asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men who have served abroad for years, now on leave in this country, have been notified to report at depots on 23rd December; and whether he will make arrangements to the effect that such men shall be permitted to spend their Christmas at home.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friends the Members for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) and Oxford (Mr. Hogg) on 12th December.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will allow officers who were forced to leave the Army during this war on account of age or ill-health before the introduction of the Notice Leave concession to count, unpaid, six weeks in addition to their actual period on duty, for gratuity, medal, etc.

The hon. Member's proposal would involve reviewing the case of every officer and in fairness also of every other rank who has left the Army since the beginning of the war and, if only on these grounds, it is, I fear, impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a great part of short periods of leave of Servicemen going to and from Continental theatres and the Western Isles is occupied in travelling; and whether arrangements will be made to allow additional travel time and count leave as starting from the time of arrival at the Island ports.

Yes, Sir. The time taken in travelling will not count against the period of leave. This will run from the time they arrive in the particular Island to the time they leave it.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers are at present serving overseas who will have completed three years' continuous service overseas by the end of the year 1945.

I do not think it would be in the interests of security to give the figures in this exact form. Moreover, it is very difficult to give any figures in a form in which they are proof against being misunderstood. However, what I can say is that, if the German war were to continue throughout 1945, to bring men home, as and when they complete three years' continuous service overseas, would involve transporting in each direction about 300,000 men more than the trooping programme on the existing Python basis. It will be seen, therefore, that to reduce the foreign tour to three years would involve in 1945 an extra trooping programme of about 25,000 men a month in each direction. Taking into account the time spent on the voyage, the period of disembarkation leave and that on the Home Establishment, something like 125,000 extra men would therefore be unavailable for active service continuously. They would not be the same men, of course, all the time but the total would be roughly constant at that level. In other words, the effective strength of the Army overseas would be reduced by 125,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any further information to give on the status of the Airborne Forces Security Fund; and to what extent it is under the control of his Department.

The Airborne Forces Security Fund is not under War Office control in any way. It is constituted under a Deed of Trust, and is registered under the War Charities Act. The War Office have not been invited to nominate a trustee, nor would it be the normal practice for them to accept any official position in connection with a fund of this kind. Since, however, the objects of the Fund correspond with those of corps and regimental benevolent funds already in existence, I have represented to the trustees that from the point of view of the Army it is desirable that the administration of the Fund should conform in general to the accustomed practice, and that overlapping with other corps and regimental funds should as far as possible be avoided. The trustees of the Fund are, I understand, in agreement with this point of view.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increase in the fiduciary issue and to prevent hoarding, he will call in all existing notes and make a new issue as the only legal currency after a specified date in order that inquiries may be made into the reason for any large holdings which may be disclosed.

No, Sir. As I have stated in reply to previous suggestions of this kind, I do not think such action either necessary or desirable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has formed an estimate of the cost of the Bills envisaged in the Gracious Speech.

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend will find the usual financial memorandum prefaced to each Bill as it is published. Estimates of the cost of practically all the Measures involving major financial charges have already been given in White Papers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can furnish an approximate estimate of the total value of sterling currency notes hoarded abroad in safe deposits or otherwise which have been acquired through black market activities or other tax avoidance transactions.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will introduce legislation to improve the taxation position of mining companies, as announced in his Budget speech this year.

I am still hoping that it may be found possible early in the New Year to introduce the legislation necessary to implement the proposals regarding Post-War Income Tax on Industry which were announced in my Budget speech.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider, in view of the increase in the cost of living and for the encouragement of work, increasing the earnings allowed to old-age pensioners before reduction of their pension from £26 10s. per annum to £52 per annum.

The statutory provision that requires an old age pension to be reduced where the earnings of the pensioner exceed £26 5s., or, if the pensioner is one of a married couple, where the joint earnings exceed £52 10s., applies only to non-contributory old age pensions awarded to persons of 70 years of age and upwards who are not insured for contributory pensions. The position has been reviewed from time to time during the war in the light of the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend, the last occasion being when the Bill for the Pensions and Determination of Needs Act, 1943, was being framed. It was then decided to propose no change, and further legislation dealing with old age pensions is not proposed pending the introduction of the Government's scheme of national insurance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum in sterling now owing by this country to countries overseas in respect of debts con- tracted during this war; and the amounts thereof, respectively, owing to each of such countries.

I cannot give detailed figures other than those which will be found on pages 54 and 55 of the Finance Accounts for 1943, and in previous years; but I would also draw the attention of my hon. Friend to a reply I gave on 15th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall (Sir G. Schuster)—[Vol. 406, No 11, cols. 1472–3].

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has taken further steps to secure prompt payment in respect of a building destroyed by enemy action when the person entitled is of the age of 65 years or over.

As my hon. Friend is aware, this and similar proposals have been carefully and sympathetically considered from time to time, but the Government have always felt and still feel that the balance of argument lies against their adoption.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that owing to the provision that war damage compensation is not available in the case of property which has not been fully completed, many houses and bungalows in districts such as Southend are falling into disrepair because their owners cannot afford to repair them without the aid of compensation; and whether, in view of the importance of preserving all buildings which will assist in remedying the housing shortage, he will consider making compensation arrangements retrospective in the case of such property.

My hon. Friend is mistaken in thinking that houses and bungalows which were in course of construction and suffer war damage before completion are not covered by the War Damage Act. Such buildings come under Part I of the Act, and war damage should be notified to the appropriate Regional Office of the War Damage Commission. Any payment by the Commission would be limited to the proper cost of reinstating the property in the form in which it existed immediately before the war damage, and could not be made before the works had actually been executed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if accumulated interest for war damage compensation will be liable for Income Tax.

Yes, Sir. The interest will be subject to deduction of Income Tax at the rate in force at the time of payment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the financial indebtedness of Greece to this country; whether there are any additional loans to the one of 1898 and eight and one-fifth per cent. interest; and whether any instalments of interest have been paid during the period of the war.

Presumably my hon. Friend, in referring to a loan of 1898 at eight and one-fifth per cent. interest, has in mind the 2½ per cent. Guaranteed Gold Loan of that year, of which less than £40,000 nominal is outstanding. In addition to this loan, bondholders in this country are chiefly interested in the following external loans of the Greek Government: 7 per cent. Refugee Loan, 1928; 6 per cent. Stabilisation Loan, 1928; 6 per cent. Public Works Loans of 1928 and 1931; and ten smaller loans issued before the last war. The total nominal value of all these loans at present outstanding is about £17,750,000. At the beginning of the war the Greek Government was paying 40 per cent. of the interest due on these loans. As from 1st April, 1940, this rate was increased to 43 per cent., but payments were stopped in April, 1941, at the time of the German invasion of Greece. In addition to the market loans to which I have referred, H.M. Government have lent the Greek Government £46,250,000 during the war.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many copies of each issue of HANSARD are despatched to the U.S.A.

Fifty-three copies of HANSARD are despatched by the Stationery Office to the U.S.A. It is probable that some additional copies out of about 100 purchased by export booksellers are destined for the U.S.A.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the water supply survey in the Western Isles is now completed or if he can state when it will be.

The survey of the Outer Hebrides has now been completed, and a survey of the Inner Hebrides will be begun as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether modified types of prefabricated houses, suitable for rural areas, without electricity, are to be made available for the Highlands and Western Isles to meet the needs of returning ex-Service men for homes.

Prefabricated temporary houses have been designed primarily to meet the urgent housing needs of urban areas, and local authorities in Scotland have been advised that the houses are not suitable for areas in which supplies of electricity are not available. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works that the modification of the houses, so as to be suitable for districts without electricity, is not at present contemplated. But the application of prefabrication to permanent housing in areas without electricity is being considered.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that farmers in Gloucestershire are experiencing considerable difficulty in getting the necessary number of petrol coupons for the two-months periods to enable them to run their tractors; that the amount permitted is always considerably less than that necessary to keep the tractors running on necessary farm work; and whether he will look into the matter.

The County War Agricultural Executive Committee say that no such difficulties are being experienced, but I will make inquiries if the hon. Member will give me details of any special case he has in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the name of the vaccine produced in this country that is under trial in the Argentine with a view to rendering cattle immune from foot-and-mouth disease; and by whom the vaccine is being produced in this country.

Small quantities only of the vaccine, which for convenience has been called foot-and-mouth disease (crystal violet) vaccine, have been produced in this country. It is produced at the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Station at Pirbright solely for experimental purposes and is prepared by treating with crystal violet dye blood from affected animals. Advice as to its method of preparation has been given to the Argentine authorities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is able to give any information about the experiments with anti-foot-and-mouth vaccine conducted, in September and October, 1943, at La Salamanca, Alberdi; how many animals were vaccinated; how many of those vaccinated subsequently caught foot-and-mouth disease; and how many unvaccinated animals in this establishment suffered from foot-and-mouth disease.

I have no information at all about the experiments carried out at La Salamanca except that I have heard that some private trials with a vaccine prepared by Dr. W. M. Crofton were undertaken in 1943 and at other times in various herds in Alberdi and elsewhere in South America. So far as I am aware there is no reason, either as a result of the trials or otherwise, for re-opening the long standing and fully considered question of Dr. Crofton's claims for his vaccine.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what were the prices fixed by the Forestry Commis- sioners for the seasons 1940–41 and 1941–42 for Japanese larch 1 year, 2 years, 2 plus 1 and 2 plus 2.

There was one trivial sale of 4,000 Japanese larch 2 plus 2 in 1940–41 at 50s. per 1,000. There were no surpluses of this species in 1941–42 and consequently the question of prices did not arise.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, at what price they have been selling Christmas trees to the members of the trade association or other persons or firms; and if per foot, what price per foot.

The same prices for Christmas trees have been quoted to all buyers. The trees are not sold at a unit price per foot run but according to size and in two grades. Prices per 100, lifted in the nursery, have been as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for India whether British officers and noncommissioned officers who joined the Indian Army as volunteers before the war will be entitled to return to this country on leave on the same terms as conscripted members of the Forces now serving in India; or, if not, what period of service will qualify a pre-war volunteer in the Indian Army for leave in this country.

The pre-war regular personnel of the Indian Army are entitled to consideration under the Indian Army 61 days' leave scheme which, in their case, takes the place of the War Office home posting scheme, since home posting is not practicable for the Indian Army. The period of qualifying service under this scheme is five years. But there is, un- fortunately a considerable accumulation of Indian Army personnel who have been for a still longer period without leave home. As a result it is not yet possible to work to the minimum period prescribed. As I stated on 14th December, however, they are also entitled to consideration under the new "short leave" scheme which has now been applied to the Indian Army.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will recommend that expenditure incurred by local authorities in connection with sea-defence works shall be made eligible for financial assistance from national funds.

Suggestions for a general system of grants in aid of the expense of sea defence works have been made from time to time and the whole subject was reviewed by a Royal Commission, which reported in 1911 and which was not in favour of such a proposal. My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware of the Exchequer assistance which is available in respect of such works when undertaken by drainage authorities, but I should not feel justified in recommending special grants to local authorities who may undertake this work for the protection of their own property.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has considered the possibility of bovine tuberculosis being caused by vaccination and that a considerable number of cases of bovine tuberculosis are notified in areas where all or nearly all the milk consumed is pasteurised milk; and what action he proposes to take to prevent the spread of this form of tuberculosis.

I am advised that medical research has produced no evidence to suggest that smallpox vaccination either causes or aggravates tuberculous infection. The source of bovine infection cannot be limited to the particular area where the disease comes to notice and its occurrence is not necessarily related to the milk supply in that area. The measures that are being taken to increase pasteurisation or other efficient heat-treatment of milk throughout the country are the most effective means of combating bovine tuberculosis.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some medical officials of hospitals who have received his Department's instructions to inoculate accident cases with anti-tetanus serum are unaware of the right of the patient to refuse this treatment; and whether, in view of the definite nature of those instructions, he will remind hospital authorities that the patient's right to object still stands.

No, Sir. If my hon. Friend has in mind any particular case I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Health what are the prospects of receiving and publishing the decisions on the Report of the Inter-departmental Committee now considering the problem of rent control.

I understand that the Committee hope to report next February.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to say if it is proposed to continue the pre-service youth organisations after the conclusion of the war.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Deputy Prime Minister on 2nd August last in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn). I am at present unable to add to that answer.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to amend the present provisions for disabled ex-Service pensioners who marry subsequent to their disablement and have families, so as to grant more adequate wife's allowance and to make allowances in respect of the children as a right of the pensioners.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full explanation of the Government's policy in regard to this question given in the Debate on the White Paper (Command 6459) on 20th July, 1943, by the then Lord President of the Council. The views of the Government as then expressed remain unchanged.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that production of cotton yarns for war and civilian requirements is inadequate; that this production has declined and is declining; that the serious situation is due to an insufficient labour force; and what steps does he propose to take to cope with the growing deficiency.

I am unable at present to add to the reply I gave my hon. Friend On 12th October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has made in arranging for the production of utility handbags for women at reasonable prices.

I have made special arrangements to encourage the production of the cheaper types of handbags; but I do not propose to introduce a utility handbag.

asked the Minister of Labour if arrangements are being made to direct men to the building trade as they become redundant in war industry; and if these men can be passed through instructional classes where necessary in order to avoid delay in the housing programme.

Yes, Sir. Men becoming redundant in war industry who are available for transfer to the building trade are transferred to it. Training courses in the building trades are at present available for men who are disabled, and arrangements are in hand for providing training courses for the non-disabled as soon as the manpower situation permits.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is yet in a position to announce the constitution of the Central Advisory Councils for England and Wales under the Education Act.

Yes, Sir. I have invited Sir Fred Clarke to preside over the English and Principal D. Emrys Evans to preside over the Welsh Council. The other members of the Councils are as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it has yet been decided what powers will continue to be possessed by Regional Commissioners after the war.

There is no intention of retaining Regional Commissioners after the war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make available more Morrison shelters for areas in Suffolk and East Anglia as the ground is so wet in these areas for Anderson shelters to be suitable.

An adequate supply of Morrison shelters is already available for distribution to householders in this part of the country, including those whose Anderson shelters have become waterlogged. I am not aware of any difficulty in the matter, but if the hon. Member will let me have details of any particular cases he has in mind, I shall be very glad to have them investigated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that shipping available between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is at present inadequate, even to carry those who have exit permits; that schoolchildren, students, hospital nurses and other classes cannot get sailing tickets till towards or after the end of their holidays; and, in view of these circumstances, whether special arrangements can be made to overcome this shortage as was done when the evacuees from Gibraltar were sent to Northern Ireland.

I regret that a number of applicants have been unable to obtain sailing tickets for travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland in time for Christmas. The additional sailings on the Heysham-Belfast route, to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member for Down on 7th December, will begin next week. I am sorry that it is not possible further to increase the passenger services for Christmas.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, as a step towards securing the effective suppression of atmospheric pollution and efficient utilisation of coal, he will consider, with the other Ministers concerned, the possibility of requiring that all coal fires and other coal-burning appliances which may be installed in new houses built with subsidy aid, should produce less than 1 per cent. by weight of smoke when burning normal house coals.

It is the policy of the Government that every practicable step shall be taken in connection with the post-war housing programme to ensure that atmospheric pollution shall be reduced to a minimum and that coal should be burnt more efficiently. I am afraid that the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member is not immediately practicable, but this and other suggestions for promoting smoke abatement will be borne in mind by the various Departments concerned.

asked the Attorney-General if he has considered the complaints persistently made by representatives of spiritualistic churches, psychic research societies and others, that two ancient Statutes, namely, the Witchcraft Act, 1735, and the Vagrancy Act, 1824, have been, and are, being used for the purpose of persecuting spiritualistic mediums; that the above Acts are harsh and unjust in their operation and out of keeping with the spirit of the times; and if he will include them in the survey of ancient Statutes being made by him in conjunction with the Lord Chancellor.

The administration of these Acts is not under my control, but I cannot accept the allegations referred to in the Question. I am informed that prosecuting authorities do not institute proceedings except where they are satisfied that there is evidence of fraud and imposture. As stated in my answer on 1st November, the task of clarifying and overhauling the Statute book will be a long one, and it is, of course, impossible to forecast its rate of progress. The Acts in question would come under the general head of Acts relating to fraud.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many premises in Weymouth and district are now requisitioned by his Department; how many are now occupied; and whether he will release a proportion of those unoccupied at an early date.

The number of premises held on requisition by the Admiralty in the Weymouth District is 51. Of this number, 46 are fully occupied. Of the five premises unoccupied, four are reserved for existing new requirements, and the remaining one is about to be released from requisition.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware that publication of the draft Reconstruction Plan for the City of London is held up owing to printing difficulties; and whether he will give assistance in the matter, in view of the fact that the owners of property in the City cannot furnish the Corporation with their observations on the proposals contained in the plan until copies are available for their use.

On learning of the possibility of delay in the publication of the plan, because of the shortage of paper, I took immediate action, and I am glad to say that a licence for the necessary supply of paper was issued in October last. I was not hitherto aware of any printing difficulties, but I am examining the position with a view to rendering all possible help.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present policy of the Government with regard to recruitment of scientific staff to established posts in the Civil Service during the reconstruction period; what steps he proposes to take to ensure that only the most suitable and best qualified personnel are established under this scheme; and whether the Scientific Advisory Committee or other appropriate bodies will be consulted in the matter.

Investigation has been carried out into the conditions of service, pay and prospects of Government scientific staff, in close consultation with the Scientific Directors in Departments, and proposals have now been made which, I believe, will result in the recruitment of highly qualified personnel during the reconstruction period. These proposals are at present under discussion between the Treasury and the Institution of Professional Civil Servants.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is able to state what preference is proposed to be given to ex-Service candidates for entry into the Civil Service by the Governments of Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, respectively.

I am informed that the position is as follows:

asked the Minister of National Insurance what estimated total sum the taxpayer will have to provide over and above contributions from contributors as a result of the proposed death grant being given in respect of the existing population.

The total, expressed in the only way in which it could usefully be expressed, namely, as a capital sum representing the present value, would be of the order of £150,000,000.