asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he proposes to take to ensure that all serving officers are made aware that National Health Insurance contributions should not be deducted from their pay in cases where they were not insurably employed prior to their enlistment; and will he see that in all cases where such contributions have been erroneously deducted they will be refunded without delay.

A copy of a Ministry of Health explanatory leaflet 29H is issued to every newly commissioned officer with his first posting orders, and, in addition, information about the insurance position is included in a pamphlet given to all cadets on passing through the O.C.T.U. I have no reason to suppose that officers are not aware of their insurance position, but if my hon. Friend is aware of any cases in which contributions have been erroneously deducted, I will request my right hon. Friend to arrange for a refund.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether war correspondents are now free to write without restriction on any aspect of the occupation of ex-enemy countries.

Censorship in these countries is under the direction of the Commanders-in-Chief of the theatres of war in which they are situated. Security censorship continues in all matters which might give information of value to the enemy. War correspondents are not restricted from reporting other matters.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the deaths and injuries to many boys which have in recent months resulted from their finding and tampering with unexploded ammunition on the South Downs training areas; that notices fail to deter them; why these objects are not salvaged by the units concerned; and will he take steps to secure that this is done.

Extensive instructions have been issued covering the location and destruction of live ammunition. But my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that when training takes place with live ammunition it is sometimes very difficult to find all the rounds. I am not aware of the cases to which he is referring in the earlier part of his Question, but inquiries are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the events of the past fortnight, he is satisfied that it is necessary or economic now to send back to Paiforce or the Mediterranean area men now on 28 days' home leave from there who have already served more than three years and nine months overseas.

Yes, Sir. As my hon. Friend knows, the present tour in these theatres is 4½ years, and until it is reduced, soldiers on home leave must conform to it. As, however, my right hon. Friend said on Tuesday last, he hopes that it will be possible gradually to reduce the tour considerably.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that Service personnel who have served in the Norwegian and Middle East theatres of war for considerable periods will not be sent to the Far East.

As the Prime Minister said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 10th April, postings to the Far East have been restricted as far as possible to those who are not in early release groups. Men will not in future be sent to the Far East unless they are likely to have at least one year's service in those theatres before becoming eligible either for release, or for return to the United Kingdom under the Python repatriation scheme for those who have had long continuous service overseas. I would, however, stress that the needs of the war against Japan are paramount and it may be impossible to avoid some exceptions to this general rule.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the lowest age at which a soldier is liable for service overseas.

18 years and six months.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Basuto, Bechuana and Swazi soldiers now in Italy have been away from their country for more than three-and-a-half years; and how soon these soldiers will be moved from Italy and returned to their homes.

I regret the information is not available but inquiries are being made. The question of how soon these men can be repatriated is under examination.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, now that the war in Europe has ended, he will derequisition church halls in Northern Ireland at the earliest moment.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Carnarvon (Sir G. Owen) on 1st May.

asked the Secretary of State for War where the Polish authorities were housed before they took over St. Paul's School; and whether they desired the change, which is placing this scholastic institution in a difficult position.

The Polish Military Headquarters was housed in the Reuben's Hotel and in a number of outlying houses and flats. The move was not made at the request of the Polish authorities but was arranged by the War Office so that the Reuben's Hotel might be made available for a B.L.A. Leave Hostel for which it is particularly suitable in view of its layout and of its proximity to Victoria Station. My hon. Friend will appreciate the great importance of suitable hostel accommodation for our troops returning from North-West Europe. As regards St. Paul's School I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 1st May.

asked the Secretary of State for War what annual rent has been decided between his Department and the P.L.A. for the plot of land, approximately 250 feet by 300 feet, on which is built Romney Huts Camp.

No agreement has yet been reached in respect of the rental compensation to be paid for the Department's occupation of this property. The question is under consideration, and I hope the Port of London Authority will hear from the Department shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement as a result of the general review of all the properties requisitioned by his Department.

I would refer my noble Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on Tuesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the review of requisitioned property, which was expected to be completed by the middle of April, has now been finished; and with what result.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on 15th May.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider releasing compassionately men who have small businesses which have been kept going by wives or other relatives or who are badly needed by employers.

To achieve the maximum degree of fairness the release scheme has been kept as simple as possible and men are released out of turn only on grounds of national importance or extreme compassionate circumstances not of a purely business nature. It is, therefore, not proposed to make any change in the existing rules for compassionate release on business grounds, namely, that a soldier may be released for a strictly limited period to make the necessary arrangements to settle the affairs of a business in which he has a direct personal or financial interest and which needs such attention.

asked the Secretary of State for War why British soldiers are required to salute captured German officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that orders have been issued to certain British troops of the B.L.A. that German officers are to be saluted; and whether the orders were approved by S.H.A.E.F. and accord with the policy of His Majesty's Government.

All that I have been able to discover so far on this subject is that one British division is rumoured to have issued an interim order which might have been interpreted to mean that in certain circumstances it might be appropriate for British soldiers to salute German officers. The rumour may turn out to be fact and further inquiries are being made into this. Perhaps the hon. Members will assist by giving me the names of the units in which the saluting is supposed to have taken place. In any case the Supreme Allied Commander has now issued a comprehensive order. I understand that it states, inter alia, that in no circumstances are any Allied troops to salute German officers or officials. This will govern the matter in future.

asked the Secretary of State for War what allowances men are entitled to receive, who have been returned to industrial employment and placed on war-time reserve, upon discharge from the Forces.

These men are eligible for war gratuity, post-war credits and overseas service grant (one day's pay and allowances for each month of overseas service, subject to a minimum of six months such service) in respect of their service with the Colours. They will not receive these benefits until the end of the war with Japan unless for some special reason they are discharged earlier. Normally they will not be discharged until after final demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is in accordance with the regulations that an adopted political candidate while still serving in the Army is not allowed to write to the Press in his political capacity; and whether in view of the coming General Election, he will consider amending the regulations in this respect.

An adopted political candidate, whilst still serving, is allowed by the existing regulations to carry on certain political activities in his constituency, including the publication of messages in the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it is proposed to announce soon a substantial reduction in the period of service overseas under the Python Scheme.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lewisham (Mr. Brooke) on 15th May.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department's medical service has enough transfused blood for all possible contingencies or requires still more.

Some reserves of blood plasma towards our future requirements have been accumulated but more is needed. Donors who are generously prepared to give their blood for this service are welcomed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that repatriated prisoners of war are not receiving dietetic advice or instruction which will assist them to adjust themselves to their changed conditions; and whether the R.A.M.C. will issue immediately to all such personnel charts showing which foods and beverages and what quantities thereof are likely to prove harmful or incompatible during the adjustment period.

Not all repatriated prisoners of war are in need of special dietetic advice, but it is given verbally by medical officers at Reception Camps to those who need it. They also distribute as necessary a printed leaflet which contains hints on diet during recuperative leave for those whose digestion has been impaired by their privations in captivity, giving advice, for example, on which types of food are suitable and unsuitable, and on the size and timing of meals. It is not considered necessary to provide repatriates on leave with elaborate charts specifying quantities of foodstuffs that should be eaten, since any man requiring such a carefully regulated diet would be admitted to hospital before being sent on leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for each prisoner of war, on release, to be given a field post-card to enable him to send information home to allay the anxiety of his friends.

The instructions issued provide that prisoners of war should after their liberation and while awaiting transport for their evacuation be provided with a free air-mail letter card to enable them to write home. In many cases, however, operational considerations, together with the rapidity with which their evacuation has been arranged, have no doubt rendered it impossible to make the necessary arrangements without delaying their repatriation. Supreme Headquarters are fully aware of the importance of this facility, and I have no doubt that they will in the future make every effort to arrange for the distribution and despatch of these cards as they have in the past.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can make a statement regarding the release of British prisoners of war in the area occupied by the Russian Armies and especially in Eastern Austria, giving the numbers of the camps liberated, the number of prisoners and stating how many of these prisoners have been repatriated to Britain.

Negotiations are at present proceeding between the representatives of S.H.A.E.F. and of the Soviet High Command for the transfer westwards into the S.H.A.E.F. zone of British Commonwealth prisoners of war released by the Soviet Forces in exchange for Soviet Nationals released by the forces under General Eisenhower and Field-Marshal Alexander.

The following camps have been overrun in the past few weeks by the Russian Armies—Stalag Luft I, Stalag IIA, IIE, IIIA, IIIC, IIID, IVA, IVB, IVC, IVD, IVD/Z, IVG, XIA, XVIIA, XVIIB. Some of the prisoners from the last two camps had been moved by the Germans to Braunau and the Weilhart Forest but nevertheless a certain number have been released by the Russians The total number of British Commonwealth prisoners of war involved is estimated at 30,000. Of these over 2,000 have been evacuated by S.H.A.E.F. and a number from Stalags XVIIA and XVIIB have reached Odessa.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to call up any further subjects of Allied Powers liable for service under the Allied Powers (War Service) Act, 1942; and, if so, within what limits.

I have been asked to reply. This matter is being reviewed and I will communicate with the hon. and learned Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour on what footing Allied subjects called up under the Allied Powers (War Service) Act, 1942, into the British Forces will be demobilised; and whether any preference will be given to those who are in a position to return immediately to their countries of origin.

Such persons will be released on the basis of age and length of service in the British Forces. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War why a working German prisoner of war gets a larger ration than our own depot troops, in view of the fact that the latter are working and have drills and other military duties to perform as well.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave a number of hon. Members on 8th May.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many concentration camps there have been in Italy up to a recent date; and what action has been taken in regard to them.

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as the information is available.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Strood, Kent, Rural District Council has succeeded in acquiring sites at Luddersdown, Meopham, Shorne and Stoke; and what is the area, purchase price and rateable value of each site.

I have agreed to the acquisition of 3.5 acres of land at Whitehall Road, Meopham, and 2.4 acres at Swillers Lane, Shorne, on the basis of the District Valuer's valuation of £710 and £330 respectively. Both sites have been de-rated as agricultural land. No sites have yet been acquired at Luddersdown and Stoke.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in the matter of housing sites in the area to which his attention has been drawn where the borough council reported in July last that preliminary estimates amounting to £346,125 had been approved for the acquisition of land; whether the council's valuers were instructed to proceed with negotiations with the landowners; and in what proportion of cases the council valuers have been unable to come to terms with the owners without the use of compulsory powers of acquisition.

I understand that the council's valuers were instructed on 5th April, 1944, to proceed with negotiations, but they were not able to come to terms with the owners. A Compulsory Purchase Order has been submitted to me and a public inquiry into the matter will be held at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from housing associations ready to construct immediately temporary bungalows which later on can be turned into permanent dwellings.

I am not aware that any such representations from housing associations have been received.

asked the Minister of Health how he proposes to deal with owners of flats who refuse to let them unfurnished and who prefer to keep them empty until such time as they can buy enough furniture to let them as furnished flats at uncontrolled rents.

I have already delegated to the clerks to local authorities power to requisition houses and flats which the owners do not intend to occupy or let, so that they may be let to persons inadequately housed.

asked the Minister of Health why permission to fence off the emergency hutments, in the borough of Stepney, has been refused by his Ministry, whilst other Metropolitan borough councils have been allowed to do so.

Both the Stepney Borough Council and other local authorities in the London Civil Defence Region who have made similar application have been refused permission to put a fence around each hutment. Permission to fence the boundary of the complete site can, however, be given and the Stepney Council will be so informed.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will arrange with the Allied military authorities that all prefabricated houses in Germany, suitable for use in this country, should be requisitioned and shipped over here for the accommodation of British families who have lost their homes through bombing.

As I said in reply to a Question on 25th April by the hon. Member for South-West Norfolk (Mr. De Chair), I have arranged for technical representatives of the Ministry of Works to go to Germany to examine the possibility of obtaining prefabricated houses from that country.

asked the Minister of Works what progress has been made with the arrangements for the large scale production of prefabricated permanent houses.

Prototypes of prefabricated houses built by a number of different methods have been constructed. These have been subjected to thorough technical examination, as a result of which, structural and design modifications are, where necessary, being introduced. In the case of one or more of the most promising types, instructions to proceed with production will be given forthwith. It is proposed that the production of these prefabricated permanent houses should be financed by advances from the Consolidated Fund. The necessary legislation will be introduced as soon as possible after the Recess.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons who applied for relief, or casuals, in the period 1st October, 1943, to 30th September, 1944; the number of them who are judged to be genuine ex-Servicemen; and the total number of admissions during the year.

I regret that figures for the period in question are not available for the whole of England and Wales in the exact form asked for. The register for the North of England shows 8,419 admissions, representing 3,001 persons, of which 805 admissions represented 518 persons who claimed, usually without evi- dence, to be ex-Servicemen. A register for the rest of the country was started this year, and from information derived from this register and otherwise it is estimated that the total number of admissions in the period in question was about 40,000, representing about 7,500 persons.

asked the Minister of Health whether he consulted the General Nursing Council as to the designation of Christian Science nurses as registered nurses.

I consulted the General Nursing Council about the proposed regulation which my hon. Friend has in mind. My hon. Friend is, however, under a misapprehension as to the proposal. The title of "registered nurse" is restricted to nurses duly registered under the Nurses Registration Act, 1919, and my power to make regulations under proviso ( b ) to Sub-section (I) of Section 6 of the Nurses Act, 1943, does not extend to permitting persons not so registered to use the title "registered nurse." My intention, when I bring into operation the provisions of Section 6 of the Nurses Act, 1943, which will restrict the use of the title "nurse," is to permit the persons whom my hon. Friend has in mind to use only the title "Christian Science nurse."

asked the Minister of Health what are the conditions that have to be satisfied before a person is permitted to undertake dental repair work.

There are no statutory conditions to be satisfied by a person undertaking dental repair work, except where the work involves treatment, advice or attendance for the fitting, insertion or fixing of artificial teeth. In that case the work is part of the practice of dentistry, and may not be undertaken except by a registered dentist or a registered medical practitioner.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to make a full declaration as to whether the emergency public health laboratories set up during the war are to be continued in the postwar period; and whether, in this connection, he will give a definite undertaking that the routine chemical and bacteriological examination of potable water which, before the war, was carried out by professional qualified chemists, will continue to be allocated to them after the war.

The provision of a public health laboratory service on a national basis after the war and the form which any such service should take are matters which are under consideration as part of the wider proposals for a comprehensive health service. I hope to arrange for a discussion at an early date with the representatives of the professional qualified chemists concerned.

asked the Minister of Health if he has looked into the reasons for depriving Mrs. Jenner, of Little Ingholmes Farm, of the care of two children placed in her care by the L.C.C.; and will he now state these.

Yes, Sir. A letter was sent to my hon. and gallant Friend about this case on 15th May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when it is proposed to reopen all closed museums and similar places of attraction and education.

Owing to the variety of circumstances affecting particular institutions it is not possible to say when those that are now closed will all have reopened, or to arrange that they shall all reopen at once. So far as the museums and galleries in London are concerned, arrangements are being made for the return in the near future of those exhibits that have been stored in other parts of the country, and the institutions themselves will reopen wholly or partly as and when it becomes practicable in each case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any decision has been reached about the British part in the Bank for International Settlements and the distribution of the substantial gold holding of the bank.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that about 75 per cent. of the houses bombed in Belfast had been erected prior to 1914 and of the inadequacy of the compensation offered for re-erecting and making these houses habitable; and whether he will review the whole matter of compensation with a view to increasing it to such a figure as will enable the owners to get these houses ready for occupation in the near future.

Houses built before 1914 which have been wholly or nearly destroyed by enemy action qualify for a cost of works payment (that is, a payment of the actual reasonable cost of rebuilding when the work is done) if the War Damage Commission is of opinion that at the date of damage they were structurally sound and in design, layout and amenities reasonably similar to houses of the same type built after 1914. I cannot see any justification for the making of a cost of works payment for the rebuilding of houses which not not comply with this description.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the advisability of compelling the insured under the War Damage Act to continue the payment of the annual premiums until there is sufficient in the fund to pay compensation to those owners who have lost houses and business premises thus enabling them to replace what they have lost and so spread the burden evenly over the country as a whole.

The nature and amounts of payments under the War Damage Act, 1943, are prescribed in the Act itself and do not depend upon the yield of the contribution. I am not yet in a position to decide what, if any, action may need to be taken under Section 80 of the Act with regard to further instalments of contribution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider, as compensation, permitting to be tax free the wages for two days paid in lieu of holidays to catering workers, transport workers and others who worked on VE-Day and the following day.

No, Sir. As I explained in reply to a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brighton (Lieut.-Colonel Marlowe) on 17th April last, I have no power to remit Income Tax on any income, and I could not see my way to propose an amendment of the law for the purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when it is proposed to make payments to persons whose chattels have been destroyed or damaged, under the War Damage Compensation Acts, as many sufferers, of chattel war damage are desirous of providing themselves with furnishings in order to restart their new homes.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Withington (Squadron-Leader Fleming).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the regulations empowering up to 25 per cent. of Army wound pensions to be withheld for the purchase of savings certificates on the instruction of the pensioner, but not more; and if he will arrange that this limit should be withdrawn or increased.

Under the Pensioners' Savings Scheme of the Ministry of Pensions the maximum amount which may be allocated out of a pension to the purchase of National Savings Certificates is 5s. a week. A limit to such allocation is essential, because certificates acquired under the scheme are exempt from the regulations which limit individual holdings of certificates and because the interest on certificates is tax free. In the circumstances I do not think that I should be justified in agreeing to any increase in the present limit.

asked the Minister of Education how many public schools have been able to return to their pre-war premises; and how many are still prevented from doing so by the continued requisitioning by various Government Departments.

The term "public schools" has been taken to mean, in the case of boys' schools, all schools in membership of the Governing Bodies' Association and Headmasters' Conference, and in the case of girls' schools, all schools in membership of the Association of Governing Bodies of Girls' Schools. According to my information 29 boys' schools and 28 girls' schools were requisitioned. Of these, 13 boys' schools and 11 girls' schools have already returned, in whole or in part, to their pre-war premises. In the case of the remaining schools negotiations are now in hand which it is hoped will lead to the return of a substantial number to their pre-war premises by the coming autumn.

asked the Minister of Education what machinery he has for causing local authorities, who ignore his instruction that in the present scarcity of qualified teachers in the national schools the retiring age should be raised to 65 years, to rescind their regulations which still require retirement at 60 years; and whether he will operate this machinery forthwith.

In assessing the quota of newly trained teachers assigned to each local education authority annually, account is taken of the extent to which the particular local education authority has adopted, or failed to adopt, the suggestion that teachers who have reached retiring age should be recalled or retained. If my hon. Friend will let me have the names of any particular local education authorities which he may have in mind, I shall be glad to look into the circumstances.

asked the Minister of Education whether his attention has been drawn to a proposal by a local authority to appoint a specialist in the school medical service, for which proposal the Minister has given his approval; that the short interval between the announcement of the vacancy and the latest date of application makes it impossible for Servicemen overseas, however suitable, to make application; and whether, as this restriction of the field of applicants gives an advantage to men not serving abroad and who have not made the same sacrifices as those absent, he will withdraw his consent to this proposal.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, after consultation with me, sanctioned the authority's proposal to increase their staff by the appointment to the school medical service of a temporary psychiatrist. The attention of the authority is being drawn to their apparent failure to indicate in the advertisement that the appointment was to be on a temporary basis and to the short period allowed between the date of the advertisement and the latest date for applications to be received. The authority are accordingly being asked to advertise the post afresh. As the appointment will be a temporary one, in accordance with normal practice during the war, it is not contemplated that it should be thrown open to serving members of the Forces.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that the Staffordshire County Council have failed to consult all local authorities in connection with their scheme as required by the Education Act, 1944; if he has received any protest from affected authorities; and what action does he propose to take to compel the Staffordshire County Council to conform to the Act.

I have received letters from the City and County of Lichfield and from the Lichfield and Tutbury Rural District Councils. I have in the first instance asked the local education authority for their observations on the matter, and must ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await my consideration of their reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether single enemy rifles or revolvers brought home as souvenirs may be retained on application for an arms certificate in the usual way.

The retention of weapons taken from the enemy is prohibited by instructions issued to the three Services. Chief officers of police have been made aware of these instructions and would not issue firearm certificates in respect of such weapons.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he can see his way to grant an extra two days' pay to the unemployed, seeing that holidays with pay have been granted to the employed when hostilities ceased in Europe.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has no power to do this.

asked the Minister of Food the conditions governing the free issue of vitamins, milk, etc., to those in receipt of supplementary pensions.

If such persons are expectant mothers or have dependent upon them children who are eligible for benefit under the Welfare (Foods) Scheme free supplies of milk and vitamin supplements are automatically granted them.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the strong desire in many districts to hold children's parties to celebrate VE-Day, money for which has already been subscribed, he will make a supplementary issue of sweets and food for this purpose.

Arrangements already in force enable supplies of food to be obtained for entertainments organised by responsible bodies for children and young people under 19 years of age. The rationed foods available are tea, sugar, milk, margarine and preserves. I regret that I have no surplus of sweets and so cannot allow any to be issued for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider including in forthcoming legislation proposals largely to increase the amount of deposits payable by candidates for election to Parliament; and where candidates are getting special leave from overseas for this purpose, to make such deposits payable before such leave is granted, in order to test the genuineness of such applications.

I do not think that either of these suggestions would effect any improvement in our electoral system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the present whereabouts of Herr Haufstaengel, intimate friend of Hitler and Minister of State for Foreign Relations in Berlin in the early days of the Nazi régime.

He is interned under the Royal Prerogative in an internment camp in the Isle of Man.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that every afternoon, in the streets of Westminster, there are queues of employees of Government Departments, waiting to collect supplies of evening newspapers from the street sellers; and will he take steps to stop this practice which wastes so much of the time of the employees concerned.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "No, Sir."

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that owing to the destruction by a flying bomb of the church at Abinger Common there is no building available in the parish for weddings, baptisms and funeral services and that owing to the employment of local labour on other work the church authorities have been unable to make use of the licence granted to them for the repair of the north chapel; and will he take steps to facilitate such work being undertaken.

I am aware of the difficulties which are being experienced but I do not feel that I should be justified in advising my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to direct men from the repair of war damaged houses to this work.

asked the Minister of Works how many building workers in the London area are now engaged in other than first-aid repairs; how many Servicemen he anticipates will be immediately released from the Forces for building and repair work in the London area; when he expects them to be at work; and whether there is now an adequate supply of suitable materials.

There are about 37,000 building and civil engineering workers in the London Civil Defence Region engaged on work other than war damage repairs. As I mentioned in the Debate on 23rd March, we are aiming at achieving the release of 235,000 men from the Forces by the end of the first post-war year, of whom London will receive its appropriate share. As to the date of their release I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. The supply of building materials should prove adequate provided suitable alternatives and substitutes are fully utilised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if factory owners are now permitted to dismantle air raid shelters.

As announced in the Press on 3rd May, air raid shelters in factories which seriously impede production or industrial efficiency may be removed if so desired as and when labour can be made available for the purpose and subject to the grant of any necessary building licence. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the notice issued to the Press.

asked the Minister of Production whether increased supplies of paper can now be given to local weekly newspapers which have hitherto been handicapped by the quota allowance.

The newsprint situation is such that I cannot give the hon. Member any assurance of an immediate increase in supplies for local weekly newspapers, but I can assure him that my right hon. Friend appreciates the difficulties of local weekly newspapers and will give full weight to them when the allocation can be reviewed. No definite date can yet be given for this review.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why R.A.F. personnel who were sent overseas for their training and, having been remustered there, have been absent from this country for nearly four years, have been given only 14 days' leave on their return.

I am not clear to what category of personnel the hon. Member's Question refers. If he will send me particulars I will gladly look into the matter and communicate with him.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how long men of the R.A.F., who return to this country after three or more years abroad, are normally kept here before being sent overseas again.

Subject to the requirements of the Service, airmen are not posted to an overseas command within less than 18 months of their return to this country after three or more years' service overseas. But where the exigencies of the Service demand it, the period of 18 months at home may be reduced to one of six months for personnel who have returned from overseas commands, except Air Command South East Asia (including Far East), Mediterranean and Middle East, and West Africa. For personnel who have returned from Air Command South East Asia, Mediterranean and Middle East or West Africa the period may be reduced to one of 12 months, except for posting to North-West Europe, when the period may be reduced to six months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the supplies of curtain net produced at the request of the Overseas Trade Department, but not now required for their original purpose, will be released for the home market and when.

I am not clear to what curtain net my hon. Friend refers. If he will let me have details I will look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether arrangements have now been made to enable Parliamentary candidates to obtain coupons for civilian clothing so that they may carry out the Services ruling that they may only appear at political meetings in civilian dress.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has arranged for the Service Departments to issue 60 clothing coupons to Parliamentary candidates who need them, immediately upon evidence of their adoption.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now reconsider his decision not to grant the industrial 10 clothing coupons to civil servants employed on dirty machine work in various departments of the Civil Service.

I regret that, while supplies remain so short, I cannot see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion for making a special grant of coupons to those engaged in dirty work in the Civil Service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to secure trade with Russia on long-term credits.

I have at present nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith) on 8th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken towards the adoption by the United Nations of an international code of commercial practice, with a view to the elimination or reduction of deception and unfair business transactions.

A number of international conventions aimed at the suppression of unfair commercial practices are already in force between many countries. The improvement and wider acceptance of such codes is no doubt a matter which might well receive in future the attention of any international economic organisation which the United Nations may establish.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that supplies of rubber teats are still scarce in the Liverpool district; that those which are available are of poor quality; that many women in order to obtain teats have to purchase a bottle as well; and whether he will ensure that the quality of supplies is now improved and increased numbers sent to Lancashire.

I have arranged for additional supplies of teats to be sent to the Liverpool district; and I am doing all I can, with the limited supplies of rubber available, to improve the quality.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the end of the European war, he can now give any indication when the supplies of perambulators will be increased.

The number of prams that can be made is limited by shortage of labour and certain materials. Supplies will be increased as soon as more labour and materials can be made available for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of existing circumstances, he will now arrange for a greater output of sports equipment.

Yes, Sir. I am doing everything possible to increase the production of sports goods. But labour and raw materials are short, and there are heavy demands for the Forces both in the Far East and elsewhere.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps he is taking to develop export trade with Egypt.

In recent months important steps have been taken to improve our export trade with Egypt and with other Middle Eastern countries. As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade informed the House on 23rd January, a wide range of goods has been removed from the Middle East Supply Centre control and may be exported without any recommendation from them. The list of those remaining under their control is subject to constant review and several additional items have since been removed. Efforts are being made to establish air mail facilities as soon as practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the wireless sets now being confiscated in Germany will be available for the people of this country in view of the continued scarcity here.

I am not aware of any such proposal as my hon. Friend suggests. The radio industry here are expanding their output, and a reasonable supply of war-time civilian receivers is available at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations he has received from the Scottish Nurses' Salaries Committee relating to the scales of salaries and conditions of service of mental nurses in Scotland.

Yes, Sir. The Chairman has submitted to me a summary of the recommendations which have been agreed by the Committee up to date. The summary recommends scales of salaries for male and female mental nurses, up to and including the grade of charge nurse or ward sister and also makes recommendations on some of the more important conditions of service, such as hours of work, annual leave and sick pay. A circular is being sent to all employing authorities commending the adoption of the Committee's recommendations. The Committee is continuing its negotiations and hopes to submit very soon a complete report dealing in detail with the whole range of salaries and conditions of service of mental nurses. I propose to present that report to Parliament when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the annual remuneration paid to each member of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board; and the annual remuneration paid to the officers of the Board as set out on page 2 of the Annual Report, dated 23rd April, 1945.

The salaries payable to the members of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board as determined by the Minister of Fuel and Power and myself with the approval of the Treasury, are:

The remuneration of the officers is in terms of the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Act, 1943, determined by the Board, and is not a matter in which I have either locus or cognisance.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will agree to civilian aircraft using the most direct routes from Inverness and Aberdeen to Kirkwall.

My right hon. Friend the First Lord is having inquiries made into the subject of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question and will communicate with him as soon as a decision has been reached.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make immediate inquiry regarding the destruction by fire of many tons of timber suitable for house repair in bomb-damaged areas at Welford airfield, Berkshire, as a result of orders received from the Timber Control Department of his Ministry; and if he will take steps to ensure that timber of this character at other airfields is preserved for use by the Ministry of Works.

My right hon. Friend had already inquired into allegations that timber which could be used for essential purposes had been burnt at the airfield referred to, and it was ascertained that only waste wood of firewood grade had been destroyed, and that usable wood, which was the property of the United States Forces, was being used by them for constructional and other purposes. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any further information to the contrary, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many personnel of the Royal Navy have served sentences of imprisonment in Russia since 21st June, 1941, and are still serving sentences of imprisonment in Russia, respectively.

Three naval ratings have served sentences of imprisonment in Russia since 21st June, 1941, one of whom is still in prison.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will withhold from foreign drafts for the East all men qualified by age and length of service for early release groups.

It is the general Admiralty policy not to send to the East men who are eligible for early release, though, occasionally where requirements cannot otherwise be met it is necessary to draft men who are in comparatively low numbered groups until reliefs can be supplied for them. The release of an age and service group, or a series of groups, will be spread over a period. Endeavour will be made to ensure that, wherever they are serving, men will be brought back to the United Kingdom for release in their turn during that period in so far as our resources in transport and manpower allow; but I must remind the hon. Member that, as was clearly stated in the White Paper, the release of officers and men by age and service groups will not necessarily proceed at an even rate in the different branches, ranks and ratings.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent classes to be demobilised in the Eastern fleets will be at any disadvantage owing to waiting for replacements and in particular whether they will arrive as early at their homes as corresponding classes serving at home.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I am giving to-day to the hon. Member for Lewisham West (Mr. Brooke).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give a list of the protected areas in Great Britain.

The only remaining protected areas in Great Britain are the Orkneys and Shetlands.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will agree to the abolition of the restrictions on entry into Orkney and Shetland.

As my right hon. Friend the First Lord has already informed my hon. and gallant Friend, this matter is under urgent consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the Admiralty Civil Police are the only branch of the Service not allowed to retain uniforms for which they surrendered coupons; and will he take the necessary steps to alter the ruling or refund the coupons to all concerned.

The surrendering of their uniform on leaving applies not only to the Admiralty Civil Police but to similarly constituted bodies in other Government Departments. The uniforms they wear are issued free and remain the property of the Crown. The Board of Trade Regulations require the surrender of a modified number of coupons based on the saving of wear on civilian clothing. The question of relaxing these Regulations is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what work he will allocate to Hayle shipyard in the immediate future, such as that in connection with the reconditioning and conversion to peace-time use of trawlers and other small craft.

The establishment to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is, I presume, the establishment at Hayle which was used for ship breaking prior to the war but adapted during the war for the construction and assembly of certain special craft required for war purposes. The Admiralty have carefully considered the possibility of using this establishment for the purposes which my hon. Friend has in mind and have decided that it is not suitable.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has any further statement to make respecting the political situation in India; and whether any decision has now been reached to release the Congress leaders.

I have no further statement to make at present on either matter.

asked the Minister of Labour when he expects the release will take place of the first age group from the Forces in order to accelerate the housing programme and relieve the industrial labour shortage.

asked the Minister of Labour when the release from each of the Fighting Services of building trade workers under the various categories of priority will commence; and about what percentage of those now serving are likely to be released at an early date.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the statement I made in the Debate yesterday.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Government's scheme for demobilisation and re-allocation of man-power will be set in motion; and how long it will take to demobilise the first five groups.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in the Debate yesterday.

asked the Minister of Labour why the booklet entitled "Release and Resettlement" is not available to the public.

All available copies of the booklet are at present required for distribution to serving members of H.M. Forces. As soon as the needs of the Services have been met, copies will be placed on sale to the general public.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that persons seeking to emigrate to the Dominions to take up guaranteed jobs are not meeting with either help or encouragement; and if he will cause the machinery to facilitate this desirable imperial impetus to be overhauled and simplified between his Ministry and the other Departments involved.

Emigration has had to be very severely restricted owing to the shortage of man-power in this country. The whole matter is now under review, including the question of the necessary machinery, but as my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate it is not a matter for my Department alone. If, however, he has any individual cases in mind I shall be pleased to look into them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make in regard to the question of domestic service; and when some amelioration of the present serious difficulties may be expected.

As my hon. Friend will be aware from statements which I have made in the House from time to time I have given the highest priority in the supply of domestic workers to hospitals and similar institutions, and during the last 14 months over 54,000 vacancies have been filled, resulting in a net increase of 4,650 staff, but there is still an urgent demand. With regard to private domestic service, a similar priority has been given to households where there is exceptional hardship and in the same period 26,000 placings have been effected in these households. I have already announced the early publication of the report on the future organisation of private domestic employment prepared by Miss Markham and Miss Hancock. I fear, however, that there will be no substantial amelioration in the present shortage of domestic workers until the general stringency of manpower is eased.

asked the hon. Member for Dulwich as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what arrangements his Committee is making to ensure that kitchen and other staffs under the Committee's control get compensatory leave for working on the two days of the victory holiday.

On Tuesday, the first VE day, all members of the staff of the Refreshment Department were released from duty after 6 p.m. and will receive full wages for that day. The Kitchen Committee has decided to pay full basic wages during the Whitsuntide recess, which should be ample compensation to the staff.

asked the Minister of Information whether, now that the war in Europe is over, he will drastically reduce the machinery and personnel employed in listening to and recording telephone conversations and examining internal mail in Great Britain.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday, by my right hon. Friend, to the hon. Members for Londonderry (Sir R. Ross) and South Poplar (Mr. Guy).

asked the Minister of Pensions what decision has been reached in the case of C/F/6843, South Eastern Region, referring to a woman injured in an air-raid in June, 1944, admitted to Mill Hill Emergency Hospital in December 1944, and examined by a Ministry doctor at Tunbridge Wells on 13th February, 1945, since when no civil injury allowance has been paid to the person concerned.

I am looking into this case and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensioned medical officers from the R.A.F. have been given appointments under his Ministry during the past 12 months and are these appointments temporary till the younger medical officers now in the Services are free to apply for permanent posts.

Four such officers, of whom one has resigned, have been appointed to temporary posts in my Department during the period in question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Chancellor Committee on Veterinary Practice by Unregistered Persons.

The suggestion that unqualified veterinary practice should be the subject of special inquiry was one of a number of recommendations made by the Loveday Committee on Veterinary Education. The Chancellor Committee was appointed to make this inquiry and I welcome in principle the proposals made in its Report, recently published. The question of regulating unqualified veterinary practice is, however, bound up with the much wider recommendations of the Loveday Committee for improvements in veterinary education and for consequent modifications in the constitution and functions of the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. I do not think it would be desirable to introduce legislation on the subsidiary subject until it is possible to deal also with these larger issues along the lines recommended by the Loveday Committee.