asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the necessity of gathering the whole of this year's harvest, he is making plans to provide sufficient labour, if necessary from the Forces, to be available to farmers and fruit growers at the time required.

1 can assure my hon. Friend that the Government are taking all practicable steps to ensure that sufficient labour is available for this year's harvests.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there is a uniform rate of pay for clerks on the staff of W.A.E.C.s; and whether such rate is based on corresponding Civil Service rates.

No uniform rate of pay for clerical staffs of war agricultural executive committees has been adopted. The normal practice is for clerks to be paid wages based on the rates prevailing in the district; in some instances this rate is equivalent to the Civil Service rates.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in Lincolnshire 8,000 acres of land could be used for growing corn immediately if airfields, which are not at present operational, were derequisitioned and the land handed over to the farmers; and whether, in view of the present shortage of food, he will take steps to have these airfields derequisitioned immediately.

Arrangements have been made for six airfields in Lincolnshire to be made available for full agricultural use, and county war agricultural executive committees are now taking steps to bring these into production. In addition, the Air Ministry are arranging for the agricultural use of as much land as possible on other airfields.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in view of the present world food shortage and the substantial contribution which the village produce associations have made during the war to this nation's food supplies, what steps are being taken to intensify the campaign to form more of these associations and to assist all villages to become self-supporting in country produce.

1 have endeavoured to make clear to all organisations concerned with domestic food production the continued need for maximum effort. More specific recommendations for action to that end by county garden produce committees, through the formation of new village produce associations and the encouragement of existing associations 'ill shortly be issued by my Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what provision is being made for an adequate and uniform service of advice and instruction for the non-commercial grower in horticulture and small-livestock-keeping through the National Advisory Service.

I am at present considering, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education, from what source and in what manner provision can best be made for domestic food producers, and the nature of the arrangements will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when wire netting will be available to farmers without a permit.

Supplies of wire netting remain insufficient to meet all potential demands. A system of permits is therefore necessary to ensure that the available supplies are directed where the need is greatest, and to farmers in particular. This will be relaxed as soon as supplies allow, but I cannot at the moment say when that is likely to be.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the necessity for increased home production of food supplies, he will instruct county agricultural committees to make all land that is suitable for agricultural purposes, now used by golf clubs, barracks and airports, available for cultivation.

Arrangements have been made with the Service Departments for the maximum agricultural use of all land that can be made available; and land belonging to golf clubs is already making some contribution to the nation's food supplies. In view of this, I do not think that further action is called for.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average production of beef, mutton and pork per annum, per acre of land used for the grazing of animals; and the calorific value of such food.

The estimated quantities of meat produced on agricultural holdings from home-fed livestock in the United Kingdom in 1944–5 were as follows:

	Tons.
Beef and veal	505,000
Mutton and lamb	137,000
Pork, bacon, etc	124,000

The area of permanent and temporary grass used for grazing in the United Kingdom at 3rd June, 1944, was 11,356,000 acres. My hon. Friend will, of course, be aware that this meat was not produced solely from the grass mentioned, but also from grain and other fodder crops and purchased feeding stuffs. The total energy value of the meat would be about 2 to 2… million million calories.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the withdrawal of prisoner-of-war labour from farms for re-grouping and re-testing, with very short notice to W.A.E.C.s, is a practice which causes loss of agricultural production; and whether he will give an assurance that such withdrawals do not take place in the future without a minimum of four days' notice to the executive committee concerned.

Prisoner-of-war working camps normally receive adequate notice when withdrawal of prisoner-of-war labour is necessary for screening pur- poses, and there is a representative of the local war agricultural executive committee for each working camp. But occasionally special circumstances make the normal notice difficult. Prisoner-of-war labour is not, however, withdrawn in such cases for longer than 24 hours and such withdrawals are a rare occurrence in any camp.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the imports of coffee into Great Britain is obtained from dollar countries and from countries of the Empire, respectively; and whether any steps have been taken to increase the imports from Empire countries with a view to conserving dollars.

Of the total quantity of coffee which my right hon. Friend has purchased or will purchase in 1946 for consumption in the United Kingdom, 60 per cent. will be obtained from Empire sources and the balance from producing countries which are prepared to accept sterling. With regard to the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend already purchases for allocation by the London Food Council the whole of the coffee supplies available for export from Empire sources other than India. The quantity available from India is decided by the Government of India. In the circumstances we could only increase imports of Empire coffees into Great Britain at the expense of Australia, South Africa and Middle East countries, to whom a proportion of Empire coffees is allocated.

asked the Minister of Food whether any further tonnage has been allocated for distribution in Europe by U.N.R.R.A. from United Kingdom stocks to the 9,168 tons of canned meat, 2,080 tons of tea, 51,000 tons of oil seeds, 3,500 tons of cocoa beans from British West Africa and 11,000 tons of palm kernels; the comparative figures provided for this purpose from the U.S.A. and South American countries; and the estimated minimum demand for the next six months to meet U.N.R.R.A.'s requirements.

The C.F.B. has allocated no food to U.N.R.R.A. from U.K. stocks for the first half of 1946. Particulars of allocations by the C.F.B. from other countries can only be made public by the Board itself with the concurrence of the countries concerned. U.N.R.R.A.'s minimum requirements of food for the first half of 1946 are still under consideration in Washington.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been drawn to a recent case at Windsor were an ex-Serviceman was prosecuted for using surplus points coupons, given to him by his customers who did not require them; and whether he will take steps to avoid unnecessary prosecutions for purely technical offences when they are of a type which cause no hardship to the community.

The prosecution to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was instituted by the Windsor Food Control Committee under powers conferred on it by the Food Control Committees (Constitution) Order, 1943, S.R.& O. No. 1304. The action of the defendant in this case gave him an unfair advantage over his fellow traders and I am in full agreement with the decision of the Food Control Committee. I am satisfied that in general prosecutions are not instituted either by food control committees or by my Department for purely technical offences.

asked the Minister of Food whether the production of nine floating and three shore whale-oil factories will be handled by his Department; upon what basis was the original estimated output of 200,000 tons made; on what grounds it is now considered that only 50 per cent. Will be obtained; and whether there is to be any control of this fishing to conserve stocks for the future.

Nine floating factories and three land stations are operating in the Antarctic. Of these, three floating factories and one land station are British and their oil will be handled by my Department. The original estimate of this season's total catch, which was not 200,000 tons but 135,000, was based on the known capacity of the plant operating under average conditions. It has had to be revised because the catch so far has been poor owing to abnormal weather. Whaling operations are the subject of international agreement. As regards the conservation of stocks, I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper issued on 22nd January which includes a statement of proposals for the future.

asked the Minister of Food why the imported fruit allocation for the village of Broomedge, near Lymm, Cheshire, is insufficient to meet the ration; and why a wet-fish licence has been refused.

Each local food control committee area receives an allocation of imported fruit based on its population, and the Lymm area, which includes the village of Broomedge, is no exception to this rule. To meet the convenience of consumers the supplies available to retailers in Broomedge village have recently been increased. As regards the last part of the Question, a licence to sell wet fish was issued recently to an applicant from Broomedge, and the hon. and gallant Member was informed of this by letter on 6th February.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Mr. A. W. Ham of 115, Cranky Gardens, N.1o, was informed by the Borough of Hornsey Food Office on 21sf December, 1945, that his application for a catering licence at 310, Park Road, N.8, had been recommended; that he has been unable since then to obtain any reply from his Department; and when a decision will be made.

I am aware that the Borough of Hornsey Food Control Committee recommended that a licence to open a catering establishment at 310, Park Road, should be granted to Mr. Ham. The delay in reaching a final decision on Mr. Ham's application has been due to the fact that the premises which he proposes to open are in need of considerable repairs which involve the issue of a licence by the Ministry of Works. It is hoped that a final decision will be reached very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Cotton Control continued to require towels and calico to be printed jungle green until January, 1946, although the Burma campaign had ended in the summer of 1945.

Instructions were issued at the end of September, 1945, for the production of green towels to cease, but there were at that time certain quantities in process which had to be completed. As troops in S.E.A.C. still wear green clothing, the printing of calico in jungle green has been continued.

asked the Secretary of-State for War if any opportunity is offered to soldiers, at the time they are demobilised, to purchase for their own use at fixed prices such articles of clothing as greatcoats and shirts; or why this is not done.

On release soldiers are allowed to retain, free of charge, a complete outfit of Army clothing, including one suit of battledress, four sets of underwear and two shirts, but excluding a greatcoat. The Army overcoat may only be retained, on payment, where issue of a civilian raincoat is delayed owing to temporary shortages in certain sizes. The standard allowance of clothing coupons has been fixed in relation to the amount of clothing the man keeps, including the free issue of a complete outfit of civilian clothing.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of dwelling-houses which are still requisitioned by the military authorities in the county of Aberdeen.

The War Department holds 19 dwelling-houses under requisition in the county of Aberdeen.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the pilfering that occurs in connection with parcels sent to men in S.E.A.C; and what -action he is taking to stop this practice.

There are several points of transfer during the long journeys involved, and opportunities for pilferage do unfortunately occur. Specially trained military and R.A.F. police are being used to deal with the matter as far as is possible and train guards are provided on all important routes.

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities for preliminary tutoring are available to prospective students who will be serving up to the commencement of the university year.

In addition to the educacational facilities available in units and formations such students may attend free of charge evening classes at technical and other schools under the jurisdiction of local education authorities. Like all other troops they are eligible for vacancies in courses at formation colleges. If they have not already qualified for entrance to a university, they may sit for the Forces preliminary examination. In addition a wide range of War Office correspondence courses is available for men and women who cannot obtain direct class instruction in subjects they wish to study. Such students should seek the advice of their unit education officers who will be able to inform them of the local and other educational facilities available.

asked the Secretary of State for War the policy of his Department with regard to men due for release who have been warned to attend as witnesses at courts martial or courts of inquiry; and whether he is satisfied that adequate precautions are taken to prevent any release being unnecessarily deferred for this reason.

General Officers Commanding-in-Chief of commands at home and abroad are authorised to retain personnel due for release who are awaiting trial for serious offences or who are essential witnesses. Retention is, however, only permitted where it is vitally necessary, and must be for the minimum period only. Such retention may not, of course, be used or threatened as a punishment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to make a statement on the procedure for release of men in the Radio Security Service after they become redundant.

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 4th December last.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a shell exploded in Hythe, Kent, on 15th February; what the calibre of the gun was; where the shell was fired from; and if the safety precautions concerned will be revised at once and steps taken to ensure that they are observed.

I regret that I have been unable to obtain any evidence with regard to the alleged explosion, and I understand that the Hythe Police have no knowledge of the incident.

asked I the Minister of War Transport whether he will arrange to secure that railway rates, warehouse and dock charges are placed on a similar basis in the South Wales ports as those in London and Liverpool, etc, so that shipping will not be diverted because of these differences

During the war, railway rates have been increased by 16⅔ per cent. generally. The general increase in dock charges at the railway-owned ports in South Wales is 20 per cent. (7½ per cent. on certain coasting liners), a much lower figure than those authorised for London and Liverpool. To this extent, the competitive position of the South Wales ports is better than before the war, and I am not prepared to require general reductions in the rates and charges affecting them. The Great Western Railway Company is, however, ready to investigate the railway rates for any specific traffic for which there is a prospect of export through the ports, and local discussions on these lines are already taking place.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that some Lincoln red shorthorns were sold to South Africa in April 1945, and the sellers are still unable to get shipping facilities despite repeated applications to various Ministries; and if he will take immediate steps to arrange for these animals to be shipped without further delay.

The difficulty has been to fit in the quarantine periods with the sailing of vessels suitably fitted for the carriage of livestock. The only quarantine stations at present available are in the Mersey and Clyde areas, whereas the majority of the ships for South Africa sail from Middlesbrough or London, where most of the cargo is available. I understand that the question of re-opening a suitable quarantine station in London is now under consideration and efforts are being made to ship some animals which have been waiting some time in a vessel expected to sail from Liverpool to South Africa in March.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that the continued policy of secrecy regarding dates of arrival and departure of merchant ships is causing serious delays and loss to exporting firms in this country; why this policy is being maintained now; and when it will be abandoned.

Restrictions on the publication of shipping information were withdrawn in September last, and full information as to arrivals and departures of merchant ships now appears daily in the shipping Press. The last part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that L.M.S. express trains between Manchester, Derby, Leicester and St. Pancras which before the war did the journey in less than four hours, now take nearly six; that they stopped then only three times as against ten now; and if he will arrange to improve services on this line in the near future.

; Yes, Sir. Additional stops had to be introduced on the outbreak of war so that the number of passenger trains could be reduced. The process of restoring normal services has started and will continue as additional resources, particularly of staff and rolling stock, become available. Some of the intermediate stops between Manchester and St. Pancras are to be withdrawn as from the 6th May next, when the summer timetable is introduced.

asked the Minister of War Transport on which main line trains restaurant cars have been restored; in how many cases has the restaurant car service not been restored; and whether, in order to meet the needs of the travelling public, he will arrange for a speedy restoration of such services to prewar levels.

Before the war 870 trains included restaurant cars. Since last October when the companies began to restore these facilities 156 trains have been so equipped and I am sending the hon. Member a list of them. The companies are continuing to restore restaurant cars on other services as rapidly as they can without depriving passengers of seats and as staff and cars become available. Buffet and pantry cars for light refreshments are also being provided on a number of routes.

asked the Minister of War Transport the number of railway employees in the Armed Forces on 31st January, 1946.

The number of employees from the railway companies and the London Passenger Transport Board serving with the Armed Forces at 26th January, 1946, was 84,240.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will have the base of the Cenotaph in Whitehall either illuminated or white painted, in order to add to the safety of drivers of vehicles.

I do not think there is a need on traffic grounds to adopt either of my hon. Friend's suggestions as I am informed by Scotland Yard that they have no record of any accident at the Cenotaph within the last 12 months, and that the general lighting of Whitehall is sufficiently good for traffic purposes.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that the village of Haydon, Sherborne. has no omnibus service; that the nearest omnibus is at Alweston, a distance of one and a quarter miles; and whether he will arrange for an omnibus once or twice a week through Alweston from Milborne Port to Sherborne via Haydon.

I understand that the requirement is for two journeys each way on Thursdays between Haydon and Sherborne. The Southern National Omnibus Company hopes to introduce the service in about a fortnight.

asked the Minister of War Transport the number of road accidents to children in Kensington during 1945; and how many were fatal.

In 1945, one child was killed and 69 were injured in road accidents in Kensington.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will arrange for a travel agency and provide the necessary maps, guides and other up-to-date information to be available in the House for the use of Members, staff and officials, concerning facilities and times of trains, underground, tramcars, omnibuses, taxi cabs, etc., particularly during late night Sittings of the House, owing to the fluctuating arrangements of some of these services.

I have made available in the House lists of late night services on suburban railways, underground railways, trams and omnibuses; lists of all-night tram and omnibuses services; and lists of private hire car firms in the Westminster area and their telephone numbers. I will arrange for these lists to be kept up-to-date at frequent intervals. Lists are available in the office in the Central Hall of a representative of a travel agency, who, during normal office hours, books sleeping berths and issues tickets for travel by rail, motor coach and air.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what proportion of the manufacture of marine diesel engines is being exported; and if he will take immediate action to expedite delivery of a sufficient number of these engines to meet the urgent needs of inshore fishermen in this country.

About 50 per cent. of all internal combustion engines are exported, but separate figures for marine diesel engines are not available. We are seeking to make a greater number of these engines available for the inshore fishing fleet.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is now in a position to deal with the complaint of the Federation of Textile Small-wares Manufacturers' Association as raised' by the Member for West Renfrew on 10th January, in correspondence with the Minister.

If my hon. Friend will let me have further particulars, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he has considered the report from the iron and steel industry on the improvements required to put the industry on an efficient basis; and when will the Government make known its final decision on the future organisation of this industry.

- Yes, Sir; but I am not yet able to say when an announcement will be made about the future organisation of the industry.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many foundry operatives in the plumbers' brass foundry trade have been taken on in Government factories during the last six months.

Four operatives in this trade have been taken on in Royal Ordnance factories during the past six months. All four were men reinstated after serving with the Forces.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that alarm clocks are unobtainable in the Uxbridge district; and if he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.

1 have been asked to reply. The general position in regard to the supply of alarm clocks is now improving. Last November, the import quota was increased and supplies from overseas should soon be available. The home production of alarm clocks has also now started and is expected to build up rapidly. The situation in Uxbridge has been brought to the notice of the representative body of the trade which is responsible for distributing available supplies, and I hope they will be able to help.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports orders held by the paint industry on 31st December, 1945; and to what extent manufacturers were prevented from supplying these orders by the shortage of supply of linseed oil.

The export group of the paint industry state that the value of export orders held at 12th January, 1946, was£3,000,000. The shortage of linseed oil has been and still is the limiting factor in the manufacture of paint for export. It is estimated that the quantity allocated to the paint industry for that purpose during the current quarter will permit the execution of export orders to the value of£540,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he, in consultation with the Minister of Labour, will arrange to investigate the problem of providing work in North Wales for persons suspended from the slate industry on account of silicosis, as has already been done for persons suspended from the coalmines in South Wales and described in the White Paper, Cmd. 6719.

An investigation is being made into this matter. The whole question of employment in North Wales is also being explored. The Board of Trade will certainly make every endeavour to stimulate the introduction of suitable industries into the districts concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the character, value and weight of all imports to this country from Spain during the month of January, 1946.

I am having a statement prepared and will circulate it in the Official Report as soon as it is available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many holiday camps will be unable to reopen this year unless they are supplied with soft goods, mattresses, etc., to replace the goods taken from them by the Government on requisition during the war; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter.

Yes, Sir. As I stated on 11th February, in answer to the hon. and gallant Members for Flint (Lieut.-Colonel Birch) and Horncastle (Commander Maitland), we are working out plans for dealing with the problem of re-equipment of hotels and boarding houses. We propose to treat holiday camps in the same way, but I would emphasise once again that it will only be possible to consider the minimum needs of establishments having priority claims.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if consultation has been, or will be, taking place with the U.S.S.R. to draw up a trade agreement based upon a long-term policy that will have due regard to the immediate difficulties arising from the lack of credit facilities.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the course of the Debate on the Adjournment on 21st February.

asked (1) the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the urgent need for the development and expansion of British export trade, especially with the U.S.A., permission to make such exports is refused to firms who did not carry on such export trade before the war;(2) the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department why, in view of the need for dollar exports, a well-known firm of West End tailors has been refused permission to export cloth to the U.S.A.

Export restrictions have been removed from many classes of goods. There are a few, however, particularly textiles, food and raw materials, for which control must remain for the present, both in order to conserve supplies for the home market and to ensure that Empire and other markets dependent upon us obtain supplies. In a few of these cases where exports are severely restricted, the system adopted has been to limit exports to the customary trade channels, which is, in the circumstances, the fairest arrangement. As soon as the supply position allows, we shall, I hope, be able to get away from this arrangement.

asked the Minister of Food the quantities of animal feeding stuffs exported or re-exported from this country in November and December 1945, and January 1946; and to which countries the exports were sent.

I have been asked to reply. The following are particulars of the countries to which exports of animal feeding stuffs were sent in November and December. There were no re-exports in November and the total for December was only 11 tons. Figures for January are not yet available.

	November,1945.	December,1945.
	Tons.	Tons.
Channel Islands	252	295
Eire	10	3
New Zealand	6	—
Ceylon	—	1
Norway	265	—
Netherlands	—	102
Faroe Islands	—	50
Sweden	—	19
Total	533	470

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that owing to the refusal of the Timber Control to release any seasoned pine required by professional artists for the making of stretchers for stretching canvas and wood for frames, the work of professional artists in this country is being seriously handicapped; and if he will take steps to remedy this.

Supplies of seasoned pine are very limited and must be reserved, but limited quantities of other timber are released for stretchers and picture frames.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to prevent the sale of elastic at prices above the controlled prices; how many prosecutions have been instituted; how many convictions have been obtained; and what penalties have been imposed during the last six months.

During the six months ended 31st January, 1946, 37 prosecutions were instituted for the sale of elastic at excessive prices. In all these cases, convictions were obtained and fines amounting to£586 5s. 5d., together with costs of£156 19s. od., were imposed. In addition, one offender was sentenced to one month's imprisonment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the following manufactures is allocated to export markets: motor-cars, motor-bicycles, cycles, cotton dress fabrics, woollen dress fabrics, blankets, carpets, china, glassware, cutlery, watches and clocks, stockings, linen sheets, cotton sheets, iron bedsteads, curtain material, bath towels and towelling.

It is hoped to attain the following export targets by the middle of this year:

	Per cent.
Private motor cars	50
Motor bicycles	60
Cycles	60
Watches and clocks	25

In the case of carpets the present export target is 20 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how present supplies of phenol, cresol and wood flour compare with those available to British industry before the war; whether increased supplies will soon be made available to the plastics industry; and the conditions under which plastics manufacturers can obtain import licences for such essential raw materials.

Supplies of phenol available to British industry are 50 per cent. higher than in 1939. United Kingdom production of natural phenol, which depends upon the amount of coal carbonised, is now at its maximum, and steps are being taken to increase the home production of synthetic phenol. Nevertheless, supplies are not sufficient to meet demands, and import licences are being issued to plastics manufacturers in order to cover the balance of their needs.United Kingdom production of cresol is now slightly higher than in 1939 and the output of grades suitable for plastics manufacture is at its maximum. There is no possibility at present of importing cresol suitable for the plastics industry, since there is no producing country' with any surplusHome production of wood flour is estimated to amount at present to about two-thirds of the prewar output; arrangements have been made for increased production, but it will be some time before this becomes available In the meantime, import licences are being issued to cover the full requirements of firms in the plastics industry up to 30th June

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inquire into the reason why the Argentine Government has taken possession of the irrigation system constructed by a private company in the Gaiman Valley of Patagonia, constructed at great expense by the Welsh settlers there; and into numerous other complaints by the Welsh colonists, with a view to securing a satisfactory settlement, in view of the isolated character of this community and the hardships they have undergone

His Majesty's Ambassador at Buenos Aires has reported that the irrigation scheme in the Gaiman Valley was started with the help of a loan from the Argentine Government, which the local residents who founded the Company have since been unable to redeem; nor have they been able to maintain the interest payments on the loan. The Argentine Government, therefore, now intend to expropriate the Company, a step which, in the opinion of His Majesty's Consul-General who has visited the district, is perhaps the only satisfactory solution to the irrigation problem in this area Only one other complaint by the Welsh Colony in Chubut has been brought to the notice of His Majesty's Government At Gaiman the growth of the town has left the old cemetery, which is municipal property, in its centre, and the local residents have objected to a municipal order that any persons interested in burials there must remove the bodies to a new cemetery by a certain date. This matter was discussed with the Colonists by His Majesty's Consul-General when he visited the district. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State informed the hon. Member on 29th January, no request for assistance has been received by His Majesty's Ambassador at Buenos Aires In any case, as the Minister of State then said, the majority of the colonists are now, according to our information, of Argentine nationality, so that any action taken on their behalf by His Majesty's Ambassador would necessarily be informal in character.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he has considered the resolution of the Kelty Men's Guild, forwarded to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, requesting the Government to give its attention to complete unconditional independence for India; and what answer he has returned.

Yes, Sir. I have drawn the attention of my hon. Friend to the announcement by the Prime Minister last Tuesday of the steps which His Majesty's Government are taking to promote the early realisation of full self-government in India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) if he is aware that there are no supplies of clothing and footwear available for personnel at Akyab; and will he take steps to see that the requirements of the men are met;(2) if he is aware that the cigarette ration at Akyab has been reduced from 100 to 50 per week and that there are no cigarettes available at the canteen; and will he take steps to ensure a larger supply.

:The Command assure me that there has been no general shortage of clothing or footwear for the R.A.F. on Akyab Island. There was a temporary shortage at one unit which has now been remedied. The free cigarette ration was reduced from 100 to 50 a week because Akyab is no longer a forward area. Fifty free cigarettes a week is the normal ratio both in the South-East Asia Command and in the other overseas commands of the Army and the R.A.F., except in forward areas. There are generally sufficient cigarettes for this ration, but there was recently a shortage at Akyab for about four days due to shipping difficulties.

asked the Under-Secretary for Air whether he is aware that W.A.A.F. personnel lent by his Department to Cable and Wireless are being kept there until they are due for demobilisation; that they are being sent back to their parent unit about a fortnight before release and that these W.A.A.F. personnel are granted only five day's leave despite the fact that owing to their special duties many have had no leave since August, 1945; and whether he will take steps so that these airwomen will be allowed to accumulate and take their privilege leave on returning to their parent unit after completion of their special duties.

As I said in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend's question on 6th February, we are allowing air women who are on loan to Cable and Wireless Limited to accumulate the privilege leave to which they become entitled during the period of the loan. I realise that there may previously have been a few airwomen who did not get all this leave before their release, but special instructions were issued at the beginning of this month for airwomen to be withdrawn from Cable and Wireless Limited in time for them to take their accumulated leave before their release.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the difficult housing situation in Salisbury, he will arrange for the Hubbard hospital buildings, recently vacated by the U.S. army to be made available as temporary accommodation.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Harvard Field Hospital Unit which was generously presented to us during the war by the American Red Cross and Harvard University, for the purpose of research into the prevention of infectious diseases. It is my intention that it should continue to be used for purposes allied to that of the original gift.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of local housing authorities' orders for baths has not yet been filled.

1 regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Education the number of classes and students under adult education regulations each year from 1938 to date.

The following table gives the number of courses and classes recognised under the Adult Education Regulations during the period in question:

Session	Courses
1938–39	3,040
1939–40	2,835
1940–41	2,656
1941–42	3,129
1942–43	3,769
1943–44	4,217
1944–45	4,311

Figures for the current sessions are not yet available but a provisional estimate suggests that some 5,600 courses may be recognised. I regret that during the war it was not possible to extract statistics showing the number of students attending these courses. In the session 1937–38 the average number of students per course was 18.8

asked the Minister of Labour the number of blacksmiths in 1930, 1939 and today; if he is aware that in many instances no apprentices are being trained; and what steps he is taking to ensure a supply of' blacksmiths in ten years time.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the last part of the Question, training of blacksmith-fitters with a knowledge of implement and tractor repair for employment in rural areas is being provided under the Government's Vocational Training Scheme.