asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he can give particulars why the facilities for delivering coal in and around Newcastle-on-Tyne during the present winter are so bad; seeing that, although there are coalmines in Newcastle itself, this state of affairs continues.

I am not aware that there has been any serious deterioration in the position with regard to distributive facilities in Newcastle-on-Tyne and district since last winter. As has been general throughout the country, merchants' operations there have been hampered by the prolonged severe weather, but reasonable deliveries have been maintained to domestic consumers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if in view of the fact that homes in Dukinfield have recently been without their weekly supply of coal, due chiefly to shortage of transport, he will try to arrange for local military transport to be available to alleviate the present difficulties.

The shortage of merchants' transport in Dukinfield is temporary, and arises from the fact that three vehicles are undergoing repair. Replacement vehicles have already been obtained from the Corporation Cleansing Department. At the same time measures have been taken to ensure that any consumer who satisfies the Local Fuel Overseer that he is without supplies, or required additional coal because of sickness in his household, receives a delivery within 24 hours.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that there is no coal dump on the Kingstanding Estate of the City of Birmingham; that no deliveries of coal have been made there for three months and that large numbers of residents have to carry their small lots a distance of three miles; and will he take steps to have a dump established on the estate immediately.

From preliminary inquiries which I have made it appears that regular deliveries are being maintained by merchants supplying this area, but I am obtaining a more detailed report and will communicate further with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many youths directed to employment at collieries in the North Midland Region have absconded; and what steps are being taken to compel their return to service in the mining industry.

Eighty-four men directed from Government Training Centres to coalmining employment in the North Midland Region who appeared to have left their work without reasonable excuse have been reported to the Ministry of Labour and National Service with a view to proceedings being taken against them under the Essential Work (Coalmining Industry) Order, 1943, in appropriate cases.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that much of the coal now being supplied to the public from Government dumps under the cash and carry scheme was placed there in 1942 when the price was 3s. 3d. per cwt.; they are now being charged 3s. 9d. and 4s. per cwt.; and in view of there being no expenses for delivery, will he take steps to see that purchasers from such dumps get an advantage in reduced prices.

The price of 6d. per 14 lbs. is the same as is charged for coal sold loose at shops and on the basis that the consumer takes it away. The Ministry has had to meet the cost of double handling and detailed weighing. There has also been substantial loss by degradation since the coal was stocked, and the Government will lose money on these transactions.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the speech of the Minister of Aircraft Production on the reorganisation of the coal industry; and whether it represents Government policy.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. and learned Friend made no suggestions in his speech as to the way in which the coal industry should be reorganised, but merely cited that industry as an example of the large-scale reorganisation required in British industry.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent it is proposed after the war to continue the system of opencast coalmining.

I regret I am unable to give my hon. Friend any reliable forecast as it depends on a number of cir- cumstances, including the extent to which deep-mine output proves capable of meeting demands and the reserves of coal suitable for this method of working.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will inquire into the measures adopted by the French Government to take over the coalmines and as to the machinery adapted for the purpose of administering the State mines and the results that have followed, and make the information available to the House.

Arrangements have been made for the interchange of information on coal matters between the two countries. I am advised, however, that it is too early yet, particularly having in mind present conditions in France, to draw any conclusions from the measures recently adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action he proposes to take in the case of a sapper, of whose name and address he has been informed, who has been refused compassionate leave claimed on the ground that his mother is dying of cancer of the throat.

I dealt with a rather similar case in a long answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Robertson) on 12th December, and I would refer my hon. Friend to that answer. While I have every sympathy with this man I am sorry that it has not been possible to bring him home.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the conditions for compassionate leave are the same for officers and men alike.

Yes, Sir, where the circumstances are the same.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the case of the staff-sergeant, of whose name and number he has been informed, and whose home is in the Oxford district, who, after repatriation to this country under the Python scheme and a short period of disembarkation leave, was posted to Scottish Command, although there were available in this country men in other Commands who could have taken this assignment; and why steps have not been taken to post repatriated personnel nearer their homes.

Thousands of men are repatriated under Python every month and it would clearly be impracticable to arrange in all cases for them to be posted near their homes. Nor in the absence of special compassionate grounds would it be fair to deal specially with the 19 engineer clerks, about whom my hon. Friend has written. Moreover, the inquiries I have made show that the Command to which these men were posted was at this time in particular need of men of this trade and they were posted there to meet this need.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of the sapper, of whose identity he has been informed, to whom facilities for marriage in Italy have been finally refused; and if he will take steps to have this decision reconsidered.

I am not aware of the reasons which have led the local military authorities, in the exercise of their discretion, to withhold up till now the grant of facilities to this soldier to get married. I understand that inquiries are being made, but I cannot help saying that I should be reluctant to interfere with a Commander-in-Chief's discretion in such a matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what circumstances commanding officers are authorised to refuse permission to a British soldier serving overseas to marry a British woman also serving with the British Forces.

Under Section 22 of the Foreign Marriage Act, 1892, marriages within the British lines in foreign countries are legal if solemnised by a chaplain or other person officiating under the orders of the commanding officer of the force. Such officers have discretion as to the orders they may see fit to give. I know of no case in which permission for such a marriage between two British subjects has been refused, and if my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, perhaps he will let me have particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Government's demobilisation scheme does not apply to R.A.M.C. officers in India and Burma; and if any other scheme will be substituted for the present Government one.

My hon. Friend is mis-informed in supposing that the release scheme will not apply to officers and men of the Royal Army Medical Corps in India and Burma. As was envisaged by the White Paper it may, however, be necessary on military grounds to retain a number of officers and men, and this will probably include some doctors. Until the time comes it will be impossible to say how many will have to be so retained, and it may be possible that the numbers for the R.A.M.C. may be disproportionately high, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the numbers will be kept down to the minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now make some statement regarding advertising costs and the nature of the work carried out by the Public Relations Officers attached to his Department in connection with the proposals to send members of the A.T.S. overseas compulsorily.

No advertising costs were incurred and no work done by the Public Relations Officers in connection with the compulsory posting of the A.T.S. overseas except to give such information as was requested by the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that the amount of allowance for A.T.S. officers for the purchase of tropical kit will be adequate to provide sufficient kit to ensure their welfare.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for East Fulham (Mr. Astor) on 7th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether members of the A.T.S. will form part of the army of occupation in Europe.

Neither the size nor the composition of the British Army of Occupation in Europe has yet been finally settled.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst badly wounded soldiers in military hospitals at being discharged from the Service before being discharged from hospital; and what is the relative financial position of a wounded soldier in these circumstances before and after discharge for all ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, at the conclusion of hostilities, Regular Army officers holding temporary rank, higher than their sub

As I said last week in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton (Mr. Summers) this question is at present being considered by the three Service Departments and the Ministry of Pensions. Appended is a statement of the emoluments before and after discharged from the Army in a number of typical cases:stantive rank, will revert to their substantive rank; and whether they will be required to pass promotion examinations before again being eligible for promotion.

Regular Army officers who remain in the Army after the war will revert to their substantive rank, unless they are promoted to fill a vacancy on the establishment. Whether subsequently they will be required to pass promotion examinations before again being eligible for promotion will be considered when the time comes.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the increases of family allowances for personnel of the British Army authorised in 1944 are being paid to the families of men from British Guiana who joined the British Army in August and October, 1941, on the same conditions of pay and allowances as citizens of the United Kingdom.

Authority was given to pay the increases to these men, but in case there has been any misunderstanding a further cable has been sent to clear the matter up.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that since the hon. Member for West Willesden communicated with him concerning the conditions at Helmsley camp, there has been an unfortunate incident in which six men were killed in their beds owing to trees falling on the huts in which they were sleeping; and will he take steps to ensure that trees which are not firmly rooted are removed, as this incident is one of many within recent months.

A court of inquiry is being held into this tragic accident. I can assure my hon. Friend that such measures as are possible will be taken to minimise a risk which must always be present when a camp is situated among trees.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the administrative difficulties caused by the mixing of Army and R.A.F. personnel in units of the Glider Pilot Regiment; and whether he will consider manning this regiment entirely with Army personnel or alternatively handing it over entirely to the R.A.F.

The Glider Pilot Regiment is part of the Army but for operational reasons it has been necessary to call upon the R.A.F. for help. It is likely that the minor administrative difficulties to which this has given rise will be overcome.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will issue licences to women war correspondents going abroad similar to those supplied to men war correspondents.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the communication sent to him from the Empire Press Union regarding the continued discrimination against women war correspondents and what action he proposes to take.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 1st February, 1944, of which I will send them copies.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are in operation to enable Indian soldiers serving in the British Army in this country or overseas to return to India for periods of home leave; and whether he can state the number of such Indian soldiers who have been posted in Britain for over four years without home leave.

The few Indians in the British Army serving out of India are eligible for compassionate leave, if the circumstances justify it, and for 61 days' leave in India after the period which normally qualifies for repatriation under the Python scheme. This does not apply to this country and a leave scheme for Indians serving here is now being considered. The answer to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give a list of the standard brands of pipe tobacco issued by the R.A.S.C. and available from the N.A.A.F.I. to the B.L.A.

The following brands of tobacco are bought for issue by the R.A.S.C. to the troops with the B.L.A.:

• Players Navy Cut Medium.
• Wills Capstan Navy Cut Medium.
• Ogden's St. Bruno Flake.
• Players Navy Mixture Medium.
• Ogden's St. Julien.
• Wills Westward Ho.
• Players Airman Navy Cut.
• Ogden's St. Julien Empire Blend.
• Bells Three Nuns Empire Blend.
• Faulkner's Tom Long
• Players Airman Mixture.
• Wills E.G. Smoking Mixture.
• Two Flakes.
• Rich Honeydew.
• Craven Empire.
• Denver Strips.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the lists of units of the British Army serving in the respective theatres of war that have been released for publication, giving in each case the date of such release.

The following units have at various times been announced as serving in the theatres of war mentioned. I regret that it is not now possible to state the date on which each individual release was made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to make any further statement with regard to the conditions at Stalag Luft IV.

No further report has been received from the Protecting Power on conditions at this camp.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many prisoners of war have escaped from Stalags into Russian-occupied territory.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement to the House respecting prisoners of war in Silesia and, in particular, in Oppeln; and whether any have been released.

No information has so far been received of the recovery of British Commonwealth prisoners of war by the Red Army, and in view of the rapidity of the Russian advance it may be some time before detailed information can get back.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether prisoners of war repatriated to this country are under any circumstances required to undergo training, with a view to their services being used again in other theatres of war; and whether any long period of imprisonment by the enemy will entitle released prisoners to immediate or early discharge from the Army either now or at the conclusion of hostilities in Europe.

I would refer the hon. Member to a reply I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Portsmouth (Sir J. Lucas) on 23rd January. Returned prisoners will be given no formal priority for release but as a large number of them joined the Services in the early years of the war their priority will normally be high.

asked the Secretary of State for War what agreements have been made with the U.S.S.R. with regard to British prisoners of war detained in camps in German territories which are captured by Soviet Armies.

I have been asked to reply. As already announced, assurances on the highest level have been given by the Soviet Government that provision will be made for the protection and welfare of all British (including Commonwealth) prisoners of war liberated by the advancing Soviet Armies. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom attach the greatest importance to this matter, on which they are acting in close co-operation with the Dominion Governments. Negotiations for giving effect to these assurances by means of a formal agreement are proceeding and will, I hope, shortly be concluded. This will provide for the care and repatriation at the earliest possible moment and on a reciprocal basis of all prisoners of war and civilians liberated during the continuance of hostilities by the Soviet forces on the one hand and on the other by the Allied forces in Western and Southern Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give an assurance that now that road communication has been opened between India and China the utmost supply of war material, consistent with our requirements elsewhere will be placed at the disposal of the Chinese Government to enable them to carry on more effectively in their own country.

My hon. Friend will of course remember that by inter-Allied arrangement, the major responsibility for war-time supplies to China lies with the United States Government. His Majesty's Government have every confidence that the new road communication will be utilised to the utmost practicable limit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement on the food situation in the liberated part of Italy.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave my hon Friend the Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. G. White) on 16th January. In addition to the supplies imported, every effort has been made to assist and encourage the Italian Government in the re-establishment of agriculture and fisheries, and in spite of the disruption of communications the general position is improving.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will move to set up a Select Committee to consider and report on the present arrangements in regard to the payment and the expenses of Members; any recommendations subsequently approved by the House to become operative only after the next General Election.

This matter obviously requires more time for consultation than has elapsed since my hon. Friend put his Question down.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is proposed to transfer Civil Service personnel at present employed in Edinburgh on health insurance and pensions to the new establishment in England.

In accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of National Insurance Act, 1944, a number of the staff now employed in the Department of Health for Scotland will in due course come under the Ministry of National Insurance. Whether it will be necessary to transfer any of this staff from Scotland will be a matter for my right hon. Friend who assures me, however, that he will act in consultation with me in this matter. In any case my right hon. Friend has already given the assurance in the House in the Debate on 14th November that he intends that Scottish problems shall be settled in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is intended to publish the full proposals for improvement of teachers' salaries and conditions in Scotland.

I have asked the National Joint Council, representative of education authorities and the teaching profession in Scotland, to prepare for my consideration revised scales of salaries for teachers. The Council are now engaged in this task, and I hope to receive their recommendations in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to continue to permit the Glasgow Corporation to remain outwith the provisions of the Maternity Services Act (Scotland), 1937; and is he aware that Glasgow is the only large local authority in Scotland which has not implemented the provisions of this Act.

Proposals under the Act which were submitted by Glasgow Corporation in September, 1939, and which provided for a service of whole-time doctors and midwives were not proceeded with because of difficulties of obtaining staff in war-time. The period for submitting proposals has been extended from time to time and I am extending the period until 30th June, 1945. I am, however, in communication with the Corporation about their interim arrangements. Two other local authorities have not made arrangements under the Act, and in two other areas the local authorities have not been able to bring into operation arrangements which have been approved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department made any inquiry into the deaths from vaccination or associated with vaccination performed during the smallpox outbreak in 1942; how many of such deaths were eventually discovered; the areas in which they occurred; and where the 10 deaths from vaccination or post-vaccinal encephalitis mentioned in the Report on the Edinburgh smallpox outbreak occurred.

Medical officers of my Department were in close and constant touch with medical officers of health during the period of this outbreak and paid special attention to deaths associated with vaccination. A total of 21 such deaths during the period were reported. Of these 10 occurred in Edinburgh, 5 in Fife, 4 in Glasgow, 1 in Lanarkshire and 1 in Midlothian. The 10 deaths mentioned in the recently published report by the Edinburgh Public Health Department all occurred in Edinburgh.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the hardship caused to certain categories of sub-postmasters through unsatisfactory working conditions; and if, in view of the fact that there is a strong feeling of grievance concerning the low rates of pay for this exacting work and the lack of reasonable holidays, except for official ones, he will undertake an inquiry with a view to initiating improved conditions of service.

The conditions of sub-postmasters are under frequent consideration in consultation with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, which represents their interests. I cannot agree that there is any general inadequacy in the present rates of payment, which are arrived at by a system of unit credits applied to the business actually done. A general review of the details of these credits is contemplated after the war, but is not practicable at the present time owing to war-time conditions. A scheme of reimbursing sub-postmasters under certain conditions for the cost of substitution incurred while taking holidays was recently introduced, in agreement with the Federation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the number of public relations officers attached to each Government Department at the end of December 1944.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which I gave to his oral Question, No. 64, this morning.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why lamp oil and paraffin are rationed in the Home Counties, including London, as they are no longer rationed in the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Supplies of paraffin oil to the public are not rationed at the present time, and dealers are receiving each month the same amount of oil as they received in the corresponding month of last year. A scheme was, however, introduced eighteen months ago to ensure that the classes of the community who most need this fuel, namely, those solely dependent upon it for cooking, lighting or heating, receive priority of supplies. During the last few months the difficulties attending fuel supplies in the Eastern Region, which includes Essex and Hertfordshire, were found to be exceptionally acute and, in order to relieve this situation, the Petroleum Board was authorised to make additional supplies of paraffin oil available to dealers wherever it was clear that applications made for such supplies were to alleviate real hardship. It has not been found necessary to take similar measures in other regions, and in the London area it has been found possible to deal with the problem within the scope of the existing priority scheme.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the Petroleum Board have offered to release additional quantities of lamp oil provided the retail merchant discloses to the Board the names and addresses of their customers; and why the Board wants such information.

The allocations of paraffin oil, which are being made to dealers by the Petroleum Board under the directions of my Department, are the same as those made twelve months ago. If any dealer wishes to apply for additional supplies, it is necessary for the Board to ensure that the demand is to meet genuine hardship, or new business of an essential character which is not already being supplied by another dealer; or, if the new business comprises a smaller paraffin dealer who is to be supplied by the dealer applicant, that the former has not already applied for and received additional supplies from the Board direct. These precautions are necessary to ensure that there is no duplication or waste in supplies of an imported fuel.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory condition of the suburban railway service between Liverpool Street Station and Ilford, the carriages being badly lighted, badly heated, obsolete and dirty and the trains overcrowded at the rush hours and unpunctual; and whether he will afford the railway company the facilities which they require to carry out such improvements as may mitigate, so far as practicable, the hardships imposed by the present conditions upon the large population which is obliged to make daily use of this service.

This service is one of the most intensively used suburban services in the country. During the war it has not been possible to provide new or additional carriages, and many of those in use are, as my hon. Friend suggests, in a somewhat dilapidated condition. I am assured by the L.N.E.R. that, so far as their resources of labour and material permit, the carriages are being maintained and kept clean, but their intensive use renders this more than usually difficult. The unpunctuality of the trains in recent weeks has been due to the difficult weather conditions and shortage of staff through sickness. Shortage of staff has also impeded the maintenance of the heating and lighting equipment, but I am advised that much of the bad lighting to which my hon. Friend refers is due to the removal or breakage of electric bulbs and gas mantles by the travelling public. My hon. Friend may be assured that, when conditions permit, schemes for the improvement of this service will be put into effect.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the estimated cost of setting up social security offices, buildings and equipment throughout the country.

It is not yet possible to give a more precise estimate of the ultimate administration costs of my Department than that contained in Table IV in the Government Actuary's report appended to the White Paper, or to apportion that estimate as between cost of buildings and equipment and other costs. The greater part of the expenditure falling on my Department in the immediate future will be required for the purpose of discharging existing functions transferred from other Ministries.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the expressed desires of large numbers of civil servants evacuated to Blackpool, he will reconsider the location of his new Ministry, that Cardiff be chosen as a far more convenient centre, especially so in view of the fact that Cardiff can more easily provide housing and office accommodation, its greater proximity to London, and its far more varied educational facilities than the venue now proposed.

I regret that the decision on this matter, taken after a careful examination of all the circumstances, cannot now be reconsidered.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the approximate date when the Bill based on the National Insurance White Paper is likely to be presented to Parliament.

I hope to be in a position to introduce in the near future a Bill dealing with family allowances, and at a somewhat later date in this Session an Industrial Injuries Insurance Bill. Legislative proposals on the other subjects included in the White Papers on Social Insurance are in preparation, but I am not able to indicate a date for their introduction.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he has now fully considered the recent representations made to him by the Old Age Pensioners' Association; and if he has any statement to make.

The representations made by the National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations are under consideration, together with similar representations by other bodies. I am not in a position to make any statement in regard to them at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the 13 points for a national policy for the land recently put forward by the Royal Agricultural Society of England and agreed to by representatives of agricultural landowners, farmers and workers, a copy of which has been sent to him; and whether he will evolve a national agricultural long-term policy on these lines.

I have considered the recommendations put forward by the R.A.S.E., which will be taken fully into account in the consideration of future agricultural policy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the area set or planted with potatoes in 1944 on farm land occupied and worked by the Derbyshire War Agricultural Executive Committee; the weight of potatoes dug and clamped in the year; the weight of potatoes sold; and the proportion sold as fit for human consumption.

The acreage of potatoes grown by the Derbyshire War Agricultural Executive Committee in 1944 was 196¼ acres. The quantity lifted was 996 tons, and the quantity sold 676 tons, of which 642 tons were for human consumption. The remainder of the crop is still in clamps.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the amount of subsidy paid by the Ministry of Food to the Derbyshire War Agricultural Executive Committee in connection with the growing of potatoes on land occupied and worked by that Committee in 1944.

The acreage payment to the Derbyshire War Agricultural Executive Committee in respect of potatoes grown by the Committee in 1944 was £1,962 10s. 0d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the number of farms requisitioned in Derbyshire by the Derbyshire County War Agricultural Committee; the number of cases in which the rent has not yet been agreed; and the amount of rent owing to the dispossessed owners or occupiers.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis) on 7th May, 1942, of which I am sending him a copy.The amount of compensation rent has not been agreed in respect of six farms, as regards four of which claims have not been submitted. The amount owing cannot be stated until a settlement has been effected. It is the usual practice to make payments on account in cases where negotiations are prolonged.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the usual sinking fund contributions calculated by local authorities in effecting improvements to leased agricultural buildings; and whether he is satisfied as to their general reasonableness.

Where capital improvements are carried out by the landlord of agricultural land it is usual for increased rent to be charged to the tenant and the increase is a matter for agreement between the parties. I have no information of the general arrangements on these matters between the local authorities that own agricultural land and their tenants; and I should in any case, have no power to intervene.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the case of Peter Baldock, a Surrey boy evacuated to Wallasey, who was admitted to hospital suffering from shock and maltreatment; if he is aware that the persons with whom Peter Baldock was living have been fined in the courts; what steps he has taken to prevent such maltreatment of an evacuee again taking place; and if he is satisfied that the death of this boy's brother, last November, was in no way due to maltreatment.

My right hon. Friend has seen the Press reports of this distressing case and has made preliminary inquiries. The Baldock children were not evacuated under the normal official arrangements, but my right hon. Friend has called urgently for a full report on the case and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible. In the meantime he would prefer not to comment further except that he wishes to express his keen sympathy for the boy and the parents.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will include in his scheme to provide refresher courses for serving medical officers, qualified and registered practitioners now serving in His Majesty's Forces not as medical officers.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health how many medical officers of health for counties, county boroughs or urban district councils are at present being enrolled for work in the freed countries of Europe; how many have been so notified and have agreed to take up this work; and what arrangements are being made to look after the public health of this country in view of the present scarcity of medical personnel in civilian life.

The number of local authorities who have been invited to consider the temporary release of medical officers for service with the Civil Affairs organisation in the liberated countries of Europe is 40. So far 14 authorities have signified their consent. When a medical officer is being seconded in this way arrangements for carrying on his public health duties in the area concerned are being made by re-organisation of the authority's medical staff, or in some instances by transferring or sharing the services of a medical officer of another authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for the year 1944, for England and Wales, the names and ages of all persons condemned to death for murder; the names, dates and prisons of execution of all persons executed for murder; and the names of those reprieved.

Twenty persons were condemned to death on conviction of murder in 1944. Ten have been executed, nine (including two persons certified as insane subsequent to conviction) were reprieved, and in one case the conviction was quashed on appeal. I am sending my hon. Friend the other particulars for which he asks.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what arrangements are contemplated by his Department to enable business men to proceed to North and South America, North Africa, Turkey, the Dominions and other countries, in order to make arrangements for post-war trade; and how such facilities fox travel compare with those granted by other Allied nations to their nationals engaged upon similar pursuits.

Transport and other conditions do not permit of equal facilities for travel to all countries. My Department has not so far found that the demand for facilities to travel has been in excess of the available transport, although there are certain routes where it is still difficult to arrange for rapid journeys in both directions. The question of what additional facilities can be afforded as circumstances permit is being kept under constant review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the high prices now being charged for ladies' handbags, he will now arrange for the production of a utility handbag at a reasonable price.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on this subject on 19th December last. Since then, I have taken further steps to encourage the production of the cheaper types of handbags by removing, as from 1st February, the quota restrictions on manufacturers of this class of bag.

asked the Minister of Works what steps are being taken to reduce to the minimum the demand on building labour in the erection on the sites of the prefabricated elements of temporary houses and bungalows; and to what extent unskilled labour is being recruited for this purpose.

The objective in the development of prefabrication has been to carry out the maximum amount of work in factories and thus reduce the demand for building labour on the site. So far as erection is concerned, while this will be carried out by the building industry and under building trade conditions, the demand for craftsmen will automatically be greatly reduced, as compared with traditional forms of building. Every effort is being made to recruit extra labour for the building industry as the man-power position permits.

asked the Minister of Works whether the labour force concentrated in London for the repair of war damaged houses, or a substantial part of it, can be retained for the purposes of the building of temporary and permanent houses.

There will still remain a very large programme of further war damage repairs to be carried out after the present winter minimum programme is completed, and it is clear that this must take up a large portion of all labour available in London. Subject to that, it is certainly the intention to devote all the labour possible to temporary and permanent housing. But I must remind the hon. Member that a considerable force of provincial men are now in London, and the provinces also have their own serious housing problems.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that certain classes of widows of men killed in the last war receive so-called widow's alternative pensions which are based on the deceased man's pre-1914 earnings, and that these pensions have received no increase since the time they were granted, while other pensions have received increases; and whether he will state the reason for this.

These special pensions are already higher than the recently improved standard rates and I see no reason or justification for increasing them.

asked the Minister of Information if he is aware that the editor of the "Catholic Times" wrote, on 9th January, to a prospective correspondent in Paris; that it took 18 days for the censorship department to raise a query; that he was informed, on 29th January, over the telephone, that the letter had not been held up; and what explanation can be given for this delay.

The Postal and Telegraph Censorship regret that, owing to the illness of a number of staff, there was some delay in dealing with this letter. It was forwarded to its destination on 20th January and, after certain inquiries had been made, the Department communicated with the writer on 27th January.