asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds the recent increase of 10 per cent. in the issue of newsprint to newspapers was restricted to the purpose of increasing the circulation of the papers and not allowed to be used to increase their size; and whether he will remove this limitation.

The reason for the recent increase in the allocation of newsprint was that it was thought desirable to enable newspapers to meet the public's demands for additional copies. It is not at present possible to provide more paper than is needed for that purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take immediate steps to relieve the shortage of children's shoes, particularly sizes 6 to 12.

The production of children's leather shoes has for two years been greater than it was before the war; and we shall see that it continues to increase as fast as labour and materials will allow. We are also taking steps to increase the production of children's rubber footwear.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he has any statement to make as to the time when increases in the basic rate of old age pensions are likely to be announced.

The position of old age pensioners is under consideration by His Majesty's Government in connection with the national insurance legislation already announced to the House, and a statement of the Government's policy will be made at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the wastage of water supply that is taking place through the shortage the plumbers available to repair leakages; and whether he will recommend for earlier release under Class B, men in the Services who could undertake this work.

My right hon. Friend is aware that there is a risk of waste of water from this cause. He understands that a certain number of plumbers are being released in Class B for housing work, and he hopes that the improvement in the general situation will make it possible for a larger number of recommendations to be sent in.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the recent announcement giving a round figure of 1,000,000 as the number of men and women to be released by Christmas, he will now publish the exact total released up to the week ended 18th August; and whether he will, in future, publish each week the numbers released in view of the fact that classification and group numbers are unrevealing.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement my right hon. Friend proposes to make tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will reconsider the position of former members of the Police War Reserve and N.F.S., later transferred to the Army, whose earlier service is not counted for the purposes of demobilisation and who now have a high group number after nearly six years in a uniformed, disciplined force.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Leyton, West, on 21st August.

asked the Minister of Health which departmental Minister is responsible for policy regarding prefabricated and temporary houses; what numbers of such houses it is intended should be erected within the next year and next two years, respectively, in England and Wales and in Scotland; and approximately, what proportion of the total houses to be built in these periods will be prefabricated and temporary.

As announced by the Lord Privy Seal during the Debate on the Address, the Health Ministers are responsible for housing policy. It is not the intention to extend the programme of temporary houses beyond the figure of approximately 150,000 which have been allocated to local authorities. My right hon. Friend intends to make a full statement as to the Government housing programme as a whole alter the Recess.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to make provision for farmers to have a right of appeal to an impartial tribunal against orders issued by county war agricultural executive committees; and if he will, in the meantime, issue instructions that no further eviction orders should be made until such a tribunal is available for them to appeal to.

I have under consideration the proposal that farmers should have a right of appeal to an impartial tribunal against dispossession under emergency powers, but in view of the vital necessity for maintaining the maximum home production of foodstuffs, I regret that, pending a decision, I cannot see my way to issue instructions as suggested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that a farmer who is dispossessed shall have the right of appeal to an independent court of justice.

I have under consideration the question whether a fanner who is dispossessed under emergency powers should have a right of appeal, but I am not at present able to announce a decision on the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that men in low release groups are being sent to India Command and S.E.A.C," and will he issue instructions that in future no man is sent to these commands who is due for release within six months.

Men due for release within six months are not posted to distant commands except in very exceptional cases; there is, therefore, no need to issue new instructions on this point.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why, in some branches of the R.A.F., demobilisation for the men has been carried out up to and including group 16, whereas demobilisation has only been carried out to group 12 for officers; and when it is proposed to rectify this anomaly.

I think the hon. Member has the catering trade in mind—catering officers are being released up to Group 12 and airmen cooks up to Group 16 during September. Such temporary unevenness in the rate of release between different ranks within a trade which are not interchangeable are for the time being unavoidable. But they can and will be evened out, largely by means of retraining.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many hotels are still requisitioned by his Department; and whether, in view of the lack of holiday accommodation, any accelerated programme of release is to be applied.

288 hotels, boarding houses and the like are still under requisition. Some of these will be required for some time for the accommodation of Dominion airmen returning home, but a considerable number will be released during the coming months.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that numbers of time-expired R.A.F. men in the Middle East Command are being held back in the command for two months before being posted to this country; and whether the return of these men can be hastened.

I know there have been such cases. Reliefs have not always been immediately available in certain trades for airmen whose tour of duty in the Middle East has expired. Intensive re-training of airmen for these trades is in active progress, and we hope to have made up the deficiencies which are the cause of the trouble during the next few months.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware of the hardship and expense incurred by the wives of Canadian Servicemen owing to delays in their repatriation to Canada; and whether he can make any statement on the subject.

Passages to Canada for the wives of Canadian Servicemen are arranged by the Canadian authorities, who are, I know, most anxious that delay, with its resultant hardship, should be reduced to a minimum. Any delay that has occurred, is due to the shortage of shipping available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, as the war has now ended he will, at the earliest possible moment, remove all war restrictions on the use of petrol, as these restrictions are hindering trade and preventing freedom of movement by owners of motor-cars who are paying a heavy tax.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to similar Questions yesterday.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he expects to be able to announce the new terms of employment for schoolmasters in the Royal Navy which have been under consideration for some time.

I hope to be able to make a statement after the Recess.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent the de- mobilisation of former Merchant Navy men now serving in the Royal Navy under T 124X Agreements is lagging behind the rest of the Navy; and on what grounds.

The rate of release of T 124X personnel has not up to the present been as rapid as that of general service ratings because of special operational requirements for classes of ships manned by T 124X personnel. With the cessation of hostilities in the Far East the position has been under revision, and arrangements are being made which will, it is hoped, speed up the release of T 124X personnel and within the next few months enable it to equal the rate of release of General Service ratings.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many requisitioned houses the R.N. has relinquished in the boroughs of Brighton and Hove since VE-Day.

Since VE-Day, six houses have been released from the seven held under requisition in Brighton and one house in Hove has been released. The house in Brighton remaining under requisition will shortly be released, and within two months it is hoped to be able to release the nine houses which still remain under requisition in Hove.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why sailors in their sixth year of service are being transferred to the Army; and whether he will stop this practice.

Transfers from the Royal Navy to the Army ceased on 16th May.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will take the necessary steps to have the herring fishing grounds off Yarmouth and Lowestoft cleared of mines in time for the autumn fishing.

The necessary instructions had already been given some ago, and given reasonable weather the areas in question should be cleared in time for the autumn fishing.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that officers concerned with the censorship of ratings' mail in an aircraft carrier, of whose identity he has been informed, have been instructed that letters addressed to Members of Parliament are to be held back for special scrutiny by the commanding officer; whether this instruction is based on a general order by his Department or is peculiar to the ship in question; and if he will at once put an end to a practice which must tend to limit the right of R.N. personnel to communicate freely with their Members of Parliament regarding any subject, including Service grievances.

I have been unable in the time available to obtain a report from the ship in question confirming whether, or if so for what purpose, the alleged instruction has been given. If it has been issued, the instruction is not in accordance with any order by the Admiralty. As the House will be adjourning this week, I will communicate with the hon. Member when I have received the report from the ship.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a further year's work is required to complete Culdrose Aerodrome, Cornwall, for the training of pilots; that there are at least six other aerodromes already completed in Cornwall; and whether, in view of the fact that this completion involves the employment of approximately 1,000 building operatives urgently required for the building of houses, he will stop work on the aerodrome until the houses have been built.

In common with all Admiralty works projects, the construction of the Royal Naval Air Station, Culdrose, is already under review with the object of releasing as much building labour as possible for civil housing. I hope that I shall be in a position to let the hon. Member have a definite reply in the near future.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the fact that the use of air-raid sirens instead of bolls as time signals in Ports- mouth Dockyard is causing great annoyance and distress to the citizens; and if he will arrange for hooters of some other note to be installed instead.

Yes, Sir. Factory hooters will be used instead as soon as they can be obtained.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will arrange that those who are in a position to establish a reasonable family claim to visit their relatives may have better facilities for travel to Ireland.

Existing services for civilian travel to Eire and Northern Ireland (of which I am sending the hon. Member a list) are the best that can be provided with the shipping accommodation at present available. So far as can be judged from the applications for sailing tickets, the great majority of applicants can adduce family claims to visit relatives in Ireland, and it would be impracticable for the railway and shipping companies to allocate priorities among the claimants. On the principal services, however, accommodation is reserved for a limited number of urgent compassionate cases to be given travel facilities at the ports.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware of the lack of transport between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, because of which, food freight and passengers are delayed an unreasonable time; and if he will confer with the authority concerned with the view to releasing the ships usually operating between Northern Ireland and Great Britain for the complete restoration of prewar services.

Services to Northern Ireland have necessarily sufferd with others owing to the need to use shipping for operational requirements. Subject to any difficulties in effecting repairs, another vessel is expected to go into service early in September and efforts will continue to be made to increase these services further as vessels can be released from military use.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware of the general irritation and vexation caused in the northern regional area as a result of the continued restrictions in respect of omnibus services and return fares; and when he is going to accede to the request of conferences of local authorities to restore the issue of return fares in excess of 10d.; extend the period of validity of the 12 journey ticket; improve the ordinary daily omnibus services and restore the Sunday morning omnibus services.

I propose to re-introduce return fares over 10d. at a very early date. I am examining the question of extending the period of validity of 12 journey tickets. Improvements of services depend in the main on the availability of labour, but I can inform my hon. Friend that operators in the Northern Region have been authorised to restore their ordinary bus services to pre-war level on any day up to 10 p.m. and to run relief vehicles as required.

asked the Minister of War Transport when it is proposed to reinstate the omnibus service between Romford and London.

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the Green Line service. The vehicles and manpower available do not yet permit of the restoration of these services. I would, however, remind the hon. Member that a stage carriage service is at present being operated by one Company between Romford and North London.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will make available any statistics he has showing the number of accidents to children which take place immediately before and immediately after the school-leaving hour.

The accident records kept during the war do not include the figures for which the hon. Member asks, but a special investigation by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents of fatal accidents to children in the months of May, June and July, 1942,indicated that of 291 cases 41 occurred while the child was going to or from school.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he has any statement to make as to the removal of petrol restrictions; or if he will increase general transportation, particularly in rural areas.

Progressive relaxations are being made in the restrictions affecting goods vehicles. So far as road passenger transport is concerned, we are endeavouring to strengthen services in rural areas to the extent that staff is available. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me know if he has any particular district in mind.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he has made any estimate as to the increase in the number, of road vehicles likely to be licensed over the next five years; and whether he is satisfied that adequate provision has been made to ensure that any parallel increase and improvement in roads will take place.

With reference to the first part of the Question, any estimate of the increase likely to take place in the number of road vehicles must be conjectural. With regard to the second part of the Question, as I said in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight(Sir P. Macdonald) yesterday, I hope to make a statement on highway policy as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will arrange for an early and substantial increase in the supplies of spare parts for private and commercial motor vehicles.

I am giving special attention to this matter with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will explain the recent cancellation of leave trains on the Southern Railway.

I am informed that the cancellation of leave trains on the Southern Railway on Sundays 29th July and 5th and 12th August was due to the failure of railwaymen to report for duty on these days.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that under existing law where a bag or suitcase is lost or stolen from the cloak room of a railway company, the railway company can repudiate all liability if the case and its contents exceed in aggregate £5 in value unless a special declaration has been made of its value; and whether he will amend the law so as to ensure that in the absence of such declaration compensation should be payable to the extent of £5.

The conditions under which articles are received in railway cloak rooms, including the limitation of liability for loss, miss-delivery, detention or damage appear to be reasonable. Notification of

		Total number of trains between 6.0 a.m. and 11 p.m.
		Monday/Friday.		Saturday.		Sunday.
Stations.		West bound.	East bound.	West bound.	East bound.	West bound.	East bound.
Earls Court to Wimbledon	…	95	97	109	109	61	58
Earls Court to Ealing Broadway	…	131	130	124	122	64	66
		Widest Interval
		mins.	mins.	mins.	mins.	mins.	mins.
Earls Court to Wimbledon	…	20	20	20	20	20	24
Earls Court to Ealing Broadway	…	12	10	10	10	15	15
		Shortest Interval.
		mins.	mins.	mins.	mins.	mins.	mins.
Earls Court to Wimbledon	…	4	4	4	4	10	15
Earls Court to Ealing Broadway	…	3	4	4	4	10	10

The ordinary single and return fares from Earls Court to Wimbledon and from Earls Court to Ealing Broadway, are as follows: —
		Single.	Return.
Earls Court to Wimbledon	…	9d.	1/6d.
Earls Court to Ealing Broadway	…	6d.	1/0d.

asked the Minister of War Transport (1) what is the reason for the present shortage of sleeping-car rolling-stock on the railways between London and Scotland; and what steps are being taken to deal with the present con-

asked the Minister of War Transport the number of through trains between Earls Court and Wimbledon stations, and between Earls Court and Ealing Broadway stations, respectively, on the District section of London Transport, and vice versa, between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. on each weekday from Monday to Friday; the number on Saturday and the number on Sunday in each week; the longest and shortest interval between each train on both sections on those days; and the ordinary fares, both single and return, from Earls Court to Wimbledon and Earls Court to Ealing Broadway.

The information asked for is furnished in the following statistical table: gested conditions in this form of travel on the night trains to and from Scotland;(2) when he expects to be able to remove 'his wartime control of passenger sleeping accommodation on the railways between London and Scotland, in order that the railways may allot sleeper accom- modation not only to Government employees but to other members of the general public obliged to travel at short notice for business or similar reasons.

The heavy passenger traffic between London and Scotland has necessitated the running of trains of maximum load and has limited the numbers of sleeping cars that can be attached to the trains. At the same time it has been necessary to reserve a large proportion of the available berths for allocation to hon. Members travelling between the House and their constituencies and to members of the Services and others travelling on urgent Government business. I am actively reviewing the possibility of reducing the number of reservations, and I hope in the near future to release considerably more berths for engagement by the public in the ordinary way.In addition I hope it may be possible to arrange for some additional sleeping accommodation to be provided as from the beginning of October when the winter time-table comes into operation.

asked the Minister of War Transport what is the total annual cost of the concessions recently made to railwaymen.

The cost of the recent concessions to the salaried staffs and conciliation grades of the main line railways is estimated by the railway companies at approximately £15,500,000 a year.

asked the Minister of War Transport if cargo space is now available between France and London for goods for which import licences have been granted.

Cargo space between France and the United Kingdom is available to meet the programme requirements of the two countries. Space is made avail-able for goods for which import licences have been granted, and which are covered by the general programme.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that a number of obsolete drifters have recently been permitted by his Department to prosecute the fishing in an unseaworthy condition; and whether he will ensure that in future all such craft are refused a certificate.

No, sir I am not aware of any such cases, but I will have further inquiries made. If the hon. Member can supply particulars which would enable me to identify the fishing craft in question I would be pleased to receive them.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that exorbitant charges are being made on some ships by officers for tobacco and other stores; and if he will take steps to deal with the position.

I understand that it is the practice for masters voluntarily to purchase supplies of tobacco and other stores for resale to their crews, and that owners have been asked to give instructions to masters that the cost to the crew should only include a reasonable margin over cost price to cover insurance, wastage and a small profit. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with details of alleged exorbitant charges I shall be happy to inquire into them.

asked the Minister of Works what are his intentions in reference to the hostel at Rotherham built and furnished over seven months ago by the Government for youths directed to the mines, with accommodation for 400 people, but which has not yet been used; and in view of the great need for houses in this area, whether he will meet representatives of the local governing body with a view to handing over the hostel to the local authority.

It is the policy to use these hostels, when they are not required for the purpose for which they were built, for other Government purposes for which they are better adapted than for housing, thereby making it possible to release houses or other useful buildings. In this case, however, I am arranging for the hostel referred to in the question to be offered, through the Ministry of Health, to the local authority.

asked the Minister of Works how many hotels are still requisitioned by his Department; and whether, in view of the lack of holiday accommodation, any accelerated programme of release is to be applied.

Three hundred and sixty-five hotels, including the larger type of boarding house, are still held under requisition by my Department. The urgent need for releasing holiday accommodation is fully appreciated and hotels will be derequisitioned as soon as alternative accommodation can be provided for the occupants or the services for which they are at present required can be terminated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what proportions it is proposed to allocate the moneys available under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act as between British territories in the Far East, Africa and the West Indies.

I am giving consideration to this important matter, with a view to reaching an early decision. When that decision has been reached, I will certainly inform the House of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is considering any modification in the system of government operating pre-war in the State of North Borneo on the liberation of that territory from the Japanese.

Yes, Sir. Discussions have been taking place between representatives of my Department and the Court of Directors of the British North Borneo (Chartered) Company with a view to reaching agreement on the question of the assumption by His Majesty's Government of direct responsibility for the administration of the territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are proposed to secure the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Georgetown, British Guiana, following the recent fire.

The Colonial Government has prepared a Bill to provide administrative machinery for the control and financing of a lay-out on improved and modern lines of the area destroyed by fire. That Bill has been referred to the several parties interested in the area, and after any representations by them have been considered, it will be introduced into the Legislative Council. The Town Planning Adviser to the Comptroller for Development and Welfare was consulted regarding the replanning of the area and proposals are being considered for the appointment of a separate planning officer for British Guiana.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position of the strike in Nigeria; approximately how many are now involved; and by what percentage wages and the cost of living have risen since 1939.

On 6th August the President and Secretary of the Committee of Nigerian Government Technical Workers announced that the general strike had been officially called off with effect from midnight on 4th August, and the workers in Lagos had been instructed to report for duty not later than Tuesday, 7th August. It is understood that there was a general return to work on that day, though there may have been some delay in return to work in the Provinces owing to time taken for strike delegates from Lagos to reach the outstations. The number of men on strike at one time was approximately 32,600 A system of cost-of-living allowances on a tapering scale applicable to wages and salaries up to £220 per annum was introduced in June, 1942, with retrospective effect from October, 1941. The rate of allowance varies with the districts, but in Lagos it is 100 per cent, increase on the basic wage. The cost-of-living index has risen from 100 in 1939 to 170 in July, 1945. It is hoped to hold a conciliation meeting next Friday between the union delegates and heads of departments concerned under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to discuss the demands of the workers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position of the railway strike in Nigeria; what other strikes are in progress in that country; what instances of sabotage there have been; and, in view of the fact that tin is not reaching Lagos and that letters and cables are not coming through, will he inform the House of the general position there and what action he proposes to take.

On 6th August the President and Secretary of the Committee of Nigerian Government Technical Workers announced that the general strike had been officially called off with effect from midnight on the 4th August and the workers in Lagos had been instructed to report for duty not later than Tuesday, 7th August. It is understood that there was a general return to work on that day though there may have been some delay in return to work in the Provinces owing to the time taken for strike delegates from Lagos to reach the outstations. The number of men on strike at one time was approximately 32,600. There are no other strikes in progress in Nigeria. The only case of sabotage reported by the Acting Governor was the derailment of one train, fortunately without casualties. During the strike it was only possible to maintain a very restricted railway service to ensure distribution of food-stuffs and other essential supplies and the evacuation of exports was severely affected. Now that the strike has ended, conditions should soon become more normal, but the result of the strike is bound to be felt for some time to come.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement respecting the reorganisation of the Kenya Government as outlined in Sessional Paper No. 3; and whether it is now proposed to reconsider this so as to ensure a larger share of administration by Africans.

The reorganisation is not a constitutional change, but is designed to modernise and increase the efficiency of the Government machine, with particular reference to the execution of the development programme and the co-ordination of the work of the Departments dealing with agriculture, animal husbandry and natural resources. The scheme was approved by my predecessor and has been passed by the Kenya Legislative Council; and it is now in process of being put into effect. I am placing a copy of Sessional Paper No. 3 in the Library of the House.With regard to the second part of the Question, I am anxious to see Africans play their part in the administration to the full extent that they are qualified to do so, and I know that the Governor of Kenya is entirely of the same opinion. The Sessional Paper states that Africans will be represented both on the Central Board of Agriculture and on provincial and district bodies, while the Chief Native Commissioner, who is in the closest touch with African opinion, will be a co-opted member of Development Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what assistance has been promised to the Malayan Rubber Estate Owners Company, Limited, and its principals; and what commissions are payable to members of the new company on purchases and on sales, respectively.

The company has been formed this year for the express object of ensuring a fair distribution among all companies and owners of over 100 acres, of the equipment and services which will be in short supply, subject to the over-riding need for the maximum production of rubber to meet world demands. It is intended that the company will remain in being only so long as these shortages obtain. The company has been promised support in securing priority for supplies of equipment, shipping and other facilities which could properly be given by the Government but does not require any financial assistance from the Government. As regards the second part of the Question, the directors are not entitled to any remuneration from the company except in respect of special services. The company is empowered, in order to cover its expenses, to charge a commission on goods supplied or in respect of services performed. It is not intended that its operations shall be conducted for the purpose of making profits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the latest available estimate of the total population of Palestine, other than Transjordan; how many of this number are Jews and Arabs, respectively; what, in square miles, is the estimated cultivable area of the country; and how many square miles, believed to be cultivable, are estimated to be still uncultivated.

The estimated population of Palestine at 31st December, 1944, was:

Moslems	…	1,061,277
Jews	…	528,702
Christians	…	135,547
Others	…	14,096
Total	…	1,739,624

Of the Moslems, Christians and others it is estimated that 1,180,000 are Arabs.The estimated area of Palestine regarded as "cultivable" for fiscal purposes is 3,410 square miles; but I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Chapter IX of the Report of the Royal Commission on Palestine (Cmd. 5479) for an explanation of the difficulty of estimating how much land is in fact capable of cultivation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the present political and economic situation in Malta.

I am not at present in a position to make a statement on the present political and economic situation in Malta, but I am going into all these matters in consultation with the Governor, who is now in this country, and they are receiving my close attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress has been made towards arriving at an agreement on copyright as between His Majesty's Government and the U.S.S.R.

There is still no copyright convention between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government, and during the war it was not found possible to make any progress towards an agreement with the Soviet Government on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it was agreed at the Potsdam Conference that neutral countries shall be admitted to the world organisation only on condition that they are prepared to contribute economically, on a Lend-Lease basis, to the building up of prosperity among the United Nations and particularly of ex-occupied Allied countries; and, if not, whether, so far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, he will strive to conclude an agreement at the September meeting of the Foreign Minister's Council.

No, Sir. The question of the admission of States to the United Nations is for that organisation itself to decide. As far as His Majesty's Government are concerned they have nothing to add to the statement on this subject issued at the conclusion of the Potsdam Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the present personal and property rights of Polish citizens referred to in the Potsdam Agreement.

The passage in the Berlin communiqué to which the hon. Member refers expressed the expectation of the three Powers that whatever personal rights and rights of property may be enjoyed by Polish citizens under Polish law should be accorded equally to Poles returning from abroad. In so far as such rights in Poland may have been curtailed by war conditions, it is the hope of His Majesty's Government that full civil liberties may be restored as speedily as possible. The Prime Minister and I emphasised this view in our discussions with the Polish representatives at Potsdam.

asked the Prime Minister if Members of Parliament can be afforded the opportunity of visiting the British occupied zone in Germany, with a view to seeing how military government works.

I have been asked to reply. There is no objection to organised parties of Members of Parliament visiting the British occupied zone of Germany providing conditions in that country remain as at present. Members will no doubt make their wishes known through the usual channels and then we can consider detailed arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that British supplies will not be drawn upon to feed German civilians.

No supplies from United Kingdom food stocks have been sent to Germany for consumption by German civilians, and it is not anticipated that any such supplies will be so sent.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will inform the House what arrangement he has made to enable the House to be kept in constant contact with the process of German economic rehabilitation in the British zone of occupation; to whom questions on this subject are to be addressed; and if an officer of the German Economic Commission has been detailed to compile information on the progress of the activities of the Commission.

The Economic Division of the British Element of the Control Commission report on economic affairs in Germany to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, to whom questions on these matters should be addressed.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether there is any immediate prospect of a restoration of the business reply envelope system.

The business reply service was suspended as a war-time measure in order to economise man-power. The intention is to restore the service as soon as man-power considerations permit and the necessary supply of forms can be obtained.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if his attention has been drawn to the excessive delays in obtaining trunk and other telephone calls and the consequent waste of national effort; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why it now takes so long to get replies from the trunk and toll exchanges, respectively, in the London area.

I am aware of the present difficulties in obtaining an answer from telephone operators, particularly in the London area. The reason is an acute shortage of operating staff, combined with an increase of traffic since hostilities in Europe ended. The staff shortage is greatest in London. I am doing every thing in my power to obtain the necessary additional staff, and I have every expectation that with the end of hostilities, recruits will be forthcoming in larger numbers.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will re-examine the substance of the letter addressed by the Postal Services department of the G.P.O. to the British and Latin-American Chamber of Commerce dated nth June last (reference 25894); if improvements have taken place in the air-mail services to Latin America; and if further revision of air-mail rates is under consideration.

I have read the letter and, while I have no information regarding transmission times of correspondence to Latin America, I am glad to say that in the reverse direction transmission times of air mail correspondence from South America to this country have shown much improvement, the latest air mails from the Argentine and Brazil having arrived in about ten days. I hope that the circumstances which have brought about the improvement will be found to have operated in the outward direction also; but if the hon. Member will bring any cases of delay to my notice I will have inquiry made. No further revision in the air postage rates, which are based upon the cost of air conveyance is at present under consideration.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the frequency of the air mail services to His Majesty's Forces in the Azores; and if he is satisfied that these services are sufficient to meet their reasonable needs.

Mails are carried by all available air outlets. A twice weekly air service is provided and meets the reasonable needs of the Forces.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, owing to the shortage of staff, through illness, sorting of the first post in the Members' Post Office, House of Commons, was not complete by 12.20 p.m. on Monday, 20th August; and whether he will provide additional staff as a margin against contingencies.

Yes, Sir. The requisite adjustment of staff at the House of Commons Post Office has been made, and steps are being taken which will, I hope, prevent a recurrence of the trouble.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the growing dissatisfaction with the delay in paying war gratuities to officers and men released from the Fighting Services, and will he now announce the date of payment.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Harrow (Mr. Bower) by my right hon. Friend yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for the assistance of the Legal Aid Scheme to be available to the wives of serving men who have been informed by their husbands serving overseas of the husband's misconduct, so that the wife may obtain evidence which is not procurable through any channel but the military on which to procure a divorce.

This scheme was brought into existence to help members of the Forces. Its effective operation depends largely on the good will and co-operation of the legal profession, and to depart from the principles and limits agreed with the profession might endanger the service which is now so generously given to the men themselves. I do not, therefore, feel justified in pressing for its extension to the wives of Service men who, as members of the general public, already possess certain facilities of the kind.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now speed up the derequisitioning of private houses, public halls and buildings throughout the country, which remain under the control of his Department.

Every effort is being made to release as speedily as possible all types of premises now held under requisition, but it will be appreciated that the Army accommodation commitments must continue to be met and that general derequisitioning cannot proceed more rapidly than the reduction of commitments will allow. As the hon. Member is aware small houses and schools are given priority.

asked the Secretary of State for War if men of the C.M.F. and S.E.A.C. who return to this country for demobilisation after more than three years' overseas service without home leave, will be granted 28 days' privilege leave, in addition to 56 days' demobilisation leave.

As explained by my right hon. Friend yesterday in answer to a similar Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Aston, Birmingham (Major Wyatt), regarding men transferred from C.M.F. to B.L.A., the privilege leave in question is not admissible unless the soldier remains in the Army; if he is released as soon as he returns from overseas his release leave becomes due immediately.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether steps will now be taken to bring home those who are due for leave and are serving in the Austrian and Italian zones, regardless of the date of their demobilisation.

Men are being brought on leave from these theatres as rapidly as transport facilities will allow and with the restoration of overland communications the position is improving very considerably. But there must still be some form of selection for leave. It would be wasteful of manpower and transport to send men home on leave where they are nearing the date for repatriation; this would also involve the exclusion of men who still have a long period to serve overseas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement indicating the Government's intentions regarding repayment of post-war credits to civilians and Servicemen.

If the hon. Member refers to the pay credits earned by Servicemen and Civil Defenders, these are, of course, being paid now as release benefits into accounts opened for the beneficiaries in the Post Office Savings Bank. If, however, my hon. Friend is referring to Income Tax credits, I regret that this is not a matter on which a statement can be made at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that he will exempt forthwith from Purchase Tax gas and electric cookers for those who have to reside in reconditioned houses; and consider exempting all those required for more modern equipment in existing homes.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 21st August in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Central Hackney (Mr. H. Hynd).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the cost of building permanent houses is considerably increased by the effect of Purchase Tax upon the prices of equipment such as cookers, refrigerators and boilers; and whether he will undertake to review this matter with a view to remedial action at an early date.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 21st August in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Central Hackney (Mr. H. Hynd).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to assist in the equipment of houses, both new and old, he will exempt from Purchase Tax cooking and other equipment which uses gas.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 21st August in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Central Hackney (Mr. H. Hynd).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent high-ranking civil servants and their staffs, domiciled temporarily in Paris and Brussels, respectively, and travelling backwards and forwards, are exempted from Income Tax on their salaries and living free of expense while in these countries; how many are involved; what is the loss to the Treasury; whether they are entitled to extra clothing coupons; and why are their wives allowed to accompany them.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the staffs of the Ministry of Supply and Ministry of Aircraft Production, since the Question was originally addressed to the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production. All established civil servants are liable to tax under Schedule E on their salaries while serving abroad. Whether the salary of a temporary civil servant employed abroad is chargeable under Schedule E depends on the circumstances of the case. If it is not so chargeable liability arises under Schedule D on the basis of the amount received in or remitted to this country in any year for which the officer is, for Income Tax purposes, resident in the United Kingdom. Under Section 18 of the Finance Act, 1943, foreign service allowances granted to Crown servants abroad which are certified by the Treasury to represent compensation for the extra cost of having to live outside the United Kingdom in order to perform their duties are not liable to tax. The abnormal conditions which prevail in North-West Europe make it necessary to provide free accommodation and food as part of the usual allowances. The total number of Ministry of Supply and Ministry of Aircraft Production staff temporarily domiciled in Paris and Brussels is 56. Of these nine are established and 47 are temporary civil servants. Officers going abroad on official work may apply to the Board of Trade for a small allowance of supplementary coupons. Only one civil servant has his wife with him in Paris. The possibility of permitting civil servants serving in North-Western Europe to have their wives with them, where transport and accommodation permit, is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to amend the incidence of motor taxation, so that a rate of £5 per car plus a petrol tax shall be substituted for the existing horse power taxation based on the bore and stroke of cylinders.

I am reviewing the future of motor taxation, and hope to make a statement shortly after the House reassembles.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether special funds will be made available for the rehabilitation of civilian internees in the Far East, some of whom have received no pay during the war and are destitute; and if he will make a statement on the position.

The Government have every desire to deal as sympathetically as possible with the problems of these victims of Japanese aggression. Plans are already in hand under which, at the cost of United Kingdom or Colonial Funds, British internees will be assured of free transport to this country, free medical treatment where necessary, and grants to assist them to set up homes in this country, or alternatively, free return passages to the Far East. In the matter of pay pensionable employees of H.M. Government will be eligible for their full accrued pay, and I understand that in the case of Colonial Government servants a similar policy will be adopted. Employees of private concerns must, I think, look to their own employers, but in cases of need the Government will accord them the full benefits of the assistance machinery available in this country for all citizens of this country who have suffered destitution as the result of the war.In these circumstances I do not consider that the provision toy the Exchequer of a special fund such as the hon. and gallant Member has in mind is necessary, but the Government propose to ask Parliament to vote a contribution to the Far Eastern Relief Fund, which is the chief non-Government agency to which recourse may be made for special assistance not covered by the Government scheme.

asked the Minister of Information to what extent the overseas postal censorship still continues; and to which overseas countries this censorship-still continues.

Censorship in this country of letters originating in or destined for the United Kingdom has now ceased except in the case of such correspondence to and from Bulgaria, China (Unoccupied), Portugal, Roumania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The latter censorship will cease within the next few weeks. The censorship permit system, which covers picture postcards, photographs, newspapers, parcels, etc., will cease on 25th August.

asked the Minister of Information whether the censorship of letters and communications between places in the United Kingdom has now been totally suspended.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Information whether the monitoring and censorship of inland telephone conversations has now ceased.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Information to what countries letters and Press messages can still not be despatched except after submission to censorship.

As regards censorship of letters, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of to-day's date to a Question by the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Sir D. Thomson). As regards Press censorship, the surrender of the Japanese military forces has not yet been completed and the machinery of Press censorship, like other military precautions, will continue until these forces cease to be capable of offensive action.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that the trunk telephone service between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is still subject to censorship; and, as the necessity for military security no longer exists, will he put an end to this practice.

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. Censorship of telephone communications between Great Britain and Northern Ireland ceased on 7th June. If, however, the hon. Member has any specific case in mind and will furnish me with full particulars I shall be happy to have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Information, in view of the Japanese surrender and the fact that all Press censorship has ceased in the U.S.A., why such censorship is being continued in Great Britain; and when it is proposed that it should cease.

The surrender of the Japanese military forces has not yet been completed, and the machinery of Press censorship, like other military precautions, will continue until these forces cease to be capable of offensive action.

asked the Minister of Information the number of officers and clerical staff, excluding driver - projectionists and service engineers, employed in each regional office on the organisation of Government films.

The number of clerical and higher staff, excluding driver-projectionists and service engineers, employed in each regional office of the Ministry of Information on the exhibition of Government documentary films is as follows (counting as halves staff who devote only part of their time to this work):

Region		No.
Northern	…	4
North Eastern	…	5
North Midland	…	4½
Eastern	…	4½
London and South Eastern	…	6
Southern	…	5
South Western	…	6
Wales	…	5
Midland	…	5
North Western	…	6
Scotland	…	4
Northern Ireland	…	1½

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the large number of admirable specialised films that his Department have produced and are producing at substantial cost, he will consider augmenting the regional staff so as to ensure that the best results are obtained in showing the films to the public.

My ban. Friend will appreciate that there is still a general shortage of manpower, but the showing of these specialised films is already given a high priority, and each region has a films officer with a competent staff to assist him.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory and inadequate technical equipment being used by the regional staffs; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy these defects and thereby ensure the best results in the showing of films.

The equipment used for the showing of Ministry of Information films was the best obtainable in this country at the time of its installation. Now that British manufacturers of 16 m.m. film projectors are freed from the pressure of war contracts this Ministry and the Ministry of Supply are doing everything in their power to assist the production of equipment which will compare favourably with any in the world.

asked the Minister of Information the average number of film shows organised in each regional office during the month of March, 1945.

The total number of film shows given in all Regions during March, 1945, was 5,634, divided among the Regions as follows:

Northern	…	349
North Eastern	…	555
North Midland	…	472
Eastern	…	305
London and S. Eastern	…	552
Southern	…	337
S. Western	…	440
Western	…	465
Midland	…	621
N. Western	…	865
Scotland	…	590
N. Ireland	…	83

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed at the present time.

At 16th July, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 111,825 persons registered at employment exchanges in Great Britain as wholly unemployed, 898 registered as temporarily suspended from work on the understanding that they were shortly to return to their former employment, and 745 registered as unemployed casual workers. The number wholly unemployed is exclusive of 19,955 persons who had been classified as unsuitable for ordinary employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women on half-time, part-time or on redundant work in factories at the present time; and, if exact figures are not available, whether he will give an approximate estimate.

Precise information is not available, but it is estimated that at the end of June approximately 360,000 women were in part-time paid employment in manufacturing industries. It is expected that during the next few months the number of men and women employed on munitions work will be reduced by at least 1,500,000.

asked the Minister of Labour under what conditions skilled men serving with the Forces may be loaned to civilian employers; and whether he will ensure that all concerned are fully informed of the scheme.

My Department is able to seek the loan of skilled or unskilled military personnel in an emergency when civilian labour is not available for urgent work of national importance and consults with the local representatives of the trade unions concerned. The employer to whom such a loan is made is required to pay to the War Office the normal civilian rate for the job. My Local Officers and the Production Departments are fully informed of this scheme and put it into operation wherever necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, with, a view to the provision of an adequate supply of assistants and workers for the retail shops, and to reducing the volume of queues throughout the country, arrangements will be made for a substantial release of women employed in Government offices and the Services, who will undertake to engage and be employed in this category.

Substantial numbers of women are being released from the Auxiliary Services and those released in Class A will be free to take up employment as shop assistants if they so desire. Release in Class B must, in accordance with the White Paper, be confined to persons identified as belonging to particular occupational classes required for certain urgent reconstruction employments, and it would be contrary to the principles of the release scheme to release persons out of their turn merely on their undertaking to enter certain employment in which they were not formerly engaged. The very extensive cuts which are being made immediately in munition production should also make substantial numbers of women available for employment in retail distribution. As regards Government Departments, it is not yet dear to what extent the cessation of hostilities will affect their staffing, but reductions are being and will be made wherever possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make on the conclusion of a monetary agreement between this country and Denmark.

A Monetary Agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Danish Government was signed on 16th August. It provides a satisfactory mechanism of payments between the sterling area and Denmark, and will thus facilitate the resumption of Anglo-Danish trade. The text of the Agreement has been presented to Parliament and copies are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total indebtedness of the U.S.S.R. to Britain; and how much has been written off.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind advances to the Government of the U.S.S.R. in respect of supplies from this country. The outstanding indebtedness at the present moment is £44,580,000 on credits granted in respect of war-time supplies and £368,387 in respect of the credit granted by the Exports Credit and Guarantee Department under the Agreement of 1936. Repayments in respect of both these credits have been made punctually as they became due and nothing has been written off either of the above debts.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the varying circumstances and conditions which prevail in the local authority areas, he will so amend the regulations that the three classes of building operations, partially damaged houses, houses destroyed and new houses may go forward on parallel lines and that licences and permits for all three classes shall be issued forthwith to builders and builders' merchants who possess, or can obtain, the necessary labour and materials.

Licences for the repair of damaged houses, the rebuilding of demolished houses and the building of new houses are at present issued by local authorities in all cases where it is possible to do so without detriment to the authority's own programme of building and repair.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider the present arrangements relating to men who are discharged from the Army suffering from tuberculosis so as to ensure that such institutional treatment as they may from time to time require should always be a charge upon the State.

The responsibility for treatment of tuberculosis rests upon local authorities. Where the Ministry of Pensions accepts a case of tuberculosis in a man discharged from the Army as attributable to or aggravatd by war service, payment is made by that Department to the local authority concerned at an agreed capitation rate in respect of approved cases of institutional treatment. In any other case the cost of such treatment is borne by the local authority's tuberculosis service, which attracts Exchequer grants.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been built and how many reconditioned under the terms of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "None." The Act does not provide assistance for the construction of new houses. Under the provisions of the Act, assistance has been been provided for work on 32,777 houses in Scotland up to 30th June, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps the Government proposes to take to encourage the building and reconditioning of houses for rural workers from 30th September, 1945, the date of the expiry of the Housing (Rural Workers) (Scotland) Act, 1942; and from what date the contemplated assistance will become operative.

I am awaiting a report by the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee on the measures that might be taken to facilitate the modernisation of existing houses. Meantime I can only assure the hon. and gallant Member that in considering the measures that may be necessary to improve housing conditions in Scotland I shall not overlook the needs of Scottish rural workers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many man shifts were lost through strikes in the coal industry for the year ended 31st March, 1945.

The number of man shifts lost through disputes in the coal industry for year ended 31st March, 1945, was 915,000.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the average daily earnings of workers in the coal mines for the year ending at the latest convenient date.

Average cash earnings per man shift worked by all wage-earners in the coalmining industry amounted to 22s. 2½d. during the year ended 31st March," 1945.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, if he will give the latest available figures of output per head in the coal industry; the last available figures before the existing system of Government control was instituted in 1942; and, separately, the average output per head in 1938.

Output per head for the second quarter of 1945 was 61.1 tons. The figure for the second quarter of 1942 was 70.5 tons. Corresponding figures for the years 1938 to 1944 are in table 3 of the 1944 Statistical Digest (Cmd. 6639).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that, despite assurances given by his Ministry on 22nd June and 31st July last, and despite some temporary improvement caused by the installation of a booster, the domestic gas supply at Witham, Essex, is so inadequate that it took one housewife 27 minutes to boil a kettle on the morning of 19th August; and if he will take immediate steps to improve this service.

I am aware that the gas supply at Witham is not satisfactory. I understand that the cause of the present trouble is that it has been necessary for the undertaking to shut down part of the carbonising plant for repairs and that the amount of gas that can be manufactured in the remainder is not sufficient to meet fully existing demands unless coal of better gas-making quality can be supplied. It is anticipated that all the plant will be in production by Sunday next, 26th August.

asked the Minister of Education what advice she has given to local education authorities for their guidance in the distribution of posts of special responsibility in schools; and how many of these posts have so far been given to graduates and to non-graduates, respectively.

I have not given any advice to local education authorities on this matter and before considering whether it would be proper for me to do so I must await the submission by the Burn-ham Committees of their full reports which will include provisions for the detailed application of the approved scales. I regret that I am not in a position to give the detailed information asked for in the latter part of the question.

asked the Minister of Education which local education authorities have reduced the holidays of grammar schools and technical colleges under their control below both the maximum allowed by her Ministry and the period enjoyed in pre-war years; and what steps is she taking to bring to the notice of these local authorities that this reduction of leisure and increase in hours of work in the grammar schools which prepare for School Certificate, Higher School Certificate, and University Scholarship examinations is not calculated to maintain the quality of their teaching.

I have no precise information on the first part of the hon. Member's Question, but apart from London and certain extra-metropolitan areas, the number of cases which have been brought to my notice is very small. When the matter has received further consideration, I will decide whether any steps in the direction suggested in the second part of the Question are called for.

asked the Minister of Education if she will state the names of the teachers on the committees approved by her under Section 89 of the Education Act, 1944, for considering the remuneration of teachers, with the academic and professional qualifications of these teacher-members, and a note of the schools in which each has taught.

The members of the teachers' panels of the Burnham Committees are not appointed individually by the Minister of Education but are nominated by the associations which they represent, and I regret that I am unable to supply the detailed information for which the hon. Member asks. The associations so represented are, on the Burnham Main Committee: The National Union of Teachers, The Incorporated Associations of Head Masters and Head Mistresses, Assistant Masters and Assistant Mistresses in Secondary Schools, and the Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions; and on the Technical Committee: The Association of Principals in Technical Institutions, The Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions, The National Association of Art Masters, The National Federation of Continuative Teachers and The National Union of Teachers.

asked the Minister of Education how many recruits under the emergency scheme have already been admitted to teach in the secondary schools under the Education Act; how many students are at present undergoing such training; what is the current average number of pupils in a class at secondary schools; in how many instances it has been found necessary to prolong the period of emergency training beyond the single year hitherto scheduled as sufficient to admit the trainee to the status of qualified teacher; and what is the present proportion in the new secondary schools of graduate teachers.

The number of students who have so far completed an emergency course of training is18, but I cannot yet say to what posts they have been appointed. The number of students at present undergoing emergency training is 360. The latest figures available for the average number of pupils in a class relate to the last year before the war. In that year the average number of pupils per class in Secondary Schools was 23·7 and in Senior Departments of Elementary Schools 33·7. Ten students under the emergency training scheme have so far been referred for further training beyond the one year course. No recent figures are available showing the proportion of graduate teachers in secondary schools. In the last year before the war, however, the percentage in Secondary Schools was 78·4 and in Eelementary Schools 7·1. The overall percentage for Secondary and Elementary Schools was 16·4.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he will reduce the time taken to obtain tyres and tubes for rubber-tyred agricultural vehicles for which a permit has been obtained from the county war agricultural executive committee in view of the importance of doing everything possible to gather in the harvest.

Tyres and tubes for agricultural vehicles are issued as soon as possible after presentation of the permits. There is, however, still a severe shortage of all types of tyres, due mainly to lack of labour, and until that position improves delays may sometimes be unavoidable.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he will take into consideration the present conduct of waste paper salvage; and will stimulate greater activity in this branch of national economy in view of the shortage of paper and paper board for industrial use.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett).

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware that many housing plans are held up because no decision has yet been made about the improvement of the British road system, particularly the building of ring roads and by-passes around built-up areas; and what steps it is proposed to take to hasten these decisions about the post-war roadways of this country.

The arrangements made by my Department for relating the choice of housing sites to post-war road and other development plans are working smoothly, and I am not aware that housing plans for the immediate post-war programme are being held up for the reasons suggested. I am in close consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of War Transport on post-war highway developments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for surrendered H.G. and CD. uniforms to be utilised for meeting shortages of civilian clothing either in this country or in liberated countries.

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that Home Guard uniforms have not been surrendered, but are held by the individual officers and men on behalf of the War Office pending the official disbandment of the Home Guard. In the stand-down instructions issued to the Home Guard, it was announced that the uniforms would become the property of the individual personnel on disbandment. Civil Defence personnel are in general allowed to keep the uniform which has been issued to them, but many individuals have voluntarily surrendered it for relief purposes in Europe. In addition, substantial quantities of Civil Defence uniforms are becoming available for disposal, in accordance with the terms of the White Paper on the Disposal of Government Surplus Stores, and are being allocated, with other surplus stocks of clothing, for the relief of liberated areas or for release on the home market.