asked the Minister of Education how many war-time nurseries for children of two to five years of age are being run by his Department; how many children are in them; what is the ratio of staff to children; the estimated gross cost per child per week; and the number of mothers who are released for war work.

In the month ending 30th September, 1944, there were 784 war-time nursery classes attached to infant schools providing accommodation for 38,850 children between the ages of two and five. In addition, 396 ordinary nursery classes had been extended to meet the needs of women workers, either by admitting children aged two or by opening for longer hours, or in both ways. The ratio of staff to children varies but is usually about one to eight or ten. Approved expenditure on these classes is reimbursed by the Ministry of Health as for war-time nurseries conducted by the welfare authorities under the Ministry of Health. I understand that it is not possible, without a special inquiry involving considerable labour, to give a separate figure for the cost per child in the war-time nursery classes. Similarly, it is not possible to give the number of mothers who are released for war work through the provision of these classes.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in connection with the school meals scheme, he will state the estimated number of children in non-State schools who will not require to benefit.

I regret that no statistics are available. Section 78 (2) of the Education Act, 1944, enables local education authorities to make arrangements for securing that milk and meals are supplied to pupils in non-grant-aided schools, with the consent of the proprietors of such schools.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that the delay in the promised award of free education and training grants to ex-Servicemen is causing embarrassment to undergraduates at many universities; and whether he will take steps to remedy the position.

If, as I understand, my hon. Friend is referring to the representations addressed to me by seven students of Durham University, I would refer him to the reply given on 9th November to my hon. Friend the Member for the English Universities (Mr. E. Harvey), a copy of which I am sending him together with a copy of my answer to the students' representations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the nature of the Report of the Wilkins Committee on the Post-war Breeding of Poultry.

Proposals for developing poultry breeding stock have been recently submitted to me arising from a series of

LAND DRAINAGE SCHEMES IN YORKSHIRE (W.R.) APPROVED SINCE 3RD SEPTEMBER, 1939.
Act under which approved.	Class of work.	No. of schemes.	Estimated cost.
			£
Agriculture Act, 1937	Minor arterial drainage	260	247,355
Agriculture (Misc. War Provisions) Act, 1940. Section 14.		21	22,710
Agriculture (Misc. Provisions) Act, 1941. Section 5.		2	1,896
Agriculture (Misc. War Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 1940.	Ditches	800	29,096
	Tiles	796	65,531
	Moles	18	928
		1,897	£367,516

In addition grant-aid has been approved for extensive works for execution by the Catchment Boards concerned on "main rivers" which are calculated to bring direct benefit to agricultural land and/or to facilitate the drainage works carried out under the above schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the increase in the wages of various grades of agricultural workers since 1938–39 to 1944.

Since April, 1938, increases up to approximately 30s. 6d. per week have been made in the legal mini- informal discussions between the Ministry and members of the industry. These proposals have been referred for their views to the various national poultry organisations, the National Veterinary Medical Association, and the County Councils Association, who will, no doubt, in due course submit to me any observations they have to offer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, since the proceedings of drainage undertakings can now be published, he will state what drainage of agricultural land in the West Riding of Yorkshire has been carried out since the start of the war.

I regret that it would require an undue expenditure of time and labour to obtain the information requested, but appended is a statement showing the number and estimated cost of certain classes of grant-aided land drainage schemes approved for execution in the West Riding during the war:mum rates of wages of ordinary adult male workers, and increases in the average minimum wage of women of 18 years and over amount to 24s. per week. Proportionate increases have been made in the minimum wages of juveniles and of special classes of workers. No statistics are available of actual increases in wages paid in excess of the minimum rates.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is paying a pension to the dependants of the late Corporal Sidney Bates, V.C., the Royal Norfolk Regiment.

Yes, Sir. The parents' circumstances are such that I have been able to award a pension at the normal maximum rate.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will explain the nature of the test of unemployability applied to ex-Service men on pension to entitle them to the extra 10s. allowance.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. Fraser) on 27th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give the number of ex-Servicemen on pension in receipt of the extra 10s. allowance for unemployability.

The special allowance referred to has been granted in approximately 6,350 cases.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has considered the Report of Mr. Green, area organiser for the South-east Lancashire British Legion, of which a copy has been sent to him, stating that there are over 1,000 cases on the waiting list for the appeals tribunals; that unless they possess money of their own, or are in touch with some charitable organisation, applicants have to apply to the P.A.C.; and if he will inquire into these allegations and make a statement.

The Report referred to has been seen by my Department, and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 26th October last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what recent steps he has taken to ensure that the brick industry generally will he in a position to meet post-war requirements.

As a result of consultation with the brick industry a scheme was introduced by Order (S.R. & O. 1942 No. 915) whereby brickworks which closed, either by agreement with the Minister or under the Control Order, receive contri- butions towards their maintenance costs with the object of enabling them to resume production whenever required. It has recently been decided to extend this arrangement to cover all closed works. The brick industry will then be in a position to meet all post-war requirements.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the fact that shipping space between this country and the Middle East is not being fully utilised, he will grant permits to travel to this part of the world for the purpose of advancing British trade.

I am informed by the Ministry of War Transport that shipping space between this country and the Middle East is being fully utilised. Sea transport is at present adequate to the number of visitors whose journeys are being sponsored by my Department on the ground that they are in the national interest and their object is the furtherance of export trade.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what plans he has been able to make with the motor manufacturers for the export trade, in view of the fact that no decision has yet been reached on the revision of taxation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) on 2nd November. Even though some design questions are outstanding there is also a great deal of preparatory inquiry on selling organisations and requirements of overseas countries which can usefully be undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can yet encourage the planning of postwar activities by giving some assurance that refugee industrialists who have made a useful contribution to our economic life will be permitted to remain in this country.

This aspect of the general problem of refugees cannot be dealt with in isolation, and I regret that I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the delay in issuing priority dockets for utility furniture to persons who have been bombed out, due to different circulating applications through offices of the Assistance Board; and if he will consider entrusting the local officer of the Assistance Board with authority to issue the necessary priority dockets when cash payments are made to replace essential furniture, etc.

Yes, Sir. I regret that delays have occurred on occasions. Pressure of work arising from enemy action in the London area has made it necessary to transfer elsewhere some applications normally dealt with in London, and some consequent delay was unavoidable. The London Office of the Assistance Board has now been reopened and applications are being dealt with more promptly, but staff shortages prevent the handling of applications locally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the negotiations between the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Russian Government on the subject of mutual trading, Russia requiring machinery, steel, lathes, machine tools, motor-cars and other goods, and supplying such raw materials as chrome, platinum, copper, oil, tungsten, timber, pulp-wood and furs; and if his Department has made similar overtures to Russia for mutual trading.

I have seen Press references to the interest of U.S. manufacturers in trade with Russia. Traders in this country have also had discussions with the Soviet authorities, and as my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith) was informed on 7th November the conversations in Moscow between His Majesty's Embassy and the Soviet Government are still proceeding.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that America has already booked £60,000 worth of advertisements in Russian trade journals; and why of £35,000 worth of applications by British firms £31,000 has been forbidden by the British Government.

I have seen reports which have appeared in the American Press regarding expenditure of $250,000 in this connection. The requests by individual United Kingdom firms in connection with advertising in trade papers in the Soviet Union have been kept under constant review, and, as was stated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade on 26th October, a certain number of applications were in fact allowed while the general position was under examination by the Treasury in connection with that Department. Both Departments are, of course, anxious to take the most effective steps to stimulate United Kingdom trade with the Soviet Union, and have been, and will be, prepared to consider sympathetically any proposals which take into account the special conditions under which such trade is carried on. But in view of the system under which Soviet orders are placed, it is obvious that appeals to individual consumers by means of advertisement can have but limited, if any, effect on the orders placed, and in the light of this factor, expenditure of foreign currency for this purpose must be restricted.

asked the Minister of Food what price per ton was paid for imported sage, thyme and marjoram.

Sage from Cyprus £52 per ton, thyme from Spain £68 per ton, marjoram from Kenya £100 per ton. The prices were f.o.b. in each case.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of our changed circumstances, he can now announce any relaxation of the restrictions imposed by him on the manufacture and sale of ice cream.

Yes, Sir. My right hon and gallant Friend has decided to allocate supplies of raw materials for the manufacture of ice cream in the next rationing period beginning 10th December. It may take some time before ice cream becomes generally available all over the country, and the difficulties in regard to man-power and transport which still exist will make it impracticable for manufacturers for the present to resume the widespread distribution which existed before the war. The prohibition Order has been revoked as from to-day. Caterers will, therefore, be in a position to provide ice cream forthwith to the extent to which they have ingredients available. The same will apply to manufacturers as soon as they can bring their plants back into use. By next summer a greatly improved distribution should be possible.

asked the Minister of Food whether in view of the loss in Northern Ireland of marketable potatoes owing to the wet season and the increased cost of production through the demand for a higher standard of grading, he will at once increase the price of this year's potato crop to a figure which will give farmers an adequate return for their labour.

I am not aware that the effect of either of the factors mentioned has been disproportionately greater in Northern Ireland than in other parts of the United Kingdom. My right hon. and gallant Friend is therefore unable to support the request.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware of the circulation in neutral Eire for some time past by the Nazi representatives in Dublin of "The Weekly Review" of the German News Agency; and what representations he has made to end its circulation.

Yes, Sir. The matter was taken up orally with the Eire authorities some two years ago. They did not, however, see their way to prohibit the circulation of the German Bulletin.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider, as soon as circumstances permit, re-fixing the minimum age of 19 years for overseas service.

Men under 19 are not sent to India or South-East Asia Command. My hon. Friend's proposal would seriously reduce the number of fit trained men available to meet the urgent needs of our other Armies now fighting the Germans, and I regret that at the present time it could not be entertained.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered complaints received by relatives of officers and men serving in Italy about the food supplied to the Army; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the complaints.

I should be glad if my hon. Friend would send me particulars of the complaints to which he refers so that they can be investigated. The scale of rations in issue in Italy is under constant review to ensure that they are fully adequate as regards bulk and nutritive value. Palatability, too, is always fully considered in drawing up the scales. I have had only a few isolated complaints in the last six months. Considering the difficulties of the country and the destruction wrought by the retreating Germans I am surprised that there have not been more.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause copies of the "Union Jack," the Forces newspaper in the Middle East, to be placed in the Library, so that Members may have an opportunity of studying its contents.

"Union Jack" is the newspaper for our troops in Italy. Copies of the Naples edition are already regularly placed in the Library of the House. The latest copy is that of 6th November.

asked the Secretary of State of war whether ire is aware that 6472762 Corporal G. Miller, M.M., R.F., who served in Africa and Italy, was promoted from lance sergeant to sergeant, severely wounded and captured at Anzio, has now been repatriated with his left arm amputated at the shoulder and has been informed that as he had not held substantive rank of sergeant for 21 days he must revert to corporal, thereby adversely affecting his disability pension; and whether he has discretionary power to deal with exceptional cases of this kind.

Corporal Miller was promoted to the acting rank of sergeant seven days before he was wounded and captured, and as acting rank does not qualify for pay until it has been held for a continuous period of 21 days, he had not qualified for the paid rank at the time of his capture. His reversion to his war substantive rank of corporal after repatriation is in accordance with the normal rules, and as the appointment of lance-sergeant does not qualify him for a higher rate of disability pension, his pension is not affected by his reversion. I do not propose to take any special action in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that in Scotland the Youth Organisation, especially in winter, find it practically impossible to carry on their ordinary activities because their scout halls and church halls have been requisitioned by the military; and will he do his utmost to release premises so that the Youth Organisation may function efficiently.

I am aware of the importance of releasing halls for youth activities throughout the country, and every effort is made to do so where military requirements permit; it must be borne in mind, however, that priority must be given, where possible, to release hotels and schools and property which will ease the present housing situation. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me particulars of any specific case he has in mind I will have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all officers in the women's Services serving abroad receive, as they do in the U.K., two-thirds of the rate of pay of the R.N., Army and R.A.F. in the equivalent trade or officer branch and all full allowances other than batmen.

Generally speaking, the answer to the hon. Member's Question is "Yes, Sir," except that the rates of pay for members of the A.T.S. and the W.A.A.F. in India and S.E.A.C. have not yet been settled, and that field allowance for A.T.S. and W.A.A.F. officers is 1s. a day.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action he has taken with regard to the bad behaviour of Italian prisoners of war in Tiverton and the neighbouring districts; whether any disciplinary action has been taken against the men involved in the incident in Tiverton on 25th October; and if he will take steps to ensure that discipline is maintained among these prisoners and that they are prevented from wandering about the country and frightening respectable women, particularly near Tiverton and Sampford Peverell.

The camp at Tiverton houses Italian prisoners who have been removed from other camps because of their subversive tendencies. I have no information of an incident on 25th October. An incident did, however, take place on the night of 27th-28th October when crude pamphlets bearing fascist slogans were distributed in a small area of the town, but so far the perpetrators have not been discovered, although investigations are still proceeding. A small number of Italian co-operators are billeted in the area who are allowed to exercise within defined limits, and any complaints against their behaviour should be reported to the Commandant, who will deal with them. In this connection I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 14th November.

asked the Minister of Health how the number of children born congenitally blind in 1943 compares with 1938.

I regret that no figures are available as to the number of children who are born blind, but I am advised that it is very small. The numbers of children under one year of age registered in England and Wales as blind on 31st March, 1938 and 1943, were respectively 11 and 13.

asked the Minister of Health on what grounds of public policy it is permitted for medical service sub-committees of insurance committees to withhold from interested parties the names of witnesses who appear before such sub-committees and upon whose evidence a decision is based.

A party to a dispute investigated by a Medical Service Sub-Committee is entitled to be present at the hearing and to put questions to any witness called by the other party. If he is aggrieved by the decision of the Insurance Committee he is entitled to appeal to me against that decision, but notice of appeal must be given within one month of the receipt of notification of the decision unless the time is specially extended. I am not aware of any ground of public policy which would require the disclosure of information to a party to a dispute after the dispute has been finally decided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether it is yet possible to increase petrol allowance in order to provide much needed improved omnibus service throughout the county of Durham.

The Regional Transport Commissioner is prepared to issue fuel rations for improved omnibus services in the county of Durham, if the necessary vehicles and crews can be found. If my hon. Friend has any specific instance of hardship in mind and will let me know, I shall be happy to make inquiries.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his attention has to the frequent serious delays in long-distance train service and, in particular, the 5.30 p.m. train from Leeds to King's Cross; and whether, if such delays cannot be avoided, the time-table will be altered to correspond with the actual running of the train.

The schedules for passenger trains are based on timings which the railway authorities can reasonably hope to maintain, and which, in fact, are normally maintained. Delays inevitably result from a variety of causes, including, in particular, the provision of special Service trains, of which large numbers are required each day. If a train were regularly the same amount behind schedule at each point on its journey, it would obviously be desirable to alter its timing; but in practice this rarely happens. I am making inquiries about the 5.30 p.m. train from Leeds to King's Cross and will write to my hon. Friend when these inquiries are complete.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the short working hours available in daylight throughout the winter months, the need for many of the workers who have come to London from the provinces to keep two homes, and their desire to get on with the job, he will arrange, in co-operation with the Minister of Works, for such men as wish to do so to be allowed to work seven days a week during the hours of daylight with not more than a half-hour break for dinner.

I am sending my Noble and gallant Friend a copy of the instructions which, on the advice of my Noble Friend the Minister of Works, I have just issued to local authorities regarding the hours of work for labour engaged on repairs to war damaged houses, which, I think, cover the point he raises.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is aware that his Department continues to requisition the six-roomed dwelling-house, 538, Staines Road, Bed-font, for use by committees for a few hours each week, the house being closed at other times; and whether, in view of the acute shortage of houses in Middlesex, he will restore the house to domestic use forthwith.

The house in question was requisitioned for the Ministry of Food, who inform me that it is used throughout the week by full-time staff vitally concerned with meat distribution. I regret that it is not possible in these circumstances to release this property.

asked the Minister of Health if, for the information of the rural population generally, he will state the reasons which lead his Ministry to withhold approval of rural district council piped-water schemes which are urgently needed in the villages concerned, as, for instance, in the case of the Wiltshire village of Wootton Rivers, of which he has details; and why is approval withheld when labour and materials are available locally.

In accordance with the general policy of limiting the execution of works as far as practicable to those which are essential for immediate war purposes, the further extension and improvement of public water supplies must normally await the defeat of Germany. Local authorities have been advised to proceed in the meantime with the preparation of well-conceived schemes, and I am prepared to indicate, after local inquiry if necessary, whether their proposals are satisfactory from the technical standpoint. I am not aware of any reasons which would warrant an exception being made in the case of the village to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the representations made to him by the local authorities and others concerned regarding the proposal to lower the level of the River Avon, because of the effect on the springs and underground water upon which many areas are dependent for their agricultural and domestic water supplies; and what steps he is taking in the matter.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries informs me that the Avon and Stour Catchment Board, who are the responsible authority, have not yet submitted to him any proposals to lower the level of the River Avon. He will not approve any such proposals without consulting me regarding their possible effect on water supplies.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent local authorities in London and outside have power to insist on the construction of municipal garages under privately-owned buildings about to be reconstructed; and how such powers are being exercised.

I am unaware of any such powers, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will let me have details, I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will investigate the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a college-trained certificated teacher who applied for a position as teacher under a local authority, but her application was declined and she is now occupying a position as a Grade II temporary clerk in the Board of Inland Revenue but who would prefer to continue a teaching career.

I am making inquiries into this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish a comprehensive body of statistics illustrating the war effort of the U.K.

It is important to release any information of this kind which can be given without advantage to the enemy, and I hope shortly to present a White Paper which will give a comprehensive picture of the extent to which our resources have been mobilised for war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the same priority to British subjects to return to pre-war employment and pre-war wives in France and Belgium that is enjoyed by Frenchmen and Belgians.

No facilities for private travel to France and Belgium are as yet available. When the time comes for the return of pre-war residents, I shall be prepared to grant exit permits to British subjects for this purpose, subject to security and man-power considerations. They will, however, require to obtain French or Belgian visas, in order to enter those countries; and the priority which the French and Belgian authorities are prepared to give is primarily for those authorities to determine.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a speech of the right hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald) in Canada publicly airing his opinions upon the future leaders of Government and parties in this country and discussing their qualities; and whether he will inform High Commissioners that such speeches are not consonant with the duties and status of their appointment.

I understand that the subject of the address in question was British Statesmanship, and it included a series of brief biographical sketches of some of the represèntative contemporary political leaders in this country. Some summarised reports of the speech have not represented accurately what was said; for it was made clear that the names mentioned were not in any way a comprehensive list. Inquiries were made of my right hon. Friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald), who recognises that the theme of his speech went outside the usual sphere of a High Commissioner, and has expressed his unqualified regret at any misunderstanding which his remarks may have caused.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the appointment of a committee to investigate the effects of Excess Profits Tax on the expansion and requirements of industry.

As I explained in reply to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward) on 7th November, I see no reason to appoint a Committee to consider the incidence of taxation. I am always ready to give careful consideration to any representations that may be put forward by industry regarding the effects of taxation, and I would remind my hon. Friend that in my Budget Speech I dealt in particular with the representations made by industry in regard to the E.P.T.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Budget proposals for allowance for Income Tax purposes in respect of post-war industrial expenditure will extend to any such expenditure that may now be incurred on post-war account.

My attention has been drawn to cases now arising in which expenditure on post-war equipment or reconstruction of the kind that would rank for initial allowance under the Budget proposals, may have to be incurred before the termination of hostilities. I intend in the legislation giving effect to the Budget proposals to ensure that such cases will not be prejudiced and to provide accordingly that the expenditure will rank for allowance as from the date when the allowance generally comes into force.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reconsider the provision in paragraph 6 of Cmd. 6559, affecting the taxation of Christmas bonuses and permit such bonuses, if paid in cash not exceeding in amount those given by a firm to its employees in past years, to be treated as tax free.

I think that my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension as to the nature of the concession to which he refers. The concession relates to cases where an employer who has been in the habit of giving his subordinate employees Christmas gifts in kind now gives Savings Certificates or Savings Stamps in lieu of such gifts. I could not agree to the allowance of any concession in the case of a cash bonus.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the obscurity and ambiguity of many provisions of the Bretton Woods Final Act, he will publish in a White Paper the text of the proceedings of the Conference.

His Majesty's Government are taking up this question with the Government of the United States, by whom the invitations to the Conference were issued, and to whom it accordingly falls to arrange for any publication of the detailed proceedings of the Conference.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that great dissatisfaction exists at the inadequate amounts being offered by the War Damage Commission in respect of value payments; whether he is aware that, in the communications intimating the proposed amount, no indication is given as to the maner in which the amount is arrived at nor is it indicated to what extent people can choose cost-of-works payments instead of value payments; and what steps he proposes to take to meet this dissatisfaction.

No, Sir; but where such dissatisfaction does exist it is, I believe, in the main due to a misunderstanding of the provisions of the War Damage Act, 1943, which prescribes that a value payment shall be the amount of the depreciation in the capital value of the property computed in terms of values as at 31st March, 1939. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the War Damage Commission's relevant form Val. 5, which makes it clear that the estimates are provisional only and explains the basis on which the estimates are calculated. Claimants who disagree are specifically invited to furnish alternative estimates or to give reasons in writing why they consider the Commission's estimates are too low. The question whether a war damaged property qualifies for a cost of works or a value payment is not a matter of choice by claimants, but has to be decided by the Commission under the test prescribed in Section 7 of the Act or, in the case of houses, in the light of the Direction issued by the Treasury on 15th October, 1943.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cost-of-works claims for 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1943, respectively, are still unsettled; how many claims have been refused; and whether negotiation for settlement can be carried on with the claimant and not the contractor excepting when the contractor has been appointed as agent by the claimant.

I regret that the statistics desired are not available. On the average, however, cost of works claims are settled within a period of four to five weeks from the date of their receipt and the number of claims still outstanding for more than 12 months after they have been received is negligible. If my hon. Friend has knowledge of any individual claims in which there appears to have been serious delay in settlement, the War Damage Commission would be glad to receive particulars. With regard to the latter part of the Question, it is generally found the most convenient procedure for the claimant that any necessary discussion on the details of his claim should be with his professional adviser or builder, but there is, of course, no reason why the claimant himself should not conduct the negotiations if he so wishes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the damage to property caused by the explosion in 1942 of floating mines at a place of which he has been informed; that claims of over £5 have, in no case, yet been met by the War Damage Commission; that the local urban district council claim to have no powers to advance the cash necessary to meet claims of under £5; and whether he will expedite the settlement of these claims, all of which is preventing an estate being wound up.

I regret that I cannot undertake to answer Questions relating to particular war damage claims. I have, however, asked the War Damage Commission to inquire into the position and to communicate direct with my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether negotiations are now in progress for payment for the machine tools we have obtained from the U.S.A. under the Lend-Lease arrangements; and whether he can state their nature.

A large number of machine tools have been provided to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease to enable us to develop production to meet military and other essential national requirements. It is to be anticipated that in due course a considerable proportion of these tools will no longer be required for such purposes and will be available for other uses. It is too early for me to say more than that we are in touch with the United States authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will consider setting up a Royal Commission to deal with the problem of alleged over-population and unexpanded economic resources in India.

As regards the first part of the Question, I am consulting the Government of India. As regards the second part, a series of committees are sitting in India under the aegis of the Viceroy's Council, on the post-war development of India's economy. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the recently published Second Report of the Reconstruction Committee of the Viceroy's Council which describes in detail what is being done about post-war development.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will, arising from the resentment felt against the South African Government's restrictive measures against Indians, state what steps have been taken to ease the situation.

I am fully alive to this difficult situation, but I am quite sure that I should not assist a solution by making a public statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will consider making it possible for more men in the Army on the Burma front to take their leave in the hills in India rather than, as at present, in the plains where recuperation from the conditions on the Burma front is not possible.

The importance of this question is fully realised both by South-East Asia Command and the Government of India. As I stated in my reply of 5th October to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Newark (Lieut.-Colonel Shephard) 42 leave centres are maintained by the Government of India for the use of British troops in the Indian and South-East Asia Commands. These provide accommodation for 23,000 persons at any one time, and it is planned to expand this to 52,000 for next year. These camps are located in the hills.

asked the Secretary of State for India what progress has been made in arranging for the conveyance of missionaries to India; and if he will take all steps to speed up these arrangements, as the missionary societies are anxious to have the waiting missionaries settled at their stations at the earliest moment.

I am glad to say that as the result of a special allotment by the Minister of War Transport I was able last month to allocate 106 passages for the use of missionaries. The passage situation is likely to remain dfficult for some considerable time, and I have numerous pressing claims to meet, but I shall continue so tar as I can to give careful and sympathetic consideration to the claims of the missionary societies.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give any information in connection with the Indian Army's campaign in Burma against the Japanese; and if he can make any estimate of the number of casualties that have been inflicted on the Japanese.

Although some two-thirds of the Forces engaged on the Burma Front are drawn from the Indian Army, British, West and East African, American and Chinese troops are also engaged. The Kachin and Chin levies, inhabitants of Burma, have also fought most loyally for us. For a general review of the campaign I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 28th September. The Indian Army has fought magnificently on this front and has proved itself more than a match for the Japanese in jungle warfare. The confirmed total of Japanese killed in the course of the Allied operations since 1st January exceeds 54,000. The actual total must be very much larger, as this figure does not include cases in which bodies have been buried or removed by the enemy or those who have died from disease or wounds.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total number of officers and other ranks, separately and men only, who applied for compassionate leave during 1943 and the first six months of 1944, respectively, which involved the care and welfare of children due to the mother's death, illness, confinement or desertion; and the percentage of requests granted in each case.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday to his Question on compassionate leave.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his Department accepts responsibility for housing all the personnel attached to the permanent stations, or whether it looks to the local authorities to provide accommodation for the civilian instructors.

The Air Ministry does not normally accept responsibility for housing civilian employees attached to permanent stations. At some stations, however, as a matter of convenience, civilian employees, including instructors, are permitted to occupy official accommodation in so far as such accommodation is not needed for service personnel.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can explain the position of civil servants who are now insured for sick pay and pension on retirement under the new pensions scheme to which all must contribute.

The application to civil servants of the proposed National Insurance Scheme is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make any announcement on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the claims for payment for damage received by the War Damage Commission indicate that bomb damaged property has to any appreciable extent been sold to purchasers other than the tenants or owners of the structure at the time it was damaged; and whether it is their policy to investigate such claims to ascertain whether speculative buyers are at work.

If a war-damaged property is not a total loss under the War Damage Act, the War Damage Commission can usually have no knowledge of any dealings with it until a claim for payment for works already executed is received. If the name of the claimant in such cases differed from that of the person or persons who notified the damage, this would be, prima facie, evidence of a sale or change of tenant. In particular cases the Commission may in other ways get to know that the property has changed hands. But however the fact that there has been a sale comes to the knowledge of the Commission, it has no power to inquire into the nature of the transaction and no reason to keep a record of such cases. In cases of total loss, the position is rather different. If a sale is effected on the basis that the value payment shall remain with the vendor, the Commission gets no notice of the sale. But if the transaction includes an assignment of the right to receive the value payment, the Commission's consent has to be obtained in accordance with Section 23 of the War Damage Act. Applications so far received by the Commission under this Section do not suggest any widespread speculation in war-damaged properties.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the right of the personnel of the R.N. and R.A.F. proceeding to Gibraltar or Africa to refuse vaccination and inoculation has been withdrawn in the case of inoculation against yellow fever; what is the nature of the inoculation; whether it is given at the same time as vaccination against small-pox; and whether medical officers who order this inoculation have been reminded of the number of cases of jaundice, some of them fatal, that yellow fever inoculation has caused in the American Army and of similar cases in the British Army.

The right of officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force proceeding to Gibraltar or Africa to refuse inoculation against yellow fever has not been withdrawn. The inoculation consists of one injection of I c.c. of a specially prepared vaccine to which there is extremely little or no reaction. It may be given at the same time as vaccination against small-pox, but the instructions provide that where possible inoculation shall precede vaccination by not less than five days. Cases of jaundice due to yellow fever vaccine do not now occur in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

asked the hon. Member for West Swansea, as representing the Charity Commissioners, how many charitably endowed homes and institutions for children do not appeal for subscriptions; how many children they contain; and whether they are officially inspected.

The information asked for is not available, as the Charity Commissioners have no list of charities classified according to their objects. The Commissioners do not undertake any regular system of inspection of homes and institutions for children.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that in the F Division, No. 5 Fire Forces area, the recently authorised relaxation of duties for the N.F.S. personnel has resulted in part-time retained firemen having their night of duty increased from one night in eight to one night in seven: and if he will take steps to see that these firemen receive a relaxation of duty comparable with that granted to other part-time N.F.S. personnel.

The conditions of service of part-time retained firemen include a liability to give two night attendances a week at their stations. In No. 5 Fire Force this requirement had been reduced to one night in eight. It was not the intention when the general requirements on part-time members of the Service were relaxed that the hours of duty of retained firemen should be increased in consequence, and I am informed that the attendances required of the retained men referred to in the Question have now been adjusted.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the incidence of unemployment in Liverpool and other parts of the U.K., he has now decided to release women of 45 years of age or over from industry or, alternatively, stop the further call-up of women of that age.

As stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow (Mr. N. Bower) on 12th October 1 have under review the position of women in the older age classes, but I would refer to the White Paper on the Re-Allocation of Manpower between Civilian Employments which is being published to-day. This contains all the information that is known at present.

asked the Minister of Information if he will give a statement showing the number of Members of Parliament who have spoken on the wireless during 1944; and the number of Labour and non-Labour, respectively.

The number of hon. Members who have spoken on the wireless during 1944 is 78. The number of Labour Members is 22 and the number of non-Labour Members is 56.