asked the Minister of Food what is the percentage of bad, uneatable shell eggs contained in present importations; and what methods he is taking to prevent any increase.

The number of bad shell eggs in present importations from all sources amounts to less than one egg per box of 360 eggs. Every consignment of Shell eggs to this country is examined by experts and their reports are sent to the Governments of the supplying countries. The figures of loss I have quoted are a reflection of the care taken to prevent the importation of bad eggs.

asked "the Minister of Food why offals are less frequently available for sale to the public than they were during the war.

Except in London, offal is generally distributed as frequently as during the war years. In London arrangements have been made for the butchers to take offal at about monthly intervals, so that they can get a bigger amount each time and can thus make a better and fairer distribution to their customers. This problem will be appreciated, if it is realised that offal, on average, works out at about three farthings per head of the population per week.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the present restrictions on the distribution of English canned fruits, he will now state his policy and intentions as regards the canning of English fruit in this country, especially having regard to the fact that the present proposals stipulate that canners shall only be allowed to pack fruit when a surplus arises.

There is still not enough fresh fruit in this country to meet the public needs. So long as this lasts, canning will not be permitted unless a surplus—such as a heavy plum crop— arises. Fruit to maintain the jam ration must have priority over canning.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in connection with the process of packing fruit under the new system of quick-freezing, whereby the public were able to buy fresh strawberries, raspberries and other fruits during the out-of-season periods, it is the intention of the Government to allow those factories that have made the necessary preparations for development to continue the quick-freezing of fruit.

No, Sir. We shall need all the soft fruit we can get this year to increase the supply of the more popular types of jam.

asked the Minister of Food whether the form of control exercised by the Combined Food Board is identical in the case of all commodities.

No.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent supplies of food are being held up in Australia because of the conflicting reactions and inactions of the British Ministries and Departments; and if he will take steps to put an end to these delays.

Supplies of food are moving forward normally under our standing arrangement with Australia, and if means can be found to provide increased supplies of meat and dairy produce or of non-refrigerated cargo which we need, I should be very glad to purchase and ship them. I am not aware of any exceptional delay.

asked the Minister of Food whether wheat is now within the scope of the Combined Food Board; or whether, in view of the present shortage, he is taking steps to secure that allocations are made through this board.

Yes, Sir. Wheat is within the scope of the Combined Food Board and arrangements for the programming of shipments are under almost continuous discussion among the importing and exporting countries concerned through the machinery of the Board.

asked the Minister of Food what were the reasons for the decision to remove wheat and flour from the system of international allocation under the Combined Food Board by a decision taken in the summer of 1945; and, in view of the world food situation, what steps have been taken by the Government to restore the system of international allocation.

The Combined Food Board substituted a system of monthly programming of shipments of wheat and flour for a system of allocation in order to make possible the maximum flexibility in arrangements in the exporting countries and so to secure the greatest possible movement of supplies. The Combined Food Board arrangements are being kept under very close review in the present difficult period, and in the event of any changes becoming necessary they will be made.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the 30,000 tons of Canary Island tomatoes, about the importation of which he has been unable to make a decision, are now in danger of deterioration; and whether he will make a statement in reference to the dispute among importers, which is denying the British housewife these tomatoes.

I am now in a position to re-issue the licences for importing Canary Island tomatoes.

asked the Minister of Food whether arrangements have been made for the bulk importation of bananas from the Canary Islands and pineapples from British West Africa; and whether he is aware that quantities of both fruits are available, but will be wasted unless immediate action is taken.

I have arranged for the importation of all the bananas from the Canary Islands that are likely to be available. With regard to pineapples from British West Africa, my information is that none will be available for importation into this country.

asked the Minister of Food how many discoveries of food which had become unfit for human consumption while stored in warehouses controlled by his Department were reported during January and the first three weeks of February of this year; what quantities and varieties of food were involved; whether any disciplinary action is contemplated; and what steps are being taken to prevent similar cases from arising in the future.

I regret that in the time available it has not been possible to coimpile the information required. The information is being collected and I will have it circulated in the official report as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the irregular distribution of poultry, game and offal, he will introduce a rationing system for these foodstuffs which is fair to all.

So far as the rationing of poultry and game is concerned, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 13th February to the hon. Member for Upton (Mr. A. Lewis). The description "offal" covers a large number of products, the total quantity available is relatively small and this, together.with the fact that these products are very perishable, makes them unsuitable for rationing.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can hold out any hope of assisting poultry farmers by the purchase of feeding stuffs from overseas to enable the British poultry industry to survive.

I cannot hold out any hope of being able to purchase abroad in the near future sufficient quantities of feeding stuffs to permit of an increase in the poultry ration above that recently announced.

asked the Minister of Food if he is importing coconuts from Malaya and in what quantities; and to what extent will supplies from this source make up for deficiencies from others.

A Ministry of Food buying unit has been in Singapore for five months, but owing to neglect of the plantations during the Japanese occupation, and to lack of transport, exports of copra from Malay have hitherto been disappointing. I have reason, however, to expect some improvement during the coming months, when supplies from Malaya will certainly help to make good deficiencies from other sources, though not to the extent which I was at one time hoping.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements he is making for food shops to remain open on Victory Day, 8th June.

This matter is under consideration and a statement will be made in due course

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the high transport charges in respect of imported fruit that have to be met by retailers in outlying districts in Scotland, he will consider arranging for a flat rate distribution and transport charge.

In the case of imported fruit, the cost of carriage to the wholesalers' warehouses is paid by my Department. The retail prices in the outlying districts of Scotland are½d. a lb. higher then in the remainder of the United Kingdom, and this addition is available for the retailer to recoup himself for the higher cost of transport.

asked the Minister of Food if his attention has been called to the announcement of the Food Minister of Czechoslovakia of the exchange of cod liver oil, fruit juice, tea, etc., from this country for 75,000 gallons of Pilsener and a quantity of potent spirits from that country; and why he approved this arrangement.

The Czechoslovak Minister of Food recently came to London at his suggestion to discuss with me the possibility of restoring the export of manufactured foods from this country to. Czechoslovakia and the import of a restricted category of goods from that country to the United Kingdom. The proposals he put forward are still being examined in my Department, but no agreement has been reached.

asked the Minister of Food on what grounds the illegally appointed food sub-committee in Bicester refused the application for a licence to sell rabbits and poultry submitted by Mr. K. Thompson, of 8, Blake Road, Woodfield, Bicester; and if this case was reviewed.

The Bicester Food Control Committee unanimously rejected Mr. Thompson's application on 24th January on the grounds that there was no consumer need for the business. Mr. Thompson was notified on 4th February of his right to appeal against this decision, but he has not appealed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the date on which the Sultan of Johore was made a major-general; and for what services this rank was granted.

His Highness the Sultan of Johore assumed the rank of a major-general of the Johore Forces, of which he was the Commandant, with effect from 17th March, 1941.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the indignation in Palestine resulting from the proposal of the military authorities to bring German prisoners of war to work in Palestine; how many such prisoners have already arrived; whether he has received any communication from the Government of Palestine on the subject; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

My attention has been drawn to reports in the Press and I am in communication with the High Commissioner for Palestine on the subject. I will inform my hon. Friend when I receive his report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether chartered company rule is to be restored in North Borneo.

The discussions on this subject with representatives of the British North Borneo Chartered Company are not yet concluded. My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any statement to make about the recent disturbances in Jamaica.

A statement in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) will be found in yesterday's Official Report. I have now heard that the employees of the Government printing office, who had also been on strike, have returned to work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement as to who is to be the successor to the present Governor of Malta when the latter relinquishes his appointment in the near future.

I am not in a position to make a statement at the present time; but I hope to be able to do so shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many officers with five or more years' experience of administration in India dependencies or the Colonies are on the permanent staff of the Colonial Office.

Two members of the present permanent staff of the Colonial Office have five or more years experience of the kind. Some 60 members of the staff who are employed either tempor- arily or on secondment have such experience.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the suspension of the penalty of whipping for delinquent West African soldiers is preparatory to the total abolition or drastic restriction of this form of punishment

I am not clear what my hon. Friend means by the reference to the suspension of the penalty of whipping. Reports from the Military Commanders in East and West Africa on the matter have recently been received and are being considered in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Major Orde Browne, who visited East Africa to study labour conditions in 1944 and 1945 has yet submitted a report; and if so, when it will be published.

Yes, Sir. The report is being published today and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Further copies are available for Members in the Votes Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether ample supplies of Paludrine, the new drug for the treatment of malaria, have been made available for trial use in most of our tropical colonies; whether adequate records are kept of the results of treatment in the West Indian colonies; and whether he or his appropriate advisory committee has considered setting up factories in selected colonies so that full supplies of this drug may always be available on the spot.

Important trials of the efficacy of Paludrine in the treatment and control of malaria are in progress in Australia, but not so far in the Colonies, although my advisers are in close touch with developments regarding this most promising new drug. The question of large-scale manufacture does not arise until the trials now proceeding have reached a more conclusive stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in camp disturbances or civil commotions in which colonial troops, especially West Indian recruits, are involved, the officers of his welfare department have been available on the spot to safeguard the interests of the men and protect them against any charge of misbehaviour resulting from or involving colour prejudice; and whether any information is obtainable where disciplinary action is taken or penalties inflicted.

No, Sir, but the officers of my welfare department are in constant touch with the service authorities and their help in such cases is readily available. I would suggest that if my hon. Friend refers to information about West Indians in the R.A.F., he should address a further Question to the Undersecretary of State for Air.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the White Paper covering the Bermuda air agreement will be made available to hon. Members.

A White Paper about the Bermuda Conference will be available in the Vote Office tomorrow afternoon. It will contain the texts of the Final Act of the Bermuda- Conference and of the Agreement between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the Government of the United States of America about the air services between their respective territories.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a date has now been fixed for the evacuation by the Russians of Manchuria.

I understand that the Chinese and Soviet Governments are now discussing the date on which the Soviet troops shall be withdrawn from Manchuria. For this reason, I cannot usefully make any statement at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make "a statement as to the events which took place last Thursday in Cairo.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which the Prime Minister made on these events at the end of Questions today.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Soviet Government are still objecting to a visit by the Anglo-American Committee to Hungary, Rumania and Bulgaria; and if they have given any reason for such objections.

The Soviet authorities have not granted permission to the Anglo-American Committee of Enquiry to visit Hungary, Bulgaria and Rumania, and the Committee are due to leave Vienna for Cairo today. I am told by the Soviet Government that it is unnecessary for the Committee to visit these three countries, because in each case the Armistice terms forbid any racial discrimination, and the observance of this rule is, they say, closely watched by the Allied Commissions of Control.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs upon what conditions Japanese industry is now. being permitted to restart and dispose of its products in the world markets.

The principles which govern Allied policy towards Japanese industry are as follows: Industries which are of primary importance as a war potential are prohibited or reduced in scale. Other industries are encouraged to restore their output to a level that will meet the minimum domestic needs of Japan and will provide the exports required to pay for approved essential imports. The conditions under which non-warlike industries may resume their activity are at present settled by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. The long-term policy to be adopted in respect of Japanese industry will be worked out by the Far Eastern Commission in Washington.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent Soviet broadcast, he has any information about the prospects of an early cessation of food rationing in the U.S.S.R.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if food is still being supplied by U.N.R.R.A. to Poland and Eastern Europe; and if representations have been made that.U.S.S.R. should be responsible for feeding these countries, in view of the fact that rationing has now been discontinued in the U.S.S.R.

U.N.R.R.A. is still supplying food to Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Greece. I have no information that rationing has been ended in the U.S.S.R., or that a decision has been made to end it on any given date.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when a decision may be expected in regard to the grading of bricklayers serving as special repair ratings (D) in the R.N., about which the trade union concerned wrote to his Department on 20th June, 1945.

The decision on this matter was communicated to the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers on Thursday last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many establishments are held by his Department in the county of Merioneth, North Wales; what is the location of these establishments; and how many acres of land they each cover.

The information required is as follows:

(i) A Royal Marine camp at Arthog, built on requisitioned land approximately 25 acres in extent.

(ii) A Royal Marine camp at Bar-mouth consisting mainly of requisitioned houses

(iii) A Royal Marine camp at Llwyngwril, built on requisitioned land approximately 68 acres in extent.

(iv) A Royal Marine camp at Llanegryn, consisting of a country house and a camp built on requisitioned land approximately 60 acres in extent. Connected with this area is the training area at Llanegryn, covering some 700 acres, which is under requisition by the War Department.

(v) A Royal Marine Camp at Ynysymaengwyn, consisting of a country house and a camp built on requisitioned land approximately 25 acres in extent.

(i) and (ii) are in care and maintenance, and will be released in the immediate future, (v) will be given up shortly. The future of (iii) and (iv) is under cosideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give permission for residents at Cardurnock, Cumberland, to pass through the Anthorn aerodrome for the purpose of recording their votes in the local elections at the polling station at Kirkbride.

Yes, Sir. I have given instructions accordingly. Electors who cross the airfield will be required to comply with the directions of the Commanding Officer of the station in the interest of their own safety and that of flying personnel.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will now give details of the composition of the Home, Mediterranean, and Eastern fleets, including the names of battleships, aircraft carriers, and cruisers.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 8th November last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many battleships are now under construction, or projected; and what is their tonnage, armament and estimated cost.

I shall be glad if the hon. Member will await the statement which I hope to make on the presentation of the Navy Estimates for 1946-47.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of cadets, trained under the special engineering cadets scheme, who have been accepted for service for the R.N.; how many of them were accepted for commissions; and how many of them had been in the R.N. prior to their taking the engineering cadet course.

The total number of Engineer Cadets accepted for the Navy was 566. Of these, 352 were accepted for immediate commissions and 56 were promoted after training. In addition, a number of ratings were released to enable them to take the Engineer Cadet Course. Seventeen of these were accepted, eight of them for immediate commissions.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the two senior German officers who were brought to England under officer escort on 12th August, 1945 will be brought to trial for their complicity in the mass shooting of R.A.F. officers who had escaped from German prison camps

These officers were brought to this country for interrogation as it was thought that they might be able to throw some light on the question of those who were responsible for the mass execution to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. There is no question at the moment of their being brought to trial; I am advised that the evidence at present available is not sufficient to justify this course being taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the British military administration in Malaya has set up any machinery by which it can keep in touch with public opinion in Malaya, and can details of this machinery be given.

An Advisory Council has been established in Singapore Island with the object of associating the people in the work of the military administration to the fullest extent practicable by keeping the latter in close contact with the needs of the people and with public opinion. As its name implies, the council is advisory in its functions, and is convened to enable the senior officers of the administration to discuss frankly the problems of the island with leading and responsible representatives of all schools of thought. The council is invited to discuss with the administration matters of general, financial, economic and administrative policy, and to give its advice on them. With a similar object in view. Regional Advisory Councils have been established in the Malay Peninsula. The officers in charge of Regions are left a wide discretion regarding the composition of councils which are set up, and the procedure followed by them. I understand that ad hoc committees constituted for particular purposes are providing the most promising line of approach.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has any statement to make on action taken by the Government of Malaya, following the general strike in Singapore.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. S. Marshall) on 6th February, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the newspapers of the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army have been suppressed; and for what reason.

I am making inquiries and as soon as they are completed I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a Report from Sir Harold MacMichael on his negotiations with the Malay Rulers; and if he will arrange for copies of this Report to be made available to Members.

Yes, Sir. I am arranging for copies of Sir Harold MacMichael's Report to be placed in the Library of the House this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Sultans of the Federated and Unfederated Malay States have finally agreed to the system of Crown Colony Government proposed for their territories.

I would invite the attention of my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given to my hon. Friend the Member for Smethwick (Mr. Gordon-Walker). I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of Sir Harold MacMichael's Report, from which he will see that each of the nine Rulers, before signing the new Agreement affecting his State, was presented with a full and clear statement of the intentions of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatisfaction of men serving in the M.E.F. about release and repatriations; that Group 26 was only to take four weeks to discharge the 295,000 personnel, but that Group 27 with 199,000 personnel would take seven weeks to discharge; that the men blame the commanding officers for keeping as many men as possible, so as to keep their position and rank as high as possible; that 60 printers in the survey company, R.E., were repatriated to the United Kingdom as redundant; and that, two weeks later, 299 men were sent from this country to exactly the same place and work; and if he will look into these matters with a view to having them put right

As regards the first three parts of the Question, I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service to the hon. and gallant Member for Uxbridge (Flight-Lieutenant Beswick) and the hon. Member for Drake (Mr. Medland) yesterday. I understand that the 60 printers to whom my right hon. Friend refers were repatriated from the Middle East because of changes in requirements after the surrender of Japan; they were all shortly due for Python or release. The reference to 299 men presumably relates to a draft of 219 survey tradesmen sent to the Middle East in January. They were all in late age and service groups and although some of them were in excess of the immediate requirements in M.E.F. for their particular trades, it was known that they could be absorbed into vacancies as replacements for soldiers about to be repatriated.

asked the Secretary of State for War the average length of time now taken by forces' mail to reach S.E.A.A.F.

The term S.E.A.A.F. includes R.A.F. units located over a wide area in South-East Asia. The transit time for air mail to the Command Headquarters S.E.A.A.F. has recently averaged 7 days. The length of time taken for mails to be delivered to a specific unit must of course depend on the location of the unit and its accessibility.

asked the Secretary of State for War approximately, how many West African troops are now in India; and their rate of demobilisation.

Approximately 50,000 West African troops are now serving in India and Burma. They are being moved-back to West Africa at the rate of 8,100 a month. Their rate of release on arrival in West Africa depends largely on the rate of repatriation, as the West African release scheme provides for the release of personnel as soon as possible after the return of their units from overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the civilian suit issued to men on leave in the Forces will be supplied to Mr. J. T. Holmes, who was released on 1st November, 1945, from the R.A.P.C., in which he was lieutenant, service number 122601.

I assume that this Question refers to Mr. J. T Hulls whose number is 122601. I regret the delay in supplying this officer with a civilian suit but his suit had to be specially measured and the contractor to whom the order was given failed to fulfil the contract. It was therefore necessary to place the order with another firm. The suit has, however, now been delivered and has been despatched by post to Mr. Hulls.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the undertaking given to the hon. Member for Eccles, regarding the compassionate posting for 14715151 Sapper H. Bateman was not carried out by his Department, reference L/7674, 21st December, 1945.

I regret that this man had proceeded overseas before steps could be taken to carry out a compassionate posting. The circumstances of the case have therefore been brought to the notice of the overseas command concerned, so that consideration can be given to the possibility of bringing him back to this country on compassionate grounds. I must, however, emphasise that the decision in this matter rests with the overseas Command.

asked the Secretary of State for War the relative rate of release between the Army and other Services.

It is not easy to make such a comparison, as the numbers in each group in the various Services differ so widely.This can be seen from the fact that in Group 26 the numbers to be released in that group are:

Army	265,000
R.N	15,000
R.A.F.	52,000

I may also point out that the percentages of the strength of each Service on VE-Day which will have been released by 30th June, 1946, are:

	Per cent.
Army	69
R.N.	66
R.A.F	64

asked the Under Secretary of State for Air, what number of builders in S.E.A.A.F. he has found it necessary to exclude from release under the block scheme, on the grounds of the need for their services for airfield, construction.

The number of builders—all in the supervisory trades—who have had to be excluded from Class "B" block release is 123, for the whole of the R.A.F.—the figure for S.E.A.A.F alone is not readily available. We shall have to hold this relatively small number of supervisors just because we are, during this year, cutting down the total number employed in our Airfield Construction Service in the most drastic way—in round numbers from 21,000 at the end of last year to 2,500 at the end of this year. And this can only be done by the large scale employment of local labour which requires skilled supervision.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Air what will be the release group position as at 1st March, 1946, for equipment assistants and for equipment officers.

In March we shall release equipment officers in Group 24 and equipment assistants in Group 27. We have just announced that the main body of air men will reach Group 30 in March, instead of Group 29. So this speed up by one group for the month means that equipment assistants will be three groups behind. Equipment officers are four groups behind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a lady visitor to two West Indian airmen during visiting hours at the sick quarters of the R.A.F. station Tangmere, West Hampnett, was ordered to leave the ward immediately, as instructions had been left by the medical officer that only Servicemen were to visit West Indian patients; that he personally informed her that her visit to coloured airmen lowered white prestige and that he disapproved of coloured patients, many of whom were suffering from infectious diseases through association with white women; that this has caused grave discontent among West Indian personnel at this camp; and whether he will investigate this case and prevent any repetition.

Any question of racial discrimination involving members of the Royal Air Force would be a matter of serious concern to the Air Council, and my Noble Friend and I have given this case our most careful consideration. It appears that a young girl visited the station sick quarters on three successive days. On the third occasion she was asked to leave on the instructions of the medical officer. The medical officer has stated that he took this action because the previous visits had been the subject of complaint by other patients, as one of the airmen concerned was serving part of a period of detention in the sick quarters. He also stated that the airman, who was suffering from a minor ailment—" a cold only—was due to leave the ward in a day or so.Later the girl came to see the medical officer, who gave reasons for his order and added his personal opinion on associations between men and women of a different colour. In doing so he undoubtedly exceeded his duty, and he has since apologised to her. I repeat that racial discrimination will not be tolerated in the Royal Air Force—a West Indian officer of the R.A.F. has visited the station since the incident and reports that this is generally appreciated by the West Indian airmen there.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the finding of the court of inquiry into the loss of the Shetland flying boat at Felixstowe.

The investigation into the recent loss of the Shetland flying boat at Felixstowe is not yet complete.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the number of non-industrial civil servants employed by the Department of Civil Aviation of the Air Ministry on 1st January, 1938, and on 1st January, 1943; the number employed by his Department on 1st January, 1946, and the number employed and the establishment laid down at the present time.

The figures are as follow:

NON-INDUSTRIAL STAFF EMPLOYED ON CIVIL AVIATION DUTIES.
1. Under the Air Ministry.
	Headquarters.	Outstations.	Total.
1st January, 1938	149	455	604
1st January,1943	105	548	653

The above figures do not include staff provided for common services with other Departments of the Air Ministry or Headquarters Staff of the Civil Aviation Telecommunications Service which formed part of the Directorate-General of Signals, Air Ministry.

2. Under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
	Headquarters.	Outstations.	Total.
1stJanuary,1946	437	794	1,231
20th February, 1946	506	834	1,340
3. Ministry of Civil Aviation Non-industrial Establishment.
	Headquarters.	Outstations.	Total.
20th February, 1946	594	1,008	1,602

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the qualifications of those described as accountants and assistant accountants in several Government Departments; and whether, as many of these are performing the duties of clerks and inspectors, he will arrange for them to be classified as such in the future.

The terms "accountant" and "assistant accountant" are commonly used for the designation of grades in the finance and accounting branches of Government Departments; their use does not necessarily connote that the officers concerned are required to possess professional qualifications. I see no reason to upset this practice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what approximate amount the sterling debits increased during the second half of 1945.

By£270 million.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what sum has been allocated by the Government to the University Grants Committee on account of new university buildings and equipment, including libraries, and also re-equipment and enlargement to cover the first five post-war years.

The sum which Parliament is to be asked to vote for grants to Universities in 1946 will include£2,500,000 for capital grants. It is not possible at this stage to foresee requirements for subsequent years, but my right hon. Friend has stated that he will be prepared, if good cause is shown, to ask Parliament to vote even larger capital sums.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts advanced to date to each of the Metropolitan Borough Councils in respect of war-damage repairs to private houses carried out by their repair organisations together with the amounts advanced to the Ministry of Works in respect of each of these boroughs in which the Ministry of Works repair organisation has been carrying out war-damage repairs on behalf of the local authorities.

The amounts advanced to each Metropolitan borough council, for repair of dwelling houses, are shown below. Until June, 1944, each borough paid the Ministry of Works direct for the services of that Department's repair organisation and of contractors employed by it. These payments were repaid to the boroughs by the War Damage Commission and are included in the sums shown below. After June, 1944, when the flying bomb and rocket attacks began, these arrangements were replaced by bulk payments by the War Damage Commission to the Ministry of Works. These payments amount to about…24,500,000, but cover services rendered by the Ministry of Works not only to Metropolitan boroughs, but also to many outer London and provincial authorities.

METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCILS
Total Advances and Payments to 21st February,1946
Council	Total
	£
Battersea	3,096,141
Bermondsey	1,820,000
Bethnal Green	851,206
Camberwell	3,985,064
Chelsea	881,965
Deptford	2,704,192
Finsbury	573,826
Fulham	1,690;854
Greenwich	2,680,274
Hackney	3,813,000
Hammersmith	1,279.461
Hampstead	777,610
Holborn	165,636
Islington	3,654,000
Kensington	1,581,672
Lambeth	5,617,922
Lewisham	4,992,600
Paddington	903,021
Poplar	2,123,000
St. Marylebone	602,436
St. Panoras	2,014,000
Shoreditch	640,000
Southwark	2,358,887
Stepney	1,654,000
Stoke Newington	1,110,000
Wandsworth	6,253,000
Westminster	1,049,800
Woolwich	3,970,011
Totals	…62,843,578

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many absorbed firms under concentration schemes have been granted permission to restart their businesses with the requisite premises, labour and materials in the hosiery trade and the boot and shoe industry, respectively.

In the hosiery industry, 167 wholly or partially closed factories have reopened or are in process of reopening. The corresponding figure for the boot and shoe industry is 197. They will, of course, share in any general improvement of labour, supplies and materials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many locomotives have been exported to Europe on loan or sale, since the end of the war.

Fifty-two main line and 34 light locomotives were exported to the Continent of Europe from May to December, 1945. No later figures are yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to make a statement with regard to the progress being made by the cotton industry working party.

As my right hon. and learned Friend informed the hon. and gallant Member for Altrincham and Sale (Colonel Erroll) on Monday last, it is hoped that the report of this working party will be finished before the end of March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that negotiations have been proceeding between Messrs. H. C. Pateson, Limited, Blackrod Mill, Horwich Junction, Bolton, and his Department, with a view to re-opening the mill for the last four months, without avail; that this is the only industrial undertaking in the urban district of Blackrod with 3,000 inhabitants where unemployment is increasing; that there is enough labour available but that the Ministry of Fuel and Power will not release Mr. Fielding, the foreman, who opted for colliery work two years ago and who must do the preparatory work for re-opening the mill; and if he will take steps to secure the release of this key man.

I am aware of the negotiations, but it has not so far been decided to license these looms owing to the continuing shortage of cotton yarn. In reply to the second part of the Question, unemployment in the Horwich area, in which Blackrod is included, has -decreased substantially between November, 1945. and January, 1946. It is hoped to re-open Blackrod Mill shortly and in this connection, as my hon. Friend has already been informed in correspondence, the Board of Trade is in touch with the Ministry of Labour about the possibility of releasing Mr. N. Fielding from coal-mining to assist with the necessary preparatory work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether arrangements have been made for an Empire trade conference prior to the holding of the projected world trade conference; and whether the Prime Ministers of the Dominions have been invited to attend.

I can at present add nothing to the reply which my right hon. and learned Friend gave on 23rd January to my hon. Friend the Member for South Leeds (Mr. Gaitskell).

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is satisfied that the output of Messrs. Humber, Limited, Coventry, corresponds with its productive capacity; and why, in view of the export programme 500 men were dismissed from these works as redundant.

The reply to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." Since 18th January, when a "Go slow" policy was adopted by the employees in certain parts of the works, production has fallen short of the planned programme by about 50 per cent. I have no reason to believe that Humber, Limited, are not abiding by the agreement reached with the motor industry providing for the export of 50 per cent, of the total production of private cars.

asked the Minister of Labour why he has permitted Messrs. Humber, Ltd., Coventry, to issue redundancy notices to 500 employees at their motor works when an industrial dispute is in progress.

It an employer regards workers as redundant he is entitled to apply to the national service officer for permission to terminate the employment, and the Essential Work Orders require that the national service officer shall, so far as is practicable either grant or refuse his permission within seven days of the receipt of the application by him. The national service officer is dealing with the applications made by Humber, Limited, on their merits from the point of view of redundancy and his decisions, against which there will be a right of appeal to an independent local appeal board, have no relation to the merits of any industrial dispute.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the stocks of Service dress at the end of June, 1945, for each of the three Services; and what has been the rate of production for the last three months for each Service, respectively.

Service clothing is delivered direct to War Office and Air Ministry depots and I regret, therefore, that I have no information as to stocks at the end of June, 1945. The average monthly production for the last three months was as follows:

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production (1) whether he will state the quantities of shells and small arms ammunition which were produced in December and January last;(2) what were the numbers, respectively, of heavy bombers, fighter aircraft, tanks, and Bren gun carriers produced in December and January last.

It is not the intention of His Majesty's Government to publish information giving details of stocks or production of armaments and warlike stores. Such information is not made public by foreign Governments, and it is undesir- able that information should be given which would enable other nations to build up a picture of our defence preparedness. The policy of His Majesty's Government for supply for the Forces is set out in paragraph 15 of the White Paper (Cmd. 6743). The House can rest assured that. His Majesty's Government are doing, and will do, everything possible to ensure that the maximum economy is exercised consistent with the maintenance of security.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what steps are being taken to ensure that surplus machine tools are made readily available for re-equipping industrial undertakings; and what is the procedure adopted in their disposal.

For details of the procedure I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Altrincham and Sale (Colonel Enroll) on 22nd August last [Official Report, Vol. 413, c. 609-10], of which I am sending him a copy.Machines are sold direct to users from the site at selected factories where the quantity is sufficient to justify insitituting a temporary sales centre and in order to give equal opportunity to all industrialists requiring machines for their own use, offers by them to purchase are dealt with in rotation at both the permanent disposal centres and at the special site sales. Announcements of special site sales are made in all the disposal centres and by notices in the technical Press. Up to 16th February, a total of 17,511 machines to a value of…4,802,428 had been sold in this way.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware of the shortage of blow lamps and the spare parts there for; and what steps his Department are taking to remedy this shortage, particularly in view of the fact that Sweden now has an exportable surplus of lamps available for import into this country.

We have, recently had discussions with representatives of the manufacturers who consider that they can meet home requirements of most types of blow lamps and spare parts. In addition, specialised types are imported from Sweden, where we feel that this is justified. If, however, the hon. Member knows of any particular shortage and will let me have details, we will do all we can to help.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now say what prices the London County Council have paid, or proposes to pay, for the following housing sites: 56 acres in Christ-church Road and Upper Tulse Hill, Lambeth and Wandsworth, 5 acres in Barrow Hill Road and Hunts worth Terrace, St. Marylebone, and 3¾ acres adjoining the council's Barnfield Gardens housing estate, the present rateable values of which properties are, respectively,…10,500,…1,275,… 920 and…145

No prices have yet been negotiated and it would not be desirable to disclose the prices which the London County Council are proposing to pay.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that owing to Shotley Bridge Mental Deficiency Institution, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, being requisitioned it is extremely difficult to find vacancies in an approved home for mental cases in the Newcastle-on-Tyne district; that great mental strain is being caused to relatives by the inability of the authorities to grant accommodation of mental cases; and whether he can state when the Shotley Bridge Mental Deficiency Institution will be opened again to take such cases.

Yes, Sir. I am well aware of the difficulties and I am consulting those concerned; but I cannot yet see any easy solution.

asked the Minister of Education the total number of meals provided in schools in 1938 and 1945, respectively; and the average price charged per meal.

Statistics of the total number of school meals provided in these years are not available. The average daily number of public elementary and secondary school pupils for whom dinners were provided in.1938 was about 210,000. The corresponding figure for grant-aided primary and secondary schools in 1945 was approximately 1,730,000. In 1938 the charge for dinner in public elementary schools was usually about 3d. but most of the meals were free meals for necessitous children. The charges in secondary schools are not known. In 1945 the charge was generally about 5d. subject to a substantial proportion of total or partial remissions.

asked the Minister of Education the quantity of milk consumed in schools in 1938 and 1945, respectively; and the proportion of school children receiving it.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 31st January, of which I am sending him a copy. The proportion of children receiving school milk was 53 per cent, in 1938 and 72 per cent. in 1945.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider allowing conscientious objectors, who refuse to undergo military training at 18 years of age, to work on the land instead.

The conditions under which conscientious objectors are exempted from military service are specified by tribunals. These are independent statutory bodies and their decisions provide in appropriate cases for work to be undertaken on the land as a condition of registration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has considered the protest sent from the Social Centre Gardening Group, Merthyr Tydfil, regarding the damage done, and consequent loss of food, by sheep straying into gardens and allotments in that district; and if he will introduce legislation with a view to protecting gardeners and allotment holders against such depredations.

I have not seen a protest from the organisation referred to, but I am aware that some damage has been caused by sheep straying into gardens and allotments, particularly in Wales. Remedies against the owner of the sheep already exist at common law, but in view of the importance of food production during the war powers were conferred on certain County War Agricultural Executive Committees in Wales under the Livestock (Control) Order, 1942, as amended by the Livestock (Control) Amendment Order, 1944, to deal with the problem of straying sheep. I am sending the hon. Member particulars of these Orders and I do not consider that any further action by means of legislation is necessary.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether, having regard to the seriousness of the food situation in this country, he will give an assurance that all available cargo space on troopships is used to the fullest extent for the import of food.

The importance of utilising any available cargo space in troopships for imports into this country is appreciated, and substantial amounts of cargo are lifted. Loading of cargo cannot, however, be allowed to affect adversely the carriage of troops. Each case must be considered on its merits and instances must occur in which cargo space has to remain unoccupied.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware of the large number of persons who were injured before 1924 and consequently have not had their compensation increased like all other injured workmen; to what extent this is the liability of coal-owners; how is it to be dealt with when the mines are nationalised; and what the proposals of the Government are in relation to these men.

Workmen injured before 1st January, 1924, continue to be entitled to the benefits of the Workmen's Compensation (War Addition) Acts passed in 1917 and 1919, but it was not found practicable to extend to them the increases provided by recent wartime legislation. The liability at present rests on the coal owners or their insurers. I cannot say how this liability will be affected when the mines are nationalised. Under Clause 81 of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Bill, it is proposed that the right to an employability supplement and constant attendance allowance should be extended in appropriate circumstances to these as to other past cases of industrial injury.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland at how many schools pupils are prepared for the leaving certificate examinations in rural subjects; how many pupils sat for the junior and senior certificates in rural economy, respectively, in 1945.; and what percentage passed in each.

Schemes of instruction in agriculture have been approved for the following six senior secondary schools in Scotland: Lindsay High School, Bathgate, Balfron High School, Bell-Baxter High School, Cupar, Queen's Park High School, Glasgow, Douglas Ewart High School, Newton Stewart, Wallace Hall Academy, Dumfries. At the senior leaving certificate examination in 1945, 14 candidates were presented in this subject on the higher grade. Of these 12 were adjudged to have reached a satisfactory standard. As the examination for award of the junior leaving certificate has been suspended since the outbreak of war, no figures in respect of that examination can be given for 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for the year 1945, for England and Wales, the names and ages of all persons condemned to death for' murder; the names, dates and prisons of execution of all persons executed for murder; and the names of those reprieved.

Twenty persons were convicted of murder in 1945. Ten have been executed and ten, including two persons certified to be insane, have been reprieved. I am sending to my hon. Friend the other particulars for which he asks.