asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention to permit the absorption by the distributive trades of as much labour as they employed before the war; and if not, what steps he proposes to take to prevent it.

I have no intention of taking powers to prevent employers in the distributive or any other trades from filling vacancies with available workers, or workers from entering any employment that is available to them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that between 1925 and 1939 the numbers employed in distribution increased by some 600,000, and does he not agree that if the additional labour required for export, the building industry and agriculture has all to come from the manufacturing industry, there will be a serious reduction in manufacturing output?

I am afraid it would require a memorandum to answer all the questions contained in that supplementary, but the essential point is, if 600,000 persons extra were employed in distribution, it was because the employers wanted them, had work for them, and were willing to pay them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be careful to do nothing to penalise the distributive trades merely because they are distributive trades?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information to show that shop-keeping employers are not utilising employment exchanges to secure adequate staffs for their shops.

My information shows that shop-keeping employers are notifying vacancies to employment exchanges in considerable numbers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food stated in public the other day that shopkeepers were not utilising labour exchanges in engaging employees and that is one reason why there are queues at food shops, and whether we may take it for granted that he does not agree with his colleague in the Government?

I would not like to commit myself to that; all I can say is that my information is accurate.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared, in collaboration with the Minister of Agriculture, to take steps to secure the establishment of a basic wage of £4 10s. per week for all agricultural workers.

The responsibility for fixing minimum wages in agriculture rests with the Agricultural Wages Board, which is constituted under Act of Parliament.

May I take it that the answer is "No"?

Is not this matter necessarily dependent upon the Government reaching a national wages policy in general, and is not the time for this long overdue?

I do not think that applies at all.

Is the Minister aware that a previous Minister of Labour intervened in the question of agricultural wages to the benefit of the workers?

asked the Minister of Labour, why the basic minimum rates for time work, for piece work and for learners in the light clothing and allied trades are higher in Scotland than in England; and whether he will now take steps to bring them to the same level.

The statutory minimum remuneration for workers in these trades is fixed by Orders giving effect to proposals by the wages councils, of which there are two for this trade, one for Scotland and one for England and Wales. New proposals for increasing the remuneration of workers in England and Wales have recently been submitted to me and are under consideration. I have no doubt that all relevant considerations have been taken into account by the wages council in framing these new proposals, and I would not propose to exercise my authority to refer them back simply on the ground that in some respects they differ from those operating within the scope of the Scottish Wages Council.

May we take it that this discrimination is a form of inverted compliment to the extra efficiency of Scottish workers, and is it symptomatic of the discrimination which we may expect in nationalised industry?

No, Sir, it might be symptomatic of a desire to keep Scotsmen in Scotland, where they can get better wages, instead of letting them come to England.

Let the Scottish employers put that in their pipes and smoke it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of men employed in the building industry in Scotland on 31st December, 1945.

Building industry figures for Scotland based on the annual exchange of U.I. books are only available each July. I am informed by my hon. Friend the Minister of Works that it is not possible at present to give employment figures for any later date.

Is the right hon. 'Gentleman aware that on nth December he stated that in July there were 35,600 workers in the building indus- try in Scotland, and why cannot he give a roughly comparable figure for December?

That figure was based on the July return of unemployment insurance books. There is a good deal of fluctuation one way and the other, but if it will assist the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I will give him provisional estimates. They cannot, however, be absolutely accurate.

Could they be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as they are of general interest?

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present number of men and women, respectively, employed in civil life and the corresponding number six months ago.

I am not sure what the hon. Member means by "employed in civil life" but the number of men aged 14 to 64 and women aged 14 to 59 engaged at the end of November last, the latest date for which figures are available, in employment and services other than in the Armed Forces and the Women's Auxiliary Services is estimated at 16,070,000, compared with 16,330,000 at the end of June. If, however the hon. Member means the number engaged on work for export and home civilian manufacture and services, the corresponding figures are 13,806,000 and 12,427,000 respectively, showing an increase of 1,379,000. All these figures exclude private domestic service.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the labour situation today is quite as tight as it was six months ago—

Much tighter.

—in view of the fact that demobilisation has been proceeding? What has happened to all these men and women?

That is quite a separate question. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] With all respect I think it is a separate question. I have tried to understand the original Question. If the hon. Gentleman will make clear what he has in mind I will try to make clear what is in mine.

asked the Minister of Labour whether is he satisfied that redundancy of engineering personnel in the Trafford Park area is being efficiently disposed of.

Yes, Sir. I think the difficulties are being satisfactorily overcome.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is adequate and frequent consultation with the Board of Trade in solving this difficult problem?

That is rather another question. I was asked whether I am satisfied redundancy is being efficiently disposed of. I have confined myself to that. I am satisfied it is.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer my point about consultation with the Board of Trade? I should be much obliged at having an assurance on that.

Certainly, Sir. Whenever this question of manpower relates to any question of pushing other work forward, there is active consultation—that is the word—"active" consultation with the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Labour how many registered unemployed to the nearest convenient date, obtain at Stretford, Urmston, Astley, Irlam and Cadishead

At 10th December, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of unemployed insured person suitable for ordinary employment on the registers of the Stretford and I

am employment exchanges were 162 and 2 respectively. There are no separate employment exchanges at Urmston, Astley or Cadishead.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is in a position to say when the Restoration of Trades Practices Act will be put into operation.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor gave a promise to restore these practices and privileges to the trade unions, which were surrendered in an abnormal situation, and can he give any idea when that promise will be implemented?

That promise remains and will be honoured, but I was asked when it will be honoured, and I cannot say when.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the average wage of compositors in the London area on 31st August, 1939, and 31st January, 1946, respectively; and how many separate increments were granted in the intervening period.

I am unable to give the average wage of compositors, but the established rate for compositors in general printing in the London area in 1939 was 89s. per week and is now 115s. per week. There have been four increments in the intervening period.

Does the right hon. Gentleman, who, I am afraid, has had experience himself in these matters in another capacity, realise what a heavy burden is placed on periodicals?

No, Sir. When I consider the profits made by these concerns with the shortage of paper, I am not satisfied they cannot well afford these increases.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present weekly rate of demobilisation for all Services; and is this rate the same as that attained at the end of December last.

In the first fortnight of January over 100,000 men and women each week were demobilised from the three Services. This is substantially higher than the figure for the last fortnight of December, 1945, which was reduced by the Christmas holidays and bad weather.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state by what date it is expected that the demobilisation programmes of the Army, Navy and R.A.F., respectively, will be completed.

It is not possible to say at present when demobilisation will be completed, as this will depend on a number of factors which are now under consideration.

I do not think my right hon. Friend understood my Question, which relates to the current demobilisation programme due to finish at the end of June. Can he say whether that programme will be finished earlier than the end of June?

I would draw attention to the statement made by the Prime Minister in a recent Debate, to the effect that it is hoped that the extent of demobilisation planned for the end of June will be completed by the end of April.

Is it proposed to continue the present rate of demobilisation until this programme is complete?

It is proposed to continue the rate of demobilisation under the scheme I have already announced and we are now running at an additional 1,000 a week.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the approach of the best season for building, he is now prepared to extend the scope of Class B release to all bricklayers and other tradesmen in the categories of building and civil engineering and industries ancillary thereto, at present serving in His Majesty's forces.

Steps have already been taken towards achieving a balanced labour force in the industry by increasing the proportion of bricklayers and of certain other categories of building operatives, as compared with carpenters, within the total allocation of Class B releases to the building industry.

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted with his colleague the Minister of Health on this matter, and is the Minister of Health quite satisfied with the present scope of release under Class B in the building and ancillary trades?

To the first part of the question, I can give an affirmative answer: I have consulted my right hon. Friend; as to the second part, whether he is satisfied, I do not think he will be satisfied until he has got every man I can obtain for him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is yet in a position to state when a release scheme will be formulated for men who, whilst in the Forces, volunteered for the mines.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made in reply to the hon. Members for South Islington (Mr. Cluse) and Bewdley (Major Conant) on 18th December last, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labourhow many of the 18,000 men from the Forces, to be released under Class B for agricultural work, have so far been released; and whether he is prepared to increase the total to a figure over 18,000 in view of the shortage of labour in agriculture.

1,529 by 15th January, the latest date for which figures are available. As regards the second part of the Question, the answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that shows this emergency block release scheme is going far too slowly and will he take steps to accelerate it?

That block release scheme was announced only on 4th December, and I do not think it is going too slowly. Every effort is being made to push it along.

But two months have elapsed.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the increasing difficulties experienced by many firms in securing female labour; and if he will now consider a revision of the demobilisation scheme as applied to women.

I am aware that a number of firms are experiencing difficulty in securing female labour. As regards the second part of the Question, I am not prepared to depart from the Class A and Class B release scheme.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what he proposes to do to alleviate this position? Is it really necessary for him to continue to sit on the Bevin scheme like a broody old hen?

I should think it would have to be some size of hen to sit on anything associated with the name Bevin.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of brick makers now released from the Services under Class B scheme; and what is the average weekly rate at which workers are returning to the brick-making industry.

Complete information is not available as to the number of brick makers released from the Forces in Class B. Under the "block" release arrangements, however, 501 men were reported as released by 31st December, to return to the brick, tile and glazed pipe industries. In addition, a number of brick makers are included in the workers named by the Ministry of Works for release to the building materials industries, but in the case of these named workers it has not been found possible to keep separate statistics for releases to each occupation within the whole industrial group. As regards the second part of the Question, the figures for January are not yet available but the average weekly rate during December was 55.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the release of men for brick making is adequate, and is there some means whereby priority can be given to the release of these men to increase the supply, as, I understand, the bricklayers are being held up?

Priority is being given to the release of brick makers. This only began to operate from 4th December, and on 31st December we began to get the thing moving. We hope there will be plenty of bricks for the bricklayers to use.

asked the Minister of Labour how many agricultural workers it is proposed to call up during the period to be covered by the Class B release of 18,000 agricultural workers from the Forces.

It is proposed in 1946 to call up 8,000 men, the great majority of whom will not leave agriculture until after completion of the Class B programme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his offer of 18,000 men under Class B is therefore quite illusory, and does he understand how serious it will be for the country if not enough young men go into farming during the next 12 months?

That, and all other relevant factors, and some which might be possibly considered irrelevant, are taken into consideration. But the manpower for the Forces must be obtained, and the same thing applies with other industries. Meantime, there is a rapid increase in the number of men coming out under Class A, and the question will be examined again should there be any need to make a change.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a steady and continuous decrease in the number of people employed in agriculture, and that in order to implement the programme of the Minister of Agriculture, it is necessary that there should be an increase of something like 250,000?

That is not the question I was asked. I was asked about men coming out of the Forces, and I have answered that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to ensure the exemption from call-up for the Army of Percy George Humphreys, who volunteered for service in the Merchant Navy six years ago, served on the high seas throughout the war, went on several Arctic convoys to Russia, received the Africa Star, and is now employed building houses for the Huntingdon R.D.C., particulars of his case having been given to him by the hon. Member for Huntingdon on 15th January 1946.

I have no power to grant exemption from liability for service under the National Service Acts, but the present position of Mr. Humphreys has been explained in the letter sent to the hon. Member on 30th January.

Will the Minister tell the House how he justifies compelling young men to serve in the Army in peacetime when they have braved the perils of the seas for six years in wartime?

I am merely operating the terms of the National Service Act, by which I am bound.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to change his decision in this case?

I will be very glad to look into it, and see whether there is any possibility of doing so in circumstances such as these.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were completed in Scotland during the six months ended 31st December, 1945; and how many are still required to house the people.

According to the latest information available, 921 permanent houses and 434 temporary houses were completed in Scotland during the half-year ended 31st December, 1945. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 houses are required to meet the Housing problem in Scotland.

In view of the undertakings given with such lighthearted irresponsibility during the General Election, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with that progress?

I hope the hon. and gallant Gentleman is not going to make me responsible for lighthearted declarations made in many quarters during the Election. I have enough to do to take responsibility for my own statements, which were serious and earnest.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses in Airdrie are controlled or owned by Scottish Special Housing Association; what are the rents charged for these; and how does this compare with rents charged for houses of similar size owned by the local authority of Airdrie

The Association own 56 houses at Airdrie. Of these, 36 were requisitioned by the Ministry of Supply who let them to transferred war workers at non-subsidised rents of £28, £33 and £38 a year for 3, 4 and 5 apartment houses respectively. The remaining 20 houses, all of 3 apartments, are let with the aid of Exchequer subsidy at £ij per annum to persons rehoused from unfit or overcrowded houses. The rents of comparable houses built with Exchequer subsidy by the Town Council vary from £13 to £32 for 3, 4 and 5 apartment houses.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the figures he has given me are in violent conflict with those submitted to me from the Town Chamberlain of Airdrie, and that the rent for a three-apartment flat is not £iy 10s. but £20, and not let as he described to workers, but are let—

Speech.

The hon. Lady is giving information and not asking a question. This is Question Time.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that houses are let to blitzed people from Clydebank who are unemployed and simply do not understand the great disparity between the local authorities' rents and the rents of the Scottish Association?

These figures are supplied to me by my Department and I accept them as being reliable. If the hon. Lady challenges them, I should be grateful if she will send me her information, and I will gladly look into it. As regards the rents, if she will send me any further information, I will examine it and gladly say who is right or wrong.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement with regard to the completion of the unfinished houses at Whithorn, Wigtownshire.

The building of these houses was suspended during the war and difficulties with regard to drainage have postponed their resumption. I understand, however, that the town council have now received tenders for the completion of the houses and that these will shortly be submitted for my approval.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that the unfinished state of these houses for so long has caused great inconvenience to the inhabitants of this ancient and royal burgh, and will he give this matter careful consideration?

I am very grateful that it has been called to my attention. I think that the hon. Gentleman can now take it that there will be no time lost in having the houses completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement with regard to the delay in delivery of the 34 Swedish houses allocated to the county council of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.

The timber sections from Sweden arrived in this country about two or three months later than was originally anticipated. When they did arrive, in order to minimise the difficulties of local authorities on the site some weeks were spent in sorting out the timber sections at the ports of discharge. The first deliveries began during the week commencing 14th January and timber sections for eight houses were delivered that week to the Stewartry; arrangements have now been made for additional sections to be dispatched to this authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to surmount the delays that have arisen in connection with the completion of the Orlit factory in Edinburgh.

Difficulties in the supply of cement asbestos sheeting for roofing the factory have been overcome by releases from emergency stocks. The only outstanding requirement to complete the factory is-roofing glass. As a result of a meeting which I had with representatives of the firm on this and other matters affecting progress in their housing work, I have arranged for the highest priority to be given to this demand and I understand that the glass will be on the site at a very early date.

Can my hon. Friend state what delay this has accounted for in the permanent housing programme?

I would not say that it was undue. The firm have overcome it by adaptation in some ways. I trust that the firm will now be enabled to proceed expeditiously with this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider raising the basic building limit figure for dwelling houses from £1,200 in Scotland, having regard to the fact that there is more broken time and higher transport charges for much of the material and fittings which come from the south and that a great deal of the building is done in stone.

This limit is being kept under constant review, but having regard to the current cost of house-building by local authorities in Scotland, and to other relevant considerations, we would not be justified in raising it beyond £1,200.

Is the Minister aware that the present figure of £1,200 has virtually prohibited the building of private houses in Scotland especially during the last six months? When you compare the figure for Scotland with England does it not show that it is discriminating against Scotland?

I would hardly agree with that, but if the hon. Gentleman has any new factors I will gladly look into them. I have not a very rigid mind on this question but even so I have not seen my way to alter it.

Is it a fact that a figure of £1,200 is considerably below the tenders received and accepted by local authorities?

On an average it works out the same because the figure for Scotland works out below that of England and in other cases it is higher. It depends on certain circumstances.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that certain new factors as well as the factors contained in the Question on the Order Paper have raised the cost of building houses in Northern Scotland, and will he bear in mind that there is an increase of £300 on houses in Scotland compared with similar houses in England?

The facts are not with the hon. and gallant Gentleman. In certain parts of Scotland tendering is lower than that of England. As a matter of fact, at the moment the level throughout Scotland is lower than that suggested by the hon. and gallant Gentleman, and if he cares I will show him some facts of tendering which will amaze him in certain respects.

I said the North-West of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the percentage per total population of houses built, other than by municipal enterprise, in the following cities of Scotland during the five years prior to the outbreak of war: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.

The percentages of houses built by private enterprise to populations in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen, are 08, 2.32, 75 and 1.43 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses in Glasgow in the course of construction on 1st January, 1946.

659 permanent houses and 151 temporary houses were under construction in Glasgow at 1st January, 1946.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a feeling of public disquiet at the slow progress made, and will he take all steps to expedite the building of houses?

As a matter of fact, the record of Glasgow on a comparative basis works out well with the rest of Britain, but that does not satisfy me, and I am constantly in touch with the Glasgow Corporation, and indeed with other local authorities in Scotland, with a view to a considerable increase in the building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the percentage per total population of houses built in the following cities of Scotland during the five years prior to the outbreak of war: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.

The percentages of all houses built by local authorities and private enterprise to the total populations in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen are 1.21, 3.16, 2.26, and 3.17 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses, temporary and permanent, at present being built in Edinburgh; the number of workmen employed; and the comparative figures for September, 1945.

At present 202 temporary and 364 permanent houses are under construction in Edinburgh compared with 66 and 232 respectively in September, 1945. The total number of workmen employed is 776, compared with 517 in September.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses, temporary and permanent, at present being built in Scotland; the number of workmen employed; and the comparative figures for September, 1945.

At present 1,950 temporary and 6,917 permanent houses are under construction compared with 505 and 4,539 respectively, in September, 1945. The total number of workmen employed is 13,600, compared with 8,900 in September. In addition, 1,580 German prisoners of war were employed in September, 1945, against 2,500 at the present time.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the figures which he previously gave to me, compared with those given now, suggest that it will take something like 50 years to satisfy the normal requirements of housing in Scotland?

On the figures I have shown I think that Scotland not uncreditably shows a marked development in housing, and I am hoping that this improvement will be accelerated and considerably increased in the next six months.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain to the Minister of Health how he managed it and encourage him to do the same?

I have enough trouble explaining my difficulties to my wife without explaining them to anyone else.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is his intention to give a monthly report of the progress of house building in Scotland.

Yes, Sir. The first report will be published in the latter part of this month, and it will show the progress made up to the 31st January of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that on the nights of 26th and 27th December, 1945, 13 and 17 trawlers, respectively, were observed fishing in Hoy Sound between the Karn of Hoy and Marwick Head, in Orkney, many of them within the three-mile limit; and how soon he will be able to station a fishery cruiser in northern waters for the protection of the livelihood of the inshore fishermen.

I have been informed that unidentified trawlers were working as stated by the hon. and gallant Member. I am glad to say that my most recent information shows that there has been no repetition of large scale encroachments on the limits, and that a fishery patrol vessel has taken up duty in Scottish waters. Steps have also been taken to expedite the return of other cruisers to their normal duties In arranging the patrol careful regard will be had to the requirements of Northern waters.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a decision has yet been reached with regard to the long-term policy to encourage cattle breeding by means of the hill cattle subsidy; what the subsidy is to be and for how long it will be paid.

With regard to long-term policy, I cannot usefully add to the reply given to my hon. Friend yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. So far as 1946 is concerned, it is proposed to pay subsidy in Scotland on the same conditions as in 1945, except that the subsidy will be £5 10s. per head for breeding cows and£1 10s. per head for heifers and homebred bullocks.

Will the Secretary of State for Scotland suggest to the Minister of Agriculture that the system by which the subsidy is paid in Scotland is better than the English one?

It is not for me to suggest that. It seems that the hon. Member has already suggested it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is an unsatisfied demand in many parts of England, where cattle breeding for various reasons is not suited to the locality, for high-class cattle, and will he have regard to that in considering the long-term proposal, so that we can purchase cattle from Scotland and not from Canada as hitherto?

I will certainly have regard to all the relevant factors.

A highly unsatisfactory answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is proposed to publish detailed accounts of farming operations by the Scottish Board of Agriculture and by the W.A.E.C.s in Scotland; how much money has been spent on these operations; and what have been the total profits or losses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list by counties of those farms requisitioned by the W.A.E.C.s, together with their acreage and the total profit or loss on each farm.

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement, showing by counties the subjects requisitioned under Defence Regulation 51 and occupied and managed by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland or by agricultural executive committees in Scotland, their acreage, and the accumulated profit or loss, as at 30th November, 1944, the latest date for which figures are available. The net cost of these operations was £199,000 and the trading profit at that date amounted to £17,153. I do not propose to publish detailed accounts of these operations.

Why not? If there is nothing to hide, cannot we have the details? Some of these operations have been going on for so long as five years, and why cannot Parliament and the country know just what the profit and loss have been?

I have nothing whatever to hide so far as the administration of my Department is concerned, but it would require a tremendous amount of work to publish the details. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we have nothing whatever to hide.

On a point of Order. I am not satisfied with that reply, and I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter again on the Adjournment.

Following is the statement showing accumulated profit or loss as at 3oth November, 1944, in respect of farming operations on subjects requisitioned under

Defence Regulation 51, and occupied and managed by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland or by Agricultural Executive Committees in Scotland .

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to bring to the notice of the Scottish Council on Industry the necessity for an indigenous Scottish aircraft industry as an essential part of a balanced economy for Scotland.

The Scottish Council on Industry are fully alive to the importance of developing aviation in Scotland, and the need for maintaining an aircraft manufacturing industry was stressed in their recent Resolution on this subject. I understand that the council are exploring the position in consultation with industrial interests concerned in Scotland.

Can my right hon. Friend say what are the difficulties in the way of the establishment? Is it because of private enterprise being unenterprising?

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that the Scottish Council on Industry is depending on his making representations to the Government to get an aircraft industry in Scotland?

The Scottish Council on Industry will not depend in vain on my putting up a fight so far as Scottish industry is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many tuberculin-tested and standard licences have been suspended in Wigtownshire in 1943, 1944 and 1945, respectively; and how these compare with other counties in Scotland.

The numbers of tuberculin-tested (including certified) and standard licences revoked or suspended in Wigtownshire during 1943, 1944 and 1945 were 54, 40 and 46, respectively. The number revoked or suspended in all counties in Scotland in 1944 was 106. I regret that the figures for all counties for 1943 and 1945 are not available, but those for 1945 are being obtained. I shall communicate them to the hon. Member as soon as they are available.

Does not the Secretary of State consider that this high rate of suspension of licences is due to the fact that this county, situated as it is at the South-West extremity of Scotland, suffers from the long time which it takes to send samples for test? Will his advisers find some way in which this may be overcome?

I will look into the point. I am entitled to assume at the moment that one of the reasons for the revocation of so many of the licences is that the samples have been rather unsatisfactory, which consequently would justify the position which I have explained to the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his recent assurance that all possible food reserves will be released for relief in Europe, and of the statement made on 21st March 1945 that these reserves amounted to 6,000,000 tons, he will now state the total tonnage held in reserve at the outbreak of war and at 31st December 1945 or later suitable date.

At the outbreak of war stocks of food in the country, apart from those held by retailers and farmers, amounted approximately to 3 million tons, the comparable figure at 31st December, 1945 was 4.2 million tons. During 1945 stocks were reduced by 1,800,000 tons primarily to help European countries.

Can my right hon. Friend give us any indication of a further reduction?

I have given the hon. Member the figures.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living, he will consider reviewing the sums payable under the Civil List in recognition of valuable work.

The amount of the Civil List was increased by Parliament in 1937 from £1,200 to £2,500 a year partly with the object of increasing existing pensions. One hundred and nine pensioners have had their pension increased during the last five years, and the average new pension granted has also steadily increased. I intend to continue this policy.

Is the Prime Minister aware that many of the older people are suffering hardship at the present time owing to the increased cost of living, and in view of the increased salaries given to the Civil Service, will he consider this matter further?

I am aware of that and that is why I intended to continue the policy indicated in my reply.

In view of the fact that no party issue arises on this, and in view of the fact that some of the sums paid can only be described as derisory, will the right hon. Gentleman consider having an impartial body such as a committee set up to advise the House or him on how these pensions should be dealt with?

That is another matter but I should like to consider it.

Thank you.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that between 3,500,000 and 4,000,000 tons of coal were lost in consequence of the German and Japanese V-Days, he will give an assurance that the country's depleted resources shall not be further depleted by more peace celebrations.

The consideration raised by the hon. Member is one of many which the Government will bear in mind before coming to a decision on the question of the nature and extent of victory celebrations.

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to discourage all these celebrations until peace is actually restored to the world?

Can the Prime Minister who, like all the best Members of the House, was at Oxford, give us an assurance that he does not agree with these materialist and kill-joy views from Cambridge?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will take steps to locate the Yugoslav war criminal, Pavelitch, reported to be at large in the British zone in Carinthia, Southern Austria, and have him handed over to the Yugoslav Government for trial.

Yes, Sir. Every effort has been, and is being, made to apprehend this man.

asked the Prime-Minister how many junior Ministers of the Crown left this country on official missions during the recent Parliamentary Recess; what countries were visited; what was the object of the respective journeys; what results were achieved in each case; and what was the total cost to public funds.

Five junior Ministers made official visits abroad during the recent Parliamentary recess.

The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty visited Gibraltar; Malta, Italy, Egypt and Palestine to inspect Naval Establishments and Dockyards in the Mediterranean with particular reference to possible reductions in staff and to look into the question of speeding demobilisation.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply and Aircraft Production visited Germany to inspect Ministry activities in exploiting German research equipment and to discuss the Ministry's interests in Germany with the Control authorities.

The Secretary of Overseas Trade visited Denmark, Sweden and Norway in order to gain first-hand knowledge of the work of the commercial diplomatic posts in those countries and to make personal contacts with officials and business men.

The Financial Secretary to the War Office went to Germany to visit the Headquarters of the British Army of the Rhine and other units.

The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household accompanied by the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of Health visited Denmark and Sweden to look into the latest developments in the administration of the hospitals and health centres in those countries.

The knowledge gained and the personal contacts made in these visits have been and will be of great value to the Government. The approximate cost to public funds, which can be readily identified, of these five visits is £750;

Is the Prime Minister satisfied that in each case the Minister concerned asked himself this question, "Is my journey really necessary?"

Yes, I am quite sure they did and I asked it myself. I do not take a parochial view of these matters. After all, this country is a part of a great Commonwealth and Empire and it has wide connections with other countries. We have had visitors from many other countries—

Ask Bevin.

—and I think it is all to the good that there should be these contacts.

Can the Prime Minister tell us whether on any of these journeys any of these Ministers took any of their relatives with them?

Not to my knowledge.

Arising out of the original reply, might I ask the Prime Minister if any staff reductions have been effected by the visit of the Parliamentary Secretary?

No, Sir. I think that seems a very extraordinary question to ask. Does the hon. Member mean staff reductions or expenses?

The right hon. Gentleman said that the Parliamentary Secretary visited certain ports to look into staff reductions. Did he achieve any?

I hope I have explained in my reply that that was the object of one of the particular visits—to look into the whole question of staff reduction. Of course, staff reduction will take place.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Members of this House left the country during the Parliamentary Recess on Government sponsored missions, whether as individuals or in groups; what countries have been visited; what is the estimated cost to the public of these journeys; and on which Votes will this cost be presented.

I will circulate these particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the particulars:

( a ) Provision for the visit to India is included in the Supplementary Estimate H.C. 56 of 1946. It covers the expenses of two members of the House of Lords as well as eight members of the House of Commons.

( b ) The estimate for India includes the cost of air transport. For the other parties the figures quoted are exclusive of air transport costs which are charged to Air Votes and are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many visits abroad were made by Members of the Cabinet at the public expense during the year ended 31st December, 1944; what each of them cost his Department; how many members of the civil or military staff belonging to his Department went on each trip; and who accompanied the Minister, in each case, from amongst his personal relations.