asked the Minister of Food for what reason the Government refused an offer from Australia of more eggs and dried fruits before the last ration cuts were made in Britain.

I have accepted all offers from Australia of eggs and egg products with the exception of an extremely small quantity of dried egg, specially packed for the use of the Armed Forces and which, by agreement with the Australian Government, has been allocated for that purpose. The only offer of dried fruit which I-have refused is that of a token quantity of 50 tons of table muscatels. This offer was declined at the time principally on the grounds of price, but some regard was paid to the difficulty of securing equitable distribution of so small a quantity with no assurance of further supplies. I am, however, looking into this aspect of the matter again since, in present conditions I am anxious to import into this country all suitable foodstuffs which can be obtained at fair prices.

asked the Minister of Food in what proportions dried apricots have been allocated between restaurants, caterers and retail shops since last July.

Dried apricots have been allocated since last July between restaurants and caterers, jointly classified as catering establishments on the one hand and retail shops on the other in the proportions of 10.8 per cent, and 86.6 per cent, respectively. The balance is allocated to institutions.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the shortage of fruit and vegetables in the Edinburgh area and, in particular, that the expected allocation of oranges has not materialised; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the population of this area shall not continue to be deprived of an adequate supply of vitamin C.

Edinburgh, with the rest of Scotland, is receiving at least its full share of the fruit and vegetables which are being imported. As regards oranges, Edinburgh will receive a further allocation from a ship which docked at Leith on 15th February and will then have received the same number of allocations as all other parts of the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the representations made to him by the Retail Fruit Trade Federation, Fife and Kinross branch, regarding the shortage and unequal distribution of fruit in Scotland and the effect which the shortage is having upon the health of the people in many districts; and what action he is taking in the matter.

No representations have yet reached me from Fife and Kinross branch of the Retail Fruit Trade Federation. At the present time practically all the fruit available for distribution is imported by the Government. Of the supplies available, Scotland is receiving slightly more than the average quantity to compensate for its lower home production

asked the Minister of Food the total amount of food that may be taken out of the United Kingdom by any one person and also how much soap may be taken.

As the reply to my hon. Friend's Question would be rather long, I am sending him a copy of the notice issued to passengers leaving the United Kingdom with regard to the control of exports, which will give him the information he desires.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the desirability of forbidding the use of bread in the form of rolls in public restaurants and the restricted use of bread at main meals.

Yes, Sir, I have requested caterers to supply any form of bread at main meals only if it is specifically asked for by the consumer.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in the interests of economy, he will encourage bakers to supply half loaves when small loaves are not in stock.

Bakers are quite at liberty to supply half loaves to the public on request, but I am looking into the question of whether it is possible to make more i lb. loaves.

asked the Minister of Food upon what grounds he has decided to continue the addition of calcium to the loaf of 80 per cent, extraction now in operation, in view of the fact that this addition was originally devised to counteract the supposed calcium destructive properties of the 85 per cent, extraction loaf and should not be called for in a loaf of lower extraction.

The addition of calcium to the loaf was retained when the extraction rate was reduced to 80 per cent, in order to ensure good intakes of calcium as a beneficial nutritional measure.

asked the Minister of Food the countries of the Empire from which supplies of sugar are imported into this country, giving the amounts so imported in 1937 and in the last available year; and what proportion of the sugar imports into this country are obtained from sterling and dollar areas, respectively.

The countries of the Empire from which supplies of sugar were imported into this country in 1937, and the quantities imported are as follow:

	Tons.
B.W.I, and British
Guiana	367,800
Mauritius	286,570
South Africa	189,418
Australia	383,380
Fiji	84,483
British East Africa	13,593

Making a total from Empire sources in that year of 1,325,244 tons. This is a higher figure than in any other year either "before or after 1937. In 1945, as throughout the war, we purchased the entire exportable surplus of sugar from all producing Dominions and Colonies.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the inadequate supply and distribution of food in North Staffordshire, especially fruit and vegetables; and will he take steps to see that a reasonable and fair allocation of essential foodstuffs is allocated to this area.

I am not aware that the supplies of foodstuffs in general or of fruit and vegetables in particular are any less adequate in North Staffordshire than in other districts of the country, nor have I had any complaints which would lead me to believe that distribution in that area is faulty.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of vegetable oils and fats imported into this country are obtained from countries of the Empire and from dollar countries, respectively; and whether any steps have been taken to increase the supplies from Empire countries.

Over 93 per cent, of our imports of vegetable oils and oilseeds in the year 1945 came from Empire countries. Rather less than three per cent., came from non-British territories in Africa; and the remaining four per cent., which consisted largely of linseed and castorseed for technical use, came from South American countries. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," but we are already receiving the maximum possible supplies from most Empire sources.

asked the Minister of Food what improvements are expected in the supplies of olive oil; and what steps have been taken to increase the supply.

I am trying to get a little more olive oil for medicinal use but I could not import supplies for culinary purposes at present except at the expense of other oils more urgently needed.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the expected improvement in the supply of fish and the necessarily increased dependence on it for variety of diet, he will state what steps he is taking to improve the distribution of fish in rural areas.

I am prepared to consider sympathetically all applications to open retail fish businesses in villages or districts which are poorly served, and 1 would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for East Willesden (Mr. Orbach). All licensees are given a minimum entitlement of fish which, from 2nd March next when zoning comes to an end, they will be able to augment with surplus fish from any port or market in the country.

asked the Minister of Food what action he proposes to take to further the distribution of fish in villages which are now without a supply.

All cases in which complaints are made of unsatisfactory fish distribution are carefully investigated and additional licences and allocations of fish are granted to suitable applicants.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the shortage of supplies of fish in Bedford, he will take steps to increase these by arranging, if necessary, for deliveries from additional sources.

During the winter, fish supplies have generally been low, but Bedford has received its fair share per head of the population. In addition to its regular supplies from Fleetwood, Bedford can at present obtain surplus fish from Grimsby, Hull and Lowestoft, and from 2nd March, when zoning comes to an end, it will be able to get surplus fish from any port in the country.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an estimate, based on the maximum quantities of rice, wheat, etc., known at present to be available or obtainable in the near future from Siam and elsewhere, and on the precedents afforded by other famines in recent years, of the number of persons likely to die of starvation during the present year in the rice-consuming countries of the East.

Statistical data are insufficient notably as regards China, to make any such assessment.

asked the Minister of Food what happened to the considerable stocks of food which were deposited all over the country just before the invasion of Europe; what were the quantities; how much of it was condemned through being kept too long or badly stored; how much was exported; how much was used here; and how much is still stored.

The approximate figures for emergency stocks involved are:

	Tons.
Total stocks	100,000
Lost by fire, enemy action etc.	1,000
Out of condition	2,000*
Used for overseas relief	43,000
Used for home stocks	51,000
To be collected	3,ooo†
	100,000
*Mostly fit for consumption after reprocessing.
†About 2,000 tons should be available for overseas relief.

asked the Minister of Food whether extra rations of cheese can be made available for gas main layers, who often have to work in remote areas at a considerable distance from their homes.

The grant of the special ration of cheese is restricted to well-defined categories of workers permanently employed under conditions which require them to take a packed meal with them to their work each day. I am advised that this is not the general position in regard to gas main layers, and I cannot therefore accept my hon. Friend's suggestion

asked the Minister of Food if there is sufficient refrigerated shipping to bring to this country the food available for export from Australia and New Zealand.

Yes, Sir, apart from a certain amount of space for fruit cargoes.

asked the Minister of Food why quantities of Christmas puddings and cakes from South Africa have been lying in 0 warehouse, Southampton Docks since mid-December; and what does he intend to do with them.

1,097 cases of puddings have been distributed. A further 49 cases, of which the arrival was not notified to my Department until this week, await distribution. The remaining foodstuffs are part of a large gift from South Africa, the bulk of which arrived at other ports and is now in process of distribution.

asked the Minister of Food the estimated saving in dollars of the proposed cut in the imports of feeding stuffs for poultry during the next six months and the next year, respectively; and the estimated cost in dollars of shell eggs to be imported during the same two periods.

As we are not importing feeding stuffs from the U.S.A. there can be no saving in dollars over the next six months. So far as the following year is concerned it is too early to anticipate whether the U.S.A. will authorize the export of feeding stuffs if purchases could be made. As to shell eggs it is estimated that, during the whole of 1946, approximately is| million Canadian dollars worth will be imported, of which about 11 million dollars worth relates to the first half of the year.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that those employed in food shops are embarrassed in their work by statements as to changes in rationed goods and points being made over the radio some days before the local food officers send official information, by which they are bound, to the shops; and if he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.

No, Sir, I am not aware of this. Changes in points values are not normally announced until the Sunday on which they become operative, on which day details appear in the Food Facts advertisements. Changes in the quantities of rations are sometimes announced in advance, but retailers receive official information from the food offices before the date on which they have to give effect to the change. If the hon. Member will send me details of the cases he has in mind, I will look into them.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that 38 per cent, of the animals sent to the Birmingham abattoir for slaughter are only fit for manufacturing purposes; and if he will take steps to secure, in future, a fairer distribution of higher grade animals.

I am aware that a large number of animals, the carcases of which are fit only for manufacturing purposes, are slaughtered at Birmingham. As the supply of meat of ration quality in any area is not affected by the number of animals of manufacturing quality slaughtered in that area, there-would be no advantage in adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has a further announcement to make regarding the importation of Canary Island tomatoes; and whether he will take steps to reverse the position established by the Emergency Powers (Defence) Order No. 1325, of October, 1945, under which an additional middleman became part of the machinery of tomato importation.

I am not yet able to make any anouncement about Canary Island tomatoes but I will do so as soon as possible. As regards the second part of the Question, I am unable to agree that an additional middleman has been introduced into the system of distribution as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the gravity of the food situation and the importance of using New Zealand maple peas for producing crops to feed cattle, he will alter his present policy of providing a large percentage of these imported peas to feed pigeons.

I am inquiring into this matter further and will communicate with the hon. Member.

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.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 18th February, 1946, Vol. 419, c. 783], supplied the following statement:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total production of tobacco in countries of the overseas Empire and what proportion of this is exported to Great Britain

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which my right hon. and learned Friend gave to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor) on 18th February and to the statement of imports from, and production in Empire countries which is given above in pursuance of that answer

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Junior Member for the borough of Oldham may expect some reply to his correspondence relating to the Woodstock Mill Oldham, commencing in October last

A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 15th February about the main buildings of the Woodstock Mill, Oldham. His letter of 25th January about the Number 5 Extension to the Woodstock Mill, which has been retained for Government use, is still under consideration, and a further investigation is being made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make available to hairdressers in Northern Ireland a larger supply of towels to purchase for use in their trade.

I have arranged to make a quantity of towels available to hairdressers, and discussions are at present going on with representatives of the trade and of the distributors. In those discussions, the needs of Northern Ireland will be borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will allocate three spare coupons at the end of the ration book to be used exclusively for household and bedding material now on coupons, to help the housewife to replace sheets, etc., which have become worn out with six years' constant use.

I regret that, at present, this is not possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the issue of special coupons to housewives for the purpose of obtaining household linen.

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the stocks of raw cotton now available in this country; what were the imports of raw cotton in the last available year from the U.S.A and other dollar areas, and also from countries of the Empire and other countries in the sterling area restricted.

Stocks of raw cotton in the United Kingdom at 31st December, 1945, were 411,000 tons. Imports during the year 1945 amounted to 398,000 tons, of which 107,000 tons were from the U.S.A., 174,000 tons from sterling area countries, and 117,000 tons from other countries, mainly South America.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to state how much of the aircraft factory at Hillington has been re-allocated to other uses; and what part of the remainder has to be retained for the manufacture of aero engines.

Three blocks, totalling 400,000 square feet have now been reallocated to other uses, and negotiations are proceeding for the re-allocation of two further blocks likely to be available in the near future. The remainder of the factory will be required, at least for the time being, for the repair and modification of aircraft engines.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of clothing coupons allowed to the Welsh Football Association; and also to the Welsh Rugby Union and the English Rugby Union, separately.

Block grants are made to the four national Rugby Unions and Football Associations which they share, by agreement, between themselves. For the present season, the Welsh Football Association received 8,200 coupons, the Welsh Rugby Union 1,462 coupons and the English Rugby Union 4,262 coupons. In addition, a further 1,000 coupons were allowed to the English Rugby Union for the acquisition of frozen stocks of jerseys made pre-war in club colours.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air how many groups are equipment assistants now behind other categories which are being demobilised according to the ordinary age and service basis; and what prospects are now held of an early removal of the inequality.

Equipment assistants are two groups behind the general level of release from the R.A.F. for February and March. We are doing all we can to even up their release rate, but there is a great deal of work for them to do at present in helping to dispose of stores and equipment as a result of the accelerated release from the Service as a whole.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a number of administrative mistakes have been made in the granting of Class B releases to airmen in the Far East; and whether he has any statement to make.

We have received complaints that in the Fast East offers of release in Class B have sometimes been made to airmen not belonging to the specified trade, that the 15 per cent, quota has been exceeded, and that Class B offers have been made to men in high age and Service groups. Mistakes in selection are due to errors in the recording of civilian occupations on Service documents, but such mistakes are not frequent, and there is an obligation on the individual to refuse the offer if he is not qualified for the specified employment.The 15 per cent, quota has not been exceeded for the Royal Air Force as a whole although the percentage varies between one Command and another, and between one month and another. The age and service group reached for Class B releases depends, of course, on the number of men in a particular trade whom the R.A.F. are required to release in this Class. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any further specific complaints in mind and will give me particulars, I will be glad to look into them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if, in view of the reduction of the R.A.F. personnel owing to demobilisation and the need for physical training instructors for schools and youth clubs, he will advance the release groups of R.A.F. physical training instructors.

There has been a delay of two groups during recent months in the release of physical training instructors, but we shall be able to bring them into line with most other airmen in March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of Class A releases from the R.A.F. for December, 1945, and January, 1946, respectively; the anticipated Class A releases for February, 1946; and if he will arrange for these figures to be given the fullest publicity in the Press and R.A.F. routine orders

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks) on the 13th February. As for the last part of the Question, the monthly returns of releases from the Forces, are regularly announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and are given wide publicity in the Press. I entirely agree with the hon. Member as to the importance of giving the fullest publicity to these figures. We explain them in great detail, in our Demobforms, which are always open to the inspection of hon. Members in the Library For instance, Demobform 32 deals with the figures to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, now that the approximate date of release of groups up to 37 have been made known, he will give any information in regard to Groups 38 and 39; and whether he will state that airmen in these groups will not now be posted to S.E.A.C.

We have forecast release up to Group 35 for most airmen by the end of June, and we cannot go farther than that at present. Airmen who are under Group 39 are not now being posted to Air Command South-East Asia, and after the end of this month we shall not be posting there airmen who are under Group 40.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what age and service group of non-specialist medical officers will be demobilised from the R.A.F. in March; how much is the R.A.F. behind the Army and Navy; and the reasons for this lag.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air why release of general duty medical officers in the R.A.F. in March will be ten groups behind that of equivalent officers in the Army, while the bulk of the new recruits to the medical branches of the Services are being directed to the Army.

Medical officers in the Royal Air Force in Groups 28 and 29 will be released in March. I understand that general duty medical officers in the Army are now being released up to Group 38 and their colleagues in the Naval Medical Service will be released up to Group 47 by the end of March. As I explained to the hon. and gallant Member for Maccles-field (Air-Commodore Harvey) on 6th February, 1946, the release of medical officers is slower in the Royal Air Force than in the other two Services because the wartime proportion of medical officers in the Royal Air Force has been much lower than in the Army or the Navy.The distribution of recruits to the three medical services is still under consideration, but we are hoping to receive an allocation which will help to even, up the release rate. Of course, differences of this kind between the three Services are not confined to medical officers alone.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air if he is aware that non-specialist medical officers in the Army and Navy up to Group 38 are to be released.in February, 1946, whereas the similar category in the R.A.F. are to be retained until January, 1947, without any explanation being given for this differentiation: and will he rectify the injustice.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have given today in reply to Questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Pudsey and Otley (Colonel Stoddart-Scott) and my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Garry Allighan). I should add that we have announced that non-specialist medical officers in the R.A.F. will be released up to Group 31 in April, 1946. No later forecast can be given at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, in view of the need to produce food at home, how many aerodromes he proposes to hand over to agriculture; what is the ploughable acreage; and if he will give an assurance that his Land Department will act quickly on his instructions, since spring corn must be sown in the next few weeks. "

On 15th January, we had 50,000 acres in agricultural use and were arranging for War Agricultural Executive Committees to farm another 25,000 acres covering a large number of airfields. Particulars are not available of the total area under the plough, but 14,500 acres had been let for ploughing by my Department Since then, we have removed all restrictions on cultivation at over a hundred airfields which are still occupied. We are also making available for cultivation parts of a further 40 airfields which may be required again for flying. I cannot say what acreage at these airfields will be fit for the plough but I fear it may be disappointing because apart from the considerable extent of concrete, large areas of topsoil have been removed in levelling the airfields and the agricultural drainage has been destroyed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the cultivable area of R.A.F. stations at Bottesford, Langar, Winthorpe and Balderton; and what steps have been taken to make this land available for food production.

The area capable of use for farming at these four airfields is about 1,600 acres. We are using Langar for flying and the other airfields for storage. It will be possible to get no more than hay and dried grass at Langar, but we are arranging through the local war agricultural executive committees for the other airfields to be farmed to the utmost possible extent.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air if he is aware of the discontent of R.A.F. personnel in Hong Kong about the quality and quantity of food supplied to them; that another cut of 18s. was to be made in their rations as from its February; that their dissatisfaction is aggravated by the fact that food is plentiful in the cafes of Hong Kong and Kowloon; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the position.

In view of the present world food situation and as Service duties in the Far East are now mainly occupational, a reduced ration scale was introduced in South East Asia Command on 1st February. In other overseas commands rations were reduced last November.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he has considered complaints from 167 A.M.E.S., R.A.F., India Command; and whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in that unit over demobilisation and repatriation, all the more because they have nothing useful to do; that they were advised by the officer commanding to raise these matters with their respective Members; and when these men are likely to be released.

This is a new and isolated small unit which should have plenty of work to do in setting up a radar station. I am not aware that complaints have been made from the unit, and the command have already taken special steps for the welfare of these airmen, whose demobilisation or repatriation is certainly not delayed beyond their normal turn. I have not yet received a report on the suggestion that the men were advised to raise these matters with hon. Members, but I will write to my right hon. Friend on this point as soon as possible.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air if he is aware that the. West Highland slipway on Kerrera Island, Oban, which was requisitioned early in the last war by his Department, has been lying unoccupied by the R.A.F. for the last seven months or more; that the slipway is required by its rightful owners for reconstruction work on fishing boats and other small craft; and will he take all possible steps to speed up the derequisitioning of this slipway.

While this land was in use by the Royal Air Force large sums of public money were spent on repairs, improvements and additions there. My Department has therefore been negotiating with the owners to secure a reasonable contribution towards the cost of these improvements. We have recently received an offer from the owners, which is now under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many persons were killed and injured in air accidents during January, including those in Transport Command; and whether it is intended that there shall in future be a public inquiry in all cases where civilian passengers have been concerned.

As the hon. Member is aware, particulars of accidents involving casualties in R.A.F. passenger and troop-carrying aircraft are now published in the form of a regular monthly statement. This statement, which we hope to publish about the end of the month following that to which it refers, shows casualties to passengers and crews separately. I think that the hon. Member will obtain the figures he requires in our next return, which should be available in the Library of the House at the end of the month.All accidents to Royal Air Force aircraft are subjected to the most searching investigation within the Service, and it is not proposed to institute a system of public inquiries to supplement these investigations when civilian passengers are carried. The carriage of civilian passengers on Transport Command services originated to meet wartime requirements; it is a temporary arrangement which will come to an end as soon as possible. My Noble Friend would, however, always be prepared to state the conclusions he has reached as to the cause or causes of any particular accident after considering the findings of the court of inquiry and the observations of those officers whose duty it is to comment upon them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State of Air the circumstances under which a Flying Fortress was sent out from the R.A.F. station at Chivenor, North Devon, on the night of 8th January, on a routine flight in a high gale, which resulted in this plane crashing into the sea with the loss of five of her crew; and whether he will issue instructions to station commanders that needless risks should not be undertaken in bad weather in connection with purely routine flights.

This aircraft was engaged on a routine meteorological reconnaissance flight, for which the Fortress is regularly used and well suited. Its loss was due to engine failure, not to bad weather. As an additional safety measure, after the end of the war in Europe, a larger measure of discretion was left to station commanders, and to captains of aircraft in deciding whether a flight should be undertaken or curtailed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) the number of officers in the air mission in Bordeaux; what are their ranks, office hours and duties, respectively;(2) how many officers and men are serving on air missions in France; how many of them come directly under the Air Attaché; how many of them speak French sufficiently well to carry out their business; and how many of those stationed in Paris, above the rank of group-captain, have taken part in operational flying duties or held an operational command during the war.

62 officers and 98 airmen and airwomen, who all come directly under the air attaché are serving with the Royal Air Force Delegation in France. Many of these officers and some of the airmen speak French but their duties can be carried out satisfactorily, either in French or in English. Both the officers above the rank of group-captain who are stationed in Paris have held operational commands, but they were not posted to operational flying duties during the war.There is no longer a separate Air Mission at Bordeaux. We have, however, a detachment there from the R.A.F. Delegation (Paris) consisting of: One group-captain (engineer), one squadron leader (engineer), one squadron leader (signals), one flight lieutenant (equipment), one flight lieutenant (general duties), and one section officer (administrative). The duties of the detachment are to advise and assist the French training schools in South-West France. Much of their time is necessarily devoted to visiting the French schools rather than to office work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will give assurance that there is no suitable alternative accommodation at Uxbridge camp available for the purpose for which his Department now uses the Labour Hall, Villiers Street, Uxbridge; and when the Uxbridge Labour Party can expect the derequisition of that hall.

The R.A.F. Station at Uxbridge is overcrowded, and so I am afraid that we must continue to use the Labour Hall for some time yet. We shall certainly release it as soon as possible, but I cannot give a definite date at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will reconsider his Department's refusal to allow the release of Squadron-Leader G. T. W. Cashell, which has been recommended by the Minister of Health and the Central Medical War Committee, so that he may return.to the Royal Berkshire Hospital to take charge of the ophthalmic department.

At the time of the original application for this eye-specialist's release there was an urgent need for his work in India and the Far East mainly owing to the release of prisoners-of-war from the Japanese camps, a terribly large number of whom were suffering from grave eye troubles. For this reason we had to refuse his release. But I am glad to say that we shall now be able to release him next month.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he will pass on to relatives any information his Department obtain with respect to the fate of airmen missing, believed killed, in Germany.

I realise, of course, that relatives are anxious to receive all possible information about members of the Royal Air Force who have been reported missing from air operations, and we have taken special steps to give them any reliable information which is brought to light. For this "purpose the Air Ministry Missing Research and Inquiry Service is now at work investigating each report that is received in many parts of the Continent and the Far East. Eventually we hope to cover every place where some further information might be found. My hon. Friend will appreciate the complexity and the difficulties of this work, but I can assure him that we are doing our very best to find out what has happened to every member of the Royal Air Force who has been reported missing from air operations.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the future of the Hendon aerodrome, and whether he is prepared to release it at an early date in order that it may be used for building houses for the people.

Owing to the shortage of airfields near London, Hendon will have to remain in use both for the Royal Air Force and for civil flying.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air on what date the reduction in the tour of duty in the Aden Command was first announced; why effect has not yet been given to the decision; and when it is expected that this decision will become operative.

We announced on 8th November, 1945, that airmen would not have to serve for more than 12 months in certain areas, including Aden, in the Mediterranean and Middle East Command, and that all airmen who had served a year in those areas should have a total overseas tour of not more than three years. We have, also, since 1st December, been putting into effect the decision to reduce the overseas tour for single men in the R.A.F. to a maximum of three years and six months. It has been explained to all the airmen at Aden that this reduction is being carried out first, and they have shown a very reasonable understanding of the difficulties that would be involved in any other arrangement. The Commander-in-Chief hopes to start transferring airmen who have spent more than a year at Aden at the beginning of March, but he is not yet able to say when they will all have left.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that spare parts for two squadrons of Halifaxes were promised to be delivered to the two French squadrons concerned, at Merionac Bordeaux, by 15th October last; why they were not so delivered; why no answer was given by the Air Attaché in Paris, when asked for information; if he is aware that the squadrons are indefinitely grounded because of this delay; and what is the present position as regards supplying the required parts.

The delivery of these spare parts was delayed owing to the difficulty of providing suitable shipping and partly also owing to the dock strike. We were in close touch with the French authorities on this question, and they knew that delivery was expected in January. The Air Attache 's representative in Paris made immediate inquiries when he was asked to confirm this date, which he was able to do within a week. The spares had, in fact, already arrived in France when we first heard, on 29th January, that these aircraft had been grounded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that an order Ref. 232G/2929/2/P.1 issued on 17th December, 1945, from H.Q. 232 Group, R.A.F., states that an airman is not allowed, directly or indirectly, to communicate with a Member of Parliament to obtain redress of grievance; and if he will take immediate steps to countermand this order and institute disciplinary action against those responsible.

Yes, Sir. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing this order to our notice. It has, of course, been immediately cancelled. I have looked into the case carefully and am satisfied that the issue of the order wag, a genuine mistake, though a foolish one. So I do not think disciplinary action is called for. But what we have done is once again to call the attention of all Service authorities to the unquestioned right of all airmen to write to their Members by publishing in our Service journals the assurance on this point given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 19th November last.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air if he is aware that A.T.C. cadets have not yet been provided with overcoats; and will he take steps to provide these before the end of the winter.

At present we can only issue greatcoats to A.T.C. cadets who are on gliding exercises. Even if a wider issue were authorised, I am afraid that we should have few if any greatcoats to spare this winter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the anticipated time required for trials, testing and training between the delivery of Tudor aircraft and their use on the Atlantic route.

I have been asked to reply. The answer is from about six to eight months.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why permission to use Prestwick airport has been refused by his Department to two foreign operators; and whether he has any statement to make.

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend is not aware of any such refusals. If the hon. Member will let my hon. Friend have full particulars he will make further inquiries within his Department.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a decision has yet been made on the question of bringing permanent R.N. personnel within the scope of the concession of free passage back to the country of the husband's domicile for a wife whom he married during his service abroad.

I am pleased to inform the hon. and gallant Member that instructions have now been issued to extend this concession from a current date to the wives and children of permanent personnel who married during war service abroad.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many tank-landing craft have been used to take material from ports in Scotland to Belfast and other sea voyages; how many have been lost; and how many lives have been lost in these operations.

Six tank-landing craft have been employed under Admiralty control taking material from Scotland to Northern Ireland. I regret that information concerning other sea voyages is not available. No craft or lives have been lost during any of these operations.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why officers retired three months before 8th May, 1945, were, unless invalided, deprived of the whole of the 56 days' leave with full pay awarded to officers on demobilisation, while officers who retired a few days before 8th May were given only 28 days' leave; and, having regard to the fact that many of these officers were recalled for active service in the early days of the war, if he will review the circumstances with a view to their being given the full 56 days of leave with pay.

Naval officers retired for reasons other than invaliding received 28 days' leave after October, 1942, and 42 days' leave after October, 1944. With regard to the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Broxstowe (Mr. Cocks), by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 27th March last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will make a statement as to the position of the men and their families transferred from Plymouth to Rosyth during the war; and whether it is the intention of his Department to retain them in permanent employment at Rosyth, or to bring them back to Devonport Dockyard.

The subject of this Question is one which is bound up with the future of Rosyth, which is at present under consideration. I regret, therefore, that I am not in a position to make a statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether serving men who have been chosen as candidates for the forthcoming urban district and county council elections will be given facilities for pursuing their candidatures and finally going to the poll.

In the case of candidates serving at home, no extra leave is admissible but leave which is ordinarily due may be deferred or brought forward, subject to the exigencies of the service. No special facilities for return to the United Kingdom can be allowed to candidates serving overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the canvas tents at 186 Transit Camp, Taranto, will be replaced by huts, and the catering arrangements and diet improved in this camp.

This camp is being closed down on about 1st March. No further construction of hutting is therefore contemplated. Reports 1 have received indicate that the general standard of messing at this camp is good.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has con- sidered the case of a soldier, number 14675882, which was the subject of a letter from the hon. and gallant Member for Colchester on 15th January, 1946; whether he will make a statement on the circumstances in which this man was arrested; what charge was made against him; what his medical category is; and where he now is.

This soldier was arrested on 8th November, 1945, and despatched to his unit on the following day. He appeared before his Commanding Officer on 14th November and was remanded for District Court Martial. He was tried by District Court Martial at Lichfield on 23rd November, 1945, on a charge of whilst on active service being absent without leave from 18th November, 1943, until 8th November, 1945. He was found guilty and sentenced to one year's detention. The soldier escaped from a Military Detention Barrack on 5th December, 1945, and is still absent. At the time of his escape he was in medical category B2.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to recruit and train doctors for the Colonial Medical Service in West Africa and to maintain it at its present level.

The number of applications received from qualified men for appointment to the Colonial Medical Service is now nearly equal to the total number of vacancies and applications are continuing to come in at a steady rate. I am, however, concerned at the disinclination of many candidates to serve in West Africa and I have under consideration proposals designed to make the Service more attractive, particularly to candidates with higher qualifications. For training, the fullest use is made of the courses in tropical medicine at the universities of London, Edinburgh and Liverpool.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which of the African Colonies or dependencies are importing or, arranging to import, maize.

The territories which have arranged for the import of maize are Nigeria and Zanzibar.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he consulted representative local opinion in Malaya before issuing the recent statement of policy; and, if so, what individuals or groups were consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the many demonstrations against the provisions of the proposed Malay Union; in particular, if he has been informed of the recent demonstration of 20,000 Malays at Alor Star on the abdication of at least one Malay ruler under force by his subjects, because he signed the Treaty agreements; and what representations he has received from Malay rulers and Malay associations against the Treaty.

The only formal consultations undertaken before the issue of the recent White Paper were those between Sir Harold Mac Michael and the Rulers and their advisers in connection with the negotiations for the new Agreements. Before these consultations began, the Sultans had had the opportunity of studying the statement which I made in the House on 10th October last, in which I gave a general outline of the policy of His Majesty's Government. Moreover, at his first interview with each Sultan, Sir Harold handed to His Highness a Memorandum explaining the proposals of His Majesty's Government in detail. Since the White Paper was issued. I have received representations from some of the Sultans and from various organisations and individuals in Malaya. These representations are directed, in the main, against particular proposals such as that for the creation of Malayan Union citizenship, rather than against the new Agreements as such. These representations are being considered. So far as I am aware there has been no demonstration of the size suggested; nor has any Malay Ruler abdicated since the conclusion of the new Agreements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if members of the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force are eligible for war service and emergency grants in the same way as other Armed Forces of the Crown.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if wives of members of the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force, who were themselves interned by the Japanese, are eligible for separation or marriage allowance during such period, in the same way as if they had been free.

No, Sir, but special grants are made to wives of members of the Malayan Volunteer Forces in lieu of marriage allowances which are not granted for any period during which a wife of a volunteer is interned or resident in enemy occupied territory.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons which led to the disturbance at Singapore; and the number of casualties caused.

An application from certain quarters in Singapore to stop work on 15th February and to hold a mass rally and processions in order to "Commemorate the fall of Malaya under Fascist regime" was refused. It was pointed out that 12th September, the date of liberation, would be a more appropriate date for celebration. However, a procession by demonstrators was formed, and a detachment of 30 police hastened to the scene. The police endeavoured to act by persuasion, but were finally attacked with sticks, bottles and crowbars by a crowd of more than 200. The police were in danger of being overwhelmed and were obliged to open fire; two persons were killed and 18 injured.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will consider repealing the laws in Cyprus forbidding public gatherings, demonstrations and meetings of more than five persons.

The law does net forbid public gatherings, demonstrations, and meetings of more than five persons, but merely requires permission to be sought for meetings of more than five persons for political purposes and for processions of more than 15 persons. I have no information that permits have been unreasonably refused, or that undue restrictions have been imposed. The possibility of relaxation of the law is constantly under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any announcement to make on the policy of the Government towards immigration into Tanganyika.

I have nothing' at present to add to the reply regarding immigration into East Africa which I gave on 6th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Altrincham (Colonel Enroll).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any alienation of land to non-natives is taking place at present in. Tanganyika, other than township, residential and trading plots; or whether such alienation has ceased pending the Government's decision on the Report of the Central Development Committee.

As far as I am aware, there has been little or no alienation of land to non-natives for settlement purposes since the beginning of the war. The report to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was made six years ago. The Tanganyika Government is now considering the possibility of non-native settlement on a small scale as part of the economic development of the territory. It will be a prerequisite of any schemes submitted for my consideration that they should not conflict with the land requirements of the African population, and any alienation would be by lease not exceeding 99 years in accordance with the established policy of the Tanganyika Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the latest available details of the production of the gold mines of the Colony and Protectorate of Sierra Leone; and the allocation of income to dividends, royalties, taxes and wages of European and African workers and social services for employees.

The information requested is not immediately available. I am asking the Governor of Sierra Leone for a report on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many teachers are employed in the Colony and Protectorate of Sierra Leone; and what salaries and pensions are paid them.

I am asking the Governor to provide the detailed information requested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether arrangements have been made, or are being made, for a survey of the resources of the British Commonwealth and Empire of uranium and thorium.

Yes, Sir. We and other Commonwealth Governments have kept under continuous review the availability of these minerals within the Commonwealth and a number of special surveys have been carried out.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India by whom the extensive Indian deposits of thorium is owned.

I am asking the Government of India for this information.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether production of food in the British zone in Germany is up to the level of the 1939 production; and what action is being taken to expand the present level of production.

No, Sir, but all possible steps are being taken to increase food production though shortages of seed, fertilisers and agricultural equipment are serious handicaps. The measures include ploughing up 650,000 acres of grassland, reducing livestock, prohibiting luxury crops and using town gardens for growing potatoes and other vegetables.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total taxable income of Great Britain in each year since 1938.

This information will appear in the next Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue which I hope will be presented to Parliament before the forthcoming Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the years 1924–25, 1934–35. 1944–45 the total payments on account of general U.K. services, the amount contributed by Scotland to the revenue, the amount charged to the Exchequer for specifically Scottish services, the difference between the two latter amounts, and the proportion which that difference bore to the total payments on account of general U.K. services.

These are the figures for 1924–25 and 1934–35. The collection of similar figures for 1944–45 would require more time and labour than would be justified.

		1924–25†	1934–35‡
(1)	Total expenditure on Imperial Services*falling on England and Wales and Scotland	526	392.0
(2)	Total revenue contributed by Scotland	75	66.9
(3)	Expenditure on Scottish local services	25	47.5
(4)	Excess of (2) over (3)	50	19.4
(5)	Excess under (4) as a percentage of total expenditure on Imperial Services under (1)	9.5	5.0

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardship caused to the retailer by the withdrawal of purchase tax on goods of which he holds considerable stocks and is in the position of having to compete with other traders who bought stocks subsequent to the lowering of purchase tax; and if he will take steps to mitigate this hardship.

This matter is at present being fully examined with representatives of the traders concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that many former members of the U.S. Forces anxious to send personal gifts to friends in this country, in appreciation of friendships formed while serving here, are prevented from doing so by existing customs and duties; and if he will relax these with a view to strengthening good neighbour relations between citizens of the U.S.A and of this country.

I am aware that complaints have been made by some recipients, but I cannot authorise waiver of Customs duties on goods imported into this counry, merely on the ground that they are sent as gifts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he proposes to make arrangements for the release for publication of documents in the possession of His Majesty's Government, relating to the assistance of anti-Nazi Germans to the Hitler regime.

The question of publishing German documents on this or any other subject rests in the first instance with the Allied Government under whose control such documents have come. His Majesty's Government have in fact little significant material about anti-Nazi German activities, excluding of course those of anti-Nazi German refugees in this country. The piecemeal publication of such documents and reports as are held, the value and accuracy of which cannot as yet clearly be assessed, is not considered desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-American Palestine Commission will visit Rumania to hear evidence from the Jewish victims of persecution there.

The Committee has stated its desire to detach a sub-committee for the purpose of visiting Rumania and examining the condition and prospects of Jews in that country.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will consider restoring regular sittings of the Regional Transport Commissioners, in order to give local authorities opportunities to make representations for improvements in omnibus services.

I have this matter under consideration but would remind my hon. Friend that the Regional Transport Commissioners are always ready to consider any representations from local authorities for improvements in bus services.

asked the Minister of War Transport the order of priority of road construction and repair schemes scheduled for early commencement by Ross and Cromarty County Council in the Isle of Lewis, arid the estimated cost of each scheme.

I have recently approved proposals of the Ross and Cromarty County Council for the reinstatement of the Barvas-Ness and Stornoway-Cal-lanish Roads. The estimated cost of the works is£27,000 and£48,000 respectively, and they will be carried out at an early date. No other schemes for road works in the Isle of Lewis have been submitted to me by the county council.

asked the Minister of War Transport what aggregate increase in vehicle tonnage had been granted, by December, 1945, to haulage contractors registered in September, 1939; and what was their vehicle tonnage on the earlier date.

This information is not readily available and could only be obtained by an investigation of the records of individual operators in the regional offices. I do not consider that the work involved would be justified.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will set up a public inquiry into the road haulage industry, before deciding on the question of nationalisation.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of War Transport how many persons were killed and injured on the roads and railways of the United Kingdom during the month of January.

The number of persons killed and injured en the roads and railways in January were:Roads: 416 killed and 10,452 injured.Railways: 41 killed and 78 injured.

asked the Minister of War Transport (1) if he is aware that at least 50 American modern oil-burning cargo ships are obtainable for British use at a rate equal to the voyage costs of operation; and if he will take steps to acquire them;(2) if he is aware that the large U.S. refrigerator vessels known as C.2 reefer type may be available for essential British use as their war duties are ending; and, in view of his urgent need for 10 refrigerator ships, if he will take immediate and appropriate action with the U.S. war shipping administration.

My collaboration with the U.S. shipping authorities remains close and continuous. Ships under U.S. flag have been and will continue to be available in our trades in accordance with arrangements already made. In particular, I am exploring with the War Shipping Administration the possibility of obtaining the use of refrigerated tonnage.

asked the Minister of War Transport why the British refrigerator cargo vessel s.s. "Thorland" remains unused by his Department; and if he is aware that this urgently-needed ship has been lying unused in Norway since liberation in May, 1945.

The "Thorland" was found in Norway when that country was liberated. In view of the pressure on repair facilities it was not possible to afford any priority for repair work on this 42-year-old ship.

asked the Minister of Health what general arrangements have been made for the erection of prefabricated permanent houses; and whether such erection will be undertaken by local authorities or by specialist firms working under contract for the Government.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Circular 182/45, setting out the present arrangements.

asked the Minister of Health how many orders for the manufacture of prefabricated permanent houses of each of the approved types had been placed by 1st August, 1st December, 1st January and 1st February, respectively; and how many have up to the present been manufactured and erected.

Apart from the arrangements for the erection of development groups, the only orders placed by the Government for these types of houses are in respect of 2,400 Howard houses, of which none has yet been erected. I am, however, considering arrangements for certain other types, and I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he is taking to absorb public assistance officers in the machinery set up to operate National Insurance.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health stated on 15th November last in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Salford (Mr. Hardy), it is too early to make any detailed statement as to the future of the public assistance staffs. The questions which will arise for settlement on the transfer to the Government of the Poor Law functions on which these staffs are engaged, including the provision to be made for officers who become displaced as a result of that transfer, will not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Works when it is expected that the Rat Infestation Control Department and the Technical Reproductions Branch will derequisition the 12,000 square feet which they occupy at present in the School of Physiology at University College, London.

As my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, informed the hon. and. gallant Member for Uxbridge (Flight-Lieutenant Beswick) on 14th February, the release of this accommodation depends on how soon alternative premises can be prepared for the Departments concerned. The highest priority has been given to this work, but a considerable amount of adaptation is involved and it is unlikely that release will be possible until early summer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the world shortage of wheat, he will, con- sider raising the price to producers in respect of main crop potatoes.

Prices for main crop potatoes for the 1946 harvest were announced in July last. It would not be in accordance with the Government's policy to alter them now and my right hon. Friend sees no reason for doing so. Prices for the 1947 crop will be announced after the review of prices of the principal agricultural products which is at present proceeding.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what orders have been issued by the Ministry of Supply restricting the sale of electric cookers; why they are on sale in the showrooms of electrical undertakings; and why small retailers are unable to obtain them from the manufacturers.

No order has been issued by my Department restricting the sale of electric cookers, but as the supply is not yet equal to the demand, retailers.may have difficulty in obtaining all they need.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that 4423 Major Ridley, Royal Garhwal Rifles, Indian Army, D.A.O.M.G., M.O.V. and T., Paiforce, was recommended for release by his Department early in December, 1945, and nothing further has been done about it; and will he make immediate inquiries to expedite the release.

I have been asked to reply. An application for the release under Class B of this officer was received by this Department from the Ministry of Labour and National Service on 13th December and a telegram was despatched to the Government of India on the 14th December. Despite a reminder on 31st January no reply has yet been received from the Government of India. I am again requesting them to expedite a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland had placed firm contracts for municipal house-building; and how many had placed no such contracts by 30th November, 31st December and 31st January respectively.

I assume that the Question refers to contracts under which the prices are not subject to fluctuation because of variations in wages and the cost of materials Eight local authorities have placed such contracts to date, all before the 30th November, 1945.

asked the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, how many of his staff receive a weekly wage and how many are paid part-time, both male and female; and what is the weekly amount of wages paid to all the staff per week now, compared with the amount paid in 1944.

The number of staff receiving a weekly wage is 136; part-time male, six; female, one. Weekly wage paid now is£754 3s. 8d., and, during the corresponding period in 1944,£173 is. od.

asked the Minister of Education the total number of graduate or certificated teachers and other teachers, respectively, in the maintained, direct grant and independent recognised secondary schools, respectively, in the following areas: the administrative counties and county boroughs in Wales and Monmouthshire, the county of London, the administrative counties of Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland and East Sussex and the county boroughs of Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester.

Detailed returns from local education authorities have of necessity been discontinued during the war, but are being resumed this year. Until the returns have been received and analysed, it is not possible to give the particulars required by the hon. Member.