asked the President of the Board of Trade what licences, and for what goods, have been granted for the export of goods or materials to Spain in the six months ended 1st January, 1946.

For many goods, export licences ceased to be required in this period. To extract the detailed information for which the hon. Member asks would involve an expenditure of time and labour which would not be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what machinery, tools, motor-vehicles and chemical products have been exported to Spain during the six months ended 1st January, 1946; and what orders for such goods were outstanding at that date.

In the six months July to December, 1945, exports of machinery to Spain amounted to£123,000, implements and tools to£11,000, motor vehicles (including chassis) to£18,000 and chemicals, drugs, dyes and colours to£524,000. I have no information as to orders outstanding.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what furniture and other factories in the borough of High Wycombe are still requisitioned by his Department; how many of these are in actual production; how many used for storage; and when can they be derequisitioned.

Of 26 furniture factories and six other industrial premises of a total area of 613,000 square feet, Government Departments still hold under requisition approximately 254,000 square feet mainly for storage purposes. Thus, in these factories, 359,000 square feet are now available to their owners for civilian production. Nearly half of the total requisitioned space should be cleared by the end of March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, now that it is possible for exporters to ship fabrics and articles composed of 100 per cent. silk, rayon and wool, he will take steps to relax restrictions on export of similar articles composed of a mixture of 'these materials such as silk and wool.

In general, there are no greater restrictions on the export of goods composed of mixtures of textile fibres than exist on goods composed wholly of one fibre. If the hon. and gallant Member will inform me of the goods he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into this matter further.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many cases of pneumoconiosis were certified in Britain in the year 1944–45; and what was the distribution of the cases according to the various coalfields.

The number of coal miners certified to be totally disabled, or suspended, on account of this disease in 1945 was 5,700. I regret that it is not possible at present to give the distribution of the cases among the various coal-fields but 5,074 of them were in South Wales. These figures were inflated by the large number of examinations which had to stand over from 1944 owing to the shortage of suitably qualified doctors. The corresponding figures for 1944 were 2,048 and 1,605.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the searchlight station as Gosberton, Westthorpe, near Spalding, Lincolnshire, formerly occupied by a searchlight detachment, is now unoccupied; and whether he will arrange for this to be used for the accommodation of German or Italian prisoners.

1 regret that I do not feel able to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion, as this site is unsuitable for further use without considerable reconditioning. It is scheduled for de-requisitioning

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the British Legion Club, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, is still under requisition by his Department; how much rent per annum has been paid for it: and whether any claim for dilapidation or compensation has been made and if so. for how much.

The British Legion Club, Fyme Lane, Wotton-under-Edge is not now under requisition by the War Department. It was released on 30th July 1945. The rental compensation was agreed at£60 a year, and the dilapidation claim was settled for£202 7s There is another British Legion Club at Fyme Lane just outside Wotton-under-Edge which has also been released from requisition by the War Department, on 29th September 1945. The rental compensation in this case was£5 a year and the dilapidation claim was settled for£49 10s.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the average time taken for mails from this country to reach troops in Singapore during the last eight weeks; and why, furniture has been flown in aircraft that might have carried mails.

During the last three months the average time for delivery of mails from this country to troops in Singapore has been about nine days. The weather was bad during most of this period and during the last few weeks when the weather has been rather better the average time has been reduced to seven days. The regularity of the service has also been improved by the adoption of a different route for the last part of the journey by air. As regards the second part of the Question, I am informed that troops' mails are accorded overriding priority over all passengers and freight on the scheduled air services and that the carriage of furniture has not displaced mails leaving the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the circumstances under which a battery commander of the Berkshire Yeomanry, now serving in Java, was killed in action in January; what instructions have been issued in regard to British Forces being allowed to use their weapons when on patrol; and whether commanders have received any special instructions as to the offensive methods that they are permitted to use.

The battery commander of the Berkshire Yeomanry was killed in an ambush laid by Indonesian Forces. He was, at the time, proceeding on reconnaissance with the commander of an infantry battalion. The reconnaissance party, with one platoon as escort, was moving forward to the assistance of a company of the infantry battalion which was experiencing difficulty in clearing a road block held by Indonesians, who were armed with medium and light machine guns, heavy mortars and rifles. Instructions have been issued that full and normal use be made of battalion and artillery weapons by commanders at all levels against any Indonesians who oppose with force our troops in the execution of their legitimate tasks. The necessity for care in avoiding hurt to law-abiding citizens has always been stressed.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. Member for Dartford can expect a reply to his letters dated 2nd December, 1945, 7th January, 1946 and 27th January, 1946, regarding 3909437 Fusilier E. Caffrey, of Dartford.

I very much regret the delay in replying to my hon. Friend's letters, but it has been necessary to obtain advice on the medical and legal aspects of this case which has inevitably taken some time. This advice has now been received and is being considered in conjunction with the court-martial proceedings. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as a decision has been reached.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Morley Town Council has decided to pay£4,662 to Lord Dartmouth for building land in Albert Road; whether he will state the area of that land; and what is its present use and rateable value.

Yes, Sir. The area of the land is 21.59 acres; one-third of it is at present used for growing rhubarb and two-thirds as a general market garden. The land is not rated.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been, or is being, taken to enable the Appleby Urban District Council and the Skipton Urban District Council to overcome the objection of Veteripont Estates, Limited, who disagree with the local councils over the proposed use of land adjacent to two old castles as housing sites; what prices have been offered by the councils for these sites; and what is the present rateable value of the land.

In the Skipton case only a small portion of a proposed housing site is involved, and this is not required for the next two years. No offer has yet been made: the land is agricultural and not rated. In the Appleby case, I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to a site purchased by Appleby Town Council from Veteripont Estates, Limited, for£850. The objection which has been raised to building relates only to a small fraction of the site and this will not delay the housing scheme. The land is not rated. In neither case does any special action on my part seem to be necessary.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he will publish the names and addresses of those who are entitled, under contract with the Ministry of Supply, to priority in obtaining for resale surplus wartime Government stores.

In accordance with the declared policy, the Department ordinarily distributes surplus stores through those traders or manufacturers who would normally handle or use them. In a certain number of cases the trades concerned have, with the approval of the Department, established corporate bodies for the purpose of acquisition and distribution of Government-owned surplus stores. In those cases, as surpluses become available, they are first offered to the trade company. A contract on this basis has been concluded with. Trailer Disposals, Limited, of Morley Hall, St. George Street, Hanover Square, W.I, and negotiations are in train with the Pharmaceutical and Allied Chemicals Disposals Association, Limited, 106 Piccadilly, W.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many buildings, which could be used for factory space, are now held by his Department in Wales; and whether, in view of the urgent need for factories in that area, he will take immediate steps to release them for productive use.

The number of requisitioned premises suitable for production purposes in Wales and occupied by the Ministries of Supply and of Aircraft Production or their contractors on 16th February was 69 Of these, 30 are at present in use for production purposes, 12 are being used for storage and 27 are in course of release Premises in use for storage are released by arrangement with the Board of Trade when they are required for production.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of applications for naturalisation now submitted; and the country of origin of the applicants.

The number of applications awaiting consideration is about 16,000. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available, but a summary of the nationalities of applicants to whom certificates are granted is contained in the annual returns presented to Parliament

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of trainers, trainer exhibitors and exhibitors of performing animals in this country, together with a list of their names and stage names, and the number of animals in respect of which each is registered.

The following statement shows the number of trainers, trainer-exhibitors and exhibitors of performing animals registered by local authorities in

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that six large sections of the Mulberry Harbour have been anchored in the Solent for over a year; and how long it is intended to leave them there.

Yes, Sir. It is hoped to remove these sections before the yachting season commences.

asked the Minister of War Transport what Regulations exist to prevent public service vehicles carrying types of fire extinguishers which produce poisonous fumes thereby leading to injury to passengers when in use.

The only extinguishers permitted under the Regulations governing this matter which give off poisonous fumes when in use are those of the carbon tetrachloride type. I am advised that the concentration of gas from a small extinguisher of this type when used in the open or in a well ventilated space such as the interior of a public service vehicle is not sufficient to cause injury. So far as I am aware, no injury has in fact been caused to passengers by the use of this type of extinguisher.

asked the Minister of War Transport why his Department require public service vehicles to carry fire extinguishers complying with a specification drawn up by the Fire Officers' Committee instead of with the specification of his own Department.

The provisions as to the carriage of fire extinguishers on public service vehicles are contained in Regulation 2 of the Public Service Vehicles (Equipment and Use) Regulations, 1941 (S.R.& O. 1941 No. 643). These Regulations were made by the Minister of Transport and require that extinguishers shall comply with the requirements of the Fire Officers Committee. This requirement was first imposed in 1931 after consultation with all the interests concerned. I am making inquiries to ascertain whether any amendment is now desirable in the light of recent experience and developments.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give any information as to catering arrangements for the Waterloo Cup, having regard to the information sent to him, by letter, from the honourable Member for the Edge Hill division of Liverpool.

I would like to thank my hon. Friend for bringing this case to my notice. I found on investigation that a mistake had been made and catering arrangements authorised for the Waterloo Cup. I have had the catering licence withdrawn immediately, and no special facilities are being allowed.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air the number of airmen who have borrowed greatcoats for the period of their demobilisation leave, and the number who have failed to return them at the end of this leave, up to the most recent recorded date.

Airmen who cannot obtain a suitable civilian coat on release may borrow their greatcoat for 28 days. Nine thousand one hundred and seventynine greatcoats had been borrowed up to nth January and 5,753 of these had not been returned by 9th February.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air, what the capacity of the living accommodation is at Wormingford Aerodrome, Essex; how many members of the R.A.F. are stationed there at present; how long it is since the aerodrome was fully occupied; what steps have been taken to make land within the station perimeter available for agricultural purposes; and what the intentions of his Department are with regard to the excellent buildings on this aerodrome.

There is accommodation for almost 2,000 members of the Royal Air Force at Wormingford, but at the present time only 518 are there. The station was taken over from the U.S.A.A.F. last October, since when it has been in use to provide extra accommodation for another local station. It has now been decided that Wormingford will not be required in future for flying, and the land is, therefore, being made fully available for farming. It will, however, be necessary to keep the living accommodation both for its present purpose and also because it may be required for some of the prisoners-of-war, who are being brought to work in this country.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what the capacity of the living accommodation is at Boxted aerodrome, Langham; how many members of the R.A.F. are stationed there at present; whether he is aware that as long ago as 3rd December, 1945, his Department informed the hon. Member for Colchester that it was proposed to reopen this aerodrome for flying and to base two squadrons there, that there is severe public criticism in the district of the way in which this aerodrome has been left deserted for a period of months; and whether he will clarify his intentions in respect of this aerodrome.

At the present time, 550 members of the Royal Air Force and W.A.A.F. are stationed at Boxted, which has a total capacity of about 900. One squadron has been stationed there since early in January; a second squadron is expected to move there in about six weeks and when this happens the station will be fully occupied.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make a statement regarding the grant to universities which he proposes to make in the forthcoming Budget.

I propose to ask Parliament to vote£9,450,000 for grants to the Universities for 1946-7. This is£3,800,000 more than was voted last year. It includes a further£2,500,000 for capital grants, a revote of£1,200,000 which has not been spent in 1945-6, and an additional£100,000 for dental education. In order to encourage Universities to plan future development over a term of years, I have told the University Grants Committee that I shall be prepared, if good cause is shown, to ask Parliament to vote even larger capital sums.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardship caused to the retailers of seasonal goods which become rapidly unsaleable and on which purchase tax has been paid and if he will make a refund of tax in their case.

This is an ordinary trading risk, and I could not agree to refund purchase tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what credits have been granted to the Franco Government in Spain since VE-Day; and the amount and terms thereof.

None.

asked the Minister of Labour for how long it is the intention of the Government to prevent temporary civil servants taking up work of national importance outside Government service by the retention of the Essential Work Order; and whether he is aware that refusal to state when such civil servants are likely to obtain their release jeopardises their future prospects and entirely prevents them accepting positions which cannot remain open to them indefinitely

I have been asked to reply. The efficiency of the public service, in this critical period of transition from war to peace, is dependent on the continuance, for the present, of the Control of Employment (Civil Servants) Order, 1945. But individual applications for release are sympathetically considered in the light of the personal circumstances of the applicant.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the present constitution of the University Grants Committee and whether its present constitution includes any representatives of the universities' trained personnel or of industry.

The University Grants Committee is at present constituted as follows:Sir Walter Moberly, K.C.B., D.S.O.,. Litt.D. (Chairman).Professor W. E. Collinson, Ph.D.Sir Charles Darwin, K.B.E., M.C. F.R.S., Sc.D.Miss Margery Fry, LL.D.Sir Robert Greig, M.C., LL.D.Sir Peter Innes, C.B.E., D.Sc.Sir Frederic Kenyon, G.B.E., K.C.B., D.Litt.Professor P. S. Noble.Professor G. W. Pickering, M.B., F.R.C.P.Professor Andrew Robertson, F.R.S., D.Sc.Sir Edward Salisbury, C.B.E F.R.S., D.Sc.Professor J. C. Spence, M.C., M.D., F.R.C.P.Professor R. H. Tawney, Litt.D.Sir Henry Tizard, K.C.B., A.F.C. F.R.S.The members are not appointed in a representative capacity, but the Committee is so constituted as to include per-sons with special qualifications and experience in the main fields of university activity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies from which colonies, dependent and mandated territories, 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; and whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any steps to encourage production and export to this country.

Imports of tobacco from the Colonies and mandated territories in 1937 and 1938 were: