asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to amend the Discipline Code made under the Police Regulations so as to give to every member of the police force the same right of making complaints and of access to his superiors as is given in all branches of H.M. forces.

It is I think well, understood in the police service that any police officer who thinks himself wronged is entitled to make complaint to a superior officer and, if he does not obtain satisfaction, to submit his complaint to the Chief Constable through the usual channels. In addition it is open to any police officer to make a complaint to H.M. Inspector of Constabulary when he is inspecting the force. Ample provision is thus made for the redress of grievances and I do not think that any amendment of the Discipline Code is necessary for this purpose.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that "the usual channels" through which an officer complains are through his superior officer, who may be the officer concerned, and does not the Discipline Code preclude a complaint being made to the Watch Committee?

With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, there are the persons immediately superior to the man in rank whom he can approach. With regard to the second part, I should like to have notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the rate of pay now in force in relation to a newly-enrolled police constable; and whether he is satisfied that this figure is adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the amount of discontent in the police force over the rates of pay and conditions of service; and in, view of the dissatisfaction felt by the police at the results of their representations on these matters, what action he is taking to remove these grievances.

In addition to free quarters or an allowance in lieu and other emoluments, the rate of pay for a constable on appointment is 90s., or 88s. if he is under the age of 23, a week. When police pay was consolidated as from 1st April last it was made clear that the improved rate would not be subject to temporary fluctuations but would be stabilised for a period of three years in the absence of any radical change in general economic conditions. The Police Federation have nevertheless asked for a revision of their pay and the matter will come up for discussion at the forthcoming meeting of the Police Council.

Is the Minister aware that the new rates of pay compare unfavourably with the pre-1931 rates plus cost of living increment?

This was a matter of arrangement and discussion. The Police Federation are considering the matter again, and I do not want to say anything which might prejudice full discussion. I would point out that the arrangement on 1st April last was that the rates were to stand for three years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is aware of the discontent in the Metropolitan Police Force, and other forces, resulting from the police no longer being able to take time off in lieu of extra hours worked, and being compelled to work overtime for 2s. an hour against an average hourly pay rate of 2s. 7½d.; and whether he will take steps to see that the police are paid proper overtime rates, in accordance with general commercial practice;

(2) on what date the recent amended rates of overtime were introduced into the Metropolitan Police Force; what other forces have adopted the same rates; what was the authority for this step; and if he will give an assurance that overtime being paid at a lower rate than the standard hourly rate will not be extended to any other police forces where it is not already in force, pending negotiations.

I regret that, in the present shortage of police manpower, it is not possible in all cases to give members of the police forces time off in lieu of extra hours worked, but I am confident that Chief Officers of Police are fully alive to the desirability of doing so where possible. Overtime rates are prescribed for all police forces by the Police Regulations; the present rates were fixed in November, 1944. There is no question of fixing differential rates for any individual force, but proposals for a general increase in the present rates will be considered by the Police Council at a meeting to be held next week.

Does the Minister think it right that policemen should be compelled to work overtime at a lower rate of pay than the standard hourly rate?

That question is dealt with in the last part of the answer which I have just given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will consider temporarily amending the Police Pensions Acts so as to permit the entry of men called up to the services during the past six years, discharged with a very good or exemplary conduct sheet, who, having now reached the age of 30, are ineligible for the constabulary affected by those Acts and allowing such men to count one year's police pension right for every three years of active service.

As regards the age limit of 30 prescribed in the Police Regulations for recruits to the police service, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey) on 1st November. So far as concerns the question of counting service in the armed forces as approved service for pension purposes, I could not justify legislation which would place ex-servicemen who joined the police in a more favourable position than those who joined other public services, but shall keep the question under review in consultation with other Ministers concerned.

Whilst recognising it is a rather complicated question, may I ask if it is not a fact that in other parts of the country there has been some modification of the Regulation, and in view of the great shortage in the police force throughout the country, is it not possible to take action so as to release men of suitable character who have served their country and are anxious to join the police force?

I am anxious to do all I can in that direction but a police constable's term of service is very limited. There are difficulties that arise particularly in later recruitments. I have had some correspondence with the hon. Gentleman, and I think it is possible to thrash the matter out better by interview than by Question and answer in the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, although in Scotland the age limit is 35 instead of 30 in the case of ex-Service personnel, most of the appointments committees are, in fact, selecting younger men because the new seals of pension favours new entrants to the service, and are against those entering in middle age? Would not the recruitment of older men with good service be facilitated if military service were counted for pension purposes in the police force as is suggested in the Question?

I have no responsibility for what happens with regard to the police in Scotland. I have been in consultation with the Secretary of State for Scotland on these matters, but I do not think that the point raised by the hon. and gallant Gentleman outweighs the considerations I have already advanced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours have been spent by Metropolitan police in giving evidence in court on minor motoring cases during the past three months or other convenient period.

I regret that this information is not available.

Would the Home Secretary consider instituting a system of verbal and oral warnings for trivial motoring offences instead of employing policemen in giving evidence in court at a time when there is grave shortage, particularly during the period of say the next six months?

I am anxious to avoid using the police to give evidence in court on these matters as much as possible, but the existing state of casualties on the road indicates that it is very necessary that the police should be vigilant in this matter.

Is the Minister aware that by "trivial motoring offences" I mean such offences as parking for too long a period?

In certain circumstances I would not regard that as trivial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that promotion prospects in the police force are on a democratic basis and that the bias in favour of a certain class, instituted by the Hendon Police College, has now been entirely dissipated.

Promotion in the police service is decided on merit. It is certainly my view that there should be no bias in favour of a privileged class.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether members of the special constabulary who are entitled to the Defence Medal may now wear the ribbon.

Arrangements have been made for the immediate issue of the Defence Medal ribbon to qualified serving members of the police service, including members of the special constabulary, and the ribbon will be issued in these cases without individual applications. Special constables who are no longer serving are not covered by these arrangements, and must wait until particulars of the general scheme are announced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any statement to make with respect to the police raid on the New Maiden Lawn Tennis Club on the night of 8th December, 1945; whether it is intended to take any legal proceedings as a result; what were the objects of this raid; the number of police taking part; the length of time during which the police were in occupation of the club premises; when it is intended to return documents which were removed; and what was the justification for this interference with the rights and liberties of this club and its members.

As the hon. and gallant Member has already been informed, the raid was made in execution of a search warrant granted by magistrates on information suggesting that offences under the Licensing Act were being committed at this club. No criminal proceedings are being taken in respect of sales of intoxicating liquor, but I understand that the Surrey County Council have under consideration the question whether proceedings should be taken in respect of unlicensed public music and dancing. The 25 police officers who took part were on the club premises for an hour and twelve minutes. All documents and books have been returned to the secre- tary. As regards the last part of the Question, the justification for police action is that it is the duty of the police to enforce the law.

In view of the present shortage of police manpower, does the Home Secretary consider the use of 25 policemen on an enterprise of this sort justified, and, further, will he say whether these books were returned before this Question was put down?

With regard to the first part of the question, I think this particular use of the police was justified. With regard to the second part, I will have the matter specially investigated and will write to the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

Will the Home Secretary undertake to review the employment of the police force on these matters as well as on motoring offences in view of the very grave shortage of police?

The police have a duty to enforce the law. This club is entitled to all the considerations that arise from the fact that no police prosecution is impending, but I could not give a general undertaking that supervision of these places should be neglected by the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to make arrangements for psychiatric treatment to be made available at all penal establishments in this country, and, in particular, that a course of psychiatric treatment be available in all suitable cases of sexual offenders.

Arrangements already exist under which any prisoner, man or woman, at any establishment can receive psychiatric treatment if the medical officer considers it desirable. Not all sexual offenders are suitable subjects for psychiatric treatment, but all are specially examined with a view to such treatment if the examination shows they are likely to benefit thereby.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 99 cases out of 100 the medical officer never makes a recommendation for psychiatric treatment because he does not believe in it; and is he aware that, time after time, men are told that they are being sent for a long period of penal servitude in order that they may be cured, and they endure that without any attempt whatever being made to cure them?

I think that the proportion which the hon. Gentleman suggests is quite contrary to the facts, as I have been able to discover them, nor do I think medical officers allow their personal opinions to influence them to the extent which he has stated. I am exceedingly anxious that where this form of examination would enable reformative treatment to be undertaken it should be undertaken in every one of these penal establishments.

Is the Minister aware that the whole method of prison treatment requires overhauling, and is there any possibility of his doing anything in that respect?

I have no doubt that when I am in a position to deal with the question of the staffing of prisons, it will be desirable to have a further inquiry into the whole problem of the treatment of prisoners.

May I ask the Minister if it is not the case that under the Bill which it is proposed to bring forward this matter is specifically provided for?

It is one of the tragedies that the war brought about that the Criminal Justice Bill, 1939, did not reach the Statute Book.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the sentence of three months' imprisonment passed on a boy of 15 years of age at the Toynbee Hall juvenile court; and if he will take steps to have this boy removed from an ordinary prison.

I have obtained much information as to this boy's previous history and I am giving careful consideration to the question of what further action can most suitably be taken in the best interests of the boy.

Will the Minister take steps of a general character to see that boys under 15 are saved from ordinary prison sentences?

I am exceedingly anxious to do that. The more generous one makes a provision for dealing with juvenile offenders, the more necessary it is occasionally to bring home to a particular offender that the law cannot be eternally trifled with. I regret that the history and circumstances of this boy make him an exceedingly difficult individual to deal with. The fault is not his entirely, and I am seriously trying to find some way of dealing with this lad that will be for his benefit and, at the same time, relieve him from the objectionable associations that confinement in prison may bring.

If the fault does not lie entirely with the boy why should he be committed to prison?

Because every other form of ameliorative and reformative treatment has been tried without success. It is one of those exceptional cases that I am sure, in any circumstances, will have to receive special treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will circularise magistrates, calling their attention to the repeated recommendations of his Department that adolescents should not be sent to prison.

Some crimes committed by young persons may be so serious that a severe sentence may be imperative in the interest of the community as a whole, and, until there are adequate alternative methods of treatment, I could not advise courts that in no circumstances should a sentence of imprisonment be passed on a youthful offender. Attention has frequently been called to the objections to imprisonment for young offenders and to the duty of magistrates before passing such a sentence to satisfy themselves that that course is inevitable and that no other method of treatment can properly be employed. In the circumstances while I am not unsympathetic with the object of my hon. Friend, I do not think that her object would be advanced by the issue of any further circular on this subject at present.

Is the Minister prepared to issue instructions that psychiatric treatment is given in all cases to any offenders who obviously are in need of it?

No, Sir. I am not prepared to issue instructions, because I find that issuing instructions is the less satisfactory way of dealing with these matters than tendering advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will consider increasing taxicab fares late at night in order to encourage taxicabs to compete with private-hire motorcars which ply at night at a minimum charge of 10s.

The introduction of increased taxicab fares at night has been considered on several occasions but for a variety of reasons, including the difficulties which arise from the fact that the taximeter cannot be altered to show two rates of fare, my predecessors have felt unable to adopt such a system. I see no grounds for dissenting from these conclusions. I would add that private hire cars may not legally ply for hire in the streets.

Will the Home Secretary say what is the objection to making a simple rule, as in Paris, that after a certain hour of night the fare should be double that on the taximeter?

My experience of dealing with taxi drivers is that when there is a rule about which there can be no definite indication on the meter, this leads to a good deal of dispute and unpleasantness.

Will the Minister take steps to see that the charges for private hire cars are controlled?

That question is not very much related to the one on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total accommodation available for Borstal boys in July, 1939, January, April, July and October, 1945, and January, 1946, respectively; what is the total number of boys who have escaped during each three-monthly period; how many of those who escaped during each period are still at large; and what percentage of all Borstal boys escape at least once during their detention.

As the answer involves a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister taking steps to try to reduce the number of boys who escape, and stop so many getting away?

It is desirable that a number of these boys should be kept in positions that allow them a considerable amount of liberty. It may be that some of them abuse the confidence that is placed in them, but while this is a reformative system, as I hope it is, I hope that I shall not be compelled to place undue restrictions on them.

Following is the answer:

The total number of Borstal boys who escaped during each three-monthly period and the number still at large is:

During the six months ended 31st December, 1945, 679 Borstal lads were licensed and of these 161 or 23.7 per cent. had absconded at least once.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to implement his assurance that special arrangements would be worked out in Germany and Austria, where there is no British Embassy, to deal with applications for visas made by distressed persons who have relatives in this country able and willing to look after them.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Acock's Green (Mr. Osborne) last Thurs-day.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of refugees admitted to this country by his Department under the scheme of November, 1945; the total number of applications received; and those so far granted under this scheme.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statements which I made on this subject last Thursday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department approximately how many applications for naturalisation are now awaiting the consideration of his Department; how many of these are from aliens who have served in or with the British Forces; and how many are dealt with in an average month.

About 16,000 applications are outstanding. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for South Leicester (Flying-Officer Bowden) on 4th February. As regards the third part, while the general policy of suspension was in operation the number of special applications dealt with each month was very small, and it is too early yet to estimate accurately how many will be dealt with when the policy outlined in my statement of 15th November is in full operation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in the case of those men who have served in His Majesty's Forces, length of service is taken into account at all?

It is more a question of the character the men have revealed and how well they have done in the Services, and in order to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion on that it is desirable that the service should be something more than purely temporary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to state when a Report will be published on the cause and incidence of juvenile delinquency during the war years.

I am anxious that the publication of statistics relating to crime, which was suspended during the war, should be resumed as soon as practicable, but I am afraid it is not possible at the present time to say how long the work of compilation and publication will take.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that is the same answer which he gave to me in reply to a similar Question on the day we adjourned for the Christmas Recess?

It only proves how consistent I am.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will release from the N.F.S. Fireman H. J. Coombs and Fireman G. W. Ball, stationed at the Central Fire Station, Tottenham, particularly having regard to their age and service.

I regret that for the reasons which I gave in my statement in the House on 8th November, it is not yet possible to release all the members of the Service who have applied for their discharge. When it is possible to release further men in London due weight will be given to the length of service of the two firemen in question, but at present I am afraid that their discharge cannot be authorised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he proposes to restart Summertime.

In accordance with the Summer Time Acts, 1922, and 1925, Summertime will come into force this year at 2 a.m. Greenwich Meantime on the morning of 14th April.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Summer starts then, too?

Will the Minister give consideration to people whose work ends at about 5 o'clock and who like to get to work in their gardens as early in the year as possible? Will he consider instituting Summertime sooner?

I think the weight of the general considerations that have to be borne in mind does not allow me to introduce Summertime sooner, and, of course, it would involve special legislation to do it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that during the war Summertime and Double Summertime very materially reduced food production? In view of the present serious food situation, will he reconsider this tinkering with the clock?

The announcement I have made today is governed by Statute, and any alterations would involve further legislation. The hon. and gallant Member's supplementary question indicates that it is impossible to get unanimity on this matter.

Is there any prospect of having Double Summertime this year?

I should say that that is highly improbable.

Would it not be the twilight of the Government?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he proposes to introduce legislation to enable him to review all cases in which war pensions have been refused, with a view to awarding pensions on the principle of fit for service, fit for pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has arrived at any conclusion concerning the replacement or basic revision of the Royal Warrant, in order, particularly, to put into practice the principles of fit for service, fit for pension and the benefit of the doubt.

I would refer the hon. Members to Paragraph 2, Cmd. 6714, "Improvements in War Pensions" which sets out the Government's conclusion in this matter.

In order to take this matter out of politics, will the right hon. Gentleman have a judicial inquiry into its merits?

asked the Minister of Pensions why, whereas part-time CD. volunteer:, injured while proceeding directly to or from their duty have been granted ex gratia awards by his Department, whole-time paid CD. personnel injured in the same circumstances are not granted any such awards; and whether he will reconsider his decision to refuse an award to Mr. Thomas Carse, of 3, Fielding Place, Carr Hill, Gateshead, who is permanently crippled as the result of the accident he sustained on 21st November, 1941, when proceeding to his home from his post of duty as a full-time warden.

The decision in the case of Mr. Carse is in accordance with the broad principle established by decisions under the Workmen's Compensation Act and it has been held recently by the High Court that the same principle must apply in construing the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to reconsider my decision in this individual case. The position of an unpaid part-time volunteer presented, however, certain special features which, it was considered, justified the making of an ex gratia award in the cases indicated.

Does my right hon. Friend's reply mean that whole-time paid personnel were not regarded as being on duty while proceeding to and from their posts, and that they were not entitled to an award, whereas those on part-time were so entitled?

Part-time personnel were in a rather different position than those on full time, and because of that they were given special consideration.

Does that mean that full-time personnel were regarded as being paid when they sustained accidents while on duty, and were not entitled to recompense for accidents while proceeding to and from their posts?

Full-time personnel were paid under the terms of the Workmen's Compensation Act.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is his intention to increase the amount of pension granted to those parents who have lost sons or daughters in the war, particularly in view of the higher cost of living, and the fact that in many cases they were contributing materially to the support of their parents.

In determining the pension which I can award to a parent, I have regard, among other matters, to the amount of the contribution made by the dead son or daughter. In normal cases, I do not subsequently adjust this amount on the hypothetical grounds that the deceased might have varied it upwards or downwards. Nor would it, in my view, be desirable to attempt such an adjustment. If, however, the hon. Member has in mind the maximum rates which may be paid I would refer him to the increases announced in paragraph 20 of Cmd. 6714, "Improvements in War Pensions."

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that in the case of elderly parents this causes serious financial difficulties, and will he reconsider the matter and give them more generous treatment?

This matter was recently considered by the Government. Under the terms of the White Paper, "Improvements in War Pensions," which comes into operation this week, generous increases are given, both on the basic means limit, on which the calculation is made, and the maximum benefit which may be paid.

asked the Minister of Health the number of consents refused by his Department to applications made by local authorities in 1945 for compulsory purchase orders to acquire land for housing purposes; and the total acreage involved.

During 1945 applications for confirmation of 10 compulsory purchase orders to acquire land for housing purposes were refused; about 78 acres were involved.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses were completed in England and Wales during the six months ended 31st December, 1945; and how many are still required to house people.

The number of houses completed will be given in the first progress report which will be published towards the end of this month. As regards the number of houses required, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 17th October last.

That is a purely evasive reply. I have asked a number of times in this House for the figures for the six months ended 31st December last. Can the hon. Gentleman give me the information?

I have already said that the information will be provided at the end of this month.

But I want it now.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet been able to overcome the difficulties, particulars of which have been submitted to him, in effecting first-aid repairs to slum property in the Borough of Widnes.

Difficulties in the supply of certain essential materials are still a limiting factor to the amount of work which can be carried out, but all possible action is being taken.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is sufficient labour and material for building new houses by private enterprise for sale, and will he take steps to divert some of that labour and material for the purpose of repairing slum properties which, in some cases, have been uninhabitable for 30 or 40 years?

Much power lies in the hands of local authorities who have to licence the building of any new houses. If they take into account the needs of their areas they will limit those licences according to the work that ought to be done.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that since the maximum permitted cost for new private enterprise houses was fixed at £1,200 for the provinces and £1,300 for London, the actual cost of building such houses has increased by reason of the introduction of a guaranteed week with payment for wet weather for all building workers and of the advance of 4d. per hour in the wages of all building craftsmen; and whether he will now raise the permitted cost.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the increase of rates of pay to building operatives and to enable houses to be built which otherwise would not be, he will agree to some increase in the present limit of £1,200 for new house building.

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to all the present circumstances and, particularly, the recent rise in wages, he proposes to alter in the near future the present limits governing the size and ceiling price of new houses.

asked the Minister of Health for what reason he has refused to allow private enterprise builders an increase in licence value to meet the additional cost of approximately £80 per house due to the rise of 4d. per hour in building wages, whereas local authority contractors receive this additional cost in full under the terms of their contract.

My right hon. Friend does not propose to increase the maximum selling price of houses erected by private developers because of the recent advance in wages. This advance was accompanied by a pledge from both sides of the industry that output would return to the 1938 level at the earliest possible moment, and it is well appreciated by the industry that building costs must be kept down.

While appreciating that reply, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he has forgotten that he said in the House, some weeks ago, that it was intended to raise the price to £1,500? In view of that, could he say when that intention will be carried out?

That is a misunderstanding on the part of my hon. Friend. I said nothing of the sort. What I said was that local authorities were to be given power to advance money to individuals for the purchase of houses costing up to £1,500. That had nothing to do with the question of licensing.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what progress has been made in raising the output in the building trades?

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman will find that that will be indicated in the return to be presented at the end of this month.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his answer will mean that many houses that would otherwise have been built will not now be built, and is it not the chief purpose that houses should be built? Ought not this increase, therefore, to be made?

I think the hon. Member will find that the number of houses being built under licence is very considerable.

asked the Minister of Health the number of unoccupied houses and flats in the following London boroughs: St. Marylebone, Paddington, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster, respectively.

The number of unoccupied houses and flats is:

May I ask my hon. Friend what steps he will take to make this vacant accommodation available to the many thousands of families who are in need of it?

Local authorities are already in possession of powers for the requisition and repair of unoccupied houses and in all these localities they are using those powers.

Will the Minister bear in mind that a number of these vacant properties are requisitioned by Government Departments but are not occupied? Will he also bear in mind that many of the houses are in urgent need of bomb damage repairs before they can be occupied?

The repair of many of these unoccupied premises is holding up their use for occupation.

How is it that the hon. Gentleman can give us this very detailed information about unoccupied houses when he is unable to give my hon. and gallant Friend the number of houses completed?

I have already said that the return will be presented to the House at the end of the month.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House what is the political complexion of the local authorities who are failing to carry out this work?

Will the Minister say why, in view of the large number of unoccupied flats he has given, occupied flats are having billetees imposed upon them to the inconvenience and great discomfort of the occupiers?

Because the unoccupied premises are, in their present state, unoccu-piable.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to protect tenants in tied cottages from eviction, in view of the shortage of alternative accommodation.

No, Sir. The proper remedy for the tied cottage problem is in my right hon. Friend's view the provision of an ample number of free cottages by the local authorities and he is endeavouring to expedite this provision by every means in his power.

In view of that very unsatisfactory reply—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—I do not mean unsatisfactory for the same reason as hon. gentlemen opposite—may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he is aware that I have had two instances in my constituency where such tenants have been without protection from the law, and that in one case a child suffering from tuberculosis was put out with its parents without any shelter whatsoever? Will the Government give further consideration to the question of protecting these people?

It is obvious that I was not aware of what the hon. Gentleman has said. The statement I have made is that the Government are not considering legislation for this purpose at the moment.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that, notwithstanding the provision of alternative houses, the principle of tied cottages is unfair, and will he take steps to untie them?

Is the Minister aware that in many districts mining and agricultural workers are being threatened with eviction and are being evicted with no alternative accommodation of any kind because they are in these so-called tied cottages? Will he take steps to put an end to these evictions?

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether, in view of what he has heard today, he would not be prepared to reconsider the whole question of the Rent Restrictions Acts so that there may be a removal of the present difficulties?

We will keep in mind the whole problem of tied cottages and rent control and deal with it at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the large number of empty shops which could be turned into flats; and if he is prepared to give local authorities power to requisition such premises in order that they may be used for housing purposes.

Local authorities already have this power.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the present restrictions on floor space in new houses are preventing the building of small houses of floor space less than 730 square feet and houses exceeding 1,000 square feet of types much needed for accommodating members of the wage earning classes; and if he will, therefore, revise the present restrictions on floor space so as to enable much needed houses to be built.

My right hon. Friend does not consider that the present restrictions on the floor space of houses which may be erected under licence by private developers are preventing the building of small houses of the kind most needed; and he is not prepared to enlarge them at the present time.

Is the hon. Member aware that the present lower limit is too high for building a small cottage for an old couple who want to live as economically as possible, and that the higher limit is too low for building a decent sized house for a working man with a large family? Would he be prepared to consider removing the existing conditions in favour of something more flexible?

No, Sir. We are convinced that the limits here set down will provide the greatest amount of accommodation at the present time.

asked the Minister-of Health, in view of the fact that there are many large houses of the older type occupied by only two persons, which could be converted into two or three separate dwellings, if he is prepared to consider amending drastically requisitioning powers so as to empower local authorities to take over these houses where tenants agree either to accept alternative accommodation or to occupy a portion of the house so converted.

asked the Minister of Health what action he has taken, or proposes to take, in regard to the Report of the Central Housing Advisory Committee on the conversion of large houses; and whether he has given, or proposes to give, advice to the local authorities in regard thereto.

The report of the Committee on the Conversion of Existing Houses raises some difficult issues, and is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there are 50,000 persons already recorded on the borough of Wandsworth's housing list; that they are all pre-war residents of the borough and include many thousands of bombed-out people and Servicemen and women; that the numbers are increasing each week with demobilisation and that so far no permanent house has been built and no temporary house has been erected on the fringes of Streatham and Tooting Bee commons; that large numbers of bomb-damaged houses remain unrepaired; and what immediate action he proposes to take.

I am aware that the housing need in Wandsworth is acute. Good progress has, however, been made with war damage repairs; sites for over 1,000 temporary houses have been made available to the Ministry of Works, 464 such houses having been completed and handed over to the Local Authorities; and a tender for the erection of 70 permanent houses by the Borough Council is now being considered by the County Council. I consider that the Authorities concerned are making good progress, bearing in mind the very difficult conditions in the Borough.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the programme which he has just read out bears a strong family resemblance to other programmes promised for months past, and that my complaint is the total lack of performance?

asked the Minister of Health why he continues to delegate his responsibility for rehousing in Wandsworth when he has been informed that 20,000 bombed-out victims are still awaiting rehousing and that the L.C.C. have allotted 70 per cent. of the Portal type temporary houses built so far to residents from other boroughs.

Temporary houses provided and maintained by the London County Council are available for Londoners without distinction of borough boundaries, and I understand that the County Council allocate their temporary houses entirely on a basis of need. I do not see any reason to depart from this.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that bombed-out people and others, under the instructions of his Department, have to record their names in their own boroughs, and that those names are not known to the London County Council? Can he state the persons who qualify for inclusion in the London County Council register?

Names recorded on local authority registers are very often checked up with the London County Council, and arrangements have been made for that purpose.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary accept my assurance that until this Question appeared on the Paper there was no co-operation whatever between the L.C.C. and the Wandsworth Borough Council?

As a person who spent many years in London local life I say that there is that co-operation, and great co-operation, at the present moment.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the L.C.C. have decided against using the gun site on Tooting Bee Common for emergency housing; and, having regard to the situation prevailing, will he give instructions to have this decision reversed.

I understand that the council have arranged to acquire sites adequate for the temporary houses allocated to them, and I see no need to interfere with their discretion in their choice.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary take steps to use this waste site, which I understand the War Office are reserving for defence, and will he also bring to the notice of the Minister of Health the fact that the war against overcrowding is of paramount importance at this moment?

This site is not a fringe site. Therefore, it is not easily used. It is much better for us to use the time and labour at our disposal upon fringe sites for development, rather than take in sites like this.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that increased charges have been made by some firms for lock-up garages, since the announcement that permits are no longer necessary for the purchase of new cars; and whether he will take steps to restrict the rentals of lock-up garages in view of the acute shortage of general garaging accommodation.

My right hon. Friend has received no previous representations on this matter, and he has no power to take the action suggested by my hon. Friend.

Will the hon. Member take an early opportunity to consult some of his colleagues with a view to expediting the derequisitioning of garages in order to make more garages available at a reasonable price?

The essential point here is that even if we had the knowledge we have not the power, as suggested, to deal with it.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the Seventh Report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure, Session 1944–1945, on Research and Development, Warlike Stores; and whether he is now in a position to inform the House of any steps that have been taken to examine the questions dealt with in this Report and to follow up the suggestions made therein.

I can assure the hon. Member that all aspects of Defence research, including those raised by the Report to which he refers, are under active consideration by His Majesty's Government, who have every intention of making adequate provsion for it in our postwar arrangements.

May I ask whether the Lord President of the Council will take steps to circulate in this Parliament reports that were made during the last Parliament on matters concerning postwar reconstruction?

That question seems very wide. I think we had better have notice of it.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the need of the people of this country to obtain and purchase British goods, he will give an assurance that he will not carry the policy of austerity at home any further than it is in force at present; and if, for the purpose of stimulating the will to work and thereby increasing production, he will take all possible steps to ease the present austerity Regulations.

As the production of consumer goods increases with availability of more labour and certain scarce raw materials, the Government's policy is to raise civilian standards both by supplying more goods direct to the home market and by exporting a sufficient volume of goods to enable us to secure the imports that are vitally necessary for our people.

Will the Government concentrate their full energy upon increasing the production of food and of household necessities? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that about the only thing which can be freely purchased in London is a postage stamp, and that one cannot get warm and fat on that?

I should advise the hon. Member not to try to follow the latter course. As to the earlier part of his question, no doubt he is aware the Government are exceedingly active in the direction of his wishes.

Are not the Government waiting on events? Would it not be better if they took immediate action?

asked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken to relieve Britain of the necessity of supporting and feeding the 353,044 prisoners of war in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the year, and to repatriate them.

The hon. Member's suggestion that the prisoners of war in this country are a burden to us is wholly misconceived. The great majority of these prisoners, both Germans and Italians, are engaged on work of the highest importance, for which suitable British labour is not available. The Italian prisoners are being repatriated as rapidly as transport allows. All Italian prisoners will be repatriated during the course of this year, and up to date 30,000 have left the United Kingdom. A further 14,000 are due to go this month. No arrangements have been made or are at present in contemplation for the repatriation of the German prisoners. On the contrary, arrangements are in hand to bring further German prisoners to this country from other areas in considerable numbers to make good the loss of Italians, and to supplement the prisoners-of-war labour forces.

In view of the disastrous food policy of this Government, would it not be better, as a first step, to send all these prisoners back so that we do not have to feed them, and then to set our-own people to work instead?

I really think the hon. Gentleman cannot have listened to a word of my reply.

Would the Lord President of the Council bear in mind that bringing in German prisoners is merely postponing the whole question of agricultural labour and wages? Will he take into consideration the moral and human aspects of the matter, and the question whether we can keep these prisoners working indefinitely in their present conditions on the land in this country?

The observations of the hon. Member are misconceived.

Can we have an assurance that we shall keep these German prisoners just as long as it suits our convenience and will not return them on grounds of sentimentality?

That is a sounder observation, and I agree with it.

As the right hon. Gentleman is referring to the majority of German prisoners, will he undertake to use the remainder in maintaining our roads and so assist in bringing down the accident rate on the roads?

In accordance with Socialist principles we shall do with them whatever is socially desirable and necessary.

asked the Prime Minister the principles upon which appointments are made in the higher grades of the Foreign Service, Colonial Service and Home Civil Service when these appointments are not made from within the services concerned.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind not the general system of recruitment to the higher grades of the services mentioned but the selection exceptionally, of individuals for particular posts. For such purposes, the fundamental principle is the selection from those available of the individual best fitted to undertake whatever responsibilities are involved.

Will the Lord President of the Council give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will always follow the precedent set up by former Governments and disregard political considerations?

I cannot speak with sufficient authority about former Governments to be quite sure whether their conduct was always up to scratch, but I can assure the hon. Member that the conduct of this Government will always reach a high moral level.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to what extent supplies from Britain for German civilian use are being delivered as a gift or against payment; if against payment, what German authority has undertaken the debt; and what steps he is taking to ensure that German industry in the British zone delivers, either as reparations or as normal exports, an adequate volume of goods, materials or equipment acceptable to Britain.

No supplies for civilian use in Germany are being delivered by H.M. Government as gifts In accordance with the Potsdam Agreement, the full cost of such supplies is due to be recovered from the proceeds of exports from Germany. Everything possible is being done, and will be done within the limits of International agreements, to recoup expenditure, by stimulating the supply of goods from the British zone.

asked the Minister of Labour if it is the intention of his Department when handling ex-Service personnel seeking employment to take into account, when assessing their capabilities, the qualifications gained as the result of their Service training, and particularly in the engineering field, to ensure that no Service-trained craftsmen will be deprived of that status in industry by trade union action.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir." With regard to the latter part of the Question, certain classes of Service tradesmen are already accepted as skilled craftsmen in the engineering industry and I am having discussions with the two sides of the industry in regard to the admission of others as craftsmen, where there is a substantial shortage.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the disemployed aeronautical engineers feel, that to their disadvantage, the A.E.U. is dictating the path which the Minister should follow?

I most definitely disagree with that statement. The Amalgamated Engineering Union are co-operating with us most sincerely in this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will calculate what the maximum official unemployment figure would have been in each of the years from 1931 to 1935 if there had been