asked the Minister of Health, in view of the request of the Association of Municipal Corporations in December, 1936, that the whole system of local taxation should be reviewed by a Royal Commission or Departmental Committee, if he will now take that step, in view of the time which has elapsed since the question of local taxation was last inquired into.

I cannot add anything to the reply I gave on 29th November last to my hon. Friend the Member for East Bradford (Mr. McLeavy).

asked the Minister of Health, what steps he is taking to dispose of the valuable A.R.P. and other civil defence material deteriorating in storage in various parts of the country; and whether he will also consider an early derequisitioning of the storage premises concerned, thereby saving public funds

A.R.P. and Civil Defence Services generally are the responsibility of the Home Office. Authority to dispose of equipment provided for the Emergency Services for which my Department is responsible was given to local authorities in a circular dated 28th November, 1945, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the steps he has taken since I tabled my Question about a week ago, may I ask him to pay attention to the number of premises where this material is stored and which are eating up public funds, and will he do his utmost to have them derequisitioned as soon as possible?

I hope that the decision to dispose of the surplus stores will have the effect of making the accommodation available, but obviously it could not be available until the stores were disposed of.

asked the Minister of Health if he will send an official to consult with Erpingham Rural District Council, Norfolk, regarding sea defences at Mundesley, where there is danger of irretrievable disaster to the village unless the erosion is checked.

I authorised the provision of a groyne following inspection in August last. I have before me no proposal from the council for further works, but if they will submit a scheme, I will consider it

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the output per man from those engaged on bomb damage repairs; and, if not, what action he intends to take.

New directions to local authorities are now being framed and will be issued very shortly. I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement as to his review of arrangements for the execution of war damage repairs, particularly with regard to the organisation set up by the Ministry of Works, which at present forms part of the arrangements.

:I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the circular issued to local authorities on 25th July last setting out the revised arrangements for the co-ordination of all housing work, including war damage repair, in the London Civil Defence Region which I assume my hon. Friend has in mind.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that contractors through the Ministry of Works, including men released from the Forces for that purpose, have had their contracts cancelled and are without instructions as to what further useful service they can render in the matter of repairs to bomb-damaged residential premises?

If my hon. Friend will bring to my notice particulars of any cases he has in mind, I will deal with them, but I know that the House is very anxious that the whole of this system of dealing with war damage repair should be revised. I am hastening to do it.

Would the Minister place copies of all these numerous Regulations and Circulars in the Library for the inspection of hon. Members?

:Hon. Members have access to all these Regulations, and the hon. Member has enough Parliamentary experience to know how to use them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider legislation to make illegal the offering or payment of premiums in connection with the leasing or letting of unfurnished housing accommodation of all categories not at present so covered.

The Inter-departmental Committee on the Kent Restriction Acts recommended repeal of the provision in the Act of 1920, which in exceptional cases allows premiums to be taken but, as I informed the House on 1st November, there will be no opportunity during the present Session for a Bill to give effect to the Committee's Recommendations. I am afraid there is equally no chance of early legislation to deal with the particular point mentioned by my hon. Friend.

While appreciating the difficulties to which my right hon. Friend has referred, may I ask him to bear in mind that there is a widespread racket going on all the time in this matter?

That point and other points will be borne in mind in the framing of legislation, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that the House is already fully occupied.

asked the Minister of Health why his Department has given instructions for the rent of certain of the people evacuated from the Sudbourne battle area, Suffolk, to be raised, in view of the fact that, before they were evacuated, his Department gave an under taking that they would not be charged a higher rent than they had previously been paying.

A revised Circular is being issued on the question of rents to be charged for requisitioned premises, and I will send the hon. Member a copy. I can not say precisely what will be the effect on the people to whom he refers; but the local authority will consider this, and no doubt if they think that there is a case for a still further discretion than is given by the revised Circular, they will communicate with my Department.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give prior consideration to cases in which his Ministry gave written undertakings that the rent would not be raised?

I would like to have particulars of those undertakings, because they are very rarely given in this form. I would appreciate it if the hon. and gallant Member would let me know what they are.

asked the Minister of Health what will be the effect on the rateable value of a house in which the local authority compulsorily extends accommodation by providing extra necessary kitchen and other facilities.

It is assumed that the question arises out of Defence Regulation 68cb which empowers local housing authorities to carry out works and to provide fittings, furniture and equipment in accommodation registered under the Regulation. I do not on this score anticipate proposals for increases in rateable values.

asked the Minister of Health what role is to be played by the W.V.S. in connection with his plans for the requisitioning of rooms in private houses; and whether this role has been discussed with the authorities of the W.V.S. and has now been made plain to members.

I have no plans for the requisitioning of rooms in private houses. I have asked local authorities to appeal to householders in their areas to make spare rooms available. By agreement with the Headquarters of the W.V.S., that organisation is willing, where possible, to help to bring the appeal to the notice of individual householders by exhibiting posters and, where necessary, by house to house visits. Should it ever be necessary to requisition an under- occupied house, the W.V.S. would be in no way concerned. The position is being made plain to their members.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have received an order from his Department insisting on the payment by tenants who have been directed to the premises in question of full rents under the Rents Act with the alternative of eviction; and how many tenants are affected by these orders.

The circular on the subject of rents to be paid for premises requisitioned or taken for housing purposes, which was issued to all local authorities on 22nd October, has now been revised, and I will send the hon. Member a copy. I am unable to say how many tenants may have their rents affected by the revised circular, but the hon. and gallant Member will see that plenty of time is being allowed for any necessary adjustments to take effect.

Will the Minister say why local councils were not consulted before the original order was made, and does he not realise that this order has imposed a means test on all the families concerned?

It is not always possible to consult everybody before issuing a circular. If we did hon. Members would be accusing the Government of undue delay. It is perfectly true that there has been some misunderstanding about the terms of the circular, and I have hastened to revise it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the representations made to him by the Sanitary Inspectors' Association that sanitary inspectors are appointed to. the rent tribunals to be set up, cither as members or in an advisory capacity; and will he agree to the request.

I should regard it as un- desirable to appoint to these tribunals persons in the service of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health how many tenders for permanent houses in England and Wales have been approved at prices exceeding the limits laid down for licences to private enterprise builders; and how many have been approved at prices at or below those limits.

:1 would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Capt. Gammans) on 15th November.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the subsidies which it is proposed to pay to local authorities for working-class houses; and whether comparable subsidies will be paid to private builders who are prepared to erect similar types of houses for letting.

The question of subsidies to be paid to local authorities for working-class houses is still under discussion with their representatives.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my Question?

The second part of the Question will be answered, I hope to the hon. and gallant Member's satisfaction, when the subsidy proposals are before the House.

Will the Minister say whether he does not think that the returning ex-Servicemen, and the many other thousands without homes at the moment, would prefer to have a roof over their heads rather than that nobody should make a small profit out of building a decent house?

I am not aware that any houses are not being built as a consequence of the absence of subsidy. [Hon. Members: "Oh."] Hon. Members opposite want it both ways. On the one hand, they say it is the lack of labour, and on the other they say it is the lack of cash. Which do they want?

Houses.

asked the Minister of Health what facilities and priorities the Government are giving to house- owners to rebuild for their own occupation houses which were destroyed by enemy action.

Subject to conditions as to size, the rebuilding of houses which are subject to cost of works payments are given equal priority with new house building.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the release of building trade workers under Class B is proceeding at a satisfactory rate; and if not, what action he is taking.

I am never satisfied with these releases, but I am glad to say that as a result of the efforts of all concerned the number of releases is increasing very rapidly. The total of Class B releases of building trade operatives up to the 15th October was 12,000; by the end of October this had increased to over 20,000 and by 15th November was nearly 30,000.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total housing capacity of the housing estates with roads and sewers already laid on, the full development of which by the owning con tractors and firms was stopped by the war; and what is the present position regarding such estates.

According to particulars furnished by local authorities to my Department in 1943, the approximate housing capacity of privately owned building sites of substantial area in various stages of development at the outbreak of war was 330,000. It is not known how many of the licences issued for the erection of dwellings by private enterprise relate to dwellings to be erected on sites described in the Question.

Is not the delay in this matter due to prejudice and class discrimination?

There is no delay involved in the matter at all, because if these sites are available and in an advanced state of preparation, they can be used for public housing.

Is not the Minister aware that nothing is being done at all?

Is it not a fact that many of these sites which were serviced by private enterprise have been compulsorily acquired by local authorities without any effective result in terms of houses?

Those sites which were, be fore the war, in private ownership would have been in public ownership had the public authorities been allowed to acquire them.

asked the Minister of Health if he has made inquiries as to how many small builders who are not in a position to take building contracts for new houses, but who would be able to undertake reconditioning of rural and other houses in England, are available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet received the Report of the Central Housing Advisory Committee on the avalilability of building labour for rural housing; and what action he is taking to deal with the rural housing problem.

I have asked the Rural Housing Sub-Committee of -my Central Housing Advisory Committee to advise me whether the reconditioning of rural cottages could be carried out without diverting labour from the building of new houses, but I have not yet received their report.

In view of the fact that there are 140 such builders in the county of Kent alone, will not the right hon. Gentleman do something to help us in reconditioning rural houses?

If there are 140 builders in the county of Kent available for building, the local authorities will be happy to use them in building new houses, which is what the rural workers want, and not reconditioned tied cottages.

Is the Minister aware that the Leicestershire County Council arc a long way ahead of the Central Housing Advisory Committee, and investigated this question the other day and found that the reconditioning of rural houses would in no way prejudice the supply of building labour available for building new houses?

I have not yet understood that it is the desire of Parliament to substitute a county council report for a Parliamentary report.

asked the Minister of Health if he will arrange an exhibition of the fittings, fixtures, materials and/or drawings and specifications of all of these, which the Government are ordering in bulk for use during the housing emergency.

Proposals for an exhibition of standard materials and fittings are under consideration.

Will the Minister at the same time quote the prices the Government are paying for each of these, so that we may have some explanation of the abnormal cost of these temporary houses?

I am prepared to quote the price of Government produced goods alongside the price of privately produced goods, if that will satisfy hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make the Cramlington Hostel Buildings available for the Seaton Delaval U.D.C. for temporary housing purposes.

Yes, Sir. I have now arranged for about four-fifths of the hostel buildings to be made available to the Seaton Valley Urban District Council for conversion to temporary housing accommodation

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to encourage the recruitment of ex-R.A.F. and ex-W.A.A.F. nursing orderlies under his new nursing scheme by granting them special facilities for training, in addition to the six months' exemption already allowed.

I am asking the General Nursing Council to consider representations I have received in favour of granting to ex-Service nursing orderlies, in appropriate cases, a longer remission in the period of training for State Registration, and those who satisfy the conditions will be eligible for the special government allowances available to persons leaving work of national importance who undertake nursing training.

Does my right hon. Friend fully appreciate that many of these ex-W.A.A.F. and ex-R.A.F. nursing orderlies do not wish for any increase in salary but would prefer to have a much longer remission of the period of training, in view of their highly specialised nursing experience during the war and of their high degree of proficiency?

I fully appreciate the points that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, but there are nursing authorities whom I must consult on this matter, as I am sure he will appreciate. Indeed, I have received great benefit from the consultations recently, as he knows well.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that no more maternity cases can be taken into certain hospitals in Monmouthshire be cause of the shortage of nurses; and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedwellty (Sir C. Edwards) on this subject on 29th November.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that babies are refusing to wait to be born until these nurses are trained, and that many of them are actually going on strike?

My hon. Friend will be aware that I have taken exceptional steps quite recently to recruit nurses, and great improvements have been made. I am glad to say that the number of inquiries has enormously increased.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that the amount expended as allowances under Circular 266T is less than was estimated, he will reconsider the position of those tubercular patients at present excluded from benefit.

These allowances were authorised as a war service measure, and it is not within my power to vary the present scope of the scheme. All tuberculosis patients will be covered by the provision for disability which forms part of the forthcoming National Insurance Scheme.

Does my right hon Friend mean that he has no power to vary or to introduce new Regulations? Is he aware that this means that as soon as an allowance stops it is because the patient is no longer capable of cure, and that it is a sentence of death?

I very much sympathise with the intention behind my hon. Friend's question, but 1 have no power at the moment, and I think it would be unwise to introduce legislation. This point will be assimilated in the National Insurance Scheme next year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of patients who are at present in the mental wards of public assistance institutions; and the number of these patients who are receiving treatment of any kind.

On the 1st January of this year there were under the Lunacy and Mental Treatment Acts 10,550 persons in public assistance institutions or wards of municipal general hospitals approved for the purpose by local authorities under Section 19 of the Mental Treatment Act. On the same date there were 9,852 mental defectives in public assistance institutions which had been approved for the purpose under Section 37 of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913. A considerable proportion of these patients require only to be looked after; but those needing treatment receive it from the medical officers of the institution.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that there are a large number of patients in these institutions who are not receiving treatment of any kind, and will he undertake, when bringing in his National Health Bill, to take into account this deplorable situation?

There is, of course, in mental institutions, as in hospitals, a great shortage of both nursing and domestic staffs, and I have recently been taking urgent measures to deal with the short age.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree, from the figures at his disposal, that the number of these unfortunate cases has substantially increased since last July?

Is the right hon. Gentle man aware that a suggestion was made here last night that their number should be added to from this House, and would he like lo say from which quarter?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will set up a full public inquiry into the methods of living in this country, with particular reference to diet, processed foods and the use of chemicals in farming.

The diet of the country and technical questions arising in connection with it are kept under constant review, and I am not aware of any reason for setting up so wide an inquiry as that suggested.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he realises that he is Minister of Health, and that until we get down to the health of the people all the housing plans he has in hand will not be any use?

I must also ask the hon. and gallant Member to-be precise in his language, because what "a full public inquiry into the methods of living" means, I do not know.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that there are 377 rural parishes without a piped water supply and five urban districts with an inadequate supply in Norfolk, what steps he proposes to take to co-ordinate plans for an adequate supply of pure water for the whole county in the most economic, efficient and speedy manner.

The water supply problem in Norfolk is difficult, owing to the scarcity of adequate sources and the wide areas to be supplied. A technical advisory committee comprising representatives of the county and district councils and statutory water undertakings has been formed to advise on the co-ordination of schemes. A number of schemes are under consideration and my officers will give the authorities every assistance within their power.

:May I ask my right hon. Friend, in view of the great need for developing rural supplies, whether the large number of water pipes used in London and other cities for fire lighting purposes could not be made use of in the development of water supplies in the rural areas?

:I doubt very much whether those pipes would be suitable in most cases for (he purpose the hon. Gentleman has in mind, but I am sending out to local authorities a new circular asking them to push forward with their schemes in readiness for the labour which will be available next year.

Are the people who made these pipes now making pipes for development in rural areas?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I am as anxious as he is to get these rural water supplies organised, because it will be useless to build houses in rural areas if they have no water supply.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the dropping of the Bill promoted by the Wisbech Water Company, what steps he proposes to take to develop a more satisfactory supply of water for that part of West Norfolk and the Isle of Ely.

The Bill promoted by the Wisbech Water Company has not yet been withdrawn, but I am informed that the company do not intend to proceed with if. I understand that I may shortly expect to receive alternative proposals under the Water Act, 1945, from the parties concerned and I propose to await their proposals before taking any further action.

asked the Minister of Health how many villages in the County of Lincolnshire are without a piped water supply; and what information he can give with regard to proposed future development under the provisions of the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944.

The information in my possession relates to parishes as a whole and indicates that the number of parishes without piped water supplies are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now pre pared to offer any advice to doctors, de mobilised from the Forces, as to the purchase of a practice.

The Government have not yet finally decided upon the proposals which they will be submitting to Parliament for a National Health Service. They believe, however, that it will be incompatible with the provision of an efficient service that the future exchange of medical practices, and the creation of new practices, within that service should be left entirely unregulated and that no effective steps should be taken to secure a proper distribution of doctors to fit the public need. They appreciate that intervention in this field— in whatever form it may take— will probably have the effect of preventing the sale and purchase of the practices of doctors taking part in the new service, and the Government therefore think it right to give warning of this probability at once and in advance of the formulation of their full proposals.

At the same time, and in order to allay the natural anxieties of doctors already in practice or now coming into practice from the Forces or elsewhere, the Government wish to make it clear that there will be an appropriate measure of compensation to doctors in respect of loss of capital values directly caused by the new arrangements. It is intended that discussions should be undertaken immediately with the profession's representative with regard to the steps to be taken to give effect to this decision.

Has my right hon. Friend got any suggestions for the men returning from the Forces as to what occupation or what branch of the profession to take, if they are not to buy practices?

I think the House will appreciate that it is very difficult to frame precise proposals ahead of legislation in this matter. What I have done has been to inform doctors that it is highly improbable that I will permit the sale and purchase of practices in future— [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Certainly, I have already said, subject to the proposals laid before Parliament. However, arrangements will be made with the medical profession immediately in order to deal with individual difficulties of doctors returning from the Services.

Is the right hon. Gentle man aware that this vague and menacing statement will cause the greatest possible anxiety and distress among a section of the population to whom the good will they have built up is their major asset? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that many of his present colleagues in the Government agreed that this was a matter of great complication and not essential to the introduction of a National Health Service, and can he expand what he means by the method of regulating the distribution of doctors?

I have every reason to believe that the announcement I have just made will be received with great satisfaction by most doctors; that most of the best elements of the profession regard the sale and purchase of practices as extremely undesirable; and that they will be very glad indeed that I am about to discuss with them the conditions in which this practice is to cease.

does the answer also apply to the dental surgeons?

No, Sir.

Does the reply mean that doctors who can no longer purchase practices will no longer be able to choose in what part of the country they wish to practise? Does it mean that they will be directed or posted in future?

I think the hon. and gallant Member had better await the full proposals.

In view of the most alarming and dictatorial policy which has been announced, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.

As the matter involves legislation, it is bound to be out of Order on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that, despite the circulars of her Ministry of 8th December, 1941, and 9th November, 1944, there is still a burden of non-teaching work pressing upon teachers and hampering their real educational work; and if she will re quire educational authorities to appoint persons to undertake such work and remove this hindrance to the progress of education.

Yes, Sir. I am aware that teachers still carry a burden of non-teaching work and I am very sorry about it. Education authorities are, of course, in a difficult position owing to the present manpower shortage. Since the issue of the circulars mentioned by my hon. Friend, two other circulars have been issued—in January and March of this year—with special reference to the need for relieving teachers of work, other than that contemplated in Section 49 of the Act, in connection with school meals and milk. Regulations have been made requiring local education authorities to employ a suitable and adequate staff other than teachers for this purpose. It is moreover the practice to take up with individual authorities any cases revealed by inspection or otherwise in which insufficient action appears to have been taken to afford relief to teachers. Any authority which may have overlooked the Ministry's repeated exhortations will, I hope, be reminded of the importance of the matter by this Question and answer, which I propose to circulate.

While I much appreciate the reply of my right hon. Friend, may I ask if she realises that there is a widespread opinion in the educational world that the amount of time which is at present being spent on the provision of milk and meals for schoolchildren is really having a detrimental effect on their education?

I think the proper answer to that is, "You're telling me."

Has the Minister taken any steps to recruit younger members of the Forces suitable for these important and ancillary services in the schools?

We are doing as well as we can, but the hon. Lady will under stand that, in all these things, we have to take it up with the Minister of Labour, who is working on very well understood priorities. We are doing our best, and that is really all we can do.

asked the Minister of Education how many emergency training colleges she hopes to have established in Wales by the end of 1946; where they are likely to be established; and what will be the total number of students involved

I hope to establish at least three emergency colleges in Wales by the end of 1946, each of about 200 students. One college opens at Wrexham in about two months' time, and there is a prospect of another at Llandrindod Wells. I cannot say yet where it may be possible to establish any further colleges

Is the right hon. Lady aware that more than half the population of the Principality is in industrial South Wales, and that neither of the colleges mentioned would cater for that population?

They would certainly cater for it. These colleges are not local in respect to the new students which they draw, but we have tried to find premises near Swansea or Cardiff, although, so far, we have been unsuccessful.

asked the Minister of Education how many additional teachers are estimated to be required in Wales when the school-leaving age is raised to 15.

Approximately 850.

asked the Minister of Education if she will state the number of education committees in Wales which do not provide nursery school accommodation; the total number of nursery school places available in Wales; and the total number of qualified teachers employed in nursery schools in Wales.

Eleven local education authorities in Wales are not at present providing nursery school accommodation. The nursery schools recognised in 1940 provided 680 places on prewar standards; additional nursery school places will be provided in so far as existing wartime nurseries become nursery schools. Up-to-date figures for the qualified teachers employed are not available, but staffing has hitherto been generally at the rate of one qualified teacher to each forty children.

asked the Minister of Education if, in view of the importance of Anglo-Russian understanding, she will consider making compulsory the teaching of the Russian language in secondary schools and also arrange for an exchange of teachers between this country and the U.S.S.R.

It is not my practice to prescribe the languages to be taught in the schools. However, I intend shortly to issue a circular recommending to local education authorities and governing bodies a development in the teaching of Russian. I shall be happy to consider an exchange of teachers with Russia as soon as conditions make this practicable.

Can the right hon. Lady tell us whether she intends to take the same steps in regard to the Chinese?

If there is a demand, I will certainly take it into consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the Red Cross message scheme, by which persons in this country were enabled to communicate with their relatives and friends in Austria, ended six months ago; and whether he will arrange for some method of postal communication to take its place.

:Yes, Sir; arrangements are in hand and are virtu- ally completed for the resumption of postal facilities between Austria and the outside world.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how it was that the Archduke Robert travelled recently, in French uniform, from the Tyrol to the British-occupied zone in Austria and addressed a political meeting without the British authorities being aware of his presence.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the incident in August last when the Archduke Robert succeeded in crossing from the United States zone to the British zone in Austria under an assumed name, wearing the uniform of a French officer. He left 48 hours later by the same route. Inter zonal boundaries in Austria are controlled as strictly as available manpower permits. Naturally, however, there are attempts to evade the controls and the Archduke's uniform doubtless facilitated his illegal entry into the British zone.

Does not the Minister consider it highly undesirable at the present moment that Hapsburgs in disguise should enter Austria for political purposes?

As I have indicated, the Archduke Robert left the zone by the same route as he entered it within 48 hours, and instructions were given to the military authorities that in the event of any similar escapade occurring again, immediate action should be taken against anyone who was infringing the arrangement.

:Will my hon. Friend make it clear that it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to uphold and support the law of the Austrian Republic forbidding the entry of claimants to the former Hapsburg throne, and will he make representations to the French Government urging them to adopt the same attitude?

That hardly arises from the Question, but I think I can assure the House that the policy of His Majesty's Government is to see the establishment of an independent Austrian Government, which will have charge of these matters, as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to announce what action he will take to secure a spreadover of holidays, as recommended by the Catering Wages Commission.

:I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter, but I hope to do so at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding men who were released from the Forces to work in the mines.

No, Sir, but I hope to be able to make a statement within the next fortnight about the position of these and other men who were released indefinitely from the Forces for civilian employment during the war.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, after his consultations with the Joint Consultative Committee, representative of the Trades Union Congress and the British Employers' Confederation, foe has arrived at a decision as to the continuance of the exercise of the powers of direction under Defence (General) Regulation 58A (1) and the Control of Engagement Order, 1945, or on the question of the revision of age limits now applied under that Regulation and Order.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Saffron Walden (Mr. R. A. Butler) and my hon. Friend the Member for West Lewisham (Mr. Skeffington) on 22nd November.

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this afternoon we have had enough of the direction of doctors, and why should the rest of the community remain in doubt as to their future?

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed males and females were registered at the Dur- ham, Spennymoor and Crook Labour Exchanges for the months of September, October and November, 1944; also for the months September, October and November, 1945.

As the reply includes a table of figures,. I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that in this district the male population are terrified lest there should be a recurrence of 1914–1918, and is he also aware that nine females to one man have been employed in some of these factories? Can he do something about it?

The hon. Member put down a Question as to the figures, and I have given him an answer. I will look at the other point he mentioned.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a certificated school teacher who has been working under tribunal direction is at present receiving unemployment insurance at a Birmingham Employment Exchange; and, in view of the shortage of teachers, if he will make the necessary arrangements to have this man placed as a school teacher.

If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the case which he has in mind, I will make inquiry into it and communicate with him.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the man in question has actually been receiving unemployment insurance for the past six weeks and, when he is considering the matter, will he take some steps to see that men with such ability, of whom the nation is in urgent need shall not be forced to be idle in this way?

If my hon. Friend had given me the particulars when he put down the Question, the matter could have been investigated and decided upon.

asked the Minister of Labour why the epileptic person, identity Y.A.U.A. 1744855, concerning whom he has received a letter from the hon. Member for North Camberwell, has been refused registration at his local employment exchange on the ground of ineligibility through having no abode, though in possession of an identity card stating an address; and what steps will be taken to remedy this situation.

I am making inquiries into the case of the person mentioned in this Question, whose particulars I have just received from my hon. Friend. As soon as the inquiries arc completed, I will write to him.

Will my right hon Friend consider issuing a special instruction to the exchanges under his Department, as to the need for careful treatment of people such as epileptics?

Until I have the facts, I cannot say whether a special instruction is necessary. We are very anxious to see that these disabled persons get all the care possible.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the reduced wages of many transferred workers, if he will consider the issue of an extra railway warrant to enable them to travel home for this, the first peacetime Christmas.

Workers transferred by my Department are eligible for two cheap travel warrants available at any time during the calendar year, including periods of public holiday such as Christmas.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will extend the training allowances now payable to fit ex-Service-men and the disabled who are training under Government schemes, to war- blinded persons training at St. Dunstan's and the Scottish National Institution for Blinded Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen.

My power to pay training allowances to or in respect of disabled persons is applicable where the training is being given under arrangements made between my Department and the persons providing the training facilities. I shall be glad to consider making an arrangement with either of these organisations if that is desired. No request for such an arrangement has, so far as I am aware, yet been made.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that John Baker, 54, Alston Street, Ladywood, Birming ham, was again sentenced to one month's imprisonment on 3rd December for re fusing to obey the National Service officer and work in the mines; and if he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of such sentences of imprisonment.

I am calling for an early report on this case and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I have the facts before me. The penalties awarded, within the limits laid down, for failure to comply with directions given by a National Ser vice Officer are a matter for the courts.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this young man, after being sentenced to one month's imprisonment, was later employed by a firm of building contractors until he was sentenced to a second term in prison, and in such cases will he consider some kind of alternative to these harsh sentences of imprisonment?

I regret that I must ask the hon. Member to bear in mind what I said earlier, that if he had put all the facts on the Paper, I could have dealt with the Question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether arrangements can be made for boys directed to the mines to receive leave at Christmas so as to visit their families.

Arrangements for holidays in the coalmining industry, as in industry generally, are a matter for joint agreement within the industry itself.

Is the Minister aware that these boys, whose labour is conscripted by the Government in peacetime, only get an opportunity of going home once a year, and will he consider the question of their receiving Christmas leave, and exercise his influence to help them?

May' I ask the Minister whether, in view of the sacrifices many of these young lads have made voluntarily for work which they do not want to do it is not necessary that they should have the power of returning home?

Will the Minister have a word with the trade union concerned to see what they have to say about it, and keep their point of view in mind?

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is required to amend the arrangements for release of building operatives under Class B by permitting such operatives themselves to apply for release and encouraging builders who desire to employ them to make application for them.

No, Sir

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider granting release, from the Forces of former arts honours students who had completed part of their university training at the time they were called to the Forces before granting deferment to young men of 18 and 19 years of age who wish to take an arts degree.

The arrangements in force provide for the release in Class B of arts students in release groups up to 49 who had obtained open scholarships to a university before joining the Forces. I regret I am unable to extend these arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has considered the pronouncement by the national production officer of the Mineworkers' Federation, of which he has been in formed, concerning the release of ex-mineworkers under Class B and the powers of revocation still held by commanding officers; and whether he will clarify the position of miners in the Services who desire release under Class B.