asked the Minister of War Transport whether there has been any reduction in the empty running time of road transport vehicles operating under his control, since the figures last stated.

Sample analyses show that between June, 1944, and July, 1945, in spite of wide fluctuations in traffic, the average empty mileage figure had remained at approximately its previous level, and such later information as is available does not indicate that there has been any material change.

Is the Minister aware that this means that, owing to this control, one in five of our transport vehicles is being wasted, and will he take steps to bring this control to an end at once?

I am aware that in all road transport undertakings there is a certain wastage. The wastage now is less than it used to be.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware of the detention for long periods of road traffic and the congestion arising at the level crossing in Church field Road, near the Acton Central L.M.S. railway station, and, to avoid this delay, the tendency of traffic to take to the main Uxbridge road; and will he take steps to provide a sunken road beneath the level crossing to facilitate the passage of road traffic.

This level crossing is on an unclassified road and the traffic using it is local in character. I am informed that congestion is rare. It is estimated that to give effect to my hon. Friend's proposal would cost in the neighbourhood of£200,000. In present circumstances, I do not consider that this expenditure would be justified.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will hold an inquiry under Section 23 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, into the fatal accident in Western Avenue on Friday, 1st February.

No, Sir. The reports on the accident do not show that any useful purpose would be served by an inquiry under Section 23 of the Road Traffic Act. 1930.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the very high rate of accidents on this section of Western Avenue, and will he keep the matter in mind with a view to seeing if it is possible at any future date to impose a speed restriction?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the large number of accidents on this bit of road, but so far as one can tell they are not due to excessive speed. There are other steps we hope to take in the not too distant future which, we trust, will diminish the number of accidents

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that the inhabitants of the Ardnamurchan peninsula in North Argyll are dissatisfied with the condition of the main traffic artery of the peninsula, the Salen-Kilchoan Road; and will he give instructions to his Department to bring this road within the scope of the Crofter County Road Scheme for reconstruction where necessary and overall maintenance.

I regret that I cannot see my way to widen the scope of the Crofter Counties Scheme to include this Class II road. The hon. and gallant Member will no doubt bear in mind that, as I indicated in my statement on 28th January last, the rate of grant from the Road Fund to approved expenditure on the maintenance and improvement of Class II roads will be increased from 50 per cent. to 60 per cent. from the beginning of the next financial year.

Should the local authority apply to the right hon. Gentleman's Department for the increased grant to help them to maintain this road?

They will get this grant automatically. The notification has been forwarded to them, and they can now proceed.

asked the Minister of War Transport (1) if he will give an assurance that operators will have the option of transferring the whole of their business at a fair rate of valuation in any nationalisation proposals, as some concern is felt among A and B Defence Permit holders regarding the future of small road-haulage businesses owing to their fear that operators would still be allowed to operate privately on a restricted mileage radius;

(2) can any indication be given to holders of C Defence Permits of the extent of future restrictions in the use of commercial vehicles operating in connection with their business.

I cannot at present go further than the Lord President's recent statement, or anticipate at this stage the legislative proposals which will in due course be laid before the House.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his refusal to give information particularly with regard to Class B holders, is causing a great deal of dismay and is holding up a great deal of useful development?

I do not consider it is anything of the kind. I think that most people understand the position, and it would only add to any difficulty my hon. and gallant Friend anticipates by beginning to deal with this problem piecemeal.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he has now com- municated with the Westminster City Council, as promised, about the lighting of the lamps near the Palace of Westminster; and with what result.

Yes, Sir. And I am now considering the information which the Westminster City Council have submitted to me.

Is the Minister aware that some of the lamp lighters, after turning out the lamps, have performed the useful service of delivering, in time for breakfast, Votes and Order Papers to hon. Members who live in Westminster?

asked the Minister of War Transport the number of hours each of the 195 drivers, 276 firemen and 576 guards were on duty at the time they left trains on running lines during the past 12 months.

The extraction of the details sought would involve a great expenditure of time and labour; but the railway companies are considering what information it would be practical to give.

Can the Minister inquire whether these men who deserted from their posts belonged to the younger element of the railway men or the older?

That does not arise out of the Question, which only asked for the number of hours.

asked the Minster of War Transport what steps he is taking to improve the unsatisfactory travel arrangements for leave parties on the CuxhavenHull route, in consequence of which, soldiers travelling to London often have to wait about six hours at Hull, and only arrive in London in the early hours of the morning, when it is too late to find accommodation and too early to continue their journey beyond London.

I have been asked to reply. Ships arriving at Hull are dependent upon the state of the tide to enable them to dock. It therefore happens, on occasions, that leave parties for London cannot arrive in London until after midnight. There is no delay in disembarkation or despatch. In the event of the London train arriving late, accommodation is provided in London for any man who is unable to proceed on his journey. Work is in progress and should be completed very shortly which will, it is hoped, make it possible to arrange a service which will be practically tide- free. The timing of the special train to London will then be such that, accidents barred, it will arrive not later than 4 p.m.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will now consider arranging for the mail boat "Lochiel" to call at the Island of Colonsay three times per week on those days on which the mail boat makes Port Askaig its terminal port on the Island of Islay.

This proposal has been fully examined on past occasions. There are no new circumstances today which would justify altering the conclusion that on safety and other grounds an extension of the itinerary of the "Lochiel" to include calls at Colonsay should not be undertaken.

Is the Minister aware that on the previous occasion on which this question was discussed one of the reasons put forward for not complying with it was war conditions—-the blackout of the lights on buoys, etc.? That has now been removed and the skipper of the particular boat in question says that, for at any rate eight months of the year, he is prepared to call at this island, and, therefore, would the Minister consider arranging for that to be done?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will take the trouble to put a considered case before me, I will certainly look into the matter.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by the inhabitants of the Island of Colonsay with the steamer service at present connecting that island with the mainland; and, now that the war emergency is over, will he go into this question with a view to providing these islanders with a steamer service more in keeping with modern conditions.

I am aware of the desire of the inhabitants of Colonsay for an improved steamer service and I am doing all I can, in consultation with the shipping Company, to restore the pre-war service at an early date. The "Hebrides," which was withdrawn from the service, has now been returned to the Company for her normal employment. This vessel and the "Dunara Castle" require urgent overhaul. While these overhauls are being effected, another cargo vessel has been allocated to the Colonsay service.

Is the Minister aware that the steamer services to this island and to all the other Hebridean islands are far worse than they were in 1914? Would he reconsider going further into the question of these steamer services?

I am not aware of what the position was in 1914. Did the hon. and gallant Member mean before 1914, or during the 1914– 18 war?

Before the 1914–18 war.

Is the Minister aware that all these steamer services from Scotland going to Derry are either worse than then, or, in the case of the Glasgow—Derry service, non-existent?

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what was the total number of civil servants of all grades employed in his Department on 1st January, 1946; and the total number employed in connection with the Government's housing components programme.

The number of non-industrial civil servants of all grades employed in my Department on 1st January, 1946, was 59,933. The number employed directly on the Government's housing components programme was 231. In addition, this work affects a considerable number of staff who provide common services, such as finance, progressing and transport.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as long ago as last August he promised an urgent review of staffing requirements, and that since that date there has been practically no reduction in the number of staff in his almost entirely redundant Ministry?

On the contrary there has been a considerable reduction of staff in Ministries which are not quite redundant.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the numbers of Army and R.A.F. officers, respectively, filling technical appointments on the establishment of his Department, at the latest convenient date; and the number of these officers holding technical qualifications up to the standard of a university honours degree or its Service equivalent.

On 1st January, 1946, 753 and 395 respectively. Of these, Army officers held technical qualifications up to the standard of a university honours degree or its Service equivalent and.69 R.A.F. officers held university honours degrees.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to publish such figures separately in future when giving statistics of staff employed by his Ministry?

I do not think that would be very desirable.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production why it has not been possible to supply the porcelain bases required for the repair of large numbers of electric fires wanted for use during this winter.

There is a general shortage of ceramics, including the porcelain bases for electric fires. We are doing our best to get skilled labour into this industry, which will now concentrate on producing those goods most urgently needed for the housing programme. Steps are also being taken to supplement the efforts of the industry by undertaking production in one of the Royal Ordnance factories.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production why his Department has intimated its intention, without prior consultation with the horological trade, to dispose of surplus horological goods by tender, in direct con- travention of the policy previously agreed upon by the Board of Trade with representatives of the horological trade; and is he aware of the dislocation to normal trade channels and the exclusion of a large section of those engaged in the trade that this policy will entail.

I am mainly interested that Government surplus clocks and watches should get into the hands of the public as quickly as possible, as I know that there is a serious shortage. I have, therefore, decided to invite tenders but it will be open to all traders who sold such goods before the war to submit offers.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what he has done to see that the policy of the motor industry is in accordance with that of the Government.

During the war, close working contacts were established between the Ministries of Supply and of Aircraft Production and the motor industry on all matters affecting production. It has been my desire that these contacts should be maintained and strengthened for peace-time purposes and especially during the difficult period of transition.. With this object in view I am now setting up a National Advisory Council for the Motor Manufacturing Industry which will provide a means of regular consultation between the Government and the motor manufacturers on such matters as the location of industry, exports, imports, research, design and technical development, production methods and the general progress of the industry. The new Council will consist of an official chairman, representatives of the various groups of manufacturers and of the Government Departments mainly concerned in the British motor industry and independent members whom I shall nominate, including two who will be representative of labour. The names of the members will be announced as soon as possible.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his proposals will be warmly welcomed by all who work in the motor industry?

Does this announcement mean that the President of the Board of Trade will no longer interfere in the motor industry?

The motor industry, as part of the engineering industry, is the responsibility of the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what was the state of progress towards completion of the Short Shetland flying boat at the time of the explosion; what was its average cruising speed and maximum range with full fuel load; and how many are there under construction.

The Shetland flying boat had been completed as a military aircraft, and at the time of its loss was undergoing official trials; these were well advanced and the aircraft was due shortly to return to the makers for conversion for civil use. Its average cruising speed was about 175 miles per hour and its maximum range, with a full fuel load, was about 4,000 miles. One other prototype is under construction.

In view of the figures given by my right hon. Friend indicating the suitability of this particular design for use on the Atlantic run and also for the Empire routes, and in view of the tremendous expense involved in developing this design, is it intended to put this aircraft into production for use on civil air lines?

The matter is under consideration by the Minister of Civil Aviation.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the anticipated numbers and dates of delivery of Tudor I aircraft during 1946..

It is expected that, 20 Tudor I aircraft will be delivered during 1946 and that, assuming no serious technical difficulties are experienced, two of these will be delivered in the first quarter of the year, six in the second quarter, ten in the third and two in the fourth.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the quantity and type of aero engines which have been ordered from the U.S.A. for use in civil aircraft in this country.

One hundred and fifty Continental type engines have been ordered from the U.S.A for fitting in a light civil aircraft, at least 90 per cent. of the output of which will be exported.

Will the Minister consider using British engines for these aircraft? We are leading the world in this type of engine and it should not be necessary to import engines from America, even for export.

Yes, Sir. There was not one available of the right type at the moment, and it was thought better to import the engines rather than lose the export order.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he will give the nature of the air display given at Radiett aerodrome on 10th February; and whether the purpose of the display was achieved.

The display was given in order to show the main types of British civil and military aircraft to the delegates to U.N.O. and the opportunity was taken of inviting to it representative aircraft users. I was present at the display. Everybody said it was a great success, and I would like to thank all who helped to make it so.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this opportunity to display British civil production was particularly appreciated after the recent rebuff that the industry has received from British civil operators?

Thank you very much.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number, or estimated number, of towels held in stock by retailers and wholesalers on 1st January, 1946.

It is impossible to do more than give a very rough estimate, but, on the information available to me, the number of towels held in stock by retailers and wholesalers was probably about eight million.

In view of the enormous number of towels held in stock, is it possible to reduce the coupon value on this particular item?

It is not a great number, considering the amounts which are purchased monthly. It is only just about sufficient to maintain the supply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the policy of his Department in relation to re-development and extension of industrial enterprises in over-industrialised areas in the Greater London region where industrial decentralisation is recommended in the Greater London Plan now under consideration by the local authorities within the region.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning has set a Committee to consider the recommendations of the Greater London Plan and the ways in which they might be implemented, particularly in the way of reducing industrialisation in congested areas. My Department will be kept in very close touch with the work of this Committee.

Pending the introduction of the recommendations of the Greater London Plan cannot 'my right hon. and learned Friend take some steps to prevent further intensification of industry in areas where there already exists a very serious housing problem?

That is already done under the allocation of industry plan.

Will the Minister remember that there is an under industrialised area, namely, Scotland?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of British goods which have been awaiting shipping facilities for export for two or more months.

I am not aware of any case of goods which have been waiting for shipment for two months. Although there was delay in shipments of export cargo due to the dock strike, I understand that the shipping facilities for such cargo are now abreast of the demand.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is a large amount of woollen textiles awaiting export in Yorkshire, particularly in the Bradford district?

No, I am not aware that they are waiting any undue length of time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the date of the first meeting of the Committee appointed by him to investigate the formation of the British Institute of Administration; and what is the date that he expects to receive their final recommendations.

The Committee, which I appointed to make proposals for the formation of a British Institute of Management, held its first meeting on 19th November, 1945. Its report should be ready in the course of next month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration has been given to the representations of local authorities in the Wrekin division for a survey of the industrial area of East Shropshire with a view to further industrial development in that area, having regard to its resources and previous industrial importance, its present population and large element of skilled labour available, and the need for avoiding the recurrence of slump and unemployment which affected the district in the inter-war years; and what action has been taken arising out of such representations.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the reply sent to the representations of local authorities in the East Shropshire area. The surveys of industrial areas which my Department is conducting will be extended as soon as possible to include East Shropshire. At present, work is being concentrated on those areas where there is the greatest danger of unemployment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider reducing the minimum number of working hours from 22 to 20 per week for the purposes of obtaining industrial supplementary clothing coupons, so as to permit part-time women workers on afternoon shifts to qualify for these coupons.

The present arrangements cover part-time workers engaged in occupations which qualify for supplements if they work a minimum of 22 hours. Experience has shown that this minimum covers the great majority of cases of special need, but I am ready to consider any adjustments which may be proposed through the Trades Union Congress or the British Employers' Confederation who advise me in these matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the present unsatisfactory position of the clothes rationing scheme, where 22-inch coats have a coupon value of seven, whereas for the next size of 24-inch 12 coupons have to be surrendered; and whether he will take steps to obviate this present position by introducing a more graduated scale of coupon values for children's coats.

I am aware of the present position. The existing arrangement by groups is on the whole the fairest practical scheme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, under the present system, a mother has to give up the same number of coupons to clothe a child of five years as for a girl of 16 or 18, and does he think that is fair or equitable?

I certainly think it is the fairest scheme that can be worked out.

Can the right hon. Gentleman investigate the matter again with a view to setting up some graduated scale from the age of five to eighteen?

That matter has been very carefully investigated, and it would lead to worse anomalies than at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how far he anticipates that he will be able to increase the range of fittings of utility corsets in the near future.

There are no restrictions on the range of fittings in which utility corsets can be made. I should, however, be glad to look into any particular difficulty which my hon. Friend may have in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now grant priority dockets for the purchase of sheets to those people who have taken evacuees into their homes for a considerable period during the war.

No, Sir. While supplies are so short, I regret that I cannot see my way to extend the issue of priority dockets as my hon. Friend suggests.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not reconsider his decision, in view of the very grave and serious injury caused to these people by the use of their sheets?

There are very many people urgently in need of sheets, and it is not possible, until supplies are greater, to extend the priority dockets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the observation of Mr. Justice Charles, in the case of Rex v. Gurba Singh at the Lincolnshire Assizes, regarding the powers conferred on assistant accountants of his department to enter premises and caution individuals; and whether he will take steps to stop this practice.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir" and to the second part "No, Sir."

The power to enter premises is essential to secure compliance with Orders made by the Board relating to essential supplies and a caution is administered in the interests of the person interviewed when an investigating officer is satisfied that an offence has been committed. Officers of the Board holding the rank of Assistant Accountant are responsible and proper persons to undertake investigations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many officers of this Department have these powers?

That is another question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that news- paper proprietors are unable to find work for their former employees on release from the Forces owing to the shortage of newsprint, he will reconsider the decision of the Government to postpone the release of additional supplies.

I regret that I can add nothing to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore), on 24th January.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public cannot find any reason or understand that somewhat sinister reluctance of the Government to issue more newsprint to newspapers, and are they really afraid of more criticism if they do?

No. We have no dollars to spare.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say precisely to what extent there would have to be a cut in British food rations in order to meet the request of British newspaper proprietors?

Whatever was done to obtain dollars for newsprint would have to be taken off food.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that the newspapers have to absorb over 7,000 employees from the Forces, and that this cannot possibly be done on a four-page newspaper?

I think we were made aware of all these representations, which were put forward by those responsible for the newspapers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that at the time of the Coal Nationalisation Bill Second Reading Debate three London penny morning newspapers devoted less than 6 per cent. of their reports to speeches opposing the Bill; and whether he will make a special additional allowance of paper for the reporting of Debates on future nationalisation Bills, to enable both sides of the case to be presented.

While I share the hon. Member's desire for full reports in the daily Press of the proceedings in this House, I regret that it is not at present possible, on currency and supply grounds, to provide the paper for increasing the size of newspapers. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 24th January, the position will be reviewed as soon as conditions permit.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that the papers in question, which gave such inadequate reports of the Debate, are the only three London morning newspapers which support the Government, and could he not do something about that?.

I am afraid I cannot persuade other papers to support the Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the complete and utter bankruptcy of the case put by the Conservative Party, it is just as well, for their sakes, that there was not a fuller report?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Departments besides his own are concerned with the supply and sale of paint.

Departmental responsibility in this matter rests with the Raw Materials Department which has now been transferred from the Ministry of Supply to the Board of Trade. Other Departments are, of course, concerned insofar as they represent the interests of paint-using industries. For example, the Ministry of Works present to the Raw Materials Department estimates of the paint requirements of the building programme, and are responsible for the distribution of paint for building purposes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why it is that, in cases of Government and export orders, linseed oil is allowed up to 100 per cent. of the requirements, whereas, with any other order, the supply is based on a quota worked out on prewar requirements?

Allocation is made of linseed oil in accordance with the importance of the object for which the paint is required.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further action he proposes to take in the case of Messrs. Blackman and Conrad, who were prosecuted by his Department on a charge of having made an illegal profit by exceeding their permitted selling price for utility dresses, but who were found not guilty and discharged?

In view of the fact that these persons were acquitted, I do not propose to take any further action.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Order on which this prosecution was based is most difficult to comply with owing to unforeseen circumstances arising, and will he have a look at the Order with a view to amending it?

I will have a look at it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider increasing the number of clothing coupons allotted in respect of first babies.

No, Sir. I regret that I cannot at present increase the special allowance of coupons granted to expectant mothers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that supplies of elastic in Hitchin, Letchworth and elsewhere are scarce and of poor quality; that elastic is being sold elsewhere than in shops at considerably above the controlled price; and what steps he is taking to ensure that adequate sup- plies of good quality are made available through the normal channels at controlled prices.

I know that the restrictions on the quantity of elastic which the war caused have given rise to many difficulties and abuses; but I am glad to say that 100 per cent. natural rubber has been released for elastic as from 1st January last, and that the allocation of elastic to the retail trade will be increased by 25 per cent. next month.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how soon this will come into effect so far as supplies are concerned?

Supplies will be increased by 25 per cent. next month.

Does that mean that 25 or 50 per cent. less will go to some of these people who, undoubtedly, are not shopkeepers at all? Cannot this matter be handled more efficiently?

It is extremely difficult.

Will this new elastic hold things up better than the old?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that retail chemists in the London area are still demanding medical certificates before supplying rubber hot water bottles; and whether he will take steps to bring to their notice that they no longer have any authority to do so and thus avoid waste of time by both the public and the doctors.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." Retailers have no authority to demand medical certificates before supplying hot water bottles. But if a rubber hot water bottle is, in the opinion of the patient's doctor, necessary for the purposes of treatment, it is desirable that a medical certificate should be given some priority. Certificates should be issued only on that ground.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that permission to negotiate an order for£250,000 pounds sterling in Norway has been refused by his Department, because£25,000 worth of Norwegian-produced goods form the basis for the bargain; and whether this is the considered policy of his Department.

I am aware that certain proposals for a possible export to Norway in return for an undertaking to import from Norway were made to my Department. The applicant has not yet furnished certain information for which he was asked, but, in general, I am not prepared to allow the import of goods which are unnecessary in order to secure export trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the brickyard and kilns of the Nottingham Patent Brick Company at Nottingham are still occupied by the military authorities as a storage depot; and what steps is he taking to derequisition these premises so that the owners can resume their prewar production of 250,000 bricks per week.

The brickyard and kilns of the Nottingham Patent Brick Company at Nottingham have been occupied by the Royal Air Force for storage purposes. The stores have now been removed and the owners are free to enter into possession of the premises at any time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what steps he is taking under the new decontrol scheme for the timber trade to ensure that stocks imported by the National Softwood Corporation shall be stored near the areas where timber is most required for building purposes and not merely held at the ports.

Apart from a small reserve retained by the Company, the timber will be distributed among merchants through the country according to consumption requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he is aware that firms manufacturing polishing preparations for the export market are handicapped through the shortage of glass containers; and if he will instruct the glass manufacturers to give priority to firms who require containers for export trade.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson), on 28th January, in which I explained that it is administratively impracticable to have a priority scheme for glass containers applicable to individual export orders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will increase the present quota pairage of footwear to those firms reaching the permitted pairage, but capable of increasing production by the present labour force, and so enable such operatives to work at full output rate.

I know of no manufacturer who is in a position to produce more footwear than he is permitted to do by the Footwear Control, but if my hon. Friend will give me details of any particular case he has in mind, I will look into it immediately.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the complaint of the Morley and district quarry owners, that the Government are about to allow the admittance of Italian marble into this country in the form of worked memorials; and if he will reconsider this matter which will cause unfair competition and possibly unemployment and short time for our men in the quarry industry.

I am not aware of the complaint to which my hon. Friend refers. The importation of worked memorials is not, in fact, permitted. Licences to import from Italy a small quantity of rough-sawn marble are, however, being issued, but I understand that there are no grounds for the fears indicated in the Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that negotiations are taking place for converting the flying boat factory on Lake Windermere into a factory for prefabricating houses; and whether he intends to honour the promise which was given by the Ministry of Aircraft Production to the Council for the Preservation of Rural England and recorded by the Select Committee on National Expenditure, that the factory would be demolished after the war.

Proposals to use this factory for the housing programme are at present under consideration, but no such re-allocation will be made without prior consultation with the Council for the Preservation of Rural England.

Will the President of the Board of Trade give an undertaking that this promise will not be broken unless the Council release the Government from it

I will give an undertaking that nothing will be done without consultation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any further statement to make on clothes rationing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make the next issue of children's clothing coupons valid during April, so that purchases can be made before the summer school term begins.

Yes, Sir. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade stated recently, I cannot shorten the period which the present issue of coupons is intended to cover and these coupons must last until the end of April. The next issue of clothing coupons will be for the period of four months only from 1st May to 1st September, and will be 14. This is at the rate of 42 coupons a year as compared with an annual rate of 36 for the current period. For the convenience of the public and particularly of parents of school children, these coupons will become valid as from Monday, 8th April.

As from 1st September, a return will be made to a ration period of six months, and, apart from any unforeseen circumstances, I hope that it will be possible to make the ration for that period 26 coupons which is equivalent to an annual rate of 52. I also intend this year, as last, to make the children's general supplement of 10 coupons available in August.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not agree, as the Prime Minister has said we are about to celebrate Victory, that he might do something better for civilians than giving this trifling increase?

I would gladly do a great deal more if there were the yarns available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if arrangements are now being made to ensure that there will be an adequate supply of flypapers available during the summer months.

It is expected that the supply of flypapers during the coming summer will not be less than the supply last year, and that this should be adequate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade from which Dominions tobacco is imported into the United Kingdom; the quantities imported from each in 1937 and in the last available year; the total production in each of those Dominions; and whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any steps to encourage export to this country from those Dominions.

The only Dominion from which tobacco is imported is Canada, but it is also imported from India and Southern Rhodesia. As the answers to the second and third parts of the Question involve the compilation of a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate them in the Official Report as soon as they are available, together with figures for the Empire as a whole. Exports from Canada, India and Southern Rhodesia are only limited by the amounts of their available surplus.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the output of steel during the year 1939 in the following countries: Germany, including Austria and the Saar, U.S.A. and Great Britain; what was the output for those countries during the year 1945; and what was the number of people employed in the industry in each of those countries during the same years.

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India what technical or other difficulties are preventing the appointment of a High Commissioner for India.

His Majesty's Government have every intention of making this important appointment without delay, but there are certain points of detail which need and are receiving consideration. I am not, therefore, in a position to make a more detailed announcement.

In view of the fact that the proposed creation of this appointment was first announced by the Viceroy on 15th June last, and on 15th October in this House the Under-Secretary said the matter was under active consideration, does not my hon. and learned Friend think it is about time the difficulties which brought about this matter were resolved?

I can assure my hon and gallant Friend that there has been no unnecessary delay and I hope to make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the economic boycott against the Jewish community of Palestine by the Governments of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq constitutes a breach of the trade agreements between these States and the United Kingdom since, under these agreements, Palestine is entitled to the benefits of the most-favoured-nation clause; and what. steps he proposes to take to ensure respect for these agreements by the five Governments concerned.

Of the countries referred to, Egypt is the only one with which the United Kingdom has a Trade Agreement containing a most-favoured-nation clause. On the question of making representations, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies to similar Questions on 13thFebruary.

Is not this a flagrant breach of the trade agreement with Egypt and will not the right hon. and learned Gentleman do something to remedy the position or take counter-measures?

As my hon. Friend will see, if he reads the answer I have quoted to him, steps have been taken.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now able to make a statement with regard to the Government's proposals for a victory march in London and the principal provincial cities.

Yes, Sir. Official Victory celebrations will take place in London on Saturday, 8th June, which will be a Public-Holiday. They will consist of a Victory Parade in the morning, children's entertainment in the Royal Parks in the afternoon and a river, searchlight and firework display in the evening. I will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that these celebrations will be on a scale fitted to the occasion and that there will be no austerity?

I think they will be as fitting to the occasion as circumstances will allow.

Is the Prime Minister aware that many of the newspapers are regarding the day as Whit Saturday, whereas, in point of fact, this day is a week later, and as this is an important point, especially where Lancashire is concerned, may I ask the Press to give publicity to this supplementary question?

I think my hon. Friend must have got the wrong calendar.

Would the Prime Minister make sure that, on Victory Day, the people will get special allowances of rations so that they can really enjoy it?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the holding of official banquets and receptions, at a time when famine is prevalent in Europe, offends good taste and is resented by the general public; and if he will direct that only such functions as are absolutely necessary shall take place and that those shall assume proportions comparable with austerity endured by the common people.

The considerations to which my hon. Friend refers are very much in all our minds and I agree with him that it is most desirable that due economy in food consumption shall be exercised by all both on official and unofficial occasions.

Would the Prime Minister give an assurance in regard to use of the Food and Hospitality Fund, and see that there will not be so many Government banquets?

I think I have expressed in my answer my view with regard to hospitality.

May I ask the Prime Minister if, when making the selection for the hotels in which these banquets are to be held, he will consult the Minister of Labour?

I do not select hotels for banquets.

asked the Prime Minister if he now proposes to suggest the calling of an Imperial Conference, in view of the possibility of the U.S. Congress refusing to grant this country a loan.

It would be premature to accept the hypothesis contained in the hon. Member's Question.

In view of the fact that only Empire countries are prepared to help us in our hour of need, does the Prime Minister not feel that he ought to take some steps to see that we do not get a bombshell on us in the event of these negotiations breaking down?

Oh, yes, but 1 really cannot act upon a hypothesis in a question of this kind. Naturally, we will keep in touch with the Dominions in all these matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the policy of the British Control Commission towards the growing problem of unemployed Nazis in the British zone and the danger of having these men unemployed and at large.

Nazis who are likely to prove dangerous if left at large are held in internment camps. Those not so held are required to register and are subject to direction into types of employment, mainly manual, where they are least likely to cause trouble. Long-term policy is based on the development under Allied control of anti-Nazi German police and other public services.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is aware that two Austrian Social Democrats, Mr. Machold, the leader of the Styrian Government, and Mr. Rosenwith, the Security Director of Styria, were arrested on an order of an inter-Allied commission in Styria, British zone, for alleged pro-Nazi activities; that these two gentlemen have not only been loyal members of the Social Democratic Party for more than 40 years, but were held in German concentration camps during the war; and whether an official inquiry is being held now to inquire into their bona fides and, if so, why.

Mr. Machold and Mr. Rosenwith, of whose good records I am aware, were not arrested for alleged pro-Nazi activities but were recently questioned as a result of the investigations of a Quadripartite Commission into alleged Austrian military preparations. Immediate inquiries were made and I am now informed that no suspicion of Nazi activities attaches to them and they are at complete liberty.

Is it not a fact that one of the men was detained when he was prosecuted?

I understand that the two men were called in for questioning, but were released on the same day after questioning, and, as stated in my answer, they are now at complete liberty.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the necessity to produce more food in this country, he will consider offering more attractive terms to those members of the W.L.A. who may be willing to remain in Government service.

I would refer the hon. and gallant 'Member to the reply I gave on nth February to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Garry Allighan), of which I am sending him a copy.

How can the Government expect more home production of food if they continue to treat this splendid body of young women so meanly?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read the reply to which I referred, he will find that there are appreciable advantages for members of the Women's Land Army over all others.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the renewed shortage of animal feeding stuffs, he will take action to increase the production of dried grass from the existing plants and encourage the establishment of new plants, in order that the supply of high protein dried grass suitable for all classes of livestock shall be increased as rapidly as possible.

At present market prices commercial grass drying would appear to be a remunerative proposition and I am not aware that further encouragement is required.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assist in encouraging this production which has been discouraged during the war owing to the shortage of material?

Yes, Sir, but I am sure-my hon. Friend will agree that there is no discouragement at the moment. In fact, an individual licence for grass driers is unnecessary, and in all other respects we are giving what encouragement we can.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take action to prevent colliery companies from giving their agricultural tenants notice to quit, with a view to selling the farms with vacant possession, the results of which are a diminution in production on the farms and a hardship to the tenants concerned.

Except where an agricultural holding is subject to a contract of sale made since 3rd September, 1939, or has been sold in pursuance of a contract of sale made since that date, I have no power to veto any notice to quit.

What is the exact position of farms under the nationalisation of coalmines?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many cottage certificates were granted by W.A.E.Cs. during 1945; and how many applications were refused.

In the 28 counties for which information is at present available, 387 applications were granted and 225 were refused. I will write to my hon. Friend in a few days when I have returns from all Committees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that large numbers of ordinary cottage tenancies are being turned into tied cottages by the process of securing certificates from the W.A.E.Cs.; that the cottages are required for the proper working of the farm; and will he establish a court of appeal, to which cottage tenants threatened with eviction can apply, and in the cases of farmers threatened with dispossession of their farms.