asked the Minister of Labour whether it is intended that during the period of leave following release from the Armed Forces, men and women will be free to seek employment through the normal channels of advertisement, personal introduction and employment agencies.

Yes, Sir. It is my intention that men and women released in Class A from the Armed Forces following the defeat of Germany should be free to seek and to obtain employment in any way they desire during the period after their release while they are on leave with full pay.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the introduction of a more acceptable method of ensuring that during the interim period between the defeat of Germany and Japan released man-power is absorbed where, in the national interests, it is most required, by means of progressive decontrol and release of raw materials rather than by forced direction of labour by employment exchanges.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 16th November, 1944, in which it was made clear that during the interim period many war-time controls over raw materials, industrial capacity and so forth would continue to be necessary, and that all controls, including those over labour, were a part of an organised scheme. As regards compulsory direction of labour in particular, it has been made clear in the White Paper on the Reallocation of Man-Power, Cmd. 6568, that, while it is essential that the Government should possess the power of direction, it is intended to dispense with its use to a great extent.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to consider that it will not be possible to do to soldiers what has been done to "Bevin boys" who do not carry out his directions? They cannot be sent to gaol, because the country would not stand for it.

I think my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that you cannot let go the war machine, until you have defeated your final enemy, which is Japan.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that at Burnley women over 35 years of age are being directed to close their own businesses and enter munition factories, while at the same time employers and trade unions are being advised that redundancy is imminent in munition factories in the town; and what steps he is taking to prevent such occurrences.

I am not aware of women over 35 years of age being directed to close their own businesses and enter factories in Burnley, but I am making inquiries into the matter.

If I send the Minister particulars about a case, will he not merely not make inquiries but allow the women to go back to their businesses? The facts are there.

I must inquire into them, and if my hon. Friend had sent me the particulars I could have dealt with the case during the time I have been going unto the Question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to expedite replies sent by himself and the Parliamentary Secretary to Members of Parliament regarding the cases of constituents, as at present there is frequently a delay of some weeks in dealing with comparatively simple cases and such delay often causes hardship to the constituents concerned.

These apparently simple cases nearly always involve local enquiry to establish the facts and the careful review of action taken. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that the prompt handling of correspondence is a matter to which I give constant attention.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in one case, which is causing great anxiety to a soldier at the front, and concerns the whole future of his business, it took six weeks to get a reply?

I know it took a long time in that case, but, if my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary had sent the first answer which was submitted by the Department, my hon. Friend would have been totally dissatisfied with that answer. It was sent back for reconsideration, and, I think, the right answer was given finally, to the satisfaction of everybody.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that 24 hours are frequently lost because a letter which has been signed by the Minister or his Parliamentary Secretary one afternoon, is not despatched until the following morning, or even afternoon?

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent shop stewards' committees in industrial undertakings are recognised by his Ministry; and what is their relation to the official trades union movement.

The only recognition given by the Ministry is to the executive bodies of the trade unions. Shop stewards' committees may be a part of the constitution of the unions.

May I ask my right hon. Friend to repeat that answer? Did he say that shop stewards' committees were an integral part of the trade union?

In many cases.

But is the Minister satisfied that these shop stewards' committees are devoted to the interests of the country, as well as to the interests of the workers?

I think so.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the loading staff employed by the L.P.T.B. are, with two exceptions, members of the National Passenger Workers' Union, which has applied to him to establish appropriate machinery for discussing these workers' claims, or for their reference to the National Arbitration Board; that both applications have been refused; that the Union has been told that they have the alternative of accepting these decisions or of calling a strike; and whether he will take steps to see that these workmen are given freedom to belong to the union of their choice and their legal right to access to the National Arbitration Tribunal in default of conciliation machinery.

I am advised that the loading reporter grade is covered by the Board's general agreements and that there is ample machinery for determining any question arising. Accordingly, acting under the provisions of the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order, I have requested that the claim should be considered by that machinery and that I should be informed of the result.

Is the Minister aware that the agreement to which he refers was never submitted to these men at all; that they are not members of the union and that they have a specific right to join what union they please and to have the facilities for arbitration which this House has laid down?

I would suggest to my hon. Friend that the House of Commons is not a good place in which to settle internecine war between two unions.

Is not the House of Commons the proper place—

rose.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of considerable discontent among ex-members of the Police War Reserve respecting demobilisation from the military forces in which they are now; and whether he will confer with the Service Ministers, with a view to securing the removal of the injustice arising from the disadvantage suffered through service in the Police War Reserve not being accepted as part of the period of service determining demobilisation.

The claim that service in the Police War Reserve before enlistment in the Armed Forces should count for priority of release from the Forces has been given most careful consideration. It would, however, be impossible to allow service in the Police War Reserve to count without making a similar concession to the other Civil Defence Services, and, in all probability, to other forms of war service. Moreover, there is a real distinction between service in the Forces and service in the Police War Reserve, and any concession could only be made at the expense of men who have, in fact, served longer in the Armed Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the splendid contribution to the war effort made by the Indian States, it is proposed to include representatives of such States among the Indian delegation to the San Francisco Conference.

Yes. The Government of India have announced that India will be represented by Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar and Sir Firoz Khan Ncon, representing British India, and Sir V. T. Krishnamachari, representing the States.

Would it not be a very desirable thing if India as a whole were represented at San Francisco, as an independent State?

Does the Minister's reply mean that the Indian representatives will be invited to attend the preliminary Commonwealth Conference which is to be held in London?

Yes, India will certainly be represented at that Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the recent tribute paid by General Mark Clark to the Indian forces under his command; and what steps he is taking to ensure that this tribute shall receive full publicity.

Yes, Sir. I have noted with great pleasure this tribute, which I am circulating with the 'OFFICIAL REPORT, from the distinguished American Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Armies in Italy to the Indian Divisions serving under his command. The tribute was published here, and will have been received with gratification in India.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether publication has been given to this tribute, and particularly if there has been any publicity in the U.S.A.?

I am sorry to say that General Mark Clark's statement seems to have passed unnoticed in the American Press.

Is the Minister aware of the tribute paid by the Scottish troops to these Indians, by calling them the "MacGurkhas"?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to detain the Congress leaders until Japan is defeated, or indefinitely so long as they do not satisfy the requirements of the Government.

It is not intended to detain the Congress leaders indefinitely. The Government of India will consider their release when they are satisfied that it will not prejudice the maintenance of law and order and the safety of India as a war base.

Does my right hon. Friend not consider that the time has now arrived when this could not, in any sense, adversely affect the military situation?

I understand that it is the opinion of the Government of India, which must be decisive in this matter, that the time has not yet arrived for general release. Individuals have been released progressively over a long period.

Can we take it that the process will go on so that, in time, Congress leaders dike Gandhi and others will be released?

We can consider that when the time arrives.

asked the Secretary of State for Burma to what extent allowances are still being paid to evacuees from Burma; whether arrangements have been made to repatriate evacuees to Burma as soon as military conditions permit and to provide financial assistance for the purpose; and what are the provisions to be made for compensation to Burmese who have lost their homes and livelihood and for their welfare.

Provision for relief is being continued for evacuees from Burma, who are still in need of assistance, under schemes administered by the Government of Burma and, in respect of Indian evacuees, by the Government of India. Arrangements are under consideration for the repatriation of evacuees including provision for their welfare and for financial assistance where necessary. It will be appreciated that claims for compensation for war damage from all classes of the community can at present only be recorded and that decisions on these claims must wait until the civil government returns to Burma and the full measure of the problem can be ascertained.

While expressing my appreciation of the reply, can we take it that the poorer people will be guaranteed compensation in full?

Everything will be done to assist the poorer people to get back and to get employment but, as I say, the question of actual compensation for loss incurred in the invasion must wait until the total measure of need is ascertained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is prepared to consider the complete abolition of the black-out regulations.

Though I share my hon. and gallant Friend's desire to cancel war-time restrictions so soon as they may no longer serve a definite public purpose, I fear the time has not yet come when the black-out should be completely abolished.

Is it not a fact that there is no black-out in Paris at all?

I do not know, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend give the House any indication as to whether he still believes in this policy of strength through black-out?

I always believe in the policy that I am pursuing.

But for how long?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the differences in street lighting as between town and town and as between various sections of the same city and if, to avoid accidents, he will endeavour to secure a minimum national standard of lighting for all main routes.

Under emergency legislation it has been necessary to limit the amount of street lighting allowed in war-time, but I have no power to require any minimum standard of street lighting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of stationary commercial motor vehicles stolen in the year 1944, with the subsequent theft of rationed food and commodities contained therein and the value of the stolen goods.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that voters working at some distance from their homes and thus obliged to spend considerable time each day in travelling to and from work and agricultural workers working exceptionally long hours during the harvest, have, on occasion, had difficulty in reaching polling stations before their hour of closing; and if he will consider instituting a uniform hour of closing for polling stations throughout the country on the clay of the General Election, such hour to be the latest that can reasonably be fixed, say nine or ten o'clock p.m.

The Speaker's Conference recommended that polling hours should be uniform from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., but as under existing legislation a candidate or his agent may ask for an extension of the poll to such hours, the Government do not consider that any further action is necessary.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether a candidate can ask for an extension even beyond 9 o'clock, because in some districts it is really difficult for people to get there much before 9 o'clock, and then they find a queue waiting outside the door?

No, Sir, I am afraid that is not possible under the existing law. The candidate, by simple request, can get from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. or such hours between, but one must consider also the long time for the official electoral organisation and the party organisation, and I should have thought that going beyond g p.m. is not very reasonable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in order to avoid all espionage, he will issue special orders to those guarding the border to prevent all enemy aliens and sympathisers from crossing the border into Northern Ireland from Eire.

I am satisfied that the Government of Northern Ireland are armed with adequate powers to enable them to take such steps as are necessary and practicable to safeguard the interests of national security.

I would like to ask my right hon. Friend whether, as the danger is greater to-day than ever before, owing to the presence of German prisoners of war in Northern Ireland and their frequent escapes, he will keep all enemy aliens in Eire on their own side of the border out of touch with these prisoners of war and thus prevent any connection between them and the German representatives in Dublin?

Is it possible to find out how many enemy aliens there are in Eire?

I should think so. With regard to my hon. Friend's point, as far as I know, no great harm has resulted and, if we had enough troops on the border of Northern Ireland, which would mean a densely packed lot of troops right across the border, I am not sure how many troops would be left to fight the Germans in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the authority dealing with the disposal of N.F.S. motor vehicles now lying at the N.F.S. depot at Laycock, near Blackpool; and what procedure is to be followed by persons desiring to purchase these vehicles for immediate use.

The vehicles in question are surplus Government vehicles which have been reported to the Ministry of Supply as available for disposal. Anyone wishing to acquire such vehicles for use on the road should first apply to the Regional Transport Commissioner, Ministry of War Transport, for a permit to acquire them.

If I send the hon. Member a bundle of papers from various Government Departments which have dealt with these vehicles, including the Ministry of Supply, will he sort it out for me, and find out exactly what is the procedure?

I will do my very best to effect the necessary steps of co-ordination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a vacancy on the Hackney Borough Council, caused by the death of a Conservative alderman, has been filled by the appointment of a Labour councillor; and as this is a breach of the agreement made between parties as a result of the Local Elections and Register of Electors (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1939, whereby the existing balance of parties was to be retained, whether he will take action to remedy the position thus created.

Yes, Sir. I agree with the view expressed by my hon. Friend, and, as he is aware, I have caused an official communication to be sent to the borough council reminding them of the party truce which was intended to preserve the balance of parties and suggesting that they should take such steps as are possible to repair this apparent breach of the spirit of that truce.

How is it that the Minister has sent such a letter and, when I raised a similar case in connection with a Scottish council, the Secretary of State for Scotland said he could not interfere in the matter?

It would not be right for me to answer for the Secretary of State for Scotland, but I have taken this step in cases which, politically, were the other way round, and although this was Hackney and a little bit difficult, I felt I must do my duty.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any kind of list of councils that have wrongly put in councillors in this way, and can he say who is winning in the fight?

I do not know. On the whole, the general run of local authorities are carrying out the spirit of the truce, with very few exceptions—some go one way and some the other. I think they ought all to play the game.

Is not the party truce wearing rather thin?

asked the Minister of Education if he has considered the Burnham award on teachers' salaries; and if he has decided to accept it.

The scales of remuneration submitted to my right hon. Friend by the Burnham Committee are under consideration, but he is not yet in a position to announce his decision upon them.

But can my right hon. Friend explain the reason for this delay, in view of the fact that the Minister announced to this House some time ago an arrangement he had made with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to enable local authorities to meet the expenditure; and is he further aware that local authorities have to prepare their budgets and they are in difficulty in not knowing how much they have to provide for teachers' salaries?

With regard to the first part of that supplementary question, my right hon. Friend made it clear in the course of his speech that the arrangement he announced was contingent upon his final acceptance of the scheme. With regard to the second part of the question, it has to be borne in mind that the local authorities themselves were responsible for a three months' delay in reaching their decision on the scales after the Burnham Committee had drafted them. I would suggest to my hon. Friend that he should repeat his Question next week.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the trustees of the Margam Estate, Glamorgan, through their agents, Mr. G. S. Roedemen and Messrs. John G. Wood and Company, are offering freehold reversions on building leases at 35 years' purchase price: and what steps he proposes to stop exploitation of poor persons who must purchase at this high price because they have no alternative accommodation.

I have no jurisdiction in this matter, which had not previously been brought to my notice. The general question of the practicability of controlling operations of this kind would appear to come within the purview of the committee on the selling price of houses.

May I ask whether the Minister will be prepared to submit the evidence to that Committee?

If my hon. Friend will give the evidence to the Committee, I am sure they will be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the posting of a notice under the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act, 1944, on 1st December, 1944, on a site in Greenwich, cleared in consequence of war damage, comprising all even numbers in Hassenden Road above No. 32 and all odd numbers in Fursefield Road above No. 31; that owners of part of this land, whose offices were 13 miles away, did not receive notification of the matter until r3th December, 1944, so could not lodge representations; that most of these notices are being posted on war damaged sites; and whether he will instruct all authorities to serve notices on owners, having previously secured the names and addresses from the offices of the War Damage Commission.

asked the Minister of Health what instructions have been issued to secure that in every case in which a local authority is required to give notice to an owner of bombed property the power of so doing is not deemed to be sufficiently exercised by affixing such notice to some conspicuous object on the premises or by handing it to some person who may happen to be on the premises, until after the usual methods of notice by post to the last known place of business or residence have been employed.

The method of serving these notices is governed by the provisions of Section 6 of the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act and it is for the local authority to decide how those provisions should be applied to an indivi- dual case. I have no power to issue instructions in the sense indicated in the Question.

But is it not desirable that owners of property should be duly notified of the intentions of the local authorities? Further, would it not be desirable in this case, and in other cases, to ask the local authorities, so far as is practicable, to notify owners before taking these drastic measures?

I am sure my hon. Friend will appreciate that the obtaining of sites for these temporary houses in urban areas is a very difficult matter, in which speed is really of the essence of the bued after consideration by Parliament, in Section 6 of the Act, to which I referred, were inserted after discussion with the local authorities, and I cannot limit their discretion as to how they should use their statutory powers.

But is it not a fact that in this instance the owners of the property were only 13 miles away, so that there was no physical difficulty in making the necessary approach?

Discovering the owners of property has for long been one of the major difficulties in the acquisition of property, even in ordinary times. These three alternative procedures were approved by Parliament, and must continue to apply.

Is it not the fact that the Government have no housing policy at all?

asked the Minister of Health if he is requiring both emergency and permanent houses ranking for Government subsidy to be equipped with the complete installation of labour-saving kitchen equipment, etc., similar to that now to be seen in emergency houses on exhibition at the Tate Gallery site.

The temporary houses supplied by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works will have equipment, etc., similar to that shown in the demonstration houses near the Tate Gallery. Permanent houses built by local authorities will be equipped on the lines recommended in Housing Manual, 1944.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say whether the Government provide equipment, or whether local authorities have to purchase it themselves?

The great bulk of the equipment for temporary houses will be provided by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the 30,000 postwar houses coining from the United States under Lend-lease contain modern kitchen and bathroom equipment; and if this will prevent British manufacturers of similar equipment from exporting it.

I understand that the temporary houses we are to receive from the United States will contain certain fixed equipment made to United States specifications which it would be difficult to supply or uneconomic to fit into the houses in this country. Housing fittings are for the most part in very short supply, and the heavy demands of the United Kingdom housing programme must have priority over all other requirements.

Ts it possible for us to learn where these houses are going to?

Not from the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Health whether, as many of the authorities from whom building permits have to be obtained embrace several Departments, each of whom may take a month or longer in which to give approvals, he can give a list of all Departments from which approvals must be obtained before the different types of buildings may be erected and occupied.

I have given my hon. Friend a complete list of the responsible authorities. I cannot undertake to subdivide the authorities into departments of administration which may differ in the various authorities.

Would my right hon. and learned Friend try to speed up the matter? Although he has given the list of the authorities some of them have to get approval from four or more different departments, and that takes four or five months. This is a very serious matter.

That is another question, but I hope my hon. Friend, on reflection, will agree that to ask me to decide what department in every local authority should deal with the matter is an impossible request.

Will the Minister publish the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

It has already been published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend speed up the matter a little more, because it is very slow? I am only trying to call attention to a serious condition.

I am surprised that my hon. Friend should find that there is great delay at the moment.

asked the Minister of Works what arrangements have been made with county councils and other rural authorities for essential repairs to damaged rural dwellings and buildings and for an allocation of temporary bungalows as they become available for use in rural areas.

I have been asked to reply. By arrangement with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works assistance is given by his Department to local authorities in rural areas by providing supplementary labour and materials for repairs to damaged houses and essential farm buildings. Circulars 2450 and 2871, copies of which have been sent to my hon. and gallant Friend, set out the procedure. County councils are not normally concerned with the repairs. With regard to the second part of the Question, about 6,000 temporary houses have been allocated to 101 rural district councils in England and Wales, and about 2,500 temporary houses to 24 small boroughs and 13 counties in Scotland.

Is there constant touch between the Department and the local authorities on this matter, in which they may require help urgently?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the letter from the Lexden and Winstree Rural District Council protesting at the labour involved in filling in the returns required by the Ministry of Health Circular 11/45, dated 5th February, 1945; and if he will cause inquiries to be made to see whether some reduction can be made in the number and complexity of the returns which his Ministry is now asking local authorities to make on 'different subjects.

Yes, Sir. The return relates to information which, on the one hand, the local authorities must have in order to carry out their functions and which, on the other, is required by the Central Departments in order to secure a fair allocation of labour to different areas for war damage repairs. Returns of this kind are kept under continuous review and are reduced to the minimum.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Council, like many others, is handicapped acutely by shortage of staff, and has he made any further recent representations to the Service Departments about the release of qualified staff?

Yes, Sir, I am, of course, aware of the shortage, and pressure is continuous to obtain the release of local authority officers in the Services, Government Departments and industry.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, under the Government Evacuation Scheme, certain premises in Abergele, with their contents, were taken over by the clerk of the local. Urban District Council, without any agreement having been reached with the owners of the premises with regard to their value and the value of hard and soft furnishings; who is the determining authority for settling the price to be paid in such disagreements; and whether there is arty appeal from the district valuer's decision.

Yes, Sir. Compensation in respect of requisitioned premises and chattels is payable in accordance with the provisions of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, and is not a matter of prior agreement with the owner. The Act provides that any dispute as to the amount of the compensation payable shall be referred, in default of agreement, to the General Claims Tribunal for determination.

Can the Minister say whether the proprietor of a bungalow such as this would be allowed to dispense with his goods and chattels before the bungalow was taken over; and will he also say how the owner could pay rates, taxes, fire insurance and ground rent out of the 6s. 7d. a week offered to him for his property?

I do not know whether the sum offered is fair and proper, but as regards the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary this was a case arising out of the very large evacuation in the latter part of last summer, when both chattels and property were requisitioned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the owner of "Greyome," Gaine Bach, Towyn, Abergele, has received a notice forbidding him to visit his property or to make any inspection thereof; and, seeing that the owner complains that his property and its contents have been seriously mishandled by the evacuees lodged therein, will he explain the reasons for this prohibition and state who is ultimately responsible for the replacement of damaged furnishings and the repair of the bungalow.

No, Sir, but where possession of land is taken by a competent authority under Regulation 51 of the Defence (General) Regulations, the owner or any other person has to obtain the permission of that authority before he may enter upon the land. When the property is derequisitioned, the owner is entitled to make a claim under Section 2 (1 b) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, in respect of any damage—other than fair wear and tear and war damage—which may have occurred during the period for which the land has been retained under requisition. Where chattels are requisitioned the owner is entitled to claim compensation in respect thereof, as provided by Section 6 of the Act.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why individuals have not the information which he has just given to me? It would save a great deal of trouble.

I think any individual can get information on a point of this kind from the local authority which, in this case, showed considerable consideration because they did, for a considerable period, waive the requirement of previous permission to use part of the requisitioned property.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to make a statement about the superannuation arrangements for nurses and midwives.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have received the report of the sub-committee appointed by the Nurses Salaries Committee and the Midwives Salaries Committee jointly with the Scottish Nurses Salaries Committee. The report was submitted to me by Lord Rushcliffe on behalf of the Nurses and Midwives Salaries Committee, and to the Secretary of State by Professor Taylor on behalf of the Scottish Nurses Salaries Committee. The report is being presented as a Command Paper, and copies will be available to-day in the Vote Office. My right hon. Friend and I welcome the report as a most valuable detailed survey of a complex and technical matter and as an important step towards a solution of the difficulties. The suggestions made by the sub-committee will require careful and close study in consultation with all the interested organisations, and my right hon. Friend and I propose to initiate discussions with those concerned at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give instructions that, before a spinal injection or lumbar puncture is given to a minor, the consent of the parents shall first be obtained, except in cases of emergency, in view of the fact that the practice varies in different hospitals.

I am advised that it is the general practice of hospitals to obtain the parents' consent in the circumstances referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. It would not be competent for me to give instructions to hospitals on the subject, but my hon. and gallant Friend's Question will doubtless draw the attention of any hospital, which has not made a practice of obtaining consent, to the desirability of doing so.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend convey to that particular hospital, about which he has already had information, that it would be desirable if the authorities would get parents' consent first? I raised this case about two months ago.

I am prepared to see that the hospital receives a copy of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question and my answer.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Committee, appointed more than two years ago, and presided over by Sir E. Hart, to make a survey of the existing hospital accommodation and future requirements of the county of Staffordshire, has reported back to him; and will the contents be communicated to the Newcastle-under-Lyme local authority.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the survey of Hospital Services in the West Midlands area. The report of the Survey has not yet been received, but it will in due course be published and made available to all concerned for study and discussion.

I take it that the Newcastle authorities will be informed as soon as it is officially published?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Health when the Report of the Royal Commission on Population will be published.

I am informed that the Royal Commission, which is continuing to meet once a fortnight, has still a considerable body of evidence to take and many aspects of the inquiry to investigate further. It is not yet possible to indicate the date when the Commission will be in a position to report.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many town planning schemes in Engand Wales have been approved; and what are the names of the towns or areas.

The number is 157. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the names of the authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that civilian pensioners in many categories have received increases in their pensions in view of the increased cost of living; and why no such increase has been awarded in the pensions payable to disabled officers and men of the last war.

If, as I assume, the hon. Member is referring to increases granted under the Pensions Increase Act, 1944, to oertain classes of civilians in respect of service to the State or local authority, the position is that increases, corresponding broadly to those under the Act, have, in fact, been provided for certain ex-members of the Forces who are receiving pensions for service. This does not, however, afford grounds for revising the rates of disablement pensions of the last war which are based on a cost of living figure actually higher than that obtaining today.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the cost of living index is a very misleading index indeed, and does not at all fit the case?

This House agreed to a Royal Warrant that provided an automatic increase with the increase in the cost of living, and the figure supplied by the Ministry of Labour is the only one by which we can go.

The cost of living index figure does not mean anything at all.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will arrange that future pensions drafts sent by the Paymaster-General to men dis- abled in the last war are not accompanied by a card bearing the appeal, "You helped to win the last war by service. You can help to win this war by saving."

I do not consider it undesirable that pensioners who may be in a position to invest part or the whole of their pensions in War Savings should be invited to do so and have their attention drawn to the Pensioners' Savings Scheme, which provides an easy method of regular saving. A considerable number of pensioners have availed themselves of the opportunity of saving through this Scheme, and I see no objection to the continued issue of a postcard in the terms referred to.

Is not the Minister aware that in very many of these pensions cases it is obviously clear that the pensioner cannot save anything at all, and that this postcard is looked upon as being both cruel and insulting?

I do not agree, and when I say that pensioners have invested £858,000 in War Savings I think that is the answer to the point my hon. Friend has raised.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give the number of pensioners who have invested the money? Is it not a fact that a great many of them cannot do anything of the kind and that it is a cruel postcard?

There is nothing cruel about it. It is only calling attention to the fact that they can pay in this money if they so desire. Over 13,000 are taking advantage of the scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that Lever Brothers and Unilevers, Limited, have been carrying on the business in this country of a Dutch company during the enemy occupation of Holland and putting the profits earned into a special contingencies reserve; why Excess Profits Tax has not been paid upon these sums; and if he will take steps to secure for the British Exchequer a proportion of the profits earned by trade solely carried on in these islands.

I would remind my hon. Friend that I am unable to furnish information as to the tax liability of a particular taxpayer.

In view of this concern's international relationship and the huge profit that it has made out of the food of the country during the war, has it met its liability to Income Tax and, if so, for which years?

If I were to give that information, I should be going against the principle that I have just enunciated.

Has this company a number of subsidiary international companies and, if so, why has it set up a special contingencies fund? Has it been set up for the purpose of evading its responsibilities in this country?

The hon. Member must really trust the Revenue authorities to see that the interests of the country are protected.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give any estimate of the proportion of the family allowances which will be returnable to the Exchequer by way of income tax.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave on 14th March to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for the English Universities (Miss Rathbone).

Will my right hon. Friend be able to give some estimates based on the assumption that the Income Tax rate is as at present, and the incidence of Income Tax on the various levels of Income Tax payers is distributed roughly as at present?

Under the law as it stands these allowances are taxable income, and it seemed to me that, by leaving the position as it is and by refraining from adjusting the existing children's allowances under the Income Tax law, we would be giving the maximum benefit to those who need it most. I would only add that this question is of no significance to anyone whose income does not exceed £6 a week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has given consideration to the further representation s that have been made to him that the increase in pensions granted under the Pensions Increase Act, 1944, should be disregarded in assessing eligibility for an old age pension; and if he is now able to agree to this.

I cannot add to the reply which I gave on 15th February to the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. Hammersley) after full consideration of the representations received or, this subject.

Is my right hon. Friend's mind definitely closed on this subject, or will he be prepared to receive a deputation of Members on all sides to put the case before him?

I am always prepared to receive a deputation from hon. Members, but I would invite my hon. Friend to consider this. There could hardly be any justification for treating a pension, as supplemented under the recent Act, in a different way from a pension of the same amount granted in the first instance.

asked the Prime Minister if he will issue a statement showing the advantages to the workers of the transfer of the factory inspectorate from the Home Office to the Ministry of Labour; and if it is intended to make this transfer permanent.

When a decision is reached as to the peace-time arrangement for the factory inspectorate, the Government will, of course, be ready to give reasons for their conclusion; but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will again consider approaching the Government of Eire with the request that they will ask the enemy representatives in their country to return home, and, at the same time, ask for an unequivocal assurance that sanctuary will not be given to war criminals from enemy countries fleeing from retributive justice.

I have nothing to add to previous statements made on these matters.

Will my right hon. Friend consider giving the Government of Eire, at the eleventh hour, a final opportunity for repentance, lest later, though sought, they may find no place for repentance?

Will the Prime Minister send a copy of the Sermon on the Mount to the hon. Member?

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the economic interrelationship produced by war conditions between the Western liberated countries and this country, he will, with the approval of the Allied Governments concerned, arrange for a deputation of hon. Members, chosen through the usual channels, to visit Northern France, Belgium and the freed portion of Holland in order to see the condition of the people.

His Majesty's Government would certainly be willing to give facilities for such a visit, subject to the approval of the Supreme Allied Corn-islander as regards entry into the Army areas.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the usual channels will not always select the most intelligent Members of the House?

I think that Members who have gone out from this country on different expeditions have represented in a very high degree the intelligence, ability and character of the House, and we have gained a great deal from the knowledge that they have collected.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the usual channels have a little wider vision and look at the whole of the Benches?

If the hon. Member means that a few more should go each time, the matter can be looked into.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange to give single tickets to some Members?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the apprehensions in this country that whilst the Dumbarton Oaks and the Crimea Conferences envisaged action by the new General International Organisation to prevent aggression by any of the smaller Powers, it is not clear that similar machinery can be invoked to prevent aggression by the great Powers; and will he ensure that His Majesty's Government delegates to the San Francisco Conference bear this in mind and see to it that great and small aggressive Powers shall be treated alike.

I have nothing to add to the statements made by the various speakers on behalf of the Government on this subject.

Are we not entitled to ask man clarify the point that the Dumbarton Oaks proposals assume that, if a small Power were guilty of aggression, it could be dealt with, but when a great Power is guilty of the same kind of aggression there is no method of dealing with it at all?

I am sorry that there should be a high degree of axiomatic truth in the fact stated by the hon. Member. We must always remember that in the world into which we are moving our opinions will not be the only ones which will have to be regarded.

Are we not entitled to ask therefore that our delegates at the San Francisco Conference will bear this important point in mind when discussing the problems so as to secure equality of treatment for great and small Powers alike?

We have made a perfectly voluntary agreement with the other two Great Powers gathered at Yalta, and it prescribes a differentiation between the greatest and the smallest Powers. We may deplore, if we choose, the fact that there is a difference between great and small, between the strong and the weak in the world, but there undoubtedly is such a difference, and it would be foolish to upset good arrangements which are proceeding on a broad front for the sake of trying to obtain immediately what is a hopeless ideal.