asked the Secretary of State for War the cost of moving H.Q., S.A.C.S.E.A., and H.Q., A.L.F.S.E.A., to Singapore; and whether he is aware that 350 officers were sent almost straight back after the move.

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on nth December last. I have, however, asked for further details and as soon as these are received I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a statement on the activities of a private army, of which he has been informed and which recently served in C.M.F.

I understand the Question refers to a unit known as No. 1 Demolition Squadron, P.P.A., which was a British Army unit formed in Egypt in 1942, under the command of Major V. Peniskoff, D.S.O., M.C., an emergency commissioned officer on the General List. This unit consisted predominantly of men from the United Kingdom. It operated against the enemy's rear in North Africa and in the Italian campaign, and was engaged latterly in amphibious operations. Altogether 191 men served with the unit gaining 15 decorations and medals and five mentions in despatches. The unit was disbanded in September, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now been able to provide heat and other reasonable amenities and to reduce the overcrowding in the transport provided for troops in their journeys to overseas stations; and if he will see that travelling conditions for troops are at least as good as those for the civilian population.

There is an acute shortage of passenger locomotives and rolling stock on the Continent, but energetic steps are being taken to deal with the situation, which is gradually improving. There is a similar shortage in the Middle East, but I am informed that taken as a whole travelling conditions for troops both on the Continent and in the Middle East are at least as good as those for the civilian population. As regards troopships material reductions cannot at present be made in the carrying capacity of ships, but as the troopship position gets easier it is intended to improve conditions by reducing the capacity of ships particularly in troop decks.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will ensure that in troopships there is no out-of-date difference between the standard of accommodation available as between officers and other ranks.

This problem is being considered. Conditions in troopships will be improved as circumstances permit and so far as possible the difference between the standard of accommodation for officers and for men will be comparable with the difference elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for War the lowest age and service group in which men are now being posted to B.A.O.R.

At present, personnel drafted to the B.A.O.R. are normally drawn from age and service groups 27 and later in the case of officers and groups 30 and later in the case of other ranks. In the case of those placed under orders on or after 1st February, 1946, these groups will be altered to groups 29 and later for officers and 32 and later for other ranks. While personnel are not normally drafted from earlier age and service groups than these unless they have deferred release or are Regular soldiers with a certain minimum period still to serve, it may still be necessary to send officers or other ranks of earlier groups if suitable personnel can definitely not be obtained from the groups normally drawn upon. This applies particularly to keymen and specialists.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make inquiries and take steps to remedy the feeding arrangements for certain members of the B.A.O.R., particulars of which have been sent to him.

I have called for a report on this matter and as soon as it is received I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War when wives of officers and soldiers with substantial periods of service outstanding will be allowed to join them in Germany.

I hope that it will be possible to start allowing families of officers and other ranks serving with the B.A.O.R. to go to Germany some time this year. A detailed scheme is being worked out as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the food rations received by Servicemen in B.A.O.R.; how they compare with civilian rations in this country; and what complaints he has received from Servicemen that they are inadequate.

Servicemen in the B.A.O.R. receive the overseas ration scale which, as I announced on 23rd October, 1945, was recently reduced in view of the general food shortage and to assist in maintaining the supplies for the civilian population of this country. Supplementary rations are issued to men who are called upon to undergo strenuous exertion or arduous conditions of service, including severe climatic conditions. I am informed that the recent cuts were generally received with a good grace by the troops in view of the fact that they made a direct contribution to the scale of rations at home. Any comparison between civilian and military ration scales would be misleading because of the different methods of feeding the troops and the civilian population and the different requirements of soldiers and civilians.

asked the Secretary of State for War what acceleration there has been in the rate of demobilisation under Scheme B from the A.E.G.; and what number has been released under this scheme from the A.E.C.

The War Office do not at present normally offer release under Class B bulk releases to members of the A.E.C. but recommendations from Government departments for the release of key individuals on the grounds that their return to civil life is essential in the national interest are considered on their merits. At least 32 members of the A.E.C. have been offered "B" release.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if he is aware that instructions were given from Records Office on 10th October, 1945, for the release of Bombardier A. Brown, in Class B; that on 29th December, 1945, this soldier, who is anxious to get back into the mining industry, was still in the services; and whether any progress has been made in this case.

Bombardier Brown was released on 1st January.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Gunner F. Hale, 14348955, is desirous of being released under Class B because he is a bricklayer; what age and service group is now being released for this purpose under Class B; and whether he can give an assurance that the demand for bricklayers is being fully met.

Release under Class B is being offered to bricklayers of Group 37. Gunner Hale is in Group 40. I cannot say when release will be offered to bricklayers in this group, as this will depend on the future demands of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. Their present demands for bricklayers are being fully met.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the causes contributory to the delay in the transport of troops demobilised in Ceylon; if priority of accommodation is given to officers and men in all available ships; and what complaints he has received of the exclusion of Service men in favour of civilian passengers.

There have been instances of ships expected to load in Ceylon being diverted for other special purposes, but replacements have been provided. Some delay in the despatch of men to this country for release may on these occasions have occurred, but not, I understand, to the extend of delaying the arrival of such men in this country more than a very short time beyond the period set for the release of men in their group. Civilian requirements have already been drastically cut during the last quarter of 1945 to enable the target for Service movements to be achieved, and I am not aware of any specific complaints of Service men having been excluded in favour of civilian passengers whereby the former were late in obtaining their release.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the shortage of trained police constables in this country, he will expedite the release of policemen now serving with the Army overseas.

Authority has already been issued for the release of all Regular police serving in the Army who have been asked for by the Home Office and the Scottish Office, excluding those serving in the Special Investigation Branch of the CM.P. and Civil Affairs and Military Government police. Those serving overseas are brought home as rapidly as the transport situation allows.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered a G.R.O. issued to the 579 A Field] Company, Royal Engineers, C.M.F. stating that in the larger release groups priority will be given to age; and whether this order was issued upon his authority.

Instructions were issued by the Army Council in November that should the number of passages available at any one time not be adequate to carry the numbers awaiting despatch to the United Kingdom, the order of priority for allotment of passages within any particular age and service group should be on the basis of age only. This instruction has recently been reviewed, and a further instruction was issued on 7th January that the priority to be allotted within any particular age and service group will be left to the discretion of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Overseas Command concerned. The G.R.O. to which my hon. Friend refers was presumably issued in accordance with the earlier instruction.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that soldiers who were compelled to spend Christmas in the Middle East each received two bottles of beer for Christmas dinner, but no provision was made for the soldier who is a total abstainer; why this has happened on more than one occasion; and if he will take steps to see that provision is made in the future to give some encouragement to the young men who have no desire to drink beer.

I am not aware of any general shortage of soft drinks in the Middle East but I have called for a report on the matter and as soon as it is received I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the report of the court of inquiry into conditions in Stakehill military detention barracks; if he will communicate to the House a summary thereof; and if he will set up a civilian and public inquiry, with safeguards for the anonymity of witnesses, into conditions in this and other detention barracks generally.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the conditions in the Stakehill military detention camp is now available.

The court of inquiry into conditions in Stakehill Military Detention Barracks is still sitting and I should prefer to wait until the court has completed its deliberations before making any further statement on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War why no reply has been received from India regarding the whereabouts of Sapper N. Wells, of whose number and unit he has been informed, and inquiries in respect of whom began on 30th November.

I very much regret the delay in replying to the hon. Member's inquiries in this case, but he should by now have received the answer which was sent to him on 19th January.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a decision has yet been received, from the overseas command concerned, as to the release on compassionate grounds of 13077103, Private B. R. Crowe, about which the hon. and gallant Member for Portsmouth, North, wrote to him on 22nd October, 1945.

In view of the large number of cases involved it is not the practice for overseas Commands to inform the War Office of their decision on each compassionate case referred to them by the War Office, but in this case I understand that Private Crowe has been brought home and is now serving with a unit at Portsmouth. My hon. and gallant Friend's request was for a compassionate home posting.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a decision has yet been reached, from the overseas Command concerned, as to release on compassionate grounds of Second-Lieutenant W. A. Matthews, 349126, about which case the hon. and gallant Member for Portsmouth, North, communicated with him on 22nd October, 1945.

I have not yet had a reply from the overseas Command concerned but as soon as a decision is reached I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the average time lags in the various overseas theatres between the completion of the qualifying period for Python and actual embarkation.

There is now generally no time lag between the completion of the Python qualifying period and actual embarkation for the United Kingdom. The return of men on Python must, however, always be affected by the weather and the shipping situation as well as by operational commitments. I cannot therefore guarantee that the position will always remain as satisfactory as it is at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he proposes to adjust the credits due to B.N.A.F. personnel to compensate for the recent devaluation of the franc.

Yes, Sir. B.N.A.F. personnel are being compensated in respect of unspent Army pay and allowances drawn in Algerian francs before midnight, 25th December, 1945, when the franc was devalued, up to a limit of two months' pay drawings.

asked the Secretary of State for War, why letters sent by men serving overseas to their relatives in this country are still being censored; and, in view of the annoyance this is causing, will he give instructions for the practice to cease.

Censorship of military mails has now ceased in all Commands.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in North Wales caused by the failure of his Department to reach a decision to remove the anti-tank range at Harlech, Merioneth; whether he is aware that the continued presence of the camp spoils the prospects of the tourist industry on the Welsh coast for the spring and summer of 1946; and when he hopes to be able to announce a decision on this matter.

I am aware that dissatisfaction is felt in various parts of the United Kingdom because decisions have not yet been reached on the future of certain areas now in military use. The task of reviewing future military requirements in land is a formidable one, and when it has reached a sufficiently advanced stage it will be necessary to consider these requirements in relation to those of other Departments and the public interest generally. I regret that I cannot yet say when these deliberations will be completed. The work is, however, proceeding as quickly as possible and all concerned are anxious to reach decisions as soon as they can. It would be impossible to make a statement as regards any particular area until the requirements as a whole have been fully considered and discussed with the other Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that many complaints are now being received of the delay in the delivery of letters and parcels to men of S.E.A.C.; and if he will make any statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the continued dissatisfaction over delivery of mails to S.E.A.C; what is the average time taken; and what improvements have resulted from the steps recently taken.

I am aware that the Forces mail service to and from the Far East has been the subject of much criticism since the end of the Japanese war and in particular, during the last few months. There have undoubtedly been delays, and I welcome this opportunity of explaining the main reasons for them.

There are only two methods of transport for mails—by air or by sea. Given good weather and an adequate number of aircraft, good servicing facilities for aircraft and a reasonable number of equipped landing fields, the air service is naturally far speedier than transport by sea. Hence, all letter mail is normally sent by air although it is necessary to despatch parcels by sea because of the great bulk and weight involved. Unfortunately, the weather has been at its worst during recent months. For example, mail-carrying aircraft were only able to reach Singapore during sixteen days in November, and in the reverse direction, through flying was only possible on 10 out of 31 days in December.

Apart from the weather factor, the Forces in the Far East had to be re-deployed rapidly as the result of the sudden Japanese capitulation. This often involved long sea voyages by detachments of units which meant inevitable delays in getting their mails to them. These difficulties are still being experienced, but to a lesser degree. The operation of the release scheme has also militated against the Postal Service to a considerable extent and in particular, because of the vast amount of redirection that has now to be carried out with the minimum number of personnel to do it.

These difficulties have been enhanced by the fact that a large amount of correspondence has been wrongly addressed. Writers of letters have used geographical names much more frequently, with the result that correspondence has gone to places which the recipient has left some time ago or alternatively, the correspondence has gone through civil postal channels with resultant delays.

Remedies already put into operation include an overhaul of all transport arrangements and special inquiries in S.E.A.C. to improve the local working. At the same time, however, parcels will still take a long time by sea, and letters by air announcing the despatch of parcels should arrive weeks before the parcels themselves. Moreover, the increased distances inevitably mean some additional time in transit, although every effort is made to reduce this to the minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now reduce the period of service before repatriation for men serving in India and S.E.A.C.

The eventual reduction of the overseas tour of duty for Army personnel to the period of three years stated by my predecessor in this House on 8th June last remains the objective of the War Office. I shall give the House the earliest possible notification of any reduction in the periods of overseas tour ruling at present. The possibility of a reduction is under constant review in my Department, but it is not immediately practicable at a time when our main efforts are concerned with the acceleration of release and when we have still serious military commitments in many parts of the world.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, to check the present wave of crime, he will offer all men or women wanted as deserters from the Services trial by civil courts instead of by court martial if they will surrender to the police within a stated time.

I am advised that, as the law now stands, the civil courts have no power to punish members of the Army or the A.T.S. for the offences of desertion or absence without leave, which are not civil offences. The hon. Member's suggestion would not therefore provide a practical solution.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) for how many requisitioned properties which are no longer being used by the Army rent is still being paid; and what is the annual cost.

(2) For how many defence posts, alternative gun positions, look-outs and observation posts, which were built against the invasion threat, rent was still being paid on 31st December, 1945; and at what cost.

I regret that the information asked for is not readily available, and could only be obtained by considerable research, which would involve taking heavily occupied staff off urgent work such as the derequisitioning of properties. I should be most reluctant to do this.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that medical officers about to be released from the Services require to spend some considerable time in refresher courses to fit them for undertaking civil practice; and whether he will arrange with the Minister of Health that these courses shall be provided and followed by such officers before being admitted to civil practice.

All medical officers who are released from the Army are informed of the facilities which are available under the Government's scheme for Postgraduate Training and Refresher Courses for medical officers. This scheme, common to all three Services, was drawn up by the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health for Scotland, in conjunction with the Universities and other interested bodies, and every encouragement is given to medical officers to avail themselves of these facilities before entering civil practice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for all Regular officers to be granted special victory leave, as and when possible, on the basis of a period of at least one month plus additional leave in proportion to war service abroad.

One month's special End of War Leave is being granted to Regular officers who were serving on 15th August, 1945, provided they had then completed 12 months' full pay service and were liable to serve for a minimum of a further year from 1st December, 1945. Additional leave in proportion to war service abroad is also granted to those Regular officers who, during the release period, are permitted to retire.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Cairo Area Welfare Committee is making appeals to private individuals in Egypt and in this country for adequate funds to advertise in Egyptian newspapers welfare facilities available for troops in the Middle East; and if he will avoid the necessity for such appeals by granting adequate funds therefor.

I have not yet been able to complete my inquiries into this matter, but as soon as I have done so I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the programme for repatriating British troops in the 81st (West African) Division now that the ban for Groups 22 and above has been withdrawn.

The ban on release and repatriation of officers and British other ranks of West African units in India was lifted on 31st December. Those who had been held back are being repatriated at the earliest possible moment, and thereafter release and repatriation will proceed normally as in the case of personnel of British units.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the Poles in each Army Command have chosen to return to Poland.

The approximate percentages of officers and other ranks of the Polish Army who have elected to go to Poland are: United Kingdom 36.8 per cent.; M.E.F. 6 per cent.; C.M.F. 10.8 per cent.; B.A.O.R. 1.2 per cent. This represents 17.2 per cent. of the total in all Commands.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what authority an officer is required to defend an ex-enemy alien charged as a war criminal before a military court; and whether officers who have conscientious scruples against undertaking this duty are given an opportunity to be excused.

Under Rule of Procedure 87, which is applied to the procedure for the trial of war criminals by Military Court by Regulation 3 of the Regulations for the Trial of War Criminals (Army Order 81 of 1945), if the accused person, not being otherwise represented, desires to have a defending officer assigned to him, the convening officer is required to use his best endeavours to ensure that the accused shall be so represented by a suitable officer. An officer who has conscientious scruples against undertaking this function should inform the convening officer who has sought his services in that capacity, and ask to be excused from undertaking it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what methods are used to recruit Indonesian labour in Batavia; and what are the wages and conditions of those employed.

The method of recruiting Indonesian labour is similar to that in operation throughout South-East Asia Command. A military labour exchange has been set up where British representatives, with the concurrence of the Dutch Civil Affairs authorities, maintain contact with appropriate Indonesian labour leaders. These leaders direct available labour to assembly centres for allocation daily by British labour officers. The wages scale is based on the 1942 Netherlands East Indies guilder rates and has been fixed in agreement with the Dutch Civil Affairs authorities. While Netherlands East Indies guilders are not acceptable to Indonesian labour, payment is made in Japanese guilders at a rate at

present of one Japanese guilder to three Dutch cents. A daily ration of one pound of rice and half an ounce of salt is issued if desired on repayment of two Japanese guilders. The working day is eight hours with no overtime and transport is provided free from the assembly centre to work and back.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is done with the property of Indonesian prisoners.

No Indonesian prisoners of war are held as such. The only prisoners are persons who have committed offences against the Allied Military Administration. Arms are confiscated. Personal effects are taken from them when taken into custody and a record kept. These effects are handed back on release. Other property is not interfered with.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what authority the warehouse of George Wehry and Company, Pesar Pisang, Batavia, was cleared and how the contents were disposed of.

The warehouse of George Wehry and Company, Pesar Pisang, Batavia, was requisitioned by the Military authority in Batavia to form part of a base depot. The remaining contents which had not been looted before the arrival of Allied Forces in Batavia are now stored in an Ordnance Depot.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the total casualties so far sustained by British, Indian, Dutch and Indonesian Forces in killed, wounded, missing and prisoners in the operations in Indonesia.

British and Indian casualties in Indonesia up to nth January, 1946, are as follows:

Dutch casualties in Java are 31 killed, 100 wounded and six missing. I have at present no accurate information about Indonesian casualties.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the numerous complaints by war correspondents in Java of excessive censorship; and if he will call for a full report on this and circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT at the first opportunity.

There has been no form of censorship of Press reports in Java or any part of South-East Asia Command since the war censorship was lifted on 3rd September. I am assured that news from official sources is freely released to the Press and there is no attempt to suppress it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether R.A.F. personnel, who are returned prisoners of war, retain their rank and flying pay; and whether the same privilege extends to glider pilots.

R.A.F. aircrew who have been prisoners of war, including glider pilots who are members of the Air Force, normally retain their rank and pay on return from captivity. No officer can be certain of retaining acting rank indefinitely, but we have made provision for officers holding an acting rank during captivity to retain it up to 61 days after their return.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what policy is pursued with regard to the re-employment of redundant aircrews; whether steps are taken to employ them in trades for which they express a preference; and if aircrews personnel have been ordered to cover their badges of rank whilst working under aircraftmen clerks, etc.

These aircrew provide reliefs for airmen who are nearly due to be released or to return from overseas. We do all we can to put each man into work for which he is specially suited or which he prefers. We have issued no instructions for these aircrew to cover up their badges of rank. I think there has been some uncertainty about this point in the past, but we are now making the position clear in Air Ministry Orders.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the gallant work of aircrew instructors, he will take steps to see that some recognition is paid to the work of instructor-pilots during the war.

There is little I can add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Marylebone (Sir W. Wakefield) on 24th October last. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of this reply. More than half of the Air Force Crosses and Air Force Medals awarded since the beginning of the war have been given to flying instructors. These flying awards have a very high standing, and I think everyone has welcomed this recognition of the distinguished service given by our instructors in the air.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in his assessment of compensation for loss of property under the War Damage Act, he will include loss of revenues to the property owner arising from the destruction of his property.

No, Sir. Such losses are only one example of many types of loss of income due to the war for which it would be quite impossible to contemplate compensation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the basis of the calculation by which the rate of 4.03 dollars to the £ was reached.

This rate was fixed at the beginning of the war at 4.03. Account was then taken of future possibilities as well as of past facts and of the need for reasonable stability. No evidence has been adduced which would justify a change in this rate at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the increased cost of living and the recent announcement of increases in salary for certain salary groups of civil servants, whether it is now proposed to make similar increases in the pensions of those retired civil servants whose pensions fall within the same limits, and who have so far received no cost-of-living bonus.

Most Civil Service pensioners are already eligible for an increase in pension under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944. The provisions of this Act are now under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the inconvenience being caused to taxpayers in the borough of Darwen, he will now reopen the local tax office in that locality.

No, Sir. I am afraid that I could not justify this at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many persons who were evacuated with their work to the provinces, or who were transferred during the war, let their houses and cannot now regain possession of them; that Schedule D Income Tax is being imposed upon these people on the difference between the rateable value of their houses and the amounts they receive by way of rent, although in many cases the rent received is less than they have to pay to get accommodation on their return to London; and whether he will ensure that this tax is waived in every case where the rent now paid for temporary accommodation is equal to, or greater than, the rent received for a person's own house.

I regret that I cannot adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. Income from letting a house is liable to Income Tax and the cost of alternative accommodation is not an allowable deduction for Income Tax purposes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is still the prac- tice to publish the names of men offered Class B release in Fleet Orders and not for C.Os. to inform the men concerned personally.

The answer to the first part of the Question is Yes, Sir. These Fleet Orders are also issued in a form suitable for posting on Notice Boards so that they may be seen by all officers and ratings. This enables any officer or rating who considers himself eligible for Class B release to make representations to his Commanding Officer if his name has been omitted. It is the responsibility of Commanding Officers to implement the instructions contained in Fleet Orders, and in order to discharge this duty Commanding Officers arrange for the officers and men whose name appear in Fleet Orders to be informed personally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of claims by British nationals in respect of property, assets and claims in or against Germany.

The total amount of United Kingdom property in Germany has been estimated at approximately £100 millions and of moneys due to the United Kingdom from Germany in respect of financial and commercial debts at £90 millions. These figures do not include claims which may arise in respect of personal injuries or of loss or damage to United Kingdom property situated outside Germany.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total amount in sterling in this country held by the authorities on account of German nationals.

It is not possible to give figures on the basis of nationality, but moneys actually held by the Custodians of Enemy Property in respect of persons understood to be resident in Germany proper are of the order of £10 million sterling. These figures include certain doubtful items which may ultimately be excluded and they do not include any provision for German property in the United Kingdom which has not been realised.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the closing of the flax works at Cupar and Turriff, resulting in the unemployment of 150 and 120 persons respectively; and what steps he proposes to take to secure full employment in these areas.

The factories will close in June next after the 1945 crop has been scutched. The question of their use for other purposes is now under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's policy towards deconcentration of industry in Scotland; which industries are to remain concentrated; and for how long.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. S. Shephard) on 15th October, last. The policy in Scotland, as in England, is to help deconcentration along as quickly as possible. In general, my regional controllers will assist any concentrated firm that considers that it can get sufficient workers and materials to enable it to re-open successfully. In certain textile industries, however, and in the footwear industry, it remains necessary, for the present, that the arrangements for re-opening concentrated factories should be on a selective basis. I cannot say how long it will be before the last concentrated factory is re-opened.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that recent supplies of penicillin made by English manufacturers, have been found unsatisfactory and inferior to the U.S.A. product; and whether he will investigate the matter.

I understand that there have been complaints about the relative insolubility of some samples of British penicillin but there have also been complaints about some American penicillin. Supplies of British penicillin have now greatly improved in quality and in some cases are being asked for in preference to American.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an assurance that he has a time and progress schedule agreed with the Minister of Labour sufficient to ensure that there will be the required labour available to erect all houses when they are ready for erection.

The hon. Member can be assured that I am in very close touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service in relation to the labour needs for housing.

asked the Minister of Health whether the emergency housing programme has yet been worked out on a nation-wide time and progress schedule; whether all local authorities have been informed as to the date by which they must have their part of the work completed; and if he will give the date of completion agreed upon for each successive 50,000 emergency habitations.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the temporary housing programme. The production of the different types has been planned, and their allocation to local authorities has been agreed. As houses are produced they are distributed to the sites that are ready, in order to avoid any delay. I am unable at the present time to say when the various stages of the programme will be completed.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will encourage local authorities to start nurseries of suitable trees and bushes for use on their new housing estates to enable these to be introduced immediately the houses are ready, at minimum cost to the ratepayers.

There is no statutory power requiring local authorities to maintain nurseries of trees and shrubs on housing estates. I wish to encourage local authorities to plant trees and shrubs in suitable places in roads and streets in connection with reconstruction schemes, and as some local authorities already maintain their own nurseries, I will consider whether it is practicable to incorporate the hon. Member's suggestion in the circular which it is intended to issue to local authorities shortly.

asked the Attorney-General if he will inquire into the delays taking place in His Majesty's Land Registry, in particular, as to the period that elapses between an application for registration of a sale of land and the date on which the routine communication is addressed to the seller, with a view to their reduction.

There is admittedly some delay in the registration of title branch of the Land Registry, which is due to severe shortage of staff in the war years. Every effort is being made to dispose of arrears, and the staff is being increased as demobilisation continues, but no improvement can be expected until sufficient staff can be found and adequately trained.

asked the Minister of Labour whether time spent in the N.F.S. counts, in any circumstances, in computing the group number for demobilisation of Army, R.N., or R.A.F. personnel.

Service in the N.F.S. only counts towards release from the Forces in the special case of those soldiers who were released from the Army to return to the National Fire Service during the heavy air-raids of 1940–41 and were subsequently recalled to the Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the increased delays in delivery of spectacles, what further steps he is taking to release additional opticians and technicians in optical manufacture in sufficient numbers to meet the immediate needs of the public.

I am informed that delay in the supply and repair of spectacles is due almost entirely to the shortage of lenses. More labour for lens making has become available recently as a result of the release of men from the Forces in Class A and from munitions industries. In addition, however, arrangements are now being made to release a small number of ophthalmic lens workers from the Forces in Class B.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of persons employed in domestic service in 1938 and 1945.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will issue in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the towns or districts where Government training centres are now functioning; the trades which are now being taught at each; and the additional trades in which training is scheduled to commence within the next three months.

As this information cannot conveniently be set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT, I am sending my hon. Friend a chart giving full particulars and arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour what additional publicity is to be given, and what additional facilities provided, for registration under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, in view of the fact that only 100,000 individuals have registered when it is estimated that 1,000,000 are eligible.

Apart from the considerable publicity that has been given recently for the Scheme of registration under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, further measures are being taken. Arrangements have been made for employment exchanges to keep open as necessary beyond ordinary working hours for the purpose of taking applications from persons in employment. In addition registrations may, by agreement, be taken on an employer's premises.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that it has not been possible up to now for his Department to agree with the Typographical Association a national plan to cover applications for training in the printing industry and that this necessitates the approval of the Typographical Association in the case of each individual application; and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation.

Proposals for training for the printing industry are at present under discussion with representatives of the Joint Industrial Council, and I hope a satisfactory scheme will be concluded at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour if when giving employment and unemployment figures he will have special returns prepared in respect of those persons classified as unsuitable for ordinary employment, showing the number who are registered under the Disabled Persons Employment Act; the number of those registered who have obtained employment; and the number who are unemployed.

Attached to the monthly return published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" of insured persons registered as unemployed is a footnote indicating the number classified as unsuitable for ordinary employment. Special returns relating to the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act are now published in the Gazette, showing the total number of registrations under the Act and the number both registered and unregistered who are unemployed. It is not practicable to furnish a return of registered disabled persons who have obtained employment, but the difference between the total registered and the number unemployed at a given date indicates the number in employment at that date. I should like to consider the possibility of a special return such as my hon. Friend suggests when registration has developed further.

asked the Minister of Labour how many motor mechanics courses are run by his Department for training ex-Servicemen; how many men, at the most recent convenient date, were taking such courses; and how many men are on the waiting list.

Training in this occupation has so far been restricted to disabled men owing to the number of men with experience as motor mechanics who are being discharged from the Services. There are 12 such training courses at Government Training Centres. On 15th December, 186 disabled men were in training and 335 men awaiting allocation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of distressed persons in Europe who have been granted admission to the United Kingdom from 13th November, 1945, to 13th January, 1946, giving the numbers under the six different categories separately and the total number of each different nationality within each group.

Up to 13th January, 109 aliens arriving in the United Kingdom were identified as having visas granted under the schemes which I announced on 13th November, relating to distressed relatives of persons in this country. They have not yet been classified under the different categories. This figure does not include distressed persons to whom visas had been granted at an earlier date or on other grounds, nor does it include any from Germany from which country a large proportion of those covered by the new scheme may be expected to come when transport is available.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that it is impossible to telegraph to the British military personnel in Tokyo, and that, whereas E.F.M. forms can be sent from Japan, they cannot be sent from this country; and if he will remedy these matters

There is at present only a small advance party in Tokyo, but the question of communication facilities for the main British occupation force is now being considered. The provision of an E.F.M. service is a matter for Cable and Wireless Ltd., with whom I will take up the point raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received the note from the Egyptian Government requesting negotiations for revision of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty, in particular with regard to British troops and the position of the Sudan; and what action it is proposed to take in this matter.

A note on the subject of the revision of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty was presented to the Foreign Office by the Egyptian Ambassador on 20th December. The terms of the note are under consideration and the necessary consultations are being initiated.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many R.A.F. rescue kites were made available for sale to the public as toys before Christmas; how they were distributed through the trade; and whether supplies were distributed evenly throughout the United Kingdom.

15,098 R.A.F. rescue kites were made available for sale to the public as toys before Christmas. Distribution to the trade was effected through the National Association of Toys and Fancy Goods Wholesalers and invitations to tender were distributed evenly throughout the United Kingdom to members of that Association.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that Mrs. V. Johnson, Chairman of the Cheshire W.L.A., having worn out her own motorcar, applied for a permit for another on 22nd August, as no reply was received two further applications were made without results, and that she has now had to resign, as she has no motor-car; and if he will immediately consider this case.

Two applications were received and acknowledged, and a licence has now been granted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has now obtained concerning proceedings consequent upon the death of L.A.C. Alfred Geary, who was killed by a U.S. Army vehicle on 8th August, 1945, at Sutton Coldfield.

As my right hon. Friend has informed the hon. Member, the American authorities have been asked to make inquiries in this matter, but as these have to be made in America they will necessarily take some time to complete. My right hon. Friend will inform the hon. Member as soon as any information is received.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will give figures showing the number of men required to meet railway requirements, including the replacement of Italian prisoners; and the extent to which such requirements have been met during the last five months.

The number of immediate vacancies in railway workshops and in the operating and permanent way grades notified to the Ministry of Labour as outstanding at the end of June, 1945, was 16,300, and the corresponding figure at the end of November was 14,600. In the intervening five months, recruitment totalled some 40,000. This enabled wastage to be made good and certain additional notified requirements to be met as well as a reduction from 11,000 to 10,600 in the number of Italian prisoners employed.

asked the Minister of War Transport the number of passenger carriages and coaches available for the main line railway companies now and on 2nd September, 1939.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to a similar question by the hon. Member for Scarborough (Mr. Spearman) on 12th November, 1945.

asked the Minister of War Transport why the Clyde Navigation Trust is turning off old dockers and taking on new hands.

I assume that my Noble Friend is referring to men who are being discharged from the Clydeside Dock Labour Scheme as surplus to present requirements. The men concerned were engaged during the war in a temporary capacity on the understanding that they had no right to permanent employment under the dock labour Scheme. The only men who are now being engaged under the Scheme are, ( a ), those ex-dockers who are being released from H.M. Forces and are entitled to be reinstated in their former civilian employment, and ( b ), a few men, such as the first and second sons of docker-members of the Scottish Transport and General Workers' Union, who are admitted to the Scheme in accordance with the prewar practice which has been continued under the Scheme.

asked the Minister of War Transport the names of the members of the Transport Advisory Council, constituted by the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933; the dates when they were appointed; and when their appointments will expire.

Sittings of the Transport Advisory Council were suspended during the war and the terms of office of the Members ended in 1943. The Council has not yet been re-constituted.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that in Lancashire there are a large number of appeals to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal the hearing of which is being delayed owing to the impossibility of preparing a statement in each case for submission to the tribunal; if he is aware that hardship is being caused as a result thereof, and what steps are being taken to remedy the matter.

I have no reason to think that the position in Lancashire presents any special features. The Lord Chancellor and I have taken steps which are reducing the period elapsing between the lodging and the hearing of an appeal, and arrangements exist whereby a measure of priority is given to cases of special hardship. If the hon. Member is aware of any such cases where there has been a long delay and will let me have particulars I will look into them.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will state the weekly output of mined coal in the months of January and February, 1938.

The average weekly output of saleable mined coal in Great Britain in the months of January and February, 1938, was 4,919,900 tons and 4,977,700 tons, respectively.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the weekly output of mined coal in the months of May, June, July and August 1945.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Squadron-Leader Donner) on 30th October last.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will give an assurance that, in the discussions taking place between his Department, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Air Ministry over the future development of Northolt Airport, the wishes of the local authority concerned have been asked for and will be considered.

The wishes of the local authorities concerned will be considered before decisions are arrived at regarding the future of Northolt Airport. Repre- sentatives of the authority concerned in the closing of West End Road have already been consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if it is the Government's intention to renew the Hill Sheep Subsidy Scheme for the current year; and if so, what the scale of payments is to be.

Yes, Sir. The Government have reviewed the results of the past season's trading of hill sheep farmers in the United Kingdom and in all the circumstances have decided to continue the subsidy for another year at the rate of 7s. 6d. for each eligible breeding ewe in the flock on 4th December last. The conditions of payment will be substantially the same as those in force last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by farm workers in Scotland on account of the Governments's decision to maintain the stand-still order by which farm workers are tied to individual farms, though in England no similar obligation is imposed; what contacts were made with Scottish farmers and farm workers before the announcement of 13th December was made; what are the views of the farmers and farm workers' organisations in relation to the present order; and if he proposes to reconsider the order as it applies to Scotland.

I am not aware of any very widespread dissatisfaction among farm workers in Scotland about the continuance at the present time of the Order to which the hon. Member refers. The statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on 13th December related to labour controls in general, and there were no preliminary consultations with the farmers' or farm servants' unions in Scotland. As was then announced by my right hon. Friend, however, industries within the scope of the Essential Work Orders are to be reviewed, and arrangements are being made for the early discussion of the Scottish Essential Work (Agriculture) Order with the farmers' and farm servants' unions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Sheriffs-Substitute in Scotland receive salaries less in amount than the salaries of county court judges in England while their responsibilities are greater; and whether he will take steps to abolish this discrimination.

I have recently received a Memorial from the Association of Sheriffs-Substitute asking for an increase in their salaries, and I am considering it in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Lord Advocate and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to make a full statement regarding the fire services in Scotland, with particular reference to the implementation of the Fire Brigades Act, 1938.

The arrangements for the future administration of the Fire Service throughout Great Britain are receiving the active consideration of the Government, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of building trade operatives in Scotland who have been released from the Services under Class B up to 31st December, 1945.

The number of building trade operatives in Scotland released from the Services in Class B up to 9th January, 1946, was 5,339.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the percentages per total population of houses built by municipal enterprise in the following cities, towns and burghs in Scotland during the five years prior to the outbreak of war: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Kirkcaldy, Coatbridge, Grangemouth, Kirkintilloch, Kilsyth, Dalkeith, Tranent, Haddington, Dunbar, Cumnock, Duns and Prestonpans, respectively.

The information asked for is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the public museums in London, the British Museum, the Tate Gallery and the Oriental side of the South Kensington Museum, are likely to be open again to the public.

As soon as the repairs necessitated by bomb damage are completed. I have called for a progress report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will appoint a committee to consider whether the Trustee Act should be amended, having regard to the existing difficulties of trustees in maintaining the income from trust funds, when Stocks are redeemed.

No, Sir. A fall in income is often unavoidable when stocks are redeemed and interest rates are declining.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will state the uses to which his Department proposes to put the Harow- beer Airport, Yelverton, Devon; and if he will confer with the Plymouth City Council thereon prior to coming to a final conclusion.

My Noble Friend is now considering the selection of an airfield to meet the needs of air routes serving Plymouth. He will be happy, before coming to a final conclusion, to afford the Plymouth City Council an opportunity of presenting their views on the Harowbeer Airport.

asked the Minister of Works how many hotels are still held under requisition by Government Departments; and whether, in view of the alarm caused recently by the requisitioning of another large hotel by the Ministry of National Insurance at Newcastle, he will give an assurance that no further hotels will be requisitioned by Government Departments during the next 12 months.

At the end of December last, 2,138 hotels, including boarding houses of the larger type, were held on requisition. Hotels are being derequisitioned as speedily as possible and it is anticipated that by the end of April next, the number held under requisition will be more than halved. No additional requisition has taken place at Newcastle, but by arrangement with the Admiralty, space in a hotel held by that Department is being made available to provide living accommodation for certain of the staff of the Ministry of National Insurance. The hon. Member can be assured that no further hotels will be requisitioned unless some urgent national necessity arises.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the shortage of electric power plugs in South Wales and Monmouthshire; and whether, as this shortage is holding up installation of power points for men returning from the Forces and will delay the completion of projected building schemes, he will take steps to rectify it.

I am aware of a shortage in several parts of the country of certain types of electric power plugs and switches. My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Supply and Aircraft Production, is doing his utmost to increase production.

asked the Minister of Works how many emergency houses his Department obtained from the seven companies producing these for the sum of £6,767,000.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the statement of expenditure to 31st October given in my reply on 8th November last to the Question by the hon. Member for Mitcham. This totalled £6,797,060. At that time the number of houses delivered was 16,233. The payments made included advances on account of distribution and management costs in addition to advances on account of the houses produced.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the future of television in this country; and when it is likely to become available for public use.

The date of the reopening of the public television service from Alexandra Palace is under discussion with the Radio Industry Council and others concerned. It is expected that the service will be reopened within a few months. The exact date will be announced later. The service will use the same frequency and transmission charac- teristics as before the war. The reopened service will, however, take advantage of certain transmission improvements which involve no essential change in existing receivers. A still pattern service for the benefit of manufacturers of receivers will commence on February 1st. The Television Advisory Committee is examining the question of the extension of the service to the Provinces and will make recommendations on this question and on other improvements to the service.

asked the Minister of Information whether it is now intended to increase the charge for broadcast receiving licences.

The Government have decided that the cost of all broadcasting services for home listeners must be met, as before the war, from the proceeds of receiving licences. In view of the rise in costs, and of the additional expenditure involved in the improvement of sound programmes and in the reopening of television, an increase in the amount of the licence is necessary, and the charge for the licence to receive sound broadcasts will be increased from 10s. to £1 a year at a fairly early date. A new licence will be introduced covering both television and sound reception at a charge of £2 a year. The date on which the new licences are to be introduced will be announced later.