asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of workers in the mines who have been engaged in illegal strikes since the Government took over control in 1942.

I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply he received from the then Minister of Labour and National Service in answer to a Question on 2nd May this year, to which I can add nothing.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that representatives of the Ministry of Fuel and Power are about to destroy growing crops on farms in the Morpeth area, Northumberland, for the purpose of producing outcrop coal; that farmers all over the area are deeply concerned that they may suffer the same loss if they cultivate their land; and, in view of the wish of these fanners to produce the maximum amount of food, will he insist that all land to be used for outcrop purposes should be scheduled in advance and so save money and labour on cultivation and seeds.

As regards the first part of the Question, I am informed that no new opencast mining operations are likely to be undertaken this summer in the Morpeth area. As regards the second part, I am aware of the concern which is felt by certain farmers in Northumberland about the possible loss of crops from land requisitioned for the production of coal by opencast methods. Every effort is made to dovetail coalgetting operations with harvesting, but it is not possible in every case completely to avoid the destruction of some crop. In common with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture I am anxious to reduce this loss to the minimum, but I doubt if the desired effect would be achieved by adopting the hon. Member's suggestion, as the interval between the proving of the coal and its actual extraction might very well be so lengthy as to leave the farmer in greater doubt than he is now. My Regional Controller, however, will readily give the fullest information in his possession to interested inquiries about the prospective commencement of coal mining operations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the policy of his Appointments Board to grant equality of opportunity for fresh employment to persons over 50 years of age, many of whom served in the last war, who sacrificed their pre-war positions in order to undertake war work in the present war.

Yes, Sir, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that where an age limit is specified by an employer, regard must be paid to his wishes.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government intends to enlarge demobilisation under Class B to enable all key men to be released on application from private employers.

No, Sir. It is intended that the number of individual specialists for whose release application may be made by employers shall continue to be strictly limited.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in many rural districts the local authorities have been unable to make satisfactory arrangements for the collection of refuse owing to the shortage of labour; and whether, in view of the fact that the man-power position is easier now than it was a few months ago, he will arrange for more labour to be made available to local authorities for this purpose.

No, Sir, I am not aware of widespread or acute difficulties in refuse collection in rural areas owing to labour shortage. If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish details of such cases I will have immediate inquiries made. I must, however, point out that the man-power position in most parts of the country is by no means easier to-day than it was a few months ago.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the improved position with regard to labour and transport, he will take steps, in the near future, to cause local authorities to carry out their obligations under the Public Health Acts in the matter of refuse collection, particularly in rural districts.

I have no reason to think that local authorities are not doing what is possible, subject to the continuing limitations on labour and material imposed by urgent national demands, or that they are not anxious to improve this service as and when these limitations become less stringent.

asked the Minister of Health by what authority the Henley Rural District Council include in their demand notes for rates a charge for the collection of refuse of 3.18of a penny of the total demand in those areas of their rural district to which they have given notice that they do not intend to collect the refuse.

The council is required to make such general rates as will be sufficient to provide for the total estimated expenditure during the rating period. The rate can be recovered in full notwithstanding that any particular service is not provided throughout the whole of the district.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the shortage of maternity nurses, he will consider reverting to the earlier practice, as an emergency measure, of regarding six months' maternity training for trained nurses and one year's maternity training for untrained nurses as being adequate for the time being.

No, Sir. One of the main objects in lengthening the course of training for midwives in 1938 was to raise the standard of midwifery, following the imposition on local supervising authorities of the duty of establishing a service of domiciliary midwives. I am advised that in fact the lengthening of the course of training has been reflected in an improved midwifery service, and that a reduction in the period at the present time would be retrograde. I do not, therefore, feel able to invite the Central Midwives Board to consider a revision of their training rules in the way suggested.

asked the Minister of Health how soon he expects to receive the final Report of the Teviot Committee on Dentistry.

I understand that this Committee is proceeding with its inquiry as speedily as possible, but I cannot say when the final report will be presented.

asked the Minister of Health if he will modify Memorandum 266/T so that all persons suffering from tubercular diseases may be eligible to receive maintenance allowances under the scheme and thereby put an end to the position which now exists, whereby persons in need of financial assistance and who are considered incurable, are made aware of that fact by having to receive Poor Law assistance instead of an allowance from the local authority's health department.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Tottenham, South (Mr. Messer), on 7th June.

asked the Minister of Health what were the ages of the persons certified as dying in 1944 from vaccination or any other symptom connected with vaccination.

The sexes and ages of the deceased persons referred to in the Question were as follows:

asked the Minister of Health why certain persons, non-inoculated against yellow fever, are allowed under the International Sanitary Convention for Aerial Navigation, signed at Washington last year, to travel without either inoculation or quarantine; and why, since such people can be exempted from the requirements of this Convention, other passengers from this country cannot also obtain exemption from this regulation.

The hon. Member is no doubt referring to paragraph (3) of Article XIV of the International Sanitary Convention for Aerial Navigation, 1944, relating to yellow fever. The hon. Member will see, on reference to that paragraph, that the persons to whom the contracting Governments undertake to grant unimpeded passage, notwithstanding that they are not inoculated against yellow fever, are persons whose unobstructed passage is absolutely and immediately essential on grounds of high policy, and who bear a certificate issued by their Government that such passage is urgently necessary. The reason for this provision is, I think, sufficiently indicated by its terms. The same paragraph also provides that such certificates of urgency are to be issued only in the most exceptional cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that leaflets advertising diphtheria immunisation are being issued by local councils in various parts of the country, in which it is stated that 60,000 case of diphtheria occur in this country every year and that 3,000 deaths from that disease are recorded each year; and whether, in view of the fact that the latest records show 23,152 cases and 934 deaths, he will see that these figures are brought up to date.

The leaflet to which the hon. Member refers is supplied to local authorities by the Central Council for Health Education and states in round figures the average number of cases and deaths in Great Britain over a ten-year period.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make provision for the inspection, at any time, by public representatives of the various districts of Scotland of any penal settlements, concentration camps, detention barracks, prisons, etc., within their area, whether these institutions are under the control of the British, American, French or Polish Governments or any other authority; and for the issuing of a public report by those representatives.

My Noble Friend will be glad to arrange for hon. Members to visit at any time any of the civil prisons or Borstal institutions under his control. All these establishments already have Visiting Committees consisting of representatives of local authorities or of other public men and women. My Noble Friend has no jurisdiction over premises maintained by the Service authorities or by Allied Governments.

asked the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the fact that under the Royal Warrant there is no onus of proof upon a claimant to a pension, that the benefit of any reasonable doubt must be given to a claimant and of the decision in the Court of Session in the case of Mitchell, 11, Prestonfield Park, Edinburgh, setting aside the unfavourable decision of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal in that case, he will take steps in consultation with the Lord President of the Court of Session, to refer back to the tribunals all similar cases where an unfavourable decision was given.

My right hon. Friend has no power to take the action suggested by the hon. Member, or to secure, by any means, a rehearing by the tribunals of the cases referred to. I might add that in the case of Mitchell there were special features which may not have been present in the other cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland if it is the Government's intention to introduce legislation on the lines of the recent Report on Land Settlement in Scotland or what other steps are contemplated to meet the desires of ex-Servicemen and others to establish themselves independently on the land.

My Noble Friend has the Report under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to say what legislative proposals may be put forward or when it may be possible to resume land settlement operations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of diphtheria were recorded in immunised persons in 1944; and how many fatal cases occurred in the immunised during that year.

Returns obtained from Medical Officers of Health show that during 1944 1,774 cases and four deaths were recorded in immunised persons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is satisfied that, in view of the improvements in the design of solid-fuel-burning appliances, their manufacture is being encouraged sufficiently to ensure their use in all new houses, as recommended in the Housing Manual; and whether the production of less efficient pre-war types is being permitted or discouraged.

Publicity has been given by the Government and by the industries concerned to the improved designs of solid fuel appliances which are being developed. Unfortunately, the shortage of key labour, particularly for pattern making, makes it impossible to ensure that only new types of appliances will be manufactured. While the production of some pre-war designs may, therefore, have to continue for some time everything possible will be done to encourage the speedy manufacture of the newer types.

asked the Minister of Health what stage has been reached in the negotiations by the Beckenham Council for the acquisition of approximately 33 acres of land for general municipal purposes, and since this area is made up of four separate sites, one to be acquired for housing and three for general municipal purposes, what is the area of each, and the present assessment for local rating purposes.

I understand that an inquiry by the Corporation of the owners of three sports grounds as to their willingness to sell has in each case elicited a refusal. Two of these grounds cover an area of 12 acres each and the third eight acres; and the rating assessments are respectively £90, £217 and £198. It is hoped to complete the purchase of a housing site in Balmoral Avenue in about six weeks. The size is between three and four acres and the rateable value £36.

asked the Minister of Health if he has confirmed the Torquay Compulsory Purchase Order, 1934, for land at Barton and Watcombe; what price has been fixed; and what is the area and the previous rateable value of the site in question.

Yes, Sir; the price has not yet been determined; 16 of the 33 properties scheduled to the Order have a rateable value of £120; the remainder of the properties are agricultural and therefore derated.

asked the Minister of Health if housing sites have yet been secured by the Wareham and Purbeck Rural District Council in the villages of Bere Regis, Chaldon Herring, Corfe Castle, Maltravers, Morden and Winfrid; and whether he can state the area so far acquired, the price paid and the previous rateable value in each case.

The Wareham and Purbeck Rural District Council have available for housing a site of ½ acre in the village of Bere Regis, out of an area of two acres which they purchased in 1938, for £240. The land was de-rated. The council have not yet secured sites in the other villages mentioned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that in granting permission to local authorities to requisition land for temporary houses which may remain in their possession for several years, steps are taken to ensure that the amenities of the district and of other housing estates in the vicinty are not jeopardised.

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the procedure for taking possession of land for temporary houses under Section 6 of the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act, 1944 All sites acquired under this procedure are agreed with the regional representative of the Ministry of Town and Country Planning who considers the proposal from the point of view of the best planning of the district.

asked the Minister of Health the appropriation price paid for seven acres of land by the Eastbourne Town Council at the junction of Churchdale Road and Northbourne Road; and whether he will give the previous rateable value.

The site of 3¼ acres at the junction of Churchdale Road and Northbourne Road was the subject of a Compulsory Purchase Order, which I confirmed on the 29th December, 1944. Purchase of the site is not yet complete. The land is derated.

asked the Minister of Health if it is the Government's intention to introduce legislation on the lines of the recent Report of the Committee on Rent Control.

No, Sir. It is too late for the present Government to introduce further legislation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the Report from the North Midland Regional Local Price Regulation Committee giving details of the excessive prices charged for furnished apartments; and whether, in the interests of returning Servicemen, he will take steps to set up rent tribunals similar to those operating in Scotland.

I have seen a resolution passed by this Committee. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for East Fife (Mr. H. Stewart).

asked the Minister of Health when work is to commence on the Rimrose Brook scheme in view of the fact that the building of 3,000 new permanent houses is dependent on this scheme.

I am aware of the urgency of the work on the Rimrose Brook sewerage scheme and am seeking the grant of priority facilities both in labour and material.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet received information that the local authorities of Wallsend-on-Tyne, Gosforth and Longbenton have placed their contracts for permanent house building.

It has not yet been possible to authorise these three local authorities to place contracts for the building of permanent houses. A contract has, however, been placed by the Longbenton Urban District Council for the laying of roads and sewers on one of their sites.

asked the Minister of Health if he will authorise the Epping Rural District Council to convert certain hutments, used by the military in that area, into temporary dwelling-houses.

No proposal for the conversion of military hutments has been submitted to me by the council, but any such proposal will be carefully considered on its merits.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make available to local authorities hutments no longer in use.

I am considering, in conjunction with the Minister of Health, how best to make surplus hutments available to local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been built by the L.C.C. since 1931.

46,725 dwellings have been erected by the London Council Council since 1st April, 1931.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that the sites for the erection of temporary bungalows in Sheffield have long since been prepared by the corporation; that there is dissatisfaction at the delay of the Ministry in arranging for the necessary foundations to be laid to enable the erection of the bungalows; will he state the cause of this delay; and whether special steps will now be taken to relieve the urgent situation in Sheffield.

I do not accept the suggestion that there has been avoidable delay in the erection of temporary houses in Sheffield. Sites for 900 houses are in the hands of builders and work is proceeding as expeditiously as possible with the labour available. But for the fact that there has been an acute shortage of building labour, quicker progress would have been made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what grants, gratuities, post-war credits, demobilisation leave on pay and other benefits are receivable by His Majesty's regular and auxiliary coastguards upon their discharge from service; and why these members of the Armed Forces of the Crown receive less advantageous rates upon demobilisation than members of the Civil Defence services.

No grants, post-war credits or demobilisation leave with pay are given to members of the Auxiliary or Regular Coastguard on termination of services. Members of the Auxiliary Coastguard are, however, entitled to war gratuities, as my predecessor explained in an answer given to my Noble Friend the Member for South Dorset (Viscount Hinchingbrooke) on 18th April last. The reason why, unlike the Civil Defence Services, they are excluded from the grant of post-war credits is that the terms of service of the Auxiliary Coastguard differ from those of the Civil Defence Services in that its members have always been free to terminate their appointments on 14 days' notice. The Regular Coastguard is a peace-time force, which it is not proposed to disband, and is not comparable with Civil Defence Services.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in order to save shipping space and to provide protein, protective substances and minerals which are contained in the wheat germ and are in short supply, he will during the present stringency increase in the highest measure the proportion of wheat germ required to be included in the national bread.

The definition of national flour already provides for the inclusion of the maximum quantity of wheat germ which, having regard to the type of milling plant, can be included in national flour at the present rate of extraction in the United Kingdom. The careful examination of samples from all mills indicates that these instructions are being observed.

asked the Minister of Food how many private milling firms in England and Scotland have been taken over by the Rank milling combine whilst under Government control, together with their names; and what offices were or are still held by persons connected with the milling industry, whilst these transactions were completed.

Transactions involving the purchase and sale of shares in limited liability companies where the name and constitution is not altered would not be reported to, nor is it required by, my Department. Any other type of transaction of the kind to which the hon. Member refers would have to be disclosed, but no such transactions have in fact taken place in connection with the company mentioned. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who is now operating and paying for the research and propaganda organisations formerly controlled by the International Rubber Regulation Committee; and whether cess payments are still being collected to finance this work from rubber produced in Ceylon.

Article 19 of the International Rubber Regulation Agreement provided for the payment of the proceeds of a cess on rubber exports from British, Dutch and French territories, to the appropriate natural rubber research institutes in each territory which were not under the control of the Regulation Committee. In the case of the British territories the cess was paid to the British Rubber Producers' Research Association It is still being levied on exports from Ceylon and is paid to that Association, which is continuing its research work. That portion of the cess allocated for propaganda is being retained for post-war use.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the International Rubber Regulation Committee has been completely liquidated; if so, what funds became available and what has happened to them.

As announced on 1st May, 1944, the International Rubber Regulation Committee was dissolved as a result of the termination of the International Rubber Regulation Agreement on 30th April. The Committee gave directions that the final balance at the audit of its accounts should be divided between the Governments which were parties to the Agreement. The liquidation of the Committee's affairs is still in progress.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his plans are about those sections of his Department which are now located in North Wales.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the staffs of the Inland Revenue Department which were evacuated to Llandudno. I am not yet in a position to say when it will be pos- sible to move the bulk of this staff from Llandudno; but it has been decided to bring back to London certain central branches at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the policy of the Government about the decentralisation of the location of Government Departments.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward) on 5th December, 1944, a copy of which I am sending him. As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Frome (Mrs. Tate) on 27th February, 1945, the moves now under consideration are not part of a planned policy of decentralisation, though they would not be incompatible with such a decision if taken at a later date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, under the Essential Work Order, as applied to the Civil Service, a civil servant will be compelled to work overseas against his or her will.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the present practice with regard to allowances for Income Tax in respect of shop fronts.

Shop fronts are dealt with on what is known as the renewals basis. No allowance is made in respect of a trader's expenditure on first installing a shop front, which is expenditure of a capital nature, but when, in the course of his business, he comes to replace the shop front the cost of replacement to the extent that it does not represent additional expenditure on improvements, is regarded as revenue expenditure in the nature of maintenance and repairs and is allowed accordingly. Thus, where a trader replaces his shop front by a new and better one, the amount allowed is limited to the sum which would have been necessary to replace the shop front with a new front similar to that which is being demolished.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to make a further statement on the arrangements for making cash payments to temporary Crown servants who on entry into Crown service suffered overlapping payments of tax and who, in consequence of the introduction of Pay-as-you-earn, have been deprived of a compensatory tax holiday which they would otherwise have enjoyed on leaving Crown service.

Yes, Sir. Details of the proposed arrangements are contained in the statement below. Broadly the underlying principle is that the cash payment should cancel out the tax charged under the Departmental assessment on Crown pay which overlapped with tax payments relating to the previous employment. It will obviously be necessary to set a term to these arrangements and, bearing in mind the class of person for whom the relief is intended, namely, those who came into the service of the State in time of great emergency, not thinking of their personal interests, I propose to limit the concession to those who entered Crown service on or after 6th April, 1939. In due course we shall have to fix a date for the termination of the arrangements, but consideration of this must be deferred until there has been some relaxation of the present restrictions on the release of persons in Crown service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the new invitation for an imperial telecommunication conference which may decide the whole future of telecommunications policy including the question of public ownership was sent out just after the formation of the present Government and proposed a meeting in mid-July; and what justification exists for seeking to get this policy decided before the new Parliament can deal with it.

The invitations to this conference were sent out in April last. The object of it is to discuss certain proposals which emerged from Lord Reith's visit to the Dominions earlier this year, and to propose a plan for consideration by the Governments concerned. There can be no question of a decision on policy until the results of the conference are known.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will provide a list of the directors appointed' by His Majesty's Government to the boards of private companies; and whether there is any general policy in this connection as to the desirability of appointing some directors who have scientific qualifications as well as administrative abilities.

I assume that the reference to private companies in this Question is not a reference to the statutory definition contained in Section 26 of the Companies Act but is intended to relate to companies which, whatever their legal status, are trading for profit, as distinct from those which are operated for public purposes under the aegis of Government Departments as part of the administrative machinery of Government. I assume also

asked the Prime Minister if the Government will consider a temporary modification of the King's Regulations, 541, Army, and 1092, Air Force, from the date of the Dissolution till 5th July, to allow Service men and women to take full part in politics like all other citizens.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made yesterday on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) under what arrangements a regular Indian Army officer who was transferred to the Indian Army on or after 1st September, 1939, and who is still serving in that Army, can vote at a Parliamentary election in this country;(2) under what arrangements a regular Indian Army officer who joined the Indian Army before 1st September, 1939, and who is still serving in that Army, can vote at a Parliamentary election in this country.

Regular officers of the Indian Army are not eligible to be registered on the Service Register since, as my predecessor explained in his reply of 26th September, 1944, to my hon. Friend the Member for West Bristol (Mr. Culverwell), the object of the law is to enable the Parliamentary franchise to be exercised not by all British subjects who are members of the Armed Forces of the Crown, but by those who are resident in, or would but for their war service, be resident in the United Kingdom. A regular officer of the Indian Army who before the outbreak of war chose a career of service in India clearly does not qualify under this criterion any more than a member of the Indian Civil Service or the Indian Police, or any other British subject resident abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been made to enable members of the Palestine police to vote in the forthcoming General Election.

No special arrangements have been made. Sections 8 and 11 of the Parliament (Elections and Meeting) Act, 1943, and Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act, 1945, apply to members of the Forces, seamen, and war workers, who, but for the war, would have been residing in the United Kingdom. I am advised, however, that members of the Palestine Police Force do not come within these provisions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made to enable members of the N.F.S. to vote, more particularly those in rural areas.

Any member of the National Fire Service whose hours of duty are such that he would not be able to attend at a polling booth to record his vote before commencing or after completing his tour of duty, will, subject to the exigencies of the Service, be granted reasonable time off to enable him to vote.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to a letter issued by the Manchester and Salford Equitable Co-operative Society to members of the Forces at home and abroad inviting each recipient to vote for a Labour candidate and enclosing a postal order for five shillings; and whether he proposes to take any action.

As I stated yesterday in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Withington (Squadron-Leader Fleming) my attention has been drawn to this matter by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and inquiries into it are proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will request the French Government for reparation for the murder in the Orient Palace Hotel, Damascus, on 30th May, of Major Scott Nicholson, of Carlisle, by a hand grenade thrown by a French non-commissioned officer; and whether the perpetrator of this crime against an officer of His Majesty's Forces will be brought to trial on a capital charge.

The questions of compensation and of disciplinary action against the French non-commissioned officer concerned will be examined and, if necessary, taken up with the French Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has been reached as to whether the women's auxiliary Services will in the future become part of the regular services of the Crown.

This matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what remedy rests with British subjects whose property is damaged by men in the U.S. forces and who are offered inadequate compensation by the Foreign Claims Commission of the U.S. Army.

As the hon. Member will see from my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's statement circulated in the Official Report on 30th March, 1944, civil claims in tort against members of the United States forces in the United Kingdom are now by mutual agreement investigated and settled by His Majesty's Government through the British Claims Commission on behalf of the United States Government as a matter of reciprocal aid, except claims against members of the United States forces who were not on duty at the time of the incident in respect of which a claim is made, since the agreement does not provide for payment of "off-duty" claims by His Majesty's Government.I assume therefore that the hon. Member's Question refers to "off-duty" claims against members of the United States forces, in respect of which the United States Foreign Claims Commission is empowered to award compensation. I need hardly say that all claims, especially off-duty claims, are subject to strict scrutiny, and compensation may be found inadequate by claimants. The decisions of the United States Foreign Claims Commission are final, and there is no authority in the European Theatre of operations of the United States Army to whom an appeal for reconsideration can be made; representations may, however, be made through the diplomatic channel in cases where the circumstances appear to warrant it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give a list of the Allied nations, stating in each case the date of becoming allied to this country and indicating those who have sent troops into action.

I am advised that the term "the allied nations" has no precise meaning in relation to the present war. Many of the United Nations are not linked to this country by any formal alliance, but have nevertheless been co-belligerent with the United Kingdom in the present war. Other States have formal treaties of alliance with His Majesty but have not been co-belligerent with the United Kingdom. Armed forces of the following members of the United Nations have been in action against the enemy:

• Australia.
• Belgium.
• Brazil.
• Canada.
• China.
• Czechoslovakia.
• Denmark.
• Egypt.
• Ethiopia.
• France.
• Greece.
• India.
• Luxembourg.
• Mexico.
• Netherlands.
• New Zealand.
• Norway.
• Philippines.
• Poland.
• South Africa.
• U.S.S.R.
• United Kingdom.
• U.S.A.
• Yugoslavia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that there is an outbreak of suicide among Polish women members of the Polish Home Army, due to continued retention under prisoner-of-war conditions; and will he, in view of the Polish organisation available in Scotland, reconsider the proposal to allow them to come to this country to recuperate under free conditions.

I regret that I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to a similar Question by my hon. Friend on 29th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to state whether compensation will be paid to Channel Islanders whose furniture has been confiscated by the Germans or by local authorities during the occupation.

The question of compensation for loss of, or damage to, property and chattels as a direct result of the German occupation is being considered, but the Islands administrations, with whom the matter will require careful consultation, are engaged on the immediate tasks of rehabilitation, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is now in a position to issue a statement as to attitude of the various Commonwealth Governments in regard to migration.

The position of the United Kingdom Government has been made clear in another place by my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on a number of occasions and I would also refer to the statement which I made on the 2nd December, 1943.The question has been under discussion with the Governments of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, by correspondence, at the meeting of Prime Ministers in May, 1944, and in subsequent meetings with Dominion representatives in London. These discussions related both to the general question of assisted migration after the war and to the immediate problem likely to arise on the cessation of hostilities in connection with the resettlement of members of the Armed Forces in civil life. On the latter aspect, the United Kingdom Government have put forward proposals for a free passage scheme for ex-Service men and women and men of the Merchant Navy somewhat similar to that in operation between 1919 and 1922. Under such a scheme, the United Kingdom Government would provide free transport to the port of embarkation overseas while the Dominion Government would provide certain facilities in its own country.As a result of these discussions, the Dominion Governments and the Government of Southern Rhodesia have authorised the following statements of their attitude and the present position: —

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the figures on which his Department estimates that the withdrawal of Government financial assistance from the Canvey Island Urban District Council will mean a loss of rate production of only 3d. in the £ in view of the council's claim that it will be necessary to levy an increased rate of 6s. in the £ and whether withdrawal of financial aid given to prohibited areas during the war is general or if Canvey Island has been dealt with as a special case.

The estimated product of a rate of one penny in the £ in the urban district of Canvey Island was £160 in 1939–40 and is £155 in 1945–46. The anticipated expenditure of the Council on their own services for 1945–46 is £18,860,a considerable increase on recent years. On this basis the rate-poundages required would be 9s. 10d. and 10s. 1½d. respectively. The difference between the last named figure and the rate of 22s. 6d. which the Council propose to levy is attributable to the county precept. Financial assistance has been withdrawn from other local authorities as and when the return of rate productivity to normal has rendered it no longer justifiable and the Urban District Council of Canvey Island has not been treated exceptionally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether war-time members of the Palestine police will be treated the same as men in the Armed Forces in regard to demobilisation.

No, Sir. The discharge of members of the Palestine Police Force is governed by the terms of their contract and the Regulations of the Government of Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, contrary to A.C.I. No. 167 (1944), men at Lisburn Camp, Northern Ireland, are being charged and punished for reporting sick without parading; and will he have this matter rectified.

Inquiries have been made, but no record of any such case has been found.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are now made for home leave for other ranks serving in the Burma area.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the course of the Debate on Friday.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is now possible to improve the allotment of home leave to soldiers serving in Italy and the Middle East; and whether it will be possible to enable the wives of married soldiers in Italy to join their husbands.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement I made in the Debate on 8th June. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "I am afraid not." I should like to take this opportunity of correcting an error which slipped into my statement owing to a misreading of my notes. In explaining that men in the first 26 release groups would not in general be sent to the Far East, I said that these groups would automatically include men of 40 and over who had more than 2½ years' service. As reference to the "Race Card" will show, I should have said 3½ years. I am very sorry for this mistake and for any misunderstanding it may have caused. The error was corrected in the accounts of my speech sent to the Forces newspapers.

asked the Secretary of State for War how it is that none of the land taken over in Berkshire has been relinquished, as this process had begun on 6th June, 1944; whether he is aware that early this year instructions were issued by the Claims Commission that these areas were to be retained; and if he will now specially reconsider the matter, in view of the disabilities that farmers and landowners are suffering on account of the lack of decision and appropriate action by the authorities.

Since 6th June, 1944, about 50,000 acres of land held in Berkshire under Defence Regulation 52 have been released. This is more than half the total held there on that date. The areas still held are needed for military training, and I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the orders issued on 1st April for renewal of requisition, under Defence Regulation 52. In order to enable farmers to till the land and reintroduce stock, the main area, known as Area F, is not being used for training by armoured vehicles. As soon as it is clear that the area will not be needed it will be released in accordance with the normal policy in these matters. I regret that I cannot now say when that will be.

asked the Secretary of State for War how far the danger of typhus fever to Service personnel comes from harbouring infected lice.

Typhus fever is normally contracted from infected lice and unless a man is protected by immunisation the danger is very real.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will remind S.H.A.E.F. that no British soldier or airman can be compelled to be inoculated or re-inoculated against typhus fever or other fevers.

I am not aware that there is any need to remind S.H.A.E.F. of the rules which apply to British Service men in these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for War if orders for non-fraternisation with displaced persons issued to British troops will now be cancelled as these people are Allies.

The non-fraternisation order applies to Germans only and I am not aware that it has been applied to others. It is possible that it has sometimes been necessary to prevent British troops from mixing with displaced persons among whom some were suffering from or had been in contact with infectious diseases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that numbers of Channel Islanders now serving abroad have not seen their homes for some five years and yet have not been long enough away from the United Kingdom to qualify for repatriation; and whether, in view of these special circumstances, he will authorise the repatriation of such men, or the grant to them of special leave.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave my Noble and gallant Friend the Member for Rutland and Stamford (Lord Willoughby de Eresby) on 29th May.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the position of released prisoners of war who nave suffered hardship in prison camps and who, after an interval of six months, are eligible for service in the Far East; if consideration has been given by his medical advisers to this question; whether, in the event of these men being captured by the Japanese it might have a lasting effect on their mental and physical health; and with what result.

I would refer my Noble and gallant Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 3rd May. The majority of ex-prisoners of war will be in the release groups up to 26 and will not be sent to the Far East. Those who are, will only be sent if they are passed medically fit for service in that theatre.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give any information about the prisoners of war at Stalag 18A at Wolfsberg, Austria.

It was reported on 28th April, 1945, that some of the prisoners of war from Stalag XVIII A (Wolfsberg) were being moved by the Germans to Markt Pongau (Stalag 317/XVIII C). Stalag XVIII A was overrun by the Anglo-American Forces and 120 British Commonwealth prisoners of war were recovered there, all of whom were evacuated by 22nd May, 1945. Those prisoners of war who had been marched to Markt Pongau were liberated when that camp was overrun by the Anglo-American Forces. With the exception of stragglers the area of Austria in which these two camps were situated has been entirely cleared of British ex-prisoners of war. Some ex-prisoners from this area have not yet reached the United Kingdom from Italy.

asked the Secretary of State for War if men of the Royal Corps of Signals serving in S.E.A.C. are being repatriated after the same period of service as other corps; and, if not, why not.

The tour of overseas duty for officers and men of the Royal Corps of Signals is the same as that for any other corps. But in an area of active operations it may be necessary from time to time—as I mentioned in my statement in the Debate on 8th June—to postpone the repatriation of individual specialists in order not to impair the efficiency of the Forces facing the enemy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if meteorological statistics for the years 1939 to 1944 may now be published in summarised form.

Yes, Sir. The Monthly Weather Reports for the years 1939–44, which contain meteorological statistics in summarised form, will shortly be available to the public on application to H.M. Stationery Office. In addition, copies are being supplied to the Royal Meteorological Society for distribution to Fellows, and the regular supply to the Society is being resumed.

asked the Minister of Works (1) how many hotels in the London area are still requisitioned by his Department; and how many of them are still in use;(2) whether, in view of the demand under present conditions for hotel accommodation in the London area from Government delegations, business men and others engaged on work of national importance, he will in the near future derequisition some of the hotels which have been taken over by his Ministry in this area.

Forty-four hotels in London are held on requisition by my Department. They are used primarily for housing building operatives and as hostels for the American Red Cross. One hotel only is at the moment not in use but will shortly be occupied by Canadian Auxiliary Services. The shortage of hotel accommodation is appreciated and hotels will be derequisitioned as soon as the urgent services for which they are required permit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will reconsider the decision to refuse the release on compassionate grounds of Marine S. J. Jarrett, No. 10085; and whether, since the reason for refusal up to date is that such a release would be unfair to other men who have been obliged to close down small businesses and that the release of men from the Navy is to be slower than from other Services, he will authorise a general relaxation of Admiralty rules regarding release on compassionate grounds.

I regret that after further consideration I am unable to agree to the release of this Marine on compassionate grounds. I should be averse to lowering the standards which are held to justify release from Naval service on compassionate grounds, as this would affect adversely the number of men who can be released under the Re-Allocation Plan.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, in a recent court martial at Malta, a Marine was sentenced to death for murder; whether, in view of the fact that there is medical evidence to show that the man was and is an epileptic, he will give an assurance that this will be taken into full account when the sentence is reviewed; and whether he is satisfied with the present arrangements for receiving medical evidence in court martial cases.

Yes, Sir. The proceedings at the court martial referred to are at present being carefully reviewed by the Admiralty, and full account will be taken of the evidence as to the accused's epileptic condition and alleged mental state at the time when the offence was committed. Medical evidence is received in trials by Naval courts martial under exactly the same rules as those which are applicable to trials before the ordinary criminal courts, and I am satisfied that fully adequate arrangements exist for such evidence being given in appropriate cases. In the case to which the hon. Member refers, there was abundant expert medical evidence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what power exporters of cosmetics are compelled to purchase their supplies from a list of firms supplied by his Department; and if these firms are to have a monopoly.

The Toilet Preparations (Nos. 3 and 4) Orders, 1943, made under the Defence Regulations, stipulate that exporters buying cosmetics from manufacturers can only buy from those whose names are on the Toilet Preparations Register. There is no question of monopoly, since the Register contains about 600 names, and the Board of Trade are always ready to add the name of any new manufacturer who has genuine prospects of developing an export business.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the future of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Newport, Monmouthshire.

It has been decided to allocate this factory for civilian production giving a high level of employment; a detailed announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will give the names, medical qualifications and previous experience of the members of the Silicosis Medical Board at Sheffield.

The members are Dr. Samuel Bryson, M.B., Ch.B. (Glasgow), D.P.H. (Sheffield), and Dr. Henry Blyth, M.B., Ch.B. (Edinburgh), D.P.H. (Dublin). Both gentlemen have been whole-time members of the Board since the inception of the present scheme on 1st June, 1931, and were whole-time members of earlier Silicosis Medical Boards, the former from 1925. Previously they had had considerable experience under tuberculosis authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware that the Blackpool Corporation is charging a minimum fare of 3d. on its tram-cars even though the passenger travels only a few hundred yards, while delegates attending conferences in that town are granted free passes on the same tram-cars; whether he is satisfied that these arrangements are in accordance with the powers granted to the corporation by Parliament; and whether he will take steps to remove these anomalies.

The minimum fare operates only on the 12 tramcars per hour which run through to Fleetwood, in respect of journeys originating between defined points in Blackpool. It was authorised by my Noble Friend, by an order made after a public inquiry. Its purpose was to prevent passengers to Fleetwood being crowded off the through services, which had been reduced to enable short distance services to be improved. I am not aware of any statutory limitation which would prevent the Corporation granting free transport facilities on their tramcars.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of varying policy on the terms under which married women are being released from the women's auxiliary Services, he will make a statement on the demobilisation position of these married women.

As stated in paragraph 21 of the White Paper, Cmd. 6548, married women in the Auxiliary Services will have priority of release over all others if they so desire. I will communicate the details of this scheme to the hon. Member as soon as they are finally determined.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers in the R.A.P.C. will be released on their due dates under their category of demobilisation; why a statement to the contrary was made by the paymaster-in-chief to a conference of officers of the R.A.P.C; and whether this corps may rely on the repeated assurances given to Parliament on the scheme of demobilisation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 7th June last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has considered the request of the Hull Chamber of Shipping for an officer of his Department to inspect the approaches to the mouth of the River Hull with a view to seeing what repairs are needed; and what reply he has made to this request.

My right hon. Friend has received no such request.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Karl Seitz, a former mayor of Vienna, has been found in any area of Austria occupied by the British or American Forces.

Karl Seitz is reported to be at Arnstadt alive and well.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is now possible for letters to be sent to British-born women who have been in Germany throughout the war.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 2nd May.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the weekly allowance of Chinese currency to R.A.F. personnel in China and its present equivalent in British currency.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that on the 9·45 train from Hull to King's Cross, on 12th June, the only first-class non-smoking compartment on the train was reserved for one Admiralty courier; and, in view of the inconvenience caused, will he give instructions that this shall not recur or alternatively provide more accommodation for the general public.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.