asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will grant a quota of Class B releases for the Postmaster-General in addition to the present small release of female staff from the women's Forces;(2) the extent of the quota of Class B releases which he has allotted to the Postmaster-General's Department.

Up to 500 releases in Class B have been assigned to women telegraphists and telephonists in the Post Office. In addition, a quota of 52 individual specialists has so far been allocated to the Post Office

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the immediate release from His Majesty's Forces of all personnel who have been prisoners in Japanese hands for more than 12 months.

Members of the Forces who have been prisoners in Japanese hands and are not in need of hospital treatment are released from the Forces, if they so desire, irrespective of the period of their captivity, unless they are Regular members of the Forces with part of their Regular service to complete.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a period of compulsory service in the mines is added to any period of service in the Armed Forces of the Crown in fixing an individual's demobilisation category.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Pudsey and Otley (Colonel Stoddart-Scott), a copy of which I am sending him, and to which at the moment I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Labour how many cases have so far been dealt with by reinstatement committees; and in how many cases the decision has gone in favour of the individual claiming reinstatement under the Act of 1st August, 1944.

The number of cases dealt with by reinstatement committees in the 15 months up to 31st October, 1945, was 298; in 168 cases the decision was in favour of the applicant.

asked the Minister of Labour the number registered as unemployed, men and women, at the Partick and Waterloo Street employment exchanges, Glasgow.

The numbers of insured men and women, aged 18 years and over, registered as unemployed at the Partick Employment Exchange were 366 and 242, respectively. The numbers registered at Waterloo Street were 830 men and 241 women.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the grant of £150 to ex-Servicemen starting up in business is paid to those who wish to migrate to the Dominions or Colonies.

No, Sir. It is necessary to exercise control over the expenditure of grants which are made and this would not be possible in places where my Department has no local organisation.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons remain covered by the Essential Work Order now as compared with the number on VJ-Day.

The number of persons covered by the Essential Work Orders at 30th September, 1945—the latest date for which figures are available—was some 8,714,000. In the interests of economy these figures are compiled at six monthly intervals only. The figure as at 31st March, 1945, was 8,696,000.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have been called up to the Forces since VE-Day; and how many of them have had their recruitment deferred for industrial reasons.

The number of men called up to the Forces since VE-Day is 112,000, of whom it is estimated 32,000 had had their recruitment deferred for industrial reasons.

asked the Minister of Labour what liability exists for men released from the Merchant Navy to be called up into the Armed Forces.

Men released from the Merchant Navy other than on medical grounds or under the age and length of service

—		August 1st-14th.	August 15th-31st	Total.	September.	October.	November 1st-16th.
W.R.N.S	…	48	225	303	566	614	330
A.T.S.	…	627	531	1,158	1,412	904	722
W.A.A.F	…	82	165	247	431	608	355
Totals	…	757	951	1,708	2,409	2,126	1,407
The November figures are provisional.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when value payments on houses destroyed by enemy action are to be paid.

This date cannot be fixed yet. It must depend, not only on financial considerations, but on the availability of supplies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when owner-occupiers whose houses were destroyed by enemy action as long as five years ago may expect to receive the compensation to which they are entitled.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for East Grinstead (Colonel Clarke) on 24th August, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any assessment is made upon co-operative societies upon the profits earned in their trading with non-members. scheme are liable to call-up to the Armed Forces if under 31 years of age. In practice I am not calling up ex-Merchant seamen between 25 and 30 years of age who have completed three years' service, or men under 25 who have completed four years'service in "the Merchant Navy since the outbreak of war.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of W.R.N.S., A.T.S. and W.A.A.F. have been recruited in each month since VJ-Day.

The numbers of W.R.N.S., A.T.S. and W.A.A.F. recruited in each month since VJ-Day are as follows:

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated average amount spent out of public funds on a child's health and education in this country up to the school-leaving age; and what is the additional amount for one who remained at school to the age of 16 years.

The latest available figures of the cost per child of the education service are those contained in the memorandum published with the Board of Education Estimates for 1939. No corresponding figures are available for the cost per child of publicly provided health services.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present totals of our overseas assets and of the sterling balances standing in London to the credit of overseas countries, respectively.

The effect of the war on our overseas assets precludes any reliable estimate of their present total value. The total of our sterling liabilities at the end of June, 1945, was slightly above £3,500,000,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will increase the number of free railway warrants issued to civil servants at present stationed far from their homes from two to four per year.

It is proposed to improve the free travel arrangements at present authorised for civil servants who have been transferred in the public interest and thus separated from their families. New arrangements are now under discussion with the staff side of the National Whitley Council.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will provide a list of those who, after having served as temporary civil servants during the war, have subsequently been established as permanent civil servants in the grade of principal or above without competitive examination; and whether he will give in each case a special reason for such establishment, in view of the fact that many equally competent men who were with the fighting services during the war are being deprived of such positions.

The selection of temporary civil servants for establishment in the grade of principal or above is not yet complete; but when it has been completed, consideration will be given to the publication of a list of the names of the successful canidates in the next published report of the Civil Service Commissioners. As; to the reasons for such establishment, I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 32-34 of the White Paper, Cmd. 6567.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the desirability of encouraging all means whereby parents feel able to support larger families, he will consider raising the limit on houses coming within the Rent Restriction Act, to £100 in the provinces as well as in London.

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 if his recent Order gave local authories power to requisition cottages used for week-end and holiday purposes in those rural districts where there is a shortages of houses for the local population.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make sure that local authorities are making full use of requisitioning powers to take over week-end bungalows and cottages on the outskirts of all towns and cities.

Clerks of local authorities already have power to requisition unoccupied houses whether furnished or unfurnished, and these powers can be exer- cised where premises are only occasionally occupied. I have no reason to think that local authorities are not fully aware of their powers or that they fail to exercise them in suitable cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has empowered local authorities to requisition property in the hands of trustees or executors for the purpose of sale or letting in winding up estates of deceased persons.

Clerks of local authorities are empowered to requisition any unoccupied houses, but the local authorities are required to consider on merits proposals for the occupation of the houses submitted by owner's within 14 days, and I have no doubt that they will consider proposals from trustees or executors of estates.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the house, No. 46, Edward VII Avenue, Newport, Monmouthshire, was requisitioned in April on his instructions by the Town Clerk of Newport for a transferred war worker and that in October the owner of the house returned after six years' Army service; that the owner is in a key position in industry in Newport and requires his house for himself, his wife and two children; and will he arrange for the immediate return of the house to its owner, whose importance to the Newport industrial area is equal to that of the person now occupying the house.

The Newport Town Council have been asked to take the necessary steps to secure the return of the premises to the owner as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken for the immediate release of the specialist personnel indispensable to the expeditious carrying forward of the national housing programme.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 25th October. Every effort is being made to accelerate the return to their jobs of the technical officers being released under Class B arrangements. The latest figure of technical officers actually released is 691.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the site chosen for the erection of prefabricated houses at Stafford, that this site is on the bank of the River Sow and is always flooded in times of heavy rainfall; and what steps he is taking to prevent inconvenience to the new tenants.

Temporary houses are being erected on part of the Stafford Borough Council'sSilkmore Estate. I am informed that the site is not on the bank of the River Sow and is not liable to floods.

asked the Minister of Health if he will instruct local authorities to deal without delay with all applications to eliminate dry rot occurring in houses.

As indicated in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works on 6th November, the position is fully appreciated by local authorities, and I do not think any further instruction is called for. In this connection, I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular issued to local authorities on 7th January, 1944, on the subject of dry rot in unoccupied houses.

asked the Minister of Health when he will announce his short-term and long-term policy for improving rural housing in England and Wales; and whether his survey of the housing requirements of rural areas has been completed.

The housing needs of rural areas are receiving active consideration, but as regards the first part of the Question I have nothing to add to what I said in the Debate on 17th October. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South-West Norfolk (Mr. Dye) on 1st November.

asked the Minister of Health how many Liverpool families are still living away from the city as war evacuees; and what steps are being taken to provide them with housing accommodation in Liverpool.

I regret that I have not the information in the exact form asked for by my hon. Friend but on 31st July, 1945, 233 families or parts of families whose original homes were in Liverpool were still billeted or otherwise housed outside Liverpool. My hon. Friend can be assured that the Liverpool Corporation are giving every consideration to applications from such persons for housing accommodation in Liverpool. There are, however, many other classes of persons whose needs have also to be met.

asked the Minister of Health how many permits have been issued by the rural district councils in Norfolk for the erection of old railway carriages and other undesirable huts for habitation by ex-Servicemen and their families.

I regret that this information is not available and could not be obtained without an undue amount of Labour.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that no member of the Builders' Federation would tender for houses to be erected by Cromer, Norfolk, Urban Council because they were not supplied with bills of quantities, with the result that no tenders were received by this council; and if he will instruct councils to supply bills of quantities.

Yes, Sir. A circular was sent to local authorities on 9th August recommending them to provide bills of quantities.

asked the Minister of Health the rate of interest local authorities will have to pay on capital borrowed from the Exchequer for housing purposes; and the extent of the subsidy to be paid by the Government, in view of the fact that some new permanent houses are already completed and others arc nearing that stage.

The rate of interest on housing loans for the normal period of 60 years is at present 3⅛per cent. The question of the appropriate subsidy is under discussion with representatives of the local authorities and a decision as to the proposals to be laid before Parliament will, I hope be reached at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the quotation of 9th November, 1945, of Messrs. Richard Thomas and Baldwins, Limited, Ebbw Vale, Monmouth, a copy of which has been sent to him, to a building contractor in Newport, in which conditions of sale are made prejudicial to the public interest and policy; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter and to prevent a recurrence by prohibiting firms from making such sale conditions.

Inquiries are being made into the matter to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the particulars of the case of a tenant in Newport, which have been sent to him, in which the ground landlord is asking more for the purchase of the freehold land than the cost of the house, after refusing to renew the lease to the tenant; and what steps he proposes to take to stop such imposition.

I cannot trace that the particulars of this case have been sent to me. In any event, however, the matter does not seem to be one in which I have any jurisdiction.

asked the Minister of Works if he will state the price per house paid for Swedish temporary houses, f.o.b. Swedish port; the price, c.i.f. British port; what customs duty is payable; what fee is paid to the Ministry of Works or other Government Department; and the price on delivery to a local authority.

The Swedish houses are permanent houses of several types ordered from a number of Swedish firms. The effect on price of certain adjustments in design is still being worked out, but in any case I am not prepared to give particulars of the prices paid, as such disclosure might hamper any negotiations for further orders for these or similar houses; the percentage of customs duty is not yet finally settled; the fee paid to the Ministry of Works in reimbursement of expenses is provisionally fixed at two per cent. of the cost of the house as delivered to the site; the prices to be charged to local authorities are not yet finally fixed.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the courts are so congested that many ex-Servicemen wishing to obtain possession of their houses cannot get their cases heard for many months; and if he proposes to take any remedial action to assist ex-Service-men in this matter.

My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is aware that there is some delay in hearing possession cases in a few of the county courts, mainly in the London area; the increased number of cases is due not only to the demobilization. of members of the Forces, but also to the return to the districts concerned of large numbers of people who left them for various reasons during the war. Arrangements have already been made to increase the number of sittings at several courts with a view to meeting the situation.

asked the Minister of Health if, as manufacturers of proprietary medicines have to state the contents on the bottle, he will take steps to ensure that medical practitioners should do likewise.

I am not satisfied that the suggested requirement is necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to encourage entrance into the nursing profession, he will consider revising the present inadequate salaries of student nurses.

I have already met the representatives of the nursing profession on this matter and I understand that the whole question will be considered by the Nurses' Salaries Committee presided over by Lord Rushcliffe.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the shortage of dental mechanics in the Knutsford and rural area of Cheshire; to what extent this is the case all over the country; and whether he will consider recommending to the Service authorities the priority release of these men when application is made under Class B.

I am not aware that the shortage of dental mechanics in the' area referred to is more marked than that which has been created in many other parts of the country by withdrawals for service with the Forces. The situation will improve as demobilisation proceeds, and in the meantime I am ready to sponsor individual applications for release in Class B where there are special circumstances which justify it.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Norfolk County Council have approved in principle a number of schemes for extending rural water supplies in the county submitted by local sanitary authorities; and if he will give an early indication of the amount of the contribution he proposes to make towards the cost of Norfolk schemes approved by his Department.

I am aware that a number of schemes are in course of preparation. Schemes have been submitted in outline to my Department by seven rural district councils, but in only two of the cases have I been definitely informed that the county council approve of the scheme in principle. I am about to issue a circular to local authorities inviting them-to make formal applications for grant under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act.

asked the Minister of Health how many clinics, under the direction of a trained audiometrist, have been established in England and Wales, in order to assist deaf persons in the choice of suitable aural aids.

I am aware of eight such clinics in England and Wales under the direction of otologists or other persons specially qualified to advise as to the choice of aural aids.

asked the Minister of Education when the rooms requisitioned by the Ministry of Health as a first aid centre in the Spring Bank Council School, New Mills, will be reinstated, so as to be reasonably convenient and available for educational purposes.

The delay in putting in hand the work of reinstatement of the rooms at the Spring Bank Council School, New Mills, has been due to difficulty experienced by the local education authority in discovering a contractor willing to tender for the work. With the help of the Ministry of Works, the names of five such contractors have now been notified to the local education authority, and I hope that this will enable the work to be undertaken quickly so that the accommodation affected may soon be available again for educational purposes.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that a school in Penketh, Lancashire, was erected in 1939 for senior scholars living in adjacent areas; that it was adapted for N.F.S. purposes and vacated in December, 1944; and whether she can now indicate when this modern school will be re-opened for the education of the children of those living in this locality, which has increased in population.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 25th October to the hon. Member for Preston (Mr. Sunderland), a copy of which I am sending him. Revised plans and a specification were received in my Department on 20th November and are now under consideration. It is not possible for me to give, any indication as to the date of completion of the building.

asked the Minister of Education if she will undertake to refuse her sanction to any Burnham award which does not increase the remuneration payable to graduate teachers, or, if that is impracticable on financial grounds, does not give additional rewards to those members of the teaching profession serving in secondary schools who hold first-class honours degrees of British universities.

As I informed the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 9th October, I have now approved the full reports of the Burnham Committee. These reports prescribe higher scales for graduate teachers than those hitherto in force and in addition contain provisions under which allowances over and above the scale salary may be given to teachers with special academic qualifications.

asked the Minister of Education if she has any figures to indicate the number of ex-Service graduate teachers, especially those with science degrees, who have gone into industry from the Services instead of returning to teaching; and how many graduate teachers in the Services have refused release under.Class B because they have no intention of returning to teaching.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Education for what reasons instructions have been issued by her Ministry that no further admissions to technical colleges shall be granted to members of the Polish armed forces.

In agreement with the War Office and other Departments concerned, I have advised the London County Council that no further admission to day classes in technical colleges, should be granted to members of the Polish armed forces. I have done so partly because the responsibility for providing educational facilities for Service personnel, whether our own or our Allies, rests with the authorities of the Service to which they belong, and partly because the day-time resources of technical colleges are now fully engaged in meeting the normal training needs of industry and the special training needs of demobilised persons.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the difficulty of operating the schools' milk service in West Ham, due to the absence of one-third-pint milk bottles; and what steps is she taking to secure the early provision of suitable closed containers of one-third-pint capacity.

Yes, Sir. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food that steps have been taken to remedy the general shortage of milk bottles. It is the intention of all concerned with school milk to restore the pre-war type of supply in one-third-pint bottles, with drinking straws, at the earliest possible moment, but this will depend on the improvements expected next year in labour, transport and bottling plant as well as on the supply of small bottles.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the increased production of T.T. milk in the county of Norfolk, she will make arrangements for schoolchildren to be supplied with T.T. milk while attending school; and, as supplies become available, make similar arrangements throughout the country.

Under the Regulations for the Provision of Milk and Meals, 1945, the source and quality of school milk must be approved by the medical officer of health. Subject to this, no exception is taken by my Department to the supply of tuberculin tested milk to schoolchildren if heat treated milk is not available or, in other cases, if no extra expense is involved. I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that there are no medical grounds on which I should be justified in encouraging the supply of tuberculin tested milk in preference to heat treated milk.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will make a statement on the present position in regard to youth welfare as it affects her Ministry.

The. Ministry focuses and guides the work of the local education authorities and voluntary organisations engaged in the youth service. The local education authorities, operating through their local youth committees, administer the service locally and it is their duty under the Education Act to provide or assist the provision of the necessary facilities.

asked the Minister of Education what is the purpose of withdrawing Government grants to boys' and girls' clubs.

Government grants to boys' and girls' clubs have not been withdrawn. It is, however, my intention gradually to reduce in number and ultimately to discontinue the direct grants made by the Ministry towards meeting expenditure on the maintenance of these clubs. From now onwards local education authorities will be expected to take over the responsibility for giving such aid towards maintenance as may be necessary to enable local voluntary youth organisations to function effectively. This expenditure will, of course, rank for grant. I shall still be prepared to give direct grant to clubs in respect of items of capital expenditure. This matter was dealt with in paragraph 7 of Circular 51, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Education whether she proposes to encourage the teaching of the principles of nutrition throughout the schools; and from what age it is suggested that the subject be taught

I shall certainly encourage the teaching of nutrition to secondary school pupils, particularly through such subjects as housecraft, hygiene and other branches of science. Younger children will learn valuable practical lessons through the school meals and milk service.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will initiate discussions with the Universities, and other interested bodies, to examine the proposal for the alteration of school and university examination dates as recommended by the Catering Wages Commission in order to secure a proper spread over of holidays for the people.

I will certainly arrange for these bodies to be consulted, but the precise form of such consultations and the channels through which they can best be made has not yet been decided.

asked the Minister of Education why the method of registration in operation, prior to the Education Act of 1944, in schools in list 60 which was considered as a satisfactory basis on which to pay grants to these schools, has been changed to that operating in former elementary schools; and if the new or the old method of registration is to be applied to schools on the direct-grant list which were also on list 60.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 29th October, 1945, a copy of which I am sending her. It is not the case, however, that the present method of registration is that formerly applied in elementary schools. The requirements set out in Administrative Memorandum No. 48 are different in a number of respects, both for primary and secondary schools, from those in operation prior to the Education Act, 1944, and I am considering whether any further modifications can be made.

As regards the second part of the Question, certain special requirements are necessary in the case of direct-grant grammar schools in connection with the assessment of grant and separate instructions have been issued to those schools approximating as closely as practicable to those for other schools.

asked the Minister of Education what percentage of the elementary schools in the counties of Brecon and Radnor have facilities for mid-day dinners; and how many rural schools in Breconshire are without such. facilities.

The available figures relate to primary and secondary schools in the county of Brecon, 50 per cent. of the schools or school departments have facilities for mid-day dinners. The corresponding figure in the county of Radnor is 77 per cent. I am unable to give separate figures for the rural schools in Brecon.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the delay which has occurred in the provision of facilities for the cooking of school meals at Rackheath, Norfolk; and will she press for the completion of the arrangements.

The proposals for a canteen at Rackheath Council School needed modification in respect of siting but have now been approved subject to sanction in respect of Restriction of Ribbon Development. As soon as this outstanding point has been disposed of, the Ministry of Works will be asked to erect the canteen.

asked the Minister of Education when she proposes to introduce legislation to enable teachers to be eligible for membership of an education committee set up by the council of a borough or urban district, which is constituted a divisional executive though their appointment rests in whole or in part with that council.

I am not yet in a position to add to the last part of my answer to the hon. Member for Central Hackney (Mr. H. Hynd) dated 23rd August, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Education if she will certify for release under Class B those men who, on the completion of their college course of training, taught in schools for a short period as temporary teachers before being called to the Forces but who were not included in the lists submitted by local education authorities, and, if so, should these men make personal application to her Ministry or to the local education authority.

These men are eligible for the offer of Class B release on the same footing as other teachers and a large number have already been identified in the records of the Service Departments. If any man is in doubt whether his name has been put forward to the Ministry for this purpose, he should make inquiries of the local education authority or other body by whom he was employed before joining the Forces.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware of the recent increase in tuition fees at Oxford Colleges; and whether, in view of the financial difficulties of scholarship students, she will take steps to increase the grants to State scholars.

I am aware that one or two colleges at Oxford have increased their tuition fees. These fees are paid direct to the colleges by my Department on behalf of State scholars and increases are duly met. Apart from the payment of fees to the colleges, the grants made by my Department to State scholars provide for maintenance allowances according to need, which are based on standard figures of maintenance recommended to the Department by the various university scholarship committees. The rates are reviewed trienially and the last review was conducted earlier this year. No general alteration was recommended, but several committees suggested that the figures should be reconsidered early in 1946, and this review has already been set in motion.

asked the Minister of Education the composition of the Burnham Committees, indicating who is responsible for the appointment of their members and the principles upon which they are selected.

The associations to be represented on the Burnham Committees, and the number of representatives assigned to each, are determined by the Minister, but the individual members are nominated by the associations which they represent. The composition of the Burnham Committees is as follows:

BURNHAM MAIN COMMITTEE
Authorities' Panel
County Councils Association	9
Association of Municipal Corporations	6
Association of Education Committees	6
London County Council	3
Federation of Education Committees (Wales and Monmouthshire)	2
Teachers' Panel
National Union of Teachers	16
Incorporated Association of Headmasters	1
Incorporated Asociation of Headmistresses	1
Incorporated Association of Assistant Masters	2
Incorporated Association of Assistant Mistresses	2
Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions	4
BURNHAM TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Authorities' Panel
County Councils Association	4
Association of Municipal Corporations	3
Association of Education Committees	3
London County Council	2
Federation of Education Committees (Wales and Monmouthshire)	1
Teachers' Panel
Association of Principals of Technical Institutions	2
Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions	6
National Association of Art Masters	2
National Federation of Continuative Teachers	1
National Union of Teachers	2

asked the Minister of Education what steps have been taken to improve the supply of text-books for schools.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield (Air-Commodore Harvey) on 18th October, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Education how many education committeesin Wales are proposing to dismiss married women teachers on grounds of redundancy; and whether, in view of the efforts to recruit for the teaching profession, she proposes to intervene.

I am aware of two areas in Wales in which education committees or local sub-committees have proposed to dismiss married women teachers on grounds of redundancy when men teachers return from H.M. Forces. Representations have been made by my Department to the local education authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Education what provision has been made or is being contemplated for the higher education of the deaf; and whether it is proposed to establish a secondary school, other than for technical training, for deaf pupils who are capable of benefiting by higher education.

Proposals for the establishment of a secondary school for the deaf are under active consideration. It is intended that this school, which may retain pupils up to the age of 19, shall provide a full course of secondary grammar school education for deaf children selected on educational grounds.

asked the Minister of Education what facilities are available for the higher education of partially sighted pupils and how far these facilities meet the need.

There are two secondary grammar schools for the blind which admit partially sighted pupils also and provide a full course of secondary education for them. I have no evidence as to the extent of the need of further facilities, but I expect that in the re organisation of schools for the blind throughout the country some special schools will be approved for partially sighted children only. These schools will be in a position to provide facilities for the continued education on secondary school lines up to the age of 19 of those partially sighted pupils who are fit to profit from it and are willing to take advantage of it.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that punishment books are kept in many schools which may be used as evidence of character afterwards; and whether she will consider abolishing such practice.

The keeping of a punishment book for recording all cases of corporal punishment is a requirement of the Ministry of Education. I have no reason to suppose that such records are used as evidence of character afterwards, but if my hon. Friend is aware of such cases and will send me particulars, I will have inquiries made into the matter.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the delays now experienced in the delivery of parcels in this country; that some parcels take six days to come less than 100 miles; that scarcely shorter periods are common and that, in the case of parcels containing foodstuffs, such as fish, wastage is thereby caused; and what steps he is taking to improve the work of his Department in this direction.

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the delays in the parcel post and the Post Office is now examining the matter in consultation with the railway companies. The rate of improvement must necessarily depend upon the staffing position and the transport services. Because of the possibility of delay, the public have been advised not to send foodstuffs and other perishable articles by post.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of telephone lines still serving Cowley Barracks and how this compares with the number at the end of the war; what was the peak; and if he satisfied that the volume of traffic justified the use of so many lines, in view of the shortage of lines in the neighbourhood.

There are five exchange lines serving Cowley Barracks at present, but as three of these have only recently been provided for an incoming formation, I cannot yet judge of their adequacy; in any case spare circuits in the service cable are available for public use. The peak number of exchange lines at Cowley Barracks was 14 at the end of the war, but at one period up to 30 private wires were also in use.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why the priority telegram, handed in by the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor on 16th November at 6.49 p.m., at Newport, and addressed to Crocombe, School House, Hay, was held up at Hereford and only delivered with the postal delivery the following day.

I am having inquiry made into the treatment of this telegram and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I have a full report.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when it is anticipated there will be a regular air mail service to Palestine.

:There is a daily air mail service to Palestine for both 6d. air letters and is. 3d. air mail letters.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will now make provision for an afternoon delivery and for a Sunday collection of letters in the area of Flaxton. Rural District Council.

My inquiry is not yet complete, and I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Assistant Post master-General the total number of con tractors supplying telecommunication equipment, including all classes of radio apparatus used for that purpose, to the Post Office for the years ended 30th June, 1937, and 30th June, 1945, respectively, and the total number of personnel employed by them on 30th June, 1937, and 30th June, 1945, respectively; and what proportion of these persons were physicists or qualified engineers engaged on pure research and applied research, respectively.

The range of telecommunications equipment is very wide and the Post Office obtains its supplies from some hundreds of contractors. I am afraid I have no figures of the total personnel employed by these firms, nor of the numbers engaged by them on research. My hon. Friend will appreciate' that only a proportion of its contractor's output is purchased by the Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, in the case of many commissioned officers in His Majesty's Forces repatriated from India in June; their accounts have not yet reached England.

I have called for a report on this matter from India, and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War what scheme of demobilisation will apply to those Spanish volunteers in 363 Company, Pioneer Corps.

This question has not yet been decided. The release of aliens enlisted overseas but now in this country involves a number of difficult questions vvhich are now under discussion with other Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War why all release, repatriation and leave due to United Kingdom personnel of the West African Frontier Force has been stopped; and when it is proposed to restore these privileges.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the West African units in India and S.E.A.C. If so, I would refer him to the reply I gave on 13th November to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Horncastle (Commander Maitland).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the advertisement of the Island of Rona as to let was published by his Ministry; and whether, as it has now been shown that the substitution of cattle on this island by his Ministry has proved a success, he will let the grazing and the cattle at a rent to be fixed by the land court to the crofters now in the northern part of the adjacent Island of Raasay, to allow these people to have an expansion in their means of livelihood and thus induce them to remain attached to the soil.

The advertisement of the Island of Rona was issued on my right hon. Friend's behalf by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. No inquiry about renting Rona has been received from any group of holders in the Northern part of the adjacent Island of Raasay, but an oral inquiry has been made by an individual holder on Raasay. My right hon. Friend would be prepared, of course, to consider any suitable offer by crofters for the island.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the date of the acquisition of the Island of Rona by his Department; what was the number of tenants at that time; what was the total annual rental payable by them; what was the average annual rental collected since then; how many tenants there are at present on the island; and what is the total annual rental they pay.

Rona Island was acquired by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in 1922. At that time the number of tenants was 14 and the annual rents payable by them amounted to £45. The average annual rental collected for the 21 years to Whitsunday, 1943, when the last tenant left was £16 7s.7d. Since Whitsunday, 1943, there have been no tenants and the Island has been under the management of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that there is no cart road to the township of Fearnss into Baillechuirn on the Island of Raasay and that, as a consequence, crofters have been compelled to leave their crofts and live away from their holdings in houses recently sold by the late owners of the island; and whether he intends to construct this road.

The townships of Fearns and Balachuirn are about 5¼ miles apart by road, and save for a stretch of about ½ mile of path into Balachuirn the townships are connected by public road via Inverarish. I am not aware that any holder has been compelled to leave his croft and live away because of the lack of a road into Balachuirn. I am afraid that the cost of constructing a road in place of the path would be prohibitive but if the county council should decide to put any proposal forward my right hon. Friend would be ready to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland who imposed restrictions on the landing of white fish by Shetland fishermen during the month of October; why they, were imposed; and whether they are still in force.

I am informed that considerable shoals of fish were located in Shetland waters unusually early this year, and that until additional shore labour, boxes and ice were obtained by the local buyers, they found it necessary to warn fishermen that they could not handle unrestricted catches. I am glad to say that the merchants have increased their capacity for handling fish at Shetland, and that with the exception of two days the landings have not been restricted since 20th October.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the shortage of salt in Surrey is preventing the curing of pigs for bacon; and if he will state when adequate supplies of salt will be available.

I am aware that one person in Surrey was unable immediately to obtain salt to cure a pig, but his needs have now been met. As regards the second part of the Question, some easing of the supply position has been effected as a result of steps which I have taken, and I expect this improvement to continue.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the quantity of food at present being distributed in London is not sufficient to meet the needs of the large numbers of people who have returned to the capital since the cessation of hostilities; and what steps he is taking to remedy this.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his question on 21st November.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that two Sikh holders of the Victoria Cross were recently refused admission to a Jermyn Street, London, restaurant by an Italian waiter, he will consider providing accommodation, etc., for Indian soldiers visiting this country or take other steps to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.

The incident in question has not been brought to my notice. I need hardly say, however, that His Majesty's Government trusts that every restaurant will not merely admit, but welcome members of the Indian Forces, and condemns in the strongest terms any restaurant which is guilty of the conduct alleged by my hon. Friend. Accommodation is in fact provided in London for Indian soldiers visiting this country, and they are also of course able to take advantage of the general club and canteen facilities provided for members of the Forces.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he intends to make any statement on the present situation in India in the near future.

My Noble Friend contemplates making a statement in another place in the near future. With the permission of the House it is proposed to make a similar statement in this House on the same day.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that an advertisement for staff for his new Ministry appeared on 5th November in the "Newcastle Journal"; and whether he will give an assurance that no temporary civil servants will be engaged for the new Ministry for work which could normally be done by the staffs of approved societies.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The staff referred to by my hon. Friend is required immediately for the administration of the Family Allowances scheme. Its engagement will in no way interfere with the opportunities of employment to be given later to staffs of approved societies, as to which I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith).

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will make a statement on the position of the staffs of approved societies, who may be displaced by forthcoming legislation, with regard to their absorption into the new Ministry.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) today.