asked the Minister of Labour why time spent by potential officers after enlistment at the universities under the direction of the Service Ministries, does not count towards demobilisation; and if he will reconsider this decision.

The time spent by these men at the universities was not whole time service in the Armed Forces counting for Service pay; it would, therefore, be inconsistent with the principles of the release scheme to allow it to count towards release from the Armed Forces. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the widespread impression in the Services that the weekly rate of demobilisation is to be reduced after the first week of March; and if he will give the facts and the explanation of any reduction.

As indicated in my statement of 14th February, the rate of release from the Forces must necessarily diminish in the future. The rate of release from a Service is determined by the strength to which the Government have decided that the Service is to be reduced by a given date.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that 233,000 men in Group 25 and 265,000 in Group 26 were released in 26 days and 30 days, respectively; why it will take 45 days to release 299,000 men in Group 27 and 64 days for 282,000 men in Groups 28, 29, 30 and 31; and if he is aware that by 23rd June the R.A.F. will be three groups ahead of this schedule and the Royal Navy 20 groups ahead.

As regards the first two parts of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Uxbridge (Flight-Lieutenant Beswick). As regards the last part of the Question, I am aware that the provisional programme provides for the uneven rate of release between the three Services indicated by my hon. Friend. This is because the Services have different proportions of their total strengths in the various age and service groups, and as the strength of each Service is being reduced as rapidly as is consistent with its commitments, it is not possible to release the same groups at the same time in each Service. Although Army releases will not reach beyond group 32 by next June, the statement which I made on 14th February indicates that releases and discharges by that date will represent a greater percentage reduction of the June 1945, strength in the case of the Army than in the case of the other two Services.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make available in the Library for the use of Members copies of statements on the progress of demobilisation, similar to those which he issues from time to time to the Press.

The statements issued to the Press on the progress of demobilisation are copies of those I make in the House which are available to Members in the Official Report.

, asked the Minister of Labour whether the release dates for Group 27 are 7th March to 20th April; and why this period is longer than that of any of the three previous groups, which were larger.

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that the period given in the Question is the correct one for the release of Army other ranks in Group 27; as regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Flight-Lieutenant Beswick).

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the 18,000 farm workers to be released from the Services under the Class B block scheme will be rural craftsmen. such as blacksmiths, saddlers and thatchers.

Five per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that many places adjacent to Liverpool require workmen and cannot get them; that the I.C.I, at Northwich requires several hundred men but cannot billet them; that if men are transferred under the Essential Work Order 24s. 6d. per week is allowed to them; that men are unemployed because free transport to and from their work is not arranged; and if he will investigate the whole position.

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is "Yes, Sir." Workers from Liverpool are being placed in employment, among other places, at Ellesmere Port, Runcorn and Widnes, but the distance between Liverpool and Northwich, combined with the awkwardness of the journey, makes daily travelling for workers between these places impracticable. Arrangements for the payment of fares to workers recruited in the Liverpool area have been made by several firms in the places I have named. There is no connection as suggested by the hon. Member, between the Essential Work Order and the payment of lodging allowances.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding his Department's policy in respect of the abolition of night baking in the bakery trade.

I have nothing to add at present to the reply given to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Tiffany) on 23rd October, 1945, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women, respectively, employed at the Hirwaun, Glamorgan, Trading Estate; what numbers were recruited from each Employment Exchange area; and if he is satisfied that the present method of recruiting labour for this trading estate allows an equitable allocation to each of the Exchange areas.

The numbers of men and women recruited for the Hirwaun Trad- ing Estate and the Exchange areas from which they were submitted are as follows:

Local Office areas from which recruited	Men	Women
Aberdare	167	334
Merthyr	26	11
Mountain Ash	11	6
Resolven	36	5O
Various other Local Office areas	24	—
Total	264	401

In addition there are 82 persons employed by the Trading Estate Company on staff and maintenance work who were taken over from the Royal Ordnance Factory. Having regard to the numbers of unemployed persons in the areas referred to, I am satisfied that available employment at the Trading Estate is being allocated equitably between these areas.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons have registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 at Brecon, Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Brynmawr and Knighton; and what proportion are ex-Service persons.

The number of persons registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, at the places mentioned are as follows:

	Total.	Ex-Service
Brecon	24	11
Brynmawr	100	45
Builth Wells	Nil	Nil
Crickhowell	4	1
Knighton	8	7

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of men involved in strikes which failed to conform with) the provisions of the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order, 1940.

No information is available-as to the number of stoppages that fait within the prohibition of strikes and lockouts under Part II of the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration, Order, 1940. As regards miners, the approximate number reported to have been involved directly or indirectly in stoppages of work through industrial disputes was 190,000 in 1940, 154,000 in 1941, 252,000 in 1942, 294,000 in 1943, 568,000 in 1944 and 244,000 in 1945 and; 18,400 to the end of January, 1946. Large numbers of miners, however, were involved in more than one stoppage, even within the same year, and are, therefore, counted more than once in these totals.

asked the Minister of Labour how many prosecutions were instituted in the coalmining industry for breach of the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order, 1940.

Up to the present prosecution proceedings for a breach of the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order, 1940, have been instituted in 39 cases.

asked the Minister of Labour how many foundry operatives in the plumbers' brass foundry trade are needed to fill outstanding vacancies in non-Government factories.

I regret that this information is not available and could be obtained only by detailed local inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour how many foundry operatives were employed in the plumbers brass foundry trade on 31st May, 31st August, 30th November and 31st January, respectively.

I regret that the information desired is not available.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that refrigerated ships which could be usefully employed in bringing meat have been taken over by S.E.A.C. within the last six months for the repatriation of Indian troops; and if he will take steps to arrange for such ships to be reserved for the transport of food.

in order to provide the necessary troop lift required for the successful prosecution of the war, it was essential to fit all suitable British passenger vessels as troopships. Some of these ships possessed considerable refrigerated space, and, so far as it has been compatible with their primary role as troopships, they have been and are being used to bring refrigerated cargoes to this country. It has been necessary during the past six months to use certain of these ships for the essential task of repatriating troops and recovered prisoners of war, both British and Indian, from the S.E.A.C. area. Most of the ships concerned have already left the area and the rest will be withdrawn at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of War Transport what is the maximum mileage at which builders' merchants are permitted to deliver building materials to their customers by road; and whether this same limitation applies to deliveries made by the vehicles of his Department when carrying materials for the Ministry of Works' building programme.

Under the Road Transport of Goods Order, 1944. the carriage by road of building materials, in common with other traffic, is limited to 60 miles, except by the Road Haulage Organisation or under permit. The only special mileage limitations on movements of building materials now in operation are on sand and gravel, 25 miles, and stone, 45 miles, and these are under consideration. The limitation of 35 miles on bricks was removed as from 25th February. There is no restriction on the distance which any goods may be carried by the Road Haulage Organisation.

asked the Minister of War Transport the reasons for the recent increasing unpunctuality of the trains between Ashford, Kent, and London.

The average late arrival of trains on this route has, during the last month, been reduced by more than one half, to eight minutes. The Southern Railway are giving the closest attention to the working of this route with a view to effecting further improvements. Apart from the difficulties which are common to all railway services at present, this route is particularly affected by the running of special leave and other trains for the Forces overseas. Up to 30 such trains are run daily and their timings are dependent upon the arrival of cross-channel steamers which is irregular.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will arrange for adequate compensation to be paid to the owners of motor fishing vessels which became constructive total losses during the war.

My Department is only concerned with vessels which were requisitioned during the war, and the owners of such of those as have become constructive total losses while on requisition are entitled to be paid the compensation value agreed in the relevant charter party and if no such value was agreed, then in accordance with the provisions of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much paper is allotted for the publication of the Fascist publication "Spain," published by the Spanish Press Services, and sent regularly to Members of Parliament.

As in the case of periodicals generally, the quantity allowed is 28½ percent of their prewar consumption.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make available the stock position in regard to all raw materials in store in this country or held on British account abroad.

The Monthly Digest of Statistics now issued by the Central Statistical Office shows stocks in this country of many of the more important raw materials. Figures for other raw materials will be added from time to time. There are only a few raw materials of which there are stocks, other than port and transit, held abroad by His Majesty's Government. Consideration is being given to inclusion of these stocks in the Monthly Digest. I have no information about any stocks held abroad on private account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the terms of the agreement between this country and Sweden for us to export coal against Swedish exports to the United Kingdom of plywood; how far are our deliveries of coal to Sweden behind schedule; and has any material quantity of Swedish timber exports been held up as a consequence.

There is no agreement to supply United Kingdom coal to Sweden in exchange for timber.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state, approximately, the loss of production in the cotton industry recently, owing to lack of coal supplies; and what action he is taking to ensure that mills are able to keep at work.

The loss of production in the cotton industry recently owing to shortage of coal supplies has been negligible. The closest attention is being given to the coal requirements of industry, including those of the cotton industry, at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if he is aware that authority for Class B release of 7390995, J. Hilton, was dated 22nd September, 1945; that he was informed by telegram on 2nd October that Hilton was about to return overseas and suggesting extension of leave pending a decision; that on 13th October R.A.S.C. Records inquired whether he was still at home and, if so, to detain him; that he was posted to transit camp, Athens, on 1st December, returned to the United Kingdom on 14th and released on 20th; whether this is a normal lapse of time between signature of authority for Class B release and its completion; and whether he will take steps to improve the machinery of his department for this purpose.

I regret the delay that occurred in this case, but it was largely due to the fact that the telegram of 2nd October to which the hon. Member refers was inadequately addressed and contained insufficient particulars. The circumstances of this case were quite exceptional.

asked the Secretary of State for War how soon he expects to be able to make a statement in Parliament on the Report of the Court of Inquiry into conditions at Stakehill detention barracks and on his intentions in regard to a civilian inquiry in public, with safeguards for the anonymity of witnesses, into conditions at Stakehill and/or in detention barracks generally.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter. Owing to the unfortunate illness of the civilian shorthand writer the court have not yet received the transcript of the shorthand notes of the evidence and are, therefore, unable to complete their report, but I understand they hope to receive the transcript shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War the highest age group in which former bricklayers have been offered release under Class B.

There are many different sub-classifications under the general heading "bricklayers" and different groups have been reached in different cases and again in different arms of the Service. It has not so far been necessary to go beyond Group 37 in any of these occupations in any arm, but in many of the occupations and in some arms that group has not been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that R.A.M.C. personnel in release Groups 28-30 have been informed that their demobilisation may be deferred for a period of three months; what are the reasons for this decision; and if he will take all possible steps to ensure an even rate of release of all trades in the Army.

No decision to defer R.A.M.C other ranks in these groups has been taken and any information to this effect which has been given to them is unwarranted. Apart from any individual deferments which may be necessary, R.A.M.C. other ranks in these groups will be released in accordance with the general programme for the Army as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there is any equivalent in the Army of the explanatory demobilisation signals sent out by the R.A.F.

A number of different methods have been used by the Army to keep men informed about the release scheme and its progress. The basis of the system is free discussion in units and establishments throughout the world, followed by the publication of authoritative answers to questions which are collated as a result of such discussions. For example two A. B.C. A. pamphlets have been issued—one at the same time as the White Paper and the other in September, 1945. More recently I had a complete set of questions and answers on points connected with the release scheme prepared; this was given a wide distribution and was intended to provide officers with the necessary information to answer their men's questions. Numerous copies of this pamphlet have already been placed in the Library of the House and a second edition is now being prepared which will cover such further points as have arisen since the previous issue was published.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the need for civilian teachers, he will now take steps to include teachers in the Army Education Corps in the Class B block release scheme.

The A.E.C. is only a small Corps and if teachers serving in it were to be included in the Class B bulk release scheme the Corps could not fulfil its duties. I attach great importance to the Army Education Scheme and I would prevent the scheme being carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for War in which age and service group plumbers are at present being offered release under the Class B scheme.

A fresh demand for plumbers has recently been received. This is being dealt with at present, but I cannot say to what groups it will be necessary to offer release in order to meet the demand. The latest group to which Class B offers for plumbers had (previously been made is 32.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that boys of 14 years of age are accepted for Army service and, after attestation, have no option but to remain in that service for a minimum of 13 years; and whether, as the age of 14 is too young for such an important decision to be taken, he will prevent enlistment at that age.

The enlistment of these boys is a voluntary act freely undertaken with their parents' consent. They become a very valuable asset to the Army as bandsmen or qualified tradesmen. I consider that it is only reasonable that they should be called upon to give a reasonable period of service after their training is completed, in view of the fact that they receive their training from the Army and are paid and maintained by the Army for a considerable period while they are being trained.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government will now issue greatcoats to the Army Cadet Corps, in view of the large number of greatcoats which have become available as a result of the releases from the Army.

This matter is still under consideration, in connection with other commitments and liabilities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the charges proposed for the issue of.303 blank ammunition to the Army cadet forces will be burdensome and will be resented by cadet associations; and whether, as the use of blank ammunition makes exercises more realistic, he will authorise the issue of a reasonable amount of blank ammunition free of charge to cadet units.

The price charged for this ammunition represents its cost to the State. While blank ammunition undoubtedly adds realism to exercises, I do not consider that it can be regarded as essential for the training of Army Cadets. I do not therefore feel that a free issue of.303" blank would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the reduced rate of the January and February Python schemes and the absence of a March Python scheme has created dissatisfaction among members of S.E.A.C.; if he will give reasons for the reductions and state the approximate date when be expects that the maximum overseas tour of duty will be reduced to three years.

asked the Secretary of State for War why no Python contingent is to sail from S.E.A.C. in March.

As I have previously informed the House, the Python period for the Far Eastern theatre is three years four months and this period has been adhered to. The period is measured from the time the man leaves the United Kingdom to the time he leaves the over-seas theatre. April, 1946, is therefore, the correct date for the departure of those who left England in December, 1942. There is a constant interchange of personnel between India and A.L.F.S.E.A. and it frequently happens that a part of a formation is in India and part in A.L.F.S.E.A. For this reason, the two Commands have always been treated as one for Python purposes; otherwise unfairness would ensue. It appears that recently a number of men have been repatriated from A.L.F.S.E.A. after doing only three years three months in the theatre. In order to redress the balance with India, Python sailings from A.L.F.S.E.A. are being appropriately adjusted.

asked the Secretary of State for War why men in S.E.A.C. who left England in December, 1942, have had their repatriation delayed until April, 1946; and if he will take steps to see that this gap in the Python scheme is reduced, if possible.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to the hon. Members for Taunton (Mr. Collins) and Oxford (Mr. Hogg).

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that promotion for officers in the India Command is not retarded for those officers who have now a limited time to serve.

There are no instructions or regulations on the subject of retarding promotion for British service officers who have only a limited time to serve. But during the emergency an officer's rank depends upon the appointment he holds, and the time that he is likely to be able to hold an appointment must be one factor in assessing his value in that post. Moreover, at a time like the present, continuity in officers' posts is most necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there have been many complaints from the Down County Council to the military authorities in Northern Ireland, regarding cylindrical concrete blocks and barbed-wire obstructions on roads in County Down; and if he will take the necessary steps to have these removed immediately as they are a danger to the public and prevent farmers complying with hedge-cutting regulations.

The question of responsibilities and procedure for securing the removal of temporary defence works in Northern Ireland is under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that only two cinemas in Singapore, namely the Alhambra and the Pavilion, are advertised as being free to His Majesty's Forces, and that the mobile cinemas are used almost exclusively for the showing of Indian films; and it he will take immediate steps to ensure that sufficient cinema shows are available in Singapore to meet the demand of His Majesty V Forces.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Mr. Mikardo) on 29th January last. There are a large number of Indian troops in the area and it is only reasonable that a fair proportion of mobile cinemas should 'be used for exhibiting Indian films,

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to complaints from Army units in Singapore that the issue of rations on full scale was not restored as promised on 1st December, 1945, and that further cuts in rations took place on 1st February 1946; and whether. in view of the local order that these rations cannot be supplemented by local purchases, he will undertake to restore the rations to the full scale in Singapore.

My information is that the full scale of rations was restored to Army units in Singapore on 9th December, 1945. As I stated in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Uxbridge (Flight-Lieutenant Beswick) last week a reduced scale of rations was brought into effect on 1st February to meet the current critical world food situation. This revised scale is still) more generous than that issued to British troops in other overseas Commands, and takes account of the restriction on local purchases by the troops.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the rations and welfare amenities of troops stationed in Singapore are in accordance with the previously announced standards; and whether he has any comment to make on the complaints, details of which were furnished him on 20th February.

As regards both the general question of rations for the troops in Singapore and the cinema facilities available I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. and gallant Member for South Blackpool (Wing-Commander Robinson) today. I am looking into the specific points raised in the correspondence which the hon. Member has sent to me, and I will write to him as soon as they have been investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers are at present serving sentences for desertion in face of the enemy; and how many are serving sentences for other service crimes.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could not be obtained without a great deal of research into individual records at home and abroad, involving the expenditure of considerable time and labour. The normal statistics do not distinguish between cases of desertion in face of the enemy and other cases of desertion; nor do they distinguish between convictions for service crimes and convictions for civil offences by courts martial. My hon. and gallant Friend may, however, like to look at the information I gave on this subject in reply to a Debate on the Adjournment on 28th November, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the Regulations governing the granting of agricultural leave at the present time; and if it is permissible for commanding officers to grant more than 56 days leave to any one individual in the year expiring June, 1946.

Subject to certain conditions agricultural workers serving at home and in the B.A.O.R. may be allowed agricultural leave up to 28 days during the period from 1st December, 1945, to 30th June, 1946. An extension of up to a further 28 days may be authorised in the case of inclement weather. Commanding officers may not grant more than a total of 56 days' agricultural leave during this period.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the issue of a money allowance to the troops who are non-smokers in lieu of the free issue of cigarettes.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of public disquiet at the disclosures of conditions in military prisons, he will review the methods for the selecting and training of military police personnel employed in these prisons.

Military prisons and detention barracks are not staffed by military police but by personnel of the Military Provost Staff Corps. These non commissioned officers are required to pass a course of instruction at the Military Provost Staff Corps School, Fort Dar-land, be fore they are allowed to carry out duties in military prisons and detention barracks. Methods of selection and training of applicants for transfer to the Military Provost Staff Corps are constantly under review in order to ensure that only the best non-commissioned officers are recruited for this type of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Building and Civil Engineering Industries Uni- formity Joint Board has decided in favour of the operatives claim for wages in respect of 30th January, 1945, when, in consequence of weather conditions, it was impossible for them to obtain transport from their homes to the Central Ordnance Depot, Donnington, a distance of some 22 miles; that the contractors are still awaiting the authority of his Department to implement the decision of the Uniformity Joint Board; and why communications from the Uniformity Joint Board to his Department have been ignored.

I am not aware that the Building and Civil Engineering Industries Uniformity Agreement Joint Board has given any decision on this claim. If the Board has given a decision in favour of the operatives, I am not aware that the contractor needs the Department's authority to implement it. I regret to say that no communication from the Joint Board to my Department about this claim has been traced.

Roberts asked the Secretary of State for War how many separate establishments are held by his Department in the county of Merioneth; what is the location and acreage of each of them; and whether any extensions of existing establishments or opening of new ones are proposed.

Five training areas are held in Merionethshire either as War Department estate or requisitioned under Defence Regulation 51:Anti-tank Range, Harlech—1,155 acres.Advanced Handling and Field-craft school. Trawsfynidd—8,200 acres.Training Area. Barmouth Promenade—-I acre.H.A.A. Practice Camp, Tonfanay—2124 acres.Towyn Rifle Range—80 acres.No extensions to existing training establishments are proposed nor is the opening of any new training establishment contemplated in the county of Merioneth.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many ambulance transports are still being used for the transport of sick and wounded Servicemen back to the United Kingdom from overseas; and how soon he anticipates that there will be sufficient hospital ships available to dispense with the use of ambulance transports, having regard to the lack of comfort and inadequate facilities provided therein

Two vessels fitted as ambulance transports are engaged on this work. I cannot accept the suggestion that the degree of comfort and the facilities provided on these ships are inadequate for the purpose for which they are intended. Hospital ships are still used for the transport of the more seriously ill patients. I should, however, point out that it is not the normal peacetime practice to carry invalids in hospital ships, as the numbers involved are too small.

asked the Secretary of State for War the duties, apart from their occasional use as Russian interpreters, of the Polish liaison officers serving with His Majesty's Forces in Europe; and whether he will give an assurance that only such liaison officers as are known to be loyal to the Polish Government will be allowed to perform liaison duties with regard to Polish displaced persons.

The duties of the Polish liaison officers serving with His Majesty's Forces in Europe are the administration of the Polish Displaced Persons and arrangements connected with their repatriation to Poland. Any who show reluctance to collaborate with the Polish Provisional Government's Military Mission are removed and replaced.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has recently reviewed the work of the education facilities in the Army; and if he is satisfied that all is being done to use beneficially the greater leisure time now existing in most branches of the Service.

I am satisfied generally that the Army Education Scheme is being operated very satisfactorily in spite of difficulties arising from the rapid rate of releases and replacement of staffs and instructors. In units in which the scheme can be fully operated not less than six hours a week are allotted to education from normal training or working hours. Because of their operational and other commitments "there are still a number of units which have not yet been able to implement the scheme, but the majority of units in the Army are operating it either wholly or partially.In addition to education in units there are classes and courses organised by formations, and each major Command has a formation college which provides residential courses of a month's duration for a large number of students. A. wide range of correspondence courses is also available for those unable to get direct class instruction in subjects they wish to study.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of staff at present employed in A.B.C.A.; and what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer at the present time.

The Army Bureau of Current Affairs was merged with the Directorate of Army Education on 1st February, 1946. Eleven military (including A.T.S.) officers, three civilian officers, and 11 clerks of the Directorate of Army Education are employed on duties connected with the production and distribution, where necessary, of teaching aids, including A.B.C.A. materials, Forces Educational Broadcasts, gramophone records, exhibitions, educational films and film strips. The approximate cost of the emoluments of the staff employed on this work would be£14,000 in a full financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the progress of education in the B.A.O.R.

The Army Education Scheme in B.A.O.R. is based on unit schools, with schools at brigade, divisional and corps headquarters to supply instruction in subjects which units cannot provide for—chiefly basic Education, for men who need it, trade refresher courses for skilled tradesmen who are out of practice, and pre-vocational training. The trade refresher courses are provided in 23 trades schools. Unit instructors are trained at a regimental instructors' training school at Ghent in courses of three weeks duration, which cater for 300 students per course. This is supplemented by short courses at divisional schools.A formation college at Gottingen provides advanced residential courses in a wide range of subjects for 900 students a month. There are in B.A.O.R. 30 Forces Study Centres, mainly in large towns where many troops are stationed. These cultural centres are organised by the A.E.C. and provide libraries, vocational information, voluntary evening classes, handicrafts, literary and debating societies, music circles, etc. Also such bodies as Too H., the Y.M.C.A., and the W.V.S. provide similar activities on their own premises, in close liaison with the A.E.C.Special educational provision is made for hospitals when this is possible, A.E.C. instructors being attached to 18 hospitals in the theatre. One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one candidates are sitting for the Forces Preliminary examination which is being held this month. This examination has been established to meet the needs of men and women who wish to prepare themselves for subsquent entry to a University or one of the professions.Though there have been difficulties about equipment, the supply of books is reasonably good in spite of the world shortage. Rooks unobtainable in English bookshops can be borrowed from the Libraries issued to nearly all units of 500 men and over which are implementing the Scheme.A.T.S. are included in the Scheme wherever possible, but, as most of them are employed in Signals or as clerks, it is not always practicable to give them the full six hours' education per week in working time. Domestic Science centres are being opened throughout the theatre. Vacancies are allotted to A.T.S. at the Formation College at Gottingen which includes a Domestic Science Wing.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the future of the Pioneer Corps; is the Corps to continue; and, ii so, what are the conditions of service to be.

The future of the Pioneer Corps is at present being considered in relation to other problems of the postwarArmy. It is not, however, possible at this stage to say whether the Pioneer Corps will or will not continue.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to derequisition the land in Beechdale Road urgently required by the Nottingham Corporation as a housing site.

I very much regret the delay in derequisitioning this site, but I have now given instructions for it to be derequisitioned forthwith

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now release Castle Donnington racing track so that Great Britain can, once again, have the possibility of racing successfully against foreign countries as, now' that Brook-lands has been disposed of, Castle Donnington is the only suitable racing track available in the country.

The difficulty of releasing Donnington Park was explained in my reply of 13th November last to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Derby (Group-Captain Wilcock). Certain suggestions which have been made are, however, at present under consideration and as soon as a decision is reached I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the route of the dispersal vehicles operating between Strensall and York has, since 15th February, been changed from Camp Lane and the Malton to York main road to the road through the village of Huntington; and if he is aware that danger will result to the children who live on the latter route which runs through a thickly populated area and is a road unsuitable for fast military traffic.

One-way traffic for War Department vehicles was imposed on the Towthorpe-Haslebush road at the request of the Ministry of War Transport to reduce damage to this road and it was arranged by the War Department that vehicles travelling from York to Strensall should go by way of Huntington. All War Department vehicles are restricted to 20 miles per hour on part of the route including Huntington village, and arrangements have been made for adequate police supervision at all times.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there is great delay in the payment of gratuities to officers who were released from the Army prior to the release scheme and that there is also delay in the issue of the Defence Medal ribbon to these officers, and if he will take steps to expedite these matters.

I regret that some delay has occurred in the issue of gratuities to officers released before the beginning of the release scheme, but this work has been carried out as rapidly as possible and is now nearing completion. The non-issue of a gratuity in the majority of cases is, however, due to the fact that officers have failed to apply on the. appropriate form which can be obtained at post offices.The supply position has not so far permitted the issue of Defence Medal ribbons except to serving officers and soldiers; but I hope that it wall be possible to make an early start on issues to those who left the Service without receiving the ribbon.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the position of university students who have recently been called up for military service and who at the time of enlistment had registered with their university to take an examination; and if he will undertake to see that these young men are detained in this country meanwhile and given facilities to sit for the examination for which they have so registered.

Once these men are in the Army they must be subject to the normal rules for posting like all other classes of men in the Army. Any question of deferment of call-up for particular individuals or classes of men is a matter to be decided by the Ministry of Labour and National Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements exist for giving local leave to N.C.Os. and men in No. 2 Supply Company, R.A.S.C. (Lt.) S.E.A.C., in view of the fact that periodic local leave and rest, especially when active operations have ceased, is necessary in the interests of health.

Overseas Commands (except B.A.O.R.) may at their discretion grant up to 28 days local leave annually. There are organised leave centres in S.E.A.C. in which local leave can be spent. British troops stationed in Burma are permitted to take local leave in leave stations in India.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to allow Wokingham Corporation to take over Toutley camp, unoccupied since mid-November, and so provide temporary housing urgently needed for 30 families.

No, Sir. This camp is required for the re-accommodation of military personnel now in requisitioned property, so that nine small houses or flats and six other properties can be released for civilian use.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, instead of breaking up the camp at Allhallows, Kent, he will make the 12 huts, timber built on brick foundations, available to the local authority for conversion into housing accommodation.

I regret that I cannot carry out my hon. Friend's suggestion, as this camp is being retained in order to meet the postwar requirements of the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make inquiries into the conditions prevailing at S.A.D.E. workshops, R.E.M.E., Ufford Park, Woodbridge, the complaints being that there is no education scheme in operation, no handicraft centre or library; that the men have to line up for their meals for long periods in all weathers; that some of the men are engaged on domestic jobs and making articles at the officers private billets; and if he will take steps to remedy these grievances.

I have now had a full report on these complaints. I understand that every facility and encouragement is given to men to take part in the Army Educational Scheme in this unit. For example, the usual A.B.C.A. and British Way and Purpose discussions take place twice weekly for all personnel and a number of men are taking educational courses of various kinds. This workshop is, however, a permanent peacetime unit fully occupied with important work, with the result that it is impossible to devote as much time to the educational scheme as in some other units.There is every opportunity for handicraft training in the unit, as the entire workshops are available for the men to use out of working hours and they are encouraged to do this. A technical library is available to all men and a central library is maintained at the establishment's headquarters, from which this unit draws books for the unit library.It is true that dining facilities are restricted so that two sittings of meals are necessary, but men who have to wait are protected by an ironwork shelter which has been erected outside the dining hall. Any articles made and repairs done for other ranks' and officers' billets have been the result of voluntary work done in the men's own time as part of their handicraft training.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information on Eustaquio Bustos, a Spanish Republican who disappeared from the camp sick bay at Chorley on 4th February.

This man left Chorley hostel during the night, and his absence was discovered the following morning, when the police were notified and a search instituted. He was found on the moors by a shepherd on 17th February in an extremely exhausted condition and was taken to hospital. He is at present too ill to be questioned.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Defence Medal only is being given to the men who served in Iceland and the Faroe Islands and not the J939-45 Star or the Atlantic Star.

The 1939-45 Star is a campaign star and is awarded primarily for service in operations against the enemy in an active theatre of war. The Atlantic Star is primarily a Naval and Air Star corresponding to the Army and Air Campaign Stars. Naval personnel ashore are not eligible for it. I do not consider that either Star would be an appropriate award for service in the Army in Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many King's medals for courage and King's medals for service have been awarded to date to French nationals.

While a considerable number of such awards is contemplated, I am not in a position to give actual figures, because the recommendations involve prior consultation with the French Government, and until they concur in individual cases, it is not possible for these to be formally submitted for approval. Over 100 recommendations have already been submitted to the French authorities for their agreement, and many more are on the way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to whom application should be made for permission to wear the Defence ribbon by air-raid wardens; and when this medal will be available.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave today to the hon. and gallant Member for East Renfrew (Major Lloyd). The date for the making of claims will be announced in due course. The medal itself will not be available for a considerable time, and I am not in a position at present to make any exact forecast.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the British military authority in Taranto, Southern Italy, granted permission for the use of the Orfeo theatre by the Fascist organisation known as the Party of the Common Man, on 27th January, 1946.

I am making inquiries and as soon as they are completed I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will indicate what instructions have been issued with regard to the practice of retaining or dropping Service titles by those who held temporary commissions in the Fighting Services during the war.

Generally speaking, the rule on this subject in all three Services is that substantive or war substantive rank may be retained or if higher acting or temporary rank has been held that it may be retained under certain circumstances as laid down in the respective orders of the three Services. It is left to the discretion of each individual to use any rank to which he may be entitled, or to drop it, as he wishes.

asked the Secretary of State for War a list of the amounts of goods in the dump at Newbury racecourse and appoint a committee of inquiry, presided over by an independent legal chairman, at which evidence can be taken on oath and to report to this House and to recommend disciplinary action for those concerned with this wastage.

The dump on Newbury racecourse belongs to the U.S. Army. The taking over of the vast majority of the stores by His Majesty's Government is at present under negotiation; meanwhile the stores remain the property of the U.S. Army. A certain quantity of stores which were originally supplied by His Majesty's Government to the U.S. Government under Reciprocal Aid have already been taken over. These are being cleared to permanent Army storage depots as quickly as the transport situation permits, but they are not such as will deteriorate seriously through being kept in the open. I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by a committee of inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arrangements for relatives to visit St. Manviev British Cemetery in France during the summer.

As I have stated in reply to similar Questions in the past I regret that it is not at present possible to make arrangements for such visits, and I do not anticipate that the transport situation will have improved sufficiently to enable anything in this direction to be done during this summer. The question will, however, be carefully considered at the earliest appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Polish troops have been placed along the road Trieste-Opcina; and, in view of the possible danger of open skirmishes between these troops and the residents of the villages along the Morgan Line, if he will take steps to have these forces withdrawn.

There is no foundation for the suggestion that Polish troops are at present employed on the Trieste-Opcina road. No Polish troops are now employed east of the river Tagliamenti.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will revise the terms prescribed by Treasury Circular, of 18th November, 1944 so as to enable local authorities to secure loans for terms exceeding six months at low rates of interest, thus reducing the burden on the rates;(2) on what grounds the request of the Stepney Borough Council to permit short-term loans bearing interest at if per cent.. to be extended has been refused.

As a general rule, it is not in the national interest, or in the interest of local authorities, that the latter should finance long-term developments by short-term loans. That is why this particular application was refused

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will relieve holiday camp proprietors of the obligation of paying purchase tax on goods which they need to buy to replace goods taken from them during the period of requisition for war purposes by various Government Departments.

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount involved in the cancellation of tax liability in respect of certain civil servants, railway employees and service personnel; and under what statutory authority this exceptional treatment has been authorised.

Section 6 of the Income Tax (Offices and Employments) Act, 1944, cancelled certain arrears due from these taxpayers for 1942-43 and earlier years. The resulting loss of collectable revenue is relatively small.

asked the Chancellor of. the Exchequer what progress has been made with the preparation of legislation on the subject of war damage to public utility undertakings.

I hope to settle, in advance of the introduction of a Bill, the total amount to be paid for war damage to each group of public utility undertakings and the total amount to be contributed by each group. The total war damage payments to and contributions from each group would then be fixed by the Bill, which would provide for the making of schemes determining the sums to be paid to and contributed by particular undertakings. The Bill would also deal with undertakings which are not public utility properties but are at present covered by Section 70 of the War Damage Act, 1943. I have asked Departments to continue discussions with the various public utility groups with all possible speed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his regulations permit the owner of a house that has been badly damaged and has since been repaired under the War Damage Commission, to claim for the amount of rent he has had to pay for accommodation during the period in which his house was uninhabitable.

No, Sir. Such lossess are only one example of many types of loss of income due to the war, which lie outside the field of compensation from public funds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the necessity of recruiting men of wide experience in the Civil Service, he will consider raising the maximum age of entrance for a permanent position in the Civil Service to 45 years of age.

The scheme of reconstruction recruitment to the Civil Service set out in Cmd. 6567 provides for the retention in a permanent capacity of substantial numbers of war entrants to the Civil Service up to the age of 50. In addition the Government have recently advertised 50 vacancies in the administrative class for candidates up to age 45.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage of stone and slate and other non-combustible substances in coal as supplied to consumers in 1939 and 1945.

The quantity of dirt in the coal produced varies from seam to seam. Moreover, as I explained in my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 22nd January, there are certain difficulties, which also vary from plant to plant, in cleaning the coal on the surface. In these circumstances it would be quite impracticable to obtain the information requested. I would add that my Regional Production Directors have been instructed to take all possible steps to improve the preparation of the coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, what petrol ration will be allowed for use in motor-yachts and other motor pleasure craft during the coming summer.

Petrol allowances for privately owned motor boats used without restriction of purpose will be granted for the summer months starting on 1st April. The allowances will vary between one gallon and 10 gallons a month according to the horse power of the engine.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has examined the system of points and extra rations allowed coalminers in Holland; and if he will consider introducing such a system into this country.

I am endeavouring to obtain full information about the system said to be in operation in Holland and will, as necessary, consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food and any other Minister concerned about it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the proportions of the total coal output cut by machinery and carried by mechanical conveyors at the latest known date.

The latest year for which figures are available is 1944, when 72 per cent. of the total output of coal was cut by machinery and 69 per cent, was conveyed by machinery.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will publish the names of the collieries where good seams were improperly withheld from production during the years 1939 to 1945.

No such cases have been brought to my notice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the earnings of a coalface worker in the coalmines in 1939 and 1944, respectively; and the percentage increase of coal-cutting machinery.

The figures asked for in the first part of the Question are not available, as the statistics of earnings in the coalmining industry do not distinguish between the earnings of face workers and those of other workers. As regards the second part of the Question, the percent- age of coal output cut by machinery rose from 61 per cent. in 1939 to 72 percent in 1944.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the figures of the amount of coal lost by voluntary absenteeism during the years 1939 to 1945, inclusive.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 9th October last in answer to a similar Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the representations of a conference of local education authorities in Scotland, held in Glasgow on 17th January, with regard to Government grants for education; and what action is he taking.

I met representatives of the education authorities on Friday last in Edinburgh and discussed with them the matters raised at the recent conference in Glasgow. On the general position with regard to education grants I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a Question on the subject by the hon. Member for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin) on 5th February of which I am sending him a copy and to which I am at present unable to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the shortage of hospital accommodation in the area of East Renfrewshire, especially for tuberculosis cases and infectious diseases; and when action will be taken in regard to the observations contained in the recent survey of Scottish hospitals by the Department of Health for Scotland.

Action on the reports of the Scottish hospital surveyors is for the responsible hospital authorities, but, generally, it will have to await the reorganisation of the health services as a whole. The first concern of the local authorities responsible for tuberculosis and infectious diseases will no doubt be to remedy shortages of nursing staff, so that all the accommodation already available can be used.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what claims have been made by, or on the advice of, the advisory council on the records of Scotland for the return from English custody of ancient documents removed from Scotland; whether the Keeper of the Records in England still withholds any of these documents; and whether, in order to uphold both the spirit and the letter of the treaty signed at Northampton in 1328, he is prepared to assist in securing the return to the custody of the Keeper of the Records at the Register House in Edinburgh of these historic national records.

Certain Scottish records removed from Scotland in 1296 and listed in the First Schedule to the Public Records (Scotland) Act, 1937, were duly returned as provided for by that Act. Proposals for further transfers, which in terms of the Act require the consent of the Master of the Rolls, were made to the Public Record Office in 1939 on the advice of the Scottish Records Advisory Council; but owing to the war the matter could not usefully be pursued. Many of the records in question are still dispersed, but I propose to take an early opportunity of examining the position in consultation with the Master of the Rolls.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland his reasons for withdrawing the orders under Regulation 42D by which the supply of intoxicating drink to travellers on a Sunday is restricted to persons taking meals on the premises of certain Scottish districts.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, given on 4th December last to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Central Edinburgh (Mr. Gilzean) and to which I am at present unable to add

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the present general state of neglect of Scottish public records; and what steps he proposes to take for their collection, collation, indexing and preservation, and for their housing in suitable and accessible conditions.

I am advised that the methods of custody, indexing and protection of current records in the Register House are satisfactory, though the accommodation available is restricted. There are serious gaps in the cataloguing of the older records, which can only be made good gradually by a trained staff. Progress in this direction was unavoidably suspended during the war, when staffs were diverted to more urgent duties, but will be resumed as soon as practicable. More accommodation is desirable for the Record Office and this will be considered when priorities in other directions allow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether teachers who for any just cause ceased to be employed as such between 1st April, 1945 and 20th December, 1945, are entitled to arrears in respect of increases of salaries granted retrospectively by the Teachers' Salaries (Scotland) Regulations.

I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate that the answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been made and how many licences have been granted for the building of dwelling-houses in Scotland by individuals or organisations to which no subsidy is payable, for the period 1st August to 31st December, 1945.

During the period in question 104 licences were granted for the building of 251 new houses. There were granted in addition, 193 licences for the conversion of existing premises into approximately 392 houses, and 65 licences for the completion of 200 houses begun before the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to derequisition the property at 36 George Street, Dumfries, at present used as headquarters of the N.F.S., for which purpose it is quite unsuited.

The premises at 36 George Street, Dumfries, are used for the accommodation of whole-time members of the National Fire Service, who are attached to the adjoining peacetime station where the accommodation is only sufficient for two persons. The property was formerly occupied by a Bridge Club which is at present occupying alternative accommodation from which I understand they have been asked to remove. Efforts have been made to find alternative accommodation for the National Fire Service, but these so far have not been successful and I regret that it is not possible to say when the property can be vacated.

asked the Minister of Works the date on which Birch aerodrome, Essex, was offered to his Department by the Air Ministry; what representations he has received from any local authorities who wish to use accommodation on the aerodrome for temporary housing; whether his Department has disposed of this aerodrome; and, if so, to whom and on what date.

This runwayed airfield was declared by the Air Ministry on 19th October as available on loan to the Ministry of Works and other Departments, and the accommodation is being used for Government purposes. The airfield is to be acquired by the State, to secure efficient use of the land for agricultural purposes, and the question of disposal, therefore, does not arise. No representations with regard to this airfield have been received from any local authority.

asked the Minister of Works how many German and Italian prisoners of war were being Employed on the quarrying or manufacture of building materials on 31st July, 30th November and 31st January, respectively.

The numbers of prisoners engaged on the manufacture of building materials were:

31st	July	1,200
30th	November	2,500
31st	January	3.000

asked the Minister of Works how many German and Italian prisoners of war were being employed on house-building, or the preparation of housing sites on 31st July, 30th November and 31st January respectively.

Prisoners of war are by agreement with the trade unions employed on certain types of work only and this does not include skilled work on house building. For the preparation of housing sites, the figures are:

31st	July	7,000
30th	November	20,400
31st	January	24,800

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many frigates there are in the R.N., and of these how many are in commission and how many are laid up.

There are 97 frigates in the Royal Navy, 45 of which are in commission, and 52 in Reserve.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that T124X personnel who are demobilised at Neston have to hand back all issued clothing, which is then ripped up and put into the incinerator; and whether the clothing which cannot be reissued will be used for salvage purposes.

No, Sir. The clothing in question, which consists of certain items of outer uniform only, is placed in a decontaminator before being baled and returned to a Naval Victualling Yard.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when Pendiswell airport at Worcester is to be derequisitioned.

I am glad to say that we can now derequisition this airfield. We are discussing the detailed arrangements with the city council.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the distribution of recruits to the medical branches of the three Services since 18th June, 1945.

Since 18th June, 1945, the distribution has been: Navy (to 25th February), 105; Army (to 31st January), 433; Royal Air Force (to 31st January), 33.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he has considered the representations from the unemployed in South Wales, urging him to make provision for the extension of statutory benefit, because of the substantial reductions effected in their transfer to the Assistance Board with its means test qualifications; and has he a statement to make.

Yes, Sir, and I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to Clause 61 of the National Insurance Bill now before Parliament. I would add that in the meantime my right hon. Friend is examining the whole position in relation to the limited powers which he has to adjust the unemployment insurance scheme during the period of emergency arising out of the war.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will consider sending once a week to remote villages without a post office, a van equipped as a mobile office to handle the more important branches of G.P.O. service, including particularly that of old age pensions.

No. Sir: It has always been our object to provide a post office at every village of a reasonable size which is situated more than two miles from another post office. The generous scale on which post offices are provided may be judged from the fact that there are nearly 25,000 post offices in this country. We cannot undertake to bring full post office facilities to every hamlet, but all rural postmen carry and sell stamps, accept parcels and registered letters, and by arrangement procure postal orders. Infirm old age pensioners can appoint an agent. The cost of providing mobile post offices as suggested by the hon. Member would, in my opinion, be prohibitive, but if he has any special case of difficulty' in mind and will let me have particulars I will gladly look into it.

asked the Minister of Information why the Government refused information to the British Press and radio trade on the terms of the agreement signed by the delegates of the U.S.A. and British Commonwealth at the Bermuda Conference on Telecommunications on the grounds that it was a Cabinet secret; and why British Information Services, the agency of the British Government in Washington, was authorised to release a full detailed statement to the U.S. radio trade and Press on 7th December last.

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware of the circumstances referred to in the first part of the Question. A publicity officer was attached to the Bermuda Conference and information was Supplied to correspondents in Bermuda during the Conference. Full details of the Bermuda Telecommunications Agreements were made available to the Press at the final public plenary session of the Conference on 4th December. The statement issued by the British. Information Services in Washington on 7th December contained no information that was not already available.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is satisfied with the speed of recruitment to the civilian military government under his administration.

With the progress of releases.: from the Armed Forces and the consequent depletion of the military staffs of the Control Commissions in Germany and Austria, the requirements for civilian replacements are increasing steeply. Recruits are coming forward in sufficient numbers but the process of selection and appointment necessarily takes time. This process has recently been accelerated and the position will, I hope, still further improve in the near future.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether, in view of the need to revive the Cornish tin industry in the interests of the necessity to save imports, he will guarantee for five years a minimum price for British won tin.

In the absence of any clear indication of the future level of world tin prices, my right hon. Friend does not feel able to accept this suggestion.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of chalk is added to the national loaf; and from where it is obtained in South Wales.

Calcium in the form of creta preparata is added to flour at the rate of 7 ounces of calcium to 280 lb. of flour. The mills in South Wales obtain their supplies of calcium from the Swans-combe Works, Northfleet, Kent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any statement to make on the recent disturbances in Kingston, Jamaica, resulting in the deaths of a number of people.

For some time there has been disharmony between trade union organisations in Jamaica. In January last, as a result of representations made by the T.U.C. regarding the conditions of service of employees of the mental hospital, authority was given for an immediate increase of male and female nursing-staff and estimates were being prepared of the cost of providing additional recreational facilities for both staff and patients. The present strikes have occurred in spite of the fact that discussions have been proceeding since early in January with the unions on the general question of relations between the Government and the unions, with a view to the creation of joint negotiating machinery in all Government Departments in matters affecting Government employees.The present strike occurred without notice on the morning of 15th February amongst the lower grade employees of the mental hospital in Jamaica, leaving only the senior staff and a small proportion of the subordinate staff on duty. As a result, the patients were left without care or food and a number escaped. The police took immediate action and a number of the patients were recovered, and arrangements made to provide food for the inmates and to prevent further escapes. Unfortunately, a fire broke out at the hospital on the night of 17th February, the cause of which has not yet been ascertained and at least 15 inmates lost their lives. The Governor has appointed a board of inquiry into the causes of this fire. It is regretted that five deaths have also occurred in clashes in the streets of Kingston.On the night of 15th February a strike of train crews on the Government railway was called resulting in a complete stoppage of traffic and the holding up of bananas destined for the United Kingdom. This was followed by a strike of all the prison warders on 16th February, and of the Kingston fire brigade on 17th February. All possible steps have been taken to meet the serious threat to essential services. Effective arrangements have been made to carry food supplies, passengers and mails by road instead of rail; A.R.P. volunteers have taken over the fire services. About 250 special constables have been called up and more are being enrolled; and volunteers have come forward in good numbers. The military authorities, in addition to providing food and medical care at the mental hospital, have supplied guards at prisons and fire brigade stations.The Trades Union Council of Jamaica have stated that no resumption of work at the mental hospital can take place until the senior medical officer now in the hospital has been removed. To this request the Governor and his Executive Council are not prepared to accede, and after consideration in the Executive Council the representatives of the unions have been informed that the Government are not prepared to negotiate on staff questions until the strike is ended. Government employees on strike have been warned that unless they return to duty they will be regarded as having vacated their appointments. The Governor reported on 20th February that the difficult situation at the mental hospital has somewhat improved and the public had been deeply shocked by the disastrous fire. In response to a public invitation for applicants for employment at the hospital 150 candidates have already been recruited.The train service on both branches of the railway has been partially restored and the situation in the prisons is being brought into control. A.R.P. volunteers are doing excellent work in operating the Kingston fire fighting services. Essential supplies have been well maintained. I am concerned at the situation which has arisen and am in the closest touch with the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he will be in a position to make a statement on the question of compensation to owners of rubber in Malaya which was seized by the Japanese during the period of enemy occupation.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement regarding the setting up of Claims Commissions in the Far East which was circulated with my reply to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 13th February, 1946. Claims in respect of rubber which was seized by the Japanese will be dealt with in accordance with the terms of that statement.