asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to announce what action he will take to secure a spread-over of holidays, as recommended by the Catering Wages Commission.

This matter is being actively considered, and I hope to be in a position to make a statement at a fairly early date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Commission pointed out that there was need for immediate action, if grave social consequences were to be avoided? Does he not think that three months are enough time for the Government to make up their minds?

It is not a question of the Government making up their minds but of finding out how the recommendations can be applied. There are two real problems. The first is how to apply the staggering of wakes weeks for each town. This matter is at present being examined by a joint committee of industrial employers and workers. The second problem is how to stagger the holidays of universities and schools, and that question is being gone into by a committee of the Ministry of Education. The matter is being actively pursued and I hope to be able to make a statement fairly soon.

asked the Minister of Labour how much longer it is proposed to maintain the Essential Work Order.

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the comprehensive statement about labour controls which I hope to make shortly.

In anticipation of that Bill statement may I ask whether it is not a fact that this Order has outlived its usefulness to a large extent? Is it not of the utmost importance that discipline should be restored to many workshops and factories, which restoration the Essential Work Order makes impossible?

No, Sir, I cannot accept the suggestion that the Order has outlived its usefulness. It is serving a useful purpose. There may be one or two isolated instances to the contrary, but in the main it is still very valuable to industry.

Cannot the Minister ask his officers, anyhow, to be a little more lenient in regard to the direction of women who have come out of the Services?

The Essential Work Order is a different matter altogether from-direction of labour.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, if he allows the Essential Work Order to be rescinded, the most highly skilled engineers, the marine engineers, will at once seek higher wages and salaries than are now being paid to them in the shipyards?

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has made to attract apprentices into moulding and other skilled foundry trades.

It is for the iron foundry industry itself to devise a satisfactory apprenticeship scheme. Both sides of the industry are giving this matter their active consideration in co-operation with officers of my juveniles branch.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of unemployed persons, male and female, registered in the Tradeston division of Glasgow; and what percentage these numbers are of the insurable population in the division.

The only figures available relate to the numbers of unemployed persons registered at particular employment exchanges, and the areas served by these offices do not coincide with Parliamentary divisions. At 15th October, 1945, the number of insured unemployed persons on the registers of the Glasgow South Side and Kinning Park exchanges were 1,607 males and 1,064 females, representing respectively 5 per cent. and 4 per cent, of the numbers of unemployment books exchanged at those offices.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage which the number of men and women registered at Coat-bridge and Airdrie employment exchanges at the last convenient date represents of the insured population of this division.

The number of insured men and women aged 18 years and over registered as unemployed at Coatbridge and Airdrie employment exchanges at 15th October, 1945, represented II per cent. of latest figure for the number of unemployment books exchanged at these offices by insured men and women.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the case of men returning from the Forces who are desirous of learning a trade other than one catered for by the Ministry of Labour courses, such as dental mechanics, he will arrange that these men may be taught by practising approved tradesmen who are willing to receive them and that their fees be paid.

Under the Government's vocational training scheme, special arrangements can normally be made for training on an individual basis to meet the kind of case to which the hon. and gallant Member refers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make that answer known more widely among his subordinates, because there is great difficulty in getting the facts appreciated at local labour offices?

:I will look into that suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour why the course of training in upholstery for demobilised men promised to be started in Bristol a month ago has not yet started; and if, in view of the hardship caused, he will arrange for it to commence without further delay.

:Every effort is being made to start this course as soon as possible. Delay has been mainly due to difficulty in securing essential items of equipment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the figure of 750,000 operatives in the building trade by 10th May, 1946, is still the estimate of the Government.

Yes, Sir.

In those circumstances, will the right hon. Gentleman dissuade his colleague the Minister of Health from giving absurdly over-optimistic estimates of the prospects next June?

I am sorry that the Minister of Health did not have this question addressed to him direct so that I could have heard his reply.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has now considered the Report of the Evershed Commission on Wages in the Cotton Spinning Industry; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes, Sir. This report will be of the utmost value to the industry. I have asked the employers organisations and the trade unions concerned to give it immediate consideration and to keep me informed of the progress 'made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now announce any change in policy regarding the granting of Class B releases for work in agriculture.

This matter is still under active consideration, and I hope to make a statement shortly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the delay in reconsidering the matter is holding up food production?

I cannot accept that suggestion in its entirety, but I would ask the hon. Gentleman on this Question, which is interlocked with the Question I have just answered and the next one on the Paper, to accept my earnest assurance that the matter is being actively dealt with, and that I hope to make a statement very shorly.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman say what "very shortly" means?

It means "very shortly."

asked the Minister of Labour the average time which elapses between a recommendation by a Supply Department to his Ministry for Class B release of a soldier serving in this country and the date of his return to civilian life.

Provided that the soldier can readily be identified and located, and that he makes up his mind at once to accept the offer of release in Class B, the average time taken in the United Kingdom from receipt of the application by the Ministry of Labour and National Service to the release of the individual, may be taken as about 2½ weeks.

Oh.

:Is not my right hon. Friend aware that, while he might have been informed that the facts are as stated in the answer which he has given, in point of fact the usual period is 2½ months? Would my right hon. Friend take steps to ensure that some inter-departmental machinery is instituted almost immediately so that people who are required for essential reconstruction purposes are brought back to civilian life as early as possible?

I will deal with the first part of my hon. Friend's question, and ignore the hinder part, which was more like a speech. The figures I gave were taken from our records. I say that the average time for people in this country is round about 2½ weeks. Some hon. Members may have supposed that I was speaking of the scheme as a whole, but I would repeat that in this country the average time is 2½ weeks.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the urgency of getting industry into full production, he will insist on an immediate acceleration in the speed of demobilisation in order to release manpower for industry generally, and particularly in Sheffield.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my public statement of 2nd October about releases from the Forces and the statements I made in the Debate on 22nd October, to which I am not at present prepared to add.

I am aware of that statement, but may I ask the Minister whether he will given me a definite assurance that he will bring pressure to bear on the Service Ministers forthwith in this matter?

I can assure the hon. Member that all the necessary pressure is being brought to bear.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Wool Control has declined to recommend a sailor for demobilisation, Class B, on age grounds only and, in view of the specific assurance given to the hon. Member for Pudsey and Otley on 29th October, 1945, that the age of an individual did not make him ineligible for release in Class B, what steps he is taking to bring to the notice of the Wool Control all the details of the demobilisation scheme.

I am not aware of the case to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but if he will send me particulars I will make inquiries. Full details of the demobilisation scheme have been brought to the attention of the Wool Control by the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make articled clerks who, having passed their intermediate examinations are semi-skilled, eligible for release under Class B from military service in the same way as semiskilled tradesmen.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Isle of Ely (Major Legge-Bourke) on 23rd October, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will allow articled clerks to complete their articles before being called for military service in the same way as trade apprentices are deferred until the end of their indenture period.

No, Sir. The call-up of apprentices is not deferred on account of apprenticeship except in some occupations in the engineering and shipbuilding industries, and then only to an extremely limited extent. I cannot regard this as a valid reason for changing the practice in regard to articled clerks in present circumstances.

Is not there a great shortage of accountants at the present time? Why should there be this adverse discrimination in respect of articled clerks?

I hope I can make it clear that there is not an adverse discrimination. An apprentice is not deferred because he is an apprentice but because he is doing work of vital and essential character. It is the character of the work and not the nature of the terms of employment on which deferment is given.

Would it not be advisable to arrange that all apprentices are deferred as well?

:That is quite another question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the call-up of skilled men in the under 30 age groups from firms engaged on export business, without adequate replacements, is detrimental to national interests; and will he issue instructions so that the withdrawal of labour from such firms will be suspended until the position in each case has been investigated.

Call-up on the present scale is an essential part of the Government's demobilisation plans and the procedure already provides for cases to be investigated and considered on their merits. I am fully aware of the importance of expanding the export trade and special arrangements have been made for protecting it from making a disproportionate contribution.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of grants under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, were made in the counties of Perth and Kinross, respectively, up to the outbreak of war, to persons in respect of houses in which they themselves live as owners or by feu.

Approximately 3 per cent. and 5.5 per cent. of the grants made in the counties of Perth and Kinross, respectively, up to the outbreak of war were to persons in respect of houses in which they themselves lived as owner-occupiers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reorganise the Scottish Special Housing Association; and when a statement on the matter may be expected.

I have had this matter under consideration and will make a statement as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Is not the Secretary of State of the opinion that this organisation is of no use to us in Scotland at all?

:I have been examining this matter since I took office. My hon. Friend must bear in mind that I am not the Secretary of State for Scotland. However, I have examined this matter myself and I hope, now that the Secretary of State will soon be returning, to be able to make a statement at an early date.

Is it not a fact that every organisation in Scotland that is in a position to build houses ought to receive every encouragement?

:Nobody dissents from that. The point is, is this the most effective body, and is it as effective as it should be? That is the issue, and I hope to make a statement on that at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of houses in Wigtownshire reconditioned under the Rural Housing Acts.

At 30th June, 1945, the latest date for which figures are available, 116 houses had been reconditioned under these Acts in Wigtownshire.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, although these figures are not good and much more might be done, the discontinuance of the assistance provided under the Rural Housing Acts in a poor rateable county like Wigtownshire may result in even worse housing conditions being available for the people?

As an old Parliamentarian I cannot debate that question now. All I would say is that all of the 116 houses reconditioned in Wigtownshire were owned by landlords and not one by an owner-occupier.

:Is not the Under-Secretary aware that this business is only a scientific method of subsidising the landlords?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what are the present numbers of completed temporary houses in the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, respectively.

The numbers of temporary houses completed in Glasgow and Dundee are 55 and 6o respectively. No houses have so far been completed in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of temporary houses completed and occupied in Scotland at this date; the number expected to be in occupancy by 31st December; the number for 31st March 1946; and the proportion at each date allocated in Coatbridge.

255 houses have been completed. The Ministry of Works, who are responsible for the erection of these houses, estimate that by 31st December this number will have increased to 750 and by 31st March, to 5,000 houses. The corresponding figures for Coatbridge are nil; 5; and 50.

:Will my right hon. Friend recognise that Coatbridge, on account of overcrowding figures and the number of houses unfit for habitation, deserves better treatment than that?

When I saw the Question, I, too, was worried and I have asked my officials to examine the whole position again to see if we cannot improve it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the composition of the appeal tribunals to be set up in connection with decisions of W.A.E.C.'s; and how soon they will be forthcoming.

My right hon. Friend has decided that provision should be made in Scotland for appeals against recommendations involving the taking possession of agricultural land or the termination of tenancies. The Scottish Land Court have agreed to act in this matter and to make reports in such cases to the Secretary of State.

Does that Mean that Scottish farmers can now appeal to the Scottish Land Court right away?

Yes, Sir; indeed, some cases of dispossession in recent months have been held over in anticipation of this change of procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many releases under Class B in respect of agricultural workers have been submitted by W.A.E.C.'s; how many have been forwarded by the Department of Agriculture; and how many have been granted.

Up to 22nd November, 638 recommendations for release had been received from Agricultural Executive Committees in Scotland. Of this total, 136 were found to satisfy the very stringent tests prescribed for the release of individual specialists under Class B, and were supported by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, and 72 cases are still under consideration by the Department. Of the applications supported by the Department, 97 have so far been approved and seven rejected.

Will the Minister bear in mind that we are facing a world shortage of food, and, if food is as important as coal, will he not get more men out of the Forces under Class B in order to get on with the production of food?

I can assure the hon. Member that we are fully aware of the needs of agriculture.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he will compare those figures with similar figures given for a county of England, and if he will then say that he is really satisfied that his colleagues are doing everything that is required in present circumstances?

This is a Daniel come to judgment.

I have said that we are aware of the needs of the agricultural industry. Other Ministers are aware of the needs of the industries for which they have some responsibility. We are living in a time when there are many demands made on labour, and agriculture is taking its place along with the claims of other industries.

But is it not time something was done?

May I point out to the Minister that, unless we do get the skilled men back to the land, there will be a considerable reduction in food production in this country next year?

Can the Minister tell us whether the strict definition of a specialist, to which he has referred, was made by the Minister of Agriculture or by the Minister of Labour?

We are allowed to interpret it as we will, but we are subject to the quota limitation agreed by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what specific schemes for hydro-electric development in each of the islands of the Outer Hebrides have been prepared.

The North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board have surveyed and prepared schemes for the distribution of electricity in Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay and Barra. In Lewis and Harris five waterpower projects have been surveyed, but some technical, economic and fishing difficulties remain to be overcome. In the other islands, there is very little water power available and some of the necessary power production may be from oil engines.

May I thank the Scottish Office for this commendable exhibition of getting on with the work?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the bad condition of many roads serving agricultural communities, including Department of Agriculture settlements in the Outer Hebrides, and which were built partly by the free labour of the tenants and left to them for all future maintenance; and whether, in view of modern needs and traffic, it is the intention of the Department to reconstruct these roads; and if he will state the financial arrangements.

As in other parts of the country, road work in the Outer Hebrides has necessarily been held up on account of war conditions, and I am aware that some roads serving agricultural communities there are not in good condition. Improvement works on the Secretary of State's properties are being undertaken as conditions permit, and, in regard to roads serving other properties, the Secretary of State is prepared to consider applications from the County Council for assistance.

May I ask if my hon. Friend is aware that I have been asking for 10 years, and previous hon. Members for the Western Isles have been asking for many more years, that this should be treated as a matter of extreme urgency, and if he is aware that we are tired of this suggested danger of continuity of policy from the last Government, of free labour by the local people and other vicious practices applying to labour conditions?

I am aware that these conditions leave much to be desired, but we have not been a Government for very long—[Laughter]—though much too long for the comfort of many hon. Members opposite. The position surely is that I had to report the conditions as they exist today, and I had to state that, so far as roads other than those on properties owned by the Secretary of State are concerned, the county councils have some responsibility.

Will the hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that he will bring every pressure to bear wherever necessary upon reactionary Conservative local authorities?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the inconvenience and hardship endured by the people of Bernera Island, Lewis, through having to leave the local omnibus at Earshader Sound, ferry their goods and themselves to their home island and carry their goods for miles to their homes, owing to lack of a short viaduct; and whether the Department of Agriculture is prepared to assist in the provision of a viaduct.

As my hon. Friend is aware, the provision of a viaduct was the subject of correspondence between the Department of Agriculture for Scotland and the County Council of Ross and Cromarty in 1939. On the outbreak of war the Council decided to defer further action, and so far have not again approached the Department.

May I ask the Minister to look upon this case as possibly the most urgent case in the West of Scotland in regard to transport, and as one most deserving of assistance from the Scottish Office and the Ministry of War Transport? Will he look most carefully into it and urge the local authority that it is most urgent that they should get on with the job?

I would like very much to see something being done, but I am not so sure that, since we are not the highway authority, we can ask the local authority to get on with the job. If they make a submission, we will be very pleased indeed to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds Mr. Douglas Young has been denied the right of Protestation for Remied of Law guaranteed by Article XVIII of the Treaty of Union; and whether he will take the necessary steps to secure for Mr. Young his rights in this connection.

Mr. Young was convicted in the Sheriff Court at Paisley on 12th June, 1944, on a charge of contravening Regulation 8os of the Defence (General) Regulations. He appealed to the High Court of Justiciary and his appeal was dimissed on 6th October, 1944. He presented a protest for Remied of Law purporting to proceed in virtue of an Act of the Scots Parliament of 1695. The Secretary of State refused to entertain his protest as the law is clear that there has never been, whether before 1707 or afterwards any appeal from the Court of Justiciary to Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will move to appoint a Select Committee to consider measures for the restoration of self-government to Scotland, and to secure the observation of all Scottish rights guaranteed by the Treaty of Union.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, given by the Prime Minister on 10th October to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Perth (Colonel Gomme-Duncan).

Will the hon. Gentleman, in view of his own excellent record in this matter, make representations to the Prime Minister that something must be done to restore self-government to Scotland?

All that I can say is that, since my hon. Friend has known me long enough, he must not give me a lift, as he is doing out of friendship, and suggest that I have got that amount of influence with the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the recent case in which four children were boarded out with a family of seven occupying a room and kitchen and, after six weeks, were found to have been underfed, neglected and dirty; and will he consider what steps can be taken to prevent any recurrence of such cases.

Yes, Sir. I have called for a full report by my inspectors on the arrangements of the voluntary society who were responsible in this case. Meantime, the society have at my request arranged that no further cases will be handled by the agent concerned until the report has been fully examined. I am also bringing the case to the notice of the committee on the care of homeless children.

:May I ask my hon. Friend whether any action is being taken to prevent similar cases occurring with other charitable organisations?

May I say that of all the questions I have had to deal with since I took office, this one possibly has given me more worry than any other. I can tell my bon. Friend that, so far as the Scottish Office is concerned, we are taking every possible step not only in regard to voluntary bodies but also to public authorities to see that there is no abuse of children.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take to deal with the location of institutions for the aged; the rules and regulations governing these institutions; the provision of adequate and up-to-date recreational facilities within them; research into the diseases associated with old age; and a new approach to the housing of the aged.

Our aim is to provide accommodation for old people in houses, in comfortable old people's homes and in hospitals according to what is most suit- able for their individual needs. Local authorities are encouraged to make special provision for old people in their housing programmes and some have already done so. Other developments will depend on what can be done by way of new building and in part on future social service legislation.

Arising out of that answer, for which I thank the hon. Gentleman, may I ask if in the meantime he could do anything to ensure that the restrictive practices at present in operation in many of the Poor Law institutions will be made a little easier for the aged people?

:If my hon. Friend can tell me of any Poor Law authority which treats old people badly, I shall be very pleased because, in these enlightened days, I am sure none of us would wish to see old people treated badly.

:Will the hon. Gentleman urge on local authorities the necessity for not segregating old people into special little communities?

It is purely a matter for local government. On the whole, local government tends nowadays to treat old people well, but if there are any suggestions which I can safely convey to the local authorities to have old people more decently treated, if hon. Members will let me have them, I shall be at all times ready to approach the local authorities.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I am not suggesting that treatment in any of these institutions is bad, but that the rules and regulations in many of them are restrictive in their operations so far as the aged people are concerned?

Hon. Members must be aware that we are not a town council; we are Parliament, and these rules are made by democratic local authorities. The advice I give to my hon. Friend is to see that the appropriate people arc elected to the town councils.

Would the hon. Gentleman consider giving a double bounty on the building of houses for old age pensioners and old people? That would be a practical proposition.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the shortage of nurses in sanatoria in Scotland; and what steps he proposes to take to overcome this shortage.

Yes, Sir:. To help to meet the shortage tuberculosis nursing continues to be accorded the highest priority. The Government hope that following the recent statement on the staffing of hospitals and the improvement in rates of pay for nurses which will come into operation early next year, many more persons will enter the nursing profession. In the meantime, all practicable means will continue to be used to increase the nursing staffs of tuberculosis institutions.

Is the Minister aware that the rates at present in operation in this sphere of work are not sufficiently attractive in the widest sense to encourage people to enter this profession?

As my hon. Friend knows, a Committee presided over by Mr. John Wheatley recently reported. We accepted immediately every one of the recommendations and, indeed, on one suggested an improvement. We hope that these increases, which are fairly good, will attract nurses. May I add, however, that I wish wages were the only problem in nursing, but I am afraid there are deeper social problems involved.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that there is a tendency on the part of nurses to refrain from going to sanatoria because of the fear of infection? Would he make it clear that every possible step is taken to ensure that nurses going into these sanatoria will be fully protected against any danger that may arise?

I have no hesitation in giving my hon. Friend the assurance for which he asks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to increase the allowances to patients receiving domiciliary and institutional treatment for tuberculosis under the Tuberculosis Scheme.

Provision for disability generally is being considered as part of the forthcoming National Insurance Scheme, and I would ask my hon. Friend to wait for the introduction of the Bill dealing with that subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of tubercular cases awaiting admission to sanatoria; the number at present receiving treatment; and the number of beds available in these sanatoria.

At 30th June, 1945, the latest date for which information is available, local authorities in Scotland had 1,898 tubercular patients on their waiting lists, and 5,470 patients under institutional treatment. The total number of beds available is approximately 6,700. The difference is accounted for mainly by the number of beds, estimated at 500, for which no nurses are available, and the number of beds in private sanatoria.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will inform the House as to the date by which the Scottish Water Rating Committee will publish its Report.

The Committee have not yet submitted their report to the Secretary of State. As soon as they do so the question of publication will be considered.

Will the report be printed by 4th December, when the Scottish Water Bill will come before this House?

It must be obvious to the hon. and gallant Member that it cannot. The Committee have not reported to us yet, and it is now almost the end of November. When the Committee does report, it is for the Secretary of State for Scotland to say when the report can be printed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the degree of co-ordination now achieved on the siting of housing estates and the siting of trading estates; and how many plans for the creation of new towns and the extension of small existing towns have resulted from this co-ordination.

The arrangements made by the Department of Health for Scotland with the Board of Trade and other Departments concerned ensure the fullest co-ordination in the siting of housing and industrial estates. The planning implications of all schemes are examined by the Department of Health, who are also con- sulted about the detailed layouts. Plans for the creation of new towns and the extension of existing towns are being considered by the Regional Planning Advisory Committees in consultation with the Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he intends to establish a planning committee for the whole of Scotland to co-ordinate the work of the South-east and South-west Regional Planning Committees and any other regional committees that may be appointed.

:As at present advised, my right hon. Friend does not consider this step necessary. The Regional Planning Committees are fully alive to the need for co-ordinating their work and maintain close contact with one another for this purpose. Any further co-ordination that may, at any time, be necessary will be effected by my right hon. Friend in the discharge of his planning functions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to co-ordinate the development of hydro-electricity, industry, agriculture, housing, the tourist industry and the creation of new towns in the Highlands of Scotland; and if it is his intention to establish a North of Scotland planning committee to discharge this function.

It is the duty of my right hon. Friend in the exercise of his various statutory responsibilities in planning and other fields to secure the coordination of all forms of development; and this responsibility could not—as suggested in the second part of the Question—be delegated to a committee. My right hon. Friend is in continuous touch with the Scottish Council on Industry and arrangements exist for full consultation between him and the other Ministers concerned.

Does not the Under-Secretary agree that the recent Debate on the North of Scotland Hydro-Electricity Bill showed the greatest discontent on all sides of the House with regard to the future of the Highlands of Scotland, and that the absence of any co-ordinated plan for the Highlands is jeopardising the whole future of the people?

:My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State thinks that he has now full control over the necessary planning and that the mere setting up of another Committee would not improve it or make the position any better.

Does not the Under-Secretary think that that is rather a reflection on the two Regional Committees already appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland to suggest that such a committee is a mere committee?

:I do not reflect in the slightest on them. All I am anxious to say is that we already have two Committees, and the setting up of a third is not going to help the position. I think those two Committees are capable of doing their work, and that with the co-ordination of the Secretary of State no further Committee is required.

I wish to give formal notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for smallholdings are now before his Department; and when he anticipates being able to make a statement of Government policy on this subject.

The number of applications for smallholdings outstanding at 31st October, 1945, was 10,370, but a large proportion of these are likely to be ineffective for various reasons. My right hon. Friend has the Report of the Scottish Land Settlement Committee before him but I cannot yet say when it will be possible to make a statement on future policy.

asked the Lord President of the Council the number of Government establishments, excluding the Post Office, which carry out research; and the total number of physicists or qualified engineers employed by these on pure research and applied research respectively.

:Practically every Government Department is concerned to some extent, either directly or indirectly, with research work. Complete figures are not available but, excluding the Post Office, there are upwards of 9,000 qualified engineers and over 1,300 physicists in Government service. I am afraid that it is quite impossible to answer the last part of my hon. Friend's question. The duty of many research workers involves both fundamental and applied research at the same time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that we are doing enough about research, and, if the answer is in the negative, can he say whether he will shortly be in a position to state what the Government's future plans are on this matter?

I think it would be a bold thing to say that we are doing enough in the direction of research. It is occupying the mind of the Government, and improvements are being planned. As and when they arrive, I will inform the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far it is the practice of a Government Department which receives an unstamped letter marked "O.H.M.S." from a member of the public to collect the postage from him subsequently.

Departments do not normally take steps to collect from members of the public postage and surcharge on unstamped letters marked "O.H.M.S." which are addressed to them. But, if this practice were to become widespread such steps would be taken.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that the privilege given us the other day of leaving our letters to Government Departments unstamped is already enjoyed in practice, and in fact, if not in theory, by every member of the public?

No, Sir. It means nothing of the kind.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the total amount of writing paper and envelopes consumed by the various Departments of the Government during the latest months for which figures are available; and how this quantity compares with the amount issued by the Stationery Office for the use of Members of Parliament during the same period.

For the three months ended 30th June, 1945, the value of supplies to Government Departments of all kinds of writing paper and envelopes was approximately £320,000. During the same period the value of supplies to the House for the use of Members was approximately £200.

While not criticising the quantity or the cost of paper issued, could the hon. Gentleman do something to equalise the quality of paper, so as to enable the House of Commons paper to keep the ink on one side of the paper?

That question should be addressed to another Department, not to the Treasury

No, Sir. I have gone into this matter very thoroughly, and I was told, or advised on the highest authority, that the hon. Gentleman was responsible for this matter.

I understand there is a committee which looks after the stationery of the House. In so far as the Treasury is concerned, I will certainly look into the matter.

Seeing that the Minister has been instructed to look after it, will he take the job on and rectify the mistake?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is satisfied that de-Nazification of Germans in the British zone of occupation is not impeded by the fact that roughly 80 per cent. of the teachers employed in the German schools by the Nazis are now employed under our authority.

I am not able to say what is the percentage of former teachers who are now employed, but I am assured that the figure is nothing like that suggested in the Question. The task of de-Nazifying the German educational system is a formidable one, but accord- ing to the latest information the number of teachers employed by Nazis who have been arrested, dismissed or otherwise refused employment by Military Government is about 11,567, and the number whose cases are still under consideration by Military Government and who are consequently not employed is about 14,530. No teacher is employed in the British Zone whose connection with National Socialism is known to have been other than nominal, and the continued employment of approved teachers depends on their loyal observance of the regulations laid down by the British military authorities.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this was the figure given to the Members of Parliament who recently visited the British zone of occupation in Germany, and this figure was given to us authoritatively and definitely by the general in charge?

The information I have given in the answer to the Question are authoritative figures given by the authorities in Germany up to date.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reason the majority of the higher officials of the present Hamburg police force are persons falling under either CI compulsory arrest or CI compulsory investigation category; what is the present policy for the elimination of such persons from office; and why their presence is allowed.

I cannot accept the statement that the majority of the higher officials of the Hamburg police force are persons falling within either the compulsory arrest or the compulsory investigation categories. Close inquiries have been made, but there is no evidence of any person within the compulsory arrest category being employed in the Hamburg police force. A number of members of the police do fall within the compulsory investigation category for reasons other than membership of the Nazi Party, and their cases are being investigated as expeditiously as possible by the Security Authorities. The policy is to arrest immediately all falling within the compulsory arrest category, and I am satisfied that this policy is being carried out.

Can the Minister tell us why the reports mentioned in subsequent Questions, and Questions put down for subsequent dates, contain so many detailed statements about persons who fall within those categories?

I am afraid that I cannot say why that information is in those subsequent Questions. They will be dealt with as they come along.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, for what reason the Military Government in Hamburg is employing Lieut.-Colonel Wömper, formerly a Nazi Party member and Major of the Orpo and an S.S. Obersturmbannführer, in command of Group East, Hamburg; and if, as this man falls within the category of CI compulsory arrest or CI compulsory investigation, he will give directions for his immediate replacement from among the available anti-Nazi Germans.

Womper is no longer employed by Military Government, Hamburg. He was dismissed on 12th November as a borderline case. I am advised that he was neither a Nazi Party member and Major of the Orpo, nor an S.S. Obersturmbannführer, neither was he in the CI compulsory arrest or CI compulsory investigation categories.

Can the Minister tell me whether this man was dismissed after my Question was put down, and why was he dismissed?

He was dismissed on 12th November as a borderline case. The position is that those who come within the compulsory arrest category are immediately arrested; certain cases of denunciation and otherwise are regarded as cases of investigation, and this was regarded as a borderline case.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reason the Military Government in Hamburg is employing Lieut.-Colonel Eckmann, formerly a Nazi Party member, an S.S. Obersturmbannführer, Chief of Staff of the Hoehere S.S. and Polizeiftührer Nordsee, who was personally promoted to high rank by Himmler, in the capacity of Chief of Staff of the Schutzpolizei and second in command of the Hamburg Police Force; and if, as this individual falls within the category of CI compulsory arrest or CI compulsory investigation, he will direct his immediate replacement from among the available anti-Nazi Germans.

Eckmann is no longer employed by Military Government, Hamburg. He was dismissed on 12th November as a borderline case. I am advised that he was neither an S.S. Obersturmbannführer, nor a Chief of Staff of the Hoehere S.S. nor a Polizeiführer Nordsee; and he was not second in command of the Hamburg Police Force before our occupation; he could therefore not have been promoted to these positions by Himmler. He did not fall either within the CI compulsory arrest or CI compulsory investigation categories.

Does not the Minister think that if I continue to put down Questions, and he continues to co-operate in this way, the police force will be a much better organisation?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider setting up a demobilisation scheme for temporary civil servants based on age and length of service, so as to enable those so employed to have information as to when they may expect release.

No, Sir. Arrangements have already been made through the Whitley Councils for settling the order of discharge of staff in Departments where redundancy exists. In other cases there is provision for representation to be made by staff who have special reasons for wishing to leave Government employment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that candidates over 30 years of age seeking posts as temporary clerks in the Civil Service are required to have a qualifying period of five years' continuous service with a Department but that service with the Forces or Merchant Navy immediately prior to application would be deemed part of the qualifying period; whether service with the N.F.S. is recognised as a qualifying period; and if not, whether he will issue instructions that it be so regarded.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) on 29th October.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that there are civil servants who have 25 years service of which the first 10 years, temporary, service is regarded as counting for pension, but under the present regulations counts only two years and 10 months; and in view of this will he consider moving for a Select Committee to consider the question of counting temporary service for pensions.

Following the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service 1929–1931, Section 3 of the Superannuation Act 1935 provides broadly that temporary service reckons as to one half for pension. I see no reason for the appointment of a Select Committee.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of resentment at temporary service not being regarded for pension, and would he give this matter serious consideration?

:The matter has been under consideration many times, and more recently this House agreed to a White Paper which set forth the policy to be followed when the war came to an end. That was agreed to not only by the House, but by both sides of the Whitley Council.

asked the Secretary of State for War in view of the congestion and long delay in proceedings for divorce promoted by Servicemen through their commanding officers, if he will take steps to expedite proceedings to enable Servicemen to re-establish a home for themselves at the earliest possible moment.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 13th November to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Capt. Chetwynd).

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reasons the Army Commandos have been disbanded and whether any arrangements are being made for a stand-down parade.

:As I explained on 25th October, in reply to a Question my my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Aston (Major Wyatt), it is impossible for the Army to retain in peace-time specialised units such as the Commandos, owing to the reduced man-power available. No arrangements have been made for a stand-down parade.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House why this superb voluntary force, in which 57 regiments and corps were represented on D Day, is just being faded out as though we were ashamed of them? Will he see that an arrangement is made for a stand-down parade, so that they can go out at least with flying colours?