asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that schemes of rural electrification are being held up by the shortage of suitable poles; that there are large supplies of suitable poles in the British zone in Germany; and whether, in conjunction with the appropriate Departments, he will arrange to have supplies brought to this country.

I am aware that there is a shortage of poles. There are trees suitable for poles in the British Zone, but, with the very serious limitations in transport facilities, it will not be possible to give priority to deliveries of poles to this country at the expense of timber for housing and for the mines.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that 816967 Sergeant F. J. Martin, of 42, Longley Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, purchased utility furniture to the value of£70 in June, 1945; that this furniture proved to be manufactured from unsatisfactory green wood so that drawers and panels have become shrunk and twisted rendering the furniture unfit for use; whether he will send an inspector, with a view to recommending that this Service-man shall be allowed to exchange this furniture; and if he will take steps to see that the manufacturers of this furniture avoid any repetition of such an occurrence.

I am having inquiries made into this case and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to announce Government policy with reference to the continuation of the Cotton Futures Market.

No, Sir. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are now being taken to develop reciprocal trade with the U.S.S.R.

As my hon. Friend the Member for Acton (Mr. Sparkes) was informed on 23rd January, we are most anxious to develop Anglo-Russian trade. My right hon. and learned Friend took advantage of the presence in London of the Deputy People's Commissar for Foreign Trade to discuss the matter with him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that manufacturers are making few outsize women's dresses because they do not receive extra coupons for them although they have to use more material; and if he will take steps to rectify this position so that outsize persons are able to purchase their necessary clothing.

More than nine million coupons have been issued to compensate manufacturers of women's outsize dresses for the losses which they would otherwise have incurred. I am, however, considering what further steps can be taken to stimulate the production of outsizes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will increase the present paper quota to those trade journals covering the agricultural industry and so encourage home food production.

Additional paper is already allowed to a number of such journals. We have not received any representations from the Departments primarily responsible for food production that further allowances would yield a dividend in additional food.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production why paper was supplied for the publication of a journal entitled "New Poland," published in London, a copy of which has been submitted to him, containing allegations reflecting upon certain actions of the British Government in relation to Poland.

I have been asked to reply. No licence has been issued in respect of this journal. Under the Control of Paper (No. 70) Order, 1945, it is permissible to publish a new periodical provided it does not consume more than eight cwts. of paper in any four months period from November to February, March to June, or July to October. The result of the inquiries which have been made do not indicate that there has been any infringement of this Order. The paper was obtained from, stocks not subject to control.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amounts of phosphate, potash and nitrogen which will be available as fertilisers in the current harvest year, as compared with the amounts last year and in 1938-1939.

Following is the table:

FERTILISER YEAR.
—	1938-1939	1944-1945	1945-1946.(estimated).
	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.
P2O5(Phosphates).	170,000	345000	364,000
K2O(Potash).	75,000	116,000	116,000
Nitrogen.	60,000	172,000	170,000

The quantities are stated in terms of plant food.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what price is being paid per pound for Ceylon rubber, f.o.b.; who fixed this price; how many tons were exported during 1945; how many tons were taken by the U.S.A.; and what price per pound did they pay for it;(2) When the year's agreement fixing the price of rubber in Ceylon at Is. 6d. f.o.b. was agreed to; when it was made known to the public; what proportion the U.S. and other Allied Governments have agreed to take; and what will be the total produced.

Agreement to buy the Ceylon rubber output at Is. 7¼ d. a lb. was made in March, 1945, between the United Kingdom and Ceylon Governments and was publicly announced early in April. The agreement was originally for one year but before the end of hostilities with Japan the period was extended to September, 1946. Below are particulars of output in 1945 and its distribution. Particulars of output and distribution for later periods are not yet available. The shipments made to the U.S. in 1945 were on reciprocal aid.Total production in 1945 was about 96,000 tons and with stocks there were available about 100,000 tons for distribution. These were shipped as follows:

	Tons
To U.S.A	66,604
U.K	8,534
U.S.S.R	16,842
Australia	6,573
New Zealand	501
South Africa	905

asked the President of the Board of Trade what price per pound of rubber is being paid to producers in Malaya and Burma.; who fixed this price; what estimate has been formed of the tonnage likely to be produced during 1946, respectively, from small holdings and from estates of over 100 acres owned by individuals and companies; how much of the estimated total tonnage will be taken by the U.S.A.; and what price the U.S.A. will pay for it per pound f.o.b.

The price which is at present being paid is rod. per lb. for standard sheet, and was fixed by the United Kingdom Government with the advice of expert representatives on the spot. The best estimate that can be made at present is that 175,000 tons of new production may be forthcoming from Malaya and 3,000 tons from Burma in 1946, but this estimate is tentative, and it would be premature to attempt to divide it between small holdings and estates. Nearly 30,000 tons of Malayan rubber are being supplied to the U.S. during the first quarter of 1946, taken almost wholly from stocks, and the price is 20¼ U.S. cents or approximately Is. a lb. f.o.b. There is no commitment to the U.S.A. beyond the 31st March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether rubber now being produced on estates in Malaya and Burma and by natives, is being kept separate from that found in the territory on its reoccupation; and what total tonnage of rubber was found- on arrival and has since been discovered to have been in the territory.

Stocks of rubber taken over by the local Custodian of Enemy Property are being accounted for separately from rubber since coming forward from natives or estate holders, but it is not possible to say how far the latter represents new output and how far rubber hidden away during the occupation. The quantity of rubber taken over by the Custodian was about 50,000 tons and that since purchased about 30,000 tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what powers he has invested in certain members of his staff to make inquiries into the accounts of individuals and firms on a warrant; to what extent this practice is an innovation; and if he will abandon this method of securing information.

Officers of the Board of Trade, whose duties include securing compliance with Orders made by the Board of Trade relating to essential supplies, are issued with warrants under Defence Regulation 55AA authorising them—

(a)to enter and inspect undertakings in the course of which goods to which his duties relate are manufactured, treated, repaired or supplied,

• (b)to require the production of such books, accounts and records and the furnishing of such information as he may require for the purpose of securing compliance with Orders made under the Defence Regulations.

This practice is not at all an innovation but has been pursued consistently since the early days of the war when controls on the manufacture and supply of consumer goods were imposed by the Board. We cannot abandon this method of securing information which represents an essential instrument, and in some cases the only instrument, for enforcing the controls we are obliged to retain to secure essential supplies, fair shares and reasonable prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of babies' feeding bottles in Norwich; and if he will take steps to increase the supplies.

I am not aware that the shortage of which my hon. Friend refers is greater in Norwich than elsewhere, but, with the help of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, we are doing everything we can to increase the labour force in the glass bottle industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the present epidemic of feverish colds and influenza has exacerbated the shortage of medicine bottles; and if he will draw the attention of the public to the need for returning used bottles in a clean state to chemists.

Yes, Sir, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 28th January to the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield (Air-Commodore Harvey).

RATIONS PER WEEK IN OUNCES.
							Home Services.	Civilians.
Meat	…	…	…	…	…	…	28 (boneless)	Average 174 ozs. fresh and 1 4 ozs. corned beef
Bacon	…	…	…	…	…	…	8	3
Butter	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	3
Margarine	…	…	…	…	…	…	8½	3
Cooking fats	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	2 (to be reduced to 1oz.)
Sugar	…	…	…	…	…	…	13	8
Cheese	…	…	…	…	…	…	6	3
Jam	…	…	…	…	…	…	8	4
Tea	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	2½

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the disclosed shortage of food, he will issue instructions to the Service Departments to reduce the present Service rations to the scale to be approved for the civilian population of this country.

As announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on 23rd October, 1945, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member, certain reductions have already been made both in the overseas" and home Services ration scale. The possibility of further reducing the ration scales, especially in the light of the world food situation, is continuously under review.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consult with the Service Ministers to see if Service rations can be reduced, in view of the general food shortage, without impairing the efficiency of the Forces.

I would refer my hon. and gallant friend to the reply given by-the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant. Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) today.

asked the Minister of Food the difference in the food rations as between the civilian population and the fighting Services; and whether, in view of the present critical food situation and the fact that there is little fighting to do for the Armed Forces, he will consider equalising the rations for all British subjects so that those in the Services who are not fighting, are not better fed than miners and others engaged in heavy industries.

The following is a comparative statement of rations for civilians and home Services:

asked the Minister of Food whether he is satisfied that the allocation of meat to all public restaurants and eating places does not exceed one penny's worth per head; what inspection and inquiry is made to see that this is being effected; and will he state the figures concerned in any typical examples so inspected.

The answer to the first part of the Question is that the allowance of rationed meat in public restaurants and eating places is one pennyworth per main meal served and I am satisfied that the allowance is not exceeded. The answer to the second part of the Question is that regular inspections of the records of catering establishments are made by officials of local food offices, divisional food offices and from the headquarters of- the Ministry. The answer to the third part of the Question is that the most typical figures I can give are those which show that in the aggregate the catering establishments to which my hon. Friend refers purchase only 85 per cent. of the meat to which they are entitled on the basis I have indicated.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the shortage of food, he will consider instituting a system of coupons for meals consumed in hotels and restaurants and obviate the present practice of people obtaining double

asked the Minister of Food whether he is satisfied that the amount of food allowed to caterers, large hotels and similar suppliers without the surrendering of coupons from the public is not out of proportion to the amount allowed through grocers and other shops by the surrender of coupons; and, in view of the present food position, if he will reconsider the situation.

About two-thirds of all rationed foods consumed in catering establishments are eaten in industrial canteens and in school canteens, and similar establishments for young people and Service personnel. I would not be justified in requiring the surrender of coupons by these people. The balance of rationed foodstuffs consumed in all other catering establishments is so small as to have no appreciable effect on the total stocks. This balance would not justify the hardship and considerable inconvenience which the surrender of coupons would involve to the many classes of people, including manual and office workers, who have to use these establishments.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider rationing poultry, game and fish to prevent hotels and restaurants obtaining, as at present, the major supplies of these foodstuffs, and ensure an even and fair distribution to working class families.

The quantity of poultry and game is too small and the supply too irregular to permit of the application of a straight rationing scheme for it. The quantity of fish which hotels and restaurants may purchase is limited by the provisions of the Fish (Supplies to Catering Establishments Order, 1943. At the present time catering establishments are allowed 3 lbs. of fish for 100 main meals served.

asked the Minister of Food if he will restrict the whole supply of butter to private families, and withdraw all allocations of butter from teashops, restaurants and catering establishments.

If I were to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion the amount of butter released would provide an addition to the domestic ration of not more than a quarter of an ounce per week. It would inflict considerable hardship on the millions of workers who have to use catering establishments, and I do not think it would be in the general interest.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to encourage the importation, production and distribution of frozen cooked food in the United Kingdom.

I am interested in the production of frozen cooked food as part of the long term food policy but I am afraid that, in view of the general shortage of supplies, it is not possible to encourage this development in present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Food the reason for his decision to cancel the importation of dried egg packets; and whether before doing so he made inquiries with reference to the substantial number of articles, including fur coats, which are now permitted to be imported from the United States.

would refer my hon. Friend to the statement about the supplies of dried egg which I made in the House on 6th February.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give the proportion of Foods Facts recipes published by his Department which have dried egg as one of the ingredients, and if his Department has prepared substitute recipes to assist housewives to overcome the absence of this ingredient.

The proportion of Food Facts recipes having dried egg as an ingredient has varied according to the supplies available to the housewife, since my Department has always followed the policy of encouraging the use of plentiful foods, whether they be carrots, potatoes or dried eggs. Now that dried egg is, for the time being, unavailable, alternative recipes will be provided, as far as possible, and as the hon. and gallant Member has no doubt seen, the Food Facts advertisement published on 3rd February contained recipes for eggless cakes and puddings.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the removal of dried egg from the domestic ration, he will consider the vegetarian claim to additional foodstuffs besides cheese and margarine.

These sacrifices must be borne by all and I see no reason for giving preferential treatment to any particular section of the community. Nevertheless, like all other consumers, vegetarians will have the advantage of the additional shell eggs which are to be made available this year.

asked the Minister of Food the quantity of barley utilised for animal feeding-stuffs and by the brewing industry, respectively, in the year 1945

In 1945 456,000 tons of barley were used for animal feeding stuffs and 879,000 tons for brewing.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that a co-operative society known as the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Farmers Limited, which holds an approved buyers' licence under his department, are paying to their members a bonus of 6d. per quarter on all purchases of wheat and oats in addition to the maximum price fixed by Statutory Rules and Orders; and that by this evasion of the regulations this society is able to offer a higher price to farmers than other merchants, and what action he is taking against this society.

I am aware that the Society in question has announced the payment of a bonus to all qualified members of 6d. per quarter on sales of wheat and oats I am advised that it is doubt ful whether payment of such bonus would be regarded in court as constituting an infringement of the maximum prices orders.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the fact that A.T.C. and army cadets attending R.A.F. and military camps for a week's training are placed on the ration strength of those units, he will grant facilities for religious bodies and other organisations who organise boys and girls holiday camps to obtain rationed food for that purpose.

Yes, Sir. Arrangements of the kind my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind already exist.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the grievances of the grocery trade in this country owing to the high percentage of controlled goods they are called upon to supply, the heavy additional work caused thereby and the prewar limitations imposed on them; and if he will take steps to arrange some compensation.

I am aware that grocers, like many other members of the community, have found the restrictions imposed upon them in the national interest irksome and the work resulting from food control burdensome. I cannot, however, undertake to compensate them for either of these inconveniences.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that on 1st January there were 6,829 tons of sugar available for sale and export in Jamaica, and 30,584 tons in British Guiana available for shipment; and what steps he is taking to import this sugar into this country.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to him on 25th January in reply to his Question addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies. This sugar is already purchased under the contract of the Ministry of Food, and the greater part has already been lifted.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is in a position to make use of maize flour which is available for importation from South America, as an additional foodstuff.

From the information received by my Department there would not appear to be any quantities of maize flour in South America available for export to this country. If, however, my hon. Friend would give me such information as he has on the subject I should be very glad to examine the matter further.

asked the Minister of Food the amount of the total wheat crop in the Dominion of Canada in the years 1944 and 1945, and what is the estimated crop for the year 1946; and whether the Dominion is in a position to negotiate for any additional wheat imports to this country.

As regards the first part of the Question, the total wheat crop harvested in Canada in 1944 was 417 million bushels; the latest official estimate of the crop harvested in 1945 is 306 million bushels, and on the basis of the target acreage and assuming average yields the crop to be harvested in 1946 should be about 384 million bushels. As regards the second part of the Question, Canada has already arranged to make available during the next few months for the United Kingdom and other countries for which we have procurement responsibilities the maximum quantity of wheat that it is practicable for her to move to the seaboard and export to these destination having regard to the legitimate requirements of other importing countries.

asked the Minister of Food when, through the lessening of the quota of cereals to brewers and distillers, he will be in a position to increase the supply of food and feeding stuffs urgently required by the nation.

As my hon. Friend stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for West Ealing (Mr. J. Hudson) on nth February, the question raised by the hon. Member is one of those which are under constant review in.connection with the world cereals position. Distillers have this year received sufficient cereals for only about three-sevenths of their prewar annual production, and I have already announced that it is not possible to allocate to them any more cereals from the 1945 crop.

asked the Minister of Food, how much food has been exported from this country to Holland and. Denmark since 1st August, 1945.

Since 1st August, 1945, the net exports of food to Holland and Denmark from Ministry of Food Stocks made in accordance with allocations recommended by the combined Food Board have amounted to 19,500 tons and 1,300 tons respectively.

asked the Minister of Food how far the import of food from Denmark is governed by the export of coal from this country.

There is no direct relationship between the amount of coal exported by the United Kingdom to Denmark and the amount of food imported from Denmark. It would be reasonable to expect, however, that an increase in Danish imports of coal would eventually lead to an increase in the total amount of food available for export from Denmark, and of this the United Kingdom would get its share.

asked the Minister of Food when an allocation of bananas can be expected in London and the Home Counties.

London should have its share of bananas from a ship due to arrive on 4th March. The bananas will be distributed as soon as they have ripened. The part of the Home Counties that has not already received an allocation should also have its share of bananas in March.

asked the Minister of Food when there is a distribution of bananas in the county of Durham whether he has made any provision for invalids over 18 years of age to receive such allocation; or if he will now consider making such provision.

The county of Durham will receive an allocation of bananas from a shipment which is due to arrive at Garston Docks on 18th February. I regret that supplies will not at the present time permit any extension of the existing arrangements which restrict supplies to the holders of Ration Books R.B.2 and R.B.4. A supply of dehydrated bananas is available to those suffering from coeliac disease.

asked the Minister of Food when the sweet ration is likely to be increased

The hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that the size of the sweet ration depends primarily on the availability of the necessary raw materials most of which have to be imported. In existing conditions it is impossible to fore-see when sufficient quantities of these raw materials will become available to enable the ration to be increased.

asked the Minister of Food if he will allow the sweet ration to carry on to the following month on account of the frequent shortage of sweets in the shops at the end of the ration period.

I am not aware of any general shortages of sweets in the shops at the end of the ration period, and I do not think it would be a benefit to the public to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Food when he will be in a position to permit the people of this country to change their milkman should they wish so to do.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given to the hon. and gallant Member for West Edinburgh (Lieut.-Com-mander Clark Hutchison) on 23rd January.

asked the Minister of Food how many licences the food committees have granted in Brighton and Hove to open shops coming within their jurisdiction, from the lifting of the ban on entry into these two boroughs, from VE-Day and from VJ-Day; the average length of time in each of these categories between the request for and the granting of the licence; how many of these licences have been to people who were not ex-Service-men, had not been in the particular trade before and who did not trade in Brighton or Hove before 1940; and how many such licences have been granted to owners of other shops elsewhere.

Below is a statement giving such information as is available regarding the number of licences granted in Brighton and Hove in the periods mentioned to ex-traders, ex-Servicemen and others. As regards the time between application for and the grant of a licence, the licensing sub-committees of the Brighton and the Hove food control committees

asked the Minister of Food what offers have been made by countries of the Empire to help this country to make good its shortage of food supplies.

Many of our arrangements with Empire countries for food stuffs cover the maximum available supplies and some are of a long-term nature extending in certain cases to 1948. Any attempt to specify in detail all the offers of help from these countries might, therefore, be misleading. I am glad, however, to be able to say that we have received during recent weeks many encouraging assurances, for which we are deeply grateful, that the utmost efforts are being made to increase supplies even beyond the quantities which had previously been thought possible.

asked the Minister of Food whether further consideration has been given to obtaining additional storage for grain in Norfolk, for the period between August and December, in view of the increased number of combine harvesters that will be in operation and the inability of the transport facilities to move the grain fast enough to other parts of the country.

Yes, Sir. I have already arranged that some disused hangars in cant is notified of the decision within a few days of the meeting.the Eastern counties shall be available for next season's grain crops. The use of others is under consideration. Storage will also be available in the form of temporary steel housing.

asked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied that the price he is paying for Danish and Canadian bacon is reasonable; and what representations he has received from these producing countries that they are shipping bacon to us at a loss.

I am not in a position at present to make any statement about the arrangements for purchasing bacon either from Canada or Denmark.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the shortage of food, he will take steps to ensure that ample supplies of materials and of labour will be available for the forthcoming herring fishing season.

I am taking, and will continuue to take, every practicable step to this end.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give his reasons for refusing licences for the importation of tomatoes grown in the Canaries for Britain.

asked the Minister of Food why, in view of the need of variety in the national diet, he has refused to reissue licences to importers who wish to bring into this country between 30,000 and 50,000 tons of tomatoes grown in the Canaries especially for this country.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the gravity of the present national food position and the need to secure the healthiest balance of available food, he will give all encouragement to the importation of fruits and vegetables, and particularly to the reissue of licences to those importers who wish to bring to this country 40,000 tons of tomatoes grown in the Canaries especially for Britain.

In view of the food situation it is my intention to secure all possible supplies of fruit and vegetables from overseas subject to reasonable safeguards. As regards Canary Island tomatoes, I am aware that a majority of the importers are now willing to entertain their importation. My information is that the quantity is substantially less than the quantities mentioned in the Questions. The whole matter is, however, under consideration and I regret that at the moment I am not in a position to add anything further.

asked the Minister of Food in view of the considerable difference between the available fruit supplies in the South of England and the main centres of population in Scotland, what steps he proposes taking to arrange a more equitable distribution.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the representations made by the Edinburgh branch of the Retail Fruit Federation concerning the inadequate supplies of fruit and fresh vegetables available for distribution in Edinburgh and South-east Scotland; and what steps he has taken to arrange for the provision of more adequate supplies.

No representations have yet reached me from the Edinburgh branch of the Retail Fruit Trade Federation. Apart from home-grown tomatoes, the Ministry of Food is in a position to allocate only imported fruit and vegtables. In the case of imported apples and onions preference is given to Scotland and the North of England. In all other cases there is equal distribution over the whole country.

asked the Minister of Food if sufficient shipping tonnage has been made available to bring food supplies to this country from overseas.

Yes, Sir, apart from a certain amount of refrigerated space for fruit cargoes from the southern Dominions.

asked the Minister of Food the food value of jelly; why jellies have been put on points; and if he is aware that the housewife will prefer to give the extra points to obtain more wholesome food.

The food value of jelly is low. It is, however, a popular food, and. will serve to add some variety to the diet. It will be sold against points after 31st March, to ensure equitable distribution. With regard to the last part of the Question, the housewife of course is free to spend her points as she wishes.

asked the Minister of Food if he will, as long as food scarcity exists or until the advent of plenty makes his Department redundant, take the British housewife into his confidence at every stage; suppress luxury eating in public and private places; discourage those local authorities that are closing down British Restaurants; and insist on higher standards of courtesy and attention to public needs and difficulties in the local offices of his department.

The hon. Member's Question, of which notice was only given on Monday last, raises at number of important points which are constantly receiving my attention but hardly lend themselves to treatment by way of Question and answer.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the improved oils and, fats position, he will now announce the end of soap rationing.

I am afraid the hon. Member has been misinformed about the oils and fats position. There is, I am sorry to say, no prospect of my being able to bring the soap rationing scheme to an end at an early date

asked the Minister of Food if he will make an extra issue of soap next month, in order to enable housewives to do their spring cleaning.

I am afraid that the shortage of raw materials rules out any increase in the soap ration for spring cleaning.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the shortage of food, he will give directions that all craft now in the service of his Department which are suitable for fishing shall be released at the earliest possible moment.

All craft suitable for fishing, apart from those which it is essential to retain for naval service, are being, and will continue to be, released as quickly as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of Dartmouth-entry naval.cadets whose parents or guardians are paying fees for them; the various scales of annual fees charged; and the number of cadets entered under each of the scales, under the ordinary entry and scholarship scheme, respectively.

The total number of cadets whose parents or guardians are paying fees for them is 434. The information asked for in the second part of the Question is set out in the following table. Scholarship fees cover every form of expense except for pocket money and any losses for a cadet whilst at the Royal Naval College, i.e., he receives: (a) uniform and other outfit required at the College and maintenance thereof; (b) free medical and dental treatment; (c) free travelling facilities to and from the College at the beginning and end of terms; and no charge is made for extras such as books, equipment, games or special lessons.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the present number of candidates for each branch of the executive and engineer warrant officers who are qualified educationally and professionally; and the number of promotions which his Department intend to make in each branch in 1946.

The full details are not available within the Admiralty, and can not therefore be furnished in the time available. I am making inquiries, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total cost of building and equipping the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook; the estimated cost to build and equip the two missing houses; the amount of money collected for this latter purpose by the public appeal for£50,000 as a Jellicoe and Beatty memorial; and the present value of the legacy left by the late Mr. Reade to complete the school.

The total cost of building and equipping the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, amounted to£1,076,870. The existing hostels were built some 14 years ago at a cost of approximately£18,000 each. The present day cost of building and equipping two similar hostels is not known. As the result of the public appeal for a Jellicoe Memorial,£10,600 British Government Stock and£5,776 cash, has been handed over to Greenwich Hospital. The precise form of the memorial has not yet been decided. The present value of the legacy left by the late Mr. Reade for the general purposes of Greenwich Hospital is approximately£750,000, of which some£500,000 is immediately available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is a strong feeling in the R.N. that the length of foreign service commissions is too long; and whether he will consider reducing the length of these commissions in future.

The need to maintain the present rate of release in age and ser vice groups, and the continuing heavy commitments of the Royal Navy over seas, preclude any reduction in length of foreign service commissions which are now no longer on the average than the normal peacetime period of 2½ years. The length of a foreign service commission is governed primarily by the stage at which a ship must return to this country for refitting, though at present many ships are, as the Fleet reduces, returning to the United Kingdom before the expiration of a full tour.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Lieut.-Commander K. W. Kirby, R.N., who was assistant harbour master at Hong Kong, lost the greater part of his possessions during the Japanese occupation; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to provide compensation.

There is no record of this officer having made application for compensation. His Majesty's Government does not accept any liability in respect of loss of private property as a result of enemy action abroad. A register of such losses is being compiled, but registration must not be regarded as committing the Government, either to pay compensation or to secure the restoration to owners of lost property.Compensation in respect of essential uniform clothing and equipment is pay able under Admiralty Regulations but the award will be assessed according to the extent of loss and the extent to which replacement will be necessary for official purposes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why, when Lieut.-Commander K. W. Kirby, R.N., was a prisoner of war in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation his pay was not paid into his bank, whereby this officer was deprived of the interest which would have accrued on his pay.

This officer had no allotment in force at the date of his cap ture and consequently his pay accumulated on the ledger. As it was impracticable for prisoners of war in the Far East to give instructions for the disposal of their accumulating balances of pay, the Government decided to transfer a sub stantial proportion of such accumulations to the Post Office Savings Bank, where the money earned 2½ per cent.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will make any statement on the principles by which the distribution of prize money will be governed.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble) on 6th February.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will issue instructions that when redundancy requires a lessening of the staff of his Department in Northern Ireland local ex-Servicemen and residents will have first claim to be continued in employment.

The selection of work men for discharge on redundancy in Admiralty Establishments is regulated by an agreement between the trade union and official sides of the Admiralty Industrial Council. Efficiency, length of service, and the completion of an Admiralty apprenticeship, are all taken into consideration. The selection of non-industrial staff for discharge on redundancy is regulated by an agreement with the staff side of the National Administrative Whitley Council. Account is, however, taken of the requirements of the Reinstatement in Civil Employment Act, which provides specially for employees who have returned from service with the Forces.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of the long delay in payment of retirement pensions to dockyard employees, and, having regard to the fact that each person is inter viewed and particulars verified three months prior to retirement, will he have the initial payment speeded up.

Owing to contraction of Departments, there has been a great pres sure of work upon the staffs, both at the Establishments and at the Admiralty, who deal with pensions and other payments under the Superannuation Acts. I regret this has resulted in an accumulation of cases and some delay in determining the amounts of the payments due and in issuing the necessary instructions. Steps have already been taken to meet the situation, and in order to prevent hardship, directions have been given to make advances to the persons concerned, pending the full settlement of their cases.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reason for the delay in reconstituting the R.N.V.R.

The reconstitution of the R.N.V.R. is one of a number of inter related problems affecting the future of the Forces and their reserves, which are engaging the attention of the Government. Until more progress can be made in assessing the defence commitments of this country in the postwar world, the size and scope of the R.N.V.R. cannot be deter mined. The hon. and gallant Member may be assured that the Admiralty are fully aware of the importance of reconstituting the R.N.V.R. as soon as it is practicable to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many huts formerly used for accommodation of R.A.F. or U.S.A.A.F. personnel in Huntingdonshire are now unoccupied and unused.

The number of huts in use at Royal Air Force stations is subject to such fluctuations, mainly on account of movements connected with demobilisation, that I am afraid the figures for which the hon. Member has asked are not readily available. I can, however, say that at seven of the 11 airfields in Huntingdonshire about 70 per cent, of the available accommodation is occupied by members of the Royal Air Force; the remaining huts there may also be needed. I should add that the accommodation at the four stations which the Royal Air Force does not require at present is to be transferred to other Government use.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the R.A.F., North Front, Gibraltar, about the food that is being supplied, and the bad living conditions; and if he will investigate these matters and take action with a view to satisfying these airmen.

This station has temporary buildings and the area which could be used for new construction is very limited. During last November and December there were difficulties with living accommodation and messing due to severe gales and floods, but I am not aware of any general complaints about the food there. I have looked into the other matters raised in the correspondence which my hon. Friend sent to me, and I find that steps are being taken for the repatriation of tour-expired airmen from the unit concerned at Gibraltar and for the unit to receive all the necessary official notices or orders direct from the United Kingdom.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that action has not yet been taken, in accordance with his letter of 3rd December, to derequisition Brook's Farm, North Somercotes, though a letter from his Department dated 16th November then apologised for delay; and if he will take immediate steps to see that this farm is derequisitioned.

We have issued instructions for the 22½ acres of Brook's Farm to be released now that the general survey of Donna Nook airfield, about which I wrote to the hon. Member on 3rd December, has been completed. The Air Ministry letter of 16th November was related to the possibility, then under consideration, of our buying this land.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for Air how many aero dromes in the Parliamentary Division of Horncastle it is proposed to close down; and whether he can give any information as to when this will take effect.

Until the size of the post war Services is determined, we cannot say whether the four airfields in this division will be required for permanent use. Meanwhile, Woodhall Spa and East Kirk-by are on loan to other Departments for storage purposes, while Coningsby and Spilsby are still being used for flying.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to ensure regular delivery of mail to the R.A.F. in the Azores.

There is a twice-weekly air service between this country and the Azores which carries mail for members of the Royal Air Force. Nine deliveries were made in January, though aircraft were delayed by bad weather between 7th and 14th of January.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the continued delay in repatriation of tour expired airmen from the Azores; and when repatriation of tour expired airmen in this Force will be up to schedule..

Twenty-six airmen, the total of tour-expired men who are now awaiting repatriation from the Azores, will be returned to the United Kingdom. by air within the next 15 days if weather conditions are fit for flying.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of accountant officers in the R.A.F. whose release is delayed on account of shortage of manpower in this section; and why, in these circumstances, accountant clerks who have passed a pre-commissioning course are informed that this branch is now closed.

I can quite understand the natural disappointment of members of the Royal Air Force whose release is delayed. In the present circumstances, however, we should only add to our difficulties in speeding up release for airmen in the accounting trades if we commissioned some of them to help out the accounting officers. Moreover, we have general duties officers already available who are being trained for accounting work. There are no airmen waiting to be commissioned who have been specifically trained as accountant officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if there is now any retention beyond normal re lease groups of R.A.F. service police

I regret to say that there is a heavy deficiency in this trade, even though the establishment is progressively going down. We have just issued our forecast of accelerated releases up to the end of April, and this shows that Royal Air Force Service Police will be three groups behind the general level of release for airmen during March and April. We are pressing on as fast as possible with training to reduce delays in this and other trades, but as I have told the House be fore now, the faster we go the more difficult it is to achieve a perfectly even release rate for all trades.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of releases from the R.A.F. for the months of December, 1945, and January, 1946, respectively, excluding releases under Class B and on compassionate grounds, together with the number of releases under the latest action promulgation to be made during the month of February, 1946, excluding releases under Class B and on compassionate grounds.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour stated in the House on 22nd January, 61,372 men and women were released from the Royal Air Force in Class A in December, 1945. So far as January, 1946, is concerned, I must ask my hon. Friend to await the next monthly return for all three Services which will be published shortly. In the February promulgation we have offered release in Class A to about 40,000 men and women. The reduction in February balances the 27,456 released or discharged in excess of our programme to the end of 1945 and the releases beyond schedule in January. Though there are bound to be some variations from month to month, we have just been able to announce that in most trades, release will go up to group 35 for airmen and group 45 for airwomen by the end of June. This release rate will certainly represent substantial monthly figures.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt at the R.A.F. Station, Drigh Road, Karachi; and to what extent men are being held back from demobilisation in anticipation of trouble during the forthcoming elections in India.

Representations in the form of a petition addressed to the Prime Minister, which raises questions concerning the rate of release, have been received from a number of airmen at this station. The petition is now under consideration. Release promulgations are of equal application both at home and overseas, and these men are certainly not being held back from demobilisation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the grounds on which a lower rate of aircrew pay is given to signallers, gunners and engineers than to pilots and navigators under Post-War Code of Pay, Cmd. 6715; and, since the role of each of these members of aircrews is equally important, if he will arrange for equal remuneration for all of them.

The rates of pay for pilots and navigators on the one hand and the new categories of signaller, engineer and gunner on the other have been determined after careful consideration of their relative responsibilities. Regard has also been paid in fixing the relative rates of pay and the special rates of gratuity and pension which will apply to pilots and navigators only, to the fact that pilots and navigators must look to aircrew employment for their future and that, unless selected for commissions, they will not have such a long career in the Service; while the new categories of signaller, engineer and gunner, who will be recruited from Group A tradesmen, will revert to their trade after a period of aircrew employment and will be eligible to be con sidered for re-engagement for long service in their trade.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the hon. and gallant Member for Pudsey and Otley may expect a reply to his letter of 2nd October, 1945, with regard to 935018, Corporal Kenneth Heap, of Fairmeade, Calverley.

As the hon. and gallant Member will be aware from my letter of 8th February, special inquiries are continuing into this case. I will write to him again as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air at what date the hon. Member for Peterborough can expect a reply to his letter to the Secretary of State for Air of 11th December, 1945, dealing with the compassionate releases of 1611158 L.A.C. Drake, 1468639 Corporal E. G. Wells and 1615565 S. W. D. Rycroft.

My hon. Friend will now have received my Noble Friend's letter of 9th February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1), when the hon. Member for Everton may expect a reply to his letter dated 27th September, 1945, regarding 2249873 Aircraftman R. Roberts, R.A.F., of Liverpool; (2) when the hon. Member for Everton may expect a reply to his letter dated 25th November 1945, regarding 1222270 Corporal D. L. Barron, R.A.F.

I regret the delay in dealing with this correspondence. My hon. Friend will by now have received my letters of 12th February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for air why the personal property of Corporal Stones, A. H., 1113217, R.A.F. station Catonia, C.M.F., which was taken from him and lodged at the R.A.F. station Catonia in August, 1945 and of which particulars have been forwarded to the Minister, has not been restored to him; and in default of return of these articles whether compensation will be paid.

Corporal Stones' personal be ongings were sent to the hospital where he was a patient. I will inform my hon. Friend of the result of further inquiries which we are making with a view to returning these articles to Corporal Stones. Non-commissioned officers and airmen receive all their Service requirements from Royal Air Force stores, and we cannot normally pay compensation for the loss of anything additional which they may have taken with them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Educational Vocational Training Scheme is widely advertised in the R.A.F.; that in spite of this the Department of O.A.R. at Air Ministry, Bush House, N.E. Wing, have consistently re fused to allow the cadets or airmen there employed, nearly all of whom have applied, to have time off for this course; what are the reasons, and will he arrange to post away from that department those who wish to take advantage of the scheme.

Most of the cadets in this branch are engaged on duties directly concerned with release. Attendance at E.V.T. courses, which, except for subjects outside the normal syllabus, can only be arranged during working hours, would involve a reduction in man hours which, in view of the existing pressure of work, cannot possibly be faced. These cadets have been chosen from among those whose homes are in or near London, but the Air Ministry would be prepared to consider any applications for posting to another Unit which could be effected without detriment to essential work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is convinced that the 150 R.A.F. officers now attached to airfield construction units in Germany are engaged in essential work; and whether any of these men could be better employed on civil engineering work in this country.

We intend to give Royan Air Force units of the British occupation forces in Germany efficient bases and adequate accommodation for their work. German labour is to do the work of reconstruction and repair, but members of the Royal Air Force are required for a mini mum number of supervisory posts, including, at present, these 150 officers. We shall make reductions as soon as the programme allows.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if his attention has been called to the defective food supply conditions for the R.A.F. at Seletar, Singapore; if he has been informed of recent mass meetings at which complaint was made to catering officers; and whether he will give an assurance that efforts have been made to remove discontent.

Yes, Sir. When the Royal Air Force reoccupied this station it was found to have been severely damaged by bombing. Serious difficulties have been encountered in restoring accommodation there, including cook houses, bakeries, canteens and so on. Messing arrangements are among the problems which the Commander-in-Chief has been considering following his personal visit to Seletar on 26th January. I am confident that everything is being done to overcome these difficulties as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why the troop carrying Dakota No. 649, landed at Le Bourget aerodrome on 7th December, 1945, and did not continue its journey to the United Kingdom, but disembarked its passengers in France to await another air craft from England.

The hon. and gallant Member may be referring to Dakota No. NK 509, not 649, which was rightly detained at Le Bourget on 7th December last because one of its engines needed attention.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether any decision has yet been reached in regard to priority passengers on British internal civil air lines.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will consider giving civilian passengers wishing to travel on internal airlines equal priority to that of official passengers, in booking seats.

The London Air Priorities Board have decided to discontinue the system of priority passages on internal civil air lines. This arrangement will not, however, affect the reservation of a number of preferential seats for business men travelling between this country and Belfast, to which I referred in the reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Down (Sir W. Smiles) on 10th December last. Should a properly sponsored case of great urgency arise, the operating companies have agreed to make accommodation available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if, in considering the question of marine bases for flying boats, he will take account of the needs of the Scottish tourist industry and explore the possibilities of the establishment of a base in the Forth or at some other suitable point.

Yes, Sir. These matters will be taken into consideration in the course of the study, now in progress, of the future development and use of the flying boat.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will state what salary is being paid to the manager of Heathrow airport and his terms of service.

A manager for Heathrow airport has not yet been appointed. The pay and conditions of ser vice to be attached to this post will be decided when the appointment becomes necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, whether the five Constellations ordered from U.S.A. are new aircraft, or aircraft surrendered by the U.S. Air Transport Command.

These aircraft are new.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minis try of Civil Aviation whether, in view of the proposed purchase of five Constellation aircraft from U.S.A., arrangements have now been made for British crews to be trained in the use of the Constellation at the Lockheed works in U.S.A.

Yes, Sir. I am in formed that in accordance with normal practice arrangements have now been made by the British Overseas Airways Corporation with Lock heeds for the crews, who already have route experience on the North Atlantic, to acquire experience in the flying of Constellations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount in dollars is required for the purchase of five Constellations for B.O.A.C.; and is he proposing to reconsider using our dollar reserves for this purpose in view of the urgent need to import dried eggs and other foods.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the forthcoming Debate.