asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the sources of payment for purchases from the U.S.A. since the termination of lend-lease; and to what extent such payments are held in suspense account to be debited against the dollar loan.

From our dollar resources, with the aid of the lend-lease settlement. There is no suspense account for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, why Siegfried Gembicki, a Jewish refugee from Germany who escaped from a German concentration camp where all his relatives were murdered, was interned in this country for over six years and then sent back to Germany against his will and by force without means, friends or home; and what crimes this man had committed to deserve this penalty.

There is no evidence that this man was a refugee from Nazi oppression, but he has nine convictions in Germany and France (from which country he was twice expelled) for fraud, embezzlement and similar offences. He entered this country by impersonating a Danish subject. He was convicted here of making false statements to a registration officer and other offences under the Aliens Order, and was recommended by the Court for deportation. This could not be done before the war and, in view of his former service in the German Air Force and of his criminal record, he was interned during the war as an alien of enemy nationality. When circumstances permitted, he was repatriated as an undesirable alien.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Miklos Hanna, a Hungarian Jewish refugee, who escaped from the Auschwitz and Buchenwald death camps, has been for eight months detained in ooI Camp, Beltane School, in the company of Nazi party members, S.A. men and S.S. men; why he is not allowed to communicate with anyone outside; and when he will be released.

This man was refused leave to land when he attempted to enter under the false claim that he was a British subject. It would be wrong to encourage the idea that persons who reach our ports by false pretences will be allowed to stop here, but as the efforts to dispose suitably of this man have not yet succeeded, J have released him from detention. He was allowed to communicate with persons outside the place in which he was detained and my correspondence shows that he communicated with a number of hon. Members of this House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will indicate the order in which applications of naturalisation which were pending in 1940 and are now being brought up to date will be dealt with; whether he will give instructions that when brought up to date they will receive attention, not in alphabetical order, but in the order in which they would have been dealt with had naturalisation not been discontinued in 1940; and whether he will indicate an approximate time within which these applications may be expected to be decided.

The pre-1940 applications are being dealt with in the order in which they were submitted, but it will no doubt be found that some of these applicants have claims to priority on other grounds such as service with the Forces, and such applicants may, therefore; be dealt with earlier than would otherwise be the case. It is as yet too early to forecast the rate at which it will prove possible to deal with these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many certificates of naturalisation were granted in the years 1944 and 1945; and how many have been granted to date in, 1946.

The number of certificates granted in 1944, 1945 and 1946 to date was 549, 604 and 142. Of these 456, 371 and 97 respectively were granted to British born women.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the resolution passed at a mass meeting of Jewish residents in Salford; and what is his reply to the resolution, particularly that part which refers to an extension of the categories.

I have noted these representations, but as already stated, I regret that I cannot consider any extension of the existing categories until experience has shown what number of persons are likely to come to this country under the Scheme which the Government has authorised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to sentences of penal servitude for fraud passed at the Central Criminal Court on 25th January upon two aliens; and if he will give an assurance that these men, and similar offenders, will be deported.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Major Legge-Bourke) on 14th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet able to make a further statement on the possibility of legislation being in troduced to enable British women to retain their nationality on marriage to other nationals if they so desire.

No, Sir. Before any change in the law is made it is essential that there should be consultation with the Dominions, and it may be some time before that can be arranged.

asked the Minister of Labour what reply he has made to the application for a German, named Furtwangler, to be permitted to conduct a London orchestra.

I have been asked to reply. No application has yet been made for a visa, and before authorising admission to this country I should have to be satisfied that there were strong grounds for a visit by this German national.

asked the Secretary of 'State for the Home Department if he has considered the petition signed by all ranks of Advanced Reinforcement and Liaison Section, H.Q., Burma Command, Rangoon, calling for action to prevent the growth of any Fascist movement in Great Britain; and what steps he has taken as a result.

I have taken note of this petition. In reply to the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 14th February to the hon. Member for North Islington (Dr. Haden Guest).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in view of the continued escapes from Dartmoor Prison, he will take steps to increase the supervision of the boys at this institution.

As I explained in reply to questions on 24th January, the risk of escape cannot be eliminated in an institution in which the special system of Borstal training is carried on. The Prison Commissioners are, however, anxious that the risk should be minimised as much as possible, and, though the number of escapes from the Institution at Dartmoor is not exceptional as compared with other Borstal Institutions, they are giving careful consideration to the question whether any further steps, as regards supervision or otherwise, are required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction at present existent among members of the Metropolitan Police due to the inadequate payment offered for overtime made necessary owing to a shortage of manpower; and what steps are being taken to remove the cause for such dissatisfaction.

After consultation with the Police Council I have decided to increase the overtime rates to 3s. and 3s. 6d. an hour for male constables and sergeants respectively with proportionate increases for women constables and sergeants, and to make some other modifications in the regulations relating to overtime which will operate to the benefit of the men and women concerned. The necessary amendments to the Police Regulations will be issued at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to take steps to ensure that when an injury is caused by a motor vehicle on the River Tyne ferryboat crossing the River Tyne between South Shields and North Shields a police report will be made available to the injured person in the same way in which such a report would be made available if the accident had occurred upon the roads.

This is a matter for the Tyne Improvement Commission and is not one in which I have any jurisdiction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether members of the Czech forces in this country have a similar option to thataccorded to members of the Polish forces of returning to their country, or remaining in this country; whether, in the latter alternative, they are subject to similar conditions; and whether he has considered the particular case forwarded to him on 21st January.

The general arrangement as regards members of the Czech Armed Forces is that they will be repatriated to their own country. There are, however, certain cases where there are special grounds forallowing individuals to remain for the present in this country, and the case to which my hon. Friend refers is one of these.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that an increasing proportion of men in the N.F.S. are men of over 40 years of age, with service throughout the war; whether he is yet able to say upon what date men in the N.F.S., or such of them as are over 40, and with long service, will be permitted to leave without forfeiting their gratuities; and, if not, when he expects to be able to make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Mr. Mikardo) on 24th January.

asked the Minister of Health when he will be in a position to make a statement regarding correspondence between him and the Oxford City Council relative to the exchange of letters between the Oxford City Council and the Nuffield and Pressed Steel organisations.

I regret that I cannot yet say when I shall be able to make a statement; the subject is a big one and I am investigating it.

asked the Minister of Health the present position with regard to the negotiations pending for the purchase of 5,050 square yards of land in Breck Hill road by the Arnold Urban District Council: what is the purchase price; whether it agrees with the district valuer's report; and how it compares with the previous rateable value.

I gave my consent on 28th December last to the purchase of this land by the Arnold Urban District Council at the price of£884, which agrees with the District Valuer's report. The land has been vacant for some years and is therefore not rated.

asked the Minister of Health if he will allow private builders to build houses to let at the same building cost as those built by local authorities in the same vicinity, provided the houses are of similar quality and equipment.

The limits within which licences may be granted by local authorities will usually enable this to be done, but if any difficulty arises in a particular case of this kind, I should be prepared to consider it when the local authority desire to issue a licence.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses for which licences have been given to be erected by private enterprise and also by the public authorities, since he has been in charge of the Department.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the housing progress report which will contain particulars of houses for which licences have been given as well as of houses to be built by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health why cottages, erected early in the war for agricultural workers, are not legally agricultural cottages and can be let to any tenant in the open market.

These cottages are subject to the provisions of the Housing Acts which require only that a number of council cottages equal to the number on which the special agricultural subsidy is being paid shall be let to members of the agricultural population.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when arrangements are to be made to supply the new supplementary register to agents and registration officers so that the necessary arrangements may be made in time for forthcoming county council elections.

In accordance with the provisions of the Elections and Jurors Act, 1945, the Supplementary Register will be published on 28th February and will be effective for the forthcoming County Council elections. The same arrangements as were operative in respect of the October Register will apply to the sale of this Register, and to the supply of copies to Parliamentary party agents.

asked the Minister of Health when the Lancashire and Cheshire Provincial Whitley Council will, in conjunction with the National Whitley Council, reach a decision with regard to the scales of salaries payable to several classes of employees in public assistance institutions which have been under consideration for more than a year.

I regret that I have no information about the rate of progress reached by the provincial councils in negotiations of this sort, but I may refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave last week, of which I am sending him.a copy. Particular provincial councils may have been waiting for the national scale of salaries to be published by the National Council, and the result of its recent publication will no doubt be that they will make more rapid progress.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the recent recurrence of incidents in which children living near bombed buildings have been attacked by rats, he will now instruct local authorities to clear such buildings which are in the vicinity of occupied houses, as suggested in the letter sent him by the hon. Member for the Hulme division of Manchester.

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in this matter and action has already been taken regionally with a view to curing the particular trouble referred to.

asked the Minister of Works how many factories for builders' castings were held on requisition by the Government on 1st August, 1st October, 1st December and 1st February, respectively.

The information is not immediately available, but inquiries are being made and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Works how many workmen are now employed in brickworks; how many are needed to enable the works now open to operate at full capacity; and how many will be needed to operate all the brickworks in the country when they are all re-opened and working at full capacity.

At the end of January approximately 20,000 workers were employed in brickworks. The labour force required to man these works fully is estimated at approximately 40,000. The labour force required to operate all brickworks in the country at maximum production is estimated at 60,000.

asked the Minister of Works how many brickworks are now producing finished bricks; what was their monthly output in January; and what is the total potential monthly output of all existing brickworks, including those now still closed, when operating at full capacity.

In January 397 brickworks produced approximately 142 million finished bricks. The potential monthly output by all existing brickworks, including those now closed, operated at full capacity, is estimated at about 700 million.

asked the Minister of Works if, for the convenience of Members, he will have more writing tables and fewer chess tables placed in the chess room.

1 have consulted the authorities of the House and have been informed that the chess tables in the chess room are fully used. Additional accommodation for dictating and writing has recently been made available in No. 5, Old Palace Yard.

asked the Minister of Works if steps are being taken to replace the titles and names of the artists and of the donors of the mural paintings in St. Stephen's Hall

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Works when it is proposed to return the bust of Oliver Cromwell to the Palace of Westminster.

The bust will be returned when its pedestal, at present standing in Westminster Hall, is replaced in the Lower Waiting Hall in the near future. Owing to the great weight of the pedestal, its removal will be a matter of some difficulty and will have to be carried out at a convenient opportunity when the movements of Members and of the public will not be interfered with.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to make a determination exempting youths attaining the age of 18 and working in the cotton industry from military service, so

Current arrangements provide that youths attaining the age of 18 whose services are regarded as essential for production in the cotton industry may have their calling up for military service deferred. I am satisfied that the needs of the industry are adequately safeguarded by these arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make clear the procedure to be followed by farmers and; workers in His Majesty's forces to secure release under Class B and the special block grant release scheme, in view of the difficulties experienced by farmers and workers; of which details have been sent to him.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, to the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) on 17th December,I945.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of men and women released from the forces at the end of January.

The releases in January amounted to 444,860. This is an increase of 62,602 over the December figure. The total number of men and women released and discharged from 18th June, 1945, to the end of January was 1,954,120. Below is a detailed statement.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the dismissal by the tribunal of the appeal of four men employed by Messrs. Anderson Bros., engineers, of Coatbridge, for industrial misconduct, the industrial misconduct in question being that they were in arrears with their trade union contributions.

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour as it was the policy of His Majesty's Government to obtain the maximum number of building trade trainee places six months after the cessation of hostilities in Europe, for how many accommodation in new and adapted premises is now ready; and what is the total number of those waiting to enter training centres for lack of accommodation.

I do not accept the hon. Member's statement of the Government's policy. It. was never contemplated that it would be possible to develop the Building Training Scheme to its maximum in six months. Accommodation for building trainees has been increased by a thousand during the last month and is now available for about 5,500. New centres being opened in the course of the next three months will increase the available training places to some 12,000. The number on the waiting list on 8th February, was 8,428.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when it is intended to resume the publication of the Commercial Accounts of the Post Office.

As I stated in the Debate on the Emergency Laws (Transitional Provisions) Bill on 23rd of January, it is intended to resume publication of the audited commercial accounts of the Post Office with the accounts for 1947–48.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dissatisfaction existent among depositors at the length of time their books are retained at the Post Office Savings Bank when such books are sent there to be checked and made up, and, as some of these books are retained for a period of five or six weeks, will he consider ways and means whereby the return of such books will be expedited.

I regret that delay is occurring in the return of Savings Bank books. At this time of year it is usual for a large number of books to be sent up for examination; but this year the number has been exceptionally large, and the acute shortage of staff in the Savings Bank has made it impracticable to examine them and return them to the depositors expeditiously. The time now being taken is on the average a fortnight, and it would only be in exceptional cases that a book would be retained for more than three weeks. Everything possible is being done to expedite the treatment of the books.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether the amount of sick leave among the staff at the Post Office Savings Bank has been unduly high for the past six months; and to what extent this is attributable to overwork owing to a lack of manpower.

The sick leave amongst the staff of the Savings Bank in London was exceptionally high in the first few weeks of this year. This is attributed mainly to the prevalence of influenza, and with its decline the rate of sick leave has now fallen. In spite of all efforts the increase of staff has not kept pace with the enormous expansion of work; the staff are therefore still working long hours and there is no doubt they are suffering from the strain of the war years. I should like to pay tribute to the way in which they are meeting the heavy demands made on them.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that local authorities in rural districts in Wales have made, repeated representations for the installation of telephone kiosks in their areas; and what steps are being taken to provide these essential amenities.

Yes, Sir. I am looking into the matter and will see that the installation of kiosks in these districts proceeds as rapidly as the heavy pressure of priority commitments permits.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will re-introduce a system of priority telephone calls for members of the medical profession similar to that which operated formerly under the National Telephone Company, in order to obviate the long delays in securing hospital beds for patients and in making other calls upon which the health, and sometimes the lives, of patients may depend.

When a member of the medical profession has to make a vitally urgent call, the operator will give the call priority if the urgency is explained at the time.

asked the Minister of War Transport what progress has been made in regard to the erection of the proposed Severn Bridge; and when work on this bridge will be commenced.

As soon as may be after the Trunk Roads Bill has received Royal assent, I propose to make an Order under Section 6 authorising the construction of a bridge across the Severn. Considerable progress has been made with the preparation of the necessary plans and drawings. I hope it may be possible to start constructional work on the foundations during the course of the next financial year.

asked the Minister of Food how much suet was destroyed as unfit for use during the period when suet was included as part of the fat ration.

So far as I am aware, none.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements he has made for the import of tomatoes; what quantities have been imported during the last six months and from where.

Arrangements for the importation during 1946 of substantial quantities of tomatoes from the Channel Islands have already been made by my Department. The question of imports from other sources is at present under consideration. During the last six months approximately 7,200 tons have been imported from the Channel Islands.

asked the Minister of Food the total amount of barley allowed for the use of brewers and distillers for the last year of which the statistics are available; and what sugar and other grain was allowed for the same purpose in the same period.

The following are the estimated quantities of cereals and of sugar used by brewers and distillers in the United Kingdom in the year ended 30th September, 1945. The quantity of barley used by brewers is not known but represents the bulk of the total.

asked the Minister of Food the wholesale cost of one ton of dried egg; how many eggs one ton of dried egg represents; what has been the total quantity of dried egg imported into this country; and the total subsidy borne by the Exchequer.

As regards the first part of this Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my speech in the House on 14th February. One ton dried egg represents 86,000 eggs. The total quantity of dried egg imported by the Ministry of Food up to 31st December, 1945, was 243,500 tons, of which 184,300 tons were provided under Lend-Lease arrangements. The total subsidy borne by the Exchequer to 31st December, 1945, was£13,334,000, of which£1,188,000 represented normal import duty.

asked the Minister of Food the number of catering establishments of every kind registered in Brighton and Hove in August, 1939; and the number licensed on 1st February, 1946, together with the number of applications for licence to sell food which have been refused since VE-Day, and since VJ-Day.

Registration of catering establishments was not required until towards the end of 1939; the number then registered in Brighton and Hove was about 1,500; this figure, however, includes boarding houses and similar residential establishments which are no longer subject to registration or licensing. The number of catering establishments licensed in Brighton and Hove on the 1st February, 1946, was 1,215, and the number of applications for retail licences refused in the period 8th May, 1945, to 14th August, 1945, was 51 (48 for shops) and for the period 15th August, 1945, to 31st January, 1946, was 75 (41 for shops).

asked the Minister of Food the names of representatives of private firms who have served as advisers and controllers to his Department since September, 1939. and the names of the firms who employ them; those who have salaries from his Department; and those who refuse any salary.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the pension granted to Mr. F. T. Nokes, particulars of which have Vol. 418, c. 373], supplied the following information:been supplied by the hon. Member for Mile End, and which was granted in 1943, has now been reduced, although since that date he has twice spent lengthy periods in hospital by reason of his original complaint and is still only fit for light work.

As the hon Member was informed on 29th January, Mr. Nokes' present rate of pension is based on the findings of the Ministry Medical Boards held in October, 1945, and January, 1946. The Boards had before them the records relating to Mr. Nokes' history since discharge, and I am advised that the clinical findings and the condition as disclosed by the recent X-ray examination do not justify a higher rate of pension in respect of his disability, a duodenal ulcer aggravated by service.

asked the Minister of Pensions what steps he has taken to obtain compensation for the father of the late Stoker E. Fry, particulars of whom were sent to him on 7th January, who was stabbed to death by unidentified Italians at Taranto on 24th November.

The question whether any claim for compensation can usefully be pursued is not a matter for my Department, but I am in communication with other Departments to see whether they can be of help. 1 will acquaint my hon. Friend of the results of my inquiries.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that only one limb fitter is as yet employed at the limb-fitting centre, Tunbridge Wells, which is inadequate for the volume of work required: and whether he will take steps to send, at least, one other fitter.

I am aware of the position and I have already raised the matter with the contractors who supply the limbs and employ the fitters. The hon. Member will appreciate that the number of trained limb fitters is small and that those available must be distributed over all the various limb centres.

asked the Minister of Education the total number of men and women teachers required during the next two years; what educational standards will be demanded from those selected as teachers; and what tests those selected will be asked to pass.

My plans are based on an intake of about 25,000 new teachers into maintained and assisted primary and secondary schools during 1946 and 1947. This provides for only part of the addition required for raising, the school age to 15 as the full effect of that measure will not be felt until 1948. The great majority of teachers enter the profession after courses of education and training at universities or training colleges, and the test required of them Is the satisfactory completion of the course approved for them.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent it is intended to relieve teachers of the responsibility for school meals; how many men and women will be required for this work; and what plans have been made for giving those concerne in school meals special training

The question of the responsibilities of teachers in connection with school meals is being reviewed by a small working party representing local education authorities, teachers and officers of my Department, and I hope to issue soon a further statement of policy in the light of their recommendations

asked the Minister of Education why, under the teacher's temporary training emergency scheme, some married women are refused their reasonable travelling expenses incurred in attending the temporary training colleges, often situated many miles from their homes.

The grants made to students attending emergency training colleges arc intended to cover travelling expenses. If my hon. Friend can give me particulars of any cases in which it seems likely that the grants are insufficient, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Education estimates of the percentage of young people attached to pre-Service units and to civilian youth organisations, respectively, in Wales and in England, respectively, together with comparable figures for a date towards the end of hostilities.

I regret that the comparative figures for which my hon. Friend asks are not available, nor could they be obtained without quite undue expenditure of labour.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he proposes to establish a central Scottish office for the administration of the National Insurance scheme in Scotland.

As I have stated on previous occasions, there will be a large

asked the Minister of Wai Transport why the 9.30 a.m. train from Norwich to Liverpool Street, on Sunday 10th February, was an hour late; and whether this unpunctuality is normal with this particular train.

This train was 62 minutes late on Sunday, 10th February. The causes were engine trouble and delays measure of decentralisation in the working of the new scheme. and there will certainly be a central office in Scotland, with supporting local offices

asked the Minister of National Insurance the amounts now standing to the credit of each of the funds listed in the Ninth Schedule of the National Insurance Bill.

The amounts standing to the credit of the funds listed in the Ninth Schedule of the National Insurance Bill at the dates specified were approximately as follows:due to single line working between Hat-field Peveril and Chelmsford necessitated by track relaying operations.This delay was abnormal. The average delay on four of the previous five Sundays was 17 minutes. On the other Sunday the train was 67 minutes late owing to a brake failure.

asked the Minister of War Transport why there was no heating in the carriages of the 9.30 a.m. train from Norwich to Liverpool Street on Sunday, 10th February; and whether it is normal for there to be no heating on this train.

The railway company's records show that steam heating on this train on Ioth February was maintained at full pressure between Norwich and Ipswich. From Ipswich to Liverpool Street the pressure fell to 50 per cent. on account of engine trouble. Adequate heating is normally provided on this train.

asked the Minister of War Transport if, in the case of British wives of American Servicemen who desire to proceed to the U.S.A. in order to defend divorce petitions, he will afford them the necessary facilities to secure transport.

The main difficulty in these cases is not transport but the question whether these wives can be admitted to the United States. I shall be ready to discuss with the United States authorities the question of providing transport in any case where the necessary visa for entry into the United States has been obtained.

asked the Minister of Information when the third programme of the B.B.C. will come into use; and what items it is proposed to include in this programme.

I understand that the B.B.C. will announce the opening date and will give further details in due course.

asked the Minister of Information what proportion of the total revenue of the B.B.C is set aside annually for expenditure on the regionalservices; and how much is set aside for each separate region.

The regional services are an integral part of the whole service provided by the B.B.C. on a national basis and I regret that it is notpracticable to give separate figures of expenditure in respect of each region or in respect of the regional services generally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that no delay is being caused in the copying of bills of quantities by reason of insufficient printers and lithographers being released from the Forces.

In printing, as in many other civilian trades, shortage of labour is delaying the execution of work, but we have no evidence that bills of quantities have been subject to exceptional delays. In addition to regular demobilisation under Class A, we have recently arranged, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, for a block release of 750 printers under Class B.

asked the Minister of Information the approximate weekly circulation of publications issued by the U.S.S.R. in this country, together with the weekly circulation of British publications in the U.S.S.R.; and the reason for any disparity between these figures.

Paper has been made available to the Soviet Embassy in London for 12,000 copies per issue of the daily "Soviet News" and 75,000 per issue of the "Soviet Weekly." The British Embassy in Moscow publish weekly 50,000 copies of the "British Ally." Formal requests have been made to the Russian authorities for permission to raise the circulation of the "British Ally" to 75,000 copies, but this has so far been refused.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the production of processed kitchen waste, produced under the auspices of the Waste Food Board, in.monthly quantities since the introduction of the scheme, up to a recent date.

The output of concentrated and dried kitchen waste has been as follow:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in spite of the great shortage of accommodation at Abingdon in the county of Berkshire, especially for men returning home from the Services, the officer in charge of works, Royal Naval Air Service Station, Culham, is still demanding billets through the billeting officer of the borough of Abingdon, although the contractor engaged on work for the airfield should be made responsible for housing his own workers or empty accommodation belonging to the R.A.F. at adjacent airfields could be used for this purpose; and whether he will arrange for an inquiry to be held on the spot.

The Officer-in-Charge of Works at the Royal Naval Air Station, Culham, has made only one request during recent months for a billet in Abingdon. This was in respect of an Admiralty Foreman of Works who had been transferred from Rosyth to replace a man leaving the district. The total number of contractors' workpeople now billeted in Abingdon is four, but it is expected that these will be leaving within a few weeks. In these circumstances, I do not think that a special inquiry on the spot is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of women in the Services at present stationed in Japan.

Some. nursing officers recently left India for Japan but I do not know whether any of them have yet arrived. Otherwise there are no members of the women's Services in Japan.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate strength of the armed forces now in this country of Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland and Norway, respectively; why they have not yet returned to their own countries; and when does he expect this to take place.

Some of the members of Allied Armed Forces in this country are here to attend courses as part of the military assistance being provided for various Allies to assist them in forming their postwar Armed Forces. Others are being mobilised before their departure for the Far East. The remainder are members of embassy staffs or military missions. The duration of their stay in this country depends on the particular purpose for which they are here.The approximate strengths in the United Kingdom of the Armed Forces of the countries concerned at the latest available dates are:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the long delays in the delivery of mail to and from troops serving in North Borneo; and what steps he is taking to expedite this service.

As regards the transport of mails to the Far East generally I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Members for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) and Uxbridge (Flight-Lieutenant Beswick) on 22nd January. From Singapore, mails for the troops in North Borneo are carried by air to Labuan and Balik Papan. An improvement has recently been made in the time of transit for the whole distance from this country to North Borneo.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air how many members of the R.A.F. now serving overseas have been serving abroad continuously for three years or more, with not more than 28 days in the United Kingdom during that period; and in which commands are they serving.

I am afraid that these figures could not be readily obtained. In general, however, only a few members of the Royal Air Force who have been serving overseas for three years or more will have had more than 28 days in the United Kingdom, unless they have completed one overseas tour and have gone overseas again after a period of duty in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much longer the 60 houses on the Sandyflats Housing Scheme, Johnstone, are to remain under requisition; and if he will encourage the return of these houses to the Scottish Special Housing Association as soon as possible, so that they may be made avail-abel for local people.