asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider what steps can be taken to relieve the hardships inflicted on owner-occupiers who, having let their houses temporarily for the duration of the war, are unable now to recover possession for various reasons, chiefly lack of alternative accommodation for the sitting tenant.

:I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Leeds (Miss Bacon) on 25th October, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health how many tenders for the erection of houses by local authorities within the limits of £1,200 for the provinces and £1,300, inclusive of land and services, have been approved; and how many have been approved by him above these figures.

I regret I cannot give this information because local authorities do not usually invite tenders inclusive of land and services.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities in Great Britain are exercising the powers conferred upon them by the Rent Restriction Acts to publish information by leaflet or poster for the guidance of tenants and owners.

:870 local authorities have requisitioned a total of 48,000 copies of a poster produced by my Department, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Information as to additional activities of the local authorities is not available.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that people living in houses above the £75 rateable value are being threatened with evictions, though the landlords, in many cases, have suitable accommodation, he will consider raising the rateable value of houses to which the Rent Restriction Acts apply so that many who need protection during the present emergency will secure it.

:I will consider this matter in connection with the general review of the provisions of the Rent Restriction Acts, but I can hold out no prospect of early legislation.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he canmake a statement on the rents to be charged to people whose homes have been destroyed and who have been accommodated in requisitioned property;2. if he is aware that under Circular 183/45 people whose homes have been destroyed and who have been accommodated in requisitioned property will be required to pay increased rents; and if he will reconsider this departure from the policy that such people should not suffer additional financial burden as a consequence of bombing;3. if he is aware that the operation of Circular 183/45, issued by his Ministry will involve the imposition of a means test on every tenant of requisitioned property; and if he will take steps to prevent this.

:I have received representations from a number of local authorities and others about the operation of this circular; these representations are receiving my consideration and a further circular will be issued shortly.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received the Report of the Central Housing Advisory Committee on the conversion of large houses; and whether he proposes to publish it.

Yes, Sir. The Report is now with the printer.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Salford City Council have a list of 6,500 people waiting for houses, with very little land to develop; that Salford is surrounded by the following municipal authorities: Manchester, Stretford, Eccles, Worsley, Swinton and Pendlebury, Prestwich and Whitefield; and if he will take steps to ensure that all these authorities co-operate with Salford with a view to assisting them to solve the difficult problem of housing.

Yes, Sir. I will consider any representations made to me if local attempts to obtain any necessary co-operation prove unsuccessful.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to use plastic bath tubs for the Government's housing scheme; what are the names of the firms who will manufacture the tubs; and how many will each firm supply.

:I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and Aircraft Production that the use of plastics for the production of baths has not been considered by him. He is, however, prepared to consider any proposals which are made to him.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give direction and guidance to local authorities to whom powers of requisitioning unoccupied houses have been delegated, to ensure that such powers are used only against owners and occupiers who leave their properties empty for unreasonably long periods.

:I do not know what the hon. Member would regard as an unreasonably long period for a house to be allowed to remain unoccupied in present circumstances, but if he has any specific case in mind I should be willing to look into it.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that drainage boards in the West Riding of Yorkshire have been invited to make application for German prisoner-of-war labour, which they were informed would be available from 15th November, of which 100–150 will be supplied from the prisoner of war camp at Skipton; that this is inconsistent with his letter of 6th November to the Town Clerk of Skipton, reference 11a/640/717, to the effect that the labour would not be available until the end of January, 1946; and will he see that labour for building houses is made available forthwith.

The answer to the first part of the question is "No, Sir." Separate allocations of prisoners of war have been made for various services, including agriculture and housing site preparation. The allocation for housing is at present being wholly used, and prisoners can only be transferred to new jobs as they are freed from completed jobs. I am, however, in consultation with my colleagues exploring the possibility of making available a greater number of prisoners for housing purposes.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that prefabricated houses delivered in Ealing West, for erection by the L.C.C. and by the borough council, have their external walls made of cardboard which is already thoroughly damp under the weather and causing the whole structure to be uninhabitable; and what steps he is taking with the American Government or exporters for an immediate alteration in types of materials unsuitable for the weather in this country.

No, Sir. I am making inquiries and will let my hon. Friend know the result. I should add that all the temporary bungalows to be received from America have already reached this country.

asked the Minister of Health if he will divide the figures of 67,900 and 32,200 acres, being, respectively, the sites approved and acquired by local authorities for permanent houses, into regions for England and Wales as done for temporary houses on page 6 of Cmd. 6686.

Following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Works if he will now give further details in explanation of the increased cost of workers' homes which have risen from a prewar figure of £375 to over £1,000; and if he will bear in mind that the increased cost of bricks for such a house is not more than £30.

The houses now being built incorporate improvements in size and amenities and I cannot accept the figures in the first part of the Question as a fair comparison of the prewar and present cost of house building. For the reasons given in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Bucklow (Lieutenant Shepherd), of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, a useful and authoritative comparison cannot be made in present conditions. The increase in the cost of bricks suggested by my hon. Friend is consistent with the information given in my answer to the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Maude) on 15th October, and I would refer my hon. Friend to other items in that reply, and particularly to the additional cost of timber.

asked the Minister of Health how many blankets within the control of his Ministry are being stored and unused in Rugby and Warwick; and when he proposes to release them, either for use in European countries or for the home population.

Five thousand blankets are held on behalf of my Department at Warwick and about 1,800 at Rugby. These stocks had not previously been reported as surplus by the holding local authorities. Blankets form a part only of surplus equipment held by local authorities and the procedure for withdrawal is being urgently re-examined.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that public assistance staffs are disturbed that no statement has been made regarding their position, and in view of pending legislation by the Government will he state if the staffs are to be taken over by the Government.

I am aware that there is some anxiety on this subject. It is too early to make any detailed statement as to the future of the public assistance staffs, but I can assure my hon. Friend that it is proposed to provide for the compensation of any officers of public assistance authorities who may suffer loss of office by reason of any transfer of functions from those authorities to the Government.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increasing financial responsibilities placed upon local government authorities arising from the progressive development of public services, particularly in respect to education, housing and public health services, he will ask the House to appoint a Select Committee to examine and report upon the existing rating system, with particular reference to the desire for a more equitable and uniform system of rating, the operation of the Derating Act and the rating of land values.

The Government are aware that reforms are needed in the present system of rating and valuation, but I doubt whether the setting up of a Select Committee of this House at the present stage would be the best way of considering the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the valuable farming land that will go out of use and the distress that will be caused to people who have been farming this territory in Leek Division for centuries; and if he will refuse his sanction to the proposed Leicestershire Water Scheme, whereby the Manifold Valley reservoir is to be set up.

I am not aware of the full details of this scheme as no application has yet been made to me in the matter. Whether the necessary powers are sought from me or from Parliament, however, intending objectors will have ample opportunity to state their case before any decision is arrived at.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware that the Louth Rural District Council are about to commence a water extension scheme for Binbrook; and will he give an immediate assurance that this scheme will rank for grant;(2) if he is aware that the Louth Rural District Council have completed a water scheme for Cockerington within the last three months for which loan sanction was granted, but without any definite assurance that such works would attract grants under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewage Acts, 1944; and will he give an assurance that all works of this nature which district councils are prepared to carry out will rank for such grants;(3) if he is aware that, providing the water is available, the Louth Rural District Council would consider linking up Ludford with water from the Ludford Magna aerodrome supply without further delay, since the mains adjoin the village, provided he will give immediate sanction for the work, and particularly the assurance that such work will rank for grant; and will he now give this assurance.

The eligibility of any particular scheme for grant will depend upon the financial burden which the scheme will impose on the local authority and their ability to bear it. I am, therefore, not in a position to give the hon. Member the definite assurances he asks for until I have had an opportunity of considering in detail the financial implications of the schemes in question. As I have previously informed the hon. Member, I am about to invite local authorities to make formal applications for grant under the Act.

asked the Minister of Health what change in the regulations governing expenditure by local authorities on public relations activities he has under consideration; and whether he will clarify the present position in regard to such expenditure.

A circular was issued yesterday to local authorities as to the provision and cost of local information services. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the circular.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that young mothers are still expected to attend in person to register the birth of a child and that this regulation may involve hardship and danger; and whether he will arrange that the child's ration and identity cards shall be issued upon the production of a doctor's certificate.

:The duty of giving information for the registration of a birth rests primarily with the parents. The Registration Acts allow a period of 42 days for this purpose. Upon application to a food office where the mother's ration book must be produced arrangements are made for the mother to obtain the appropriate food allowance for the baby.

asked the Minister of Health what are the original sources of the various seed stocks of lymph now in use in the Government Lymph establishment; and whether rabbits are still used in the manufacture of the lymph.

I am advised that the lymph made at the Government Lymph Establishment is derived from seed lymph obtained from Cologne. Rabbits are used in connection with the reinvigoration of the lymph.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that there are 2.57 doctors per 1,000 in the Army and 2.27 doctors per 1,000 in the R.A.F. and only ·74 per 1,000 in the civil population, why over 370 doctors have been called up into the Army and R.A.F. since VE-Day; and why they are still being called up in considerable numbers.

The continued recruitment of doctors to the Forces is necessary, in accordance with the general principles set out in the White Paper on the Reallocation of Man Power issued in September, 1944, in order to increase the releases of medical officers under Class A of the demobilisation scheme and to compensate for releases under Class B. The great majority of those called up are young men recently qualified who have held hospital appointments for six or twelve months.

asked the Minister of Health the number of State registered nurses who were actively employed nursing in June, 1939, and the number employed in June, 1945, or nearest convenient date.

The nearest dates to those stated in the Question for which I have comparative figures are December, 1938, and May, 1945. These show that in civilian hospitals in England and Wales, excluding maternity and mental hospitals, the number of trained nurses employed had increased from about 25,000 to about 27,000 between the two dates. The number of beds to which the figures relate had, however, increased in greater proportion, from 270,000 to 333,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the short supply of potable liquid paraffin, which is extensively used for medicinal purposes, is causing hardship to invalids requiring it; and if he will prohibit its sale except under doctors' prescription until he has been able to ensure adequate supplies for all.

I am aware of the shortage referred to and the matter is engaging my attention and that of my right hon. Friends the Minister of Fuel and Power and the Minister of Supply and Aircraft Production. The treatment or use of liquid paraffin conforming to the British Pharmacoepia specification for any purposes other than medicinal purposes, except under the licence granted by the Minister of Fuel and Power, is prohibited by the Control of Petroleum Order, 1944.

asked the Minister of Health what provision is made by his Department for research into the causes and cure of rheumatism.

A number of universities and teaching hospitals have been approached to set up diagnostic and research centres for the study of rheumatic conditions. Progress has been slow because of the shortage of medical and nursing staff.

asked the Minister of Health by what authority does a county council provide reading rooms; and how many in fact provide such facilities.

The councils of boroughs and county districts are empowered to provide reading rooms under the Public Health Acts. I regret that information as to the number making this provision is not available.

asked the Minister of Education why there has been a drastic reduction, without notice or explanation, in the number of State bursaries awarded this year as compared with 1944, excluding from an award many candidates who satisfy the qualifications laid down in the pamphlet entitled State Bursaries, 1945, issued last May.

In a circular issued in May last year, covering a leaflet setting out the conditions for the award of State bursaries in 1945, headmasters and others concerned were informed that the range of subjects for bursaries had been extended, but that the total number would be about two-thirds the number awarded in 1944. In fact the number finally recommended by the Allocation Committee of University Representatives was just under half of the number recommended in 1944. The reasons for this were that the war with Japan had come to an end and that it was decided that the number of science and technical students to be deferred this year should be reduced in order to allow an increased intake of arts students whose numbers have been kept at a very low level during the war. State bursaries were introduced in 1941 as a wartime expedient to provide the Services and wartime industry with a supply of well equipped recruits. They have been awarded in certain technical subjects on the advice of the Government's Technical Personnel Committee. As the Committee recommended a reduction, the standard of award has been higher than in previous years.

asked the Minister of Education whether her attention has been called to the recommendations of the Catering Wages Commission, calling for the alteration of school and university examination dates, with a view to securing spread over holidays for the people; and if she proposes to make the necessary arrangements to implement these recommendations.

I am aware of the recommendations and have them under consideration. The hon. Member will appreciate that any changes in the present examination arrangements will call for consultation with the universities and other interested bodies.

asked the Minister of Education, in view of the continued strain arising in many schools through temporary and inadequate staffing, if she will consider adjusting the demobilisation of teachers to dates suitably anticipating the beginning of school terms, in order to permit more definite agreements to be made in the appointment of temporary staff, to avoid confusion in school arrangements and to minimise expenditure in salaries.

asked the Minister of Education whether any attempt is being made to release school teachers under Class B before each school term begins rather than at odd intervals throughout the school terms.

No, Sir, the needs of the schools make it essential that the full number of teachers who are to be released from the Forces under Class B of the Re-allocation of Man Power Scheme should be released as rapidly as possible. This is not consistent with arranging for their release in batches to fit in with the beginning of school terms.

asked the Minister of Education what percentage of primary schools in Cornwall have suitable sanitary arrangements.

I have not in my possession the data necessary to calculate the percentage of the schools in question which already have sanitary arrangements up to the standard required by the Ministry's new Building Regulations.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is a party to the calling-up of teachers under the age of 30 years during the present emergency; and what is the policy of her Ministry on this question.

So far as I am aware there are no medically fit men teachers under 30 now serving in the schools. A few such men have taken up other forms of war service. As and when they can be released from such service, it is the Government's policy that they should be allowed, if they wish, to return to teaching work in recognised schools.

asked the Minister of Education which schools have been accorded direct-grant status; which schools have had their claims rejected; and which schools have elected to become independent.

Following is the answer:A.—

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that in the area of London, N.8, a child aged five was recently refused admission to school owing to the lack of school-places and teachers; whether these circumstances obtain in other places; and what action it is proposed to take.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a recent case in Hornsey where some 10 children who reached the age of five in July last could not be admitted to school owing to the temporary impossibility of obtaining a teacher in response to advertisements. Steps are being taken to fill the post by re-advertisement as soon as possible. I am not aware of similar circumstances elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Education whether any orders have been made constituting joint education boards under the First Schedule, Part I, of the Education Act, 1944; if so, for what areas; in what cases a local inquiry was held beforehand; and what were the results of such local inquiries.

:Yes, Sir. An order was made on 30th March, 1945, after a public inquiry, establishing a joint education board as the local education authority for the administrative county of the Soke of Peterborough and the City of Peterborough. A proposal to establish a joint education board as the local education authority for the administrative counties of Rutland and Leicestershire was abandoned after a public inquiry had been held into the proposal.

asked the Minister of Education whether a man who was studying to be a teacher in 1940 and took his final examination early before joining the Forces in 1940 and failed at the examination because of having taken it too early, is now eligible for a grant to allow him to continue his training at the same college so as to qualify him to become a teacher.

:Students who entered a training college in 1936 or later and were unable to avail themselves of the usual opportunities for re-examination by reason of national service or difficulties arising from the war, will be allowed a further opportunity to retrieve their failure on their return from war service.

asked the Minister of Education if she will consider the desirability of amending the Primary and Secondary Schools (Grant Conditions) Regulations, 1945, so that, without prejudice to the total holidays which may be granted to schools, local education authorities which have three terms in the educational year shall not be obliged to curtail the Whitsun and Autumn mid-term holidays of infants and juniors and make them take the whole of their holidays at Christmas, Easter and Midsummer.

asked the Minister of Education if she will consider amending the regulations so that a school may close and take part of its holidays during term at the time of the local Wakes, without prejudicing its occasional holidays at other times, or without having to give all the children longer holidays than those granted in other parts of the area of the local education authority.

I am considering an amendment to Regulation 20 which would secure that part of the school holidays permissible under the Regulations could be taken during term time in the form of mid-term or occasional holidays without prejudice to the mid-term or occasional holidays not exceeding ten days which under the Regulations count as days on which the school meets.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to make the promised statement with regard to those persons who, during the war, were directed to employment returning to their former occupation.

No, Sir, but I hope shortly to make a general statement on labour controls.

asked the Minister of Labour how many days, or how many shifts, boys conscripted for the mines must have missed before he considers it necessary to prosecute them as having deliberately left the service.

No such rule is or could be laid down. A decision to prosecute a lad for having left coalmining employment without the permission of a national service officer is taken in the light of the facts of the individual case.

asked the Minister of Labour if a Serviceman, who in civil life was a master builder, will be allowed, if given priority release under Class B, to resume business on his own account, or will he be liable to be directed to work for somebody else.

Master builders are not being released as such under Class B but according to the particular crafts or occupations which they are recorded as having previously followed. Since releases of building workers under Class B are for the purpose of expediting the housing programme, all such workers are liable to be directed to work connected with that programme.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women in all Services were demobilised in October; and what is the average number now passing daily through the demobilisation centres.

:If my hon. Friend will repeat his Question next week I shall then be in a position to answer.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now state the total unemployment figure for Scotland and the percentage that figure bears to the total insurable population of Scotland; the total unemployed figure for Lanarkshire and the percentage that figure bears to the total insurable population of Lanarkshire; and the unemployed figure for Ruther- glen, Cambuslang and Blantyre and the percentage that figure bears to the insured population in these areas.

The figures are being extracted and I will send them to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of workers who have become redundant at Messrs. Vickers-Armstrongs Works, Barrow-in-Furness, week by week, during the last three months; what number of workers, men and women, have been found suitable employment; and how many are signing on at the following labour exchanges: Barrow, Ulverston, Millom and Dalton.

I have written to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is in order for a hardship committee to inform an applicant for deferment that his application would only be granted on condition that he took steps to dispose of his business.

The postponement Certificates Regulations, made under the National Service Acts, provide that applications for postponement on business grounds should only be granted to enable alternative arrangements to be made for carrying on the business, or for its disposal. The period of postponement granted should be the time which the applicant might reasonably be expected to require to make such arrangements. In an exceptional case, after an appropriate period of postponement, a Hardship Committee might therefore indicate that a man must take steps to enable him to fulfil his military obligations, even if it meant the disposal of his business, as it has no power to grant indefinite postponement of military service. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind and will furnish details, I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the intentions of the Government as regards National Service for young persons of 18 years of age and upwards; whether it is proposed to continue the present practice of calling up at 18 years of age for a period of service and for what length of service.

In order to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces as at present foreseen, it will be necessary to continue the call-up, under the National Service Acts, of young men between the ages of 18 and 30. It is not possible to say how long those now being called up will be required to serve, but I assure the hon. Member that the question will receive the closest attention in considering the arrangements for the provision of our permanent Armed Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour how many R.A.F. officers have been found positions by the Appointments Board and how many are on the waiting list.

The statistics of placings of ex-Service personnel by my Department do not distinguish between the Services, and the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the second part of the Question, I am obtaining the information and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of conscientious objectors still employed by local authorities; and whether his Department is advising local authorities to replace these men with service personnel as they become available.

The information required by the first part of the Question is not in the possession of my Department. I do not consider that action on the lines indicated in the second part of the Question is necessary.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will arrange for a small fleet of hire motorcars to be avail- able in Palace Yard, for hire by hon. Members, in view of the difficulty experienced in obtaining taxicabs owing to the fact that the Palace of Westminster is not situated on a main traffic junction.

:If there is a general desire that I should do so, I will discuss with the authorities whether any special arrangements are practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has any information to give on those men known to have been taken prisoner by the Japanese and whose relatives have not, as yet, heard that they are safe.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hitchin (Major A. Jones) on 6th November and to the hon. and gallant Member for Hornsey (Captain Gammans) on 13th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War in how many cases have soldiers not been allowed to sail for this country for demobilisation unless they were vaccinated.

It is impossible to ascertain exact figures. Unvaccinated men are not normally prevented from travelling by sea; but if an outbreak of smallpox occurs at the port of embarkation they may be liable to delay because of quarantine regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for War, how many men and women, respectively, have been discharged from the Service since the demobilisation scheme started before their term for release under the group system, because no suitable employment could be found for them.

Precise figures cannot be given, but between 1st June and 31st October it is estimated that some 13,000 men were discharged, before their turn under the age and service group system, because no Army employment could be found for them suitable for their age and medical category. This included 8,000 men of the Pioneer Corps who were in low medical categories. Practically no A.T.S. were discharged on that ground. There were many more out of turn discharges during the same period on other grounds, for example, as invalids.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in reducing the number of civilian employees of his Department in Northern Ireland, he will issue immediate instructions that preference should be given to local workers and that those whose place of residence is outside the United Kingdom should be the first to go.

Instructions were issued to the military authorities in Northern Ireland in July, 1943, that when staff became redundant workers not normally resident in Northern Ireland should be the first to be released, subject only to the preferential retention of disabled ex-Servicemen. Those instructions still stand.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that when the Victory March takes place in London a separate contingent of Maltese Servicemen will be included to represent Malta.

When a Victory March is arranged the claims of all Empire Forces will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of police constables who have passed examinations for sergeant's rank and who at present have not been promoted; the number likely to get promotion; and the number likely to remain as police constables for the rest of their service.

On 21st November, 1944, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 14,450 constables in England and Wales who had passed the examinations for promotion to the rank of sergeant. It is impossible to assess individual chances in a way that would enable me to answer the remainder of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to improve police protection in the Metropolitan area; why within ten miles of Hyde Park in four square miles of built-up area only three policemen are sometimes sent out on twelve beats at night; and if this is the usual practice.

:The Metropolitan Police Force, in common with others, is at present below the normal establishment, but arrangements have been made to secure the early return of constables from the Armed Forces and to accelerate recruitment. It would not be proper for me to disclose the detailed arrangements for policing a particular area; but it is misleading to assess the degree of police protection only from the number of constables who are seen in uniform on beat duty. A considerable number of men, in uniform and plain clothes, operate in other ways and extensive use is made of motor and wireless patrols.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers who joined the various police forces of England and Wales between 1st July, 1919, and 28th August, 1921, are known to be serving under the Police Pension Act, 1890; and how many of these men are serving under the Police Pensions Act, 1921, respectively.

I regret that the information asked for is not available, and could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to cases of wounding as a result of the unrestricted sale of commando daggers to schoolboys; and if he will consider restricting the sale of these weapons.

My attention has not been drawn to any case in which a knife of the type used by Commandos has been employed by a schoolboy for wounding, and my information is that these weapons are not on sale through ordinary trade channels. There is reason to believe that, in some cases, weapons wrongly described as "Commando knives" are being offered for sale by tradesmen, but I have no power to restrict this practice.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will extend the granting of licences for purchasing wheat by institutions who wish to instal flour mills for the local preparation of bread made from flour of 100 per cent. extraction and, in particular, grant such a licence to the medical officer of a maternity home whose name has been submitted and who wishes to supply such bread for his institution.

Any application on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend would receive sympathetic consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions there are on the manufacture in Great Britain, and on imports from abroad, of the class of automatic machines used in what are described as amusement saloons.

The manufacture of amusement machines of the kind which my hon. Friend has in mind is subject to licence. Licences have been granted in cases which have been justified by the local employment situation and the prospects of export. The great bulk of production is for export. No importation of these machines is being permitted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many girls will not join the G.T.C. because they have no coupons to obtain the necessary uniforms; and if he will consider making an allowance of clothing coupons for this purpose.

I regret that, while supplies of clothing are so difficult, I cannot give supplementary coupons to members of any youth organisations for the purchase of uniform.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the hard use to which the clothing of agricultural workers is necessarily put, it is proposed to resume the issue to them of additional clothing coupons during the coming winter; and, if it is not so proposed, what are the reasons.

Yes, Sir. When this year's Industrial Supplement is issued provision will again be made for agricultural workers. Details about the date and conditions of application will be announced later.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now permit an increase in the maximum weight of food and other parcels coming into this country by post.

The maximum weight of a parcel which may be imported by post without an import licence has now been increased to 11 lb., provided that the total weight of food contained in the parcel does not exceed 7 lb. and that each separate foodstuff contained in it does not weigh more than 2 lb.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the improvement in paper supplies, he is yet in a position to modify the restrictions imposed on certain uses of paper by the Control of Paper (No. 48) Order and subsequent Paper Control Orders.

The paper supply position continues to be difficult but I am now able to allow certain relaxations in these restrictions, although I must add a warning that only very limited quantities of paper can at present be licensed for those uses which will no longer be prohibited. An Order is being issued allowing the production of local guide books, paper serviettes, handkerchiefs, ďoyleys, greeting cards, crackers and a number of other articles, and removing the limitations on diaries, calendars, photographs and photographic mounts, and letter paper. It will be permitted to use paper for wrapping any goods on retail sale. A limited gratuitous distribution of advertising circulars will also be permitted. The prohibition will be relaxed on small new periodicals provided that they use no more than eight cwts. in four months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether individuals who apply for the immediate settlement of their claims under the War Damage (Chattels) Act, on grounds of serious financial hardship, have to forfeit the 2½ per cent. interest to which they would be entitled if they waited until general payment is made of all outstanding claims.

The War Damage Act, 1943, makes no provision for the payment of interest on any amounts paid before the dates yet to be specified in Treasury Regulations for the general payment of claims. Any alteration of practice would consequently require an amending Act and this is not practicable in present circumstances, but the matter will be kept under review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that washing machines, which normally include wringers, are to be free of Purchase Tax, he will consider removing the Purchase Tax from wringers sold separately.

No, Sir. Washing machines, whether or not incorporating wringers, are not exempt from Purchase Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Treasury of making rent aid allowances free of Income Tax.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if his attention has been drawn to the excessive electric lighting in London amusement saloons at all hours of the day and evening; and if he will impose more effective restrictions on the present use of electric illumination.

Special attention has been paid by the officers of my Department to the lighting used in amusement saloons, and where the circumstances warrant it, suitable steps are taken to secure compliance with the law. The whole question of electric lighting restriction is engaging my careful attention, and I shall not hesitate to ask for further statutory powers if necessary. I prefer, however, to rely as far as I can upon the voluntary co-operation of the public, and particularly of the trading community, and in general I am receiving that co-operation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he proposes to take for the retail distribution of coal in South London, to enable purchasers of small quantities to obtain their supplies at frequent intervals, in order to avoid the breakdowns which occurred last winter.

I have increased substantially the winter coal allocation to London, particularly to those districts which suffered most last year, and have arranged additional labour and transport for its distribution. I have also arranged for more shopkeepers to supply coal in small quantities, either loose or in bags; and for priority deliveries by merchants in cases of urgent necessity reported to local fuel overseers.

asked the Minister of Information if he will state the form and scope of the consultations between his Ministry and the B.B.C.

In the case of the Home services, there are no arrangements for regular consultation between the Ministry and the Corporation, it being understood that the Ministry is available to give advice to the Corporation as required. With regard to the Overseas services, consultations are constantly in progress sometimes through individual contacts between Regional Officers and sometimes through joint committees. Such consultations are usually on broad lines and deal with the general suitability of the service concerned. A special division of the Ministry is responsible for discussions on technical matters, on the collec- tion of listener research from abroad, and on the time and frequencies of the transmissions.

asked the Attorney General what action he proposes to take to prevent landlords doubling and trebling the ground rent of leasehold properties whose leases are due to expire soon.

The committee which, under the chairmanship of Lord Ridley, recently examined the question of rent control generally made no recommendation for the control of ground rent, provided it is not of such an amount as to come within the controls provided by the Rent Restriction Acts. The Government recognises the fact that the value of property may have increased since the ground rents on leases now falling in were fixed, and does not intend, in default of evidence of abuse, to impose restrictions other than those now in force.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that at the Willington Quay disposal depot motor vehicles are being broken up, notwithstanding that in many cases they are in good condition and that offers to purchase some of these vehicles have been refused; and if he will take steps to stop this.

I am aware that motor vehicles are broken down at the Wellington Quay disposal depot, Newcastle. The depot was set up for this purpose and was first operated by the Ministry of Works and Buildings but was recently transferred to my control. All vehicles declared surplus are examined by technical experts and those which are found to be unsuitabe for further use on the roads on account of their age and condition are sentenced to be broken down for produce.The operation of the depot is part of the comprehensive plan for the orderly and proper disposal of surplus vehicles. Under these arrangements steps are taken to break down dangerous or otherwise unserviceable vehicles and thus prevent them from being put on the roads. Only vehicles in a satisfactory condition safe for both users and the public are being made available to peacetime users.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that makers of mechanical diggers and excavators are unable to deliver for urgent orders under some 44 weeks; and whether mechanical diggers can be released from the Services in the interest of housing schemes and other important work.

During the war a high proportion of the available mechanical diggers and excavators had to be allocated to the combatant Services. Service demands have been greatly reduced, and manufacturers are now at liberty to dispose of machines in the ordinary course of business, subject to according priority to any orders which may be specially indicated to them, such as heavy excavators for open-cast coal production.Pent-up civil demand has naturally led to a spate of orders, but it is believed that, once these have been worked off, manufacturers will be able to quote reasonable delivery. New production is already being supplemented by Service surpluses, which are being disposed of under the principles laid down in the White Paper on Disposals Policy (Cmd.6539), and as soon as machines are clearly identified as surplus they are ex-peditiously dealt with. In a number of instances Service machines have been made available on loan for urgent civil works.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether, in the disposal of Government surplus stock, he will give an opportunity to Service and ex-Servicemen interested in the development of radio, to purchase wireless and radar sets no longer required.

It is regretted that it is not possible to set up machinery for making direct sales to individuals.

asked the Under-secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if any arrangements have yet been made with the Dominions Governments for the settlement of ex-Servicemen overseas.

The position remains as stated in the White Paper (Command 6658) in regard to migration within the British Commonwealth. The negotiations with Australia and Southern Rhodesia referred to in the Command Paper are still continuing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will provide a list of the schemes of work at present being undertaken by the Essex Rivers Catchment Board and which will have the effect of preventing the flooding of dwelling-houses which this winter would certainly be flooded if the schemes were not carried out.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply of 24th August last. The wartime works of capital and of maintenance now being carried out by the Essex Rivers Catchment Board, whilst primarily directed to improving the drainage or avoiding the flooding of agricultural land, also, to a greater or lesser degree, affect residential property, particularly in the case of sea defence works. As my hon. and gallant Friend may be aware, the Board propose to consider at an early date a post war programme which will be of direct benefit in relation to flood prevention in residential areas. The Board will deal with these works in order of priority, but the whole scheme would take several years to carry out. Such a programme would call for a considerable expansion of the Board's organisation and involve greatly increased expenditure.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if, in view of complaints received from Servicemen in Cairo of delays in the transmission of mails from England, he will say how long letters should take in present circumstances.

Letters for the Forces in Cairo are despatched by air, and apart from delays due to bad weather or other causes, the time occupied between posting and delivery should normally be four to five days. I am not aware of any general complaint of delay in this service, but if the hon. Member will furnish details of any specific instances where the normal time has been exceeded, I will have them investigated.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if correspondence may now take place between civilians in this country and relatives in Hungary.

There is as yet no postal service between this country and Hungary. Communications have been authorised by the Allied Control Commission but it has not yet been possible to start a postal service owing to transport difficulties between Hungary and other countries. I hope that these difficulties will be overcome and that it may be possible to announce services by both air and surface routes in the near future. The telegraph service between the United Kingdom and Hungary has already been restored.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether in view of the inauguration this week of the new regular English-South African air service which will leave this country every Saturday, arrangements can now be made to give a definite time up to which letters may be posted so as to catch the Saturday departure; and whether special arrangements will be made to provide facilities for Press material in this connection.

So long as the through service is running not oftener than once a week as at present, an effective latest posting time is not practicable, but I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the complaints made by wives and relatives of soldiers serving at St. Helena, against the postal services which take periods of 15 weeks; and if, in view of the importance of maintaining morale, he will arrange an air mail service and thus expedite postal deliveries.

Mails for St. Helena are despatched as frequently as possible, but surface outlets are irregular and do not occur more frequently than about once a month. The transmission time by sea averages about three weeks. There were six arrivals of mails in St. Helena from May to October inclusive, the longest interval between arrivals being six weeks. Unfortunately it was impracticable to embark mails on a recent sailing. There is no air service to St. Helena by which mails could be sent and I am advised by the appropriate authority that in all the circumstances an air service cannot be justified.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will state the number of public telephone kiosks lit at night; the number of kiosks where no lighting is available or the plant has broken down; when it is anticipated that all will be lit when it is dark; the number of telephone kiosks that have mechanical defects and what steps are being taken to keep them in running order; and, approximately, the number of instruments that have been stolen in the last 12 months.

Following are the particulars asked for, so far as they are available:Since the black-out regulations were withdrawn, lighting has been restored in approximately 26,400 telephone kiosks and will be restored in a further 1,800 as soon as the necessary equipment can be made available or supply cables connected. Some 8,000 kiosks mostly in rural areas, have no lighting, in most cases because there is no power supply in their neighbourhood.The number of telephone kiosks out of order in consequence of faults varies from day to day and the national figures for a particular day could only be obtained by special inquiries throughout the country. In the London Telecommunications Region there are some 6,300 kiosks in addition to about 4,600 public call offices at railway stations, etc. It is estimated that about 8 per cent. of these are out of order at any particular time. All telephone kiosks are inspected regularly and in addition the officers who collect the coin from the boxes at regular intervals make a "test" call to the exchange at every visit to ensure that the apparatus is in working order. Any obvious defect in the condition of the apparatus is also reported by the cleaning staff and defects are at times brought to notice by members of the public. Faults reported on these installations are given urgent attention and service is restored at the earliest possible moment. Unfortunately some members of the public have little sense of civic responsibility and a large proportion of the difficulties experienced with call offices arises from deliberate and malicious damage.Approximately 10,300 telephone instruments or parts of instruments were stolen from public call offices during 1944: this is the latest figure available.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the average time elapsing between the lodging of a pensions appeal and its final determination; and whether he is satisfied that appeals are heard promptly.

The period which elapses between the lodging of an appeal and its hearing by the pensions appeal tribunal varies according to the type of case. Preference is given to cases in which an early decision is specially desirable, such as appeals by widows or by seriously disabled members of the Forces. Delay in hearing appeals is largely due to wartime difficulties generally, but all possible steps are taken to expedite the hearing of appeals and I understand that my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has arranged for two additional Tribunals to be set up in England at the end of this month and hopes to have a further three, making a total of 20, in operation at the beginning of the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, how far the aims and objects of the British Council have been varied in the light of the ending of the war; and what part the Council plays in interpreting British Commonwealth relations.

The aims and objects of the British Council are defined in the Council's Charter as the promotion of a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom and of the English language abroad and the development of closer cultural relations between the United Kingdom and other countries for the purpose of benefiting the British Commonwealth of Nations. These aims remain unaffected by the ending of the war.The interpretation of British Commonwealth relations in the light of current politics is not one of the Council's tasks. But in giving information about the United Kingdom, the Council pays due attention to the fact that the United Kingdom is a member of the British Commonwealth, and the Council considers it within its terms of reference to give general information on the constitution of the Commonwealth.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that naval personnel captured by the Germans did not receive any clothing allowance during their period of internment; and if this allowance was credited to the prisoners' accounts in this country.

Kit up-keep allowance paid to Naval Ratings ceased from the date of capture. During the period of captivity, service clothing, supplied by the Government was sent to Germany and issued free to Naval Ratings. On repatriation Naval Ratings are completely re-kitted as necessary and kit up-keep allowance is again paid.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he has a report to make on the threatened arrest of Pandit Nehru; and will he take immediate steps, with view to preventing the arrest, which would render more difficult all attempts to reconcile the peoples of India with those of Britain.

There is no foundation for any suggestion that the arrest of Pandit Nehru is contemplated; the second part of my hon. Friend's Question does not therefore aris