asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to help in respect of the house repairs of residents in county towns, well outside the London area, who have suffered heavily from enemy action.

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to districts which have suffered recent damage. The ordinary schemes for repairs, developed during the war, are in operation there, and the resources of local authorities are supplemented as may be necessary. The reduced licensing limit enables additional labour to be made available for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered representations from persons in need of accommodation in Ealing directing his attention to the empty flats at Haven Green Court, Ealing Broadway; if he is aware that attempts are being made to use these flats as offices; and, in view of the scarcity of accommodation for residential purposes, if he will take steps to have this accommodation released for letting at the earliest possible date.

:I am informed that arrangements are being made to release 18 out of the 20 flats concerned for letting as early as possible.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the L.C.C. has been making arrangements for the development of a 153-acre housing site at Headstone Lane, near Pinner; what price has been paid for this land and what was its previous rateable value; what area was occupied by buildings and what has been their rateable value.

Yes, Sir. The price paid for the land was £125,000. Apart from one acre occupied by buildings of rateable value £875 the land was agricultural and derated.

asked the Minister of Health if the Tonbridge Rural Council has been successful in its negotiation for the acquisition of any or all of the following housing sites: Ashurst Road, Ashurst, 0·50 acres; The Green, part of Tatty's Farm, Maidstone Road, Matfield, 2·175 acres; Carpenter's Lane, Hadlow, 2·5 acres; Furnace Lane and Gibbett Lane, Horsmonden, 4·46 acres; and Furnace Lane, Lamberhurst, 3 acres; what price has been agreed upon in each case and what was the previous rateable value of the land.

Negotiations are still in progress for the acquisition of the sites at:—Ashurst Road, Ashurst—.629 acres.The Green, Matfield (part of Tattys Farm)—2·382 acres.Carpenters Lane, Hadlow—2.635 acres.Furnace Lane, Lamberhurst—2.716 acres.The Council are not proceeding with the acquisition of the site at Furnace Lane and Gibbett Lane, Horsmonden (4·46 acres).

asked the Minister of Health whether he has given his approval to the purchase by the Tonbridge Rural Council of the following sites: Ringden Meadow, Paddock Wood, 14·52 acres; Crockhurst Street, Tudeley, 1 acre; Mount Pleasant, Hildenborough, 2 acres; Riding Lane, Hildenborough, 0·92 acres; High Street, Bidborough, 1·50 acres; and if he will state the price proposed and the previous rateable value in those cases where acquisition is taking place.

I have approved the acquisition of the following sites which have been purchased at the prices mentioned—Ringden Meadow, Paddock Wood, 14·339 acres at £2,300; Mount Pleasant, Hildenborough, 2.2 acres at £1,275. The land was agricultural and therefore derated. The Council are not proceeding with the purchase of the other two sites referred to in the Question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the shortage, evidence of which has been submitted to him, of houses in the Harley Street area for medical consultants; that this shortage will increase with the return of consultants from war service and is partly occasioned by the continued requisition of 56 houses in the area by Government Departments; and if he will take steps to remedy this position as soon as possible.

The majority of the houses in the Harley Street area requisitioned by Government Departments are used to house American officers, so as to reduce the pressure upon the limited hotel accommodation of London; as offices for French Missions and branches of the French Embassy; and as hostels. The possibility of reducing the number retained is being examined with the occupying authorities and any houses which can be vacated will be released. Five requisitioned houses now vacant are being released immediately.

asked the Minister of Health in the case of how many county boroughs the rates recently made have been increased, decreased, or have remained the same.

As compared with the rates levied in 1944–45 the current rate levies in the county boroughs in England and Wales have increased in 54 cases, decreased in two (Croydon and St. Helens) and remained the same in 27.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that no air-raid shelter, or even blast wall, is allowed to be demolished without the permission of the regional office of the Ministry of Home Security; and, as this procedure involves delay, will he arrange for local authorities to deal direct with the Ministry on some laid-down scale of costs.

Expenditure by local authorities on the demolition of air-raid shelters and other structural protection provided by them attract Exchequer assistance, and in addition there rests upon the Department a responsibility to ensure that in the present labour situation the number of men employed on such work does not exceed the allocation made for the purpose. In order to maintain reasonably adequate control over the expenditure of both money and labour, it has been felt necessary to require the prior submission to Regional offices of proposals to undertake this type of work. I will consider the question of prescribing a scale of maximum costs when greater experience has been obtained of the actual cost incurred in representative cases and when improvement in the labour situation permits of the execution of demolition works on a wider scale than is at present possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is intended to recognise, by an official communication, the work of the W.V.S. during the war in Europe; and when it is expected that they will be stood down from their war-time activities so that those who wish to participate in peace-time social work can commence such work without feeling that they have left the W.V.S. prematurely.

Special mention of the W.V.S. was made in the Order of the Day which my predecessor issued recently to members of the Civil Defence (General) Services on disbandment. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Order. The activities of the W.V.S. are not confined to Civil Defence and have not ceased with the termination of war with Germany. I feel sure that many members of the W.V.S. will be ready to take part in these activities, so long as the need for their services continues, and this will not preclude them from undertaking other kinds of social work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether special constables of the voluntary service may be allowed to retain their rubber boots on being disbanded, in addition to their helmets and gas-masks.

No, Sir. Owing to the present shortage of rubber the available supplies of rubber boots are needed to meet military and other essential needs.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what amount was paid per night to civil servants for fire watching.

:Civil servants who performed fire guard duties outside their working hours were eligible for reimbursement of additional travelling expenses incurred in consequence of such duty and for the payment of subsistence allowance at the rates prescribed for business premises generally in Article 25 of the Fire Guard (Business and Government Premises) Order, 1943 (S.R. & 0. 1943, No. 1044), of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that numbers of persons who are entitled to be included in the register of electors have in fact been omitted from the new register, and if, in order that these mistakes may be rectified in the October register, he will consider issuing a regulation permitting the agents of the different political parties to submit claims in such cases in accordance with the practice which was followed before the war.

It is proposed to provide in the Regulations for the October register that a claim may be made on behalf of a claimant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that the Electoral Register is known to be faulty and incomplete and that many electors will call at the polling booths only to find that they are not registered, he will arrange that at every polling booth forms of registration will be available on the day of election so that omissions may be recorded for inclusion on the next register.

The hon. Gentleman's suggestion would require legislation and would also be a considerable inconvenience to presiding officers. With regard to the October Register, the electoral lists will be published before the end of August and there will be an opportunity after then of making claims and objections.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of electors on the present register for the City of London, giving the figures for resident and business premises votes separately.

As the hon. Member was informed in reply to a Question on 3rd May, a return of the number of electors on each of the three Registers for all constituencies will be laid before Parliament as soon as this information is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any statement to make as to the method whereby soldiers, sailors and airmen who are still serving, but who are in hospital and also those who have recently been discharged, but are still retained in hospitals or in training institutions like St. Dunstan's, may register their votes at the forthcoming General Election.

Any person on the Service Register may apply to vote by post if his application is received not later than four days before nomination day. As the qualifying date for the May Register was 31st January this will cover the position of all persons who have made Service declarations and were not discharged prior to that date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to arrange for supplementary electors' registers to be prepared to include late registrations received on behalf of His Majesty's Forces and civilians not included on the current register but possessing the necessary residence qualification.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in connection with the disfranchisement of large numbers of people, what consideration has been given to the question whether any modification of the existing arrangements in respect of the May register can be made; and if he has any further statement to make on this matter.

I regret that in existing circumstances it is not possible to introduce any modifications or alterations in respect of the Parliamentary Register published on 7th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department approximately what number of applications for ballot papers to be sent by post at the General Election to Service personnel have been received by the electoral registration officers for the Divisions of Skipton and Harrow West, respectively; and what percentage of the names on the Service Register in each case does this number represent.

I regret that having regard to the very heavy work in which registration officers are now engaged, it is not practicable to call on them to supply the information asked for. Moreover, as Service postal voting applications are valid if received not later than four days before nomination day, the number of applications now received in any constituency would not in any case indicate the eventual total.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many of the 625 traffic casualties resulting in death, and in how many of the 20,355 traffic casualties resulting in personal injury in 1944, in the Metropolitan police area, British Service vehicles were involved; and in how many United States Service and diplomatic vehicles.

I regret that the detailed information asked for by my hon. Friend could not be supplied without a considerable expenditure of time and labour. Certain of the information is, however, available for the last eight months of 1944. During that period out of a total of 414 persons killed on the road in the Metropolitan Police District, 58, three and 14 persons respectively were killed in accidents in which British, Dominion, and Allied Service vehicles were primarily involved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made to provide necessities and clothing free of charge to the poorer inhabitants of the Channel Islands, in cases where they cannot afford to pay for them; and whether these supplies will be a national or local charge.

Arrangements have been made through the local parish relief administration to secure that no person is prevented by financial reasons from obtaining his share of the, supplies brought in. The Island authorities have been told that His Majesty's Government will not expect to be recouped for any supplies which are distributed free.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will circularise magistrates, pointing out that confinement to a recognised quarantine kennel might be an alternative to an order for destruction, which carries a penalty of £1 per day for delay, involving in some cases continuing fines out of all proportion to the offence.

Under the existing law magistrates have power to deal with a dangerous dog either by making an order for it to be kept by the owner under proper control or by making an order for it to be destroyed. The suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend is, in effect, that a third course should be available to the Courts. This would require legislation, and I am not satisfied that such legislation is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the amount of pension payable to a retired police constable or his widow, respectively; and the amount deducted from the police constable's pay in respect of such pensions.

The Police Pensions Acts provide that a police constable may retire after twenty-five years' service with a pension equal to half his pay and after thirty years' service with a pension equal to two-thirds of his pay. The actual rate of pension depends on whether the constable has earned the two additional increments provided for by the Police Regulations. If he has, the pension payable at twenty-five years' service, on the rates of pay now in force, is £3 1s. 6d. a week and at thirty years' service £4 2s. 0d. a week. Pensions are also payable on retirement on medical grounds after ten years' service, and special pensions on retirement at any time as a result of injury received in the execution of duty.The widow of a constable ordinarily receives a pension of £30 a year. She receives a pension at the rate of one-third of her husband's pay in the event of his death as a result of non-accidental injury received in the execution of duty. Superannuation deductions are made from a constable's pay at the rate of 5 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Registrar of Friendly Societies will cause inquiry to be made to ascertain from companies specialising in selling industrial insurance, and from sick benefit and friendly societies and from other bodies and associations having as their object or business the collection and distribution of funds on behalf of the working classes, how many policies have lapsed or membership discontinued since 3rd September, 1939; the cause of such lapse or discontinuation of membership; what steps have been taken to ascertain cause of lapse or discontinuation of membership where not known; whether the Registrar of Friendly Societies will make known the findings by publication.

An inquiry such as the hon. Member proposes would be a formidable undertaking, and, having regard to the continued stringency of the man-power position, I should not feel justified in initiating it. There is reason to suppose that during the war years the amount of lapsing has been less than during the period immediately before the war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the price level for 1938 and 1944 taking 1913 at 100; and what was the real value of the £ for the same two years taking 1913 at 20s.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 12th December, 1944, to my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Sir W. Smithers). As I then stated, comparisons with 1913 are not available. On the basis of the Official Cost of Living Index for 1914 and 1938, and of the price changes between 1938 and 1944 which were used in compiling the latest issue of the National Income White Paper (Cmd. 6623), the price level, taking 1914 as 100, was 156 in 1938 and 239 in 1944. On that basis the domestic purchasing power of the £, taking 1914 as 20s., was 12s. l0d. in 1938 and 8s. 4d. in 1944.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to have the international position of Tangier returned to the pre-war status.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. I. Thomas).

asked the Minister of Works whether in view of the Government's advocacy of a large summer holiday, he will derequisition the buildings occupied by the Ministry of Labour in seaside resorts.

The importance of derequisitioning as early as possible buildings occupied by the Ministry of Labour in seaside resorts is fully appreciated. Three requisitioned hotels which are occupied by the Ministry of Labour Headquarters staffs at Southport will be released as soon as alternative accommodation can be provided.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that no midday meals are supplied at the Pwllheli county school, so that pupils attending this school from the adjoining rural areas are placed at a disadvantage; and whether he will take immediate steps to secure the release of materials and equipment to enable the governors of the school to provide mid-day meals without delay.

I am aware that there has been some delay in making the necessary provision for mid-day meals at the school, but I am informed that the structural work for the kitchen is now practically complete. The delivery of the equipment will be expedited as much as possible.

asked the Minister of Education if he will consent to the immediate implementation by local authorities of the suggestions in his Ministry's pamphlet No. 1 and particularly those in paragraphs 59 to 74.

In general it is contemplated that the suggestions offered in the Ministry's pamphlet will be considered by local education authorities when surveying their educational system as a whole and making proposals for its reform in the development plans which the Act requires them to prepare and submit to the Minister by the 1st April next. Individual proposals with which it may be desired to proceed in advance of the development plan may, however, be considered on their merits.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will consider giving permission to education committees who have not previously had non-elected co-opted members to continue on this basis.

No, Sir. I consider that the arrangements made by a local education authority for establishing an education committee should contain a provision securing the appointment to that committee of persons who are not members of the authority.

asked the Minister of Education if he intends so to amend any scheme regulating the trust of a secondary school in respect of which he acts as charity commissioner as to leave the fixing of tuition fees in the unfettered discretion of the governing body.

:Generally speaking, I should not regard it as consistent with my functions in respect of educational charities to abrogate any control which is vested in me over the amount of tuition fees to be charged in a school subject to my jurisdiction.

asked the Minister of Education if his attention has been drawn to the proposals of the governors of certain secondary schools, established under trusts in respect of which he acts as charily commissioner, to raise their fees for tuition substantially, with the effect that the schools will be recruited entirely from families capable of paying comparatively high fees; and what steps he proposes to take to protect these charitable trusts from such an abuse and to keep these schools accessible to pupils of ability but of limited financial resources.

In the majority of cases, schools regulated by schemes under the Charitable Trusts and Endowed Schools Acts require my approval to an increase in tuition fees above a figure prescribed in the scheme. I have already received proposals from certain schools for approval to an increase in fees, and I am aware that others are likely to be submitted. It has always been the practice of my Department to embody in schemes suitable provisions for securing that schools are accessible to poor pupils and to those with special residential qualifications in accordance with the general principles of charitable trusts and the intentions of particular founders. In considering any proposals for increases in tuition fees, I shall certainly satisfy myself that the interests of poor pupils and those with special residential or similar qualifications are adequately safeguarded.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that many teachers have not yet received the increases in their pensions which are due to them under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944; and when he anticipates that it will be possible for these increases to be paid.

:I am aware that the manpower shortage has caused unavoidable delay in dealing with applications for increase of teachers' pensions. Steady progress, however, has been made by the Paymaster General's office and by now pension increases have been paid to the vast majority of eligible pensioners, and it is hoped that payments will be made to the remainder before the end of June, save where further information has to be obtained before the amount of pension increase can be assessed.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that on 24th May the B.B.C. announced an offer of a loan of money to farmers on behalf of the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, Limited, in terms which placed the offer in the category of commercial advertising; and if the same privilege will be given to building societies and similar money-lending organisations.

I cannot agree with the hon. Member's description of this broadcast. It was part of the B.B.C.'s regular service of news and information for farmers; and its purpose was to explain how, as a result of the increased financial assistance granted by Parliament to the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation last July, owners of agricultural land could obtain long term loans at a reduced rate of interest. With regard to the second part of the Question, I see no reason for making such a suggestion to the Board of Governors.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty upon whose instructions orders were issued on H.M.S. "Rodney" to pipe aboard German officers.

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the occasion when a German naval officer reported on board H.M.S. "Rodney" with information required for the execution of the Surrender. The orders to which he draws attention were issued by the local naval authorities concerned. Subsequently, the Admiralty issued instructions prohibiting the paying of compliments to German officers.

asked the Minister of Supply if he can now make a statement on the future of the Royal Ordnance Factory, Nottingham.

There is no present intention of disposing of the Royal Ordnance Factory, Nottingham, which is still engaged on essential war production.

asked the Minister of Supply why, during the period of restriction of the manufacture of paint, supplies of materials of such magnitude have been supplied to Messrs. Pinchin, Johnson and Company and to the Co-operative Wholesale Society, that both concerns have reported a record turnover during the past year.

During the year 1944 the production of war equipment was at its peak and supplies of the specialised paints needed for protective coatings reached record figures. In addition, there was an increased release of controlled materials (which was proportionate to each firm's pre-war consumption) for the manufacture of paints for ordinary civilian requirements, while some kinds of distempers could be made from uncontrolled materials. In consequence paint manufacturers who have specialised in paints suitable for war purposes will in many cases have readied record turnover figures. In addition to executing Government orders for paint, during the past year Messrs. Pinchin, Johnson and Company supplied large quantities of a pressure plastic (waterproofing compound) of their own proprietary formulation which was used to protect the mechanical parts of tanks and amphibious vehicles during landing operations.I am informed that the paint turnover of the Co-operative Wholesale Society in 1944, though larger than in the previous year, was substantially less than in pre-war years.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent use is being made in this country of the Canadian discovered drug heparin.

I have no information as to the exact extent of the use of heparin in this country, but it is a substance with which the medical profession is familiar and I understand that its use is growing.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury under what conditions temporary civil servants employed during this war will be eligible for gratuities when their services are no longer required; and what will be the amounts of the gratuities involved.

:No special provision is proposed in relation to war service. The payment of gratuities to temporary civil servants is governed by the ordinary provisions of the Superannuation Acts which require, among other things, a minimum period of seven years' service.

asked the Secretary of State for India, what are the conditions under which British soldiers serving in India are allowed to go on leave; and whether this is confined to leave in specified leave camps.

British soldiers in India are allowed to go on war leave up to a maximum of 28 days a year. This includes travelling time, but where individuals' families are resident in India an extension of the 28 days' is permitted to allow the individual to spend at least 24 days with his family. As regards the second part of the Question, British soldiers are allowed to make their own arrangements provided that they have relatives or friends to stay with or can show that they have reserved accommodation at a hotel or hostel. In all other cases leave is confined to leave in specified leave camps.

asked the Minister of Pensions the numbers of disability pensions awarded for loss of limbs since September, 1939, to the latest available date; and the numbers of such pensions awarded to members of His Majesty's Forces and persons of civilian status.

The number of pensions awarded for loss or partial loss of limbs from the outbreak of war until the end of April last was 5,800 to ex-members of H.M. Forces and 1,300 to civilians.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the censorship of soldiers' letters from Europe can now be discontinued.

Unit censorship by which soldiers' letters are censored by their own officers has been suspended, but in the interests of military security it is necessary to maintain the test censorship at the base.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there appear to be different methods of granting leave to B.L.A. personnel, especially as between corps and L. of C., and that, owing to stoppage of leave to units in England before D-Day, there are members of the B.L.A. who have not had leave for over 12 months; and what steps are being taken to remedy these anomalies.

Conditions are not uniform everywhere, and the detailed arrangements are therefore left to the local commanders. There are bound to be anomalies in an Army serving in such widely dispersed theatres and under such varied conditions, but I very much hope that in time they can be reduced in number and severity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date the election accounts of Parliamentary candidates at the coming election will have to be paid; and on what date will their deposits, if not forfeited, be returned.

Election expenses must be paid and a return thereof made to the acting returning officer within 35 days of the day on which the result of the election is declared. The deposit is returned to a successful candidate as soon as he has taken the oath; the deposits of other candidates, unless forfeited, are returned as soon as practicable after the result of the election is declared.

asked the Attorney-General if it is the intention of the Government to bring to trial without delay those British nationals, now in Allied custody, who have broadcast enemy propaganda during the war in Europe.

Yes, Sir. I would point out that the collection of documentary evidence and the assembling of witnesses may take a short time, but it is the firm intention of His Majesty's Government to bring these persons to trial as speedily as possible.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will consider issuing a regulation to define whether the term cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of altering rent agreements entered into during the war, refers to the European war or covers also the period of the Japanese war; and as to how soon after such termination of hostilities, property owners may raise rents.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Validation of War-Time Leases Act, 1944, Section 2 of which provides that, unless the context otherwise. requires, or it is shown by admissible evidence that the tenancy agreement should be otherwise construed, references in tenancy agreements to the end of the war or to the cessation of hostilities, are to be construed as referring to the war, or to those hostilities in which His Majesty was engaged at the time when the agreement was made. As to the second part of the Question, the answer must depend upon the construction of each individual agreement apart from properties within the scope of the Kent Restrictions Acts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that since the Milk Marketing Board took over the administration of milk recording societies some two years ago heavy deficits are shown in their accounts; and whether, before giving another Government grant to the Milk Marketing Board for this purpose, he will satisfy himself as to the financial deficits in these accounts which used generally to be self-supporting when administered by county milk recording societies.

I am aware of the deficits shown in the accounts of the milk recording scheme. These are due in the main to the difficulties of estimating in advance the costs of labour and travelling in a rapidly expanding service. As to the last part of the Question, I do not think that the services previously provided are strictly comparable with those now available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will reintroduce the Compulsory Warble Dressing Order; and take steps to see that the Order is vigorously applied.

No, Sir. I have issued a notice advising owners, where practicable, to use a suitable dressing on cattle visibly infected with warbles, but I do not propose to reintroduce the compulsory Order this year. In any case, the season during which treatment can usefully be given ends in a few weeks.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can make any further statement indicating what groups are likely to be released from the Services up to the end of the present year.

It is not possible at present to say exactly which age and Service groups will be released by the end of this year, or to indicate the position beyond the middle of August, when it is expected that groups 1 to 11 will be released from the Army. I am most anxious that there should be no misunderstanding among the Forces on this matter, and I have therefore examined carefully the forecasts given in the Debate on 16th May. A target figure of 750,000 was given for releases by the end of this year. This was, of course, for all three Services and it is still the best forecast we can make at the present time, though, as my predecessor pointed out, circumstances may arise in which the rate of release would have to be slowed down.It was also stated that the majority of the 750,000 would be from the Army, and, further, that for the Army it was expected to reach the groups in the middle twenties by the end of the year. This last statement went a little too far, and I think it would be safer to say the very early twenties, but subject, of course, to the reservation made by my predecessor, to which I have already referred. I fully understand that there is a general desire for information about the rate of release from the Forces. Announcements will be made from time to time as soon as definite information can safely be given.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in determining the release from the Services of building trade operatives under Class B, special consideration will be given to the release of operatives whose homes are situated in those areas where bomb-damage has been exceptionally severe and in which at present it is not possible to find accommodation or arrange transport for the full labour force needed to carry out repairs.

While sympathising with my hon. and learned Friend's object, I am afraid his proposal is not practicable. The building trade workers to be offered release in Class B will be selected in age and service order on the basis of the Service records of pre-enlistment occupations.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements are made for the release from the Armed Forces of solicitors whose services are urgently required by their firms under Class B of the demobilisation plan.

It is open to firms requiring the release of a solicitor from the Forces as an individual specialist under the Class B arrangements to submit an application through the Law Society for submission to the Lord Chancellor's Office, which is the sponsoring Department in cases of this nature.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the group system under Class A, embodied in the White Paper on the Re-allocation of Man Power, is applicable to all personnel of the R.A.F.V.R., notwithstanding any liability to complete a four-year tour of foreign service which may be implicit in the terms of enlistment of such personnel, or will such personnel who have not proceeded overseas throughout the war in Europe be required to serve a complete term of four years overseas before they can be released.

The group system applies to all Class A releases from the Air Force. For purposes of priority of release there is no distinction between service at home and overseas, nor is there any liability to complete an overseas tour.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that approximately 20,000 workers engaged in Napier's aircraft factories have been declared redundant by the management; and what does he propose to do in the matter.

According to my information 6,000 workers will be released from this Company's London and Liverpool factories in the next four to five months as a result of programme reductions. Sufficient vacancies are likely to be available to absorb the workers released.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present number of private employment agencies and the total number of their staffs; and what steps he is taking to facilitate their rehabilitation to assist his Ministry in settling demobilised war workers in employment for which they are suited.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. As regards the second part of the question, I do not see what special steps my Department is called upon to take in the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the success of the limited amount of welfare work in factories, works and offices, particularly during the war, he will endeavour to extend such welfare work in Government Departments and in private firms; and will he consider a scheme of training to improve the qualifications of men and women who undertake this work.

Yes, Sir, I regard it as a function of my Department to foster the development of labour management and welfare schemes. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a booklet describing the training facilities for a career in Personnel Management. I am arranging for a copy of this booklet and others to be placed in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the workers in Newcastle-upon-Tyne refuse to work with Germans; and, as there are sufficient unemployed to cover the situation, if he will give instructions that no German prisoners of the late war will be drafted into that city.

According to my information no German prisoners of war are at present employed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There will be no deviation from the principle that prisoners of war are employed on work of urgent national importance only when British labour is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in cases where workers brought long distances on work of national importance are entitled to two cheap travel warrants to enable them to visit their homes between 1st April and 30th September each year, instructions have been given that no such warrants may be issued for certain days before, during and after public and Bank Holidays, and, as this involves hardship, will he consider withdrawing these instructions.

These restrictions were imposed as a contribution to the relief of the heavy pressure on transport services. I am, however, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of War Transport with a view to the removal of these restrictions as soon as circumstances permit. I should like to make it clear that the two cheap travel warrants per year may be used at any time apart from public and Bank Holiday periods.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of workers from Eire employed in Great Britain during 1940.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many cases of presumed pneumoconiosis and silicosis have been submitted to the medical board at Sheffield in each of the last five years; and in how many cases was a certificate granted.

The number of applications for certificates dealt with by the Sheffield Panel of the Silicosis Medical Board under all the Compensation Schemes for Pneumoconiosis (including Silicosis and Asbestosis) is as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered a communication dated 9th May, 1945, from the Warwickshire County Council, concerning over 100 vacancies in nursing personnel of hospitals under the jurisdiction of the P.A.C. and other vacancies; and what steps he is taking to facilitate the engagement of necessary staff.

Yes, Sir; and I am endeavouring to assist the Council so far as possible having regard to the general shortage of nurses and domestic workers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the men who opted in 1940 for service in the Police force and have since been transferred to the Army that their period of service with the Police does not count for the purposes of demobilisation; and whether he has any statement to make.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 15th March.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is intended to establish the register of disabled persons at an early date; and whether certain occupations are to be designated at an early date and reserved exclusively for disabled persons.

The answers to both parts of the Question are in the affirmative, though I contemplate that the designation of occupations reserved for disabled persons should not take place until after the register has been formed.

asked the Minister of Labour the date on which he will impose an obligation on all employers to employ a quota of registered disabled persons; whether the decisions have been arrived at in regard to the quotas to be employed in various occupations, industries and Government Departments; and whether he is in a position to state what the quotas will be.

The intention is to introduce the compulsory obligation on employers to employ a quota of disabled persons as soon as experience shows that, without it, there is any difficulty in providing suitable employment for registered disabled persons. I am not yet in a position to say what the quotas will be; this is at present under discussion with the interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decisions have been arrived at in regard to classes of articles in regular demand for Government or other public purposes to be produced in the sheltered workshops for severely disabled persons; and what steps are being taken to ensure adequate orders for the workshops.

The Government have accepted the recommendation of the Tomlinson Committee that articles in regular demand for Government and other public purposes should provide a market for workshops specially set up for severely disabled persons. I anticipate no difficulty in giving effect to this as and when the need arises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the annulment of Regulation 12 (5A), the purpose of which is no longer material now that the war in Europe is over.

There is no intention of retaining this Regulation longer than is necessary, but the time has not yet arrived for its revocation, since there are certain aliens detained thereunder whom it is still impracticable to deport and whom it would be unjustifiable to leave at large in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report and minutes of evidence of the Home Office inquiry into the administration of the Huddersfield police force.

No, Sir. The object of the inquiry was to examine certain allegations submitted to the Home Secretary by the Constables Branch Board and to report whether they disclosed any evidence to suggest that the police force was not efficiently administered. It has never been the practice to publish the reports of similar inquiries which have been held in the past, and I do not think that any public interest would be served by publishing the report and proceedings of this inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the machinery for the investigation of allegations of maladministration made by junior ranks of police forces against their senior officers is unsatisfactory; that unrest within the police forces and public loss of confidence in them is caused thereby; and if he will institute an inquiry into this matter.

The investigation of allegations of this kind presents difficulties. I do not accept the suggestion in the Question that the present procedure is unsatisfactory, I will keep this matter under careful review, but I do not think it would be useful to order a special inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has made investigations into the excessive cost of funerals; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter.

The further consideration promised in the reply given on 31st October last to the hon. Members for West Fulham (Dr. Summerskill) and Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) disclosed great practical difficulties in controlling the price of funerals. Moreover, since the Goods and Services (Price Control) Act, 1941, empowers the Board to control charges only for services in relation to goods and not in relation to dead persons there is no effective action which could be taken without legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the explanation for the present high rate for Treasury Bills, which is 100 per cent. in excess of the rate paid in 1936.

:The rate at which Treasury Bills are sold depends on a variety of factors, and I do not think it is possible to give a simple explanation within the limits of a Parliametary answer.