asked the Minister of Labour if he will have an investigation made into the amount of time per day spent by each person travelling to and from their employment, the means of transport, the cost to people of the daily journeys, and the effect on health and production; and, if a national investigation cannot be made, will he hold an investiga- tion in North Staffordshire and within a 30-mile radius of Manchester.

I do not think that it would be practicable to undertake an investigation of this wide scope, either nationally or in the area suggested, but if my hon. Friend would care to furnish details of any case of special difficulty I shall be ready to consider it in collaboration with my Noble Friend, the Minister of War Transport.

If the investigation cannot be made now, in view of the war situation, will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that, as soon as possible after the termination of hostilities, consideration will be given by his Department to this question?

I cannot tie up the future, of course, and the transport problem is really one for the Minister of War Transport.

asked the Minister of Labour if men who leave this country to be employed by British companies abroad come under the Essential Work Orders; do the men employed by the oil companies abroad come under Essential Work Orders; is there any method of consultation between the various grades; and is there works committee elected representation.

The Essential Work Orders for which I am responsible do not apply to men working in undertakings abroad. Orders made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under Defence Regulations provide, however, that British subjects or British protected persons may not leave the employment of undertakings in foreign countries scheduled as essential undertakings without the prior consent of the Secretary of State, or of an authority delegated to act on his behalf. A number of Colonial Governments have made similar Orders. I understand that in at least one of the oil refineries, there is a committee of elected representativs of the staff which co-operates with representatives of the management on a joint consultative committee.

When the Foreign Office Regulations are applied, does my right hon. Friend think that the same conditions should be applied in this respect, where reasonable?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in spite of the urgent need of skilled builders for repairing bomb-damaged houses in the London area, such men are being detained for attendance on lorries, some of which have been standing idle; and whether he will forthwith divert such men to house repairs.

As my hon. and gallant Friend is already aware, further inquiries are being made. I will communicate with him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour how the reduction of the labour force in the building trade from 1,000,000 in 1939 to 320,000 to-day can be divided between deaths and retirements, lack of new entrants and recruitment to the Forces; and what estimate can be made of the number who may return to the building trade from the Forces after the war.

The number of insured men aged 16 to 64 in the building industry was 1,008,000 at mid-1939 and 345,000 at mid-1944. During that five years the industry has received over 100,000 new entrants apart from the large numbers who have transferred from other industries. Statistics are not available that would enable separate figures to be given for losses due to death and retirement, recruitment to the Forces and transfers to other industries. It is expected, however, that upwards of 300,000 men will be available for return to the industry from the Forces after the war. A considerable number will also become available for transfer from other industries.

Are these 300,000 workers all craftsmen, or does the figure include labourers too?

I do not think there is such a grade as labourer extant in the building industry now. This attempt to put a narrow limit to what are called craftsmen represents something which has almost disappeared from the industry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the reoganisation of the appointments department recommended by Lord Hankey's Committee on Higher Appointments will have the effect of restricting the engagement of persons normally employed in a managerial capacity.

No, Sir. The sole object of re-organising the Appointments Department is to create a specialised service on the same lines as the employment exchange service to meet the needs of men and women who are seeking higher appointments than those normally dealt with in the employment exchanges. Such a service is vital for men and women from the Forces whose resettlement in civil employment will be of supreme importance and it will be closely linked with the facilities for further education and business training which I have arranged. In general, however, engagements of persons employed in a managerial capacity are not subject to control at present, and it is not my intention that the engagement by employers of persons normally employed in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity should be controlled after the termination of hostilities in Europe. All employers have the right of decing whether or not any person submitted by an appointments office should be engaged and they will, of course, retain that right in future.

Will my right hon. Friend do all he can to encourage employers to use the facilities which he has provided?

Yes, Sir. I am in touch with industry, and I must say that industry as a whole, with few exceptions, is responding very well. I have discussed the matter with representatives of industry. The arrangement I have made is that, assuming that a young man has been for five years in the war and has ability, leadership, power of supervision and all that kind of thing, I am to ascertain what kind of training I should give him to make up that gap and to fit him for a post. The employers and myself are in close consultation, together with Government Departments, to try not merely to get a man sent forward for an appointment, but to make him fit for the appointment, if I can possibly do so.

Will any pressure be brought to bear upon industrialists to take these men for higher posts?

No, Sir, I am not putting pressure upon them. I shall try to persuade them. What we must not do is to leave thousands of young men and women at the end of this war, after they have enjoyed rather higher status in one of the Services, simply to be thrown back and left in a hopeless position.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent administrative changes foreshadowed in the Report on Higher Appointments (Cmd. 6576) have already been put into operation; and particularly whether appointment officers of his Ministry now settle eligibility for assistance under the further education scheme and also dissuade applicants who, in their opinion, are unsuitable.

A number of the most important changes recommended in the Report on Higher Appointments have already been put into operation. In particular, arrangements are being made for the appointments offices to deal with questions affecting eligibility of applicants under the Further Education and Training Scheme, and in appropriate cases to advise applicants on choice of career.

In view of the great importance of this White Paper, would my right hon. Friend consider asking the Leader of the House for an opportunity for a Debate upon it, in conjunction with the scheme for further education? A number of questions arise out of it, affecting men as they are being demobilised.

It is not for me to make such arrangements, Debates being normally arranged through the usual channels. I would also ask my hon. Friend to consider whether it is wise to debate one isolated operation of the Ministry of Labour, when all parts of the plan dovetail one into another.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to remedy the lack of institution and hospital accommodation due to shortage of nursing and domestic staff.

The provision of institution and hospital accommodation comes within the purview of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Health, but so far as the question concerns the supply of nursing staff to enable additional beds to be opened, hospitals and institutions already have the highest priority for such nursing staff as they require urgently. During the nine months ended 30th September, 1944, the net increase in the number of nursing staff employed in hospitals and institutions was approximately 3,500, of which about 600 were part-time nurses. As regards the supply of domestic staff, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Welling-borough (Wing-Commander James) on 7th December, 1944, a copy of which I am sending to him.

While realising the great difficulties, may I ask the Minister if he will re-examine some of the typical cases I have sent him? Does he realise that wards could be opened, whereas in present circumstances further wards may be closed? Will he do his utmost to ameliorate the position?

I can assure my hon. Friend that nothing has given me greater anxiety than the problem of nursing and domestic staffs in hospitals, but it is only fair that I should remind the House that in wartime I cannot make good the neglect of years, with all the other claims that are made upon me.

If the Rushcliffe recommendations have failed to popularise nursing, will my right hon. Friend consider whether the wage rates need revising?

I think that the Rushcliffe Report will popularise nursing at the end of the war, when the supply changes; but when there is such a huge claim for personnel for so many purposes connected with the war, I quite understand that it is difficult to get people to take up this career.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that workers in industry when off sick for one day or more have to pay for medical certificates to take to their employers, to conform to the provisions in the Essential Work Orders relating to absenteeism; and whether he will arrange for such certificates to be obtained free under the National Health Insurance Acts.

I understand that employers do not usually require medical certificates in respect of absence from work not exceeding two days, but in any case I have no power to require the granting of free medical certificates under the National Health Insurance Acts except for the purposes of those Acts.

If that is the case, could not the Minister take some other action, so that these workers can be relieved of this charge for certificates? It has been a great hardship in some cases where they receive only 18s. a week from National Health Insurance.

The information I have received, as my hon. Friend will be aware from my original answer, is that this is an uncommon occurrence. But we are taking steps to deal with the matter in our new proposals.

Is the Minister aware that this sum is an additional payment to the 9s. already paid? Is it not the height of meanness to charge extra above the 9s.?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that most employers require a certificate even if the employee is away only for half a day?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a certificate of the nation's thanks, suitable for framing, is or will be issued to the next of kin of members of the N.F.S., police and C.D., killed by enemy action whilst on duty.

When a member of the Police, the N.F.S. or the Civil Defence Services is killed by enemy action while on duty, it is the practice for the local authority or a senior officer of the Service to send a message to the next of kin, expressing gratitude for the services which he or she has rendered in the country's defence and sympathy to the relatives in their bereavement. In conjunction with other Ministers concerned, I have under consideration the possibility of issuing a certificate of the kind which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind at the end of the war in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether arrangements have been made to provide a benevolent fund for C.D. workers comparable to the benevolent fund of the N.F.S.; and how are applications for benefit from such fund to be made.

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Education if he can state approximately and by counties the number of new schools which will be required after the war.

No, Sir. I can make no forecast until I have received the development plans of local education authorities.

asked the Minister of Education when he will consider the new Burnham scales of salaries for teachers and indicate the amount of additional grant to local education authorities to meet the additional cost involved.

I will consider the new scales when they are submitted to me by the Burnham Committee. I am not in a position to make any statement about additional grant.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the situation in which local authorities are placed by this award? In the county of Carmarthen there is an edu- cation rate of 10s. 7d. in the £. Is he aware that these new scales will involve an additional rate of 1s. 5d.?

Yes, I realise the position only too well, but the scales have not yet been submitted to me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the strong dissatisfaction felt by secondary school teachers about their prospective position?

Yes, I shall bear everything in mind when the scales are submitted to me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind also the need to give local authorities additional help from the Exchequer to meet this additional expense?

asked the Minister of Education when he hopes to receive the new Burnham scales; and whether he will give an assurance that no action will be taken by him without prior consideration by this House.

I hope that the Burnham Committee will be in a position to submit to me new scales of remuneration for teachers about the middle of next month. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Baronet, the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 21st December, a copy of which I am sending to him.

I had a look at that document. Could my right hon. Friend tell me how we are to know when he receives these scales? He might receive the scales and accept them, and we would not know very much about it. What I want to ensure is that this minority of secondary school teachers should get some sort of defence here; apparently it is very difficult to get it outside this House. This is a very serious question. Will my right hon. Friend give me some indication?

Naturally, it has never been my desire to prevent the House expressing their opinion. I always enjoy it when they do. It is not likely that I shall approve the scales on the day they are received. They will require consideration.

Would my right hon. Friend give the House an assurance that he will make it known to us, when he receives these scales? I do beg him to agree. There is a large volume of feeling in this House and outside, which wants to be sure that we shall be able to consider the scales after he has received them.

The House should fully realise the statutory position in which I am placed. If the House will realise the limitations placed on me by Statute, I would only say that I have no desire to prevent the House expressing their opinion and it is to be hoped they will find some means of achieving that.

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that we shall be able to discuss the matter in the House before the Government take a decision, because the volume of evidence we are receiving in criticism of the scales is really overwhelming, and the facts ought to be brought before the House before the Government decide.

I cannot accept the picture the hon. Lady gives of the position at this stage, but I think it undesirable that this House should be prevented from expressing its views on any subject and I should be the last to attempt to prevent it from doing so.

asked the Minister of Education when he proposes to issue regulations to the local education authorities indicating the basis upon which Government grants will be paid in respect of educational services from 1st April next, including the allocation of the special additional grants to poorer authorities, in view of the fact that local education authorities have now to prepare their estimates for their financial year 1945–46.

I appreciate the consideration referred to in the last part of my hon. and learned Friend's question. The regulations are in course of preparation and will be published at the earliest possible date next month.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that that will be time enough for the local authorities to prepare their budgets for the next financial year?

Yes, I have great faith in the expedition and vision of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether, as the programme of 3,000 houses for agricultural workers is virtually completed, he will arrange for the building of a further 3,000 houses to assisting in meeting the acute housing shortage in the countryside.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd) on 18th January.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that this need is becoming ever greater in the countryside? As it was possible to build these houses under still more difficult conditions than we are experiencing even at the present time, surely he can make a more satisfactory reply?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the difficulties we are experiencing now are far greater than those which existed at that date.

Will the Minister not consider the advisability of urging the Cabinet to revise their decision to stop house building during the war, and to get on with house building in the same way as they are getting on with the war?

So far as Scotland is concerned, perhaps my hon. Friend will put his question to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

I am not here to represent Scotland only. I represent the A.E.U., with 1,000,000 members from the whole of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

May I say that, in view of the great importance of the question, I shall also be there?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Arnold urban council has considered the purchase of land in Breck Hill Road for a branch library, and that the district valuer was prepared to recommend the purchase at the price agreed upon by the committee; whether he can state the area of this land, its rateable value, and the price it was proposed to pay; and what the result of the negotiation has been.

No, Sir. I have no information concerning this proposal. I am, however, making inquiries, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether sanction has now been given for the acquisition by the Worthing Town Council of land adjoining Harrington Road area for building houses; what is the area of the land involved and the rateable value at which it has heretofore been assessed; and what price is being paid.

I have agreed to the acquisition by the Worthing town council of 5 acres of land, in addition to 6½ acres they already own, in Barrington Road, and the council are now in negotiation with the owner. The land is derated.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Eastbourne council has been negotiating with the Chatsworth Estates Company for the purchase, for housing purposes, of land at the junction of Churchdale Road and Northbourne Road; that the district valuer was unable to agree a purchase price with the Chatsworth Estates and the company were unwilling to consent for the case to be submitted voluntarily to an official arbitrator: that for three acres a price of £2,500 was asked; whether the purchase has now been sanctioned, and at what price; and what is the rateable value of the land in question.

Yes, Sir. The Eastbourne town council have made a compulsory purchase order in respect of this site, which I confirmed on 29th December. Negotiations have been proceeding between the estate and the council in the matter of compensation, which has not yet been fixed. The land is derated.

asked the Minister of Health if plans have been formulated to facilitate and encourage contractors, large and small, and other forms of private enterprise, to take an essential part in the provision of post-war housing.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on this subject in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Bristol (Lady Apsley) on 7th December last.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give any indication of the kind of facilities and encouragement that are offered?

I am afraid that no facilities or encouragement are offered for the building of houses at the moment; but I can assure my hon. Friend that we are proceeding on the lines indicated in the answer to which I have referred.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give any indication of the nature of the facilities and encouragement which will be offered, so that people can make their plans accordingly?

Those indications are given in the answer to which I have referred.

Does not this reinforce the suggestion which I made just now, that it is time the Government reversed their decision to stop house-building during the war? It is as important to get on with building houses to-day as it is to carry on the war.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he proposes to take steps to prevent companies acquiring properties at inflated prices, over the heads of persons of more modest means, and thereby depriving the latter of the opportunity of acquiring their own homes for occupational purposes.

I will ask my hon. Friend to await the reply which I understand will be given later to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Clayton (Mr. H. Thorneycroft).

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been directed to the Motion on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Clayton, asking for the appointment of a Select Committee to examine the desirability of controlling or regulating the price at which dwelling-houses may be sold; and if he will give time to debate the Motion.

In view of the state of public Business, I can hold out no hope of time being found for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of my hon. Friend. The Government have had this subject under careful consideration for some time, but I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the practice to which this Motion refers is both widespread and increasing, and that with the end of the German war and the return of many men, who have no homes to go to, the position will become still more acute? Is it not worthy of special consideration, in view of these facts?

There are many opportunities for discussing this matter in the House, in the ordinary round of the Parliamentary Session. The Government are considering the matter, but we are not convinced, nor likely to be convinced, that a Select Committee would be the best way of dealing with it.

In view of the difficulties of this question, would not the Government consider setting up a fair prices tribunal, much on the lines of the Fair Rents Tribunal in Scotland, which has already worked very well?

I can only say that these matters are constantly under the attention of the War Cabinet and of the Ministers especially concerned. The House may rest assured that the matter is not being left to slide or being overlooked. I am not in a position at present to offer a Select Committee.

Can the Prime Minister give any indication of when the Government are likely to reach a decision, because, as he knows much better than I do, all over the country we are getting houses sold at three times their pre-war value?

I am not able to give an indication as to when a decision will be reached.

Does the Prime Minister not think it is about time that he reversed his decision that, for the duration of the war—

That does not arise out of this Question. This Question deals only with a Select Committee on the price of houses.

Surely I have a right to put this question?

A supplementary question can be put only if it is relevant to the original Question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision not to grant a day for this Debate, because since the recent statement of the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Minister of Health a large number of these houses have been sold for 200 per cent. or more above their original price?

I am afraid I cannot reconsider a decision within a very few moments of its having been announced. We will consider the matter.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what organisations he proposes to consult each February before fixing the prices of eggs and poultry.

The February reviews of the general financial position of agriculture in the United Kingdom will be conducted in consultation with the National Farmers' Unions of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Representatives of organisations concerned with particular commodities will not be invited to participate in these general reviews, but my right hon. Friend will be quite prepared to consider any representations from recognised associations in the poultry industry before conclusions are reached on the prices to be fixed for eggs and poultry.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give some reason why specialist poultry organisations will not be consulted?

There are so many poultry organisations in various parts of the country that it would be quite impossible to consult each small section before entering on a revision of prices. I would say to my hon. Friend that any recognised poultry organisation may send representations to the Minister before the review takes place.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the W.L.A. because, while Service men and women and munition workers are provided for, no plans have been made by the Government for participation by the W.L.A. in post-war re-settlement and training schemes, nor for payment of gratuities on completion of war work; whether consideration is being given to these matters; and for what period and in approximately what numbers the Government desire the W.L.A. to continue at their present posts when the war is over.

It is true that separate proposals have been announced by the Government regarding men and women in the Services and those in civilian industries, but proposals regarding munition workers apply also and equally to members of the Womens' Land Army and workers in other essential war industries. I am not in a position at present to make any further announcement about the future.

In view of the importance of this matter and the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the conviction at Whitchurch Petty Sessions last November of an employee of the Hampshire War Agriculture Executive Committee for setting spring traps in the open; and whether he is now prepared to withdraw his permission from war agricultural committees to use traps in this way.

My right hon. Friend is aware that an employee of the Hampshire War Agricultural Executive Committee was recently convicted and fined for setting spring traps in the open without previously obtaining the authority of the Committee. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative. I would add, however, that committees have been instructed that open trapping should only be authorised in cases where no other means of rabbit destruction would be effective.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in the opinion of many who are fully qualified to judge and are just as anxious as he is to reduce rabbits to a minimum, there are other alternative ways equally efficient and less destructive of other animal and bird life; and that in this particular case there were found in the traps, two blackbirds and a misselthrush with broken legs and other birds hanging on trees also with broken legs? Is he further aware that blackbirds and thrushes are mainly beneficial to agriculture?

Why not be humane?

Remember that you are kind people, and try to be humane.

The Noble Lady must really restrain herself. I am a little tired of this constant interruption. We had too much of it yesterday.