asked the Minister of Labour the number of male and female unemployed workers registered at the em-

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men over 18 years of age whose names are on the unemployment register of the Gravesend Labour Exchange and have been so for more than six months.

Only 24 insured men aged 16–64 have been on the Gravesend unemployment register for more than six months. They are all disabled men whom it has been impossible so far to place in employment, but whose cases are being carefully watched in connection with the Disablement Act.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the figures of registered unemployed for the borough of Oldham for the months of September, October, November and December, 1945.

The number of unemployed insured persons on the Registers of Employment Exchanges and Juvenile Employment Bureaux in the borough of Oldham at 15th October, 12th November and 10th December were 1,139, 1,308 and 1,248 respectively. Corresponding figures for September are not available.

ployment exchanges in the city and county of Aberdeen, respectively, six months ago and also on the most recent date for which net figures are available.

The table below shows the number of insured persons registered at each employment exchange in the city and county of Aberdeen as unemployed at 16th July, and at 10th December, the latest date for which figures are available.

asked the Minister of Labour, how many persons have registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act at the following employment exchanges in West Wales: Tumble, Ammanford, Garnant, Ystalyfera, Neath and Resolven.

Tumble, 217; Ammanford, 518; Garnant, 275; Ystalyfera, 404; Neath, 321; Rosolven, 130.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give figures showing the progress made with vocational training.

Two months ago there were 17 Government training centres with a capacity of 9,404 training places. Since then ·13 new centres have been opened. This has already added 2,760 places, making a total of 12,164. These new centres are not yet fully operating, but are rapidly being completed and I hope that as a result of this and of the opening of still more centres, the number of places will be doubled in the next few months. In addition, many classes are already operating and further classes are continually being arranged at technical colleges. Where suitable arrangements can be made, men are also placed in training directly with employers.

asked the Minister of Labour why so few applications from ex-Servicemen are being received for the Agricultural Training Scheme; and, in view of the urgent needs of this industry, will he consider modifying the required conditions for applicants.

The scheme is open to all men coming out of the Forces whose war service prevented them from starting or completing training for a skilled occupation. There are no restrictive conditions which could be removed. Up to the present over 1,050 applications have been received.

asked the Minister of Labour how many applications have been received from owners of one-man businesses for assistance under the Resettlement Grants Scheme; how many applications have been accepted; how many refused; and what is the total sum authorised for payment under the scheme.

Up to 31st December, 1945, 9,045 applications for resettlement grants had been received, 3,073 grants had been made and 3,157 applications rejected. The total sum authorised for payment under the scheme to 31st December, 1945, was £320,467.

asked the Minister of Labour how many accidents have occurred at the Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, factory of Hordern Richmond Rotors, Ltd., during 1944 and 1945 respectively; how many of these accidents were due to neglect on the part of the management; when the factory inspector last made a visit; and was his report satisfactory.

The Factory Department records show that one notifiable accident occurred at this factory in 1944 and four in 1945. The question of neglect on the part of the management only arises in one of these cases and I have not received a full report on this. The factory was last visited by inspectors on 1st November, 1945. Conditions were not altogether satisfactory, the main problem being one of temperature and humidity in connection with some special processes. I understand that there is a safety committee at the works which investigates minor as well as serious accidents.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any further information to give about a release scheme for boys directed to the mines.

I have nothing to add to the lengthy statement I made in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Derby (Mr. H. White) on 29th November last.

asked the Minister of Labour the position, as far as demobilisation is concerned, of those boys directed to the mines who have deserted from their job in the mines.

I take it that by demobilisation my hon. and gallant Friend means release from coalmining employment. In calculating age and length of service groups for the purpose of such release, no account will be taken of any period of absence from coalmining without permission.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now had an opportunity of considering the letter sent to him on 31st December last by the hon. and gallant Member for North Portsmouth in regard to the granting of priorities of labour for the rebuilding of quays, transit sheds, stores and other harbour facilities in the city of Portsmouth which were destroyed or damaged during hostilities; and what priorities he is prepared to grant in this matter in order that the city's efforts to regain its prewar coastal and Channel Islands traffic can be facilitated.

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on 26th January, my inquiries are not yet completed. I will write to him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour why he has failed to appoint any representative of the holi- day resorts on the standing committee to co-ordinate action on the staggering of holidays in England and Wales.

The representatives of local authorities whom I have appointed to this committee on the nomination of the associations concerned, cover amongst other interests those of holiday resorts, and one of them was specially nominated for that purpose.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to announce the composition of the Standing Committee to co-ordinate action on the staggering of holidays in Scotland; and whether he will include on this Committee a representative of the holiday resorts.

The composition of this Committee, which is under consideration, will be announced at an early date. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he can yet make a statement on the result of the consideration by his Industrial Relations Department of the case of the two workers recently dismissed from the Mount Royal Hotel because of their trade union activities;

(2) if he is aware that catering workers are continuously being dismissed from West End hotels and restaurants because of their trade union activities; that unnecessary work is thereby created for his officials at the hotel and restaurant workers' labour exchange in Denmark Street; and if, in view of the waste of time and money involved, he proposes to take steps to deal with this problem and make dismissal for such reasons impossible.

The right of management to dismiss a worker is a matter of civil contract except in an industry which is covered by an Essential Work Order containing provisions for appeal or reference to a national service officer. The catering industry is not so covered and I have no authority to intervene either generally or in any particular case. My Department is, however, always ready to assist the parties by way of conciliation should a dispute arise over the dismissal of a worker as has happened in the case of the dismissals from the Mount Royal Hotel to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, owing to the shortage of labour, the local authority is unable to remove refuse from houses in Kensington except infrequently and at irregular intervals; that this is already a nuisance and may become a threat to the health of residents in the royal borough; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this labour shortage.

I am aware that certain metropolitan boroughs, including Kensington, are having difficulty in obtaining adequate labour for the removal of house refuse. Outstanding vacancies have been given a high priority and every effort is being made to fill them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now prepared to remove controls from agricultural labourers, or what steps he is proposing to take to improve their wages and conditions of work.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 24th January to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour how many factories it is proposed to erect in South Wales under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act; where these factories are to be located; and the number of disabled persons it is proposed to employ in each factory.

The Disabled Persons Employment Corporation which has been set up under the Act to provide employment for the more severely disabled, has immediate proposals for factories in the following areas: Bridgend, Tonypandy, Treorchy, Ystalyfera, Brynamman, Bargoed, Merthyr, Tonyrefail; others are contemplated in due course. There are two standard sizes of factory, one for 50 and the other for 100 workers, but provision is made for expansion as circumstances may require.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the world shortage of foodstuffs and the lack adequate agricultural labour, he will consider the exemption from service in the armed Forces of all those who remain engaged in agricultural labour.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton) on nth December to which I am unable to add.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will allow the 15,000 youths to be directed into iron foundries to count the period of such compulsory service as alternative to military service instead of merely deferring military service.

There is no scheme to direct 15,000 youths to iron foundries, but young foundry workers redundant in non-ferrous foundries or steel foundries, who are transferred to employment in iron founding, will not be refused deferment in present circumstances. I could not agree that any young man employed in an iron foundry should thereby be able to avoid liability for such military service as may be required to be undertaken by young men of his age at the time when he is not required for such work.

asked the Minister of Labour what circumstances now exist in which a serving man may himself initiate action for his own release under Class B.

The only circumstance in which a man may initiate action for his own release in Class B is when he is in business on his own account. If he considers that he may properly be regarded as an individual specialist, he may apply for his release in Class B through the Government Department mainly concerned with his firm's activities.

asked the Minister of Labour what action can now be taken by individual employers to initiate Class B release for named former employees when such can be shown to be required for work of national importance; if applications for such release must still be confined to specialists and keymen; and whether he will give a definition of these terms, with particular reference to the building trades.

As regards the first part of the Question, an employer may apply for the release in Class B of a former employee as an individual specialist. The application should be made to the Government Department mainly concerned with the work for which the employee is wanted. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part of the Question, each application has to be considered on its merits, but the general rules applicable are set out in leaflet P.L.171, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of the totals announced on 16th November, 1945, as Class B releases to specified trades, until the end of December, 1945, were released and are working in those trades.

I am not sure what my hon. Friend has in mind, but if he will let me know his precise requirements I will endeavour to supply the information.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange that men due to be demobilised between 1st October, 1946, and 31st December, 1946, and whose university courses have been interrupted by war service, shall be granted their release sufficiently early to recommence their studies at the beginning of the academic year so that they shall not be either prejudiced in the continuation of their studies or be compelled to wait for the beginning of a new university year before taking up their studies again.

I can only agree to the out-of-turn release of university students in so far as provision may be made for such releases in Class B. Consideration is being given to the question of the necessity for releases in Class B for the academic year 1946–47.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the Government's demobilisation policy after the large Groups 25 to 30 have been demobilised in the next few months; if the present rate is to be continued or accelerated; and when will there be general demobilisation.

A statement on this subject will be made in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour the daily rate of releases during the month of December, 1945, in the three Services, respectively, and the daily rates during the present month.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the statement which I presented to the House on 22nd January, showing the number of releases and discharges in December, 1945. As regards releases in January, I would ask him to await my next monthly statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the Home Guard, which has now been officially disbanded, will have the Defence Ribbon issued to its members.

The Defence Ribbon will be issued to the Home Guard as soon as the supply position allows. The supply of ribbon is, however, at present extremely limited, and until the demands of the Regular Forces have been met I regret that it will not be possible to start issuing ribbons to members of the Home Guard.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many N.C.O.s and men now serving overseas are qualified for the grant of the Territorial Efficiency Medal, but that owing to delays in getting approval from record offices the issue to them of the medal is being delayed; and whether he will give instructions with a view to the acceleration of the issue of this medal to those entitled to it.

There has unfortunately been some delay in the publication of awards of the Territorial Efficiency Medal in Army Orders. This arises from the fact that very large numbers of men be- came eligible for the award at about the same time. Awards are, however, now being published at the rate of about 10,000 a month, and every effort is being made to publish awards at the earliest possible date. The ribbons and the medals themselves will be issued as quickly as the supply position allows.

asked the Secretary of State for War the arrangements operating in each of the overseas commands for privilege leave to the United Kingdom; and the tour of duty after which men become due for repatriation in the various overseas commands, respectively.

The following are the approved arrangements for leave to this country from overseas commands:

B.A.O.R.:

9 days in 6 months.

West Africa:

6 weeks' recuperative leave after 18 months' service in West Africa.

C.M.F., Malta, Gibraltar and East Africa:

L.I.A.P. (that is, 28 days once during overseas tour) for men with over 18 months' service overseas provided they are not within 6 months of release or Python.

M.E.F.:

L.I.A.P. for men with over 2 years' service overseas provided they have 6 months' further service to complete overseas after returning from leave.

India and S.E.A.C.:

L.I.A.P. for a proportion of men only, selected from those with a further year's service abroad after return from leave.

The current Python qualifying periods of continuous overseas service before men become due for repatriation are:

India and S.E.A.C.:

3 years 4 months.

Other theatres:

4 years.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it will be possible in the near future to institute a leave system for members of M.E.F. and C.M.F. similar to that now in operation for B.A.O.R.

I regret that it would be impracticable to introduce identical leave schemes for all overseas Commands, owing to the differences in the distances involved and the transport facilities available. The question of granting leave at shorter intervals in the M.E.F. and C.M.F. when practicable is, however, one which I will bear in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is intended to derequisition Kinmel Hall, Abergele, in the County of Denbigh, which has been empty for six months.

This property is no longer required for military purposes. In accordance with general Government procedure it must be offered for use by other Government Departments before derequisition. Provided it is not required by any other Department, derequisitioning will then be carried out at the earliest possible date.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if he will immediately derequisition The Rink, Ramsgate Road, Louth, which was purchased for the storage of grain and foodstuffs by a local company which handles nearly half-a-million hundredweights of grain annually.

The premises concerned are being used as a N.A.A.F.I. store. I regret that it is not possible to release them at present as no alternative accommodation has yet been found. Inquiries are, however, being made with a view to finding a suitable alternative as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reason for the delay in the promised derequisitioning of 100 acres of land at Kinlet Bewdley, which is still lying derelict and unoccupied.

As soon as the large number of huts on this property have been disposed of, it will be derequisitioned.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Army Unit No. 2 W.T.C., carrying out special wartime duties and which has an establishment of fewer than 100 other ranks, employs a lieutenant-colonel; how many majors and captains are on the establishment of Army Unit F.V.D.D.; and why, in view of the fact that this unit filled a wartime function, it is still necessary to maintain it.

No. 2 W.T.C. is at present completing important trials of Army equipment. When these trials are completed in approximately six weeks' time the rank of the officer in charge of the establishment will be reconsidered. The F.V.D.D. is a Ministry of Supply and Aircraft Production establishment. At present 28 majors and 25 captains are employed there.

asked the Secretary of State for War at what approximate figure the value of the clothing, accommodation, food, medical services, etc., supplied to Service men, has been assessed.

In comparing Service and civilian emoluments it was estimated in the recent White Paper on the postwar code of pay and allowances that the expense saved to the soldier and his household by reason of the fact that he is being kept by the Service could not be put at less than 20s. a week.

asked the Secretary of State for War why there is a shortage of rations for the troops in Singapore, particulars of which have been sent him; why they have to work 10 or 11 hours a day at the docks; and if he will take steps to ameliorate their conditions.

Although temporary cuts in rations had to be made in S.E.A.C. in the latter part of last year, the issue of rations at the full scale was restored in December. No effort is being spared to ensure that forces in Singapore continue to receive their full ration and also that they are supplied with the maximum amount possible of fresh supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the British Military Administration in Singapore have agreed to the price of 7s. being charged to British soldiers for a cinema seat.

Of the four good cinemas in Singapore three are requisitioned by the military authorities. In addition, a static cinema and a number of mobile cinemas are available in military camps. At all these cinemas admission is free for troops. I have at present no information about the prices charged at the one remaining good cinema in Singapore, but I have every reason to suppose that the cinemas which are available apart from this one are adequate to meet the needs of the troops.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as the gratuity payable to Service personnel dates from September, 1939, to the end of the emergency, he will give an assurance that there will be no dead-line applied at that date to gratuity entitlement in the case of men who remain in the Services after the official end of the emergency.

War gratuity is granted in respect of war service in the Forces on full service pay from 3rd September, 1939. Service in the Forces will continue to reckon as war service for the purposes of this gratuity, notwithstanding the cessation of hostilities, up to the anniversary of VJ-Day, that is, 15th August, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the hardship caused to demobilised men by the long delay in the payment of long Service pensions and war gratuities; and what steps he is taking to improve the position.

I am aware that there has been some delay in the grant of Service pensions to men being released, but special steps have been taken to remedy the position by increasing the staff engaged on this work. So far as the payment of war gratuities to men released under the release scheme is concerned there has generally speaking been no delay on the part of the Army pay authorities, although isolated cases of delay may have occurred. The amount due is normally notified to the Post Office Savings Bank well before the end of Class A release leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men of a R.A.C. company in India, of whose identity he has been made aware, were ordered to attend special parades in preparation for the visit of a very important person; that the men stood on parade for over an hour in intense heat; that several of them fainted because of this and that the men who fainted were punished by their O.C. for so doing; and if he will stop such punishments in future.

I have had a full report on the incident referred to, from which it is clear that the account given to my hon. Friend was much exaggerated. I am, however, taking the matter up with the commander concerned with a view to ensuring that every precaution is taken to avoid any undue hardship for the men on special parades of this sort.

asked the Secretary of State for War what policy has been pursued by his Department in regard to drafting men to regiments other than their own during the war.

It has always been the policy of the War Office to maintain regiments, so far as possible, with their own men. During the war it was, however, frequently impracticable to carry out this policy fully owing mainly to the general shortage of manpower, the unevenness of casualties in different regiments and the long distances over which reinforcements had sometimes to be sent. For example, it has been estimated that at the time when our Forces in the Middle East were being supplied round the Cape it would have been necessary to hold 400 men as reinforcements for every battalion in the theatre in order to be reasonably certain of posting men to their own regiment. It was in fact only possible to provide 40. When reinforcements were required for a particular regiment and could not be supplied from the men of that regiment available it was the practice to make up the balance so far as possible with men from the same part of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the increase in venereal disease in the Army of Occupation in Germany, details of which have been sent to him, and to what extent the relaxation of the fraternisation regulations is responsible.

It is difficult to estimate to what extent the present level of venereal disease in the B.A.O.R. is attributable to the removal of the ban on fraternisation. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that all those concerned are fully aware of the importance of reducing the incidence of venereal disease to the minimum and all practicable steps towards this end have been and are being taken by the Army medical services.

asked the Secretary of State for War why men under treatment for venereal disease, on reaching their release date, are permitted to go home; and why such men are not being treated as if they were suffering from some notifiable or contagious disease, in which case they would not be sent home.

Men are not allowed to go home on release leave while suffering from venereal disease in a communicable form. In cases where a man has received sufficient treatment in the Army to render the disease non-communicable he is, however, allowed to go on release leave. He is provided with a card which shows the treatment he has had and contains the address of the nearest civilian treatment centre to which he should report for advice, treatment or observation. He is also encouraged to notify the Medical Officer of Health of his home district of the fact that he has been furnished with such a card.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that time-expired men who are released in Class B lose the one month's privilege leave to which they are normally entitled; and whether, in order to encourage all men to accept Class B release when it is offered, he will remove this disability.

I am not clear what type of case my hon Friend has in mind but if he is referring to the fact that men released under Class B receive less leave than men released under Class A, I would refer him to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to the hon. Member for Royton (Mr. Sutcliffe) on 24th August last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the revocation of the Location of Retail Businesses Order, compassionate release can now be granted in appropriate cases for re-opening one-man businesses.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 23rd January.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men on indefinite release and transferred to Class W or W (T) Reserve prior to the introduction of the release scheme find themselves, while under Ministry of Labour direction, working alongside men of younger years who have been released under Class B and with full Class B benefits; that these men receive no demobilisation leave pay and no clothing allowance at current rates; and whether he is now prepared to take action to have these men released under Class B.

The object of release leave is to give men time for resettlement in civilian life before service pay ceases. Those who are released in Class B under the present release scheme are given three weeks' release leave because it generally takes some little time to place individuals in the employment for which they are needed. This consideration did not apply to those who were given indefinite release individually in the past in order to take up civilian employment which was waiting for them and I do not consider that there is any justification for giving them release leave pay now. Men transferred to Class W or W (T) Reserve before the introduction of the release scheme received the clothing benefit which was appropriate at the date of their release.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider granting the retention of rank by unit educational instructors who are local paid sergeants under the Army educational scheme, when these soldiers are called forward for release.

All soldiers who have held local paid rank at any time since VE-Day and are released within 12 months after VE-Day receive the pay of that rank during the period of release leave and overseas service leave. The same will apply in the case of those released more than 12 months after VE-Day if they have held the local paid rank within 12 months of release. If the rank has been held for at least six months it also counts for war gratuity. These arrangements do not apply if the rank has been relinquished for disciplinary reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for War if service with the British auxiliary forces in India, after embodiment, is reckonable for calculating age and service groups for release.

Full-time service since 3rd September, 1939, with the British Auxiliary Forces in India which are part of the Naval, Military and Air Forces of the Crown after embodiment is reckonable for calculating age and service groups, provided such service was acknowledged when entering into the last engagement or has since been verified.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue an instruction that within a group ready for demobilisation, men with the longest service shall be released first.

I regret that I do not feel able to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War when officers with six years' service, serving in Italy, who are placed in Group 25, may hope to be released.

It is intended to start the release of officers in group 25 on 14th March, but I am not yet in a position to say when the release of officers in this group is likely to be completed. I hope, however, to be able to do so shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the concern caused among older men serving in the Middle East by a statement issued recently from G.H.Q., M.E.F., to the effect that some revision of the Class A release scheme might become necessary after the release of Group 31, and that in such a revision more weight would be given to length of service than to age; and if he will give an assurance that it is not proposed so to modify the Class A scheme as originally approved by Parliament and operated hitherto in all the Services.

It is true that consideration has been given to the release position of members of the Forces who have served for five years or longer but there is no intention at present of releasing them except on the basis of the existing age and Service scheme. I can assure my hon. Friend that if there should be any such intention the House would be so acquainted by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War the present state of demobilisation of the Forces in India and the Far East; and whether he is satisfied that proper progress is being maintained in accordance with plans already announced.

Generally speaking, personnel from India and the Far East are arriving home in time for release during the period laid down for their group in accordance with the programme already announced. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will authorise the payment of release period pay and allowances to all men released under Class C on compassionate grounds, other than for business reasons, as much hardship is being caused to men who are being released without pay.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave the hon. and gallant Member for North Dorset (Lieut.-Colonel Byers) on 16th October, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to announce any definite dates for the demobilisation of men in release group 27 and upwards.

asked the Secretary of State for War when Army officers in Groups 26, 27 and 28 will be released; and when will the demobilisation of officers catch up to that of other ranks.

I hope to be in a position to publish a further programme of releases in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent African troops serving in India are treated differently from, and given inferior quarters, food and duties to, British troops serving with them.

There is, generally speaking, no difference between the accommodation allotted to African and British troops in India, and they have had to perform similar duties. The accommodation which can be given in any particular area depends on the local facilities which are available and it may be that African troops, like British, have on occasions had to be put into accommodation below the normal standard in certain areas where it has been necessary to accommodate large numbers of troops. Certain items of food to which African troops are accustomed are issued to them in place of some of the items issued to British troops.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the recent disbanding of the Rangoon Forces Parliament.

No order has been given to the effect that the "Rangoon Forces Parliament" should be disbanded, although instructions were issued which ordered that the name should be changed to the more appropriate one of "Forces Discussion Group or Debating Society." Instructions have also been issued that it must conform to certain rules if it is to carry on. No meetings are to be held in public military buildings without full notice to the military authorities and without the presence of a responsible officer detailed by the military authorities. No public notices of any meetings may imply criticism of Service matters. Representations to Members of Parliament or the Press are permitted only by individuals and not in the name of the society. Conclusions or criticisms affecting Service matters are to be represented through the normal channels and copies of such con elusions would be welcomed at the local military Headquarters.

I do not consider that any of these instructions were in any way unreason able and I see no reason why the society should not be able to carry on under these conditions. There is no intention of hindering healthy discussion, which can be carried on perfectly well in a society which is not called a Parliament. If any individual has a grievance on Service matters he has every opportunity to represent it through the normal channels.

asked the Secretary of State for War if all those in S.E.A.C. and India Command who have served overseas for three years, four months, have now returned to the United Kingdom.

I cannot guarantee that every individual officer and other rank serving in India and S.E.A.C. who has completed the Python qualifying period of 3 years, 4 months has now returned to this country. But as I said in reply to the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) on 22nd January, there is generally no time lag between the completion of the qualifying period and actual embarkation for the United Kingdom. The repatriation of British Service personnel serving with the West African formations in the Far East was held up for a time. This ban was, however, recently raised and the officers and other ranks eligible for repatriation under the Python scheme are being brought home as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men eligible for return to this country from M.E.F. on long-service grounds under the Python scheme are now awaiting repatriation; and what is the average period they have to wait after completing their four years' service overseas.

There is in general no time lag between the completion of the Python qualifying period in M.E.F. and the actual embarkation for the United Kingdom, although the return of a very small number of key personnel may, on rare occasions, be delayed on grounds of military necessity or by temporary holdups in transport.

asked the Secretary of State for War why troops of the 14th Company R.A.S.C., travelling in December from Novara to Vienna, were conveyed in horse-boxes without heating and light, although the weather was freezing, with only two meals on a 40-hours journey, in consequence of which several men had to be taken to hospital suffering from exposure; what action has been taken against those responsible; and if he will give an assurance that proper travelling arrangements will be made for troops in future.

It is occasionally necessary to use box cars for the movement of troops owing to the shortage of coaching stock. As, however, the coaching stock position is now improving it is intended for the remainder of the winter months to provide coaching stock for all personnel movement in C.M.F. On the particular occasion referred to adequate arrangements were made for meal halts during the journey, but the train was delayed by a breakdown. Reserve rations are, however, carried on the train to meet emergencies of this kind. I am informed that that no personnel from the R.A.S.C. Company mentioned were admitted to hospital as a result of the ill effects caused by this journey. I do not consider that any further action is called for so far as this incident is concerned, but I can assure the hon. Member that energetic steps are being taken to improve travelling conditions on the Continent whenever possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that during the war an extensive library of reference books dealing with foreign countries and other matters was obtained, by presentation or purchase, for the Civil Affairs Staff Centre; and, in view of the fact that the Centre has been disbanded, what has become of these books.

On the disbandment of the Civil Affairs Staff Centre a considerable number of books on Germany and Austria were selected from the library and taken over by the Central Office Depot and Training Centre at Eastbourne. Books which were only on loan were returned to their owners. The remaining books have been catalogued and crated and are at present held by His Majesty's Stationery Office, from whom most of them were originally obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if he will now consider granting L.I.A.P. to soldiers serving in C.M.F. who have long overseas service behind them, but are due for release or repatriation more than three months hence, instead of more than six months hence, as at present.

It is extremely uneconomical to bring men home over long distances for leave and subsequently to return them to their units and bring them home again shortly afterwards for Release or Repatriation. I regret that I can see no grounds for making any change in the present arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether it is still his policy to send men of under the 30 age- cum-service groups to the Dutch East Indies

Except in very rare cases no man of age and service group 30 or earlier is sent from this country to the Netherlands East Indies. In the case of men already in the Far East, it is left to the discretion of the commanders concerned to decide where individuals should be posted. These commanders are, however, well aware of the desirability of collecting together men who are approaching their date of release in readiness for their departure and it is unlikely that any man who is due to return to the United Kingdom within a short period would be despatched to a theatre of active operations unless he was required on grounds of military necessity.

asked the Secretary of State for War what postwar education other than domestic science courses are generally available to A.T.S. personnel.

The facilities offered under the Army Education Scheme are available to both men and women. These facilities include the provision of courses in a wide range of subjects in units, lower formations and formation colleges, and also War Office correspondence courses. The extent to which the facilities can be utilised must, of course, depend on local conditions and the military commitments of the units concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government have under consideration any scheme for the reduction of the overseas tour of duty; and to what period.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Leeds (Mr. Gaitskell) on Tuesday.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many casualties have been incurred by accidents to aeroplanes carrying personnel back to this country from India and the Far East; and whether they are given any option as to means of transport.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I understand that the Air Ministry publish casualty figures for accidents to passenger-carrying aircraft, and that copies of these returns up to the end of December have been placed in the Library of the House. Personnel are detailed for repatriation by air in accordance with their priority category and the transportation facilities available.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that the present subsistence allowance granted to soldiers or A.T.S. who are absent from their unit on duty during the midday meal period is adequate; and if he will reconsider the matter.

I am satisfied that the present arrangements for ensuring that personnel who are necessarily absent from meals are provided with a substitute meal are adequate. These include provision to meet exceptional cases where the individual has to obtain his or her own meal and the normal allowance has been found to be insufficient. I see no grounds for reconsideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War why there is no Service club in Hamburg where officers and other ranks can meet together socially.

So far as I am aware there has been no demand for such a club at Hamburg. If there were I understand that owing to the accommodation situation it could only be met by closing one of the existing officers or other ranks clubs there, of which there are a number already.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many military patients are awaiting admission into civil sanatoria for pulmonary tuberculosis; what is the longest period during which such patients are unable to receive adequate treatment; and what steps he is taking to arrange their admission into civil sanatoria.

The number of military patients in the United Kingdom awaiting admission to civil sanatoria is 796. The average period between application for admission to a civil sanatorium and the admission of the patient is seven to eight weeks. While waiting admission to civil sanatoria these patients are, however, retained in military or E.M.S. hospitals where they are given suitable treatment. This matter is already under consideration as a matter of urgency with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to compensate units now serving in Greece who have lost all or part of their regimental funds owing to the devaluation of the drachma.

Authority has now been given for compensation to be given to units.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements for compassionate leave exist for troops serving in India and S.E.A.C.

There is no compassionate leave to this country from India or S.E.A.C. It has been found a more satisfactory course to post men to the home establishment on compassionate grounds. The Commanders-in-Chief concerned have full power to do this and a decision in any particular case rests with them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will close down the gun site situated on Hampstead Lower Heath, alongside Hampstead Way, at an early date and have removed the barbed wire at present surrounding it.

The site in question is being used at present to accommodate troops. As it is likely to be required for military purposes for some considerable time to come I can hold out no hope that it will be released at an early date. While the site is in use I think it is desirable that the barbed wire should remain.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatisfaction among British troops in Austria because they do not receive the 4d. per day allowance made to other troops in C.M.F.; and, if this allowance is not to be renewed, will he consider arranging for these troops to have similar leave arrangements as those troops serving in B.A.O.R.

The allowance to which the hon. and gallant Member refers is intended to enable troops to meet extra necessary expenditure from their pay as compared with the United Kingdom. On the evidence available, there is no justification for the payment of such an allowance to troops in Austria. The continuance of the allowance payable to troops in North Africa when they invaded Europe was a special concession. With regard to the second part of the Question, the allowance is not in any way connected with opportunities for leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Press relations facilities needed for editorial purposes have been withheld by his department from the newspaper "Reveille" because its welfare department charged a fee of 2s. 6d. for dealing with welfare queries in order to reduce the number of frivolous inquiries; and under what regulations these facilities paid for from public funds have been refused.

During a period of about a fortnight in August last, the War Office suspended investigations into a number of cases which had been transmitted by "Reveille Service Advice Bureau" because it was found that this paper was proposing to charge its readers a fee of 2s. 6d. for supplying them with information derived from the War Office. On an undertaking being given by the editor that the proposed fee would not be charged, the cases in question were dealt with in the normal way, and up to date this paper has received the same services and facilities for editorial purposes as are afforded to any other paper. This action was taken because there is no justification for using the work and time of Government servants to assist directly in earning private profits for a newspaper.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he has authorised further building of ammunition shelters on good agricultural land in the Leinthall, Herefordshire district, in view of the necessity for utilising all land and labour for food production

The land in question is part of the area used by a large Ammunition Depot. A reorganisation is being carried out at this depot which entails the removal of some ammunition to new sites within the perimeter. The object of this move is mainly to ensure to the fullest possible extent the safety of the local residents. Very little agricultural land is being used and this consists entirely of headlands.

asked the Secretary of State for War what inquiries have been made into the complaints about food rations at F. Section, 16 Base Workshop, R.E.M.E., C.M.F., particulars of which have been sent him.

The messing of this unit has been gone into very thoroughly both by the chief catering adviser of the command and the commander of the unit concerned. Their inquiries confirmed previous opinions that the general standard of messing was satisfactory. A specialist messing officer and an Army Catering Corps warrant officer had been previously provided for the unit. It was, however, considered that there was a case for a small supplement to the basic ration for those on strenuous duty and this has now been authorised A general messing meeting of the section was subsequently held but the only complaints were very minor ones. I should like to emphasise that the previous messing meetings which had regularly been held had never disclosed any general dissatisfaction.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the delay in fixing a more favourable exchange rate for military personnel in Italy, he will make representations to the Italian Government to improve the present special rate of 400 lire to the £.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kelvingrove (Mr. J. Williams) on 27th November, and also to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. and gallant Member for Altrincham (Colonel Erroll) on 22nd January.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider initiating a Government scheme, whereby financial assistance will be given to the wives and parents of Servicemen killed in action overseas who wish to visit the graves of their husbands or sons, but cannot afford the travelling expenses.

I regret that I have nothing at present to add to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Ely (Major Legge-Bourke) on 6th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will made a statement as to the future use of Yelverton field firing range.

For the reason explained in my answer to a similar Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Merioneth (Squadron-Leader Emrys Roberts) on 22nd January, I am unable to make a statement about the future of the Yelverton field firing range until our requirements in land as a whole have been fully considered and discussed with the Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that troops at Catterick awaiting demobilisation have had to sit in gas-masks for a period of 30 minutes at a time; and whether he will put an end to such training, having regard to the past, present and future circumstances of the men concerned.

If my hon. and gallant Friend would send me full particulars of the incident in question I will gladly make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that repeated applications have been made to his Department for a Class C release on business grounds, on behalf of Gunner R. Martin, 981806, of Huddersfield, without result; that although Gunner Martin is now within a few months of Class A release, he has been forced to return to the Service from compassionate leave; that the business on which his father, mother and himself are dependent has been forced to close, and his mother has died under the shock; and what steps he is taking to prevent such cases occurring.

At the time when compassionate release was first granted to Gunner Martin indefinite release on compassionate grounds was not permissible. Gunner Martin, was however, given two successive periods of eight weeks' compassionate release in order to give him an opportunity to make arrangements for the family business. When a further application for release was recently received from Gunner Martin's unit his indefinite release under Class C was authorised, as the rules governing compassionate release now permit indefinite release in such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that parcels and newspapers dispatched from this country at the beginning of September had not been received by certain troops in S.E.A.C. by 9th December; and if he will take the necessary steps to remedy such delay.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Members for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) and Uxbridge (Flight-Lieutenant Beswick) on 22nd January.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has yet completed his inquiries into the administration of Temple Hill Detention Prison; and what disciplinary steps he has taken in regard to Major Freeman who was responsible, along with R.S.M. Williams, for the infliction of the wall punishment.

I regret that my inquiries into this matter are not yet completed. No doubt my hon. Friend will by now have received the letter I sent to him on 26th January.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the hours worked by the A.T.S., employed in the kitchen at the Crusaders Club at Klagenfurt, Austria, prevent the girls from enjoying the cinema or other entertainments generally available to the troops; and if he will have better arrangements made.

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the delay in the delivery of mail to personnel of our Forces in Austria; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the service.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield (Air-Commodore Harvey) on 24th January.

asked the Minister of Labour on what basis the present cost-of-living index is computed; and when it will be revised.

I am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of the White Paper which described the basis upon which the official cost-of-living index is compiled. On the. question of revision, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. and gallant Member for Bucklow (Lieutenant W. Shepherd) on 18th December last, to which I am not in a position to add.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total amount Mr. Basil Dean has received personally since E.N.S.A. began; and what amount will be due to him up to the date of closing down E.N.S.A.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 16th October, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider an extension of the period of double-food ration to Far East prisoners of war returning to this country, in view of the serious malnutrition that they have suffered.

My medical advisers consider that no longer period of double rations is generally required for these ex-prisoners of war from the Far East. Most of them have already had some time on a very liberal diet before coming to this country. Those whose condition cannot be adequately dealt with under the existing arrangement for double rations with priority allowances of milk and eggs in cases of malnutrition are admitted to hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for War the cash allowance paid to individual British prisoners of war on their landing in the Dominion of Canada from the hospital ship "Letitia," in December, 1945, to enable them to make purchases for themselves and their families.

I am making inquiries into this matter and as soon as I have received a full report I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number, by nationalities, of prisoners of war in Britain, at the latest available date.

The numbers of prisoners of war in the United Kingdom by nationalities on 6th January, 1946, were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for War the numbers of German and Austrian prisoners of war at present detained in this country; and when it is expected to return them to their own countries.

Approximately 194,500 German and 12,000 Austrian prisoners of war are at present in the United Kingdom. I cannot say when they will be returned to their own countries

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will further report on the present position of the Spanish Republican prisoners of war held in Chorley, stating how many have been returned to France, when the remainder will be going, and the conditions under which they are being treated while awaiting transport.

The first party of 13 Spaniards will leave for France on 1st February, 1946, and the remainder will follow in parties of 15 at fortnightly intervals thereafter. Meanwhile they are being given the same treatment as Italian co-operators but are given the additional privilege of week-end passes to visit their friends.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many Italian and German prisoners of war, respectively, are working on agriculture in Nottinghamshire.

At the end of December, 1945, about 1,740 German and 530 Italian prisoners of war were employed in agriculture in Nottinghamshire.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Japanese troops still remain in Indonesia; and when their evacuation to Japan is to be completed.

There are some 260,000 personnel of the Japanese armed forces in the parts of Indonesia under control of the Supreme Allied Commander, South-East Asia, and Australian Military Forces. This figure includes some Japanese at present in Dutch New Guinea, but does not include Japanese who have been concentrated in the Riouw Archipelago from Malaya and other areas. If the hon. Member is referring only to Java and Sumatra, the figure, which is included in the total I have just given, is 112,000. I cannot at present give an estimate of the date by which it will be possible to evacuate all these Japanese troops, as this will depend on the quantity of shipping which can be allotted for the purpose. This matter is now under discussion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the present arrangements for the disposal of surplus goods and equipment on aerodromes in Suffolk; and whether any of these goods have been dumped or scrapped in a manner detrimental to their proper use.

Surplus stores and equipment are in the main reported to the Ministry of Supply and Aircraft Production for disposal or scrapping. Nothing is destroyed if it contains material which has a further use unless its salvage would be uneconomical. If the hon. Member has any case where this does not seem to have been done I will, of course, make further inquiries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why 643850 Corporal L. G. West, R.A.F., S.E.A.C, is being detained at Calcutta, and not sent home for demobilisation in accordance with his group number.

This airman was detained on a disciplinary charge. He has since been acquitted and arrangements are being made for his return to the U.K. as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish a report on the progress of the Loch Sween experiment on fish culture.

I am informed by the scientists who are carrying out the experiment to which the hon. Member refers that scientific papers dealing with the certain aspects of the experiment have been prepared and will be published shortly. The experiment is, however, not yet completed and a final report cannot be expected at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to improve the remuneration of sheriffs-substitute in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will review the scale of salaries of sheriffs-substitute.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given on 22nd January to a Question by the hon. Member for South Aberdeen (Sir D. Thomson), copies of which I am sending to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the continued dissatisfaction amongst personnel of the N.F.S. in Scotland in regard to the existing release arrangements; and when the large number of releases foreshadowed on 8th November may now be anticipated.

I am aware that many members of the National Fire Service in Scotland are anxious to obtain their release. The rate of release during the next three months must, of course, depend on the progress of recruitment which, unfortunately, is likely to be slower than was hoped in November last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the need for re-afforestation in the Braemar district; and what steps he is taking to encourage the forestry industry in this place, at the same time providing employment for men returning from the Forces.

I am fully aware of the need for re-afforestation in the Braemar district, as in other parts of Scotland. Active steps are being taken to encourage the replanting of felled areas, either by the Forestry Commission or by the proprietors of private estates under the dedication scheme. A forestry vocational training scheme has been instituted by the Forestry Commissioners for men returning from the Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Report of the Neven-Spence Committee will be available and the cause of the delay in its publication.