asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider augmenting the depleted labour force in the London gasworks with service personnel.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley (Capt. Crowder) on 22nd January.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will increase the ration of paraffin for householders in Orkney and Shetland.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 13th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Berwick and Haddington (Mr. J. J. Robertson).

Is not the Minister aware that there are complaints about the very short supply of paraffin in these islands? We have been kept exceedingly short during the war, and can he not see his way to have a little more provided, taking into account the very much longer hours of darkness experienced in the islands?

I am well aware there is a shortage of kerosene but it is a world shortage not applicable to this country alone—[ Interruption ]. I am giving the facts. As regards the Orkneys I understand the present allocations are regarded as reasonable. I should be glad to provide more if I had the wherewithal.

There is a shortage in Cumberland and many homes are in darkness there.

If my hon. and gallant Friend will give some specific details, I shall be very anxious to assist.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how long the dump of coal has been lying at Hope station, near Sheffield; and for what purpose the coal is intended to be used.

The house coal dump at Hope station was created in the winter of 1940–41 as a strategic emergency reserve and is available as an insurance against any acute shortage of fuel in the Peak district. There are at present about two weeks' supplies in merchants' depots in this district, but arrangements have been made to release coal from the dump should the necessity arise.

Is not the Minister aware that there is at the present time a shortage of coal in the Hope Valley, and it is for that reason that the parish council have passed a resolution asking that some of this emergency coal should be released?

If we are satisfied there is an emergency, we shall release coal from the dump, but I am not satisfied that there is the shortage referred to by my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only last week I received two or three letters from residents in Sheffield complaining that they have no coal at all and their homes are like "starvation"?

That is not unlikely.

It is time it was attended to.

We do the best that we can with available supplies. The organisation for distribution is efficient, much more so than it has been for a long time, but, in spite of that, if there is a cold snap and there are difficulties about transport, some people may go short. If they are short they ought to appeal to the Local Fuel Overseer who will attend to a case of that kind with his local emergency machinery.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now make arrangements for the issue of petrol for country houses' lighting and pumping plants without requiring bi-monthly applications for supplies to meet a requirement which by its nature is constant and essential.

Petrol allowances for plants used for lighting and pumping are assessed in relation to the time of year, the number of persons in residence, the use of electric equipment such as refrigerators and vacuum cleaners, and the number of hours for which pumping is necessary. These factors vary considerably from time to time but I will consider extending the period covered by permits.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the total petrol at present in this country; the average weekly import; and the quantity required to double the present basic ration for all private motorcars and motor-cars for hire.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

What figures can there possibly be in those three simple questions?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman would be surprised.

Following is the information :

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the last paragraph of the answer I gave on the 18th December to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers).

Imports of motor spirit, which include military requirements, during the four months ended December, 1945, as published in the Trade and Navigation Accounts, were:—

The present basic ration issued for all private cars and motor cycles represents an annual requirement of 530,000 tons, on the basis of cars now registered. If the basic ration were doubled it is probable that more cars would be registered and adjustments would also have to be made in the allowances granted for hire cars and taxis, allocations for which are on a different basis than for private cars. The additional requirement would therefore be considerably in excess of 530,000 tons per annum.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the hardship caused to commercial travellers by reason of the meagre supplementary petrol allowance granted to them, and will he take steps to increase the allowance to bona fide travellers.

I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave on 18th December to a similar Question by my hon. Friend, the Member for West Islington (Mr. Montague).

Is the Minister aware that the maximum allocation in these cases is 10 gallons per month, which is totally inadequate for a commercial traveller? Will the Minister look at this matter again, particularly as many of the applicants are ex-Servicemen who are anxious to make a living?

I cannot extend the ration to commercial travellers in general, but where there are particular cases of a commercial traveller, or someone engaged in business, requiring additional petrol, let him put in his application and we will consider it.

Could not the maximum be increased to 10 gallons?

If I increased the maximum as regards commercial travellers, I should have to increase it elsewhere, and we simply have not the supplies.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman always refers hon. Members to previous replies, does that mean that no progress has been made?

Not at all. All it means is that we expect hon. Members, like the Noble Lord, to read HANSARD.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that commercial travellers are not entitled to E coupons and cannot therefore obtain a certificate for new tyres; and, in view of the fact that many commercial travellers depend for their livelihood on getting about by road, if he will give instructions to remedy this hardship.

I regret that I cannot alter a person's petrol rationing category in order to render him eligible for the supply of new car tyres. To do so would defeat the object of the Tyre Rationing Scheme for which the Board of Trade is responsible. New car tyres are still in short supply, and in this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 10th December by my right hon. and learned Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, in answer to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Woodbridge (Lieut.-Colonel Hare). There is no restriction on the acquisition and disposal of retreaded or part-worn car tyres, nor on the retreading of the motorist's own tyres.

Is the Minister aware that, as he is not giving them the extra petrol, they will not now need the tyres?

My hon. Friend has a remarkable grasp of the obvious.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the proposed schemes of electricity supply of Stafford Corporation and the North-West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority to the Silkmore housing estate, Stafford; whether he is aware that these schemes involve the duplication of high-tension cables and the unnecessary use of expensive equipment owing to the arbitrary boundaries of the supplying authorities; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." As regards the second part of the Question, the observations of the North-West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority are being awaited and a decision cannot be given until they are received.

In view of the importance of these schemes with reference to the housing programme, is the Minister prepared to receive representations from the housing authorities?

I will look at that.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what are the prospects of the electrification of the rural area in North Wales; and whether the scheme of development by the North Wales Power Company is being held back at his request, pending nationalisation.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I am informed that work to the value of some £240,000 has been approved by the North Wales Power Company since the end of the war, of which work to the value of some £76,000 has already been carried out, and that in addition the company have under consideration work to the value of £330,000. The greater part of such work represents development in rural areas. With regard to the second part, no such schemes are being held up pending nationalisation. On the contrary, it is my desire that all normal development of this kind should proceed, though, of course, the rate of progress must depend on the availability of labour and materials. As has already been announced, the electricity supply industry has given me an assurance that all normal development will proceed in the interim period.

Is it not a fact that this company has issued a statement that the Ministry have told them they must not embark on heavy expenditure on electricity, power, and light in this area pending nationalisation?

I am certainly not aware of any such statement. Perhaps my hon. Friend will bring it to my notice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will state the number of miners employed at the coalface at 30th November, 1938, and the tonnage of coal per man produced as compared to manpower and tonnage at 30th November, 1945.

No direct comparison is possible owing to the change in the definition of face workers introduced at the end of 1942. Output per manshift worked at the face during November, 1938, corrected so far as possible in respect of the above change, was approximately 2.93 tons, as compared with 2.78 tons in November, 1945.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the Plymouth Colliery, Pentrebach, is not in production.

Plymouth pit was closed in 1940 and drastic reorganisation and new equipment would be necessary to achieve satisfactory production from it. There is a general shortage of skilled underground mining labour in South Wales and any men who may become available could be employed to greater advantage at other working collieries in this area.

In spite of the fact that this colliery may need re-equipping, is it not a fact that there are hundreds of mineworkers in the vicinity? Why are they not working this pit when coal is so short, and why are they drawing unemployment benefit?

I do not know where my hon. Friend gets his information from about hundreds and thousands of men. I would like to know.

I have been grossly misrepresented. I did not say "hundreds of thousands"; I said "a large number."

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in view of the fact that the Government have a virtual monopoly in opencast coal working, what is the present estimated average cost per ton of producing opencast coal in the South Yorkshire district.

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. Opencast coal is produced largely by private contractors working under contracts for my Department. Separate figures for South Yorkshire are not maintained, but the estimated average production cost of opencast coal in Yorkshire, including both South and West Yorkshire districts, for the eight months April to November, 1945, is 27s. 9d. per ton.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make a statement in regard to the output of coal in the month of December, 1945.

In each of the first three of the five weeks covered by the return for December, 1945, there was a satisfactory rise in the output of coal. In the third of these weeks, this increase amounted to nearly 150,000 tons. As is customary, there was a slight setback in the week immediately preceding Christmas and in Christmas week itself there was a very substantial fall in output. The official holidays over the Christmas period accounted for a loss of 250,000 tons; the remainder of the loss sustained was due to the substantial number of men who did no work in Christmas week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider making the ports in South Wales free ports, as in New York and prewar Hamburg, to meet the situation that has arisen in view of the loss of the export coal trade.

No, Sir. Such arrangements could not be limited to South Wales, and I doubt if they would increase our exports.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of ex-Service applicants who have applied for training in the building trades and who have been rejected by his Department.

20,020 ex-Service applicants have applied for training in the building trades, of whom 2,921 have been rejected because they are not in need of training to obtain suitable work or are regarded as not suitable for building work.

In view of the need for labour in the building trades, is it in the national interest to deter men who are anxious to take up building work?

These applications are decided by a panel of employers and workers and they decide each individual case.

When these men have been accepted for vocational training, are they informed of that fact, in addition to being placed on the waiting list?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour, if he will state the approximate number of insured men between the ages of 16 and 65 years in employment in the building industry in Scotland on 31st December, 1945.

I regret that the information desired is not available.

Is the Minister aware that, in this House on 11th December, he said that 35,000 men were employed in the building industry in Scotland? Why cannot he give the comparable figures for December, 1945?

Without looking at that question again I would not like to say where it is different. This was a question about insured men between the ages of 16 and 65 in employment in the building industry. During that period, rapid changes were occurring, and figures for Great Britain only are available. We have no corresponding figures for the wastage or intake.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of registered unemployed in Stornoway; what percentage of the registered total of men this represents; whether he is aware that schemes of road, pier and bridge-building, which would absorb almost all that labour, are being delayed by the county councils; and what urgent employment plans he has for the Hebrides.

At 10th December, 1945, the latest date for which figures are available, 1,196 insured persons were registered at the Stornoway Employment Exchange as unemployed. The total number of insured persons in December is not known and the percentage of unemployed cannot therefore be calculated. With regard to the third part of the Question, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of War Transport that the county councils have discussed with his Department two road and bridge building schemes, but that he is unable at the present time to offer grants in aid of these schemes which the councils would regard as sufficient to enable them to put the works in hand. As regards the last part of the Question, I understand from my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that the position in the Hebrides is being considered by representatives of all Departments concerned. Any recommendations which they may make will be carefully considered.

Is the Minister aware that, while unemployment in the island is already grave, it is becoming worse because of demobilisation? Is he aware that the county councils are not even putting forward claims for financial grants for public works schemes which were already contemplated and ready before the war? Will he give me any further assurance that more urgent consideration will be given to the problem?

I will give the hon. Member the assurance that I will take this matter up again with the other Departments concerned.

May I ask the Minister how his answer squares with the policy of full employment which was promised to Scotland?

asked the Minister of Labour whether in order to avoid prolonged delays incurring the risks of strikes, he has any proposals for speeding up discussions of grievances between trade unions and bodies of employers.

I am fully in agreement with the view that it is in the interests of both management and workers that grievances should be dealt with speedily, but I cannot accept the suggestion that, in general, the operation of joint voluntary machinery is subject to prolonged delays. The settlement of differences is the responsibility of the industry concerned, but my officers will, where necessary, continue to do all they can to secure the prompt attention of both sides of difficulties as they arise.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men of the R.N., Army and R.A.F., respectively, were, on or about 15th January, employed on whole-time work for civilian firms or Government Departments; and how many of such men received no remuneration other than their Service pay and allowances.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind Service personnel loaned to civilian employment in the course of their Service duties, not those who have been released in Class B or who are on the reserve. The latest information available relates to the fortnight ending 6th January during which loans from the Services to civilian employment involved approximately 4,000 soldiers and 200 sailors. These men were loaned on a temporary basis and received no remuneration other than their Service pay and allowances.

Would not those men have been better employed doing that same work in their civilian jobs than by being lent from the Forces to civilian firms?

Except that those men were not on their civilian jobs.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain to the House how "personnel" can be "loaned"? Would he ask the Senior Burgess for Oxford University to teach his advisers the right use of words?

I make myself responsible for the answers I give to this House. My university was Hoxton, which I left at the age of 12.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the appeals which have been made to his Department during the past 12 months by Hall's Barton Ropery Company, Limited, Hull, for fifty additional female operatives to assist in the production of wire rope with 800 tons of wire waiting for manufacture to fulfil outstanding orders; and if he is satisfied that in this and similar instances labour is being directed where employment is immediately available.

Yes, Sir, and during the past year 21 workers, of whom 15 were women, have been placed with this firm. My Department will continue to do all it can to help, but the problem of recruiting a large labour force is a very difficult one. The shortage of women workers locally is such that no women are registered as unemployed at the local employment exchange and the works are at Beverley, eight miles out of Hull, and not on the omnibus route from that town. Even if it were possible to bring in workers from outside there are no lodgings available. In any event, Hull also lacks labour and accommodation.

In cases like this, where the development of export trade depends upon the Minister of Labour releasing manpower, is contact maintained between the Ministry of Labour and the Board of Trade?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour on what ground resettlement grants are being refused to ex-Servicemen who are working directors of small private companies.

The primary object of the Resettlement Grants Scheme is to assist men and women who were owners of one-man businesses, or who were in work on their own account, which they had to relinquish as a direct consequence of their war service. Any extension to include members of limited liability companies would go beyond the objects for which the scheme was designed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these small private companies are, to all intents and purposes, one-man businesses, and is there any reason for refusing to these people what is already given to members of private firms who may be much richer?

It all depends what is covered by the words "to all intents and purposes."

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men enrolled on the disabled persons' employment register in Edinburgh since it was opened; and the number for whom suitable employment has been found.

The number of men registered as disabled at the six offices in the Edinburgh district by 17th December, 1945, was 830. Of this total 380 were unemployed at that date. Statistics of those who have been found employment since registration are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the No. 17 Resettlement Unit at Stourport-on-Severn is unable to send men for industrial training, owing to the lack of Government instructional factories and instructors in the Midlands district; and what steps he intends taking in the future.

Owing to the number of applications which are being made for training, I am afraid there is at present a certain amount of delay in allocating men to training centres. But two training centres are now in operation in Birmingham and in view of the number of applications for training I hope to open four further centres at an early date in this area. In addition, four more centres are being built. With few exceptions, no difficulty has been found in getting instructors.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Servicemen and ex-Servicewomen have applied for the further education and training, the vocational training and the business training schemes; how many have been accepted and how many have commenced training.

The information for which the hon. Member has asked is as follows:

Further Education and Training Scheme

Separate statistics as to ex-Service personnel were not kept prior to 1st November, 1945. It is, however, estimated that up to 31st December, 1945, about 10,000 have made application and about 4,600 have been accepted. Those accepted have for the most part commenced training.

Vocational Training Scheme

The number of applications has not been recorded. For the three months ended 12th January, 1946, the numbers of ex-Service men and women who have accepted and commenced training are as follows: Accepted, 15,946; Commenced, 4,767.

Business Training Scheme

Particulars of the Business Training Scheme have just been published, and courses will not commence until April.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will ensure that any applicant for training under a scheme in the resettlement plan shall receive an affirmative or negative answer within one month.

Every effort is being made to secure that any application for training under the Ministry's schemes shall receive a definite decision at the earliest moment, and whenever possible within a month; but I should not like to give too definite an undertaking because of certain cases in which special inquiries have to be made and these naturally take time.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there are vocational training courses for ex-Servicemen in plastics and in the printing trade.

It has been agreed, following consultations with the plastics industry, that the industry will set up training schemes which will be open to suitable ex-Servicemen and women who wish to enter the industry. As regards the printing industry, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for Exeter (Mr. Maude) on 22nd January.

With regard to the last part of the Question, is there any reason why there should not be a vocational course in this very important industry of printing?

I am not sufficiently associated with that industry to be able to answer that question, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the Joint Industrial Council are actively dealing with this matter, and I know they are anxious to help.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take all possible steps to have this done as soon as possible?

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Service-men have applied for vocational training courses since last July in Class A releases and as disabled men; and how many have started their courses.

The exact information asked for by the hon. and gallant Member is not available. Since November, 3,075 disabled ex-Servicemen, most of whom were discharged on medical grounds, have been accepted for training and of these 1,450 have commenced training.

Will the Minister do all he can to speed up the closing of the gap between the time when men apply to go on these courses and the time when they actually attend? There is a very long delay.

Most of the people who are waiting are not all unemployed. They have got work of some character but they are anxious to be trained for other work, and, as this training of disabled men requires a special technique, we are anxious not to take them on before we are quite sure they are capable of doing a job and that there will be work available for them.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he proposes to take in the light of the recent Report of the Catering Wages Commission with regard to the provision of adequate training facilities for persons desiring to enter the catering industry.

I welcome this report, and in general its recommendations have been accepted by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland who are actively engaged in considering the provision of training facilities. My Department is also making arrangements under the Government Vocational Training Scheme for adults who wish to enter the catering industry.

I am much obliged to my right hon. Friend for his answer

What is the difference between "engaged" and "actively engaged"?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the present labour force in the wool textile industry is 150,000 against 220,000 in 1939, and what steps he proposes to take to release former women workers in this industry who are still retained in engineering shops.

Yes, Sir. In consultation with my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, I have taken special measures to assist recruitment of workers to the wool textile industry, particularly in the combing and spinning sections. Except in special circumstances permission is given to workers who wish to leave their present employment to return to wool textile occupations.

Is the Minister aware that these women were compulsorily transferred from the textile industry to work of a different nature?

People were compelled to do war service, but now that industrial activity is to find its proper level the workers should have the right to find their own employment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a shortage of 100,000 workers in the West Riding of Yorkshire alone, and will he do all he can to secure the freedom of these women to carry on this work?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now take Service women out of the compulsory scheme, allowing those who desire to leave to do so and relying on volunteers for the numbers required.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Squadron-Leader Donner) on 6th November last, a copy of which I am sending him and to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider, in conjunction with the Service Departments, the immediate demobilisation, irrespective of their age and service groups, of the many thousands of men from Argentina, Brazil and Chile who, owing no allegiance to this country and not being subject to conscription, volunteered their services for the duration of the war.

The position of volunteers from overseas who are serving in the British Forces is at present under consideration, but there can be no general departure from the age and length of service scheme.

Is the Minister aware that these men from South America, because of the difficulty of getting passages home, are three months later in getting home than corresponding men in this country, and is it not fair to give them some special treatment?

No, Sir. I can add nothing to the answer I have given.

asked the Minister of Labour which age and service release groups in the Army, R.N. and R.A.F., had been offered release under Class B by 31st December, 1945, in each of the following trades: bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, plumbers, painters, slaters and tilers, respectively.

The trades to which my hon. Friend refers include some 32 different types of operative and the groups to which offers of release are made vary in each case according to the numbers required. Detailed information as to the groups which each Service had reached by 31st December in making offers to men in these occupations is not readily available, but just over 166,000 offers of release in Class B had by then been made to building trade operatives.

Is the Minister aware that hon. Members are receiving hundreds of letters from building operatives in the Forces, from the age of 36 upwards, who are puzzled because they have not been offered release under this scheme? Will he consult with the Service Ministers to see whether it is possible to make this information public at regular intervals?

I understand that full information has been continuously given. The fact is that we take releases under Class B in the proper order of the numbers of the groups, and do not jump up to Group 45 until we have done Groups 44 and 43 and so on.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the slow rate of Class A releases from the R.A.F. compared with the rapid rate of such releases from the R.N., he will take steps to transfer men from the R.N. to the R.A.F. in order to secure a more even rate of release in the two Services.

No, Sir; the R.A.F. have in fact released a slightly higher percentage of their V.E.-day strength than has the Royal Navy. There is therefore no case for the transfer of men on the grounds proposed by the hon. Member.

Is the Minister aware that the rate of release by groups is far more backward in the Royal Air Force, as compared with the Navy? Does he remember that during the war compulsory transfers were made from one Service to another in order to make up the numbers, and will he not consider such a policy now?

No, Sir. We are not prepared to make any variation in the scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now say when the men who were in the Forces, and who volunteered to come out and work in the mines, will be released from their special liability.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 18th December last to the hon. Member for South Islington (Mr. Cluse) and the hon. and gallant Member for Bewdley (Major Conant), a copy of which I am sending him.

Is my right hon. Friend prepared to consider these men on the age-and-service basis?

The reply I gave to the previous Question was very long and definite, and I should be glad if the hon. Gentleman would look at it and then communicate with me if there is any point he wishes to raise.

asked the Minister of Labour if, when men are released from the Forces of their own choice to enter scheduled employment such as the mines, they are informed that under the Essential Work Order they cannot leave when their demobilisation group becomes due.

Full and detailed information is given to members of the Forces who are offered release in Class B.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the particulars sent to him of the Class B release of a veterinary surgeon which took eleven weeks to effect after the Ministry of Agriculture recommended it, and of the Class B release of a surveyor urgently required for housing which took ten weeks to effect after the Ministry of Works recommended it; and whether he will consider endeavouring to reduce such delays, which are holding up the work of the country, by greater decentralisation, more use of inter-Departmental meetings, quicker inter-Departmental communication, or otherwise.

I have looked into these two individual cases and regret the delay which took place in effecting release in Class B. I am assured that they are not truly representative. Whilst decentralisation is not practicable, measures to expedite Class B release have recently been adopted including the speeding-up of inter-Departmental communication, instructing Service units to take urgent action immediately they receive an offer of release in Class B, and providing for priority of transport for personnel serving overseas who accept such offers.

Is the Prime Minister aware that those instructions have been given before and have not had the slightest effect, and will he say what reason there is for not having an independent inquiry into these delays which are holding up the work of the country?

I do not think an independent inquiry would quicken things at all.

asked the Minister of Labour how long youths now being called up will be compelled to remain in the Services.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 24th January, to which I am unable to add.

While bearing in mind the previous reply given by the Minister, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will establish a minimum period—should we say 18 months or two years—so that those now being called up can get a chance of making arrangements for their future careers?

Any such expression would be a matter of opinion not based on any reliable data, but I agree it is essential we should get the information as soon as possible. At the moment, the Government are actively engaged in endeavouring to get the necessary data upon which to determine the length of service.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that it is utterly unprecedented in this or any other country for men to be called up for military service in peacetime for an indeterminate period, and can he say when he will be in a position to make a statement?

I am not prepared to pledge myself to that, but I think the situation of the country is utterly unprecedented now.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, at the present time, students of ability and promise are being taken away from the Imperial College of Science and Technology and similar institutions because of the restrictive regulations imposed by him with regard to the number of entrants permitted to university science courses; and whether, in view of the need of training the maximum number of scientific students at the earliest opportunity, he will take steps to overhaul and abolish all regulations on this matter which are no longer essential.

I am aware that students at the Imperial College of Science and Technology and similar institutions who started courses at their own risk, not having been granted deferment, are being withdrawn. Whilst realising the necessity for maintaining a flow of trained scientific workers, I must at the same time have regard to the necessity for finding men to meet the needs of the Forces and to maintain the smooth working of demobilisation. I cannot at present say what arrangements it will be necessary to make in respect of the next academic year, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the whole question of the deferment of students is being actively considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are some students of high promise who, at the present time, are not able to continue their courses, and cannot be called up because of their low medical category, and are, therefore, compelled to pursue blind-alley jobs because of these Regulations?

I was not aware of that, and if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will let me have the facts I will go into the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the case in which the hon. Member for Twickenham asked the Foreign Office to deal with the application of a merchant seaman, free of national service obligations, for help in obtaining a visa to enable him to join his wife in America and received an answer nine weeks later referring him to the Ministries of Labour and War Transport, and leaving the question of a visa in abeyance; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the possibility of reducing such delays which cause great hardship.

I understand that the precise point raised in the correspondence to which the hon. Member refers was the first of its kind to come to the attention of the Departments concerned and that careful examination was required before a decision could be reached as to the procedure which the hon. Member's constituent would need to follow. I understand, however, that the answer, when finally given, contained both advice as to the proper course to be followed so that the hon. Member's constituent could satisfy the United States authorities as to his discharge and his consequent eligibility for a visa, and suggestions as to how to obtain a passage to the United States. I also understand that a visa has now been obtained. As regards the last part of the Question, every effort will continue to be made to ensure that where inter-Departmental consultation is necessary the minimum of delay is involved in reaching a decision.

Did the Prime Minister observe that nine weeks passed before any reply was received, and does he realise that nothing would so increase the popularity of the Government as improving its technique in meeting the problems and difficulties of the individual citizen?

asked the Prime Minister when the Report of the Royal Commission on Equal Pay may be expected.

I am informed that the Commission have finished taking evidence, and are considering their report. They cannot yet say when this will be ready.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have any further plans for developing the use of atomic energy in this country.

The House will recall that on 29th October last I announced that the Government had decided to set up a research and experimental establishment at Harwell, near Didcot, to be concerned with all aspects of the use of atomic energy. This establishment will require fissile material for its work, and the Government have accordingly had under consideration the most suitable organisation for the production of such material for this and other purposes. The abject in view will be to make available as speedily as possible material in sufficient quantity to enable us to take advantage rapidly of technical developments as they occur, and to develop our programme for the use of atomic energy, as circumstances may require. The production of these materials will be a responsibility of the Ministry of Supply and the appropriate organisation is being set up within that Department.

The choice of a suitable head for this organisation is clearly a matter of supreme importance, and for this new post the Government have been fortunate in securing the services of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Portal of Hungerford. I am also happy to be able to inform the House that a very distinguished scientist in the person of Professor J. D. Cockcroft has been selected for the post of director of the research establishment at Harwell. Professor Cockcroft is at present director of the Canadian experimental atomic energy plant, and it has been arranged with the Canadian authorities that he should remain in Canada for the time being until they have been able to appoint a successor to him in that capacity.

Will the Prime Minister inform the House when building operations will commence at Didcot and when it is likely that this station will be in action?

Not at present.

Will the Prime Minister consider issuing at an early opportunity a statement on the purposes for which the research is taking place as between research on the construction of the atomic bomb and various peaceful developments?

If my hon. and gallant Friend had followed my reply he would have seen that at present the object is to provide materials for atomic research.

Can the Prime Minister tell the House whether the supply of fissile material will be the responsibility of the Board of Trade?

No, Sir, it is under the Ministry of Supply.

They split more easily there.

Has the Prime Minister received any report on the progress made with atomic energy in connection with the motor car?

No, Sir.

Can the Prime Minister say what steps the Government are taking to ensure that all sources of supply of fissile material are being brought under public control?

The whole of this is under public control.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements have been made with the U.S.A. regarding the pooling of information with Great Britain obtained as a result of the use to date of atomic bombs; and if any British military or naval advisers have been invited to be present at the experiments which are about to be carried out in the Pacific in the use of these bombs against obsolete warships.

We have throughout worked in close consultation with the United States Government on this, as on other aspects of atomic energy. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for South Dorset (Viscount Hinchingbrooke) yesterday.

In view of the fact that the early experiments were very largely started in this country and we shared our secrets with the United States, does the answer of the Prime Minister mean that the United States acknowledges our right to share in the results of these experiments?

No, Sir. My answer states that we are working in close co-operation with the United States. The answer I gave yesterday showed we are in close consultation on the question of these experiments.

asked the Prime Minister why the Petroleum Warfare Department is being transferred to the Ministry of Supply; how many of the experts employed by the Department are being released; whether their experiments have all been concluded; and, if not, what provisions are being made for further developments of these experiments.

It is intended that with effect from 1st February, the Ministry of Supply and Aircraft Production shall undertake responsibility for research and development for flame warfare. This involves the transfer to the Ministry of the remaining staff of the Petroleum Warfare Department, all other experimental work of the Department having been already completed or closed down.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that all experimental work on fog dispersal is also finished and not being gone on with?

No, Sir. That is being carried on at Farnborough under the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why the Hungarian transport, of all kinds, looted by the Germans from the Hungarians, is now being used to feed the Germans; and will he give the necessary instructions for that transport to be returned to Hungary immediately so that what food there is can be brought to Budapest and its starving population.

I have no evidence that transport was looted from Hungary by the Germans, but particulars are being sought from the Hungarian Government. Looted equipment would have to be identified before it could be returned and in any case the question whether ex-enemy countries are to benefit from restitution measures imposed on Germany is one of principle which awaits decision by the Occupying Powers. Meanwhile, every effort is being made to use transport equipment to the best advantage of Europe as a whole.

Will the hon. Gentleman read the two helpful and sympathetic answers which I got yesterday from the Foreign Office, and will he co-operate with the Foreign Office to try to stave off this terrible disaster in Hungary?

I do not think the disaster in Hungary to which reference is made is due to the looting of transport by the Germans. Quite a large amount of Hungarian transport was voluntarily evacuated Westwards as part of the war movements. That is probably one of the reasons why Hungarian transport is in Germany. The matter is one for the Control Council and is receiving the necessary attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken to provide work and occupation for those individuals who, because of their association with the Nazi Party, have been turned out of their normal means of employment; and what are the numbers now accommodated in camps.

Ex-Nazis who have been removed from their employment but are not interned are required to register at the labour offices; they are subject to direction into types of employment, mainly manual, where they are likely to give least trouble. With other former black-coat workers they are eligible for a limited number of training courses in building trades. The number held in internment camps is approximately 40,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give an assurance that pressure is not being brought to bear on Poles in the British-occupied zone to return to Poland against their will.

I can assure my hon. Friend that it is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to bring pressure to bear on Poles in the British Zone to return to Poland against their will. I have taken steps to ensure that this policy is strictly observed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that quite recently instructions were given by the Military Government that pressure was to be exerted? In addition to making this policy of the Government widely known would he make sure that the War Office understands, as local commanders apparently do not?

The instructions to military commanders are issued by the British element of the control authority. These instructions have been very clear. They do not permit of any pressure being placed upon the Poles who do not wish to return. If there have been any breaches of the instructions issued they should be covered by the instructions that have since been issued to all concerned, that the policy must be strictly carried out.

Does that extend to all nationalities? Are none of them under pressure to return to countries where their apprehension is desired?

It applies to all displaced persons of Allied nationality.

Can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that pressure is not being brought to bear on Poles not to return?

Certainly, I can give that assurance, so far as our authorities are concerned. If there is propaganda from unofficial sources, that is another matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the size of the British element of the Allied Council for Austria; and how many of its personnel are military and how many are civilians.

The Allied Control Council for Austria is a quadripartite body on which each of the occupying Powers has one representative, who is the Commander-in-Chief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that the ex gratia pensions which were granted to some 2,000 of the staffs of the associated telegraph companies, Marconi Radio and the Imperial Beam, when they became redundant owing to the amalgamation of the communication services, will be continued when the services become public property.

I will bear in mind the point raised by my hon. Friend when settling the details of the transfer of Cable and Wireless to public ownership.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he has control of the expenditure of British funds by U.N.R.R.A.

Such expenditure is based on programmes agreed between U.N.R.R.A. and the appropriate Departments of His Majesty's Government and approved by the Treasury.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that U.N.R.R.A. is now handling such things as ladies' fully-fashioned silk stockings, and will he see whether these luxury goods are paid for by the recipients and what is the quantity involved?

I will have a good look at it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that Purchase Tax is being charged on certain manufactured articles, while in the case of others of apparently the same class, value and quality, no such charge is made; and what action he is taking to remedy such anomalies.

If the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars, I will have them examined.

I have the particulars here. They are two rulers; one is 7½d., the other 6d. One has Purchase Tax, the other has not.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the expenses of the Minister of Education's visit to Tangier and Gibraltar is being defrayed out of public funds.

My right hon. Friend paid her own fare to Gibraltar and was conveyed from Gibraltar to Tangier by a R.A.F. launch which would have made the journey even without her. The answer, therefore, is the cost of a seat in this launch.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if the right hon. Lady took any advisers with her, and what was the size of the party?

I could not say.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make provisions in his next Budget either to repay postwar credits during the next financial year or to pay interest on the people's money whilst the State continues to use it.