asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a report from the right hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. H. Macmillian), regarding the proposal that there should be set up in Greece a provisional advisory council, representative of all parties, to assist the administration in the task of reconciliation and reconstruction and to prepare for the General Election.

Reference to the desirability of such a council was made in Athens by my right hon. Friend some weeks ago. This is clearly a matter which the Greek Government and the Greek political leaders must decide for themselves, and unless general agreement is reached I do not feel that the formation of such a council would assist in the task of reconciliation and reconstruction in Greece.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the present position in Greece, with particular reference to the trials of collaborators, the trades union elections and the wholesale dismissal, victimisation and arrests of supporters of E.A.M., contrary to the Varkiya agreement.

I have not got full figures of the number of collaborators tried and sentenced, but a number of them have been sentenced to death or to long terms of imprisonment. As an instance, the first eight cases heard in Salonika resulted in six death sentences and two of life imprisonment.In the trades union elections the voting has been divided between the moderate Left Wing group led by Hadjidimitriou and the more extreme group called Ergas, which is sponsored by E.A.M. and the Greek Communist party. The latest figures show that the Hadjidimitriou group have gained 91 places in the Workers' Centres and 56 in the National Congress as against 51 and 39 for Ergas. There has not been wholesale dismissal, victimisation and arrests of supporters of E.A.M., as suggested by the hon. Member.In general, the political situation has improved considerably during the last month or two and the passions aroused by the civil war seem to be subsiding. Some excesses and injustices are still being committed by supporters both of the Left and Right, but I am satisfied that the present Greek Government are making a sincere attempt to carry out the Varkiza Agreement and that their impartiality is generally recognised. In spite of considerable provocation both from the extreme Left and from the extreme Right the Greek Government are doing their best to re-establish democratic principles in Greece and to prepare for a plebiscite and elections as soon as the necessary machinery can be created.The main problem which now faces the Greek Government is to tackle the economic and financial situation. This must transcend in importance any political differences and will require the united efforts of the Greek Government and the whole Greek people.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can state the extent of the achievement of the R.A.F. and Allied Air Forces in bringing back by air to this country British and other prisoners who have been liberated.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War stated in reply to Questions yesterday, more than 140,000 British Commonwealth prisoners of war have been flown to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why permission was refused to the officers and men of the 604 Squadron, late of Glasgow Squadron, to stage a public display in Glasgow before their disbandment.

I am unable to trace any application to stage a public display in Glasgow on the occasion of the disbandment of No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron.

asked the Under-secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will now make arrangements for the free passage home of children officially evacuated in 1940 to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and desiring to return.

Arrangements for the return of the children are now under consideration. Some parties have already arrived from Canada and South Africa.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many tons of sprats were thrown back into the sea at Dungeness last season owing to the ban imposed upon fishermen hawking them in the surrounding locality, although the residents in the district rarely get the chance of purchasing fish of any kind; and whether he will remove the ban before the next season begins.

I am not aware that any dumping of sprats took place last season at Dungeness. Any fisherman may apply to the local Food Control Committee for a licence to retail fish and, if he has hawked fish before, a licence will generally be granted.

asked the Minister of Food what proportions of the various kinds of food he proposes to allot free of coupons or points to hotels, restaurants and clubs.

The proportion of rationed foods consumed in hotels, restaurants and clubs is approximately 4 per cent. of the total amount consumed in the country. All supplies to these and other catering establishments, except schools, have recently been reduced in the same proportion as rations to domestic consumers. In the case of residents in hotels, the coupons are cancelled.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many private clubs have full caterers' licences and serve meals all day; and whether he will consider replacing these by limited licences in view of the worsening of the food situation.

The only private clubs which have full caterers' licences are those which served a full range of meals before rationing commenced or those which, established subsequently, have satisfied the local Food Control Committee concerned that special circumstances justify the grant of a full licence. All such clubs are subject to the general reductions which have, recently been made in the allowances of rationed foods to all catering establishments, and I do not consider that I should be justified in singling out these establishments for further special restrictions such as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can give any estimate of the present amount of coffee being exported from this country to the Continent in bulk, and by civilians and members of the Armed Forces, respectively; and whether, in view of the shortage of coffee in this country and the fact that much of that which reaches the Continent benefits the black market there, he proposes to take any further steps to control this traffic.

During the past twelve months approximately 13,000 tons in bulk, mainly for military or relief purposes. In addition, very small quantities have been allowed to travellers for their personal consumption. I have no reason to think that these supplies benefit the black market in liberated countries. The export of coffee to the Continent in any other way is illegal. No estimates are available as to the quantity of any such illegal exports. We do our best to stop them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to celebrate the victory over Germany and assist the revenue, he will consider the introduction of a victory series of postage stamps.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider issuing special postage stamps to commemorate the victory in Europe.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. and gallant Friend to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 29th May.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that members of the Forces and others are paid £5 notes by the Post Office, and even though these bear the post office stamp they cannot be cashed at any other post office or by a bank without a guarantor; and if he will give instructions that no more £5 notes shall be issued to the public by his Departments without a warning of their disadvantages.

£5 notes are, in general, used by Post Offices only where the payment of a substantial sum is involved. They are, of course, legal tender for payments of £5 and upwards. While efforts are made to avoid serious inconvenience to the public, I am afraid that my right hon. and gallant Friend cannot see his way to adopt the suggestion in the latter part of the Question.

asked the Postmaster-General if tobacco and cigarettes sent to prisoners of war which have never reached the camps, but are at Lisbon and elsewhere, will be returned to this country to the senders; if not, whether there will be any refund, and what it is proposed to do with the parcels.

No, Sir. By agreement with the manufacturers who have despatched tobacco parcels to prisoners of war, any such parcels which prove to be undeliverable abroad are being placed at the disposal of the International Red Cross Committee at Geneva for general distribution.

asked the Postmaster-General whether some statement may now be issued to inform Parliament of the efficient work done by the engineering workmen, telegraph and telephone operators of the Post Office telephone service throughout the war and especially prior to D-Day.

Throughout the war such information about the work of the Post Office as could be released has been placed at the disposal of the Minister of Information, and from time to time if has appeared in the Press and elsewhere. A popular account of the work of the Post Office and its staff during hostilities in Europe is being prepared and will, in due course, be published. My right hon. and gallant Friend has received a personal letter of appreciation of the work of the Post Office from General Eisenhower, which he has made known to all concerned, together with messages of a similar character from other Commanders. I take this opportunity of adding my tribute to all ranks of the staff of my Department for the magnificent contribution they have made to the war effort.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can state the number of completed Ministry of Supply contracts awaiting costing by VE-Day.

The number of completed Ministry of Supply contracts awaiting costing by VE-Day was approximately 7,500, of which 27 per cent. represented contracts in respect of which the contractors were not ready for investigation to take place.

asked the Minister of Supply whether the arrangement between His Majesty's Government and the British Metal Corporation for the importation and distribution of certain non-ferrous raw materials during the war permits that Corporation, by means of a subsidiary company wholly owned by it, to transact business for profit in the self-same materials for the supply and distribution of which it was embodied into the Ministry and is remunerated out of public funds.

The arrangement in question, while restricting business by the Corporation in this country, permitted a subsidiary company of the Corporation to carry on the business of selling abroad metals and materials which were purchased abroad, subject to their giving to His Majesty's Government first refusal of any material they had for disposal.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent the American Government intends to dispose of surplus war-time cars in this country since all of them will no longer be needed for hostili- ties in Europe; and if such disposal will be carried out through his Ministry.

The whole question of the disposal of Lend-Lease and American-owned stores located in this country, which are surplus to military requirements, is at present under discussion with the United States authorities.

asked the Minister of Supply why it is still necessary for his officers to requisition amenity soft wood timber from estates; and whether, in cases where an estate has already been largely denuded of its growing trees, the owner may appeal to the Minister of Town and Country Planning for protection against indiscriminate slaughter of woods before his officials take action.

I regret that it is still necessary to acquire large quantities of standing timber in this country in order to meet essential needs. I can, however, assure my hon. and gallant Friend that we co-operate closely with the Minister of Town and Country Planning and the Secretary of State for Scotland in order to preserve, so far as the situation allows, the amenities of the countryside.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give an assurance that ample supplies of specially thin paper, suitable for sending election addresses by air-mail to Service voters overseas, will be available instantly to paper merchants or printers holding certificates from candidates at the coming General Election.

Yes, Sir. Special stocks of such paper will be available for merchants and printers to draw upon for election addresses for voters overseas.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the form of certificate to be issued by Parliamentary candidates, through their agents, to paper merchants or printers; and how soon and where such certificates will be available.

The terms of the required certificate are appended. They have been brought to the attention of all merchants, of the headquarters of the political parties, and of the British Federation of Master Printers for the information of their members. The certificate can be typed or printed by any candidate's agent or by his printer or merchant, provided it is signed by the agent.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps have been taken to secure timber and other building material for use in Great Britain for the purposes of carrying out the Government's housing and rehousing plans.

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that every effort is being made to secure sufficient supplies of timber and other materials for which the Ministry of Supply is responsible to meet essential requirements, including the Government's housing plans.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether the Government has reached a conclusion on the Abercrombie Report on Greater London; and whether he will set up forthwith an executive committee to determine whether Greater London is to be re-planned.

No, Sir. Professor Abercrombie's Plan for Greater London is being carefully considered, both by my Department and by the local authorities affected by the proposals, but conclusions have not yet been reached. The appointment of a central body is also under consideration, and in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to the hon. and learned Member for Ilford (Mr. G. Hutchinson) on 8th March and 17th May, of which I am sending him copies.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will take steps to ensure that the work of the members of the Rescue Tug Service, T. 124 T., is officially recognised and that war gratuities are awarded.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my predecessor on 25th April to the hon. and gallant Member for Waterloo (Captain Bullock), the terms of which apply to all forms of T.124 service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will establish a system by which W.R.N.S., discharged or released from service, will be given rehabilitation or convalescent treatment, if such is necessary, to enable them to re-enter civil employment.

Members of the W.R.N.S. are eligible in the same way as other members of the Forces for rehabilitation for civil life under the arrangements made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. Convalescent, or other necessary treatment after final discharge, is provided by the Ministry of Pensions for members who are invalided. In addition, members of the W.R.N.S. are entitled to treatment as serving members during their 56 days' final leave after invaliding, and may be sent to one of the approved convalescent homes for this period.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the Fleet Air Arm, while appealing for volunteers, refuses airmen in release groups 1 to 28, which include most of those now being transferred compulsorily from the R.A.F. to the Army; and if he will give such men the opportunity of serving in the Fleet Air Arm.

The men to be transferred from the Royal Air Force to the Royal Navy are required for service in the Eastern war, and only those whose turn for release to civil life under the Release and Re-allocation Scheme is not likely to come for a considerable time are acceptable for transfer. The Admiralty would be prepared to take suitable men in Age and Service Groups 1–28 if they were willing to serve in the Navy for the period of the Japanese war, that is to forego release in the turn of their Age and Service Group.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the ex-Mufti of Jerusalem is now in the hands of British authorities; and what it is proposed to do with him.

No, Sir. He is in the hands of the French authorities. As regards the second part of the Question, I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Secretary of State of the Colonies what further action is to be taken respecting increasing the number of trained West African nurses and doctors to serve in West Africa; and if he will adopt a plan completely to staff clinics and hospitals in West Africa with trained West African personnel within a given number of years.

Steps are being taken to expand and systematize facilities for the training of West African nurses both locally and in this country. As regards doctors, the West African Governments are doing everything possible, by the award of scholarships and by other means, to encourage the recruitment of suitable qualified African doctors to the Medical Departments. I do not think it is possible to prescribe a fixed period as suggested in the last part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is satisfied that everything possible has been done to meet the needs of those evacuated from the neighbourhood of Waterloo airfield, Sierra Leone; whether sufficient alternative accommodation has been provided and adequate compensation given; and what steps have been taken sympathetically to consider grievances arising out of the eviction.

As to the needs of those evacuated and the provision of alternative accommodation, I understand that there are large areas of suitable building land just outside the restriction area, which extends only to a depth of three-quarters of a mile around the airfield. The number of persons affected was approximately 1,500, of whom about one half were labourers temporarily resident who have now returned to their homes. Full details of resettlement are not available, but a substantial number of house owners have built within two miles of the former site. All assistance requested has been given to the satisfaction of those concerned, With regard to compensation, I would refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lambeth, North (Mr. G. Strauss) on 2nd of May.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is aware of the gravity of the situation caused by the curtailment of production by the M.A.P. in Napier's factories and its effect upon the workers; and what the post-war plan is for these factories, with a view to allaying the misgivings caused among those engaged there.

The curtailment of production at the Napier factories arises from a reduction in requirements consequent on the changing war situation. It is expected that production at the Acton and Liverpool factories will continue at a reduced rate until 1946, and that thereafter production will be concentrated at Liverpool, leaving the Acton factory to be employed on development of aero engines for which the firm already has substantial development contracts. I appreciate that the programme will not provide employment for all the existing employees but I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service that sufficient vacancies are likely to be available to absorb the workers released.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any further information about conditions in prison camps in the Far East under Japanese control; and whether any recent visits have been paid by representatives of the Protecting Power.

So far as I am aware, in the last four months the Protecting Power has been permitted to visit only one prisoner of war camp and one hospital, both in the Tokyo group. The camp was overcrowded, and in other respects below standard, and representations have been made. Representations have also been made recently about the continued refusal of Japan to permit the Protecting Power and the International Red Cross Committee to pay visits to camps, even in the Northern area. Apart from these reports on the camp and hospital and the preliminary accounts of conditions in Rangoon which liberated prisoners have given, no recent information is available as to conditions of prisoners of war in any part of the Far East.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give instructions that enemy prisoners of the late war in Europe are not to be allowed rations that are in any way superior to those received by civilians in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for War how the rations of German prisoners working on the land and on bomb sites compare with those of our own people; whether the same rations are supplied to Italian prisoners; what is the relative position with ourselves of German and Italian prisoners who are not employed; and whether German and Italian officer prisoners receive better rations than other ranks.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain Macdonald) yesterday. The new ration applies to Italians as well as Germans. Officers receive the same rations as other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Socialist and Communist leaders in Italy have been arrested; whether it is intended to put them on trial; and for what charge.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement on the arrest of Signor Nenni, the Italian Socialist leader.

In areas under the control of Allied Military Government that Government is responsible for the preservation of order, and there has been a long standing and well known provision that political meetings require its prior consent. Before Signor Nenni and other political leaders left Rome for Northern Italy they were all informed of the stipulation made by the Allied Commission and agreed to by the Italian Government that they would not be permitted to take part in any political demonstration or make speeches. In spite of this he made a speech at a meeting in Vercelli on 24th May. He was specifically reminded of the position before he made the speech. When he had finished he was taken to Turin and charged with the violation of the proclamation in question issued by Allied Military Government. He agreed that he would not make anymore public appearances without prior consent and he was then released. No other such arrests have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances the Allied military authorities in Italy came to arrest the Socialist leader Pietro Nenni.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Members for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) and Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of public feeling about the fact that British Servicemen are acting as batmen to captured German officers; and if he will take steps to ensure that from this date no British Servicemen shall be asked or ordered to undertake this task.

I think there has been some misunderstanding about this. As a preliminary, to the capitulation of the German forces in Norway and the liberation of that country, a delegation of German officers arrived in the United Kingdom in order to provide the British military authorities with certain important information which facilitated the handing over of Norway and the territorial waters of that country. At that time these German officers were not prisoners of war, but delegates. It was considered expedient that these delegates, during the progress of the discussions, should be accorded the minimum courtesy appropriate in the circumstances. British personnel of the camp staff were accordingly ordered to carry out the following duties only:

(a) to keep the house clean in which the delegates were lodged;

(b) to rouse the delegates in the morning; and

(c) to serve the food in the mess room allotted to the delegates.

No personal service to the delegates of any kind was otherwise permitted, and specific warnings were addressed to the British personnel concerned against anything in the nature of fraternisation or personal service apart from the duties set out above.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among officers and men serving overseas at the quality of paper supplied for Service air-mail letters; and whether he will take steps to improve it.

Enormous quantities of these letters have so far been provided from this country, and I know of no complaints about those so supplied. They are, however, produced locally in the Middle East, and there have been complaints about these. Accordingly paper has since last October been sent out from here.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether representative provincial government and town councils are being set up and are functioning in those parts of Austria occupied by the British Forces; and whether democratic political parties and trade unions are permitted to operate.

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government that in all parts of Austria occupied by British Forces democratic Austrian institutions should be allowed and encouraged to functions wherever practicable. As conditions become stabilised this policy will, of course, progressively be put into effect.

asked the Secretary of of State for War whether Western Austria is being occupied by Allied troops as a separate national entity; or whether Bavaria is included in the administrative organisation.

It is certainly the policy of His Majesty's Government that Austria should, as soon as possible, be severed from all parts of Germany and treated as a separate entity. The hon. Member will appreciate that the present position in regard to the military occupation of Austria is necessarily transitional, but I can assure him that Austria will, from the earliest practicable moment, be administered as an entirely separate country.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the circumstances in which hostilities with Germany have ceased, it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation of a character similar to that enacted in 1918, to determine the date of the termination of the present war.

The question whether it is desirable to pass legislation for the purpose of aiding the construction of war-time contracts is at present under consideration. I hope to be in a position to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any decision has been reached about the N.F.S.; and what steps can be taken by local authorities and industrial firms to acquire surplus fire pumps, hoses; etc., all of which are now necessitating the retention of N.F.S. personnel to keep them in good order.

No, Sir; no decision has yet been reached. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's Question the disposal of equipment which is no longer required is primarily for my right hon. Friends the Minister of Supply and the Minister of Works. Local authorities have recently been offered special opportunities to acquire certain surplus National Fire Service equipment, and I hope soon to reach agreement with my colleagues concerned as to offers to industrial firms who now have equipment on loan.

Percentages of Indictable Crimes "cleared up" in the Metropolitan Police District.
Year			Breakings.	Preventable Larcenies.	Total "Preventable" Crimes.	Detectable Crimes.	Total Indictable Crimes.
1934	…	…	16·0	12·8	13·9	34·1	24·1
1935	…	…	20·1	15·7	17·1	36·7	27·9
1936	…	…	19·0	16·8	17·5	37·1	28·8
1937	…	…	21·1	17·7	18·8	35·0	28·2
1938	…	…	23·9	18·6	20·3	32·4	27·1
1939	…	…	24·5	16·5	19·0	31·4	25·8
1940	…	…	22·2	18·5	19·8	29·3	25·2
1941	…	…	30·1	24·4	26·2	34·0	30·9
1942	…	…	33·9	26·8	29·1	36·5	33·7
1943	…	…	30·6	26·1	27·5	34·0	31·5
1944	…	…	26·8	25·1	25·7	30·9	28·9

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that there have been several fatal accidents on the Hull docks; that the Hull coroner has made certain recommendations; and if he will order an

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been drawn to complaints by the staff side of the Whitley Council of the Postal and Telegraph Censorship Department that subordinate members of the staff have been required to do shopping and to stand in shopping queues for their superior officers during their official hours of duty; whether he has made a full inquiry into the circumstances of this irregularity; and what action has been taken.

My predecessor's attention was drawn to a request by the Staff Side of the Whitley Council of the Postal and Telegraph Censorship Department for an inquiry into the matter mentioned. The inquiry has been held and I expect to receive the report shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will set out in tabular form under the headings, "breakings into premises," and "larcenies" for "preventable crimes" and one heading for "detectable crimes," the percentages of indictable crimes cleared up in the Metropolitan police area for each of the years from 1930 to 1944.

The figures asked for are as follow:inquiry as to the causes of the accidents and whether they were avoidable.

Yes, Sir; I have a detailed report on the subject. I understand that in one case the Coroner suggested that the Regulations should deal more precisely with methods of slinging loads, and this will be considered. As regards the last part of the Question my information is that the fatal and other accidents have occurred in a variety of ways and difficulties have been increased by war conditions. The development of joint accident prevention committees offers the best means of securing the avoidance of unnecessary risks.

asked the Minister of Works if consideration is being given to the restoration of the iron and steel railings taken away from enclosures for war purposes.

No, Sir. Practically the whole of the railings collected have been used for war purposes. It has been made clear throughout that it would not be possible for the Government to accept responsibility for the replacement of the railings removed.

asked the Minister of Works if he will, each month, lay a Paper on the Table of the House showing the number of temporary houses and permanent houses which have been erected and become occupied during that month so that Members may have an opportunity of judging the rate of progress in new construction in relief of the housing shortage throughout the country.

The Government intend to publish full information about the current progress of house-building and of certain other classes of building work. For this purpose it will be necessary to ask for regular returns from local authorities, and I am consulting my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland on this matter.

asked the Minister of Works whether he can give any indication of the average delay involved in the application for £10 building licences and the average number of such licences sought and issued, respectively, during the past six weeks.

On the basis of sample checks which have been made it is estimated that the average time taken by local authorities to deal with applications for building licences is rather under seven days in London and about four days in the areas outside London to which the £10 limit applies. During the last six weeks about 22,000 applications have been received, of which about 19,000 have been granted.

asked the Minister of Works under what statutory authority his Ministry has provided in Circular No. 14315 that the use of standard products will be obligatory whenever it is proposed to use such products for work which is subsidised by the Government.

It was announced in the recent White Paper on housing that the Government would expect local authorities to use standardised building materials and fitments in their housing programme. The document referred to in the question was a confidential note addressed by the Ministry of Works to the other Government Departments concerned and to two trade associations, with the object of obtaining their views as to which standardised products should be included in the list. This was not, therefore, in any sense an official circular or instruction.

asked the Minister of Works how many bricks were the minimum required to be laid by a bricklayer in a day, with normal labouring assistance, on a straight internal wall to entitle him to a full day's pay during 1938.

Before the war bricklayers were paid by the hour. No minimum rate of output was therefore fixed.

asked the Minister of Works how many building- labourers have been brought into London to work on bomb-damage repair from outside the London region.

About 50,000 building operatives were brought into London for bomb-damage repair. Of these about 17,000 are labourers.

asked the Minister of Works whether any policy has been reached with regard to the future of railings around the Royal Parks.

The disappearance of the park railings has, I think, been generally welcomed. I do not, therefore, at present propose to replace any railings around or inside the Royal Parks except where this is absolutely necessary to protect flower beds or other amenities.

asked the Minister of Works the number of dwelling-houses in Edinburgh at present occupied by Government Departments; and, having regard to the shortage of houses in the city, how many of these are likely to be derequisitioned before the end of the year.

Forty-five dwelling-houses in Edinburgh are occupied by civil Departments. Thirteen of these are pre-war tenancies. It is not possible for me to say how many can be released by the end of the year. I can, however, assure my hon. and gallant Friend that dwelling-houses, particularly of the smaller types, will, wherever possible, be derequisitioned in preference to other classes of property.

asked the Minister of Works if he is now able to say when the Cheltenham Town Council may expect delivery of the prefabricated houses promised to them, so that they may inform the wives of men in the Services, who are anxious about housing accommodation for their husbands, who are due for early discharge.

The date on which the delivery of temporary houses to Cheltenham can start will depend upon how soon the town council are able to provide the necessary sites. No sites in Cheltenham have as yet been handed over to the Ministry of Works.

asked the Minister of Health when it is proposed to introduce the new Housing (Rural Workers) Act.

This Bill was introduced on 17th May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the number of herds that have been continuously on the register of attested herds during the last five years; and in how many of these herds has there been no reactor to the tuberculin test within this period.

I cannot give the precise information asked for without further detailed examination of the records, but perhaps it will be sufficient for the hon. Member's purpose to say that 3,187 herds in England and Wales have been continuously on the Register of Attested Herds from 31st December, 1938, to the end of 1944, and that in 2,053 of these no reactor to the tuberculin test has been recorded during that period.

asked the Minister of Education whether his attention has been drawn to action taken by the Reading Borough Council in dismissing the governing body of a grammar school on the ground that, as all the schools in the area newly classified as secondary schools cannot immediately secure separate governing bodies, no school should enjoy this, privilege; and if, as he has declared his desire to preserve the individuality of schools, he will take steps to alter this decision.

I have received no official intimation of any action by the Reading local education authority of the kind described by the hon. Member. I am, however, making inquiries and will communicate with him on the point.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many electrical hearing-aids have been supplied to men deafened as a result of service in the last war; and how many to men deafened as a result of service in this war to date.

The records of my Department do not enable me to give separate figures for the many different appliances supplied to pensioners of the 1914–18 war for various disabilities. The number of aids to hearing supplied to Service pensioners of the present war is 112.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to what extent a civil air service has been regularly maintained between India and Australia since the entry of Japan into the war.

Normal air communications between India and Australia were interrupted early in 1942 by the Japanese invasion. An alternative service between Karachi and Perth via Ceylon was established in 1943 for war purposes and is at present operating to a frequency of one service a week between Karachi and Perth, and three services a week between Ceylon and Perth. This Commonwealth service is the longest non-stop trans-ocean service in the world, 3,600 miles, and my Noble Friend would like to pay a high tribute to the personnel who pioneered and are operating this service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether a printed notice of renewal will in future be sent to persons in possession of motor-car driving licences in the same manner as is done for game licences.

When the licensing authorities are again able to undertake the work, I hope it will be possible to restore this convenient practice, which was suspended because of the need for economy in man-power and paper.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the use of hire motor-cars is restricted to a radius of20 miles from where the motor-cars are garaged.

As part of the rationing system during the war it was found necessary to restrict travel by hire car to a radius of 10 miles, except where a licence for a longer journey was granted or where the journey was in connection with the hirer's urgent domestic purposes or with essential services being performed by the hirer. Under, the relaxations recently announced, the distance within which a hire car may be used without a licence has been increased to 20 miles, as it is still desirable that such cars should be used mainly for short journeys. In addition, a hire car can be used for a journey of any length which is urgently required for professional or business purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give an estimate of the amount of money received by Eire since 1940 on account of cattle, sheep and pigs sent to Great Britain, and what the figures were for 1938–39.

The appended figures show the value of exports from Eire of cattle, sheep and lambs, and pigs for each year since 1938:

	£000
1938	10,273
of which to Great Britain	9,084
1939	12,709
1940	13,537
I941	7,485
1942	15,080
1943	12,795
1944	12,924
Note.—The figures for 1940 and subsequent years in fact relate to exports to the United Kingdom.