asked the Minister of Labour whether an applicant for employment, restricted to exchanges under the new Control of Engagement Order, proposed in Cmd. 6568, will have the right to apply for any of the vacancies notified to those exchanges, or will be restricted to applying only for such vacancies as the interviewers may select.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 18th January, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether disabled women are being granted the same opportunities as men to enter and train in Government rehabilitation centres.

Arrangements for the vocational training of disabled women are similar to those for men. Industrial rehabilitation facilities for women will be provided when the need arises.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now state the intentions of the Government regarding the position of the persons employed at the Royal Ordnance factories whose salaries or wages are in excess of £420 per annum, which debars them from entitlement to unemployment benefit, especially as the answer to a similar question on 24th February last year was that the matter was in abeyance until the publication of the Government's proposals about social insurance.

As my hon. Friend is now aware, it is proposed, subject to the approval of Parliament in due course, that the new national insurance scheme shall cover all employed persons without limit of earnings.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he can give any indication when he expects the National Insurance Bill will be introduced.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour why unlicensed hotels and restaurants are to be regulated by two separate Wages Boards, whilst licensed hotels and restaurants have the privilege of being regulated by a single Wages Board.

The Catering Wages Commission made their recommendations in regard to these Boards after the most careful consideration of the circumstances and in consultation with representatives of the sections of the industry covered. The reasons which led the Commission to recommend a separate Wages Board for Unlicensed Non-Residential Catering Establishments are dealt with fully in their Report, Command 6569, to which I would refer the Noble Lady.

asked the Minister of Labour why nurses who became State-registered in April, 1944, are debarred from volunteering for the Services.

This decision was made in order to maintain a proper balance between competing demands for military and civil nursing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent there has been an increase in undetected crime in the last six months; and to what extent it is estimated this increase is attributable to the further call up for war service of previously reserved police personnel.

As regards the first part of the Question, complete statistics of the number of crimes recorded and detected in the last six months in England and Wales are not yet available. I have, however, made special inquiries into the position in the Metropolitan Police District and in six of the larger provincial forces. The result of this partial survey does not indicate that there has been any significant increase in the percentage of undetected crime in recent months, though

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether instances of crime reported by the public to the police are invariably entered in the police station book; what was the number of cases so reported in the Metropolitan police district in the three months ended 31st December, 1944, and in the corresponding three months of 1943, or nearest convenient dates; and how many of these are recorded as detected and undetected crime, respectively.

It is a standing instruction in the Metropolitan police force that particulars of all crimes and alleged crimes coming to the notice of the police are to be entered in the crime book. As far as I am aware, similar instructions apply in other forces. In the last published report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis figures are given for each of the several classes of offences showing the number of crimes recorded and the number cleared up in each of the years 1939 to 1943. Similar figures will in due course be published for 1944.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of police personnel in the Metropolitan district in the uniformed and plain-clothes branches, respectively, in the three months ended 31st December, 1943, and in the corresponding three months of 1944, indicating separately Regular and War Reserve police.

The appended table gives the position at 31st December, 1943, and 31st December, 1944, respectively:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the frequency of accidents due to accumulation of debris, repair materials, etc., left at night in streets near bomb damage; and what action has been taken to determine the responsibility for preventing such accidents by providing red lights or other suitable protective measures.

I have no evidence to suggest that accidents of this kind are frequent, though a few minor ones have been reported. If my hon. Friend will let me know of any cases I will gladly have them looked into.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Report of the compensation secretary to the South Wales Miners' Federation states that there were nearly 3,000 miners suffering from pneumoconiosis and waiting for a medical board; and what steps are being taken to increase these boards so as to deal with this very serious state of affairs.

I am aware that there are a very large number of South Wales coalminers claiming to be suffering from pneumoconiosis who are awaiting examination by the Medical Board. In recent months four additional doctors have been added to the Medical Board in South Wales, making eight in all, with a view of expediting the examinations, and this number should be sufficient to deal with the normal number of applications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that chief constables are only renewing arms certificates on the condition that all revolver and pistol ammunition is surrendered without claim or compensation; if this policy is being universally applied; and for what reasons.

The question whether a firearm certificate should be renewed, and, if so, whether the holder of the fire- arm should be allowed to possess ammunition also, is a matter for decision by the chief officer of police in accordance with the circumstances of the individual case. It is usual for permission to have ammunition to be withheld unless the possessor of the firearm can satisfy the police that he really needs to use it. No compensation is payable in cases where renewal of a certificate is refused; but the person concerned is, I understand, usually given opportunity to dispose of the firearm or ammunition to a registered dealer.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he has yet had any consultation with the Minister of Agriculture or representatives of agricultural bodies on framing the Interim Development Order governing permission for the erection of new agricultural buildings; and whether he will publish the Order soon so that the erection of new agricultural buildings where necessary may not be interfered with.

Consultations are proceeding between officers of the two Departments on the control to be exercised over agricultural buildings under the Town and Country Planning Acts; but I cannot yet say when a draft Interim Development Order dealing with this matter will be published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in his forthcoming Budget, he will take steps to end the invidious distinction between the A, partly educational, and B, not partly educational, lists of plays furnished by His Majesty's Board of Customs and Excise in which the former are freed from Entertainments Duty when presented by non-profit-making theatrical companies while the latter are not.

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my Budget Statement, but I can assure him that this subject is receiving constant consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of our national currency is represented by metallic coinage created by the Royal Mint.

It is estimated that about 9 per cent. of the total currency of the United Kingdom consists of coin struck by the Royal Mint.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what it costs the Royal Mint to produce £1,000,000 worth of each of the following coins: halfpennies, pennies, 12-sided three

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardship occasioned to elderly persons with small incomes in the case of Post-War Credits which are not payable until after the war is over, when many of the persons referred to may be no longer alive; and will he give consideration to the hardship suffered by such persons under the existing law when he is framing his forthcoming Budget.

I will refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Cape) on 9th November, of which I am sending him a copy. (OFFICAL REPORT, Volume 404, No. 147, Column 1551.)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present rate of expenditure by way of salary and allowances to all British officials in the U.S.A., including those employed by U.N.R.R.A., as well as those in the direct employ of the Crown.

Since the Royal Mint is in ordinary times in competition with other bodies for overseas orders, I regret that details of the costs of manufacturing coinage must remain confidential.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the division of taxation as between direct taxation and indirect taxation in sterling and in percentage for the years 1941–2 and the subsequent years.

The following are the figures:

I assume my hon. Friend to be referring only to staff appointed from the United Kingdom to posts in the United States. Even in relation to that staff, fully accurate particulars of the pay and allowances actually in issue could not be obtained without extensive inquiries of the various Departments concerned. It is estimated, however, on the basis of the numbers in post last November, including Diplomatic and Consular Staffs and members of the Forces, that the pay and allowances of the staff defined amount to about £2,500,000 a year. U.N.N.R.A. is an international organisation, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. and gallant Member for Ormskirk (Commander King-Hall) on 16th November and 20th December last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to attempts by southern Irish labourers to blackmail farmers as regards Pay-as-you-earn regulations; and if he will take steps to prevent it in future.

I am aware of the reports that cases have occurred where prospective employees have refused to take on a job unless the employer agreed to pay their wages in full without deductions of Income Tax. The law imposes on all employers the obligation to deduct from all wages they pay the proper amount of tax under the Pay-as-you-earn system. Any employer who fails to deduct tax remains liable to report the wages paid and to pay over to the Inland Revenue the tax which he ought to have deducted. Employers to whom suggestions are made that wages should be paid without the proper tax deductions can put an end to such practices by carrying out their obligations under the law and refusing to lend themselves to any such form of evasion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Inland Revenue authorities have instructed the Great Western Railway Company to pay Mr. W. Clements, 21, Sarn Place, Risco, Monmouthshire, a railway guard, the sum of £3 a week only, to take the rest for Income Tax to repay an alleged debt of £6 10s. for his daughter keeping house for him; that this man pays 17s. 6d. weekly to his wife who is in a mental home at Caerleon, Monmouthshire, leaving him only 42s. 6d. a week to maintain his home and his daughter; and, as a letter was received from the Treasury stating that the alleged debt for his daughter would be waived, will he make further inquiries into this case.

I cannot deal with the application of the Income Tax law in particular cases by way of Question and answer, and I would remind my hon. Friend that this is a case in which he has already received from me a full explanatory letter. If he considers that there is any further point which is not covered by that letter and will communicate it to me, I will cause inquiry to be made and let him know the results in due course.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists at the time involved and the long delays incurred by men who have had occasion to visit Roehampton Hospital for the fitting and refitting of artificial limbs; and whether he will arrange to have better facilities and arranged times available.

I cannot accept the statement in the first part of the Question. Attendance for fitting and refitting of artificial limbs is by timed appointment and no patient is detained longer than is necessary. It will, however, be realised that, while everything is done to avoid any undue inconvenience to patients, cases demanding more than the usual time either in the limb fitting centre or in the contractor's works must occasionally arise. This, coupled with the fact that every day a varying number of men visit the Hospital without appointment, tends at times to upset any arranged time-table. This position is understood and accepted generally by the men themselves, but my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that the arrangements are kept constantly under review in order to reduce the waiting period to a minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, when occasion arises, an opportunity will be given to those members of the British Forces serving in India who have been compulsorily transferred to the Indian Army to re-transfer to the British service; and whether the position of such members so compulsorily transferred to the Indian Army will be in any way affected as regards demobilisation.

On the first part of his Question I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 18th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on the second part to my reply of 8th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton (Mr. Summers), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that in the Indian Command stoppages of four rupees a day are made in an officer's pay in hospital when illness has been contracted west of the Brahmaputra, which money is not paid to the hospital concerned; and, in view of the fact that an officer holding temporary rank usually loses also the salary of that rank in hospital, will he take steps to abolish such a penalty for illness contracted on service in unhealthy climatic conditions.

Hospital stoppages are not a penalty. They are levied under both British and Indian rules and correspond approximately to the charge the officer would otherwise have paid for messing, etc. As a concession, however, they are not levied on officers admitted to hospital from a field service area. In North-East India the Brahmaputra constitutes the western boundary of such an area, and officers serving west of the river are treated in accordance with the ordinary rules. An officer does not usually lose his temporary rank in hospital. The Indian rule on the subject is the same as the War Office rule. Under it the officer retains acting and temporary rank for four months from the date he is struck off duty.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether members of the W.V.S. or S.S.A.F.A. proceeding to India to help Service welfare will be fully covered by the Government for injury, illness or aggravated illness received or contracted while on service; and whether they will be eligible for war pensions.

I am discussing with the War Office the exact method of providing against the risks of sickness and injury in the case of voluntary welfare workers sent to India, e.g., whether by insurance, as in the case of members of S.S.A.F.A. who have already left for India, or, as in the case of V.A.D. members serving in India, by treatment on the analogy of the War Warrants concerning pensions and similar provisions,

asked the Minister of Education (1) whether the recently announced proposals to regrade as qualified uncertificated teachers who have seen

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now make a statement upon the welfare arrangements that have been made for British troops arrived in or passing through Calcutta on leave from the Far East and other stations in the Burma operations.

The Government of India and the military authorities are actively pursuing the question of improvements to coaching stock and messing arrangements for troops travelling to India on leave from the 14th Army Area. Coaching stock used for leave purposes from 14th Army Area is now being reserved for this purpose only, and arrangements are in hand to convert 200 coaches exclusively for military use. Messing arrangements are being improved by halting trains at "Messing Stations," where men will be able to get a full meal in the evening, and tea and refreshments at other times. Calcutta itself is well equipped with leave centres, canteens and rest camps.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of coal-pit shafts operating in this country at any given date in each of the years 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940 and 1944, respectively.

Following is the number of mines:more than 20 years' service apply also to supplementary teachers of the same length of service;(2) Whether he has any statement to make with regard to the financial position of supplementary teachers.

The employment of a limited number of supplementary teachers in rural schools is allowed under certain conditions, but they are not formally recognised as teachers under the Code and do not possess qualifications which would justify their being graded as qualified teachers. The only statement I have to make in answer to the second Question is that one of the purposes of the Bill now before the House is to extend to supplementary teachers the benefits of the Teachers (Superannuation) Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the promised inquiry into the arrest of Max Kritzman, in Palestine, has been completed; and whether the report thereon will be published.

I have not yet received a report from the High Commissioner, but he is being asked to expedite it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give favourable consideration to appointing a West Indian to represent the West Indies in Washington on the Anglo-American Caribbean sent I have nothing to add to the reply Commission.

I regret that at present I have nothing to add to the reply which was given to the hon. Member on 3rd June, 1942.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will examine the terms and charges for expenses in connection with the issue of long term public loans guaranteed or non-guaranteed made by Colonial Governments for the past 20 years or more, to see whether more economical arrangements in the case of any new loans in the future can be arrived at.

The terms of issue of Colonial loans have always been carefully considered in relation to conditions at the moment of issue and the rates of interest paid, although on some past occasions they have been high by present-day standards, they have been closely related to the rates prevailing at the time for giltedged securities. I have no doubt that it will continue to be the practice to examine the terms whenever the necessity presents itself for raising a loan with a view to ensuring that the arrangements are the most economical that can be secured. There is no new Colonial borrowing at present, but in the case of a recent conversion loan, it was possible to secure terms of 3 per cent., and I am satisfied that those terms and the expenses of the issue were reasonable.

asked the Minister of Health the purpose of the Public Assistance, Poor Law, England, Draft Order.

The purpose is to revoke Article 92 of the Public Assistance Order, 1930, which limits the discretion of local authorities as to the categories of children who may be boarded out. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Circular in which the proposal to make the amending Order was announced to local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health if compensation for loss of office will be paid to members of public assistance staffs who will be displaced by the revocation of Article 92 of the Public Assistance Order, 1930.

The revocation of Article 92 is not likely to lead to the closing of any children's homes, or other institutions, or to the displacement of any staff. The question of compensation will therefore not arise.

asked the Minister of Health if he will discontinue or modify the system of inquiring what amount a local authority has received or been promised by way of contribution from owners of land and properties which will benefit by the extension of water mains and sewers before he will approve such works or applications for loans and grants to carry them out, and thus hasten the supply of water and the provision of sewers in areas where such works may not be economic.

Such inquiries are not normally made in the case of extensions of domestic water supplies. The duty of local authorities under the Public Health Act, 1936, to provide sewers extends only to the provision of sewers to serve existing houses; there is no legal obligation on them to provide sewers in anticipation of development. In these circumstances I see no reason for departing from the existing practice of encouraging local authorities to obtain contributions from owners of undeveloped land which will benefit from projected sewers.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that some rural local authorities who have provided a water main covering large parts of their district are handicapped in getting main water laid on to a house in cases where there is either an inadequate or unwholesome supply from other sources; and whether he will arrange for the last paragraph in Sub-section 3 of Section 138 of the Public Health Act, 1936, to be amended so as to increase the amount payable by an owner to a sum exceeding £20 per house which sum is often inadequate.

The amount payable by an owner was increased to £20 per house from a much lower figure so recently as 1936. Section 3 of the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944, should operate to reduce the cost of connections when that Act comes into effective operation after the end of the war in Europe.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that out of 238 houses in the village of Mendlesham, Suffolk, 224 share public pumps and 208 have to fetch their water from 200 feet to a mile away; that the public supply has frequently failed during the past year; that because of the shallow lavatory pail sewage drainage system the school which caters for 130 children is in danger of serious epidemics; whether he has considered a resolution from the Mendlesham Women's Institute on this subject; and will he take steps to ensure that a piped supply of water, already close to the village, is extended in order to provide reasonable amenities for the inhabitants.

I am aware that the existing conditions in the village of Mendlesham are not satisfactory. I understand that the Hartismere Rural District Council have prepared a scheme for the pro- vision of piped supplies for this village after the war. In accordance with the general policy of limiting the execution of works as far as practicable to those which are essential for immediate war purposes, the further extension and improvement of public water supplies must normally await the defeat of Germany. I do not feel justified in treating the present case exceptionally.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of houses for farm workers in Norfolk; and whether he will permit the continued operation of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act at an early date.

Yes, Sir. Within the limits allowed by war-time difficulties applications under the legislation as it stands are considered at the present time, but, as I have already stated, propose to introduce amending legislation on this subject as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the possibility of the enemy, now that he is being cornered, resorting to the use of gas, we are prepared with sufficient machines and gas immediately to deluge Germany in the same manner after the enemy have started to use this weapon.

Sir, if the contingency indicated by my hon. Friend were to occur, he may rest assured that tenfold retaliation could very swiftly be inflicted on Germany. It is no doubt the realisation of this fact and not any moral scruples on the part of the enemy that has hitherto procured us immunity from this particular form of warfare.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the assessment of personal qualifications of applicants on the Appointments Register will be regarded in all cases as privileged even if its inadvertent disclosure by either the assessor or employer is gravely prejudicial to the interests of the applicant; and whether the latter will be furnished, at his request with a copy of the official assessment of his personal qualities.

The question whether in any particular case a communication is privileged is one of law on which no general opinion can be expressed. As regards the second part of the Question, it would not be in the public interest to furnish a copy of the assessment of personal qualifications to the applicant concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the new appointments scheme is meant to apply to applicants wishful to establish themselves in retail trade and from whom in that case the Department will obtain guidance necessary to reach conclusions without bias.

It is not intended that the Appointments Offices should normally deal with persons who wish to establish themselves in retail trade, but I anticipate that inquiries from such persons will be received at the Resettlement Advice Offices which will be set up to assist men and women released from the Forces and war industry. In appropriate cases these offices will direct inquirers to the local licensing committees who, as stated by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 23rd January, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) will not grant licences on a change of ownership unless they are satisfied that there is a genuine goodwill attached to the business. The Resettlement Advice Offices will impress upon inquirers the need for caution and the desirability of seeking independent professional advice about the value of a business, and they will do everything possible to assist inquirers to obtain sound and unbiased advice.

asked the Minister of Production what steps are being taken to release paper for use as bags and containers for essential foodstuffs.

The requirements of paper for use as bags and wrappings for essential foodstuffs are at present under review, and notwithstanding the continuing supply difficulties, I hope in this particularly difficult instance to be able to arrange for a small increase for this purpose in the next licensing period, which opens at the end of February.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that among local authorities and the public there is alarm over the knowledge that objectionable and unclean rags, flock and kindred materials are being used for the filling of bedding and upholstery and other domestic articles; and whether he will take immediate action to stop such practices.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 18th January.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he has considered the dissatisfaction expressed by the National General Export Merchants' Group with the constitution of the reconstituted Overseas Trade Development Council; and will he state how many members of the council are export merchants.

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham West (Mr. Higgs) on 16th January, I had already invited an additional merchant to join the Overseas Trade Development Council and he has agreed to serve. He is Mr. J. McLean, of Messrs. George Wills and Sons Limited. In addition to him that Council includes one other member of a merchant firm.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can make any statement on the standardisation and production of agricultural buildings in the post-war period.

My right hon. Friend is informed that the Committee on Farm Buildings has made a thorough examination of the subject of standardisation and other methods of simplifying construction in the post-war period, and that the Committee's Report will include recommendations on these matters. He expects to receive the Report very shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that cows which have passed a tuberculin test are being sold at markets as such, though they have not come from tuberculin-tested herds; and, in view of the danger that these cows may have contacted tuberculous animals since their last test, will he tighten up the regulations accordingly, so that only cows from tuberculin-tested herds can be qualified for a T.T. certificate.

The reply to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the latter part, the only markets that are subject to official regulation as to the classes of cattle that may be sold are those authorised under the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme. At such markets the only cattle that may now be sold are cattle from herds within this Scheme, and cattle from herds licensed for the production of tuberculin-tested milk.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what stage has been reached at the animal research station at Cambridge under Dr. John Hammond in the treatment of cows of good beef type so as to induce the birth of twin calves, thereby promoting the more economical production of high quality beef in this country.

The work at this station on the inducement of twinning in cattle by the injection, before mating, of pregnant mare serum hormone has not reached the stage at which its practical application can be recommended. Attempts are being made to test the use of the method under commercial conditions with a few cows on farms in the eastern counties.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made towards recruiting the necessary staff for the inspection of milk producers' premises under the Food and Drugs (Milk and Dairies) Act, 1944; and whether the appointed day can now be named.

No steps have yet been taken to recruit additional staff for the purpose mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend, and it is unlikely that any progress in that direction will be made while the war with Germany continues. Consequently my right hon. Friend is not in a position to give any indication of when the "appointed day" for the Act of 1944 to come into operation will be fixed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of poultry in this country during 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944, respectively.

The number of poultry in the United Kingdom, as recorded in the 4th June agricultural returns, is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to the steps being taken, through research and scientific inquiry in all countries, including Russia, to produce fruit trees reasonably immune from unseasonable frosts which kill the blossom.

Yes, Sir. I am sending my hon. Friend a short review of work on this subject carried out in this and other countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to release potash fertilisers for fruit orchards.

I regret that the available supplies are insufficient to permit of any potash being released for fruit orchards.

asked the Minister of Food if he can make any statement with regard to the present prospects of estab- lishing and maintaining regular supplies of potatoes.

Severe weather continues to restrict the loading of potatoes by growers, to delay transport, and to prevent the maintenance of stocks in towns. I am taking all possible steps to overcome these difficulties. Supplies are now more evenly apportioned between consuming centres, but, while present conditions last, will unfortunately not satisfy the whole of current demand.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that potatoes are in short supply in the mid-Glamorgan area and that in January to date 16 tons have been supplied as compared with 197 tons for the same period last year; and what action he proposes, to take to increase deliveries in this district.

I am aware that mid-Glamorgan is short of potatoes. Deliveries to that area have, I am informed amounted to some 129 tons since 1st January. I have already removed as from 15th January the prohibition on the consignment by traders of potatoes of certain classes from the Eastern counties to South Wales and, as soon as conditions permit, my Department will, on its own account, send forward further supplies to this area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the W.L.A. on account of their inadequate clothing and equipment for outdoor work during wintry weather; and if he will ensure that every member of the W.L.A. whose work requires it, will be provided with rubber boots, leather jerkins and battledress.

I am aware that some requests have been made for the issue to members of the Women's Land Army of additional clothing for outdoor work during the winter. The initial provision of clothing and equipment and the annual replacements are, I understand, generally regarded as satisfactory but leather jerkins and battledress are not provided. It is suggested that any Women's Land Army worker desirous of securing a leather jerkin or battledress might provide it from her own resources as other women agricultural workers do. Rubber boots are, however, supplied for every member who, in the opinion of her local Women's Land Army representative, requires them for her work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the salary committee dealing with the pay and conditions of mental nurses in Scotland have completed their Report; when it will be published; and will he give an assurance that he will do his utmost to see that the pay and conditions of Scottish mental nurses are not inferior to those enjoyed by English mental nurses.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart) on 23rd January. I am sending him a copy of that reply to which I am at present unable to add anything.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether there is a resident British Trade Commissioner in Ceylon, in view of the fact that the United States retains a number of trade officials in that Colony to forward its trading interests.

There is no United Kingdom Trade Commissioner resident in Ceylon, which at present falls within the province of the Senior Trade Commissioner in India. I have instructed the officer who has newly been appointed to this post, and is on his way to India, to report to me whether the appointment of a resident Trade Commissioner would contribute to the efficiency of the Service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what salary is paid to the North Regional Transport Commissioner; what pension or retired pay is received by this officer; and if he will circulate a list showing those commissioners who are in receipt of salary only in respect of their offices and those who in addition draw any other pension or retired pay; and the respective amounts.

(1) The name of the Regional Transport Commissioner is Sir John Maxwell, C.M.G., and his salary is £1,500 per year. Sir John Maxwell is also in receipt of an annual pension of £1,166 13s. 4d. from the Gold Coast Funds

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reduction has been made in the staff and establishment of the office of the Regional Commissioner for the North Midland Region in the last 12 months.

The staff of the office of the Regional Commissioner for the North Midland Region has been reduced by 30 per cent. in the last 12 months. The number of staff in post on 1st January, 1944, was 143 and on 1st January, 1945, 100.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the tribunals provided for in the Pensions (Appeal Tribunals) Act, 1943, for the purpose of dealing with appeals against assessment have been set up; and how many assessment cases have been heard by these tribunals.

No assessment appeal tribunals have been set up. I am not satisfied that the time has yet arrived when it would be practicable or desirable to appoint a day for the operation of Sec-

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that men who have served in the C.M.F., India and S.E.A.C. for periods of 3½ years or more are critical of the numbers of allocations of home leave places as announced in the scheme of 7th December last; and, as the chances of leave in some units are very small, whether he will again review and increase the leave places under both the Python and special leave schemes so as to ensure a more favourable opportunity of leave or repatriation for all men who have served abroad for 3½ years or more.

I have every sympathy with my hon. Friend in this matter, but in general the present position is as set out in the statement my right hon. Friend made on 26th September and in the Prime Minister's announcement of 17th November, which introduced the leave scheme, and I regret I cannot add anything to those statements.