asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the policy of the United Nations regarding the future internal organisation of Germany; whether it is proposed to separate Prussia from the remainder of Germany; and whether the remaining States of Germany will be given the opportunity of deciding their future, whether by resuming their autonomy or by the formation of one or more federations.

I can only speak for His Majesty's Government. Their policy on the future internal organisation of Germany is based on the Agreement reached with the United States and Soviet Governments at Potsdam.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, how many citizens of the Baltic States and Ukrainians have been handed over from the British zone in Germany to the U.S.S.R. authorities.

Ukrainians who were Soviet citizens on the 1st September, 1939 are, in accordance with the Yalta agreement, repatriated on the same basis as all other Soviet citizens, and no separate statistics have been kept concerning them. Ukrainians who were not Soviet citizens on the 1st September, 1939 and nationals of the Baltic States are not subject to compulsory repatriation, but may return to their homes within the present frontiers of the U.S.S.R. if they so wish. It will be a matter of some difficulty to ascertain the number of such people who have voluntarily decided to go home. The Control Office for Germany and Austria are obtaining as accurately as possible the figures asked for and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will communicate them to the hon. and gallant Gentleman in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement about the situation in the Dutch East Indies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the renewed operational activity in French Indo-China and on the progress of negotiations in or regarding Indonesia, with particular reference to the delay in the return to Holland of Dr. Van Mook; and if he will consider sending an impartial commission to investigate the situation in these territories.

There is no renewal of operational activity in French Indo-China, although occasional clashes between French or British forces and armed Annamites continue to take place. I can add little to the statement of my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 11th December concerning developments in Java. Dr. van Mook decided to postpone his departure from Batavia in the hope of holding further meetings with Dr. Sjahrir, but Dr. van Mook is now on his way home to consult with his Government. His Majesty's Government remain ready to assist in any possible way the promotion of a settlement between the Dutch and Indonesians. Meanwhile, the reinforcements which, as announced in the Press, have been sent to Java have no political significance, their primary purpose being to ensure the security of the British forces who have been widely dispersed in fulfilling their task of looking after internees. It will be appreciated, however, that any improvement in conditions in the Batavia area should facilitate the progress of discussions between the Dutch and the Indonesians.While it remains the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage direct discussion between the Dutch and the Indonesians, they do not consider that the despatch of a commission of investigation at this time would contribute towards settlement by the method of direct discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will agree to no change in the status of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan without previously ascertaining the wishes of the people of the Sudan through constitutional channels.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the assurances given to the inhabitants of the South African Protectorates that no transfer to the Union will take place without their consent, he will now give an assurance that the present constitutional status of the Sudan will not be modified or changed as a result of any negotiations with the Government of Egypt, unless an unequivocal assent to such a change is freely given by a majority of the tribes of the Sudan.

His Majesty's Government consider that the procedure suggested by the hon. and gallant Members is the right one, and should be followed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will arrange for a Parliamentary mission, selected through the usual channels, to visit Poland in the near future, with a view to making a full report to the House of the state of affairs in that country.

I am glad to be able to inform the House that the Polish Provisional Government have stated that they would welcome a visit of the nature proposed by the hon. and gallant Member and that arrangements are being made through the usual channels for a small party of Members to go to Poland, probably in the second week in January.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that, when the Peace Treaty is made with Italy and any other parts of the peace settlement affecting the future of regions of Africa which were victims of Fascist aggression, the representatives of Ethiopa will be given full opportunity of presenting their case in person.

In accordance with the Potsdam decisions the task of preparing a peace treaty with Italy was entrusted to the Council of Foreign Ministers. His Majesty's Government alone are not therefore in a position to give the assurance requested by the hon. Lady.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the maintenance of full diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia after the proclamation of the Republic by the Constituent Assembly of that country means that His Majesty's Government no longer recognises Peter Karageorgevich as the King of Yugoslavia.

Until the necessary steps have been taken to accord full recognition to the Republic established in Yugoslavia by the Constituent Assembly, the position as regards King Peter remains as before. His Majesty's Government, however, hope soon to be in a position to make a further statement.

asked the Minister of War Transport why, commencing with the September figures, he has ceased to indicate the vehicles primarily involved in fatalities.

The. hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The October statement of road accidents included an analysis of the types of vehicles primarily involved in fatal accidents in both September and October.

asked the Minister of War Transport how many persons have been killed and how many

On roads subject to a speed limit.
				During hours of darkness.		During other hours.		Total.
				Killed.	Injured.	Killed.	Injured.	Killed.	Injured.
September	…	…	…	53	1,516	254	8,213	307	9,729
October	…	…	…	107	2,589	249	7,683	356	10,272

On roads not subject to a speed limit.
				During hours of darkness.		During other hours.				Total.
				Killed.	Injured.	Killed.	Injured.		Killed.	Injured.
September	…	…	…	46	893	99	2,803		145	3,696
October	…	…	…	65	1,057	113	2,134		178	3,191
				Total for all hours		September	…	…	452	13,425
						October	…	…	534	13,463

asked the Minister of War Transport the steps he is taking to eliminate the empty running time, approximately 20 percent., of road transport vehicles operating under his control.

The operational methods of the Road Haulage Organisation are designed to reduce empty running to a minimum, but it is not practicable to eliminate it entirely, if only for the reason that traffic is not equally balanced in each direction. Twenty percent. of empty running compares favourably with the average in haulage generally.

asked the Minister of War Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a monopoly in transport has been created between Cawsand, Kingsand, Cremyll, Millbrook and Plymouth; and will he arrange for better travelling facilities for the general public between these villages and Plymouth, their main link with the outside world.

My information is at variance with that of my hon. Friend. If injured during the months of September and October, respectively, on roads which were subject to a speed limit during the hours of darkness up to 26th September, and on roads which were not subject to such a speed limit, respectively.

Following are the figures:he will write to me specifying what improvements he considers necessary in the omnibus services in the district, I shall be happy to investigate.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will investigate the cause of the inadequacy of omnibus travelling facilities in rural districts in South-east Scotland, particularly Berwickshire; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the present unsatisfactory position.

The Regional Transport Commissioner has received no complaints but he is making special inquiries which would be assisted if my hon. Friend would let me have the details of the particular places or services he has in mind.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware of the delays and inconvenience being caused to the people by the inadequate public passenger transport services in Bermondsey; and whether he will have inquiries made with the object of more satisfactory services being provided.

I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that the service on omnibus route No. 47 (Shore-ditch-Farnborough) was increased at peak periods from 12th December and that it is proposed to increase the services on routes No. 1 (Lewisham-Willesden) and No. 82 (Rotherhithe-Stepney) in February. Recent observations by the Board show that the tram services in Bermondsey are adequate. Special attention is, however, being given to them, and adjustments will be made from time to time to meet any variation in the traffic demand.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will look into the new Order issued for omnibuses operating on the county services in Norfolk, under which 30 people will be allowed to stand in one type of vehicle; and if he will take steps to increase the number of public service vehicles in the county area.

The permission to carry up to 30 standing passengers on certain specially adapted single-deck vehicles has been in operation during the greater part of the war. With the improvement in services now taking place the regional transport commissioner has recently reviewed the position and on town services has reduced the number allowed on these vehicles to 20. He will consider the matter again not later than March next. Omnibus services in rural areas will continue to be improved, where necessary, as additional staff is recruited.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will make arrangements for a school omnibus service from the, Leintwardine and Wigmore districts to convey pupils to and from Lucton and Leominster secondary schools, a distance of approximately ten miles.

My regional transport commissioner hopes to be able to arrange a service by the beginning of next term.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will now issue certificates to purchase reconditioned ex-Service motor-cars to commercial representatives, to whom motor-cars are essential in carrying out their work of developing home and overseas trade.

The limited supply of these vehicles falls far short of the number of very deserving applications from badly disabled ex-Service men, nurses and midwives for whom they are being reserved. I regret, therefore, that I cannot adopt this suggestion.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that the delay in the granting of licences for new lorries, to quarrying contractors in County-Durham will lead to the closing down of quarries; and if he will take immediate steps to expedite the issue of licences to applicants.

If my hon. Friend will send me the names of the applicants, I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that his decision that a licence for a heavy goods vehicle will only be granted three months prior to the delivery of the vehicle is holding up the planning of forward production, with consequent dislocation to the industry; and what steps he is taking to remedy this unsatisfactory position.

No, Sir, I do not think that the licensing system has had the effect suggested. I have decided to terminate the system of licences to acquire new vehicles of any type as from the end of this year.

asked the Minister of War Transport why he has withdrawn his request and assistance to the county councils for the continuance and maintenance of white lines; and, as this will be definitely prejudicial to safety on the roads, if he will continue a wartime experience in the interests of safety.

I have not withdrawn assistance for the provision and maintenance of white lines, but certain additional markings necessitated only by the blackout conditions are not being renewed.

asked the Minister of War Transport what was the cost of the ceremonial opening of Waterloo Bridge; and what percentage of that cost came from public funds.

The appropriate highway authority is the London County Council who will bear the cost of the ceremony.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is prepared to support the proposal for transport communication across the Humber estuary by bridge or tunnel; if he is aware of the report on the subject prepared by Messrs. Freeman, Fox and Partners, consulting engineers; and if he will consider making a main road from London via the East coast to link up with the proposed bridge or tunnel, and so improve the transport facilities of this part of the country.

I have recently received a copy of the report to which my hon. Friend refers and it is under examination. While I shall, of course, be glad to consider any proposals which the responsible authorities may submit to me, I am not at present prepared to enter into any commitment on this subject.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether it is intended to set up a working party scheme to represent the interests of the ship owners and merchant seamen in the British shipping industry and to assist in the formulation of future policy and conditions of service.

The circumstances of the shipping industry are somewhat special and do not necessarily lend themselves to this particular method. Conditions of service are already dealt with through the joint machinery of the National Maritime Board and in certain specific problems representatives of owners and officers' and seamens' societies are already co-operating with my Department. It is my desire to promote wherever possible this cooperation between both sides of the industry. On more general matters I shall always be glad to confer with both sides of the industry on appropriate occasions.

asked the Minister of War Transport what plans he has for the reorganisation and improvement of condi- tions of service in the Merchant Navy during peacetime.

Conditions of service, including wages, in the Merchant Navy are matters dealt with by the National Maritime Board, which is fully representative, not only of the shipowners' organisations, but also of the officers' and men's societies.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will state the names and registered tonnages of the ships which are now providing the direct service for passengers between this country and Trinidad, including other Colonies of the Eastern Group of the British West Indies; their present individual passenger carrying accommodation; whether such accommodation is normally available for both sexes; and the number of round trips each ship is expected to complete within the next 12 months.

The two passenger ships engaged in this trade before the war were both lost by enemy action, and for the time being it has been necessary to make use of such vessels with passenger accommodation as can be allotted to this service. I shall endeavour to arrange for restoration of a regular service as soon as it is practicable to do so and the demands for trooping and repatriation of troops are less onerous.

asked the Minister of War Transport on what date the German m.v. "Salzburg" was taken over by his Department; and on what run, and for the purposes of carrying what sort of cargo, it is now being used.

I requisitioned the "Salzburg" out of the Prize Court on 10th October, 1945. Since then she has been undergoing repairs and will not be ready for sea until next month.

asked the Minister of War Transport what ships have been lent by the Danish Government for use on the cross-Channel trooping service; and under what conditions.

As a contribution to the cost of the war, the Danish Government has made His Majesty's Government a generous offer of the free loan of five vessels for the cross-Channel trooping service up to 2nd March next. The Danish Government has also offered to meet all expenses which have to be defrayed in Danish currency, including the costs of converting the vessels to troopships and subsequently reconverting them, the pay of the crew and the cost of insurance. I am glad of this opportunity to say how much His Majesty's Government appreciates the generous gesture made by the Danish Government and what valuable help this will be to us in the movement of British service personnel between this country and the Continent.

asked the Minister of War Transport why the use of certain railway wagons known as all-open wagons has been forbidden for the carriage of beer from certain breweries in the Midlands to distributors in Peterborough and district; and whether, in view of the approach of Christmas, he will remove this veto so as to ensure proper distribution of beer in the area served by Peterborough.

To ensure so far as possible that there is no loss of coal production through a shortage of wagons at the collieries or open cast sites, the railway companies have been instructed that, with certain exceptions, mineral wagons are to be used only for coal class traffic and heavy merchandise in classes 1 to 6. The provision of a limited number of mineral wagons is, however, being allowed to supplement supplies of merchandise wagons for certain breweries in the Midlands where difficulties have arisen.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is now in a position to state the average period of time between the advertised and the actual arrival of trains on the London and suburban service of the S.R. between the hours of 7 and 10 a.m. and 4 and 7 p.m.

The information for which my hon. Friend asks could not be obtained without the expenditure of a great deal of clerical labour which I should not feel justified, in asking the railway company, with its present depleted staffs, to undertake. If, however, my hon. Friend has any particular station or service in mind and will let me have particulars I will be glad to consider whether the information can be provided.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will consider increasing the number of passenger trains on the L.N.E.R. Marylebone-Manchester line since they are still less than 50 percent. of those run before 1939.

There are two trains daily from Marylebone to Manchester and three in the reverse direction compared with three and four respectively before the war. It is not possible at present to augment the service owing to the heavy volume of freight traffic the line is carrying.

asked the Minister of War Transport how soon shipping space will be available for transfer to the Continent of the 20,000 vehicles acquired by U.N.R.R.A. in the United Kingdom and urgently required for relief work.

The U.N.R.R.A. programme from the U.K. for Europe is approximately 25,000 vehicles. Of this total some 8,000 vehicles will have been shipped to Poland and Czechoslovakia by the end of this year. The ships which carry these vehicles have to be specially fitted, and are not in easy supply. Provision has, however, been made for lifting in January the maximum number of vehicles which can be handled in Polish ports, and the programme for Czechoslovakia I being executed up to the quantities asked for by U.N.R.R.A. The balance of the Polish programme will, barring unforeseen circumstances, be completed by the end of March; that for Czechoslovakia will take rather longer at the present rate agreed with U.N.R.R.A.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is prepared to revoke the Public Utility Undertakings Police (Employment and Offences) Order, 1941.

I have decided to revoke the Order with effect from the 1st January next that is, the date on which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs has decided to revoke the Police (Employment and Offences) Order, 1942, and about which he informed the House on 8th November.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he has considered letters from the St. Austell and District Electric Lighting and Power Company, Ltd., date 18th October, 5th November, 14th November and 22nd November; whether any reply has been sent to any of these letters; and whether he will endeavour to see that correspondents, writing in good faith, do receive acknowledgment and response.

I am making inquiries into this matter and will communicate with my hon. Friend. The answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

asked the President of the Board of Trade the export figures from the United Kingdom to Spain of coal and oil; and the number of transport vehicles for the two periods January to June, 1945, and June to December, 1945, respectively.

Following are the figures: Exports of coal to Spain during January to June, 1945, amounted to 3,726 tons, valued at £7,931; there were no exports of refined petroleum or of commercial vehicles during this period. The latest period this year for which export figures are available is June to November, 1945. The figures are as follows: Coal, 37,660 tons (£74,247); refined petroleum, 60 gallons (£15); commercial vehicles, 8 (£7,000).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, during these winter months, it will be possible to issue extra coupons for boots and shoes for young children.

No, Sir. I have already made as generous a provision for children as present supplies permit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take immediate steps to remedy the shortage of footwear and Wellington boots, especially in the case of children, in Herefordshire.

As regards the supply of children's leather footwear, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to several hon. Members on 3rd December, and to my hon. Friend the Member for West Nottingham (Mr. O'Brien) on 26th November. As regards rubber footwear, arrangements have been made to increase the production of children's Wellingtons, and, in addition, one million pairs will have been imported by the end of this year. I have no evidence to show that Herefordshire is not receiving its fair share of these supplies.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he will give an assurance to the Worcester City Corporation that he will not use the Perdiswell airport at Worcester for use as a dump.

I have been asked to reply. This airfield will not be used for Government storage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the date of release of the premises ownd by Messrs. Kershaw and Abell, Limited, Aylestone, Leicester, that are completely occupied by the Standard Telephone Company, and about which the hon. Member for South Leicester wrote him on 17th November.

These premises will be released to a partial extent, of which the firm have been advised, in June, 1946. Complete derequisitioning should follow in August, 1946.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the shortage of advertising space in newspapers is a deterrent to the speedy reconstruction of our trade and industry; and whether he will consider releasing some of the available reserves of newsprint to facilitate the exchange of labour and commodities;

I can assure the hon. Member that the shortage of advertising space is not acting as a deterrent to the reconversion of industry. It is not possible in view of the present position of foreign exchange to import newsprint from those countries where it is available. The present reserves are rather more than the minimum essential but it would be unwise to increase consumption temporarily while there was no prospect of increased supplies to maintain the increased consumption.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has investigated the instances of profiteering in Portsmouth in the sale of children's Christmas toys as sent to him by the hon. and gallant Member for North Portsmouth on 10th December; what action he has taken or proposes to take against the firms involved; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that Portsmouth citizens are not swindled during the present stringency by unscrupulous toy firms.

I am having investigations made into the cases which my hon. and gallant Friend has sent to me, and I will communicate with him as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give consideration to the increased manufacture of such protective footwear as is often worn by underground miners and quarry workers, in order that every worker exposed to injury of the feet may enjoy some protection.

Yes, Sir. I am always prepared to increase the production of safety boots, provided I am satisfied that they will be purchased when made.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production, in view of the recent jettisoning of hundreds of radio sets into disused mineshafts at Cheadle, Staffordshire, whether their valves, resistances and condensers were first salvaged; if so, why alternate loads of rubble were dumped into the shafts; and how many of these sets were lorry-borne to Staffordshire from the London area.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether his attention has been called to the dumping of radio sets and valves into a disused pit-shaft near Cheadle, Staffordshire; what was their value; what attempt was made to sell them to traders; and what was the reason for this waste of public money.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that on 26th November, 1945, Messrs, A. G. Harris, removal contractors, collected 342 wireless sets from No. 3 R.E.D., London, and took them 170 miles by road to Newhaven Colliery, Staffs, where they were dumped down a pit; and what steps he intends to take to prevent this practice recurring.

The radio sets referred to were damaged equipment of military types which it is not economical to repair for military use and which were not suitable for civil use. Before destruction useful valves were removed and it would not have been justifiable to expend labour on the further dismantling of the sets for recovery of other components. As a result of the cancellation of war contracts large quantities of unused components are now in process of disposal by competitive tender to manufacturers and dealers and it is anticipated that the requirements of the public will be fully met. Dumping in abandoned mine shafts was chosen as an economical method of destroying small articles not economically reusable.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he will now arrange for penicillin to be sold to the public in tablet form, so as to save the people who require it, although not confined to bed, the hardship, inconvenience and expense of having to go to hospitals, clinics or surgeries for injection.

I understand that treatment with penicillin otherwise than by injection cannot at the present time be recommended for general use. Extensive research is, however, now being carried out and as soon as a suitable technique is established, steps will be taken to make the necessary preparations of penicillin available, in accordance with the recommendations of the medical authorities of the Ministry of Health.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production, if he is aware that large quantities of Government surplus radio material were recently sold as scrap and similar material has since been offered for resale as new and unused; and what steps he intends to take to put an end to this.

I am not aware of any case of this kind, but if the hon. and gallant Member has other information I will be glad to look into any specific case if he will give me the facts.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that the light programme is unobtainable on utility radio sets as they have no long wave and the light programme is weak on the medium wave; and will he arrange that utility radio sets, which are sold at the price of £12 3s. 4d. each, should be able to give at least the two main broadcasting programmes.

The production of wartime civilian receivers is practically finished and the manufacturers are now able to modify them to receive the long wave programme. Those who wish to have this done should take their sets to their retailers. A separate adaptor unit is also on the market.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that large quantities of motor vehicle spares in Edinburgh are being disposed of for scrap by order of the Ministry of Supply, details of which have been sent him; and why these cannot be used for public or industrial needs.

:These are used spare parts. The building in which they were stored is requisitioned but in process of being returned to its former owners. Therefore those spare parts for which experience has shown that there is no outlet are being scrapped. The remainder will be transferred to a Government owned depot.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he has completed his inquiries regarding the break-up of surplus C.D. and N.F.S. motor vehicles, about which the hon. Member for St. Albans wrote to him on 15th November last; and with what result.

Surplus Service vehicles unfit for further use on the roads are broken down in Government Depots such as the one to which my hon. Friend refers. Spare parts and components are recovered where the requirements of the manufacturers and repair agents cannot be met from existing stocks held by my Ministry to which they have access. It is our policy to avoid releasing doubtful used spare parts and components through unauthorised channels. The prisoner-of-war labour used on this work is allocated to us by the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that at Wellington Quay disposal depot, Newcastle, usable spare parts of dismantled motor vehicles are being broken up and offers for their purchase are being refused; and in view of the shortage of such parts will he make provision for these spare parts to be put to profitable use.

I am aware that spare parts from dismantled vehicles are being broken down at the Wellington Quay Disposal Depot, Newcastle. As explained in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 9th November, vehicles unsuitable for further use on the roads on account of their age and condition are broken down as part of the comprehensive plan for the orderly disposal of surplus Government vehicles. Used spare parts and components are recovered in those cases where the requirements of the manufacturers and repair agents cannot be met from existing stocks of new and used spares and components held by the Ministry of Supply. Both manufacturers and repair agents have access to these stocks for the vehicles which they are making available to the public. It is the policy of the Government not to release doubtful used spares and components through unauthorised channels.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many physicists and engineers of B.Sc. standard or better, employed by M.O.S. and M.A.P., were engaged on telecommunications research and development, respectively, for the 12 months ended June, 1937 and 1945, respectively.

The number of these men so employed in June, 1937, in establishments now under the Ministry of Supply

R.O.F. Swynnerton.					Males.	Females.	Total.
Peak employment (achieved in August, 1942)		…	…	…	5,086	15,313	20,399
Employment on 1st December, 1945	…	…	…	…	2,798	2,516	5,314
R.O.F. Radway Green
Peak employment (achieved in February, 1943)		…	…	…	4,820	9,376	14,196
Employment on 1st December, 1945	…	…	…	…	1,102	960	2,062

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make available suitable types of flame throwers, surplus to Army requirements, for sale to the public for use in the clearing of ground for replanting woods.

The only types of flamethrowers surplus to Army requirements are unsuitable for use by the general public owing to the training and knowledge necessary to operate them, if danger to life is to be avoided, and the organisation required for servicing them.

asked the Secretary of State for War the date on which it was decided to transfer the 3rd Division from the B.A.O.R. to the Middle East: and whether he will consider giving some form of compensation to these men, who, after serving a long time in France and Germany, w^rere sent to the Middle East without an opportunity of a short leave with their families at home. and the Ministry of Aircraft Production was 110. The number employed on this work in June, 1945, was 412. It is not possible to give separate figures of the number engaged on research and the number engaged on development, as both functions have been integrated and the same team of workers are engaged on a project from start to finish.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he will give the following details in respect of Swynnerton and Radway Green royal ordnance factories; the number of men and women engaged at the peak period of production and the numbers now employed.

The following statement gives the details asked for:

The decision was taken on 21st September, 1945. There is no entitlement for special leave in the United Kingdom for troops transferred from one command to another. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on this point to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for the City of Chester (Mr. Nield) on 4th December. The question of compensation does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the accounts of officers repatriated from India in June, reached England; if he will explain the delay; and what steps he has taken to prevent recurrence.

In the normal case these last pay certificates were received at about the time of the officers' arrival from India, but in some instances delay occurred and in those cases they arrived at various later dates. A few are still outstanding and are the subject of urgent inquiry. Delay occurs through omission to notify the Pay Office in India of the officer's departure from that country. Strong representations are being made to G.H.Q. India on this point with a view to the prevention of recurrences.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to provide glass for leave trains in Germany.

Continental coaches were badly damaged during the war and very extensive repairs have been carried out, over 30,000 square yards of window glass having already been used. Unfortunately, substantial damage to windows is still occurring, despite strong disciplinary measures, and while this continues I cannot promise that the window glass in any particular train will be intact.

asked the Secretary of State for War what difficulties have arisen in C.M.F. in Repatriation Groups 23 and upwards; and what his proposals are for overcoming them.

I am not aware of any difficulties. Other ranks in Group 23 are now in process of release: officers in that group are not yet due for release.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that naval ratings transferred to the Army, some of them after five years' service in the R.N., were given a guarantee by high ranking officers on behalf of the Government that they would lose nothing by the transfer; and, as some of these men in release Group 30, with possibly another five months' service before them in the Army, would by now have been demobilised if they had been allowed to complete their service in the R.N., if he will inquire into the position of these men with a view to remedying any injustice.

I have no knowledge of any comprehensive promise of the nature referred to, nor on the subject of release, which was not a practical question at the time of the transfers. As I stated on 23rd October, in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford, the release of these men under naval rules could not be justified, and would not always operate to the advantage of the men.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether troops of Groups 27, 28 and 29, on leave in the United Kingdom, are still returned to the Middle East with only three months more to serve; and if so, whether he will arrange that, in view of the shortage of shipping, they should complete their service at home.

As a general rule, men are not sent home on leave from the Middle East when they are within a few months of repatriation or release and the situation referred to by the hon. Member should not arise. Where it does arise, however, for example, when the release scheme is accelerated, the men must return to their units unless the repatriation of others with prior claims is to be prejudiced. An exception is made only where release is so imminent that no advantage to the overseas Command would result from their return.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the numbers of movement personnel employed at Calais, Ostend, the Hook of Holland and Cuxhaven, are in excess of those required to carry out their duties; and if he will cause an investigation to be made with a view to the reduction of numbers.

I am not aware that the present numbers are excessive. The establishments at these ports are constantly under review and they are amended as the load changes. Reductions have recently been made, and will continue to be made as and when possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that, when men are retained in an overseas command beyond the date that they would have been repatriated on the ground that they are shortly to be due for release, they shall not forfeit the repatriation leave which they would have received had they been repatriated at the appropriate time.

:Soldiers are not retained in overseas commands after they have become due for repatriation, on the ground that they will shortly be due for release. Explicit instructions have been issued forbidding such retention, because of the possible effect on leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will review the system whereby a man has to serve three years and four months in the East before repatriation, in view of the fact that the overriding factor preventing speedy repatriation during the war was that nothing must be done to weaken our effort in the fighting theatres and that this factor no longer operates.

The period of the overseas tour in the various Commands is kept under review, but at present I cannot add anything to the reply I gave on 9th October to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for North Blackpool (Brigadier Low) except to say that I hope the arrears of repatriation in the Far East, on the basis of the present qualifying period of three years 4 months, will have been worked off by the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the Forces' rations in any part of the occupied British zone have been cut to provide extra rations for the civilian population during the Christmas season; and if he will give an assurance that no young soldiers were prevailed upon to surrender part of their rations for this purpose.

No arrangement of this kind has been authorised. On the contrary, a general order has been issued in B.A.O.R. forbidding Christmas parties for German civilians. If the hon. Member knows of a specific case where a cut is said to be contemplated, and will send me details, I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will permit members of the Home Guard to make a gift of their uniforms to distressed persons in Central Europe who are in need of clothing this winter; and will he make the necessary arrangements for this to be done.

As I informed hon. Members on Wednesday last, when announcing the disbandment of the Home Guard, the uniforms of members of the Home Guard will now become their personal property, to dispose of as they please. As regards the despatch of clothing to distressed persons in Europe, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made on Thursday last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes).

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of deaths among British prisoners in the hands of the Japanese; and the proportion of such deaths to the total number of prisoners.

This information is not yet available. I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave on 13th November to a Question by the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans), and on 11th December to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) and the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Major Beamish).

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now reconsider the case recently submitted to him of a graduate of London University who was enrolled in a military intelligence unit, although her qualifications exempted her from conscription; that military intelligence asked for her release; but notwithstanding the undertaking given by his Department at the time of her enlistment that she would not be allocated to any other branch, she is retained in the A.T.S.; and as she wishes to undertake teaching, will he expedite her release.

I have been asked to reply. This member of the A.T.S., and others who enrolled under similar conditions, are now being given the option of release from the Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a medical specialist in dietetics called up and appointed pathologist to a military hospital in West Africa to perform duties now become redundant and who has now been elected to the chair in physiology at a medical school of London University which specialises in dietetic training; if he is aware that the university is unable to fill the chair in this officer's absence and, as the university has applied for his release without success, if he will now release this man.

This officer's release in Class B was authorised in November and a further cable was sent to the Overseas Command on 8th December stressing the urgency of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Captain D. Gray, 223488, serving in R.A.P.C, in Bombay, was recommended by the Minister of Education in November for release under Class B; that Captain Gray was the French master at Fulneck Grammar School, Pudsey, and in January this school will be without a French master; if Captain Gray has yet been offered release, when he may be expected to arrive in Britain; and, in view of the plight of this school, will he take urgent steps to bring Captain Gray home by the speediest method.

The release of this officer in Class B was authorised on 11th December and instructions to that effect were sent on the same day to the Command in which he is serving. I cannot forecast the date of his return to this country, since this depends on the local military situation and the transport facilities. Overseas Commands have been instructed to give Class B cases priority as regards transport.

asked the Secretary of S ate for War when the hon. and gallant Member for Solihull can expect a reply to his letter of 24th October, 1945, in respect of 7953816 Trooper J. Hartley.

It was necessary to refer the case to the overseas command. This has been done and I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as the reply is received. This should be within the next two weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War what, is the average interval between measurement and delivery in the case of made-to-measure civilian suits for outsize Service personnel passing through the Olympia demobilisation centre.

The interval is about eight weeks m the majority of cases. As the result of arrangements recently made it is hoped to reduce it to about six weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the hardship likely to result from a business remaining closed for a considerable time after the end of the war, he will reconsider the decision not to recommend compassionate release to reopen a business which was closed when the owner was called up.

This type of case has been specially considered, during the present month, by all the Departments concerned, in consultation, and it was decided that there were insufficient grounds to include it among the categories entitling Servicemen to be considered for compassionate release. The effect of introducing new categories must be either to prejudice the release of others with prior claims or to cause an embarrassing increase in the total of compassionate releases, which are only one factor in the Release Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for War the present position with regard to the supply of medal ribbons; and, as many men are still being demobilised without having had an opportunity of wearing them, what steps he is taking to remedy the situation.

The rate of production, which has been insufficient owing to the shortage of machines and labour, is now rapidly improving. Priority is given to men due for early release.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why men in Group 29 are retained while men of the same category in Group 36 are released; whether it will be arranged that men being thus released from the R.N. Barracks, Devonport, in the later groups, should be sent to replace men in the earlier groups, some of them with five years' service.

I presume that the Question refers to the practice of ordering the release of men in a certain range of age and Service groups to take place during a stated period. Men are released from individual ships and establishments in accordance with these orders, and since the distribution of age and Service groups is not the same in all ships and establishments, the result may be that some men in the later groups are released before others in the earlier groups. It would not be practicable to use as reliefs men who are themselves shortly due to be released, nor would there be any advantage in delaying the release of any age and Service groups until all men in the previous Groups had been released.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the feeling among junior sea transport officers that their rate of demobilisation is being slowed down because the senior officers are frequently elderly R.N. personnel who will continue to hold their ranks only so long as the uniformed side of Sea Transport exists; and whether he will replace the uniformed staff of Sea Transport by civilian Merchant Navy assistants.

The implication contained in the first part of the Question is without foundation. The Sea Transport Division has been reduced by 41 percent., and more than two-thirds of the senior naval officers have been, or shortly will be, released. The civilian Merchant Navy assistants have rendered excellent service during the War, but it is essential to retain a nucleus of Naval Officers to give orders to Service personnel being embarked or disembarked.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many applications for Class B release have been received from the Ministry of Labour in respect of R.N. schoolmasters; and how many men it is proposed to release.

:The number of applications received for such release in Class Bas specialists is 13 (11 instructors, R.N., and two schoolmasters, R.N.). Of these, seven have been released, five have not yet accepted, and one has refused release. In addition, applications have been received for the release of five instructors, R.N., and two schoolmasters, R.N., as art students, but in order to meet essential naval requirements, and at the same time release as many officers as possible for teaching, it has been necessary for the Admiralty to refuse release in these cases at present.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will publish the full Report made by Lord Justice Bucknill of his inquiry into the circumstances in which the battle cruisers "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau" succeeded in passing through the Channel after leaving Brest in 1941.

My right hon. Friend is considering this Question in consultation with his Noble Friend, the Secretary of State for Air.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why are pensioners on discharge leave not given the extra 14 days' leave which in peacetime is always given to a man on discharge to pension.

Pensioners in peacetime were given 14 days' leave on discharge to enable them to seek employment. Under the Release Scheme 56 days' leave is granted to temporary personnel on discharge, and the leave given to pensioners has been extended to the same amount.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of ground personnel now allotted to each aircraft for daily maintenance when bomber-type aircraft are used for trooping; and how this figure compares with the number similarly employed when the aircraft were used for bombing operations, apart from those men specifically employed in arming the aircraft.

Taking the Lancaster as an example, the figures were usually between nine and ten for bombing; they are now between seven and eight for trooping. Of course, the bombing establishment had to cater for requirements that were altogether more sudden and widely fluctuating.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that aircrews who have completed their training in this country frequently find that they are redundant and are given indefinite leave while, at the same time, airmen in the Far East have their releases held up because there are no experienced men to replace them; and if he will arrange for the newly-trained men to release those who have been overseas for several years.

We have given orders that aircrew who are not at present required for flying, but who are mostly fit for service anywhere and who are in late release groups, must be reallocated to other duties so as to relieve airmen overseas and to help even out the release rate between the various trades. Twenty-three thousand of these aircrew have been reallocated up to 1st December. We expect there will be many more in the first half of 1946.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the recent statistics published as to the increased agricultural output of Great Britain during the war years, he will now give an estimate of the value of the annual output per head of those engaged in agriculture in this country and indicate how those figures compare with.the annual value of the output per head of workers in other main industries in the country such as coalmining and cotton.

I am afraid that this information is not available. While, as the hon. and gallant Member points out, the value of agricultural output is known, considerable difficulty attaches to making an estimate of man-equivalents employed in an industry of which a large part of the labour force consists of women, casual workers, prisoners of war, and various categories of unpaid labour.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the output of carrots produced in this country in 1914, 1924, 1934 and 1944; and, in view of the growing recognition of their dietetic value, what steps are being taken to augment the output.

The acreage under carrots in England and Wales in the years mentioned, has been:

	acres.
1934	10,768
1924	10,746
1934	16,432
1944	35,225

With regard to the second part of the Question, the present acreage is substantially larger than the pre-war acreage, and is regarded as adequate to meet requirements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many ex-Servicemen have so far applied for agricultural training under Government schemes.

Eight hundred and twenty-three applications for agricultural and horticultural training had been received up to 30th November. Of these, 721 were from men and 102 from women, released from the Armed Forces or other forms of war service.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to overcome the shortage of feedingstuffs for dairy cows and other livestock that has developed in some districts; and if he is satisfied that the feeding-stuffs coupons issued by W.A.E.Cs. can be honoured in full for the rest of the winter period.

With regard to the first part of the Question, no information has reached me to the effect that shortages of feedingstuffs exist in certain districts. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars I will have inquiries made. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir "

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is prepared to consider the release of any boys directed to the mines, who were originally employed in agriculture and horticulture and whose services are now urgently needed in those industries, under the new Class B block release scheme for agriculture; and how many will be so released.

I have been asked to reply. The Class B release scheme relates to releases from the Armed Forces only and not to release from civilian employment. In view of the labour position in coalmining, it is not possible at present to release any considerable number of coalmining ballotees for other employment, but I should not exclude the possibility of an individual ballottee being released for agriculture in special circumstances.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action has been taken by his Department as a result of the representations made by the hon. Member for Colchester on 4th November, about the condition of the fishing grounds off the North Essex coast.

I have had careful inquiries made regarding the osbtructions to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and have since been in touch with the War Department and the Air Ministry on the subject. As a result I am informed that arrangements are being made for the removal in the near future of those of the obstructions which are, I understand, causing the greatest inconvenience to the local fiishermen.

asked the Minister of Works if the total number of man-hours required to manufacture an aluminium emergency prefabricated bungalow in the factory; the number of man-hours for this erection complete on site, together with the foundations, etc.; and the approximate number of man-hours required to complete a traditional house such as the Minister of Health permits a private builder to construct at a cost, including land, not exceeding £1,200.

No, Sir; my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and Aircraft Production does not consider that a statement of man-hours required for the manufacture and erection of the Aluminium house can usefully be made in advance of full-scale production, and for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Bucklow (Lieutenant W. Shepherd) on 14th November I am not in a position to make a statement of the man-hours required for a traditional house.

asked the Minister of Works if supplies of slates and guttering to Cardiff and Penarth can be increased, as residents are unable to get long-standing damage repaired because of the absence of these materials.

I am afraid that supplies to Cardiff and Penarth could only be increased at present at the expense of other areas with heavy commitments. Every effort is being made to remedy the shortage of these materials, particularly by the recruitment of additional labour to the industries concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the Report, a copy of which has been sent to him, of the officials of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers made to the Housing Committee of Edinburgh Corporation to the effect that 10 percent. of bricklayers are out of work in the city; and, in view of the housing plans, what steps he proposes to take to secure full employment.

Yes, Sir. I am aware that on the 12th December 16 bricklayers were registered as unemployed in Edinburgh. Work is available for them on corporation housing schemes, which include some 400 houses approved but not yet begun, and the chief housing executive officer with whom my Department have been in touch is arranging to offer them employment on these schemes.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he expects that the telephone service to South Africa will be reopened.

The telephone service between Great Britain and South Africa was reopened for public use on Saturday, 1st December.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that many parcels are damaged in transit between Northern Ireland and Great Britain; and if it is now possible to revert to the prewar practice of shipping the parcels in hampers, which was most satisfactory.

I am not aware that the number of parcels damaged in transit between Northern Ireland and Great Britain is disproportionate to the traffic. The use of hampers instead of bags would make serious demands on storage or stowage space at the various stages of transit, and would add considerably to the cost of handling parcel mails. I am satisfied that reversion to the use of hampers, which ceased in 1910, could not be justified.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma whether there is hope in the near future a limited number of wives of civil servants in Burma will be permitted to join their husbands in Burma.

The question whether the wives of civil Government servants are to be permitted to proceed to Burma to join their husbands is at present under consideration by the Government of Burma. The entry into Burma of wives and other private individuals must be conditioned by the accommodation and living facilities available which at present are strictly limited.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Burma whether a decision has yet been come to as to the entry of private individuals into Burma and passages to Rangoon.

The question of the entry of private individuals into Burma is under consideration by the Government of Burma, and it is hoped that an announcement in regard to it and to the question of passages to Rangoon will be made shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is now in a position to state what arrangements have been made for the return of Austrian and German anti-Fascist refugees at pre- sent in the United Kingdom to return to their own countries, particularly those who are in a position and willing to help in any work of reconstruction and redevelopment.

I have made arrangements for a certain number of refugees who are asked for by name by the Control Commission in Germany and Austria to go back to their countries. I hope that it will be possible in the near future for larger numbers, particularly those who would assist in the reconstruction of their countries on democratic lines, to be repatriated but the difficulties of accommodation, particularly in the British Zone of Germany, are very great and the transport facilities are limited. Applications to return will have to be sifted in accordance with an order of priority and as soon as arangements can be made to handle applications an announcement will be made. Meanwhile, no good purpose would be served by sending in applications to the Control Office for Germany and Austria or any other Government Department.

asked the hon. Member for West Walthamstow, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, how much has so far been contributed by hon. Members to the staff Christmas fund; and among how many members of the staff this sum is to be divided.

The amount contributed to date is £75 12s. 4d. The number of staff to share is 142.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that a proportion of the sugar sent from this country to France is used by the French Government for the manufacture of liqueurs which are then exported to the United Kingdom and in view of the small ration 0f sugar received by the people in this country, steps can be taken, in conjunction with the Board of Trade, to reduce the amount of sugar exported to France and, as soon as possible, to increase the sugar ration here proportionately.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Derbyshire (Mr. C. White) on 31st October, 1945, in which I made it quite clear that shipments of sugar from this country to France are repaid in full out of the allocations made to France by the combined Food Board. Consequently, they do not reduce in any way the supplies available for this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will provide a list of all the Colonies in which the British Council is at present operating, with the number of paid employees and the total of their salaries in each of those Colonies.

The following statement shows the Colonial territories in which on 30th September the British Council was operating, with paid employees, the number of those employees and the total of their salaries:

	Number of Employees	Gross Emoluments
		£
Aden	2	2,497
Barbados	4	1,944
British Guiana	3	1,318
Cyprus	13	9,739
Gambia	2	400
Gibraltar	3	2,056
Gold Coast	17	7,830
Jamaica	4	1,450
Malta	8	3,378
Nigeria	7	2,500
Palestine	78	41,835
Sierra Leone	8	2,966
Trans-Jordan	1	180
Trinidad (Council Headquarters for the West Indies)	20	6,629

The numbers of employees given above include all whole-time staff, including clerical, secretarial and domestic staff, at British Council offices and at British Institutes. The total of salaries given above include fees to part-time teachers and domestic staff paid by the hour and not included in the number of employees given in the preceding column. They also include marriage allowances and local allowances awarded to London-appointed staff in order to compensate for high costs of living overseas. The following list shows those Colonial territories in which the British Council at present have no staff of their own but to which they sup- ply material for distribution through other channels:Ascension Island.Bahamas.Bermuda.British Honduras.Ceylon.Falkland Islands.Fiji.Hong Kong.Kenya.Leeward Islands.Mauritius.New Hebrides.Nyasaland.Northern Rhodesia.St. Helena.Seychelles.Somaliland.Tanganyika Territory.Tonga.Uganda.Windward Islands.Zanzibar.

asked the Minister of Education if she will give a list of all the duties undertaken by a head teacher which are distinct from teaching and the organisation of teaching; and a similar list in relation to the assistant staff.

I regret that it is not possible for me to give a list of all the extraneous duties undertaken by head teachers and assistant teachers, since they vary from area to area and school to school. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply on this topic which I gave on 6th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Lady wood (Mr. Yates).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that pressure in gas mains in Chiswick and other districts of London supplied by the Gas Light and Coke Company is still so low as to cause discomfort to housewives; and whether he will take steps to remedy the position.

I am aware that gas pressure is inadequate in various parts of London. This is due to lack of labour for maintaining and operating the plant at the gas works. I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, who is doing everything possible to provide further labour for the gas undertakings.