asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that post-war credits will be paid in cash to other ranks on demobilisation, he will similarly make available to officers on demobilisation the post-war credits due to them under Section 7 of the Finance Act, 1941.

I am afraid that I cannot single out particular classes of taxpayers for special treatment in the matter of the Income Tax post-war credits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present position with regard to claims for increased pay in the Civil Service; and to what extent the ban on consideration of such claims during the war is still in operation.

There has never been an absolute ban on the consideration of claims for increased pay in the Civil Service in war-time. I think what my hon. Friend has in mind is that it has been, and still is, practice in the Civil Service to refuse consideration to any claim for an improvement in the permanent scale of pay for a particular grade which is based on a purely war-time increase in the quality of the work of the grade. Where, however, it can be shown that a scale of pay was inadequate before the war, or that there has been a marked increase in the quality of the work in war-time, which will still persist after the war for an indefinite period of time, the question of granting improved scales of pay may properly be considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated annual loss in revenue if family allowances were not subject to 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). [OFFICIAL REPORT, Volume 409, Column 247.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will issue a White Paper which will give the details and dates of the Regulations issued by the Government Departments since the Emergency Powers Act was passed.

I have been asked to reply. Full particulars of published Statutory Rules and Orders are given in the daily, monthly, and annual lists of His Majesty's Stationery Office. A list of unpublished Statutory Rules and Orders is given in the annual volumes of "Statutory Rules and Orders." The Defence (General) Regulations are also published periodically as and when necessary in volumes prepared in the office of the Parliamentary Counsel. Copies of these publications are available in the Library of the House. In the circumstances I do not think there is any need for a White Paper as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Japanese are employed, respectively, in Government Departments.

There is no record of authority having been given for the employment in a Government Department of any Japanese national.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Japanese nationals in this country are interned; and whether any restrictions are placed on the movements of those not interned, as is the case with other enemy aliens.

Of the Japanese who were not exchanged for British subjects 12 remain interned in this country. Those who are not interned are subject to ail the special restrictions applicable to aliens of enemy nationality, unless in any particular case I am fully satisfied that an individual can be exempted from them without prejudice to the interests of national security.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will now state the result of his consideration of the Report on the statement made by Sir John Maxwell, the Northern Regional Transport Commissioner, on 8th December, 1944, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, to the effect that increased omnibus fares must occur so long as such undertakings were chiefly privately owned.

Yes, Sir. The speech was made at a Housing Exhibition and, in his remarks about fares, the Commissioner had in mind the implications of housing development at a considerable distance from a populous centre. Where the residence is relatively near to the centre of working, schooling, shopping and amusement activities, travelling costs are low. Moreover, the transport used is frequently that of the local authority, which may well be prepared, and, because its area is relatively small and densely populated, be in a position to give and maintain, a specially low basis of fares to those whom it has induced to live near the fringe of its area. When the distances are greater, fares, whatever the basis, will be a more substantial item. Moreover, the transport used is probably that of a company undertaking, which may serve a large and sparsely populated area and may not have the same capacity to give and maintain a specially low basis of fares to a particular residential district. It was of this difference of circumstances in which local authority and company-owned undertakings tend to operate, and not of the relative merits of public and private ownership, that the Commissioner was thinking. Even if his actual language may have been open to misconstruction, he assures me—and I accept his assurance—that no political significance was or should be attached to his reference to private companies, and that nothing was further from his thoughts.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that local authorities object to his Department's way of dealing with vacancies for local govern- ment appointments controlled by the Undertakings (Restriction on Engagements) Order, 1941, resulting in long delays and the submission of unsuitable candidates for vacant posts; and whether he will ensure more expedition in the conduct of these matters but adequate consultation with the local authorities to prevent such mistakes as the issue of an advertisement for persons possessing sound architectural and surveying training when engineering and surveying assistants were required.

I am aware that delay may occur in filling vacancies controlled by the Order to which my hon. Friend refers, but the man-power shortage is such that it may be difficult to avoid some delay. If the associations of local authorities have suggestions to offer for improving the procedure I shall be glad to consider them. With regard to the latter part of the Question it is the practice for the terms of the advertisement to be agreed with the employer and if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, and will let me know, I will have inquiries made and communicate with him.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will empower local authorities to requisition unoccupied dwelling-houses for letting to persons housed in unsatisfactory conditions without previous consultation with the owners or tenants.

No, Sir. The object of the present procedure is to give owners or previous tenants the opportunity of reoccupying or re-letting the premises, and I consider that it is not unreasonable that this should be afforded to them.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the prolonged delay which elapses between the time that forms of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunals are lodged with the Ministry and the case history is received with consequent delay in the hearing of the appeal; and whether he will take steps to expedite the hearing of these appeals.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 1st December to his previous Question on this subject. The steps I have already taken have resulted in an increased output of these statements of case history, and arrears are being steadily overtaken. I shall not fail to take advantage of any opportunity of increasing the staff on this work.

asked the Minister of Education for how many children in public and elementary schools, school feeding facilities exist; and how many authorities have arrangements for providing school milk and school dinners, respectively, during the school holidays.

The total capacity of school canteens cannot be precisely stated, but on the day of the return made in October last approximately 1,250,000 public elementary school children were having dinner in 13,150 school canteens. The number of authorities making arrangements for some children to have meals and milk during the holidays were 165 and 108 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health the Section of the Act under which correction of the cause of death as certified by a coroner after an inquest is prohibited.

Section 36(4) of the Births and Deaths Registration Ac:, 1874.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give permission to owner-occupiers to close down their farmers if they are A farmers who have faithfully carried out all directions of the war agricultural executive committees and where chartered accountants show that they have been making losses at current prices and costs.

My consent is not necessary in the case of an owner-occupier who decides to give up farming, but of course in such a case it is the responsibility of the county war agricultural executive committee to see that proper arrangements are made for continued cultivation of the land in accordance with war-time requirements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Massey-Harris tractors with rubber tyres have been imported into this country; that when these tyres wear out there are no replacements; and, as tractors are being rendered useless because of this, whether he will take steps to remedy this situation.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Every effort is made to provide from the limited capacity available, both here and overseas, sufficient tyres to meet essential civilian replacement needs. But with the present shortage of tyres delays in delivery are sometimes inevitable. If the hon. Member will send me full particulars of any tractors of this make that are immobilised for want of replacement tyres, and the sizes of tyres involved, I will look into the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in connection with the existing black-out regulations and other controls and emergency measures which come under his purview, he can give an assurance that these controls and emergency measures will not be exercised longer than the emergency demands.

I have nothing to add to the statements made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3rd October and 16th November last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Bishop of Chichester was allowed permission to visit Paris, in view of his advocacy of gentle treatment of the Germans.

The object of this journey was to make contact with the Head of the French Protestant Church and it had the sanction of the Archbishop of Canterbury. In the circumstances an exit permit was granted in accordance with normal practice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that 11 trawlers have been returned to South Wales ports but not one to Swansea; and why this discrimination is shown to the disadvantage of Swansea.

As my right hon. Friend explained on 13th December last in reply to the hon. Member for Central Hull (Mr. Windsor), the release of fishing vessels from naval service is at present determined by operational requirements. There can, therefore, be no question of discrimination between the various fishing ports. I am glad to inform the hon. Member that one of the trawlers formerly fishing from the port of Swansea will shortly be put in hand for re-conversion for fishing.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that the terms of the re-engagement and extension of service scheme precludes any application from an airman who has reached the age of 41 years on 1st September, 1944, consideration will be given to the possibility of automatic release for such airmen at the end of the war against Germany, if not before.

Only regular airmen can apply for re-engagement or extension of service. Those who have reached the age of 41 years on 1st September, 1944, are not precluded from applying. Non-regular airmen, including airmen of the A.A.F., may apply to enlist on a regular engagement if they were less than 41 years old on 1st September, 1944. It is not considered that those above the age limit should be given preferential treatment as regards release.

asked the Minister of Supply, with regard to the civilian outfit supplied to a member of the Forces on demobilisation, what is the actual contract price paid by the Treasury to the contractors in respect of each such outfit.

I regret that to divulge this information would cause embarrassment to the Ministry in its current price negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Report on the Sugar Commission for 1945 will be published for the guidance of the sugar producers in Jamaica.

I have not yet heard when the Sugar Industry Commission may be expected to publish its Report, but I am inquiring of the Governor and will communicate with my hon. Friend when I have his reply.

asked the Minister of Food what is the amount of the present subsidy in respect of bread; at what date and on what scientific advice, as distinguished from advice given to him by his Departmental trade committees, was the wheat extraction for the national loaf reduced to 80 per cent.; and whether he will in future furnish in advance to the public details of changes in the composition of that loaf.

In regard to the first part of the Question, the amount of subsidy paid to bakers of bread as part of the policy of stabilising the cost of living is between £7,000,000 and £7,500,000 per annum at the present rates. As regards the second part of the Question, the extraction of national flour from wheat was reduced to 80 per cent. on 31st December last, though it was considerably later before flour of this new rate was used generally in the national loaf. The Chief Medical Adviser to the Ministry of Health and the Chief Scientific Adviser to my Department were consulted, and the Secretary of the Medical Research Council was also brought into the discussions which led to the decision to make this alteration. As regards the last part of the Question, it has always been the practice to announce major changes in the national loaf and to impress on the public that owing to the stocks of flour which have to be held such changes can only become effective gradually. As far as I am concerned this practice will be continued.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will arrange for a representative party of Members of Parliament, similar to that which visited Italy, to visit formations in India and the S.E.A.C.

I am aware that some hon. Members wish to visit India for the purpose indicated. Others would no doubt wish to combine with such a visit some study of the political situation. I have consulted with the Viceroy, who feels that for both purposes the best time for such a visit would be later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the B.B.C., when mentioning the gallant deeds of the 14th Army in Burma, makes no mention of the fact that two-thirds of this Army are Indian and Gurkha volunteers; and if he will take steps so that proper publicity is given to these brave men.

It is of course impossible to speak too highly of the part which the Indian Army, including the Gurkha troops, is playing in the Burma campaign, and I think that the B.B.C. are giving full credit to its achievements. I do not think it can be expected that the particular facts to which my hon. and gallant Friend calls attention should be reiterated on every occasion. From inquiries I have made I am satisfied that the B.B.C. do bring them to notice. It is, of course, also desirable that the public should appreciate that British troops have a share in the achievements of Indian formations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many of the older members of the Home Guard, now disbanded, are unemployed and cannot get work; whether he will consider engaging them as guards for prisoners of war and similar duties; and is he aware that many of these men would be glad to do duties of this kind.

It is, of course, not practicable to recall special categories of the Home Guard and to use them on this work as members of the Home Guard. It might, however, be possible to enlist such men into the Army for this specific duty on special terms and conditions of service, though I am doubtful whether there are available any appreciable numbers of suitable men who are unable to get other work. I will, however, certainly have this matter examined.