asked the Minister of Education how many emergency colleges are now in operation; what is their situation, and how many students each contains and what proportion are men.

The following emergency training colleges are now in operation:

asked the Minister of Education on how many occasions her requisitioning powers have been used for the purpose of acquiring suitable properties for use as emergency training colleges for teachers; and whether and where it is contemplated using these powers at present.

I have not so far used requisitioning powers to obtain premises for any emergency training colleges. This matter has to be considered in relation to the circumstances of particular cases.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will accept an intermediate school diploma of the Province of Quebec, Canada, as equivalent to the school certificate in this country, in order that an aircraft works instructor, whose name has been submitted to her, now unemployed, may take up temporary teaching already offered to him, pending his allocation to a college under the emergency teachers' training scheme for which he was accepted in March last.

This man has now been informed that he is eligible for employment as a temporary teacher under Schedule 1, 1, of the Primary and Secondary Schools (Grant Conditions) Regulations, 1945.

asked the Minister of Education (1) how far the arrangements have progressed with the United States authorities for the exchange of school teachers for September 1946; and whether she will assume responsibility for some portion of the travelling expenses in order to encourage more men teachers to volunteer for this work(2) how many school teachers it is pro posed to exchange with the U.S.A. under the auspices of the English-Speaking Union; how far the preparations have gone; and what arc the financial arrangements.

I understand that on the initiative of the United States Government a committee has been set up there which will correspond with the committee at work in this country under the auspices of the Engilsh-Speaking Union. Preparations on this side are well advanced and more than 200 applications have been received for exchanges next autumn. I am considering a request from the English-Speaking Union for a grant to wards the cost of administering the scheme. The financial arrangements, so far as they concern the teachers, are indicated in the leaflet, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. As regards the travelling expenses of teachers who apply for exchanges, it has not been the practice of my Department to assume any responsibility, but I am examining this question.

asked the Minister of Education (1) what recommendations she has made to the Minister of Food in regard to catering licences for youth centres in the Barnet area;(2) what recommendation she has made to the Minister of Food for a catering licence, in respect of the Barnet Young Conservative Youth Centre.

Catering licences are granted to youth clubs and centres under arrangements agreed between the Minister of Food and my predecessor. Particulars of these arrangements are given in Administrative Memorandum No. 328 and the addenda thereto, copies of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member. They apply only to local units of the youth service which, as part of the public service of education supported from public funds, can take no cognisance of organisations which exist to further the objects of any particular political party. Hence, a party political youth centre such as that to which the hon. and gallant Member's second Question relates falls outside the scope of these arrangements. Applications for catering licences made by individual youth dubs and centres are dealt with by the Minister of Food under these agreed arrangements and are not the subject of individual recommendations from my Department.

asked the Minister of Education whether it has been the practice of His Majesty's inspectors to report on the training and instruction in road safety given in schools in the areas for which they are responsible, and, if not, if she will arrange for them to do so.

Inspectors have been asked to take every opportunity to stimulate activity in this subject in the course of their normal visits to schools.

asked the Minister of Education (1) what steps she is taking to secure that each secondary school has its individual governing body, composed of statutory and co-opted members, in order to combine local, educational and parental counsel in school governance;(2)what steps she is taking to ensure that secondary schools have some choice in the final selection of admissions of pupils; and that headmasters, in conjunction with governors, have the right to choose their own staff;(3)what steps she is taking to secure that headmasters of secondary schools are accorded the maximum freedom in school organisation; and that the educational standards of such schools are maintained so that boys and girls from poor homes are not at a disadvantage in competing for the limited places in higher education.

The composition of the governing body will be set out in the instrument of government for each particular school and the functions of the local education authority, governors and the head teacher will be determined by the articles of government. As regards county secondary schools, I adhere to the views expressed in the White Paper on Principles of Government and the Model Instrument and Articles, and I have no reason to doubt that authorities generally share these views. In the case of voluntary schools, the instrument and articles will be made by my order and governors will be at liberty to submit their views after consultation with the local education authority before the order is made. I am in favour of and, indeed, I wish to encourage all reasonable freedom being allowed to schools in the matter of internal organisation, and I should strongly deprecate any attempt to depress the existing high educational standards attained by the schools.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the MeColvin Report for the Library Association, which was presented in September, 1942, and which contained the results of a survey, together with a series of far-reaching recommendations under the title of The Public Library System of Great Britain, she has any statement to make as to the postwar development of the public library service.

I have - read the MeColvin Report with considerable interest, and I am in sympathy with much that the Report recommends. I am well aware of the vital part which a public library service should play throughout the educational field and I have already taken steps to secure a closer link between the public library and education services. The hon. Member, however, will appreciate that my powers are very limited under existing legislation. Any attempt to implement the main recommendations of the Report would involve fundamental and far-reaching administrative changes requiring legislation. In view of the pressure of public business, I doubt if I could advise the Government to embark upon this task in the immediate future.

asked the Minister of Education the number of children in schools under her jurisdiction; the number who are entitled to receive school dinners every day and the number who are actually-doing so; and when it is anticipated that all children will be able to receive a daily meal as authorised in 1940.

On the day of a return made in June last, the number of pupils present in maintained, transitionally assisted and direct grant schools was 4,527,000. It is the intention to provide dinner at school for as many pupils as may desire it, a provisional estimate being 75 percent. The number now receiving dinner is approximately 1,820,000. Satisfactory provision for 75 percent. involves a heavy building programme for the completion of which I am not at present in a position to give a date.

asked the Assistant Post master-General why cablegrams from India and Suez have still to be undated.

The United Kingdom Post Office makes no such requirement. I am, however, inquiring into the position and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Assistant Postmaster General how many telephones have been installed in farm-houses in rural areas in Scotland since the cessation of hostilities in Europe; and how many such demands are outstanding.

460 telephones have been installed in farms in Scotland since the end of hostilities in Europe and 200 more will be installed in the near future; 2,200 demands are outstanding. I fully appreciate the importance of meeting these demands as quickly as the available resources permit, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that every effort will be made to minimise delay.

asked the Assistant Post master-General how much money has been received by his department from the public in respect of wrong telephone numbers recorded during the last financial year.

If the hon. and gallant Member will refer to my Answer of 15th November, he will see that the Post Office cannot record wrong numbers unless they are reported by subscribers, in which case they arc not charged. On the basis that no subscribers reported getting wrong numbers the amount of money received in respect of such calls throughout the year would amount to just over is per subscriber.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is still pilfering of parcels sent to this country from the U.S.A. by post; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes, Sir, and investigation is proceeding. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me details of the cases which he has in mind, I should be glad to look into them.

asked the Assistant Post master-General if he is aware that air mail letters to Singapore take anything up to 22 days; and will he look into this with a view to getting them speeded up.

I understand that recent delays to air mails for the Far East have been due in the main to bad flying conditions over the latter part of the journey. I am assured that every effort is being made by the military authorities concerned to provide as speedy onward transmission as possible.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what is the latest time for posting letters at the General Post Office and also in the suburbs of Belfast in order to catch the air-mail for London; and whether the air-mail leaves every day or only on weekdays.

The latest posting time at Belfast Head Post Office is 1 p.m. and in the Belfast suburban area 11.15 a.m. The air-mail service is on weekdays only.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will arrange that letters from England landed in Belfast before 10 a.m. on weekdays, be delivered in Millisle, County Down, the same after noon.

I regret that it is not possible at present to meet the hon. and gallant Member's request but the position will be kept under review.

asked the Assistant Post master-General whether the attention of his department has been drawn to the increasing difficulty of maintaining branch sub-post offices in the rural areas and the efficient delivery of letters owing to the standard of remuneration which is practised; and what steps he is taking.

I am not aware of any general difficulty arising from the cause suggested. The question of the remuneration of sub-postmasters is, however, at present under review in consultation with the National Federation of Sub-Post masters.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when he proposes to restore to insured persons, under the existing National Health Insurance Scheme, the right to change their approved society.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Cambridge (Major Symonds) on 18th October last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he has considered the position of aged persons who have worked throughout their lives in this country and been the parents of children who have served in the Armed Forces of this country, but being themselves the illegitimate children born abroad of a British father and a foreign mother are not eligible for British pension; and if he will introduce legislation to deal with this type of hardship.

The nationality test to which my hon. Friend refers applies only to non-contributory pensions. The question whether or not it should be modified will be considered in connection with the legislation shortly to be introduced.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will state the number of part-time workers engaged in the work of national health insurance and their average weekly earnings.

I understand that many part-time workers are at present in the employ of Approved Societies, but I have no information as to their numbers or average weekly earnings.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he is taking to implement his promise to hold discussions with representatives of approved societies and of the staff organisations; whether it is his intention to offer to all approved society staffs alternative employment and terms equal to their present emoluments or adequate compensation; and on what basis he proposes to pay such compensation.

I have arranged a meeting with the Approved Societies Consultative Councils to discuss the appointment of representatives of the Approved Societies and of the appropriate staff organisations to consider the questions raised by the hon. Member, and cognate questions. Until these questions have been so considered I regret that I cannot add to the statement which I made on 22nd November in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Norman-ton (Mr. T. Smith).

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether it was on his authority that a circular has recently been sent to all Government Departments throughout the country appealing for volunteers from their permanent staffs to transfer to the permanent staff of his new Department, and inducements offered in that circular to such volunteers; and will he consider such action as being contrary to pledges given to approved society staffs and prejudicial to the just claims of this experienced section of national health insurance workers.

A circular inviting permanent civil servants in certain grades to volunteer for transfer to the Newcastle offices of my Department was issued recently by the Treasury. These staff is required in order to provide for a number of head for head exchanges with officers of my Department who are due for transfer to Newcastle, but who on hardship or other grounds ought not to be transferred there permanently; and also to complete an adequate nucleus of experienced civil service staff, especially for purposes of the scheme of family allowances. These steps will not interfere with the opportunities of employment to be given later to suitably qualified staff of approved societies, as to which I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 22nd November to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith).

asked the Minister of National Insurance what would be the cost of giving an extra 10s., for this first Christmas after the end of the war, to old age pensioners and widows in receipt of pensions; and if he will do this.

The cost would be of the order of £2,250,000; with regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ince (Mr. T. Brown) on 6th November last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases the period of training as a police officer has been allowed to count as police service for the calculation of pension or other rights.

:I regret that the information sought is not available but I may say that before the war, it was the practice in a few forces, including the Metropolitan police force, not to appoint a recruit as a constable until he had completed the period of initial training, and in these forces the period in question did not therefore count as approved police service. It has been recommended that in future the practice of swearing in recruits as constables before their period of training should be generally followed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is intended to bring the police service into the Insurance Bill; and, if so, what will be the cost of contributions, in view of the fact that all members of the police force already pay five percent. of their wages as rateable deductions towards pension.

As explained in paragraph 38 of Part I of the White Paper on Social Insurance the police, like other classes previously excepted from social insurance, are to be included in the new social insurance scheme. It will be necessary to discuss the detailed arrangements with the interested parties, and I am not yet in a position to answer the second part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many auxiliaries have been transferred to the regular police since 1939 in the various Forces of England and Wales; how many of these men are 30 years of age and over; and if he will state the Forces where such transfers have taken place.

The information is not avail able at present, but I am taking steps to obtain it and will send it to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the approximate number of professional firemen who are at present outside the N.F.S.; and what steps are being taken to increase the opportunities for these men to return to their regular profession and to free those who do not wish to remain in the fire service.

Arrangements have been made for the accelerated release of professional firemen who are serving with the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy and who wish to return to the National Fire Ser vice. There are approximately 500 such men.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why permanent officers of the fire services returning from war service return to receive their own rank in an acting capacity.

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to officers who joined the Armed Forces before the National Fire Service was set up. They will be selected for National Fire Service ranks, which do not correspond with those in the former fire brigades, when they have had a period of retraining and fresh operational experience. They are given mean-while an acting National Fire Service rank as nearly as possible equivalent to the rank they formerly held.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many N.F.S. vehicles have been reported as surplus to the Ministry of Supply; and how long on the average elapses between the report and the transfer to the Minister of Supply of the vehicles under the scheme for the disposal of Government stores.

The number of National Fire Service vehicles reported surplus to the Ministry of Supply over the past three years is 30,065.. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available, and, seeing that over 22,000 vehicles have been dealt with, it would be a formidable task to go through the records to obtain it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will grant admission to this country to British-born wives and widows of enemy aliens who wish to return for the purpose of establishing their claims to the restoration of their British nationality or, if that is impossible, he will arrange facilities for these women to put forward their claims and have them decided while they are still abroad.

It is the traditional policy not to refuse admission to the United Kingdom to women of British birth and parentage who have acquired their present nationality by reason only of marriage to an alien of any nationality, unless there are grave objections or grounds personal to the individual

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that many distressed persons who are eligible for entry to the country have no means of paying for transport, he will make it possible for this to be paid in this country by their relatives or friends, in cases where means of transport under British control are available.

This is one of a number of points with which I am dealing with a view to doing everything that is practicable to facilitate the operation of the scheme:

asked the Minister of Labour what age and service groups have now been reached for Class B releases; and when he hopes to reach parity for the three services.

The age and service groups to which, under the scheme for block releases in Class B, it is necessary to make offers of release in order to secure the required numbers vary widely according to the precise occupation concerned. They also necessarily vary for the same occupation in the different Services and no question of parity arises.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that David Robert-son, 31 years of age, was demobilised on 13th November on Class B release; that he reported to the Edinburgh Employment Exchange on 17th November and was told he could not start work as a plasterer until papers came from the Ser vices; that after reporting at the Employment Exchange on 21st and 24th November he was told to start work on 26th November; that he was offered work as a plasterer on 19th November, but was forbidden by the Edinburgh Employment Exchange to accept it; and, in view of the urgency of housing needs in Edinburgh, what action he intends taking to prevent the recurrence of such maladministration.

I have inquired into this case and can find no evidence that Mr. Robertson was told that he could not start work until Service papers had arrived. He was, in fact, told that for the time being he could take the job he had been offered but that later he would probably be sent to a corporation housing scheme. He could not, however, be engaged immediately on this work, which has priority, owing to the temporary shortage of plasterers' labourers. The circumstances do not indicate any lack of appreciation of the urgency of local housing needs.

asked the Minister of Labour upon what date his Department received the letter from the hon. Member for Oxford dealing with the case of Sapper Frank Edwards and his claim for a re settlement grant.

I regret that owing to the heavy pressure of work in the Department this letter did not reach me until the answer to the Question on the Order Paper had been given. I am inquiring into the position and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health why the water at Rotherfield-Peppard is so highly chlorinated; and what is the source of the contamination.

This water comes from wells in open chalk and is chlorinated because there are unsewered properties in the neighbourhood; the water is analysed periodically and has always been found to be very pure.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the situation at South View, St. Helens Town, Kelloe, County Durham, due to a supply of unwholesome water to 140 households and out- lying farms resulting in a deal of illness and consequently a number losing work; and if he will hold an inquiry to ascertain the cause of the water pollution and make a statement as to what is being done in the matter.

I have not been informed of any difficulties at Kelloe but I will make inquiries and communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the progress being made in the provision of an adequate water supply for the parishes of Bushley, Eldersfield and Corse Lawn, in South Worcestershire.

Yes, Sir. The Upton-on-Severn Rural District Council have instructed their consulting engineers to prepare a scheme for providing the whole of their district—which includes these three parishes—'with piped water supplies, and their report is expected to be available to the council shortly. When the council have formulated their proposals, I will do my best to facilitate their execution.

asked the Minister of Health why the application of the Bucks County Council for the release under Class B of Sergeant L. L. Maxwell, 1169432, R.A.F., whose services are urgently required as head cook of the Bucks Mental Hospital, Stone, has been refused.

I am informed by the Board of Control that they gave careful consideration to this application but decided, in view of the many stronger claims which they had received, that the man in question should not be included in their small quota of Class B releases. I understand, however, that his release may shortly be expected under Class A.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered representations from the Royal College of Nursing, objecting to the salaries of any group of nurses being restricted by maxi mum scales fixed by licensing authorities under Part II of the Nurses Act, 1943; and what action he proposes to take.

A letter on the lines described by the hon. Member is being considered by a conference of nurses organisations and employing authorities which' has been asked by representatives of licensing authorities to advise them on the conditions which might be attached to licences with regard to the fees to be charged by agencies supplying nurses. The matter is one for decision, not by my Department, but by the licensing authorities, subject to appeal to the courts.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Rushcliffe scale of nurses' salaries represents minimum or maximum rates; and whether he will introduce legislation to enable nurses, aggrieved by any scale of maximum salaries fixed by licensing authorities under Part II of the Nurses Act, 1943, to appeal to an independent tribunal.

The Rushcliffe scales are not minimum or maximum rates but standard national scales to be adopted by employing authorities as a condition of receiving grants. As to the second part of the Question, the Act already enables a co-operation to which the nurses be long to appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction against any conditions attached to a licence by the licensing authority.

asked the Minister of Health whether his conversations with interested parties has now resulted in the finding of an alternative name to that of Christian Science nurses acceptable to all concerned.

No, Sir. I have not yet learned the result of the talks amongst the interested parties, to which I referred in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member on 1st November.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent licences for the building of working-class permanent houses are being refused unless the cost of the houses is more than that of temporary houses.

I have no reason to suppose that licences are being withheld for the reason suggested; if my hon. and gallant Friend has any cases in mind I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will' utilise the services of the Technical Cost Investigation Department now operating in the armament industries, to investigate and make recommendations on the present cost of, and productive methods in, the erection of dwelling houses and the making of house fittings so that they may be constructed with the utmost efficiency and at a reasonable price.

Use will be made of existing agencies both in the Ministry of Works and in the Ministry of Supply and Aircraft Production.

asked the Minister of Works why the cost of the Arcon type of house has increased from £ 816 to £1,085; the Uni-Seco house from £772 to £1,020; the Tarran from £721 to £ 1,000; and will he make an explanatory statement.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the White Paper on the Temporary Housing Programme (Cmd. 6686) in which were set out the reasons for the increase in the estimated cost of the principal types of temporary house.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the widespread profiteering in letting of shops and business premises; and whether he will consider instituting rent control of such property on similar lines to control of dwelling houses.

The Board of Trade have no powers to control the rents of business premises and we are not satisfied by any evidence that has come to our notice that we should be justified in seeking the necessary powers of control.

asked the Minister of War Transport what volume of passenger traffic the railways are now moving; what passenger train miles they are now running compared with 1938; and when it is expected that the prewar mileage will be restored.

The railway companies estimate the present volume of passenger traffic on the main line railways measured in passenger miles, as being about 70 percent. greater than in 1938. Passenger train mileage is about 24 percent. less than in 1938. Passenger train mileage cannot be increased to prewar level while the present shortage of trained railway staff, rolling stock and locomotive coal persists. The hon. Member may, how ever, be assured that steady progress will be made in the improvement of passenger services.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will call upon the L.N.E.R. Company to see that the trains running between Clacton-on-Sea and Liverpool Street, and vice versa, run to time, as the present unpunctuality is of the greatest inconvenience to those who travel to London and back every day.

I am informed by the L.N.E.R. that the late running of these trains is mainly due to shortage of staff for maintenance and other duties at loco motive depots and to the heavy traffic on this line. Fog has recently caused further difficulties. Every effort is being made to ensure punctual working.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that cables sent at G.L.T. rate to members of the S.E.A.A.F. are taking 10 days to arrive instead of the normal three days; and, in view of the fact that such cables frequently contain urgent news, will he take immediate steps to improve matters.

Yes, Sir. I know that there have been some delays in the arrival of these cables due, mainly, to difficulties with the local telegraph system in the Far East. For urgent private messages up to two cables a month may be sent without delay in either direction between members of the Forces and their next-of-kin in this country. Particulars of this Service Concession Telegram Scheme may be obtained at any Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War for a complete list of the properties and houses held or occupied by his Department in Kingston-upon-Hull; and the approximate date when these will be derequisitioned.

A list of the properties is given below. The last seven on the list are in process of being released but I cannot at present say when it will be possible to release the remainder. 180 properties in this Borough have been relinquished in the last 6 months.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to give a decision about the granting of an extension of compassionate leave to Lance-Corporal C. W. P. Luke, 3966995, 227 Provost Company, Corps of Military Police, C.M.F., home address 79,Ormne Road, Bangor, North Wales; and whether a decision can be reached before this soldier is due to return.

Any further extension of leave would be for the War Office to consider, but no application can be traced. If the hon. and gallant Member will for ward details of the grounds for the claim the application will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War why No. 71825 Private J. Peterson, R.A.S.C., who was a prisoner of war for over four years and only re turned to this country in June, 1945, is now under orders for overseas.

Under the revised rules now operative this soldier is not eligible for overseas posting and will therefore be retained in this country.

asked the Assistant Post-master-General whether he is aware that delays in the mail service from and to B.A.O.R. occur when weather is un favourable for flying; what alternative plans exist for the despatch of mail; and whether he will improve these plans.

I have been asked to reply. The longest delay which has occurred this winter because of unfavourable flying weather is two days. In the event of bad flying weather persisting for over two days arrangements are made for diversion of the mail to the sea land route—this has been done on one occasion this winter, and proved satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Army per- sonnel are now serving sentences for breach of regulations; how many are serving sentences in military detention camps and how many in civilian prisons; how many are serving sentences of less than two years, how many two to three years, and how many three to five years; and how many in those three categories are under twenty-one years of age.

I regret that this information could not be obtained without a great deal of research into individual records at home and abroad, involving the expenditure of considerable time and labour. The normal statistics do not distinguish between breaches of the regulations and other types of offence, nor do they show the ages of the men under sentence. Certain figures were supplied to the lion. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Maxton) in reply to a Question on 27th November, which may be of use to my hon. Friend. The great bulk of sentences of all kinds are of less than two years and, as has frequently been stated in the House, sentences by Courts Martial are subject to regular review.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance; that officers and other ranks who are in the teaching profession and eligible for Class B releases will be given equal treatment as to age and service groups.

I am not sure what point the hon. and gallant Member has in mind. Release by age and service group is in Class A and teachers are dealt with like all other Army personnel for tint purpose. Class B releases arc granted in the public interest to meet demands for men in particular occupations; the demands may be for particular individuals or in bulk. In the latter case men arc selected as far as possible in order of ago find service group. As I have previously stated, teachers who happen to be members of the Army Educational Corps are not as a rule offered release against the bulk demands owing to the requirements of the Army Education Scheme, but the full demands are met from other sources.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange that those men who were discharged from the services before 16th October, 1944, and received an allowance of £ 2 15s. 9d. for clothing may return this cash payment and be issued with the civilian outfit.

No, Sir. As my right hon. Friend explained in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Southend-on-Sea (Mr. Channon) on 16th October, 1945, it is impracticable to give effect to the improved civilian clothing outfit before 16th October, 1944.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider increasing the pensions payable to long-service pensioners who re-enlisted during the war just ended.

Service pensioners who re-enlist on non-regular engagements continue to receive their pensions as well as their pay during their re-enlisted service. This further service does not, however, count for pension.

:asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of unit strength of services personnel is to be permitted to travel by rail during Christmas; and the percentage permitted so to travel during the days preceding and following Christmas.

The following percent ages of unit strength may travel on privilege leave on each of the days shown: 2¾ per cent. during 18th-2Oth December; 1½per cent. on 21st and during 24th-28th December; nil on other dates between 18th-30th December. 2½ per cent. of unit's strength may also be absent at any one time on short pass. There arc no travel restrictions in this case or for men travelling on their weekly day off.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the approximate annual cost of the Army of Occupation in Europe.

The pay and family allowances of the troops occupying Ger many and Austria amount at present to about £130,000,000 a year. The number of troops and their cost is falling.