of 65 or over and to every woman of 60 or over would cost about £460,000,000 a year initially. This figure exceeds by about £250,000,000 the estimated initial cost of retirement pensions and assistance pensions under the proposals contained in the White Paper on Social Insurance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state in round figures what amount of the revenue recorded in the published Returns for

Head of Duty			Six months ended 30th September, 1943.	Six months ended 31st March, 1944.	Six months ended 30th September, 1944 (provisional).
			£000	£000	£000
Beer	…	…	137,200	132,400	149,900
Spirits	…	…	35,700	41,200	29,100
Wine	…	…	900	1,400	1,400
Tea	…	…	5,500	4,900	5,100
Tobacco	…	…	190,900	197,400	186,500
Sugar	…	…	14,100	17,700	14,200
Oil	…	…	36,200	48,000	57,300
Entertainments	…	…	20,900	22,500	22,900
Purchase Tax	…	…	44,500	47,200	47,100

The "McKenna" duties were repealed as from 20th August, 1938, and the goods affected were brought under the provisions of the Import Duties Act, 1932.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make regulations to provide that persons selected by Service voters to act as their proxies at the next General Election shall be entitled to exercise such votes as absent voters if circumstances would entitle them to vote as absent voters if they were themselves voters in their own right in the constituency involved.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to Regulation 24 (1) of the Electoral Registration Regulations, 1944, which effects the object he bas in view.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the unsatisfactory position of water supplies in rural areas, he will form a consultative committee of representatives of the Chief Engineers of Catchment Boards and Water Engineers of public and private water undertakings to make a complete survey of water conditions in the various catchment areas, obtaining, where necessary, the advice of the British Waterworks Association; and ask this consultative committee to make a preliminary report each six months during the 18 months ended 30th September, 1944, represented receipts from customs and excise combined under the following ten headings: beer, spirits, wine, tea, tobacco, sugar, oil, entertainments, purchase tax and McKenna duties.

The information is as follows:which would be available to Parliament before legislation concerning rural water supplies is introduced.

It is intended that the Inland Water Survey Committee shall recommence its work as soon as conditions permit. This Committee includes representatives of the bodies to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers and I do not think it necessary for me to form another committee which would duplicate its work in relation to the measurement of water resources. I would also refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 5th October to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lewes (Rear-Admiral Beamish) and on the 24th February to my hon. Friend the Member for The High Peak (Mr. Molson).

asked the Minister of Education if he will give a list, by administrative counties, of those county districts, distinguishing between boroughs and urban districts, which were eligible by population on 30th June, 1939, or school roll on 31st March, 1939, to be excepted districts if a claim to that effect was made before 1st October, 1944; and will he indicate which of these districts have, and which have not, made such a claim.

Following is a list of those boroughs and urban districts which, under

			Boroughs	Urban Districts
Bedfordshire	…	…	Luton
Cambridgeshire	…	…	Cambridge
Derbyshire	…	…	Chesterfield
Dorset	…	…	Poole
Durham Co.	…	…	Stockton-on-Tees	*Stanley
Essex	…	…	Barking	Hornchurch
			Dagenham	Thurrock
			Ilford
			Leyton
			Romford
			Walthamstow
Hertfordshire	…	…	Watford
Kent	…	…	Beckenham	Chislehurst and Sidcup
			Bexley
			Bromley
			Gillingham
Lancashire	…	…	Widnes
Middlesex	…	…	Acton	Enfield
			Brentford and Chiswick	Harrow
			Ealing	Hayes and Harlington
			Edmonton
			Finchley
			Hendon
			Heston and Isleworth
			Hornsey
			Southgate
			Tottenham
			Twickenham
			Wembley
			Willesden
Staffordshire	…	…	Newcastle-under-Lyme
Surrey	…	…	*Epsom and Ewell	* Carshalton
			*Mitcham	*Merton and Morden
			*Sutton and Cheam
Sussex, West	…	…	Worthing
Wiltshire	…	…	Swindon
Worcestershire	…	…	Oldbury
Wales
Glamorgan	…	…		Rhondda

All the above Boroughs and Urban Districts have lodged a claim to become excepted districts with the exception of those marked with an asterisk.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the total tonnage of coal that has been exported since 6th June; and whether he is satisfied that the home demand is being adequately met in spite of this export.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the figures for the second and third quarters of this year, which will be published in due course in continuation of Table 23 of the Statistical Digest (Cmd. Paper 6538). The

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works the amount of coal produced from the surface excavations on the Town Moor, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and the amount spent on this work up to the present.

The expenditure, which is mainly on preliminary work, to the end of August was £12,747. The production of coal, started after the 3rd Septem- ber, was 2,767 tons. The contract stipulates for a weekly output of 5,500 tons when in full production.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider increasing the allocation of coal for the coming winter to households having no alternative fuel for cooking purposes.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the lengthy reply I gave him on this subject qn 23rd November last, in which I explained that there is no specific allocation or ration of coal for each household, and dealt with the position of houses not provided with gas or electricity. The general allocation of coal to merchants in areas not provided with gas and electricity is higher than in other areas, and merchants are responsible for distributing their available supplies in accordance with the varying requirements of their individual consumers within the restrictions prescribed from time to time. If the permitted amounts prescribed are inadequate for the genuine needs of premises without gas and electricity, the occupier should apply to his Local Fuel Overseer for a licence to obtain additional supplies.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the extent to which American coal cutting and other machinery is now being utilised in the mines of this country.

American coalmining machinery of various types is at work at 17 collieries and machinery of American type manufactured in Great Britain at eight other collieries. Schemes for the use of American machinery have been approved or are being planned in respect of a further 42 collieries.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in order to increase coal production, he will seek the release of additional ex-miners from the Armed Forces.

Additional applications for release from ex-underground workers in coalmines and volunteers for training for underground work in coalmines are being invited from the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. All men will have the opportunity to see the revised conditions governing eligibility for release and all applications must be made by the men to their Commanding Officers. Additional ex-underground workers are also to be released from the Royal Air Force. The terms under which applications may be made are now under consideration but no applications should be made at present. It is not proposed to vary the conditions at present governing releases from the Army. More than 7,000 'releases (ex-underground workers and volunteers for training) have been effected since November, 1943, but there are not likely to be many further releases.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many mineworkers receive coal, either free or at special rates, as part of their remuneration.

In the latest period for which full figures are available, approximately 425,000 miners received coal, either free or at special rates, as part of their remuneration. In addition, 63,000 ex-miners or their families, and 17,000 officials, clerks, etc., received free or cheap coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the average pithead price for the country as a whole at which coal is supplied by the collieries to mine workers who obtain their coal free or at a special rate as part of their remuneration.

Separate particulars of the cost to miners only is not available, but the price per ton received by collieries in respect of all free and concessionary coal averaged 4s. 8d. in the year 1943 and 4s. 11d, in the first quarter of 1944.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the total tonnage of coal currently supplied to mineworkers, either free or at special rates, as part of their remuneration; and what is the total sum, excluding cartage, received in respect of this tonnage.

The total tonnage of coal supplied to mineworkers, either free or at special rates, as part of their remuneration was recorded for the last complete year for which figures were available, as 3,800,000 tons. In addition 400,000 tons were supplied to ex-miners or their families, 140,000 tons to officials, clerks, etc., and 200,000 tons to other regular employees of colliery undertakings The total amount received by collieries in respect of all concessionary coal was £1,007,000 in the year 1943. Separate information in respect of coal supplied to miners only is not available.