asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what increase in the consumption of coal will be involved monthly by the decision of the Government to reduce the black-out.

In pre-war days the consumption of coal required for the maintenance of street lighting was approximately 1,000,000 tons a year. Naturally consumption in the winter months was heavier than in the summer months because of the longer hours of darkness, and as each lighting authority had its own arrangements for the number of hours during which the lamps were kept alight, it is difficult for me to give an estimate of the monthly consumption of coal. Resumed street lighting is on a much more limited scale than in pre-war days. While work on street lighting is still in progress it would be difficult to arrive at a reliable estimate of the amount of coal involved.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider the advisability of bringing up to date the Coal Mines Act, 1911, to cover modern methods and conditions prevailing in the British coalfields.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on this subject, of which I am sending him a copy, during the Debate in this House on 13th July last. Since then further preparatory work has been done in my Department.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give the latest available figures of the wastage of man-power in the mining industry due to old age, sickness and accident; and the estimated loss of output due to this cause.

I would refer my hon. Friend to Tables 4 and 1 in the cur rent issue of the Statistical Digest issued by my Department.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the coalowners through the Mining Association have given any undertaking to his Ministry to re-employ injured miners who have been wholly or partially rehabilitated through the rehabilitation centres set up under the Miners Welfare Commission.

No difficulty is experienced in securing the re-employment of injured miners who have been fully restored to health. The grades of coalmining work on which partially incapacitated men can be employed are extremely limited and no definite undertaking of the kind mentioned has been given. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him on 20th June last.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will arrange with the Minister of Fuel and Power to publish in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" the earnings of adult coalminers working underground, with separate figures for the coal-face workers, and thereby bring the industry into line with other industries for which he gives properly classified returns of the workers' earnings.

When the results are published in the "Labour Gazette" of the half yearly inquiry into average earnings in the principal industries, particulars are given of the average earnings per man-shift worked, for all classes of work-people combined, in the coalmining industry. I am informed by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power that separate particulars of the average earnings of coalminers working underground and of coal-face workers are not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what amount of money per cubic yard of material handled is paid in the reinstatement of the surface at the Wentworth opencast mining site; and to whom is the money paid.

Surface reinstatement involves levelling the subsoil and then spreading the topsoil, which has been stocked separately in the initial stages of excavation. At Wentworth, as in all opencast contracts, the cost of levelling subsoil is included in the schedule rate for digging overburden. It is thus impossible to separate this element, as the amount of work involved varies with the geological and other circumstances at each site. The cost of lifting, transporting and spreading the topsoil, after levelling the subsoil, is 2/6 per cu. yard in the case of all contracts for opencast coal. Payments are made to the site contractor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that a military vehicle driven by a Canadian soldier without authority, caused serious personal injuries and material damage to the property of Mr. Alfred Tate, of Portslade, on 15th June, 1944, and that the Canadian Government refuse to take any responsibility; whether other Governments, Dominion and otherwise, follow this policy; and what redress British subjects have against such injury and loss of property.

My Noble Friend has no information about this incident. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will supply me with particulars. As regards the general position, I would refer to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General on 8th November.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he is now in a position to supply any information on the altered circumstances in Europe which will enable his Ministry to permit the shipment of relief foodstuffs for distribution under neutral control in the countries still occupied by the enemy.

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture what sums of money out of public funds are subscribed to the Seeds Import Board (Incorporated); and whether his Department receives details and particulars of the manner in which these moneys are expended.

The total amount contributed to date from public funds towards the expenses of the Seeds Import Board is £8,539. The accounts of the Board arc audited by an auditor approved by me, and copies of the accounts, together with full details of the activities of the Board, are supplied to my Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the decision of other Departments and the excellent work of the W.L.A., he will reconsider the question of the W.L.A. being permitted to keep their uniforms on demobilisation and grant the same privilege which has been accorded to other Services.

While the Women's Land Army continues as a uniformed Service it is not desirable that ex-members should be allowed to wear the uniform. I shall, however, be glad to consider the possibility of allowing the retention of uniform by members of the Women's Land Army serving at the time of its final disbandment.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has any statement to make on the strike of 1,400 dockers at Cardiff who came out on strike on Wednesday, 15th November.

No, Sir. The matter in dispute has been referred by the South Wales Conciliation Board to the National Joint Council for the Dock Industry and is under the consideration of that body.

asked the Minister of Works who occupies the room in the Palace of Westminster labelled "Leader of the Opposition"; who occupies the five rooms labelled "Opposition Whips"; and what rooms are allocated to the Conservative, Liberal National, Liberal, Labour and Independent Labour Parties respectively.

The Leader of the Opposition's room is occupied by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood). Of the five Opposition Whips' rooms, two are occupied by the Labour Party Whips, two by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) and one by the Independent Labour Party Whip. Apart from the rooms already mentioned and from those occupied by Ministers and Government Whips, a room on the first floor is allo- cated to the Labour Party and a room on the third floor to the Independent Labour Party.

asked the Minister of Works why no building licence has been granted in the case of Mr. Frederick Brown, details of which have been sent to him; and will he give the reasons for the delay in dealing with this application, the granting of which is urgently needed in a bombed area.

The necessary certificate of registration has now been issued to Mr. Frederick Brown. The grant of certificates has lately been somewhat delayed pending reconsideration of the general position by the Committee referred to by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Balham and Tooting (Mr. Doland) on 6th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in some cases there has been a delay of a year in granting long service medals to special constables in Surrey and that such special constables have been informed that their service entitling them to a bar for this medal only counts from the date of the receipt of the medal and not from the date of entitlement and, consequently, any service between the date of entitlement and the date of the receipt of the medal is disregarded for this purpose; and will he take steps to remove this anomaly.

The conditions of the award of the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal are that the special constable has served without pay for the necessary qualifying period and has been recommended by the chief officer of police. A bar to the medal is awarded upon the completion of ten years' service after the original award. I am aware that in some cases recommendations for the award of the medal have not reached the Department for a considerable time after the end of the qualifying period, but in view of the terms of the Warrant I am unable in such cases to make the award from an earlier date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make the necessary arrangements to ensure that sufficient labour and material is made available to ensure that every member of the A.T.S., W.A.A.F. and W.R.N.S., shall receive on demobilisation a reasonable supply of cosmetics on return to civil life.

I hope that the supply of cosmetics will be sufficient to meet all reasonable requirements, both from members of the public and of the Women's Services, without the need for any special arrangements such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether be has considered a letter from Messrs. Sutterby and Gay, of Wisbech, tailors and outfitters, calling attention to the inadequacy of their clothing stocks; whether he is aware that an allowance of 17 overcoats, six raincoats, 31 pairs of gloves and 24 hats is not sufficient to meet the winter needs of 2,500 customers; and whether he will make further supplies available.

The only communication I have received from this firm is a copy of a letter they sent to my hon. Friend, but I have arranged for one of my Area Distribution Officers to visit Wisbech.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he now has any statement to make regarding the issue of supplementary clothing coupons far agricultural and industrial workers for the present rationing period.

Yes, Sir. As I informed the House on 11th July, the supplements for agricultural and industrial workers will be continued at the same level in this rationing period as in the last. The ten supplementary coupons will be available from to-morrow at the local offices of the Ministry of Labour, from which full details can be obtained. Other special arrangements, on the lines of those made last year, will also continue in force during this period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has been informed through the Consular Service in Latin America of the issue of long catalogues of goods issued to business houses in South and Central America and described as "List of goods available for export from U.S.A. as from September, 1944, free of all restrictions," and if he contemplates early release from some of the restrictions which prevent resumption of Anglo-South American trade.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." As regards the second part, the restrictions necessitated by the war on our export trade with South America will be relaxed as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Minister of Education whether it is intended to publish the report of the Welsh Youth Committee submitted to him; and, if not, will he place a copy in the Library of the House.

Yes, Sir; the report will shortly be going to Press.

asked the Minister of Education upon what principles of selection teachers in council schools are to be directed to areas for which they have declined to volunteer; whether he is aware that teachers so directed fear pecuniary loss not compensated for by the remuneration offered; and whether he will direct that teachers of the wartime staff and unmarried teachers shall be taken before married teachers whose home would be broken up by evacuation.

The London County Council consider the individual circumstances of every teacher before submitting his or her name to the Ministry of Labour for direction to a reception area. I understand that normally married women and single women over 50 years of age would not be considered for direction. Teachers have the opportunity of appealing against direction on grounds of hardship and before the Ministry's Local Appeals Board. Teachers who are directed will continue to receive their salaries as London teachers and will be eligible to claim Evacuation Allowances in accordance with the Rules for Special Payments and Allowances for evacuated staff. Where teachers have contractual obligations to serve in a reception area, these obligations have been enforced with due regard to compassionate or other special circumstances; objections based on personal hardship are carefully considered, but marriage is not the only criterion for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the yearly expenditure, from inception up to date, upon the war-time social survey; how many persons have been employed in the service and with what range of salaries; whether questionnaires are formulated for visitors to present to the persons visited; and what are the questions which the public are invited or required to answer.

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to the Health Index investigation carried out for my Department by the War-time Social Survey. So far six health surveys have been made at two-monthly intervals, at an estimated total cost of £9,800. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information that it is not possible to estimate accurately the number of persons employed on these surveys, since the staff are engaged during the greater part of their time in conducting social research for other Departments. Field investigators are paid between £5 15s. and £6 15s. a week. Questions are put orally, and answers are invited, not required. I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the main questions.

asked the Minister of Labour why the hostel for women war-workers, at a place of which he has been notified, are locked at night whereas the hostels for men are not locked; and under what authority this is done.

I have written to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour why the Metropolitan labour exchanges have been instructed to direct all available male labour to repairing damaged property; and whether he is aware that much labour is being directed without regard to its suitability or usefulness, so that organisations and firms scheduled under the Essential Work Order are deprived of potential expert workers familiar with their requirements, but largely ignorant of local repair work.

It is not the case that all available male labour is being sent by my local offices in the London area to work on the repair of war damaged property. Building workers passing through the Exchanges are sent to this work and certain other workers who have suitable experience, but I am not aware that this is producing the results which my hon. Friend alleges.

asked the Minister of Labour how many building contractors have been compelled to close their businesses since the war owing either to their being called up for military service or their being directed to other employment.

I regret that the desired information is not available.

asked the Minister of Works how many applications have been granted since the war entitling persons who had not previously been in business on their own account to become building contractors.

The number of certificates of registration under Defence Regulation 56AB issued to persons who were not previously in business on their own account is 90.

asked the Minister of Labour what professional bodies he is in discussion with as to the provision of training for auxiliaries and officers demobilised from the Women's Services.

I have sent a list to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the urgency of the restoration of British export trade to South and Central America, he will arrange for priority of release from the Army of Anglo-South American volunteers who have been engaged in industry and commerce in Latin America and whose return would stimulate demand for British goods.

I have been asked to reply. It would be contrary to the principles of the Government's plans for release from the Forces after the defeat of Germany to grant any general priority to volunteers from overseas, whether from South and Central America or elsewhere. If, however, in any particular case it is considered that an individual's services are essential for urgent work of reconstruction, it will be open for his employer or, if he has been in business on his own account, for the individual himself to apply through the appropriate Government Department in this country for his release as an individual specialist in Class B.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in the preparation of the booklet advising Service men on demobilisation and kindred matters, cognisance will be taken of the U.S. War Department Pamphlet No. 21–4, "Going back to Civilian Life," published on 9th March last; and if he will ensure that the British booklet will be at least as comprehensive and easy to understand as the American counterpart.

The booklet which will shortly be issued to members of H.M. Forces while they are still serving, outlines the provisions which have been made for their resettlement on release. It will be supplemented by a pamphlet issued at the dispersal centres, containing instructions regarding the action which those released should take at that stage. The U.S. War Department pamphlet referred to in the Question is apparently designed to serve both purposes. It is intended that both the documents issued to members of H.M. Forces shall be comprehensive for their purpose and easy to understand.

asked the Prime Minister whether a decision has yet been reached regarding the future of the women's military Services; and whether, in view of the work done by Service women during the past five years, consideration will be given to the establishment of small permanent women's forces on a peace-time basis.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 3rd October last in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward).

asked the Prime Minister whether the proposed war gratuities will be credited to the estate of battle casualties and made payable to next of kin.

When a life is lost the war gratuity otherwise payable will not be withheld on that account. Whether or not it would be properly payable to the next of kin would depend on the terms of any will made by the deceased officer or man.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is a great shortage of text books for teaching German to the Army in Belgium; that the only one available, "German from Scratch," has been withdrawn on the ground that some of the suggested conversational sentences would encourage fraternisation; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

I understand that this book is being re-issued with a slip on the cover to the effect that nothing in the book should be taken as an excuse for not complying with the orders issued forbidding fraternisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is now the position in regard to the supply of Form A.F.B to all men serving in His Majesty's Forces at home and overseas.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mr. Gledhill) on 17th October.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the few men of a survey unit, details of which have been given, have served in the Middle East for four years and two months and have left for India without home leave; and will he arrange for these men to be brought home immediately.

I am having inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the basic pay in 1938 of the following officers on promotion to their rank: captain, major and lieutenant-colonel.

The normal rates current in 1938 for captain, major and lieutenant-colonel on promotion to those ranks were 16s. 6d., £1 8s. 6d. and £2 3s. od. a day respectively. Until 1st August of that year the rate for a captain was 19s. od., but officers could only be promoted if there was a vacancy. The system was then changed, and since that date officers have been promoted captain and major after being commissioned for certain periods of years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government proposes to take any steps to restore the constitution of the Government in Tangier as it existed in 1939.

As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has already made clear in earlier statements in the House, His Majesty's Government are keeping the situation at Tangier under constant review, and it remains their intention to put forward proposals for the future of the Zone for discussion with the other interested parties at a suitable opportunity. This complex question is at present under active consideration here, and I hope that it may be possible before long to initiate these discussions with other interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists in some branches of the Control Commission (Military Section) owing to the fact that they have no idea what their position is and are unable to obtain any information on the subject; and if he will take steps to see that this state of affairs is brought to an end as quickly as possible.

No, Sir, no such report has reached my right hon. Friend. If the hon. Member will inform me of any specific case I will of course have it investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has yet decided on the machinery to be set up in the U.S.A. by his Department when the British Information Services of the Ministry of Information cease to operate in that country, to ensure an adequate and efficient presentation of the British case to the people of America.

No, Sir, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the matter is being considered very carefully, and that I am fully alive to the necessity of adequate presentation of British affairs in the United States.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the losses which have been suffered by many important libraries, including libraries of scientific importance, in the German-occupied territories in Europe; and whether he proposes to request the European Advisory Commission to consider arrangements for the re-equipment of these libraries.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the European Advisory Commission is fully occupied with political questions, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary therefore does not propose to refer this matter to it at present. The hon. Member is, however, no doubt aware of the admirable work performed by the Books Commission of the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education, of which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education is Chairman, in facilitating the supply of British books for the countries in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will issue in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the grades of officials in the European organisation of U.N.R.R.A., the number of such officials and the salaries and allowances paid.

I have made inquiries of U.N.R.R.A., but find that the details for which the hon. and gallant Gentleman asks have not been made public. I understand, however, that the Director-General of U.N.R.R.A. has under consideration the possibility of issuing a statement at regular intervals, giving particulars of the officials employed in the various offices of the Administration and setting out their respective salaries and allowances. Some general explanations of the personnel and salary policies adapted by the Administration for their offices in Washington and London were contained in the Report made by the Director-General to the Second Session of the U.N.R.R.A. Council at Montreal in September. This Report is to be published in this country very shortly, and as soon as a copy is available I will send one to the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Health if he will have inquiries made to ascertain whether the sanitary conveniences provided for officers and men of the Merchant Navy when their ships are in dry dock are satisfactory; and if he will have the necessary measures taken to have latrines and lavatories beside the dry dock as good as those provided in the U.S.A.

I have no reason to suppose that sanitary conveniences are not in general available. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular case in mind, perhaps he will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in drawing up designs for kitchens for post-war houses, attention has been given to the desirability of providing forced extraction of fumes and cooking odours, having regard to the necessity of maintaining adequate ventilation and preventing condensation in kitchens of small size.

Yes, Sir. The matter has been carefully considered; but it has been decided that the provision of exhaust fans is not required in a properly planned kitchen and would add unnecessarily to the initial and running costs.

asked the Minister of Health what applications have been received from the borough of Gravesend, Northfleet urban and Strood rural districts for Portal type temporary houses; and what allotments have been made so far.

Gravesend Borough Council, Northfleet Urban District Council and Strood Rural District Council have each applied for 100 temporary bungalows. Strood have expressed a preference for the Tarran type. Gravesend have been allocated 100 bungalows, and Northfleet 50. No allocation has so far been made to Strood, but the local authority have been informed that their application has been noted for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that repatriated British prisoners of war who arrived in England this autumn had to be detained in hospitals in the South for many weeks because suitable hospital accommodation was not available in Scotland; and how he proposes to ensure that this will not happen in future cases.

There has not been any general difficulty about transferring to Scottish hospitals repatriated prisoners whose homes are in Scotland, though I understand that four repatriated patients suffering from tuberculosis and sent to hospitals in England could not be quickly transferred because there is a waiting list of tuberculosis patients in Scotland for admission to hospital. I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that the particular cases which I understand he has in mind have now been transferred to Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he is aware that the system under which the fire-watching regulations in respect of certain buildings controlled by Government Departments are prescribed by the Department concerned instead of by the local authority in whose area the buildings are situated gives rise to certain anomalies; and if he will take steps to introduce some uniformity of practice in the administration of these regulations by making it obligatory for the various Departments to consult the local authorities concerned before issuing new fire-watching instructions in respect of their buildings.

I am not clear what anomalies my hon. Friend may have in mind. Under the Fire Guard (Business and Government Premises) Order, 1943, Government Departments are responsible for ensuring that adequate fire guard arrangements are in force for Government premises and certain important business premises. In exercising their functions under this Order, they are independent authorities; but there is close co-operation between them and my Department in securing, so far as possible, uniformity of practice in the administration of the Order.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the estimated number of the staff necessary for the work of his Ministry; how many of these will be transferees from other Ministries; and what is the estimated annual sum necessary for the payment of salaries.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Sir W. Smithers) on 9th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Alien Protected Areas Order (S.R. & O., No. 1268, of 1944) did not state in which areas the restrictions were revoked, so as to avoid the necessity of persons studying seven earlier Orders.

I informed the House in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 16th November that I had revoked, with effect from 17th November, the Aliens Protected Areas Orders which prohibited aliens from entering or remaining in certain areas without police permission. The Order referred to is the instrument giving effect to that announcement and it revokes all the Aliens Protected Areas Orders. It did not seem necessary in the circumstances to recapitulate the lengthy schedules prescribing the areas, which were reasonably well known to the persons affected.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether the position of committee clerks of the Old Age Pensions Committee has been considered; and whether provision will be made in the Bill, now in preparation, to ensure the committee clerks are absorbed and included in the staff of the new Ministry.

The position of these clerks will be considered along with that of other persons whose work comes to an end as a direct result of the changes made by the proposed new scheme.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will make it clear whether under the White Paper a waiting period of two years is contemplated before the proposals contained in the White Paper can be effective.

I cannot at this stage indicate the date on which the Government's proposals may be expected to come into operation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will in future treat pregnant women in C.D. with regard to regulations governing discharge in the same way as members of the Women's Services.

Women members of the Civil Defence Services who become pregnant are ordinarily retained in the service as long as they can carry out their duties efficiently. The policy has been to give favourable consideration to application for re-engagement made after confinement, though in the present circumstances there is little prospect of vacancies being available. Broadly speaking, the existing arrangements are on the same general lines as for the Women's Auxiliary Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is in a position to make a statement on the result of the proceedings of the International Civil Aviation Conference at Chicago.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what arrangements have been entered into between his Ministry and Airopia, Limited, with regard to postwar civil aviation.

None, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he intends requiring all main

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the inadequacy of the allowances to W.A.A.F. serving in U.S.A.; and if he will take steps to provide accommodation or increase allowances.

No, Sir. The allowances payable to members of the W.A.A.F. serving in U.S.A. are considered adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what was the basic pay in 1938 of the following officers on promotion to their rank: squadron-leader, wing-commander, group-captain.

I append a table showing the daily rates of pay in 1938 of these ranks.

My Noble Friend has no power to require highway authorities to light main roads. He hopes, however, that the standards proposed in the Reports of the Departmental Committee on Street Lighting will be generally adopted after the war by the competent lighting authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministery of War Transport what was the necessity for the refusal by his Department of the request made by the hon. Member for Daventry that permission should be given for the use of transport by members of the Woffendon branch of the British Legion to convey them to an Armistice Day service at Blakesley, when such permission was subsequently properly granted by the Regional Transport Commissioner; on what grounds and on whose representations the Commissioner reversed the Minister's decision; and whether the Ministry were first consulted.

On 26th October I received my hon. Friend's request for a special coach for the use of the Wappenham Branch of the British Legion, to enable them to attend an Armistice Service on Sunday, 12th November. I replied to his letter on 2nd November, making it plain that I understood that the coach was wanted for a morning service. I explained the reasons why it is contrary to my Noble Friends' general policy to allow special vehicles on Sunday mornings. On 9th November the Commissioner's Chief Assistant received a further request from the Area Secretary of the Associated Road Operators, who explained that the coach was needed for Sunday afternoon. Regional Transport Commissioners have discretion to allow coaches on Sunday afternoons, and in view of the short time in which the necessary arrangements had to be made, he authorised a coach, while immediately informing me of what he had done. At the same time he wrote to my hon. Friend to let him know that his original request had now been agreed to.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, subject to the usual quarantine regulations, a reasonable share of shipping space can be made available for the domestic pets of soldiers and civilians returning to this country from India.

I fully appreciate my hon. and gallant Friend's desire that reasonable shipping facilities should be provided for the domestic pets of soldiers and civilians returning to this country from India. Unfortunately, in war conditions, there are serious difficulties. The ship's personnel have no time to help in looking after pets; the deck space is mostly taken up by life-saving appliances, defensive armament and deck cargo; what remain is already too limited for the convenience of passengers; and there are sanitary and other difficulties of different kinds. For these reasons, I regret that the present practice must be adhered to.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what are the requirements of the Merchant Navy as regards the provision of woollen comforts during the winter.

It is not possible to give any total figures of these requirements, as the comforts required by individual officers and men vary considerably, Their requirements are, however, met from supplies provided by various voluntary organisations on production of special clothing coupons that have been issued to seamen for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that tooth paste can only be obtained by troops in Burma at the price of 7s. 6d. a tube; and whether he will take steps to provide it at more reasonable prices.

No, Sir. The needs of the troops serving in the operational area on the Indo-Burma frontier are looked after by Canteen Services (India) whose fixed prices for tooth paste range from 7d. to 2s. 3½d. according to size and brand.

asked the Minister of Information, in view of the interest of the people of the U.K., the British Empire and neutral countries in the achievements of our Forces, why the short film, prepared by his Department, of the British and Canadian rout of the German armies in France is only being shown in one picture house in London and without any publicity; and if he will take steps to remedy this.

This film, which was made for the Ministry of Information by the United Kingdom and Canadian Army Film Unite, is being distributed through trade channels. After having had its first release in one West End cinema, it was generally released yesterday and will be shown in over 60 theatres in the London area. During the course of its run it should reach over 1,000 cinemas in this country, and will also be distributed throughout the Commonwealth and Empire and to many foreign countries. I see nothing to complain of in these very effective arrangements. The film has, in fact, received exceptionally wide publicity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reconsider the decision of the Board of Inland Revenue to subject the revenues of the Cray Valley Industrial Association and its medical service to Income Tax and Excess Profits Tax, full particulars of which have been sent to him.

The letter which my hon. Friend addressed to me is receiving attention, but I cannot enter upon the affairs of particular taxpayers by way of Question and Answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in a case of which details have been furnished, he will examine the circumstances of a demand for payment of Estate Duty amounting to £3,380 and incidental Legacy Duty amounting to about £960 in respect of business premises in the City of Manchester, which were destroyed by enemy action less than three months after the death of their owner, on whose representatives the demand has been made; and whether he will give instructions that the payment of the death duties shall stand over subject to adjustment when the value payment is ultimately agreed.

Inquiries are being made regarding the case to which my hon. Friend refers, and I hope to communicate with him at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his confidence in a future national revenue sufficient to finance the proposed National Insurance. Scheme is based on maintaining direct and indirect taxation at war-time levels.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, to help avoid hardship now experienced by old age pensioners contributory and non-contributory, he will introduce legislation to ensure payment of 30s. per week to each old age pensioner.

I am not prepared to introduce legislation on this subject pending the introduction of the Government's national insurance scheme. As the House is aware, old age pensioners who are in need can obtain supplementary pensions at rates which were reviewed by Parliament as recently as 1943.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what recent changes there have been in Customs and Excise methods of valuation of furniture for death duties; and to what extent the valuation is now based upon replacement prices.

The basis of valuation of property for Estate Duty purposes as prescribed by Section 7 (5) of the Finance Act, 1894, is the market value at the date of death. There has been no change in the method of valuing furniture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when arrangements will be completed with the French Government by which banks in France will be able to pay out to British subjects funds which they held on their account and which were seized by the Germans.

This matter is under discussion at the present time. The arrangements will be completed as soon as possible, but I cannot name a precise date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what percentage of public libraries in this country now subscribe to the OFFICIAL REPORTS of this House.

Approximately 56 per cent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what percentage of the total quantity of paper consumed annually in publications of all kinds is repesented by the three tons a year saved by withholding from hon. Members of this House the free issue of bound volumes of HANSARD.

The amount of paper used annually for newspapers, books and periodicals is about 350,000 tons. The percentage for which the hon. Member asks is therefore clearly small, but perhaps I may leave the arithmetic to him.

asked the Postmaster-General if mails for Switzerland are still sent via Lisbon; and if it is now possible for them to be sent by a more expeditious route.

Surface mails for Switzerland are no longer despatched via Lisbon, but by a more direct route; the air mail service is temporarily suspended.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will cause the Members' telephone booths in the Central Lobby of the House of Commons to be rendered soundproof.

As a result of enemy action a number of telephone cabinets of a temporary character have had to be provided in the Central Lobby and steps are being taken to render them as sound proof as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the requirements of the R.N. as regards the provision of woollen comforts during the winter.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the woollen comforts so generously provided by the public. The demand for these most welcome gifts has always exceeded the supply and this is particularly so at present when many of our voluntary knitters are engaged on other forms of war work. Whilst appreciating the many competing calls on the time of the public the R.N.W.C.C. would be grateful for continued supplies of jerseys, scarves and gloves to enable them to meet the many urgent requests they receive for these articles, which do so much to ameliorate the inclement weather conditions under which the Navy must carry out its work.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider for release from the R.N. a medical student, details of whom have been submitted to him, who volunteered for the R.N. in 1940 when he had nearly completed his studies for the second examination of the medical degree, but now is anxious to finish his course and assist his father, an overworked medical practitioner, or whether he will secure priority of demobilisation for this student.

No, Sir. I am afraid that it is not possible to give any special preference to medical students for release from the Royal Navy. While I appreciate the motives which prompted this young man to join up at a time when he was reserved, there are so many students serving in the Armed Forces whose studies have been interrupted by the war that it is not possible to give any of them exceptional treatment. Their position has not been overlooked, however, in connection with the various Government Schemes for re-settlement and further education.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether steps are now being taken to ascertain, unit by unit, how many men and members of the W.R.N.S. have positions in civil life to return to; how many are qualifying to enter a profession which may involve a period at a university; how many will desire to avail themselves of the training schemes being initiated by the Ministry of Labour; and whether official information can be given as to prospects and opportunities in the Dominions and Colonies.

Steps are being taken to complete the records of pre-war occupations of men and women in the Navy but it is considered that a general inquiry on the lines indicated by my hon. Friend would be premature at the present time. As regards opportunities and prospects in the Dominions and Colonies, I would refer to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on 3rd October last and by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies on 18th October last.

asked the Minister of Production if he is aware that only 13 per cent. of the 1939 tonnage is allowed to the paper-bag manufacturers; and if he will consider allowing a larger percentage to these people, which would be a great help to the retailers and their customers for the wrapping of foods, etc.

The tonnage of paper allowed for manufacture into bags, including additional allocations for special purposes, is now some 25 per cent, of the 1939 figure. My right hon. Friend regrets that the paper supply position does not at present warrant an increase.

asked the Minister of Production whether any agreement has yet been reached with the American authorities as to the disposal of such military trucks and motor-cars as may be left in Great Britain and Europe at the close of European hostilities and which are not required any longer for military purposes, either in Europe or in the Far Eastern theatre of war.

No, Sir. But we are in touch with both Dominion and Allied Governments. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the White Paper on the plans for the disposal of Government Surplus Stores (Cmd. 6539), from paragraph 19 of which I quote the following extract:

"In the event of stores in the United Kingdom owned by Dominion or Allied Governments being disposed of here, His Majesty's Government will request the Governments concerned to make arrangements which conform io the principles set forth in this Paper."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the disturbance which occurred in Mauritius in 1943 can now be published.

Yes, Sir. A copy of this report has been placed to-day in the Library of the House with a short note of the steps which have been or are being taken to implement its recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the amount of land surrendered to the Crown in British Honduras since the raising of the land tax in 1931 to 2½ cents per acre; and give particulars as to the allocation and use which has been made of the land that has been so surrendered.

Since 1931, 347,656 acres have been surrendered to the Crown. Of this area 123,870 acres have been reserved to the Crown as forest reserves; 2,490 acres are valueless swamp and the balance of 221,296 acres is open to leasehold or purchase, the latter being subject to conditions of improvement and cultivation.

asked the Minister of Food why the quality of balancer meal for domestic poultry has deteriorated; whether he is aware of the effect upon the health of the birds and their egg production; and what steps he is taking to improve the meal.

There has been no deterioration in the quality of National Poultry Balancer Meal. The second and third parts of the Question do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can make any statement concerning postal and telegraphic communications with Belgium.

I have been asked to reply. A post card service started on 23rd November and this was announced in the Press. I regret that I cannot yet say when it will be possible to institute a letter or a telegraph service.