asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he can report in the implementation of his assurance that special arrangements would be worked out to deal with applications for visas for distressed persons in Germany and Austria who have relatives in this country able and willing to look after them; whether he appreciates that he gave this assurance many weeks ago with no indication that there would be delay in carrying it out; and whether he is aware of the distress which this delay is causing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the special arrangements for dealing with applications to enter this country from distressed persons in Germany and Austria have yet been fully worked out.

Officers authorised to grant visas under the distressed relatives scheme are now in Germany and Austria, and the British military authorities in those countries are working out, as a matter of urgency, the final details of the arrangements for the relatives abroad to receive and despatch letters and for clearing and transporting the persons concerned. I much regret the delay which has occurred, but my hon. Friends will realise that the British military authorities in the occupied territories, are faced with many abnormal administrative difficulties

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now able to announce the procedure by which applicants for naturalisation can submit claims for priority of consideration.

I hope to be in a position to make a statement at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when, and on what grounds David Disbach, a Russian, and Henry K. Spritzler, a Pole, were admitted to this country; how long they have been here; why they have been allowed to stay; and if they will be deported after having served the sentences which they recently received at the Central Criminal Court.

Disbach first arrived in the United Kingdom in 1933, when he landed irregularly under an alias. He subsequently left the country but returned in February, 1939, again irregularly. He was then sentenced to a term of imprisonment after the expiration of which it was found impossible to dispose of him before the outbreak of war. He is already the subject of a Deportation Order. Spritzler came to the United Kingdom in June, 1940, as a member of the Polish Army from which he was discharged on medical grounds in 1943. Consideration will be given to the disposal of these two men in the light of the circumstances prevailing when the prison sentences which they are now serving are nearer expiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ban the employment of U.S. entertainers, boxers, etc., with a view to conserving dollar currency for more urgent requirements.

Control is exercised under the Aliens Order over the admission of foreigners for the purposes mentioned. The Government's policy in this matter takes account of the need both for protecting the professional interests of British performers here and for avoiding prejudice to their prospects of earning money abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any further statement to make in regard to the control of Fascist political activities in Great Britain.

No, Sir. I shall be glad to make a statement as soon as His Majesty's Government have completed their examination of this difficult question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to see that the black market in food is discouraged by penalties commensurate with the cost and quantity of the articles involved.

The special penalty provisions of Defence Regulation 55AB are designed to meet the purposes which my hon. Friend has in view.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement regarding the birching of a nine-year-old child, whose name has been given to him, for stealing sweets, matches and cigarettes; and whether the mother was informed of her right of appeal against the sentence or given the option to pay the fine.

:I am informed that the boy referred to was found guilty on two charges, each of breaking and entering and stealing. The Justices, after obtaining information as to his character and associations, ordered him to receive four strokes with the, birch rod for one offence and dismissed the other charge under the Probation of Offenders Act. No fine was imposed. A court is under no obligation, nor it is the general practice to call attention to the right of appeal, but I have pointed out to the Justices that it is expedient where birching is ordered that attention should be drawn to this right before steps are taken to carry out the punishment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give consideration to the abolition of the business vote in view of the discriminatory effect such a vote obtains at elections.

Any statement on this question must be postponed until there is an opportunity of legislation on electoral matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the N.F.S., Region 9, have a number of motor vehicles surplus to their requirements for which disposal instructions are awaited; that these vehicles are stored in the open and are thereby deteriorating; and if he will give disposal instructions for these vehicles.

Owing to the shortage of covered storage space, it is unavoidable that large numbers of these vehicles should be stored in the open, but, so far as practicable, perishable parts are removed beforehand. My Department notifies all surplus vehicles to the department responsible for the arrangements for their disposal.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the report of the inquiry held on 7th September, at Wembley, into the application of Wembley Borough Council for the purchase by compulsory powers of a plot of land adjoining Mardale Drive, Kingsbury, for building purposes, the land being the property of All Souls College, Oxford; and if he will state the area, the purchase price and the previous rateable value of the land.

Yes, Sir. The compulsory purchase order was confirmed by me on 5th November, 1945. The area of land is 19 acres, and the previous rateable value was nil. The purchase price has not yet been settled.

asked the Minister of Health upon how many of the prefabricated and permanent houses planned by the rural district councils of Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Sturminster and Blandford, and the borough councils of Shaftesbury and Blandford, has work now begun in each local authority area.

asked the Minister of Health the number of permanent and temporary houses which have been completed in the Ilkley urban district since VJ-Day; how many are in the process of building; and how many licences have been issued up to 31st January, 1946.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Members to the reply I have given today to the hon. and gallant Members for Kingston-upon-Thames (Major Boyd-Carpenter), Bodmin (Commander Douglas Marshall) and Preston (Squadron-Leader Segal).

asked the Minister of Health how many licences his Department has refused for the erection of houses which it was proposed would be built of brick; and how many such refusals there. have been since 1st October.

Licences for new houses to be erected by private builders are issued or refused by local authorities in pursuance of the powers delegated by the Minister of Works, and I do not know how many have been refused in respect of houses of brick construction. Tenders for houses to be erected by local authorities (which do not require a civil building licence) are submitted to me for approval, but the records of tenders rejected do not distinguish houses of brick construction from other types.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has a time and progress schedule which specifies the date of delivery for all the emergency prefabricated houses to be provided by the Government for erection by the local authorities in the various areas.

No, Sir, the arrangements are as described in the answer I gave the hon. Member on 22nd January.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the concern among applicants for houses in the Sherborne area that against the 225 applications already received only 59 houses are planned for erection in 1946; whether he is satisfied that these houses, in addition to existing accommodation, will meet the requirements of the population; and whether he will improve the position.

There is no suggestion that 59 additional houses will necessarily meet the requirements of the population of the Sherborne Rural District. That is the number which the Council expect to be able to start in the fairly near future, having regard to the resources of labour and materials available. My officers will be discussing their programme with them.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take action in the case of Mr. Mansfield, of Hallesville Cottage, Ballards Gore, Canewdon, Essex, who is threatened with eviction in the near future on the authority of a court order; if he is aware that this man is a permanent invalid with six children, and has failed to find alternative accommodation; and in view of the fact that Rochford Rural District Council has not requisitioned any empty habitable houses in their area, will he take steps to prevent further eviction taking place.

I have made inquiries and am informed that, upon a certificate from the county war agricultural executive committee stating that the house was required for an agricultural worker, the court made the order for possession. The question whether it is reasonable to make such an order is in the discretion of the court, and I have no power to intervene. I am informed that the local authority are making every effort to find accommodation for Mr. Mansfield and his family.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to a case in the Lichfield rural district where an owner retook possession of an empty house after the council had served notice of requisition; and what action should the council now take.

I am aware of this case. I do not think it would be proper for me to suggest what action the Council should take until I have their report. Further inquiries are being made.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses in the Lichfield rural district have been void for more than four weeks; and in how many cases the council has exercised its requisitioning powers.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is no available In reply to the second part, the Lichfield Rural District Council have requisitioned II properties.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the correspondence between the Nuffield Organisation, and the Pressed Steel Company Limited, which has been sent to him by the Oxford City Council, with regard to the location of the plants.

I am not at present in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet considered the scheme of conditions of service drawn up by the National Joint Council for local authorities administrative, professional, technical and clerical services; and whether he is prepared to recommend its adoption by local authorities, as according with the principles enunciated by his predecessor and unanimously accepted by this House on 15th February, 1945.

Yes, Sir. I have examined the scheme and propose to issue a circular to local authorities commending it in principle, for their early consideration and adoption.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the proposed water schemes for the rural districts of Horncastle and Spilsby.

Since my reply to the hon. and gallant Member's previous Question regarding these areas on the 26th November last the Horncastle Rural District Council have submitted their comprehensive scheme to me in outline and it is now being considered by my technical advisers. No interim scheme has yet been submitted for the village of Bucknall. With regard to Spilsby, I have recently authorised the Council to invite tenders for the completion of their coastal and fen area schemes, the latter of which includes the parish of Thorpe St. Peter. The Council are still negotiating with Boston Corporation over the proposed supply to Gipsy Bridge.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the urban district of Chadderton, with a population of over 20,000, is, on the admission of the Dental War Committee, without the services of a single resident dentist; and whether, as the neighbouring district of Oldham has 29 practitioners and there are a further 23 practitioners in adjoining areas, he will authorise the release from His Majesty's Forces of Captain G. T. Butterworth, who was formerly in residential practice in Chaderton and who is willing to resume.

I am aware that the facts are as stated, but they do not in my opinion, or in that of the Dental War Committee, justify an application for the release out of turn of the officer in question, having regard to the ample number of dentists in Oldham and other neighbouring areas reasonably accessible to the residents of Chadderton.

asked the Minister of Health the number and cost of the staff of his Department for 1928, 1938 and the present time; and whether he will give an indication of the extent to which he anticipates to reduce it in the near future.

The numbers of staff in my Department during the years in question were 5,370, 6,510 and 3,740, and the costs were approximately£1,570,000,£2,018,000 and£1,680,00, respectively. The fall in numbers as between 1938 and today is largely represented by transfers to the Ministry of National Insurance. The duties devolving on my Department will necessitate an increase rather than a decrease of staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number and cost of the present staff employed in those service and civil Departments in respect of which such statistics were not given in the Estimates for 1945.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the latest return (Cmd. 6718) showing the civil staffs employed in Government Departments on 1st October, 1945. Further particulars will be published shortly in the Estimates for 1946-7.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any arrangement will be made whereby the burden on the taxpayer will be reduced in consequence of the doubling of the cost of wireless licences.

Yes, Sir, in so far as, if the licence were not increased, the loss on working would fall on the taxpayer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that Donkin and Company Limited, St. Andrews Works, Walkergate, Newcastleon-Tyne, break through the customary payment of weekly wages when their workmen's employment ends and pay the last two weeks wages together, thus causing unfair tax deductions for that week; that this is being done in cases where the workmen have objected; and if he will inform this company that this practice must cease.

I have looked into this question, and find that the method of payment referred to by my hon. Friend makes no difference to the total tax deductions over the whole period of employment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the£308,000,000 subsidy for the stabilisation of food prices is made up; and what is the amount given to home agriculture and to the stabilisation of prices on imported foodstuffs, respectively.

The following are the details:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the present number of men, excluding prisoners of war, employed in agriculture in the county of Cornwall on 1st January, 1946, and what was the number on 1st January, 1939, respectively.

The nearest dates for which figures are available are 3rd June, 1939, and 4th June, 1945. The numbers of male workers, regular and "casual" then shown in the Agricultural Returns as employed in agriculture in Cornwall were, respectively, 11,129 and 12,101 (excluding prisoners of war but including youths).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to raise the price of wheat or increase the acreage grant in respect of wheat; and whether he will make an immediate announcement in order to ensure that an increased quantity of wheat is sown during the next few weeks.

Under the arrangement made with the farmers' unions at the review of prices in February, 1945, the acreage payment for wheat was reduced when my right hon. Friend's predecessor decided that directions should not be served for the growing of wheat for the 1946 harvest. At this stage in the season, when the bulk of the wheat crop has already been sown, my right hon. Friend does not propose to use compulsory powers to secure the sowing of a larger acreage of spring wheat and there will accordingly be no increase in the acreage payment. As regards the steps which my right hon. Friend is taking to encourage the sowing of more wheat for this year's harvest, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend's reply today to a Question by the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. S. Marshall).

asked the Minister of Agriculture what immediate steps he is taking to increase the acreage of wheat to be grown in this country this year.

Apart from the statement which I made to the House on 5th February, which has received wide publicity, I am intensifying the propaganda campaign, by Press advertisements and otherwise, which has been proceeding for several weeks, to encourage the sowing of more wheat and other grain for this year's harvest. I have also asked the chairman of C.W.A.E.Cs. to take all possible steps to place the position before farmers with a view to obtaining the desired increase in the acreage of spring sown corn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the rate of pay for prisoner labour on farms; and if he proposes to take steps to ensure that this class of labour does not compete unfairly with our own farm workers.

The charge now made for prisoners of war working in agriculture on a time basis is 1s. 3d. an hour. This rate is now under review, and an announcement will be made very soon. As my hon. Friend is aware, every possible care is taken to make sure that the employment of British farm workers is not in any way prejudiced by the use of prisoner labour.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he has now considered the evidence submitted to him on 8th February, that the official publications entitled Election of Parish Councillors and Election of Rural District Councillors, S.R.& O. 1934/546, No. 1318, were out of print on 19th January; and if he will make a statement on this matter.

Yes, Sir. As stated in my answer to my hon. Friend on Thursday last they were not out of print. I regret that owing to a clerical error, wrong information was given to a customer.

asked the Minister of Food why, when the Iceland Government recently made an offer to supply fresh whale meat to this country as a valuable addition to our food resources, the offer was refused; and whether, in view of the altered food position, he will now reopen negotiations with the Governments of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark for the importation of this foodstuff.

I am not aware that any offer of fresh whale meat has been made to my Department by the Iceland Government. I am advised that it would be difficult to find an outlet in this country for this unaccustomed type of food, but I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider making banquets, dinner parties, etc., illegal and use the food saved thereby for increasing rations to the general public.

I strongly deprecate the holding of banquets at the present time of world food shortage. I am taking steps to ensure that the ordinary allow- ances of food for meals in catering establishments are not exceeded at such functions, but the total amount of food consumed in this way is of course negligible in relation to our total consumption.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider making a concession whereby civilians who were interned in concentration camps and have returned to this country in a destitute condition may purchase milk at a reduced price in cases where they are suffering from malnutrition.

:My right hon. Friend has made arrangements for repatriated civilian prisoners of war who are suffering from malnutrition to be allowed extra milk but I am sorry we cannot undertake to make milk available at a reduced price for those who are in a destitute condition. There are sources from which people in this plight can obtain financial and other assistance to enable them to get the nourishment that they need.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why instances of considerable delay have recently occurred in the transmission of telegrams; and whether steps can be taken to speed up this service.

The telegraph service is slower than before the war because it has not been possible to increase staff to keep pace with the increase in traffic—30 per cent. above the prewar level. By recruiting and training additional operators and by means of technical developments a steady improvement in the transmission time of telegrams has been maintained since September last and efforts to effect further improvements will continue. I shall be pleased to investigate the cases to which my hon. Friend refers if he will let me have the particulars.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is now prepared to cancel the plans to abolish the sub-Post Office in Manchester Street, Oldham.

Yes, Sir. In response to representations made by both the hon. Members for the borough and by various local bodies, I have decided to maintain a Post Office either at, or near to, the site of the present office.

asked the Assistant Postmaster General how soon he expects that the Empire air-mail letter rate will revert to its prewar level, seeing that this would help exports and the Press.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 6th February' to a Question on this subejct by the hon. and gallant Member for Altrincham (Colonel Erroll).

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why many gift parcels from the U.S.A. and Canada for Britain, posted in October and November, have not yet been delivered in this country.

Delay is unfortunately 'occurring in the delivery of parcels from overseas, including gift parcels from the U.S.A. and Canada, for three distinct reasons. First, the number of such parcels now being received is enormously greater than in prewar days. For instance, the number of parcels received from abroad for the two months of November and December, 1945, was 4,124,332 as compared with 955,582 during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1940.Second, there is an acute shortage of experienced staff to deal with the parcels at the clearance depots. Third, owing to war damage there is lack of suitable accommodation to deal with the greatly increased volume of overseas mails. I can assure my hon. Friend that every possible effort is being exerted to minimise the delay.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what postal facilities now exist for communications between civilians in this country and civilians in Germany.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my answer of 24th January to the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Southall (Mr. Ayles), of which I am sending him a copy. I regret that at present I can add nothing to that answer.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women are now employed in making munitions and equipment for the Services.

The returns rendered by employers show that the number engaged in the manufacture of equipment and supplies for the Forces at 31st December, 1945, was approximately 1,790,000. Investigation of a proportion of the returns, however, shows that this figure is probably an over-estimate.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the recent decision of the umpire with reference to the reinstatement in civilian life of men who have service in the Police War Reserve, prior to enlistment in the Forces. and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this anomaly in the law.

The Reinstatement in Civil Employment Act places obligations on the last employer who employed a man within the period of four weeks before his war service began. I am afraid it would not be practicable to amend the law so as to transfer these obligations to earlier employers in order to meet the numerous cases where men left their normal employment to undertake essential work before their enlistment in the Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will favourably consider amending the Reinstatement Acts in order that they shall apply to persons who were directed from their normal employment to other industries of wartime priority.

No, Sir. If the right to reinstatement were granted to persons directed to other employment, it could not reasonably be withheld from all persons who willingly left their jobs to undertake more essential work without requiring directions, and this would clearly be impracticable.

asked the Minister of Labour how many grants of money have been made to ex-Servicemen resident in the borough of Wimbledon under the Government Resettlement Scheme.

Seven grants have been made under this scheme to persons living in the Wimbledon area, and 12 other applications are at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour, why an ex-Serviceman, who has had to close his business as a result of circumstances arising out of the war, is not eligible for a resettlement grant if he wishes to use the money to re-open a different type of business; and if he will reconsider this condition governing the award of these grants.

The object of the Resettlement Grants Scheme, apart from the special provisions in regard to disabled persons, is to give some financial assistance, where necessary, to a man who was in business or work on his own account, which he had to relinquish as a direct result of his war service, in order that he may re-start his former business. This scheme forms part of the Government's general resettlement plans and is designed to help a self-employed person to reinstate himself in his former business, as the Reinstatement in Civil Employment Act has as its object the reinstatement of an employee in his former occupation.Consideration is, however, given to applications to re-start in a project of broadly the same type as the original business, as it is realised that circum stances arising out of the war may, in some cases, make re-starting in precisely the same line of business difficult, or impossible.

asked the Minister of Labour, when it is proposed to resume publication of weekly unemployment figures for all exchanges, region by region.

The change from a s to a monthly count of the unemployed was made in December, 1931. It is not proposed to revert to the weekly count. Monthly figures for each region and for the principal towns are given in each issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette."

asked the Minister of Labour the number of Service personnel released to industry during the period of hostilities.

During the war approximately 210,000 members of the Forces were released for civilian employment for definite or indefinite periods.

asked the Minister of Education whether it is now possible to extend existing arrangements for release from the Services of party-trained schoolmasters, by applying the scheme to registered students at training colleges and university training departments who are in release Groups I to 49 and can complete their training in two years after release, thereby speeding the entry of additional trained schoolmasters into the schools.

s have consulted my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I find that the present position is the same as on 20th December, 1945, when he informed the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) that it was not possible to extend the existing arrangements.

asked the Minister of Education if she has now been able to secure a sufficiency of milk bottles for the schools milk service and to relieve teaching staffs of the work thrust upon them by the former scarcity.

According to the available information, the last of the special arrangements due to the shortage of milk bottles will be ended this month.

asked the Minister of Education whether Servicemen and women wishing to enter the emergency service for training teachers enjoy any priority of selection; whether they are informed of these arrangements in advance of demobilisation; and what proportion of Servicemen and women have so far been admitted to training.

Men and women demobilised or about to be demobilised from H.M. Forces are given priority over civilians in the arrangements made for interviewing candidates for the emergency scheme for the training of teachers. Every endeavour is made to inform them of the result of their applications before demobilisation, but this is not always possible. Of the candidates so far admitted to training, 36 per cent. of the men and 2.6 per cent. of the women have been identified as Service applicants, but in this respect the records readily available are not complete and the actual proportions are certainly larger.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that, up to 26th January, 1946, nothing had been done to make available for educational purposes Spring Bank Council School, New Mills, regarding which representations were made to her by the hon. Member for The High Peak on 30th October, 1945; and whether she proposes to take any steps in the matter.

I understand that a tender for the work which has to be done was accepted by the local authority on 25th January, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Health, and that that Ministry has authorised the work to proceed.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what provision is to be made for women who, through no fault of their own, have divorced their husbands; and whether, for the purposes of national insurance, they can be classed as widows.

Under existing contributory insurance schemes women whose marriage has been terminated by divorce have the status of unmarried women. This position is maintained in the National Insurance Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that supplementary pensioners who earn a few shillings a week by taking in a lodger at present have part of the lodger's payment deducted from their pension; and it he has yet arranged for earnings of this nature to be disregarded on the same basis as other earnings.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Members for Wallsend (Mr. J. Mackay) and West Wolverhampton (Lieutenant H. Hughes) on 18th and 20th December respectively, of which I am sending her copies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the warning given by the spokesmen of the airmen concerned, that some of the strikes in the R.A.F. in India may start again on 15th February; and what steps have been taken to clear up any misunderstandings that may have contributed to discontent and to meet the men's just grievances and so to prevent further indiscipline.

Yes, Sir, I am aware that there has been some suggestion that there may be a recurrence of indiscipline at certain stations in India. As for the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 29th January, in which he expressed himself as satisfied that the detailed points raised by the men are being most adequately and carefully dealt with in every case.

asked the Minister of. War Transport if he will now consider overhauling the indication of street names, with a view to ensuring instant readability by day and by night at all street intersections.

Local authorities are responsible for street name plates. I hope that in the light of the recommendations of the Traffic Signs Committee, which are included in a report shortly to be published, special attention will be given to this matter. Uniformity of practice in the display of legible street name plates is very desirable for the safety and convenience of traffic.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider extending the provisions of Section 4 of Cmd. 6714, whereby a clothing allowance is made available in amputation cases, to other cases where surgical appliances and crutches cause excessive wear of clothing.

I am pleased to inform my hon. Friend that I have already extended the clothing allowance provision set out in Section IV of Cmd. 6714 to cases other than amputation cases where, as a result of the pensioned disablement, there is exceptional wear and tear on the pensioner's clothing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is a shortage of deep X-ray therapy apparatus in this country; and that apparatus imported from the U.S.A. is subject to an import duty; and if he will remove the duty so that apparatus needed for the treatment of cancer can be purchased more cheaply.

I understand that there is at present a shortage of the apparatus referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, particularly of certain components. If an application for exemption from duty in a particular case is made to the Board of Trade, we will consider very carefully whether we can recommend my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to grant the exemption.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many immunisations against diphtheria were performed during the year 1945; what were the ages of the children immunised; how many cases of diphtheria were recorded during 1945; how many of them were in immunised children; and how many were fatal.

I regret that the information requested by the hon. Member is not yet available. I shall communicate with him as soon as all the returns from local authorities have been received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the difficulty in providing suitable rural houses within the existing limitation of size of floor space and granting of licences to private builders to spend£1,200 per house, he will consider the relaxation of those Regulations.

As at present advised I do not consider that the requirements of rural areas necessitate an increase in the limits of superficial area and prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that aeroplanes in transit to and from South America, on arrival at Bathurst in Gambia, land on a wire netting landing ground; and, as this is not calculated to enhance the prestige of British aviation, if a final decision as regards the site for an up-to-date airfield will be expedited.

I am informed that the main runway at Yundum airfield in the Gambia, which is a Royal Air Force airfield, is covered with steel planking, and that the subsidiary runway is covered with wire netting. As regards the latter part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave him on 28th November last; the several problems connected with the provision of an up-to-date airfield in the Gambia are still under consideration. In the meantime, I am given to understand that the trunk air route to South America can be accommodated at Yundum for the next two years, once certain improvements which are being made have been effected.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will report on the negotiations which have been started at the request of the Government of the U.S.A., for the extension of the U.S.-leased base in British Guiana; what steps are being taken to consult public opinion locally; and if he will give a pledge that no further leasing of British territory will be made before the question is discussed by this House.

The United States Government have requested a supplementary lease of two small areas adjoining the U.S. leased base at Atkinson Field for the purpose of extending two runways of the airfield to permit safer emergency landings. This request is at present being considered in the Colony and technical advice is being obtained by the British Guiana Government. There is, of course, the fullest consultation with the Colonial Government, and they will naturally have very fully in view l6cal opinion on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of world conditions, what precautionary steps are being taken by Governments in the African Colonies, by organised storage or other methods, to combat the risk of local or territorial famine; and whether he will give an assurance that the aid of scientific research and engineering is being called upon to assist in a solution.

The encouragements offered to local food production during the war by subsidy and propaganda are being zealously maintained in view of the current world food shortage. The problem of storage has been given close consideration for some years past in East Africa, and is now again under review there. Experts in grain storage visited that area in 1943 and1944. The position has lately been substantially improved by the construction of bag storage depots, largely in obsolete military hangars, having a capacity approaching 100,000 tons, which should be sufficient to meet local shortages. In West Africa the danger of local famine is much less, and no special storage arrangements have been thought necessary there.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Malayan civil servants who were captured and interned by the Japanese during the war are to receive full salaries in respect of the period during which they were interned, and what arrangements are being made, either by the Malayan Government. or his department, to advise other em ployers in Malaya as to what principles they should adopt with regard to the payment of their employees who were similarly interned by the Japanese during the war.

As to the first part of the Question, I would refer to the answer given on 23rd January to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for West Wolverhampton (Lieut. Herbert Hughes). Employees of certain public bodies, such as the Singapore and Penang harbour boards and the municipalities are receiving similar treatment.The ability of other employers to adopt a similar policy towards their employees who were interned, must depend to a great extent upon their financial resources; but I am arranging for publicity to be given to this reply, both in this country and in Malaya, in the hope that other employers will see their way to adopt as generous a policy as possible towards their employees who were interned by the Japanese.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain men of B Squadron, 1st Derbyshire Yeomanry, were entrained at Padua at 5 p.m. on 20th January, in windowless trains, with wooden seats and no lights; that they arrived at Taranto at 1 p.m. on the third day, marched through rain over ploughed fields and were billeted in tents without lights; that throughout this journey the food was unsatisfactory; and whether he will investigate the conditions revealed.

The train used for this journey was composed of the normal coaching stock used on the route in question; as is normal in Italian coaches the third class coaches had wooden seats. Where windows are without glass they are boarded up, but improvements in this respect are being made as glass becomes available. It is unfortunately not possible at present to provide lights in all continental coaches, but again steps are being taken to improve matters. During the journey in question meals were provided at the normal halts. No breakfast halt had been arranged on the second morning because the train was due to arrive at 6 a.m. It was in fact six hours late, but extra rations are carried on the train to provide for emergencies of this sort. I am informed that the standard of meals provided at meal halts in C.M.F. is generally considered to be good. On arrival the march to the transit camp was not across ploughed fields, but along a recognised track. Although this track was no doubt muddy on this occasion, its use reduces the distance to be marched by half. Hurricane lamps at about double the normal scale were provided at the transit camp.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the troops in the 2nd Division, when they left India for Malaya, were issued with secondhand clothing, etc., which had previously been worn by Indians and were alive with vermin; that there was no bread on the ship from 17th December, 1945, till 6th January, 1946; and if he will take steps to see that there will be no recurrence of such incidents in India or elsewhere.

I am making inquiries into this matter and as soon as they are completed I will write to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 14992924 Private Brotherton, G., 1st Battalion Liverpool and Scottish regiment, Cameron Highlanders, and of 35, White Cross, Hexham, granted three months' release on compassionate grounds, has been ordered to report to the officer commanding 11 Holding Battalion, Stobs Camp, Hawick, by 9th February; that unless this soldier is granted further release, the father's one-man market gardening business will have to be closed down; and whether he will immediately inquire into this case with a view to granting further compassionate release to this soldier.

No application for an extension of compassionate release has been received from this soldier. The case is, however, now being investigated in the light of the facts put forward by my hon. and gallant Friend. As soon as a decision is reached I will write to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now arrange to enclose with the literature sent out to medical officers awaiting demobilisation, information regarding refresher or post-graduate courses provided for them on return to civil life; as with the present arrangements, many weeks elapse before officers thus released are informed of what steps they should take in this respect.

Full particulars of the Government's refresher schemes for medical officers were circulated to all commands at home and overseas during April and June, 1945, with the instruction that they should be brought to the notice of all medical officers. In addition a pamphlet on the subject has been prepared by the War Office, a copy of which is sent to each medical officer who is released, with his release certificate. Owing to the accelerated release programme for medical officers there is unfortunately some delay at present in the issue of release certificates. Steps are therefore being taken to issue this pamphlet to medical officers when they pass through dispersal units, together with a separate pamphlet drawn up by the Central Medical War Committee.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the committee appointed by him to consider the policies governing the use and development of scientific manpower and resources has submitted an Interim Report and, if so, whether he will authorise its publication.

I have not yet received an Interim Report from the Committee to which my hon. Friend refers. When I do I will give careful consideration to the question of publication.

asked the Secretary of State for War when Swanshurst Park, Birmingham, will be completely derequisitioned and entirely available again as a recreation ground for the public.

I have been asked to reply. It is not possible at present to say when this site can be derequisitioned. It was recently loaned by the War Department to the Ministry of Works to re-accommodate a working party of prisoners of war who were occupying requisitioned dwelling houses in Birmingham. If suitable alternative accommodation becomes available the prisoners will be moved and the property derequisitioned.

asked the Minister of Works what kind of difficulties have been met with in the production of the Tarran type of temporary house.

One of the two firms manufacturing Tarran houses experienced difficulty in designing satisfactory steel moulds for casting the concrete wall units. This difficulty has been overcome and it should now be possible to build up a satisfactory rate of production. The production by the other firm is practically up to programme.

asked the Minister of Works the average current daily rate at which bricks are being laid in the construction of houses; and what is the bonus rate at present being paid.

No adequate or representative information is available on the current daily rate at which bricks are being laid in the construction of permanent houses. No bonus is payable on brickwork for permanent houses.

asked the Minister of Works why his Department have given instructions for the destruction by the N.F.S. in Region 9, of fire extinguishers which are serviceable and in great public demand; and will he immediately cancel such instructions and make these articles available for purchase by the public.

Extinguishers of the type referred to are subject to deterioration which is not readily apparent. In view of the very large production during the war it has been decided that it would be wrong to sell to the public any extinguishers which have been subject to the risk of deterioration or alternatively to incur the expense of testing and reconditioning. Any sound extinguishers which have not been subjected to conditions where deterioration is likely to occur will be sold through normal trade channels in accordance with Government policy.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the methods adopted for electrical wiring in prefabricated houses involve almost a monopoly on the part of a few firms supplying the harnesses and accessories, and that the electrical contracting industry is being called upon to provide only the site labour, which is almost negligible; and in view of the limited amount of electrical work available, if he will follow the orthodox methods of house wiring, which compare favourably in cost and quality and would provide employment over a large area.

The contracts for the supply of harness and accessories for the temporary prefabricated houses are placed with a range of manufacturers and do not involve any monopoly. The method adopted for the temporary houses was designed to make the maximum use of factory labour and to leave the labour available for site work as free as possible for other new building, especially the permanent house programme.

asked the hon. Member for West Walthamstow (Mr. McEntee) as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, if he will now state what remuneration the staff of the Kitchen Committee receive in addition to their standard rates, when the sittings bf the House are extended beyond the normal hour.

It has been agreed by the sub-committee consisting of members of the staff and of the Kitchen Committee that the rates shall be: one quarter of a day's pay for each hour, or part of an hour, for all persons detained after 11.30 p.m. who have, during the particular day completed a tour of duty of eight hours. These terms are subject to confirmation by the full committee at their next meeting.

asked the Minister of Information if he will state the present annual cost, respectively, of the salaries paid to B.B.C. officials, for overhead charges and salaries paid to artistes.

In the absence of my right hon. Friend abroad I have been asked to reply. The right hon. Member will find particulars of the expenditure of the B.B.C. in considerable detail in the published accounts of the Corporation for the year ended 31st March, 1945, Command Paper 6705. The accounts for the current financial year will be published as soon as they are completed