Written Answers To Questions
Education (Excepted Districts)
asked the Minister of Education if he can give the final list of those districts in county areas which under the Education Act, 1944, have become excepted districts.
Following is the list requested. Those boroughs and the urban district which were excepted by reason of special circumstances are marked with an asterisk.
EXCEPTED DISTRICTS
ENGLAND
Bedfordshire—
Luton B.
Cambridgeshire—
Cambridge B.
Derbyshire—
Chesterfield B.
Dorset—
Poole B.
Durham Co.—
Stockton-on-Tees B.
Essex—
- Barking B.
- Dagenham B.
- Ilford B.
- Leyton B.
- Romford B.
- Walthamstow B.
Gloucestershire—
Cheltenham B.*
Hertfordshire—
Watford B.
Kent—
- Beckenham B.
- Bexley B.
- Bromley B.
- Gillingham B.
Lancashire—
- Stretford B.*
- Widnes B.
Middlesex—
- Acton B.
- Brentford and Chiswick B.
- Ealing B.
- Edmonton B.
- Enfield U.D.
- Finchley B.
- Harrow U.D.
- Hayes and Harlington U.D.
- Hendon B.
- Heston and Isleworth B.
- Hornsey B.
- Southgate B.
- Tottenham B.
- Twickenham B.
- Wembley B.
- Willesden B.
Northumberland—
Wallsend B.*
Staffordshire—
Newcastle-under-Lyme B.
Suffolk East—
Lowestoft B.*
Sussex West—
Worthing B.
Warwickshire—
- Nuneaton B.*
- Solihull U.D.*
Wiltshire—
Swindon B.
Worcestershire—
Oldbury B.
Yorkshire—
Keighley B.*
WALES
Glamorganshire—
Rhondda.
Public Authorities Protection Act
asked the Attorney-General if his attention has been drawn to the likelihood of injustices arising in the post-hostilities period, owing to the time limit under the Public Authorities Protection Act, 1893, as amended; and if he is prepared to introduce legislation to lengthen the time limit from 12 months to two years for the five years following the end of the war.
I do not think that circumstances would justify the suggested legislation. The special considerations which apply to actions against public authorities were very fully considered by the House when the period of six months was extended to a year by the Limitation Act, 1939. In the case of prisoners of war and other persons detained in enemy territory extension will be granted under the Limitation (Enemies and War Prisoners) Bill which is at present before the House.
Trade And Commerce
Ties
asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that tie manufacturers are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of khaki material for ties; and whether, in view of the demand for khaki ties for the home trade, he will make available to the manufacturers further supplies of cloth;(2) whether he is aware that supplies of cloth for Service ties have to be taken from the home trade civilian quotas; and whether he will make available a special allocation for Service ties.
The normal demand for officers' ties is met from the civilian allocation of tie cloth and I regret that I am unable to make a special allocation. The new ties for other ranks are, however, a War Office issue and will be supplied under arrangements made by the Ministry of Supply.
Works Of Art (Exports)
asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of licences granted for the export to the U.S.A. in 1944 of pictures, drawings, sculpture and works of art more than 75 years old, respectively; and what were the values in each category.
In 1944, 472 licences were issued for works of art irrespective of age, including paintings, drawings and sculptures, and 2,986 licences for other articles more than 75 years old. The value of exports to the United States of paintings in oil or water colours was £134,928 and of works of art, other than pictures, £8,874.
Royal Air Force
Waaf (Marriage Leave)
asked the Secretary of State for Air what leave, with or without pay, is given to W.A.A.F. officers and other ranks on the occasion of their marriage for a honeymoon.
I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the first part of the reply to his similar Question on 14th February.
Wives (Transport)
asked the Secretary of State for Air if free transport to this country is provided for the wives of R.A.F. personnel who marry in South Africa when stationed there.
Yes, Sir.
United Maritime Authority (Sweden)
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what are the results of the negotiations between this country and Sweden on the joining by Sweden of the Allied Shipping Pool; and whether other countries were invited.
We are hoping shortly to learn whether the Swedish Government have decided to join the United Maritime Authority. It is open to any Government of the United Nations, or to the Government of any neutral country, to join the Authority, if they desire to do so, and if they are prepared to accept the obligations which membership involves.
Road Vehicles (Lighting)
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport when the Report of the Committee on the Lighting of Vehicles is expected to be published.
I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the Committee on Road Safety, which has considered some aspects of the lighting of vehicles. My Noble Friend has decided that the Committee's Interim Report shall be published; it is now in the hands of the Stationery Office; and I hope that it will be available to Hon. Members within a short period of time.
Ceylon (Vaccination)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the vaccination regulations in force in the Island of Ceylon.
I am arranging to supply the hon. Member with copies of the Ceylon Ordinance and Regulations on this subject.
Hospitals (Post-War Plans)
asked the Minister of Health whether, it now having been decided that the Department principally concerned with, for instance, hospitals shall settle the priority for availability of labour or material, with the advice in appropriate cases of local authorities, he is able now to assist hospital executives in planning for the post-war period.
I shall be glad to assist any hospital authority with advice on their post-war plans so far as I am able in present circumstances.
Public Assistance
asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to clarify the position, which is not fully understood by many entitled to receive assistance, he will state the class of persons who are eligible for public assistance grants.
In general any person may receive public assistance in cash if the appropriate Committee considers that he is in need and that his needs are best met by this form of assistance. Certain classes of persons, including blind persons and persons eligible for unemployment assistance or supplementary pensions, arc, however, precluded from receiving such public assistance, as their needs are provided for under special statutory provisions.
Civil Defence (War Gratuities)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a man who has been conscripted and posted without any choice to the N.F.S. in lieu of the Armed Forces will be eligible for any gratuity under the present scheme.
I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Portsmouth, South (Sir J. Lucas).