asked the Minister of National Insurance if the will give an assurance that it is his intention to seek the assistance of the voluntary friendly societies in the administration of his scheme during the transitional period, even though he does not intend to use them as an integral part of his scheme; and for how long does he anticipate seeking the advice of friendly societies for this purpose.

I contemplate that there shall be a transitional period during which the change to the new system of Health Insurance will take place by stages. This is inevitable owing to the magnitude and complexity of the operation and has the advantage that it will enable any arrangements that may be decided upon for transfer of staffs of approved societies to be made without the risk of a break-down of administration at the date of transfer. During the transitional period some use will have to be made of the machinery of the approved societies generally. The extent and manner in which this can best be done is one of the matters at present being discussed with a committee representative of all classes of approved societies, and until these discussions have made further progress I cannot say what form these arrangements will take or how long they will last.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the answer he has now given proposes temporarily to raise the hopes of some of these societies, he having previously dashed those hopes a week or so ago, and will he give some indication of the length of the transitional period?

The Question and the answer dealt with the transitional period. The form in which this arrangement will work, and the time for which it will work, are, as I said in my answer, being discussed by a committee of the Ministry and the approved societies, and will be a joint arrangement.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what recommendations the Dental Benefit Council has now made with regard to an increase in the fees to dentists for dentures; whether he is in touch with representatives of the dentists with a view to securing an early settlement of the present dispute about fees which is causing hardship to insured persons; and if the Dental Benefit Council will now hold regular meetings.

The Dental Benefit Council which is representative of dentists and approved societies will meet on 14th February and will consider an application for a revision of the scale of fees prescribed by the Dental Benefit Regulations. I hope that in the result a basis will be found for a solution of the difficulties arising out of the refusal of certain dentists to undertake work on the basis of the present scale of fees. The question of resuming regular meetings of the council will also be considered.

There is another part to my Question which the right hon. Gentleman has not answered.

I appreciate that; it is the reference to insured persons?

As to whether the Minister is in touch with the representatives, of the dentists in this matter, in view of its urgency.

I have taken steps to ensure that the appropriate machinery for settling this matter—the council which is meeting on the 14th—will be called at the earliest possible moment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the present scale of fees for dental treatment is such that the profession is always raising the matter with the Government because the scale has not been adequately and carefully worked out? The proportions between various types of treatment are entirely inadequate. Will the Minister consider more fully with the profession the question of an equitable scale?

This is not a matter for me to decide. There is the appropriate machinery, that which I mentioned in the answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that a flying branch of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is to be formed in the near future for greater speed and efficiency; and if he will carry out investigations with a view to making similar arrangements in this country.

While I am always anxious that our police shall learn from other countries any lessons which are of value here, the information I have as to the purpose for which aeroplanes are used by the police in certain parts of Canada does not indicate that there would be any advantage in copying this arrangement in this country where the conditions, including particularly the distances involved, are entirely different.

Can the Home Secretary state how he proposes to deal with smugglers who use aeroplanes if he has no flying police?

I should be sorry to disclose to the criminal classes the means at our disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the need for an improved and simplified scheme of uniform for the police force and the substitution of a more hygienic and popular type of head-gear in place of the present helmet; and whether he will consider any sug- gestions which may be made by representatives of the police force to enable such reforms to be adopted.

I have already informed the Police Federation that I shall be glad to consider any specific suggestions which they wish to put to me for an improvement of the uniform, but in the present clothing situation I cannot hold out any hope of any radical alteration in the immediate future.

Would the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that the Air Force and the Army now have an open neck tunic, which is very acceptable and very popular, and would he consider adopting the same dress for the police in the summer months?

I am quite willing to consider any suggestions I receive from the police themselves, but I would point out that, in the present clothing situation, the immediate adoption of an open neck tunic would involve the provision of additional clothing, and would make the situation even more difficult.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will look into the question of the lack of fuel for heating police section houses in the Metropolitan area.

Measures of a general nature have been taken to secure economy of fuel, and it is probable that any complaint of reduced heating of section houses arises from the application of those measures rather than from actual lack of fuel. If the hon. Member has any specific case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give an assurance that Borstal boys from Dartmoor will not be brought to Huntercombe Place, in view of the fact that the neighbourhood is residential.

Any place which is taken for use as a Borstal institution will be occupied by those youths judged likely to profit by the training provided there. There is no justification for assuming that youths now in the Dartmoor Borstal institution are more undesirable as neighbours than those sent elsewhere. Their suitability for the courses of training available at Dartmoor is the criterion on which selection is made. I renew the appeal I made last week to hon. Members to help me in the provision of suitable accommodation so that the less suitable institutions now in temporary use may be closed.

The Home Secretary has not given an assurance that Huntercombe Place will not be used. It is most unsuitable and was once used for housing foreign Quislings and is surrounded by woods and residential houses—

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is giving information not asking for it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider whether the inhabitants in this select neighbourhood are likely to do the boys any harm?

Will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider dispersing the boys rather than crowding them together in Dartmoor, and would it not be better from their point of view?

I am now engaged in looking at a number of premises in the hope that I shall be able to find some which are capable of adaptation as Borstal institutions, so that I may be able to evacuate those undesirable temporary premises into which the circumstances of the times have forced me for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that simple inoculations on animals may result in great suffering, and at how many of the 1,281,882 simple inoculations and similar proceedings performed in 1944 his inspectors were personally present to report such suffering.

I cannot give my hon. Friend the figure for which he asks, but my inspectors have been present at many inoculations and the well-being of animals which have been inoculated is one of the matters to which they invariably pay attention in the course of their regular inspections of places registered under the Act. Wherever these inoculations are allowed, carefully framed conditions are laid down to prevent such suffering as my hon. Friend has in mind and my inspectors see to it that these conditions are faithfully observed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the grave public apprehension which exists as to these experiments, and does he believe, in view of the enormous number involved, that the inspection is really adequate?

There is some apprehension. I am charged with the duty of seeing that sufficient inspections take place. My own view is that the apprehension at the moment is unfounded and that the inspection system is reasonably efficient.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the scourge of contagious abortion is being tackled in this way?

Is it not the fact that these inoculations have been the means of saving thousands of human lives?

We are now getting into the question of degree which it is very difficult to deal with by question and answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the annual report of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society for the year 1944; and if he will state the expenditure on discharged prisoners and the expenses of administration.

Yes, Sir. The disbursements in cash or kind amounted to £199 and the costs of, administration to £627, but it would be a mistake to infer from these figures that the Society is not efficient or well-organised. In the year 1944 when employment was easy to secure the financial needs of the prisoners on discharge were not great, but the need for help and guidance from the welfare officer of this society has been undiminished.

In view of the disturbing figures given by the Home Secretary and the fact that one-third of the amount given to the discharged prisoners was spent on travelling expenses for the dispersal of the prisoners, would he have another look at these accounts to see that the money received as the result of appeals for public charity is wisely spent?

I have very carefully examined these accounts. I must point out that this was an exceptional year from the point of view of the needs of the people dealt with. It is necessary to maintain the organisation. In addition, this is a particularly difficult area to deal with because the society deals with two prisons, one at Cardiff and one at Swansea; and that in itself makes administrative expenses heavy in comparison with other societies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to say when he expects to be able to begin payment of gratuities to ex-members of the N.F.S.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the reason for the delay in paying post-war gratuities to N.F.S. personnel; and on what date he anticipates payment will be completed.

Payment of these gratuities has begun, but the work involved in checking particulars of service, which in most cases entails reference to the former fire brigades' records, is considerable, and though there will be no avoidable delay I cannot forecast when all payments will be completed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what method is being applied by him respecting the order of payment?

In this matter I am very largely at the mercy of the local authorities who were the employers of the men involved prior to the nationalisation of the service. It is not a matter over which I have complete control. I am endeavouring to get all the calculations made and the payments made to the men with the greatest possible speed, but I have to rely upon the co-operation of the local authorities.

Would the right hon. Gentleman have a word with the Minister of Labour and arrange for additional clerical labour to be given to the regional offices, as this would speed up the process which under the present arrangements will take some two or three years to complete?

I do not think it will take anything like that amount of time, and to bring in untrained labour at the present stage and instruct them in the details of the work would hinder rather than expedite the proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many whole-time firemen are still employed in towns where there were none before the war; how many fires have been dealt with by them during the last year; and what has been the cost of employing these firemen.

I regret that this information is not readily available. I may say, however, that though it would be wrong to assume that the pre-war arrangements were in all cases satisfactory, there are a good many cases where whole-time firemen will be unnecessary when part-time retained firemen can be recruited and means provided of calling them to fires.

; Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in one town where there were no full-time firemen before the war, there are now eight, and will he say what justifies this increase?

Unless the town was named I could not possibly deal with the question on that basis. There are undoubtedly several towns—probably that is an understatement—which ought to have had whole-time firemen and which, in fact, did not.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees, former inmates of concentration camps, have now been admitted into this country under the conditions announced on 13th November, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it has yet been possible to form an estimate of the numbers, including juveniles, likely to be admitted from the Continent to join relatives already in this country; how many applications have so far been received; and from what countries.

As stated last Tuesday in reply to the hon. Member for Salford North (Mr. McAdam), 109 aliens have arrived in this country under the scheme, but for the reasons given in that answer no inference can yet be drawn as to the total number likely to come here under the scheme. I am not in a position to say how many applications for visas have been made to the various British Passport Control Officers in Europe; nor can I give figures as to the number of distressed persons admitted under the scheme who have been inmates of concentration camps.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many applications have been received from persons in this country?

Not without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that his Department is in official communication with the official body which is largely responsible for refugee work on the Continent—that is to say, the Inter-Governmental Committee on refugees—in order that the refugees who most require assistance shall be admitted to this country?

We are in communication with that body and, in fact, I myself have met representatives of it to discuss the matter.

Has the right hon. Gentleman put into operation those arrangements which he promised to make with respect to people now in Austria and Germany?

No, Sir. I much regret having to say that, owing to the disturbed state of those areas and the difficulty of communication therein, it has not yet been possible to establish the organisation that I hope very shortly to bring into being there.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the number so far admitted are less or more than he has expected, and, if less, whether they justify him widening the terms of entry?

I think the prospective numbers which I have in sight are about what I would have expected, and I do not think at the present time it would be wise to widen the scheme.

If my right hon. Friend should find within a few months that he has cast his net a little too narrowly, would he see whether the scheme could be widened, since there are some most unfortunate cases which just miss the operation of the present scheme?

I hope I have impressed the House previously with my desire to do all I can to lessen the appalling amount of suffering there is, but I am exceedingly anxious not to raise hopes that would be doomed to disappointment because that would be far more cruel than maintaining the present position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, why so many refugees, within the classification and with relatives here who have applied for them, can still obtain no definite news of their release.

If my hon. Friend is referring to distressed persons in Germany or Austria, I am sorry that it has not been practicable to overcome more rapidly the difficulties connected with communications, transport and arrangements for identifying and clearing those who come within the scheme, but I am doing everything possible to facilitate the working of the scheme.

Does the Home Secretary fully realise the heart-breaking anxiety that is felt, not only by these people in Europe but also by their relatives who are anxious to have them over here?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that I am fully aware of these appalling circumstances, and I am striving with all my might and main to overcome the difficulties that confront us.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider approaching the President of the Board of Trade with a view to removing the rule that communication with persons in Germany is still trading with the enemy, because that is one of the great difficulties in this matter and in the entry of relatives to this country?

I have not encountered that particular difficulty but I will see if it is concerned with the matter.

It is one of the major difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in dealing with the arrears of applications for naturalisation; and if he has any further statement of policy to make in relation to fresh applications.

Since my statement in the House on 15th November last, over 1,000 of the pre-1940 applications have been reopened. Of these about 300 have been brought up to date by the applicants and are now being examined. As regards other classes of applicants to whom priority is to be given, plans for dealing expeditiously with the applications are in an advanced state and I hope to be in a position soon to give details of the procedure.

Have the applications which have been dealt with been made according to the instructions laid down by my right hon. Friend? Did these people make application, or were they dealt with without making application?

These were applications which were received prior to the suspension of naturalisation in 1940. About 1,000 of those have been reopened and 300 have been brought up to date by the applicants themselves.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a considerable number of those pre-hostility applications have waited for several years before the commencement of hostilities, and will he therefore hasten proceedings?

I am anxious to do all I can to expedite this matter, consistent with the duties that are placed upon me of seeing that every person to whom naturalisation is granted is likely to be a worthy citizen of this country.

Would my right hon. Friend give favourable consideration to the case of Allied soldiers who have been stationed in this country during the war, who have married British girls and who wish to remain as citizens of this country, which apparently they are well qualified to do?

There are, of course, a number of considerations raised by my hon. and gallant Friend's question. In any event the last phrase that he used would have to be the governing factor, but I cannot allow the position to arise where-mere marriage to a British subject would be a ground for naturalisation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to remove the 5,000 alien stowaways who were reported at the end of December to be in this country awaiting repatriation.

This Press statement was exaggerated. The total number of alien stowaways who arrived in the six months from July to December, 1945, inclusive was 137. Many of these have already been sent back and the usual arrangements are in hand for the removal of the rest.

Would the right hon. Gentleman indicate, in view of his reply to the Question, that the statement which appeared in a recent issue of the "Sunday Express" on this matter had no foundation in fact?

It had this foundation, that there were 137 stowaways on whom the superstructure of 5,000 was erected.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the reasons why he is insisting on the repatriation of Mr. Carl Kuchenmeister, who has resided in this country since 1928, built up here a valuable business and who has an English wife and three British children.

This case has been considered not only by me but by three previous Home Secretaries. Each of my predecessors decided that it was necessary, during the war, to keep Mr. Kuchenmeister in detention as an enemy national. The same considerations as had led to his continued detention have led me, after careful consideration of all the circumstances, to the conclusion that it would not be conducive to the public good to allow this German national to remain in this country.

As a number of hon. Members of the House are interested in this case would the Home Secretary consider an impartial inquiry into it?

No, Sir. I have interviewed a number of hon. Members, including the hon. and gallant Member who has put the Question down. I can see no grounds for holding an inquiry into this matter, nor do I think that this person is a desirable person to remain in this country when his repatriation to Germany can be accomplished.

Will the Home Secretary bear in mind that while Mr. Kuchenmeister is being compulsorily repatriated against his will, there is another case of a gentleman called Mr. Adolf Caltabiano who is being compulsorily detained in this country against his will? Is he sure his Department has not got these two matters mixed up?

No, Sir. The friend of my hon. Friend was certified insane and is temporarily not under my jurisdiction.

Will the right hon. Gentleman—whose answer we could not hear at this end of the Chamber—in view of the fact that this man married a British woman and has three British children, and is highly regarded in engineering circles in Manchester and the engineering industry, assure the House that he has been? notified of the reasons for which he is being deported, because up to 24th January this year he had no knowledge of any kind whatever?

This deals with a point raised in a previous Question. Marriage to a British woman and having children born in this country is no ground for retention in this country of enemy nationals who are regarded as undesirable. I cannot think that this man is unaware of the reasons that have led to the decision which has been given.

But has he been told what the reasons are?

I think this gentleman has all the information that is necessary for him to feel that he is being justly treated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what complaints he has received of the methods adopted by the police in connection with a check on identity cards among girls and young women in the West End of London on the evening of 25th January; why a black maria was used to transport those who failed to provide satisfactory evidence as to their identity; and if he will prohibit the practice of the use of police photographers during such operations.

No complaints have been received about the methods adopted by the police on the occasion in question. No use was made of a "black maria," and no police photographer was present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that these mass detentions and interrogations will be discontinued at the earliest possible date?

No, Sir. I wish to thank the general public of both sexes for the way in which they are co-operating with the police in these matters in the interests of law and order in these very difficult times.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in cases where he grants permission for aliens to leave the country for a temporary period, on their return to this country their passports are stamped as being only valid for six months, after which they must leave the country; and if he will take steps to put an end to this practice.

Broadly speaking, an alien who is unconditionally resident in this country is allowed on return from a short visit abroad to land unconditionally. An alien whose stay is on a temporary basis would normally be given leave to land on a temporary basis on return and if the period endorsed on the passport by the Immigration Officer is insufficient it is open to any alien who has adequate grounds for remaining here to apply for an extension.

While appreciating that the duration of stay of any alien in this country must obviously be at the discretion of the Home Secretary, why is it the common practice that, when these men or women who are allowed to leave temporarily return to this country, their passports are stamped for a period of six months, irrespective of the conditions referred to by my right hon. Friend?

That is not my information, nor is it my instruction. Normally, on re-admission an alien comes back on the same conditions as those under which he was here before he left.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the granting of British nationality to those members of the Polish Forces who fought in the Allied cause and who wish to adopt British nationality; and how far such facilities will apply to members of other Polish Government Departments which were situated in Britain during the war

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies which I gave him on 15th October last, and to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 9th October last, to which I have nothing to add.

These replies merely said the question was being considered. Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the anxiety and bewilderment caused, not only to the Poles, but to many of their friends in this country at the very prolonged delay?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there are a large number of questions affected by the policy of the Government to which sympathetic consideration, active consideration, and consideration is being given; and that there is a strong feeling in all parts of the country that it is high time a definite statement of policy was given by the Government on this matter?

No, Sir. I think the generality of people in this country are quite well aware of the very large num- ber of pressing and difficult questions that have to be decided, and decided after consideration. I entirely disagree with the hon. Member.

Does the failure to make a statement today mean that in any way the present Government have gone back on the pledge that was given by the Coalition Government on this most important matter?

No, Sir. That was answered in the replies to which I have referred the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the theft of, among other articles, three revolvers, the property of Sir Oswald Mosley; whether Sir Oswald Mosley holds permits for the possession of these firearms; and, if so, on what grounds such permits were issued.

I am informed that the revolvers in question are claimed to be the property, and were in the possession, of Sir Oswald Mosley's son, Lieutenant Mosley. No record of the issue of a firearm certificate in respect of them has been found.

If it is necessary for this officer to keep these firearms lying around at home—and there is no reflection on him—could it be put to him by my right hon. Friend that it is unwise to do so when his home happens also to be the home of a leader of thugs and gangsters?

Could we have an assurance that these firearms were not issued to Sir Oswald Mosley when he was Chancellor of the Duchy in a Socialist Government?

I should think the age and pattern of the revolvers makes that improbable. With regard to the other matter, I am having the' circumstances investigated. No firearm certificate authorising anyone to have these revolvers has yet been found. There may be such a certificate in existence. When the investigations are complete appropriate action will be taken to dispose of them.

rose —

As appropriate action may be taken, we should wait for that and not prejudice the matter in advance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide that candidates at the forthcoming and subsequent local councils elections be allowed to send one communication to the electors free of postage.

This proposal would require legislation and I could consider it only on the basis that the cost would be reimbursed to the Postmaster-General by the local authorities, on whom falls the cost of local elections. I am so informing the County Councils Association, who made a similar request a few days ago.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as a result of legislation, there has been a very large increase in the number of electors, and there is, therefore, a heavy burden on any would-be candidate, and many candidates are debarred because they cannot afford the cost of an election? Cannot the matter be reconsidered?

I have given an indication in the answer that I am willing to consider it if the local authorities will indicate they are prepared to bear the cost that would have to be incurred by the Postmaster-General in dealing with the matter.

Why is it necessary for the local authorities to bear the cost in this case when they are not called upon to bear the cost of a General Election?

Because a Parliamentary election is conducted for the nation. A local government election is conducted for the locality.

Who will reimburse the local authorities?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory conditions with regard to clothing and hygiene of prisoners in Holloway Gaol; and whether he will take immediate steps to effect an improvement.

It is my desire and the desire of the Prison Commissioners that there should be a continuous policy of improving prison standards, but as regards clothing and cleaning materials Holloway Prison, like any other institution, has to put up with the limitations imposed by present conditions of supply. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the exact points he has in mind I will gladly consider them.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether if only in justice to that hardworked body of public servants the prison staffs, he will have a statement issued about Holloway prison, in view of the unfair attacks which have been made in some quarters upon its administration?

There was a Question in the name of the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) on the Order Paper today which dealt with the question of the recent disturbance at Holloway. Unfortunately the hon. Member was not here and the Question was not called, but I hope the reply will be included among the written answers.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many men and women discharged from the services as unfit since September, 1939, have been refused a pension; and how many of these were placed in medical category Grade I when they entered the service.

In all some 680,000 men and women have been invalided from the Forces since 1939, but no statistics are available as to their medical category on enlistment. An award of pension has been made in about 285,000 cases. All invalidings are automatically notified to my Department irrespective of whether the individual desires that his entitlement to pension should be considered. In fact in well over half the cases where no award of pension was warranted the person concerned has at no time made or inferred anything in the nature of a claim.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now prepared to remove the restriction in connection with disabled ex-Servicemen who marry later than 10 years after their injury is received.

In the opinion of His Majesty's Government the new provision enabling allowances for a wife and family to be paid where the pensioner's marriage took place not later than 10 years after the end of his war service generously meets the contention that an ex-Service war pensioner who had postponed his marriage until his return to civil life suffered hardship through not being eligible for family allowances with his disability pension.

I may add that a pensioner undergoing treatment which prevents his working, or classified as permanently unemployable through his pensionable disablement, may, without regard to the date of marriage, receive allowances for his wife and family; and if, after 3rd September, 1939, a pensioner dies as the result of war service a pension may be granted to his widow and children irrespective of the date of marriage.

While I thank the Minister for his reply and expressing appreciation of the very generous consideration he has given to this matter, will he bear in mind that it is a small number of persons who are concerned, and that they have a real sense of grievance? Would he make his concession complete by removing the restriction?

This matter was borne in mind when that whole question was considered.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of parents now in receipt of pensions for sons or daughters who lost their lives in the late war; and the amount per year now being paid.

At the end of 1945 approximately 37,500 pensions of a total value of £1,371,000 a year were in payment to parents of sons or daughters who lost their lives in the late war.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of parents who have lost their sons or daughters and have been refused a pension because of the means test.

The number is approximately 37,700, but in all these cases the parents have been told that they may renew their applications if their circumstances should worsen materially at some future date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction in these cases because they are excluded from the Royal Warrant which becomes operative as from tomorrow?

There is possibly some dissatisfaction.

Is the Minister aware that there are people now living who lost sons in the Great War who were given an allowance, and on the very same stair there are families which have lost two sons in this war, who have educated them and put the whole of their savings into them, and though their two sons have been killed they have not received a single penny, and should not some recognition be given to people of that kind?

It may be that there are cases like that, but the present Pension Warrant provides that if such people fall into need at any time they can get a pension, and in such cases a pension would be much higher than the flat rate paid after the Great War.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman give further consideration to it and put an end to a situation in which there are so many thousands of forgotten mothers whose sons have been sacrificed in the war, and make certain they get some consideration?

I do not accept the term "forgotten mothers" at all.

asked the Minister of Pensions the estimated cost per year of paying a flat rate pension of 10s. per week to those parents who are denied a pension because of the means test now being applied.

No reliable estimate of the total cost can be made. As regards the recent war to grant a pension of 10s. a week to the parents of all, whether married or single, who lost their lives, would involve an additional cost of about £8 millions a year. If an award was limited to single men the additional cost would be not far short of £5 millions a year. There would also be substantial expenditure for which no estimate can be given in respect of the 1914–1918 war.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figure now stated, £8,000,000, is much less than was paid in pensions to those who lost their lives in the Great War?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an estimate of the number of persons now engaged in building permanent houses.

Approximately 26,000 building workers are employed in Great Britain at present on permanent housing schemes of local authorities. I am unable at the moment to give figures of the building workers employed on house building by private developers but I hope to be in a position to do so before the end of next month.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the Uniformity Agreement still applies to road and sewer construction, he will restore its applicability to housing works.

I do not think, all things considered, that this would be of assistance to the housing programme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the policy of the Government with regard to the rating system, with special reference to the derating provisions of the Local Government Act of 1929.

As I have previously stated, I appreciate the need for examination of the machinery of local government finance and I do not exclude de-rating from that examination, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not possible to have legislation for this purpose in the present session.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the policy of the Government with regard to the reimbursement for loss of time and travelling expenses of public representatives on local governing bodies.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that numbers of rural workers are refusing nomination for the elections of the various local authorities owing to the loss of wages involved by the holding of such elective positions; and is he prepared to introduce legislation allowing payment to be made for the loss of wages incurred by members of local authorities.

This matter is receiving the sympathetic consideration of the Government, but in view of the many other more pressing problems requiring legislation I can hold out no hope of a Bill on the subject this session.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question is affecting a very large number of people who would otherwise be selected, would stand, and would make very good councillors for the forthcoming county council elections, and would it be possible for him to make some statement that the Government are likely to remove this disability in the near future?

I appreciate the hardship occasioned by the absence of payment, but as my hon. Friend will realise, a principle of the greatest constitutional importance is involved, and we cannot consider giving the matter priority over the very many other much more important and urgent questions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of county councils have passed resolutions in favour of this, and that the County Councils Association itself has decided in favour of it? Would not that assist him to come to an early decision?

I am also aware that my hon. Friends on this side of the House have passed a series of resolutions urging that we should legislate on those matters which are now making it impossible for us to introduce such a Bill at present.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that at the end of this Government's period of office there will be anyone left in England giving public service without thought of reimbursement or gain?

asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government are taking to improve the production per man-hour in British industry generally.

It is not possible to state the Government's policies in this respect within the compass of an answer to a Parliamentary Question. The hon. and gallant Member can be assured that the Government are fully conscious of the urgent importance of this matter, and they will, in consultation with management and workers, do their utmost to encourage all possible steps to achieve conditions in British industry in which efficiency can be improved and output increased.

Is the Prime Minister aware of the very urgent need for a lead from the Government on this matter, and of the fact that industry generally is not getting it at the present time?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the Government's wage policy for industry.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will issue a White Paper indicating and explaining the Government's wages policy for all industries.

I have been asked to reply. I have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West Harrow (Mr. Bower) on 13th December last.

Did not the Prime Minister this very week assure the House categorically that the Government have a coherent wages policy? Why is it we cannot have a statement? [ Interruption .] I beg to move we adjourn—[ Interruption .]

rose —

Is the hon. Member rising to ask a supplementary question? I am not quite sure but I thought that the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) gave notice of raising the matter on the Adjournment.

I wanted the House to adjourn so that we could discuss and clarify the position. The Prime Minister made a categorical statement and I cannot get any answer. That is something different so a supplementary is in Order.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is some genuine apprehension about the position? If the Government have a wages policy is there any reason why they should not state it publicly? I have asked for a White Paper. What is the objection to that?

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the reply to which I have directed his attention I think he will understand it.

The fact remains they have not a wages policy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to bring before the House a Government statement of policy on the national control of profits?

asked the Prime Minister if he will make any statement on the future of compulsory military service.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject

Is the Prime Minister aware that that statement has beep made for months now? Is he aware of the disturbing nature of the fact that no policy has been declared in connection with military service, and that young men have to break the study both of their trades and professions, and that their parents are greatly disturbed? When does he propose to make a statement on this very important subject?

In due course. Obviously a matter of this kind does require very considerable examination in the light of the whole defence situation, and it is impossible to make a statement without very careful consideration. I am not prepared to do it at the present time.

I quite understand the difficulties of this question from the military angle, although the Prime Minister will also understand that there are great difficulties from the angle of the young people themselves. We on this side of the House, not agreeing with the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern), would be willing to support the Government on certain lines of policy, and I think it would be for the benefit of the State if a declaration of Government policy came at an early date.

I quite agree. There will be no undue delay.

I did not raise this question in a prejudiced manner. I was asking for a statement.

Is it not a fact that the cupboard is bare?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now able to relieve the anxiety of parents and others by stating the maximum period which youths of 18 years of age, now being called up to the Forces, will be required to serve.

asked the Minister of Labour how long it is expected that men, now being called up for service in His Majesty's Forces, will be expected to serve, in view of the disturbance of professional and academic training that long periods of compulsory service are bound to make and the high percentage of men who, after service, decide against completing their professional and academic courses.

This important matter is receiving the careful consideration of the Government. We realise the desirability of making an announcement as soon as possible, but there are a number of factors involved, and the matter cannot be decided in a hurry. I can assure the hon. Members that the Government's decision will be announced without any avoidable delay.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no one is asking for the Government to a make a decision without giving this matter adequate attention, but they have had plenty of time, and will he not give a definite date as to when an announcement will be made?

I wish it were possible to do so, but there are other circumstances, such as those to which the Prime Minister has already referred, and they are being weighed in the balance. One factor, of course, is the increased pay and allowances, and the number of volunteers which these will attract to the Services. I hope to make a statement very soon, but I would not like to pledge myself to any time.

Another example of the put-it-off technique.

I agree. It is most unsatisfactory.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that not only have the Government not announced a policy on this matter, but there is also great dilatoriness on the part of the Service Departments in calling up young men, especially in the case of the Navy? In many cases several months elapse after the date of their call-up to the Colours before these young men join the Services, and is it not very bad for the young men to waste their time in this way and bad for the country as well?

We have had our attention drawn to cases of that kind, and steps are being taken to overcome them.

With regard to "being weighed in the balance," is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is Scriptural authority for saying that when they were weighed in the balance they were found wanting?

I have no doubt that that reference applies to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied that the contemplated scale of British research and production in relation to atomic energy is sufficient to ensure the industrial future of this country in five or ten years' time against competition by any other Power; and when it is contemplated that Britain will be able to manufacture plutonium at the minimum significant rate, say, 100 grammes per day

His Majesty's Government hope that the use of atomic energy will be developed in co-operation rather than in competition with other nations. It is their intention that research and production shall be carried on in this country on a scale sufficient for this purpose, but I am not prepared to give an estimate of the date on which any given rate of output of material will be achieved.

Can the Prime Minister assure the House that the main object of the research proceeding at Didcot is the peacetime development of atomic energy, and not research into atomic destruction?

I have already replied to that.

In view of the immense importance of this matter to the industrial future of this country, will the Prime Minister state the reason for the continuation of secrecy? Also, when do the Government hope to be in a position to place the full facts and their proposals before this House?

The matter of atomic energy is one, as the hon. Member knows, in which we are working in close co-operation with the United States of America and Canada; also, the whole matter has been referred to the United Nations Organisation. Therefore, clearly, any statement which is to be made must be concerted with other Governments.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that, on 6th December, 1945, a British colonel visited the Polish displaced persons at Delmenhorst and informed them that all those who had originally consented to be repatriated would have to go back to Poland whether they liked it or not; and whether he will give an assurance that this instruction will be countermanded and that no pressure will be put on persons to return to Poland if they do not wish to do so.

I am aware of the visit referred to but I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on a similar Question the day before yesterday.

Is the Minister aware that he then assured me that this instruction was properly understood and that that assurance was given before? But still these military officers continue to carry out these persecutions. Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the regional officers all over the British-occupied zone understand the policy of His Majesty's Government on this matter?

I have taken steps to ensure that this policy is being strictly observed, as he will see from the answer I gave the day before yesterday. I go further and say that I am satisfied it is now being strictly observed.

In view of the very great and proper interest taken in all parts of the House, in this question of refugees, and displaced persons, will the hon. Gentleman consider publishing a White Paper showing the scope of the problem at the present time and the action of the Government in dealing with it?

We hope such a statement will be available at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many newspapers are now published in the British zone in Germany; which political parties they represent; and what is their individual circulation.