asked the Minister of War Transport if he can give the tonnage of cargoes handled, both imports and exports, by the dock workers throughout the United Kingdom during the period of the war.

:It is not possible to give precise figures of cargoes handled by dock workers during the war or to distinguish between cargoes such as bulk grain, coal and bulk oil which are largely dealt with by mechanical means and those which involve direct handling by dock labour, nor is it possible to say what proportion of cargoes have been handled under war conditions by civilian and military labour respectively. But my hon. Friend may be interested to know that the total amount of dry cargo imports and exports, including bulk cargoes passing through the U.K. ports during the war amounted to about 250,000,000 tons, exclusive of the coastal trade and of military stores and equipment.

asked the Minister of Labour how many accidents were sustained, during the course of their employment, by dock workers in the United Kingdom during 1944; and how many were fatal.

:The number of accidents reported under the Factories Act for docks in Great Britain in 1944 was 9,864. Of these 102 were fatal. These figures relate only to accidents causing disablement for more than three days. The corresponding figure for Northern Ireland is not available.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what sums have been paid out by the Assistance Board to the wives and children of men on strike in the docks.

In accordance with the proviso to Section 36 (1) of the Unemployment Act, 1934, persons who are unemployed by reason of a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute in circumstances which would lead to their being disqualified for unemployment insurance benefit cannot themselves receive unemployment assistance from the Assistance Board, and in general their wives and children will be ineligible to receive unemployment assistance direct from the Board because they are not normally occupied in insurable employment (Section 36 (1) (b) of the Act); in the case of the children there is the additional reason that they do not satisfy the age qualification in Section 36 (1) (a) of the Act.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the amount paid out by the National Dock Labour Corporation since its establishment in making guaranteed payments to dockers; and what amount has been paid out during the current strike.

The total amount of attendance money paid by the National Dock Labour Corporation since its establishment in 1942 to dock workers attending for work, but for whom no work was available, up to the week ended 20th October, 1945, was £3,319,682. The amount of attendance money paid from the commencement of the present strike until 20th October, 1945, was £68,500, of which 15,535 was paid in ports affected by the strike.

asked the Minister of Labour the average monthly rate of absenteeism among the workers of the National Dock Labour Corporation during the past two years.

I regret that monthly figures of absenteeism among dock workers in ports covered by the National Dock Labour Corporation could not be made available without a disproportionate amount of labour; but the following figures show, in respect of each quarter of the past two years, the percentage of men who have been "unaccounted for" at the daily calls. Included in this figure are:

asked the Minister of War Transport what is the reason for limiting the number of passengers on the "Queen Elizabeth," the "Queen Mary" and the "Aquitania" on Eastbound trips from the United States to the United Kingdom to a few hundred, while the same ships carry nearly 15,000 returning troops on the Westbound passage; and whether, in view of the long waiting list of passengers in the United States and the dollar exchange which can be obtained for these eastbound passages and from American citizens visiting this country, he will arrange to make more passages available on these ships.

Accommodation for large numbers of troops can be provided in a ship only by removing practically all the accommodation suitable for the carriage of civilian passengers, particularly women and children. This very severely limits the number of civilians which can be carried Eastbound in the troopers on the North Atlantic at this moment.

asked the Minister of War Transport what steps he is taking to free vessels usually engaged in cross-channel and coastal trade, so that the present conditions of congestion and overcrowding can be improved.

A large number of these ships have been released in recent months. Some are already operating in the Irish Sea and Channel services, and others, which are still undergoing conversion, will be brought into service in the next few months. No more ships can be removed from military service at the moment without reducing the facilities for the return of troops for release, their carriage to and from the Continent on leave and the transportation of essential personnel on duty. The position is kept under continuous review, and additional ships will be released as soon as conditions make it possible.

asked the Minister of War Transport how many of the "Ulster Monarch" class of cross-channel ships have survived the war; what functions are they now performing; and how long it will be before they resume their normal purpose of carrying cross-channel traffic between Belfast and Liverpool.

Two of the three "Ulster" class of cross-channel ships have survived the war. The "Ulster Prince" has been sunk. The "Ulster Monarch," which was on Admiralty service, has now been returned to her owners for reconversion for commercial employment; it will be seven or eight months before she will be ready to resume her cross-channel sailings. The "Ulster Queen" was acquired by the Government for Naval service; she has been extensively converted and it is impracticable for the time being, in view of the present state of the shipyards, to undertake the substantial work necessary to restore her to a condition for normal passenger employment. The hon. Member will be aware that the Liverpool-Belfast service has now been restored with the s.s. "Longford," making three weekly runs in each direction. It is hoped shortly to make another ship available for this service and maintain nightly sailings on all weekdays in each, direction.

asked the Minister, of War Transport whether he is aware of the precarious nature of cross-channel services to Ireland owing to the need for refits of many of the ships so engaged; and whether he will undertake that no ships restored to this service will be again withdrawn for Government service.

I am fully aware of the position, and everything possible is being done to strengthen the cross-channel services to Ireland. Only in the most exceptional circumstances would a vessel released for the Irish cross-channel services be again withdrawn for Government service.

asked the Minister of War Transport why, in view of the shortage of cross-channel passenger accommodation, there is still no passenger traffic between Londonderry and Glasgow; and how soon can this be resumed.

No suitable ship is available to resume the passenger service on the Glasgow-Londonderry run. I regret that I am not yet able to say when it wall be possible to do so.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether, in view of the rapidly increasing load of traffic on the roads, he will issue a reminder to motorists that pedestrians have a right of way at all pedestrian crossings.

All drivers of vehicles and cyclists should approach a pedestrian crossing at a speed which will enable them to stop before reaching the crossing. I hope that the publicity which will be given by this Question and answer will be sufficient to remind road users of their obligations. During the war there was a certain laxity in the observance of the Pedestrian Crossing Places Regulations, but the police have been asked to give special attention to the matter, and I hope that their efforts will help to increase the general standard of road behaviour.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will give an estimate of the number of motor cars, both new or secondhand, available for sale in this country; and will he take steps to remove restrictions on their purchase so that the motor cars may be put into use and the factory space cleared for further manufacture.

The number of new motor cars produced for sale in this country between 1st July and 13th October is estimated at about 1,900, but no estimate can be made of the number of secondhand cars available for sale apart from reconditioned ex-Service cars, as they are distributed with agents, dealers and private individuals throughout the country. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production, assures me that he has no evidence that new manufacture is being delayed by the occupation of factory space by unsold cars.It is my intention to remove the present licensing control on the purchase of new motor cars so soon as the supply reaches a level which will give those who need a car in the national interest a reasonable assurance of being able to obtain one in the open market. There is no restriction on the sale of secondhand cars other than surplus ex-Service cars; there are very few of the latter, and I am reserving them for nurses, midwives and badly disabled ex-Service men who need a car to follow an occupation.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that Vauxhall Motors are turning out 90 new cars in November and 200 in December, but have received only 16 permits from would-be purchasers; and will he issue permits at a rate not less than the rate of production and so prevent the danger of unemployment in the motor industry.

:The total number of licences which have been issued in respect of Vauxhall cars is 173. Further licences are being issued next week which will more than cover the production for November and December as stated in the Question. I am having the position closely watched.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will provide sleeping berths on the Preston to Euston train on Saturday and Sunday nights.

:I am making inquiries into this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will relieve the present excessive demand for accommodation on sleeping-cars from Manchester and Liverpool to London at week-ends, by adding a sleeping-car from Preston to London on Saturday and Sunday nights.

I am making inquiries into this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will consider having seats reserved on trains on the request of Members travelling to their homes or constituencies on the last sitting day of the week, so as to enable Members to remain later in attendance at the House on that day.

The normal arrangements for reserving seats on trains were abolished at the beginning of the war and reservations are now made only in the most exceptional circumstances. I have considered my hon. Friend's suggestion sympathetically, but have come to the conclusion that I should not be justified in making the arrangements he desires.

asked the Minister of War Transport the number of railway men employed in Great Britain who were killed and injured, separately, whilst on duty, as a result of enemy action during the war years.

:The following statement shows the number of railway servants killed and injured on duty as the result of enemy action on the railways or railway premises adjoining railway boundaries during the war years:

asked the Minister of War Transport if, in view of the inconvenience now being suffered by rail users of Laindon and Pitsea, he will take steps to ensure a more adequate train service between Fenchurch Street and these stations, especially in view of the large numbers of residents of these places being engaged on essential work in the East End of London; and if due to congestion on this section of the L.M.S. Railway it is found impossible to increase the number of trains operating, he will arrange a more equitable distribution of facilities as between Southend-on-Sea and the Laindon-Pitsea section.

During the war the population of Laindon and Pitsea has increased and those towns have been given more trains than before the war. The question whether any adjustment can be made in the present Southend services to improve the service with the intermediate stations is at present under consideration by the railway company, and, I am informed, that a meeting is being held with the Laindon and District Railway Travellers' Association on Wednesday evening next to consider the matter. I also understand that from 22nd October the 5.12 p.m. train from Fenchurch Street to Thorpe Bay calls at Laindon and Pitsea, and the train timed to leave Fenchurch Street at 5.16 p.m. has been altered to start from Barking at 5.33 p.m. in order to provide more accommodation for Laindon and Pitsea passengers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been reconditioned under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act; and if he will give this total number under the following headings: those reconditioned by local authorities, those reconditioned by owner-occupiers and those reconditioned by landlords.

The number of houses reconstructed in Scotland under these Acts is 32,929, of which 152 were reconstructed by local authorities. I am calling for a return from local authorities of the number of houses reconstructed by owner-occupiers and landlords respectively. Although this information may take some time to compile I shall send it to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as it is available.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that Administrative Memorandum 48 imposes an increase of routine paper work on the staffs of high schools or secondary schools which have hitherto carried out a simpler and equally effective method of registration; and whether she will arrange that all schools, irrespective of type, should come under that or some similar system of registration, less expensive of time and effort than that enforced by Administrative Memorandum 48.

A more exact method of registration is now necessary as the basis both of the administration of the new law of school attendance, which requires all children to receive with regularity education suited to their age, ability and aptitude, and also of the co-ordinated statistical information essential for the proper administration of the national system of education. The schools hitherto using the methods, of which those prescribed in the Administrative Memorandum are a simpler version, have not found the work involved an undue burden. I may add that I am considering whether certain forms of routine return previously rendered by secondary grammar schools only can be dispensed with.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what is the policy with regard to the open spaces in London squares; if it is his intention to have them laid out as public gardens without railings; and why concrete posts are being erected around certain squares.

I am considering the matter raised in the first part of the Question and hope to be able to arrange a conference with the London County Council upon it at an early date. As to the last part of the Question, if the hon. and gallant Member will supply me with particulars, I will look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British troops were delayed in repatriation to the United Kingdom owing to the fact that Indian students were given priority in embarking on s.s. "Orion,"sailing from Bombay at the beginning of the present month for an English port.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Captain Chetwynd) on Monday, 22nd October.

asked the Minister of War Transport how many Indian students are being brought to this country in the troopship "Georgic" and the troopship "Orion"; and if he will give instructions that these troopships should be used to bring home Servicemen and women for demobilisation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a similar Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Captain Chetwynd) on Monday, 22nd October.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the complaints from members of His Majesty's Forces in S.E.A.C. that civilians are being given priority over troops in sea transport from India; if he will take steps to investigate the matter and, if necessary, adjust the position in favour of the Forces.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a similar Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Captain Chetwynd) on Monday, 22nd October.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that many thousands of birds sold as stock poultry are killed for consumption immediately after sale; and what action he proposes to take in regard thereto.

Yes, Sir, the effective regulation of the poultry trade would require a stringent control of supplies and distribution of both stock and table birds which could not be justified under present conditions. In these circumstances, the efforts of the Ministry's officers are, and will continue to be, directed to the detection of cases in which poultry bought ostensibly for stock purposes is killed for the table and to the prosecution of offenders. A number of convictions have already been obtained.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will ensure that the regulations which prohibit the sending of foodstuffs from Eire to this country will be lifted, so that persons resident in this country with relatives or friends in Eire may receive gifts of poultry for Christmas.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food if he will supply such details as show the quantities and percentages of farm milk that passed through the feeder, auxiliary and other depots, before reaching the urban milk distributors, during the years 1938–39. I940–41 and 1944–45 respectively.

No information about the quantities of milk passing through milk depots to urban distributors is available for the years before the Government assumed control of the milk industry.Particulars for the years 1942–44 are as follows:

asked the Minister of Food how much food in tons and by types has been sent from Britain to Europe since the policy of Lend-Lease was terminated.Sit B. Smith,

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will provide labour for Messrs. Wilson, Lovatt and Sons, Limited, contractors, of Kidderminster, for the Woodbury quarries, which are turning out much needed material for the new building estates in the vicinity.

There is little labour available locally of the kind needed for this work, but my officers are doing everything possible to assist.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that charge-hands of aircraft industries with long service have been warned that they must give up their jobs to be replaced by members of the A.E.U. who are now being trained to take their places; and if, as these men have given good service during the war and have proved their ability to carry out their jobs, he will retain them.

If the hon. and gallant Member will let me have particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now favourably consider as a temporary measure the raising of the age of entry into the Armed Forces to 21 years until the Government decide on the reorganisation of the Armed Forces, whereby it may ultimately be agreed to abandon all forms of military conscription.

:No, Sir. It would not be possible to meet the approved intakes for the Forces if entry were restricted to men of 21 years and over.

asked the Minister of Labour how many schoolteachers have been called up in the last three months; and if they are still being conscripted.

The general position is that teachers born in 1915, or later, are called up unless an application for their deferment is made and subsequently granted after consultation with the Ministry of Education. It has been and still is the practice to delay the call up of suitable young men to enable them to become qualified by a period of training at a teachers' training college. I am not aware precisely how many teachers were called up in the last three months but, apart from those in this latter category, the number is necessarily small.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will accelerate the rate of demobilisation of doctors by calling up newly-qualified medical men when they have completed six months' house appointment, by reviewing the cases of those who have been passed medically unfit and by calling-up those medically fit doctors who have remained in civilian life, although they are in the calling-up age limits.

Newly-qualified medical men are already being called up for the purpose stated in the Question, and others up to the age of 40 are being called up to the limited extent required to provide substitutes for certain medical officers whose release from the Forces is contingent on replacement. The prevailing shortage of doctors in civil practice would not permit a more general recruitment as suggested in the last part of the Question. Any revision of the standard of medical fitness for the Forces would be a matter for the Ministers in charge of Service Departments.

asked the Minister of Labour how many building trade workers in the Army and R.A.F. are posted in this country; and whether he can arrange for their immediate release to assist in the national housing programme.

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not readily available. As regards the second part, large numbers of building trade workers, many of whom will be serving in this country, will be released in Class A in the next few months. In addition it is proposed to release 60,000 building trade workers in Class B, and these also will include men serving in this country.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will explain the discrepancy between the promised release of 1,785,200 men in Army Groups 16 to 31 and the fact that those groups only contain 1,593,369 men; and whether the groups have been enlarged since 11th October when their totals were officially announced.

The actual numbers in Army age and Service groups 16–31 in mid-June, 1945, as officially announced on 11th October, 1945, were 1,647,224 and not 1,593,369as stated in the Question There is a difference of 137,976 between the figure of 1,785,200—the estimated releases from the Army between 1st October, 1945, and 30th June, 1946—and the above figure of 1,647,224. This difference is explained by the inclusion in the estimated releases of some 38,800 ex-Prisoners of War returning from the Far East and some 9,900 British officers of the Indian Army, neither of which classes was borne on the effective strength of the British Army. It is also estimated that 24,000 will be released in Class B from age and Service groups later than 31, and that 65,200 also of groups later than 31 will leave the Army for various reasons, e.g. compassionate releases and discharges on medical or other grounds.

asked the Minister of Labour how many teachers have already been offered release from the forces under Class B; what proportion have accepted; and what proportion of teachers in Class A or B have declined to return to their teaching posts.

As regards the first two parts of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Mallalieu) on 9th October, a copy of which I am sending to him.The information asked for in the third part of the Question is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the estimated reduction by at least £30 in the cost of houses owing to relief of Purchase Tax on water-heaters, gas stoves and other domestic articles, he will instruct the appropriate Ministries to make tenders for houses already accepted subject to a corresponding reduction, so as to prevent the benefit of this taxation relief going to builders as additional profit.

I understand that the saving would not be as great as suggested, but the terms of local authorities' contracts for the erection of houses ensure that the benefit of this relief will normally accrue to the authority.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that Mrs. Miller, the owner of a house at 15, Lowther Drive, Enfield, the widow of Major Miller, who died after about six years of war service, has had her house requisitioned by the urban district council; that she is thereby prevented from taking advantage of an offer of £1,750 for the immediate occupation of the house by a family and so prevented from getting the necessary funds to pay off a building society mortgage and provide for the maintenance of herself and two children aged respectively seven and two; and what steps he is taking to remedy this hardship.

:Yes, Sir. Following the letter received from the hon. Member, I have had the case investigated. Much as I sympathise with Mrs. Miller's difficulties, I cannot agree to the release of this house from requisitioning in view of the acute housing stringency. The house now accommodates a family whose home was destroyed by enemy action.

asked the Minister of Health the number of derequisitioned hotels and houses which still await the repair of war damage or of damage caused by the previous occupants; and how much at present uninhabited living accommodation these premises represent.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the exaggerated prices, he proposes to control the prices of houses for sale at a figure nearer their true value.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Acton (Mr. Sparkes) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wolverhampton West (Lieut. H. Hughes) on 11th October, of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now announce his decision with regard to the continuation of war-time nurseries as emergency nurseries drawing 100 per cent. grant from his Ministry.

Yes, Sir. The existing financial arrangements will continue until 31st March, 1946. I shall shortly be asking Welfare Authorities to work out before that date, in conjunction with the Local Education Authorities, how a comprehensive nursery service, comprising nursery schools, nursery classes, day nurseries, and other measures, can best be organised, using existing services as a basis, to meet the needs of their areas. As from 1st April, 1946, I propose to provide for a weighted 50 per cent. Exchequer grant, comparable to that payable to Local Education Authorities for nursery schools and nursery classes, to be payable to Welfare Authorities on their approved expenditure on such facilities as they may provide as part of such a nursery service.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why there has been delay in admitting into Germany the Dutch Military Mission to the Allied Control Commission; and when permission will be given them to enter and commence their work.

An invitation was conveyed to the Netherlands Government on 17th October to appoint a military mission to represent them in Germany. The delay in issuing invitations to those Allied Governments chiefly interested was due principally to the difficulty of finding suitable accommodation in Berlin.

As regards the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. and gallant Members for Waterloo (Captain Bullock)and for Finchley (Captain Crowder) on 24th October. As to the second part of the Question, no decision has at any stage been taken that the elections in Poland should be held under inter-Allied supervision. The conditions under which His Majesty's Government expect these elections to take place were explained in the reply of my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Pickthorn) of 10th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the immediate investigation on the spot, promised by his Department on 5th July, into the allegations about the treatment of Greek internees in camps in North and East Africa has yet taken place; and, if so, whether it will be made public.

Yes, Sir, A report about the allegations made by the Greek internees regarding their treatment has recently been received from Cairo, and is now under consideration here. My right hon. Friend hopes that in a few days' time he will be in a position to give the full facts to hon. Members who have written to him on the subject. My right hon. Friend is also considering whether or not the report should be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the resolution sent to him by the Kelty Branch of the Scottish Colliery Enginemen, Boilermen and Tradesmen's Association, requesting the withdrawal of British troops from Greece; and what reply he has made thereto.

Yes, Sir, I have seen the resolution to which the hon. Member refers. We are, of course, most anxious that the British troops now in Greece should return home as soon as possible, but I am satisfied that they are still playing an essential part in restoring tranquility in Greece and in creating conditions in which the Greek people can choose their own Government by free elections.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what powers over their subjects in this country are still retained by foreign Governments formerly exiled in this country, who have now returned to their own lands.

The powers over their nationals in this country of the Allied Governments formerly established in the United Kingdom were no greater, in English law, while these Governments were here than they had been before the establishment of the Governments concerned in this country, except in respect of those of their nationals who were serving in their Armed Forces or mercantile marine or who become liable to such service. In virtue of the Allied Forces Act, 1940, members of Allied Forces serving in this country are subject to the discipline of their own military authorities in so far as is provided for by theAct, the necessity for the retention of which is kept under review. The Allied Powers (War Service) Act, which may be held to constitute an indirect means of enforcing measures of conscription introduced by Allied Governments, is at present in suspense, and its termination is under consideration. The majority of the Maritime Courts set up by virtue of the Allied Powers (Maritime Courts) Act, 1941, have now ceased or suspended their sittings, and my right hon. Friend has recently notified the remaining Allied Governments concerned of the expiration of this Act in February, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that 22 citizens of Algeciras, members of the Confederacion Nacional del Trabajo and well-known for their anti-Fascist activities, are facing a court of summary jurisdiction at Cadiz on any day between now and 30th October, from which they are in danger of the death penalty; and whether, in view of the declaration concerning Spain in the communiquéissued at the termination of the Potsdam Conference, he proposes to take further action in conjunction with our Allies.

Reports that these men have been arrested have only recently come to my notice. I have sent instructions to His Majesty's Ambassador in Madrid to make an urgent informal approach to the Spanish Government requesting full information on the subject and emphasising the unfortunate impression which would be made in this country if these men were in fact to be executed on a political charge. The United States Government are being informed of these instructions. My right hon. Friend has not made an approach to the Soviet Government as they are not in relation with the Spanish Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present position regarding the supply of films and plates for privately-owned cameras; and whether he will now release stocks of photographic materials for the benefit of the public.

Films and plates to the value of one half pre-war supplies can now be sold to the public. Surplus Government stocks are to a large extent unsuitable for ordinary public use, but arrangements have been made to release any materials that are suitable. It will be necessary to continue to restrict home supplies for some time to come since we must maintain and extend our export markets in these goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered an application for the grant of an import licence in respect of lamp-making machinery to the value of £18,000, or thereabouts; and, in view of the fact that such machinery can be obtained in this country, will he refuse to grant such licence.

An import licence for special lamp-making machinery, of the value stated by the hon. and gallant Member, has been granted because the applicant could not secure machinery of the most up-to-date design from domestic sources.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that users of radio valves are being compelled to pay high prices through the operations of the B.V.A. ring; and what action does he propose to take to make this commodity available at economic prices.

I am asking the Central Price Regulation Committee to make inquiry and report to me whether the prices at present being charged for radio valves are, in their opinion, fair prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the progress now being made by the Swiss textile industry regarding machinery, in particular, to the shuttle less loom which is rotated to turn out two-and-a-half times as much as the normal automatic loom; and if, in view of the interest of Latin-American countries, any British interest is being taken.

Yes, Sir. There is interest in the production of shuttleless looms in this country as well as overseas. Two United Kingdom firms have put a shuttleless loom on the market, and all possible encouragement will be given to developments of promise in this and other fields of machinery production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that hardship is being caused owing to the shortage in shops of cotton wool and sanitary towels; and what steps are being taken by his Department to remedy this situation.

I would refer the Noble Lord to the reply which I have given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Wing-Commander Millington).

the President of the Board of Trade if he will increase the supply of sanitary towels in the Cheltenham area, as the present shortage is causing hardship and is a danger to health.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Wing-Commander Millington).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of sanitary towels in the London area and what steps he is taking to provide adequate supplies.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Wing-Commander Millington).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of undergraduates' and other gowns at several universities, he will release a limited amount of the material necessary for their manufacture.

I am afraid that, in view of the difficult supply position, no special allocation of material can be made for gowns. Coupons, however, are being issued to the gown manufacturers to enable them to have access to such stocks of suitable cloth as may be available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the poor quality of children's shoes, he will increase the supply of leather in the Cheltenham area for repair purposes.

The Cheltenham area is receiving its fair share of the leather available for repairs to the country as a whole. This is limited, and for some time past all shoe repairers have had to be restricted to 60 per cent. of their consumption of leather during the period 1st April, 1940–31st March, 1941. The balance of their requirements must be taken in rubber composition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the continuing shortage of children's shoes, he will state how soon he expects that the return of labour to the footwear industry will materially increase the supplies available in the shops.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 10th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Dover (Mr. J. R. Thomas).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will increase the quantity of wool for knitting at present on sale to the public.

Supplies of hand-knitting wool this year show an increase compared with the corresponding period of 1944. In present circumstances no further increase could be made except at the expense of other forms of wool yarn, and to do this would create unemployment in the weaving, knitting and other yarn-using industries. Knitting wool will share to the full in any improvement of supplies that takes place. I hope that this improvement may begin in the near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that delays of up to 12 months are occurring in the delivery of surgical boots; and whether he is proposing to take steps to reduce such delays.

I am aware that there are serious delays in fulfilling orders. The main difficulty is shortage of skilled labour, associated with an increasing demand. Arrangements have been made with the Ministry of Labour to encourage skilled workers to return to the making of surgical footwear wherever possible. I cannot, however, hold out the prospect of any rapid improvement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the continued scarcity of feeding-bottle teats throughout the constituency of East Renfrewshire; and whether he will give an assurance that this shortage will be rectified immediately.

:Yes, Sir. I have arranged for additional supplies of teats to be sent at once to relieve the shortage in East Renfrewshire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the total monthly imports of strawboard into this country from Europe at the present time; and what is the monthly production in this country.

No strawboard is being imported into this country at present. Home production of board made wholly or mainly of straw is relatively very small, but there is a board made of waste paper which is referred to as strawboard or chipboard, the production of which is now about 20,000 tons per month.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether any American equipment, jeeps, lorries or bulldozers are being or will be sold to the public in this country.

The question whether any American equipment will be sold to the public in this country is the subject of negotiations at present proceeding between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that quantities of material, such as blankets, bedding, table linen, cutlery and. other articles are deteriorating through damp and other causes; and will he make inquiries so that this material shall reach the market as soon as possible and the homes of the people where they are badly needed.

:I know of no such cases, but if my right hon. Friend will give me particulars of any specific instance I shall be glad to make inquiries of the appropriate Department.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production why advertising in magazines is still restricted to a pre-war quota, which in some cases is as low as 20 per cent. and in others as high as 60 per cent.; and whether he will now consider removing this restriction, particularly as it is important to obtain the greatest possible publicity for British manufacturers at home and overseas.

I do not consider it would be desirable to remove all restriction on advertising space in magazines while the use of paper for other forms of advertisement is severely restricted. The present restriction does not, however, apply to trade journals which are wholly exported.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many motor vehicles have been passed to his Ministry under the White Paper policy for the disposal of surplus goods; how many have been passed by his Ministry to the selected channel of distribution; and how many have been disposed of to the public.

235,400 surplus motor vehicles of all types have been passed to my Ministry for disposal. Of these 45,000 have been allocated to other Government Departments, to relief purposes and to the allied Governments; 51,600 have been passed to the industry for disposal to the public through trade channels; and of the remainder 72,750 have been broken down for scrap and spares.

asked the Ministerof Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory conditions under which the staff of the Inspectorate of Fighting Vehicles are required to work at the Ministry of Supply Storage Depot, Caroline Park, Edinburgh; and what steps he proposes to take to improve these conditions.

We had already received a report on the unsatisfactory conditions in which the staff are required to work at this storage depot. Steps have been taken to improve these conditions as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if, in view of the threat to employment in many industries due to the shortage of tin, he will state what steps are being taken to enable the Malayan tin industry to resume production at the earliest possible date.

Representatives of the Ministry of Supply are in Malaya to purchase readily available tin ore and metal and to report on the condition of the smelting plants. An expert appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies to advise on the rehabilitation of the tin industry has submitted provisional plans and has now gone to Malaya, together with a committee representing the Malayan tin industry which is to survey the mining properties and equipment. Meanwhile orders have been placed in this country by the Government for substantial quantities of equipment for gravel pump mines.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the numbers of members and employees of the British Supply Council in Washington, their emoluments and the gratuities to be paid to American civilian employees of British missions; and if, in view of dollar exchange necessities, he is prepared to take early steps to promote economies.

The total strength of the British Missions in the United States was 5,712 on 30th September, and the total of pay and allowances was about £4,500,000 per annum. Locally recruited staff account for 4,200 of the numbers and for over £2,600,000 in remuneration. Subject to certain conditions they are eligible for ex gratia awards of one-half of a month's salary for each completed year of service and one day's salary for each completed month in a completed year. The average gratuity is expected to be about $250. In addition, the employee's railway fare home will be paid. The figure of total staff which I have quoted reflects a reduction of 3,176 in the preceding twelve months. Further substantial reductions are anticipated in the near future.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether service in C.D. or the N.F.S. will be reckonable towards the present two years' qualifying period required of recruits for established posts in the Civil Service.

No, Sir. The primary requirement is two years' experience of actual Civil Service work; but while service in the Armed Forces, the corresponding Women's Services, the Merchant Navy or the Mercantile Marine intervening between two periods of actual Civil Service work is being allowed to reckon towards the qualifying period, I am sorry to say it is not practicable to extend this arrangement more widely.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to continue the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944, or if he proposes to amend it so as to remove certain anomalies as between pensioners who were local government employees and those who were civil servants.

The Expiring Laws (Continuance) Bill which was introduced on 24th October, provides for the continuance, without Amendment, of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944, up to 31st March, 1947.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will ensure that the order making Purchase Tax payable on partly-worn personal effects sent by members of S.E.A.C. to the United Kingdom is rescinded immediately.

Such personal effects are in law subject to Customs duty and Purchase Tax on importation, but I have decided to waive these charges on articles of the kind normally worn or carried on the person which are sent home in advance in anticipation of repatriation, provided the sender declares them to have been in his personal possession and use for some time. Information as to the terms of the concession has been sent to Service authorities in S.E.A.C. and has, I understand, been published to the troops concerned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the large number of aircraft carriers now no longer necessary for war purposes, he will make arrangements for their immediate partial conversion into troop carriers, so as to hasten the transport of Servicemen due for demobilisation, indicating the number of ships to be so used; and if he will investigate the great success of such a policy now being carried out in the U.S. Navy.

Yes, Sir. Arrangements have already been made with this end in view. Seven Aircraft Carriers have been allocated for this purpose, six after conversion and one without conversion. They will be brought into service from the middle of next month onwards. Aircraft carriers have also been used extensively in the Far East for the evacuation of ex-prisoners of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for repatriation of personnel requiring treatment for diseases contracted overseas when the necessary apparatus, such as equipment for X-ray therapy, is not available in the area.

Yes, Sir, subject to the limitations imposed by transport facilities, and with due regard to the fact that it is not necessary to bring the patients all the way to the United Kingdom when adequate facilities are available to the military medical authorities at some nearer point.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is hoped to free those parts of dual roads which are at present occupied as parks for Service vehicles, in view of the growing risks due to increasing traffic on one-way roads now being used for two-way traffic.

Arrangements have been made in consultation with the Ministry of War Transport, for roads which have been used during the latter part of the war as Vehicle Reception Depots to be released according to an orderly plan, the more important traffic routes, so far as possible, being freed first. Four roads have already been freed, and it is anticipated that by the end of the year, 19 more will have been given up. In some cases, however, it may not be possible to re-open the roads to traffic at once, repairs and reconstruction being necessary to make them serviceable and safe.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he will take special measures to ensure coordination between the Service Departments and the Ministry of Labour, in order to ensure that men and women whose release from the Forces under Class B has been applied for, are not dispatched overseas while their cases are being investigated;(2) in view of the number of schoolteachers being dispatched overseas after their Class B releases have been applied for, whether he will take special measures to ensure co-ordination of the Service De- partments, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour, to ensure that such people do not leave the country pending a decision on their release.

I am afraid it would be impossible to do as the hon. and gallant Member suggests. It does not by any means follow that an application will be supported by the Civil Department concerned, or will fall within the quota allotted, and no action can be taken by the Service Departments until the approved names are notified by the Ministry of Labour and National Service. At that stage, every effort is made to ensure that individuals to be released are not sent overseas. It will, of course, be appreciated that, in some cases, the release asked for cannot be granted for Service reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in cases where there are four or more sons in a family and no daughters and all the sons are serving in the Armed Forces abroad, he will consider issuing instructions that at least one of the sons should be given a home posting.

I am afraid I cannot agree to the introduction of a general rule to that effect. Each case must be considered on its merits under the normal rules relating to compassionate posting or release.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied of the necessity for keeping the following establishments at full war-time strength, M.E. 13; the War Office, Golden Cross House; D.T.D., Ministry of Supply, Chertsey; C.O.X.E., Westward Ho; and No. 2 W.T.C., Bideford; and if not, will he give instructions for reduction.

:It is not proposed to keep any of these establishments at full wartime strength. Reductions have been and are now being effected in all cases. M.E. 13 should be down to 25 per cent. of its VJ-Day establishment by the end of the year and will cease to exist as a separate branch within about six months from now. No. 2 W.T.C has already been reduced by about one-third and should be down to half its war-time establishment by May, 1946. C.O.X.E. is not entirely a military establishment. Reduc- tions have already been made and discussions for reorganisation are now taking place between Admiralty, War Office and Combined Operations Headquarters. A very much reduced military commitment is envisaged. D.T.D., Chertsey, is primarily a Ministry of Supply responsibility and the Army contribution in personnel is relatively small, but it is understood that a reorganisation is now taking place which will result in a reduction of staff.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the number of Tudor II aircraft in production; and at what rate they will be delivered.

The Tudor II aircraft is still in the development stage. The present position is that the prototype is expected to fly early in the New Year. It is hoped that the first production aircraft will be delivered in the Spring of that year. A total output of 63 Tudor II aircraft is contemplated in 1946, with a peak output of 10 a month to be reached in September.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why a test of the trunk lines from London was recently carried out on a Monday morning causing considerable inconvenience to London firms; and whether in future he will conduct such tests at times when the lines are unlikely to be in demand for business purposes.

Ordinary testing of trunk lines for maintenance purposes is carried out during the night, and ceases at about 8 a.m. in order to avoid inconvenience during busy times. The only testing done during business hours is in connection with faulty circuits which are, of course, repaired and restored to service as early as possible. I have no knowledge of the specific occasion referred to in the Question, but if the hon. Member can give me particulars I will have further inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the shortage of spare parts for American agricultural machinery; and what steps he proposes to take to overcome this difficulty.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Major J. Morrison) on 15th October, which applies to American agricultural machinery in general as well as to tractors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement on the planning of the annual felling of trees, both by Government and private owners, in the near future; and what steps he is taking to assure supplies of timber to licensed operators.

These matters are under active consideration, but it is not possible to make a statement at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the method of control of the Benevolent Fund of the W.L.A.; how the controllers are appointed; how many applications for grants from this fund have been made since its inception; and how many have been refused.

The Women's Land Army Benevolent Fund is a registered War Charity. It is administered by a committee of management, the original members of which were selected in consultation with the Minister of Agriculture. Under the constitution of the Fund, any changes in the committee require the approval of the Minister. Since the inception of the Fund, 5,505 applications for grants or loans have been received. Of this total, 126 applications have been withdrawn and 124 rejected.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the need to improve the quality and suitability of agricultural machinery in use in this country, he will take steps to bring over a selection of modern agricultural machinery from Germany and to permit its use by some British farmers for the purposes of operational research which may lead to an improvement in the designs of our own machinery.

My Department is in communication with the trade association of the British agricultural engineering industry with a view to arranging for a visit to Germany of a small representative team to investigate recent developments in the design and production of German agricultural machinery. It would be one of the duties of this team to indicate machines of special interest, so that arrangements might be made for specimen machines to be brought to this country for trial.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many farmers have been dispossessed during the war; and will he take steps to ensure that farmers so dispossessed have the right to appeal to an independent court of justice.

Up to 31st August, 1945, the tenancies of 2,714 holdings in England and Wales covering an area of 227,221 acres had been terminated by notice under Defence Regulation 62. In addition, possession had been taken under Defence Regulation 51 in 8,885 separate cases comprising a total of 451,918 acres. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 15th October to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown).

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order that Members of Parliamentmay obtain first-hand knowledge of conditions and problems in the various parts of the British Empire, the Government will grant facilities for official visits to be made on a greater scale than in the past.

His Majesty's Government welcome all measures designed to promote a better understanding between the peoples of the British Commonwealth. As regards visits by Members of Parliament the hon. and gallant Member will no doubt be aware of the long-standing arrangements made by the Empire Parliamentary Association for visits by Parliamentary delegations within the Commonwealth and Empire.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the disclosure on Thursday, 18th October, by President Truman, of the contents of his correspondence on Palestine; and if he will now make a statement on Palestine.

The answer to the first part of this Question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the Question, I would invite the hon. and gallant Member's attention to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Renfrew East (Major Lloyd) on 23rd October.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of reported deaths from smallpox in Bengal and Calcutta, respectively, during each of the

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many Phoenix units of Mulberry harbours are available for which no useful purpose has so far been found; and if he will allow one of these units to be used to improve the harbour at Annalong, County Down.

:I have been asked to reply. Five units are available in the United Kingdom for disposal, which is the responsibility of the Ministry of Supply and Aircraft Production. My Department has already been approached on years 1941–42, 1943–44, and also for the first half of 1945.

Following are the figures requested:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the production of coal in each of the months September to February during the years 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944, respectively.

The table below sets out the production figures requested by the hon. Member. I have shown them as weekly averages for 4- or 5-week periods in order to make them comparable with the output figures which will be published in future at monthly intervals.behalf of the Northern Ireland Government, regarding a proposal to use a unit at Annalong. Technical information has been furnished and the representative has been put in touch with the disposal authorities.

asked the Minister of Works how many brickworks are idle at the present time; what number of men they employed when fully employed; and whether he is satisfied that local authorities have enough bricks to meet the housing demand during the next 12 months.

The number of closed brickworks is 753; when working to full capacity they would employ 20,000 persons. Stocks of bricks held by brickmakers total 1,100,000,000. Provided always that the necessary labour is forthcoming, I do not anticipate a shortage of bricks for housing or other essential purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that boys of 14 to 16 are being employed in newspaper offices more than 44 hours weekly, some of them up to 10 p.m. and, occasionally, all night; that boys 16 to 18 are working more than 48 hours weekly and, sometimes, all night; and whether he will introduce legislation to prevent boys working these long hours.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." But if the hon. Member will send me particulars I shall be glad to have investigation made.