asked the Minister of National Insurance what proposals he has to make to meet the need of old age pensioners who are penalised by the increasing cost of living.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey) on Thursday, 11th October.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the maximum amount payable under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Bill to a single man and a man, wife and child or dependant, respectively, for temporary complete disability from industrial injury; and to a non-industrial worker similarly placed by sickness, under the present National Health Insurance Scheme.

Under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Bill as introduced in the House, the maximum amount for temporary complete disability during a period of 26 weeks from the date of the accident is, for a single man, 40s. a week. As I announced in the Debate on the Second Reading, I propose to move that this amount should be increased to 45. Additions of 16s. for a wife or other adult dependant and 7s. 6d. for a first child may be made. Under the present Health Insurance Scheme, the standard rate of benefit payable to a man during the first 26 weeks of incapacity is 18s. a week, no additions being made for dependants. This rate may be increased if the Approved Society of which the man is a member has adopted a scheme of additional benefits providing for such an increase.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the maximum amount payable as pension and all supplements to a single man and a man and wife and child or dependant, respectively, in the case of an unemployable industrial worker under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Bill at present, to an unemployable ex-member of the Forces, private, and to an unemployable man under the Civilian Injuries Scheme.

Under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Bill as introduced in the House the maximum amounts of pension and supplements when a man is deemed to be unemployable, are, for a single man, 60s., for a married man or a single man with an adult dependant 76s., and for a married man with one child, 83s. 6d. If the House accepts an Amendment which I propose to move in Committee then amounts will each be increased by 5s. The maximum amounts payable under the Royal Warrant to an ex-member of the Forces of the rank of private and under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme to a civilian, when the man is deemed to be unemployable, are the same as under the Bill as introduced. Under each of the three schemes, a further supplement of up to 20s. may be payable where the man is in need of constant attendance.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if transfers under the National Health Insurance Acts between approved societies, which were suspended as a wartime measure, can now be resumed.

The restoration of the right to make these transfers would throw a considerable amount of additional work on the staffs of the approved societies and my Department, and I regret, therefore, that I cannot see my way to propose the legislation which would be necessary in order to remove the suspension of this right by Section 13 of the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, during the period of the present emergency.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the restriction against bringing live show or racing pigeons into or out of Northern Ireland without a licence constitutes a hardship to Ulster pigeon breeders; and what steps he proposes to take now that the war is over to remove this control and to allow Northern Irish pigeon breeders the same facilities as breeders in Great Britain.

The Defence Regulation imposing this restriction was revoked by Order in Council on 28th September, 1945.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if, in view of public disquiet as to the recent R.A.F. court-martial proceedings on a Sunday in this country, he will direct the Services that this practice must be discontinued forthwith.

It is not the usual practice for courts-martial to sit on Sundays, but there were special reasons for this to be done in one recent case in the Royal Air Force. I may add that the decision to sit on Sunday was agreeable to counsel for the defence. In these circumstances my Noble Friend and my right hon. Friends the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for War do not consider that any special directions to the Services are necessary in this matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to take any steps to promote the regulation of fishing in the North Sea, so as to obviate a recurrence of the over fishing that occurred after the 1914–18 war with such disastrous results.

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have decided to convene as soon as possible an international conference of the countries concerned for the purpose of drawing up an agreement on the subject. My hon. and gallant Friend will realise, of course, that to be effective any agreement of this kind must be international in character.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider increasing the number of Appeal Tribunals and introduce Assessment Appeal Tribunals.

I understand that my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is hoping to increase the number of Entitlement Tribunals in England, which is at present 15, to 17 as from 1st December and to 20 as from 1st January. As regards Assessment Tribunals I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 12th October to the hon. Member for Hackney Central (Mr. H. Hynd).

asked the Minister of Pensions when he expects to be able to announce revisions of the Royal Warrant which will remove its present anomalies and increase the basic pension rate.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given to the hon. and gallant Member for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of crimes involving the use of firearms committed in the Metropolitan area during each of the last six months; and how these figures compare with a comparable period in 1939.

In the six months ended 31st August, 1945, 47 crimes in which firearms were used or carried were committed in the Metropolitan Police District. The figures for each of the six months in question were:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to check the illicit traffic in firearms.

I have no evidence that there is any considerable illicit traffic in firearms, though some cases have come to notice in which members of the Armed Forces have attempted to dispose of weapons irregularly brought back to this country from the Continent. It is contrary to regulations for soldiers to retain weapons taken from the enemy, and the military authorities have instituted stringent checks to ensure that such weapons are not brought here from abroad. It is an offence for anyone who is not a registered dealer in firearms to traffic in them, and any evidence that unauthorised persons are attempting to sell firearms should be brought to the attention of the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the names and nationalities of spies convicted in this country during the war and of the sentences passed upon them.

The following are the particulars asked for:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is in a position to state the Government's plans for the release of auxiliary policemen.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can yet make a statement respecting the demobilisation of the War Reserve Police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to order the release of the Police War Reserve.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement about the arrangements for the release of police auxiliaries, but I hope to do so at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the police force with rates of pay and conditions of service; and what action he proposes to take.

I am aware that some dissatisfaction has been expressed with the new and improved scales of pay for Constables and Sergeants which were introduced early this year by my right hon. Friend who was then Home Secretary. These scales were, however, accepted by all parties on the Police Council, including the Police Federation. The Federation made it clear that while they would have liked still higher rates they could not refuse the offer which would benefit the men. In my view, the new scales represent a fair and reasonable settlement. It was made clear, at the time when the new scales were introduced, that they would remain in force for three years before they were again reviewed unless there was some radical change in the economic conditions of the country, and I can find no grounds for re-opening the question. I have recently recommended to police authorities improved scales of pay for the ranks of Inspector and Superintendent.The conditions of service of the police are designed to meet their special position and responsibilities. These conditions are constantly under review by my Department in the light of representations by the Police Federation and discussions at the Police Council. It is inevitable that in the course of these discussions there should be some requests for modifications of conditions of service which the Government is unable to concede, but I can assure the House that the Federation's views have received, and will continue to receive, the most careful and sympathetic consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firemen are now serving with the N.F.S. in North Staffordshire; how this number compares with the number serving in 1938; and how many fires have been dealt with in this area in 1944 as compared with 1938.

I cannot give precise figures for 1938, but it is estimated that the number of whole-time firemen was 38 and the number of part-time firemen was 86, and there were about 220 fires to which the fire brigades were called. There are at present 229 whole-time and 196 part-time firemen, but these numbers will be reduced in the near future. The number of fires to which the Fire Service were called in 1944 was 341.

asked the Minister of Labour why the estimated number of operatives in the building trade for 10th May, 1946, is 50,000 less than was anticipated by the then Minister of Works on 23rd March, 1945.

The figure of 800,000 given by the former Minister of Works in the Debate on 23rd March related to the total number of insured men aged 16 and under 65 expected to be employed in the building industry at the end of June, 1946, and this figure included administrative and clerical workers as well as operatives. The figure of 750,000 given by me on 9th October relates to 10th May, 1946, and excludes administrative and clerical workers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that during the period of hostilities the Government were prevented from making any public pronouncement regarding the development of devices used by the Service Departments or the general progress and improvement in apparatus to counteract fog, he will now make a comprehensive statement on this matter and indicate the methods by which it is proposed to utilise the knowledge gained for the benefit of the public.

Fog dispersal by heat has been effected at certain airfields during the war by the use of petrol-burning installations generally described as FIDO. A number of these airfields are still available for the diversion of aircraft in emergency, and FIDO equipment is being installed at Heath Row, the projected civil airport for London. I am not at present aware of other possible uses, but I shall keep this aspect in view. Fog dispersal by FIDO can, however, only be undertaken for limited areas, as it involves considerable equipment and a heavy consumption of petrol.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the percentage of absenteeism in the mines at 1st September, 1945, 1st October, 1945, and at the latest available date, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on the publication of statistics relating to the coal mining industry in reply to a question from the hon. and gallant Member for Brighton (Flight-Lieutenant Teeling) on 16th October.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that 1,000 coalminers went on strike on 6th October, 1945; whether he has considered the statement issued by the manager of the pit, details of which have been sent to him; and what action he proposes to take.

I received the statement referred to late yesterday. This matter is one for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power, to whom I have forwarded the statement for consideration.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that air-mail communications between the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Forces in East Africa take as much as 20 days to arrive; and what steps are being taken to speed up this service.

I regret that there has been some delay in the arrival in East Africa of air mails containing correspondence for the Forces. Steps have been taken to effect an improvement, and I am informed that the mails are now arriving regularly and in good time.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, according to a document entitled "Air Mails," dated September, 1945, published by his Department, the rates for overseas air mail have been raised from, approximately, one-half the cost of carriage to, approximately, three times such cost; and that the rates now charged represent, in many cases, an increase of 1,000 per cent. over those charged in 1938–39; and will he inform the House how such increases affect the Empire Air-Mail Scheme.

All letters and postcards for Empire countries, and for Egypt, on the air routes to South Africa, India and Australia were carried by air under the Empire Air Mail scheme at the rates of 1½d. a half-ounce for letters and 1d. for postcards, these rates being related to the amount of the Post Office contribution to the costs of the scheme. It was necessary, owing to the heavy demand on aircraft capacity created by the war, to revert to the principle of an air surcharge, and the present rates of 1s. 3d. a half-ounce for letters, 6d. for air letters and 7d. for postcards were fixed, not in relation to costs of air conveyance, but in order to keep the mail loads within the limited amount of capacity which could be made available for mail transport. The effect of the change has been to increase the Post Office contribution to the costs of maintaining the Empire air services under war conditions.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what steps are to be taken to improve the inadequate postal facilities in this country, and to ensure quicker delivery of letters and parcels.

In common with other public undertakings, the Post Office is still faced with considerable difficulties arising out of shortage of staff and other consequences of the war. As from the 1st of October, four of the long-distance travelling post offices suspended during the war were re-introduced, and the latest times of posting in London and a number of provincial towns to secure delivery by first post the next day were improved. Further improvements will be made as the man-power and transport positions improve.

asked the Assistant Post-Master-General in what circumstances a subscriber is entitled to demand a detailed statement of his telephone account.

A list of all calls for which the charge exceeds 4d. is furnished to all subscribers. Where fuller details are required occasionally in regard to individual items, these are supplied free of charge. Should a subscriber desire to have fuller, details of such calls as a regular thing these are supplied, but a small additional charge is made to cover the extra clerical work involved.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of applications he has received for the installation of telephones in private residences in the London postal area from 1st January, 1945, to 30th September, 1945; the total of that number connected within that period; whether each application is dealt with in strict rotation; if he is aware that a period of three months elapses before any acknowledgment is sent to prospective subscribers; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

About 88,000 applications for telephone service were received in the London Telecommunications Region between 1st January, 1945, and 30th September, 1945, but it is not possible to say without a lengthy investigation into individual cases how many of these were from persons within the London postal area, which is somewhat smaller, or how many were in respect of private residences. Over 28,000 residence installations were completed during the period in the London Telecommunications Region.Priority as regards residential installations was given to applications from:Ministers of the Crown.Members of both Houses of Parliament.Lords Lieutenant.Key Officers of public utility undertakings (Gas, Water, Electricity, Railways, etc.) dealing with emergencies.National Fire Service: leading officers.Chief Constables.Mayors and Provosts.Judges and Sheriffs.County and Town Clerks.Stipendiary Magistrates.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to improve the service on the manual-operated telephones in the Metropolitan area.

Any improvement in the service given by the telephone exchanges referred to by the hon. Member depends on the recruitment of an increased number of operators, and I would refer him to the answer which I gave to the Question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Kingston-on-Thames (Major Boyd-Carpenter) on 11th October

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the cost to the Post Office of installing the single-handed type of telephone instrument as compared with the older type in which receiver and mouthpiece are in separate pieces; and the cost charged to the public of installing the two types, respectively.

The rental charges for subscribers' telephone service are the same, whatever type of telephone is provided; but the standard initial charge for connection, which varies from 5s. to 15s. according to circumstances (plus 15 per cent. surcharge), covers only the provision of the older (pedestal) type of telephone with separate receiver and transmitter pieces. A single extra connection charge of 5s. (plus 15 per cent. surcharge) is normally made for supplying the black hand-microphones in which the transmitter and receiver are in one piece. No telephones of the pedestal type have been purchased by the Post Office for a number of years, and it is therefore not possible to make a comparison of current costs of the two types.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why there is no telephone service between Britain and India; and when he proposes to institute such a service.

The re-opening of the telephone service between Britain and India has been proposed by the British Post Office, but has not been possible up to the present owing to practical difficulties in India.

asked the Minister of Education what steps she proposes to take to secure the abolition of fees in all schools which are in receipt of aid from public funds.

asked the Minister of Education when she proposes to abolish fees in all secondary schools which receive grants from public funds.

I do not propose to require the complete abolition of tuition fees in the comparatively small number of schools in which they are still permissible under the Regulations. My hon. Friends will, however, appreciate that even in these schools a considerable proportion of places are required to be free and the remainder are filled without regard to the income of the parents. The revised income scale limit which I have announced will secure that in no case is financial hardship involved to parents.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will reconsider her decision not to meet a deputation of the governors of Shaftesbury Grammar School concerning the placing of the Shaftesbury Grammar School on the direct grant list; and whether she is aware of the strong local feeling which her decision has aroused.

No, Sir. In reaching my decision I had all the relevant considerations before me, and I could not agree that local feeling affords a sufficient ground for reversing a decision based on the merits of the case submitted by the governors of the school.

asked the Minister of Education upon what principles she is deciding which schools, which were on the Direct Grant list on 1st April, 1945, should be on the new Direct Grant List.

The general principles are those recommended in paragraph 177 of the Fleming Committee's Report. An overriding consideration in all cases is the need for securing an adequate provision of free secondary education in the area; and in the case of applications from schools previously aided by the local education authority very special circumstances have to be shown before a school is accepted.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that though urgently required teachers are being released under Class B, qualified teachers who, as conscientious objectors, were, during the war, directed to agriculture, are not being allowed to return to their profession; and if, as this discrimination is unfair to the children, who are deprived of the teaching, as it is to the teacher, who is thus prevented from teaching, she will end this policy of discrimination.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service explained to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Major Beamish) on 16th October, he is examining the possibility of a release scheme for conscientious objectors who are registered on conditions, based on the principles of age and length of time conditionally registered. I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the further statement promised by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Education whether her Ministry stipulated that teachers working under a L.E.A. or a grant-aided school cannot apply for posts as teachers in Iraq in reply to the advertisement, a copy of which has been sent to her.

I am informed that this stipulation was included in the advertisement after consultations between the Royal Iraqi Legation and the British Council. Owing to the present shortage of teachers in this country, which I hope is temporary, the Ministry must try to limit the recruitment of teachers from grant-aided schools for service overseas, and we have made our views in the matter known to the British Council and to other bodies concerned.

asked the Minister of Education what financial inducements are contemplated to encourage aspirants to the teaching profession to take a university degree.

The salaries recommended for graduate as well as for other teachers in primary and secondary schools are set out in the report of the Burnham Committee which, as I informed the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) last week, I have recently approved. The report is now being printed and copies will shortly be available.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is prepared to raise the pay of supplementary teachers of over 20 years' standing to the level of that of new teachers who have had the benefit of training which was never available to such supplementary teachers; and will she be prepared to consider individual increases for service longer than 20 years by supplementary teachers.

No, Sir. Although I appreciate their devoted service, obviously I could not approve in the case of supplementary teachers the scales of pay applicable to qualified teachers. As regards the possibility of improving the pay of supplementary teachers, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) on 23rd August last, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Education what proportion of teachers have been released under Group B for service in elementary schools compared with secondary schools.

This information is not available, and I hesitate to add to the burdens on local education authorities and governing bodies of schools by calling for it specially.

asked the Minister of Education, in view of the support given by numerous professional bodies to the proposals for establishing university schools of education recommended in the McNair Report on the Training of Teachers, if she has any pronouncement to make with reference to those proposals or when she will be able to indicate the policy of the Ministry with regard to this matter.

I am examining carefully the recommendations of the McNair Committee's Report on the Training of Teachers, and, in particular, the proposals made for establishing university schools of education upon which the views of the universities have been sought. The issues involved are of first importance, but I hope, if my hon. Friend will allow me a little more time, that I shall be able to make a statement on the matter in the near future.

asked the Minister of Education if the provision of text-books for secondary grammar schools will be speeded up, observing that the King's School Macclesfield, has only just received 50 per cent. of the books ordered to be put into use at the beginning of this Michaelmas term.

The speeding up of the production of school text-books is in the hands of the publishers who, however, are themselves dependent upon supplies of labour and materials. So far as the supply of paper is concerned, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has already announced that the quota for books, which was raised from 42½ per cent. of the 1939 figure to 50 per cent. at the end of June last, is to be raised again to 65 per cent. as from the 28th of this month. As regards labour, apart from the speed-up in the release of members of the Forces, I understand that high priority is being given to the return of printers to their trade from their other war-time civilian occupations. I have every hope, therefore, that a definite improvement in the supply position of school text-books will become observable before very long.

asked the Minister of Education whether the ban on building in the London area has now been lifted in so far as building for educational purposes is concerned.

I am glad to be able to say, with the concurrence of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works, that in any case where building must be started if the Government's declared intention of raising the school-leaving age on 1st April, 1947, is to be carried into effect, the ban will no longer apply.

asked the Minister of Education what maintenance scholarships exist for training for the medical and dental professions; and what proportion of the total number of students are in receipt of such scholarships.

State scholarships and major awards by local education authorities may be held for the study of medicine and dentistry. These are the only awards with which my Department is concerned, apart from awards under the Further Education and Training Scheme. The figures asked for are not available in my Department, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the figures quoted on page 101 of the Report of the Inter-departmental Committee on Medical Schools published in 1944, and to paragraph 25 of the interim reports of the Inter-departmental Committee on Dentistry (Cmd. 6565).

asked the Minister of Education if any special arrangements have been made for the training of selected ex-Service personnel for the medical and dental professions.

Assistance under the Government's Further Education and Training Scheme would be available in suitable cases and subject to the usual conditions to ex-Service men and women wishing to study medicine or dentistry.

asked the Minister of Education how many classes of from 50 to 60 there are now in our primary and modern secondary schools; and how many of from 40 to 50.

The collection of detailed statistics was discontinued on the outbreak of war and cannot be resumed until the necessary clerical and other staffs are available. It is regretted, therefore, that the information required is not available.

asked the Minister of Education how many teachers it is proposed to train at a time at the Oakley Farm buildings at Cheltenham; how many it is estimated could be trained if Cowley Manor were used for this purpose instead; and on what date the latter place was inspected by a representative of her Ministry and declared unsuitable.

The office buildings at Oakley Farm will accommodate two colleges each of 200 students, all resident. Cowley Manor is too small to be used for even the smallest training college and could certainly not accommodate as many as 50 students. It was visited by one of His Majesty's Inspectors on the 18th July, 1945.

asked the Minister of Education whether students in training colleges, on two-year courses, may now be granted extension of deferment for a third year, to take the final examination for a degree in either arts or science, provided they have already passed the intermediate examination and have since pursued courses leading to the final examination.

No, Sir. Medically fit men students admitted to training colleges under the age of 18 on 1st October in the year of admission are regarded as engaged in a reserved occupation for two years of training, but no further period of reservation is allowed, either to take a degree or for any other purpose.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will send to heads of all secondary schools a clear statement of the Government's call-up policy, so that students, in planning their entrance into universities or industry, may know where they stand.

Any such statement of policy would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service. It would certainly be circulated by my Department to local education authorities and governing bodies.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken to prevent export industries losing, through the call-up of younger men, key workers upon whose skill the industries depend for the re-establishment of production and trade.

Young men employed in key positions in the export trades are retained in cases where, on the advice of the interested Government Department, this course is considered to be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pure-bred Highland bulls the Department of Agriculture now supplies; how they are distributed to areas in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland; and what were the equivalent numbers in 1930.

At the present time 74pure-bred Highland bulls, the property of the Department of Agriculture, are on loan to townships in the crofting areas. Their distribution is as follows:

asked the Minister of Works how many hotels, including private hotels, in Edinburgh are at present requisitioned by his Ministry; and when he anticipates being able to restore these buildings to their proprietors.

Five hotels in Edinburgh are at present held on requisition by the Ministry of Works, of which four are occupied by Government staffs and one as a hostel by the Empire Society War Hospitality Committee. In the absence of any alternative office accommodation, I regret that I am unable to indicate any specific period within which these premises can be returned to their owners, but every effort is being made to surrender hotel premises at the earliest possible date.

asked the Minister of Works how many dwelling-houses in Edinburgh are at present requisitioned by his Department, and the estimated number of such houses that can be released between now and 31st December, 1945.

Nineteen dwelling-houses in Edinburgh are at present requisitioned by the Ministry of Works, of which fourteen are occupied by Government staffs and the remainder for hostel or residential purposes. It is anticipated that one house will be released before 31st December, 1945. Dwelling-houses, particularly of the smaller type, continue to be derequisitioned in preference to other classes of property.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will give consideration to the further installation of amplifiers in the Chamber in view of the fact that many Ministers and Members cannot be heard.

The present arrangements under which loud speakers are installed in the Press Gallery and, at a distance of approximately 3 feet apart, on the floor of the House between the Gangway and the Bar were adopted after prolonged experiment, but the installation will be kept under observation and adjustments made from time to time if necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in order to stop the black market, he will call in all notes and issue new currency notes.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the difficulties caused by the inaccessibility of the Chief Inspector of Taxes (Departmental Claims) Branch of the Inland Revenue at Llandudno; and why all branches should not return to London in the immediate future.

Yes, Sir, but the difficulties of accommodation prevent a general return of evacuated Departments to London at present. Arrangements are, however, made for taxpayers to be seen in London or their home town when this is desired.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is still the hope that the provisions of the Double Taxation Agreement with the U.S.A. will be brought into effect in the current year; and whether he is in a position to give further details about the method of application.

Yes, Sir. The necessary detailed provisions will be included in the forthcoming Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the hidden reserves of the Bank of England; and if he will give the assurance that such funds will be used for the purposes for which they were collected and not appropriated to other purposes.

My right hon. Friend would prefer to deal with this Question and a number of related matters when he moves the Second Reading of the Bank Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Co-operative Wholesale Society is not subject to the same rules and regulations regarding Treasury deposit receipts as other banks.

Treasury deposit receipts are one of the means whereby the main deposit banks in the London market re-lend to the Government the additional deposits directly resulting from the excess of Government expenditure over revenue. It has, therefore, been thought appropriate to confine the arrangement to those particular banks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether war pensions are subjected to taxation when they constitute the dependant's sole source of income, in the same way as any income in excess of the free allowance is subject to taxation.

Pensions, other than disability pensions, granted in respect of service in the Armed Forces are income for Income Tax purposes. The amount of tax, if any, chargeable in the case of a pensioner depends, as in the case of any other taxpayer, on his total income and the allowances and reliefs to which he is entitled.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that spring-interior mattresses are the only things in the range of essential household furniture which are subject to Purchase Tax, and will he take steps to remove the tax from these goods.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Acton (Mr. Sparkes) on 10th October.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what day he proposes to fix as the appointed day for the purposes of the Income Tax Act, 1945.

I must ask the hon. Member to await my Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the delay in appointing a day under Section 45 of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act, 1945, is perpetuating an injustice admitted by Parliament; and whether he will now appoint the day.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 9th October to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Mr. A. R. Fraser, who has been elected to the Board of the Suez Canal Company, has retired, resigned or was seconded from the Civil Service.

No, Sir. Mr. Fraser remains a civil servant. He is Commercial Minister at the British Embassy at Paris, and took up the appointment of British Government Resident Director of the Suez Canal Company in October last, in addition to his other duties, without additional emoluments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the question of war gratuities has been reconsidered with a view to fuller recognition of the services rendered by other ranks by an increase in such gratuities.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 23rd August last to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he is prepared to provide foreign exchange for travel or emigration to destinations outside the sterling area.

With the abolition of the exit permit system announced recently, anyone with a valid passport may leave this country, though transport is very limited. I have decided that it would be right to make a modest provision of exchange for travel outside the sterling area, and I am therefore arranging that foreign exchange to a value not exceeding £100 for adults and £50 for children under 16 may be obtained for such journeys in the twelve months beginning 1st November, 1945. This is additional to the facilities already in operation for business travellers, which are not altered in principle though certain administrative changes are being introduced. The banks will shortly be in a position to answer inquiries about details.Persons leaving this country for permanent residence outside the sterling area must satisfy the Exchange Control that genuine emigration is intended. Pending recognition of the emigrant as a permanent resident in his country of adoption, the Exchange Control will allow each migrating household to draw from its funds here up to £5,000 by reasonable instalments, normally over a period of four years.These facilities will be kept under close review, and their continuance will depend on the exigencies of the exchange situation, which for the time being prevent their application to Switzerland.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many holidays with pay are granted annually to temporary messengers in the Government Departments; and how many holidays with pay are annually granted to temporary clerks with three months' service in Government Departments.

Temporary messengers, except where industrial conditions apply, are allowed twelve days' paid leave annually in addition to the usual paid public holidays. Temporary clerks are allowed 18 days' paid leave a year, again in addition to the usual paid public holidays.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether temporary messengers in Government Departments are granted sick pay during absence due to illness arising out of their employment.

Yes, Sir, up to a maximum of three weeks on full pay and thereafter three weeks on half pay, in any period of 12 months, after a qualifying period of 6 months.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Mr. Francis Williams and Mr. Douglas Jay, appointed to the Prime Minister's staff, are temporary civil servants or under a special contract; and what are the annual salaries of the two posts.

These two officers are temporary civil servants. Their salaries are, respectively, £2,000 and £1,700.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will agree to ex-Servicemen, who have not been full time at school up to their 16th birthday and who have not obtained a school certificate, being allowed to be competitors for the reconstructional examinations for the Clerical Class in the Civil Service.

No, Sir. The present conditions of entry which include substantial preferences for ex-Servicemen and women were worked out in discussion between the two sides of the Civil Service National Whitley Council. They have been approved by the House of Commons as being fair to all concerned.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how much requisitioned industrial floor-space was in occupation by his Ministry on 30th September.

The total area of requisitioned industrial floor space occupied by my Ministries on 30th September, 1945, was approximately 21,415,500 square feet.

asked the Minister of Health if he will arrange to publish monthly the returns of permanent and temporary houses built and occupied; the number of contracts let; and the cost of such houses, in a form which can be easily understood.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 9th October to the hon. Member for the Abbey Division of Westminster (Sir H. Webbe) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health the number of emergency and the number of permanent houses that have been started since the 1st August; and how many of these have been completed.

Since 1st August the erection has been begun of 5,580 temporary houses under the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act, 1944, in England and Wales. In the same period tenders for the erection by local authorities of 8,900 permanent houses have been approved, and licences have been issued for the provision of about 8,000 houses by private enterprise. I have no information showing how many of the permanent houses begun since 1st August have been completed, but 2,750 temporary houses have been completed since that date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider an extension of the limit of cost of £1,200 for which licences for house building are granted so as to exclude the cost of the land, especially in cases of leasehold sites.

The figure was deliberately devised to include the cost of land, and I have no evidence that it is inadequate for its purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that all Service men and women who have been married during the war and have not previously lived in the locality in which they wish to settle are unable to have their applications for a house accepted by any local authority because of no previous residential qualification; and will he consider what steps can be taken to remedy this anomaly.

Local authorities were requested in Circular 109/45 of 18th June last to entertain applications from men in H.M. Forces for housing accommodation in districts in which they intended to take up employment, notwithstanding that they had no previous association with those districts. I have also recently asked local authorities generally to review their conditions in regard to residential qualification with a view to adaptation to present circumstances

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the particulars sent to him of a number of houses requisitioned some months ago by the Cheltenham Town Council and still unoccupied because his Department has not yet sanctioned expenditure necessary to convert them into flats; and if, to prevent this in future, he will increase the amount local authorities are allowed to spend for this purpose without having to obtain his prior sanction.

I am looking into this case and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered adapting and making use of temporarily for housing purposes, pending the provision of more permanent accommodation, many of the Nissen and other huts now becoming derelict on disuse by the Services.

I have considered the extent to which suitable huts can be converted into temporary dwellings, and I hope shortly to issue a circular to local authorities on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that hundreds of houses in industrial areas have been rendered unfit for habitation due to bombing; that the usual orders are made upon the landlords; that in many cases the landlords are unable to get contractors to remedy the repairs owing to the difficulty of obtaining the necessary materials required; and if he is prepared to give priority to the local authorities affected to supply the materials required to the landlords who are willing to do the repairs.

Local authorities have been authorised to issue licences to private persons wishing to carry out repairs to war-damaged houses. Permits for materials would then be issued in the usual way. If my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind where difficulties have been experienced and would let me have deails, I will be glad to look into them.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of subsidy to be granted for the building of dwelling-houses; and whether he intends to grant this subsidy to private builders.

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

asked the Minister of Health under what regulation or order bombed-out people living in a house which has been requisitioned by a local authority and which the owner wishes to recover for his own occupation are allowed to refuse alternative accommodation which the rehousing officer considers to be reasonable.

There is no such regulation or order. Every effort is made to make available any house which the owner wishes to occupy, but local authorities very properly do their utmost to move existing tenants by persuasion before resorting to compulsion.

asked the Minister of Health if it is proposed to take steps to control the rents of furnished rooms and furnished premises in the same way as unfurnished rentals are controlled.

I hope to be in a position shortly to announce the Government's decision in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been reconstructed under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts in each of the counties in Wales; and what is the total amount of grants paid in each county since their inception.

The answer is supplied by the following table of figures:

asked the Minister of Health if he proposes to take any steps to control the selling price of houses.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Members for Acton (Mr. Sparkes) and West Wolverhampton (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 11th October.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that some householders and landlords would be willing to sublet their houses provided suitable internal alterations were effected; and whether local authorities will be empowered to grant permission in such cases for the provision of a separate water supply and such other adjustments as could enable a family to live in reasonable comfort in the sublet rooms.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the course of the debate yesterday.

asked the Minister of Health why his Department failed to consult with the Ministry of Education before approving requisition by the Sutton Coldfield Corporation as a site for temporary bungalows of the major portion of the playing-field of the Hollies Collegiate School; if he is aware that the war agricultural executive committee undertook that the land, recently growing potatoes, should be restored at the end of the war to its normal condition; and whether, in view of the recommendation that the school should retain at least a football pitch area, he will reconsider his consent to the requisition.

The authorisation to which the hon. Member refers was given before I took office after full consideration of the owner's objection and consultation with the Planning Officer. I have no power to reconsider the decision.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the necessity to avoid the waste of valuable by-products contained in coal, he will consider instructing those responsible for house building either to instal more economical cooking ranges or provide an alternative method of cooking at rates comparable with the price of coal.

Recommendations on this subject have been included in the Housing Manual issued by the Ministries of Health and Works and published by the Stationery Office in 1944.

asked the Minister of Works the number of man-hours required to build a traditional-built council house and to build his Ministry's emergency prefabricated house, respectively.

The number of man-hours required to build the 862 feet super brick-built control house at Northolt, after adjustment for contracts of 500 houses, was 2,050; this figure depended upon the selection of a level site and upon the availability of a balanced labour force. The site labour required to build prefabricated temporary houses is averaging about 1,100 man-hours, but many of the houses are being erected in small groups, on difficult sites, during a period of labour shortage.

asked the Minister of Health what would be the increase in costs, assuming output at the present rates and a total cost per house based on the average of tenders approved by him in recent months for municipal houses, of an increase of wages of 4d. per hour for craftsmen with a proportional increase for labourers; and what would be the rent equivalent of such an increased cost.

It is not possible on the information available to make a precise statement, but it is estimated that the increase in costs would be between £40 and £60 per house; the amounts required to repay these sums over the normal period of 60 years at the appropriate Public Works Loan Board rate of interest, viz. 3⅛ per cent., would be 7d. and 10d. respectively per week.

asked the Minister of Health whether consideration is being given to the release under scheme B of assistants to architects in private practice as well as to assistant architects, surveyors and engineers in the Forces if they are applied for by local authorities, as already announced.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 11th October.

asked the Minister of Health the arrangements made for the demobilisation of members of the V.A.D. and nursing auxiliaries.

The arrangements for the demobilisation of V.A.Ds. in His Majesty's Forces were announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service in a statement on 2nd October, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. As regards nursing auxiliaries and other members of the Civil Nursing Reserve, I am hoping to make a statement in a few weeks' time about arrangements for their release.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will alter the present regulation governing subsistence payments to those suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis so that payments can be made to all sufferers from this disease and not, as at present, only to those cases where a quick cure may be expected.

The powers under which tuberculosis allowances are paid do not enable me to extend the present scheme as suggested. Provision for disability, including tuberculosis and without the limitation in question, forms part of the forthcoming National Insurance Scheme.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that war-wounded Servicemen, sent by his Department to Musgrave Park Emergency Medical Service Hospital, Belfast, were told by the Northern Ireland Minister of Health that they could get out if they were not satisfied with conditions in the hospital as their vacated beds could be filled by other applicants for admission to the hospital; and if he will remove these men to a hospital where they will be better looked after.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." As regards the second part, Service patients whose homes are in Northern Ireland are sent first to Musgrave Park, from which hospital they are transferred to hospitals near their homes. Arrangements for reception and transfer in Northern Ireland are made by the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Northern Ireland, and my officers have no responsibility in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many hospitals and wards are closing down due to shortage of domestic staffs; and what steps he is taking in conjunction with local authorities, joint industrial and Whitley Councils to improve the conditions applicable to domestic staffs employed in hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health how he proposes to provide sufficient nursing staff for the successful working of a comprehensive national health service.

I have the whole hospital domestic staff situation, with the nursing situation, under urgent review and hope to make a statement on both very soon.

asked the Minister of Health which of the local authorities in the counties of Brecon and Radnor have submitted schemes under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944; how many of the schemes have been approved by his Department; and which local authorities, who are entitled, have not submitted any schemes.

The Crickhowell, Ystradgynlais and Rhayader Rural District Councils have submitted five schemes under the Act which have been approved. The remaining rural district councils have not yet submitted schemes.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the shortage of tuberculosis nurses, he will negotiate with the General Nursing Council with a view to securing the recognition of the T.A. certificate, so that such nurses can be placed on the supplementary register.

The General Nursing Council have already been approached on this matter and are not prepared to admit persons possessing the T.A. certificate to a supplementary part of the register unless they are also general State Registered Nurses. I do not feel able to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion, since I am advised that it would at present hinder rather than help recruitment for tuberculosis nursing.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered plans for the reduction of the period of training for the State registered nurse; and if he has any statement to make in regard to it.

This is a matter primarily for the General Nursing Council, which is the statutory body responsible for framing rules relating to training for State Registration. I understand that the Council are considering the possibility of revising the basic training for State registration, and I will convey to them my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health whether pending his consideration of the future of war-time nurseries he will ensure that no more war-time nurseries are closed; whether he will revoke instructions already issued to close the nurseries, in all cases where these instructions have not yet been carried out; and whether he will cancel the instructions given to close the war-time nursery at Cadoxton, Barry.

No war-time nursery for which a continuing need has been shown is being closed. The Cadoxton nursery has consistently been used only to about half its capacity and the Glamorgan County Council are considering taking it over as a nursery school.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the continued need of women to work on export trade duties, etc., and the overcrowded conditions of housing of families in Birmingham, he will authorise the continuance of the 76 day nurseries now being run by the local authority.

As regards future policy I regret that I am not yet in a position to add to the answer I gave the hon. Members for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) and Blackburn (Mrs. Castle) on 11th October. I am not, however, losing sight of the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health what gratuity is payable to those members of the C.D. personnel who have been engaged in the duties of mortuary attendant during the war.

No gratuity is payable to mortuary attendants. As was explained by the then Prime Minister when the scheme was announced, the gratuity is limited to those employed in the Civil Defence (General) Services under the special conditions peculiar to those Services, and does not extend to others engaged in various branches of Civil Defence work.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, owing to the shortage of midwives, it has been necessary to close down the maternity ward of the county infirmary at Louth, Lincolnshire; and, in view of the repercussions, what steps does he propose to take to remedy this situation.

Yes, Sir. The closure of this ward reflects the widespread shortage of nurses and midwives, on which I hope shortly to make a full statement. Meantime, I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour and National Service, about the position at this hospital. I hope that some of the midives qualifying at the examination to be held next month will be appointed and enable the ward to be re-opened.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the distress that is being caused in villages in the Caistor rural area owing to the absence of a water supply; that the rural council's scheme is held up awaiting his approval; if he will give immediate attention to the problem; and if he will appoint a Select Committee to report on the question of rural water supplies generally.

I am aware of the need for water supplies in parts of this Rural District. Schemes in respect of fourteen parishes were submitted in July last and a local Inquiry will be held as soon as the Council furnish certain essential information which has been asked for. A separate scheme for Normanby-le-Wold was submitted to me in August. It contained certain abnormal features and in September I invited the Council to reconsider the matter and this, I understand, they are doing. I am unable to accept the suggestion in the last part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange for his medical department to insert a Return in the Annual Report of the chief medical officer showing the annual percentage of births vaccinated and the incidence of small-pox in each administrative county, county borough and metropolitan borough in England and Wales.

I am unable to accept this suggestion. The amount of work involved would be out of proportion to the usefulness of the information obtained.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention in the New Health Service Bill to permit the availability of their own qualified practitioner even if he or she is not necessarily recognised by the British Medical Association and that no person shall be under any disability in claiming his right to do so.

I have the whole question of health services under review and I am not yet able to make any statement about them.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the serious damage caused to coastal areas of North Wales by the recent equinoctial storms; that this damage has resulted in a serious increase in the costs to be borne by local authorities out of their general rate; and whether, in view of the unfair burden thus placed on these authorities, he will take steps to draw up a scheme which will provide that damage caused by sea storms and erosion will be dealt with on a national basis.

I am aware of this damage. I am not convinced that the scheme suggested by the Hon. Member would commend itself generally, but I am prepared to have it considered.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to give any help to those occupiers of houses who have suffered serious and irreparable damage to their houses, furniture and effects, by sea erosion and storm, such as was recently experienced in many North Wales coastal areas; or whether he will authorise the local authorities concerned to assist those concerned in making good the damage.

I am not empowered to make grants for such a purpose. If the local authorities feel satisfied that some assistance involving expenditure from rate funds is essential in the special circumstances of the case, I shall be prepared to consider any representations they may wish to make to me on the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if the losses in rate revenue suffered by local authorities from the operation of the de-rating legislation of 1929 will be a factor to be taken into account when allocating to local authorities the additional £10,000,000 per annum to be added to the block grant in the current and two following years.

No, Sir. The method of distribution of the supplementary grant is under consideration, but it is not contemplated that it will take into account the effect of the de-rating provisions of the Local Government Act, 1929.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the free issue of clothing issued to Mr. Pritchard, a civilian internee passenger on the s.s. "Monowai," at Suez, was put ashore in error by the ship's officer; that this man is wearing borrowed clothes; and if he will enable Mr. Pritchard to get the free outfit, to which he is entitled, in this country.

There is no general issue of free clothing to which all repatriates are entitled. There are, however, arrangements under which clothing can be supplied in cases of need, including the arrangements at Port Said. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a leaflet, explaining the position, which is given to all repatriates on arrival in this country.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make about the future of the Citizens' Advice Bureaux.

I am considering this question in consultation with the representatives of local authorities' association and of the National Council of Social Service, and I hope to be able shortly to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to state the result of the public inquiry, held by his Department, into the application by the Cardiff City Council to be allowed to borrow £200,000 to spend on their flood-prevention schemes.

The public inquiry held on 17th September, 1945, related to an application by the Cardiff County Council for consent to borrow £82,000 for the purpose of executing flood prevention works on the River Ely. The Welsh Board of Health are communicating with the Council approving their proposals.

asked the Minister of Health if His Majesty's Government will consider submitting proposals to reform the present system of rating.

The Government are aware that reforms are needed in the present system of rating and valuation, but there is no early prospect of Parliamentary time being available for the purpose.