asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that a War Office letter dated 22nd February, states that passage to join her husband in India cannot be granted to Mrs. H. A. Wood, of Caistor, unless her husband sub mits an application through the proper channels, despite the fact that a letter from his Department dated 16th January, stated that Conductor Wood had made a proper application, that his commanding officer had strongly recommended it and that a telegram had been sent from his Department asking that Mrs. Wood might have a passage at an early date; and what steps he is taking to prevent future disappointment and undue delay to Service- men's wives.

:I have supplied the hon. Member with full particulars of this case, and would again draw his attention to the fact that the delay to which he refers is attributable to no application having yet been received from the husband. I can assure him that every effort is made to prevent undue delay in dealing with such cases.

asked the Under secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement on the decision not to grant the full rate of Indian Army allowance to Territorial Army officers, when eligible, in contravention of Article 496 of the Royal Warrant.

The general position during the war was that regular officers, when eligible, continued to receive the full Indian Army allowance which had been admissible prior to the war. Following the outbreak of war it was decided, however, that emergency commissioned officers serving with Indian units should receive only half Indian Army allowance, since the reason for the grant of the allowance did not wholly apply to them. It was later decided that on similar grounds all other British Service officers, including Territorial Army officers, except, as already stated, those holding permanent regular commissions should similarly receive only half the allowance when serving with Indian units. The legality of this decision was challenged by certain of the officers concerned, and the Army Council took legal advice upon the point. This advice was to the effect that the officers concerned had no legal claim to full Indian Army allowance, and that Article 496 of the Royal Warrant was not contravened by the grant of half Indian Army allowance.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India the calorific value of the average food supply obtained per week in each of the principal States in India, separately, and the proportion of such supply that is rationed.

Statistical information regarding the Indian States, which are not British territory, is inadequate; and in the absence of diet surveys it is not possible to assess accurately the calorie value of the diet for an average person. In general large cities in the States are rationed but rationing does not extend to the bulk of the States' population in the villages except in Travancore, Cochin and possibly Mysore. The scale of the cereal ration in all important Indian States has been or is now being reduced to 12 ounces per adult per day, or 5¼ lbs. per week, with a supplement of 4 ounces a day for heavy manual workers. The calorific value of 12 ounces of cereals is about 1,200 calories and cereals generally form roughly 80 per cent. of the diet in India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether further consideration has been given to the desirability of releasing political detainees in India, including Jai Prakach Maxain; and whether they are likely to be released in the near future.

:The cases of the political detenus are continuously under consideration and the numbers which stood at nearly 2,000 in August of last year have been steadily reduced to a figure of 279 on the first of this month. I am hopeful that this steady reduction will be maintained. I am not aware that Jai Prakash Narain has yet been released but enquiries are being made and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India how many prisoners are now still serving sentences for offences arising from their political activity.

Owing to the difficulty in many cases of distinguishing between crimes committed for political motives and those committed for purely criminal motives it is not possible to give a complete answer to the Question. The number of persons serving sentences for offences committed in connection with the disturbances of 1942, which in May, 1943, had exceeding 23,000 and which stood at about 6,000 at the end of August last, had fallen to 2,850 at the end of 1945. Inquiries are being made as to the present number serving sentences and I will communicate with my hon. Friend on the receipt of this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why there is continued delay in the repatriation of the Greek internees still in internment in Africa; and what steps he will take to secure their immediate repatriation.

There are now no Greek internees in Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Italian and Yugoslav refugees have arrived in Trieste since 31st January, 1946; and what steps are being taken to verify their bona fides and to ensure that they do not engage in subversive activities.

Between 31st January and 8th March, 1946, 469 non-resident identity cards have been issued to Italians in the city of Trieste, and 40 to Yugoslavs. During the same period, 699 Italians passed through the Trieste Refugee Centre on their way from Yugoslavia or the Yugoslav-controlled Zone of Venezia Giulia to Italy, and 149 Yugoslavspassed through the Centre in the reverse direction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much of the British contribution of £ 80,000,000to U.N.R.R.A. is spent in territories under Soviet control or influence.

We have agreed to make two contributions to U.N.R.R.A. making £ 155 million in all. Practically the whole of this money is or will be spent in this country. The supplies or services are then distributed by U.N.R R.A. to the various countries receiving their aid according to need at the time Orders placed in this country are not earmarked for definite destinations.

asked the Minister of War Transport when the steamship service between Cardiff, Penarth, Newport and Barry, with Weston and other channel ports will be resumed.

:This service cannot be resumed until repairs to the pier at Weston-super-Mare have been completed. The pier has recently been derequisitioned by the Admiralty. I understand that extensive repairs are necessary and that they are unlikely to be completed until after Midsummer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any scheme for making 10 or 15-cwt. Army trucks, at present deteriorating in open-air parks, available to farmers.

There is no special scheme for the supply of surplus Army trucks to farmers, but farmers have the same opportunity to acquire these trucks as purchasers engaged in other industries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what catchmentboards operate in the county of Merioneth; and what their respective areas, functions, financial and other powers are.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that as a result of an alleged decrease to 16½ cwts. of fish landed on Brighton beaches between July and December, 1945, Brighton Council has passed a resolution to close the Brighton Fish Market on the beaches; and whether, in view of the fact that the Ministry's official figures for the whole of 1945 as being landed at Brighton are over 1,000 cwts. of wet fish and over 1,000 cwtsof demersal fish, he will give the exact figures for 1939 and 1945 and state what action he proposes to take.

I am not aware that the proposal to move the Brighton Fish Market is the result of the decrease in landings to which the hon. Member calls attention. Similar proposals were, in fact, under discussion before the war. In any case, Section 221 of the Brighton Corporation Act, 1931, would preclude any such action unless fresh Parliamentary powers were first obtained. The officially recorded landings of wet fish at Brighton in 1939 were 4,392 cwts. of which 1,8oo cwts. were demersal, and in 1945, 1,105 cwts. of wet fish of which 1.085 cwts. were demersal.

The catchment boards, operating wholly or partly in the county of Merioneth, their total areas, and the areas of the parts which lie within the county, are set out in the statement below. The area of the county is 422,372 acres, and of this 58,995 acres lie outside any catchment area. As it would be difficult to explain adequately in a Parliamentary answer the functions and financial and other powers of catchment boards, I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a memorandum on the subject.

asked the Minister of Supply and of AircraftProduction when he will be able to make a statement with regard to the rents of houses upon his Ministry's housing estates, and particularly the rents of houses upon the Radway Green Ministry housing estate, upon which the hon. Member for Crewe has been seeking a decision since early October, 1945.

The rents for most of my Department's houses and flats, including those on the estate at Radway Green, have been assessed on the recommendations of the district valuers. That matter is being kept under review.

aked the Minister ofSupply and of Aircraft Production on what date rents paid by tenants of the Northolme Estate, Earby, will be adjusted so as to bring these in line with rents charged for similar accommodation in the locality.

I have called for a report from the district valuer and will write to the hon. Member as soon as this report has been considered.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that Army stocks of spectacle lenses are being sold abroad; and whether, in view of the shortage of lenses in this country, he will take steps in future to have unused stocks of lenses brought home.

The Army spectacle lenses mentioned are of the flat type, of which there is now no shortage. It is the curved type which is short.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether his attention has been called to the large dump of barbed wire that lies rotting in Taplow; and what steps he is taking towards the useful disposal of it.

The material in this dump is available for sale to anybody who wants it. The quantity of surplus ungalvanised barbed wire available is far greater than any possible demand for it.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production when he hopes to have sufficient barbed wire available in this country so that an intending purchaser can do so without first having to obtain a permit.

Secondhand barbed wire is already free from licence and steps are in hand to enable new barbed wire to be obtained without licence very shortly.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production when his Department will release for reconditioning and sale to the public the 2,073 vehicles sent from Bucklebury Common, Berkshire, to a Ministry of Supply depot in Yorkshire.

We are in close touch with the manufacturers regarding the disposal of the ordinary commercial type vehicles at this depot and arrangements have already been made with one manufacturer to clear 600 within the next fortnight.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that, at present, manufacturers of weighing machines are only able to promise delivery of butcher's scales after a delay of over two years; and whether any steps are being taken to improve the supply.

No, Sir; not as long as that. Most types of butcher's scales are delivered in six to 12 months and it is only in the production of the most elaborate types that longer delay occurs. We are doing our best to improve the position and have arranged for the supply of labour on special preference and for the release of skilled men under Class B. In addition, the erection of a large new factory has been authorised.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what steps have been taken to dispose of the motor cycles at the dump at Duddingston, Edinburgh.

Some 2,500 motor cycles have already been cleared from this park and arrangements for the disposal of the remaining 2,000 are in hand.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that of 28,818 temporary houses erected, only 14,661 have been completed for occupation; and what is the cause of the hold-up of internal fittings that are necessary before erected prefabricated houses can be occupied.

Unfortunately, although most of the fittings are available in sufficient quantity, difficulties in the early stages of the programme have resulted in shortages of a few items. These have now almost been overcome and in a few weeks production in all cases should be adequate to meet demand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, owing to the coldness of the climate in Northern Ireland he will consider increasing the coupons as the children of all classes are suffering through shortage of warm clothing.

No, Sir. I regret that 1 cannot at present increase the supplementary coupon allowances made to children.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that trainees for the nursing profession are issued with only nine supplementary clothing coupons and, as the uniform, shoes and stockings which comprise the outfit require 32 coupons, if he will take steps to increase the number of coupons allowed.

The supplementary issue of nine coupons allowed to nursing trainees is limited to the purchase of stockings. In addition, trainees receive uniform to the value of not more than 94 coupons and have to surrender only six coupons in exchange. They can also use cloaks or capes from the stocks of the hospital authorities. No further grant of coupons is at present possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider introducing a system whereby the values of clothing coupons can be varied according to the purposes for which they are used, as is done in the points system for foodstuffs.

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, consequent upon the reduction in the number of coupons required for women's woollen goods, he will also reduce the number of coupons required for material from which these garments are made.

No, Sir. I am reducing the number of coupons required for certain women's woollen garments as a temporary measure in order to clear small stocks of them. Supplies of wool cloth are no more than sufficient to meet rationed demand at its present level.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is prepared to review the position in regard to personnel of the N.A.A.F.I. and the supply of coupons on release, in view of the fact that they were not entitled to the industrial 10 while those serving in a similar capacity in civilian life received this allocation.

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the civilian staff of N.A.A.F.I Either they receive the benefit of a complete issue of uniform and shoes for the surrender of 16 coupons or, if they wear overalls, they are eligible for the industrial ten. In these circumstances, I should not be justified in according them special treatment on release.

asked the President ofthe Board of Trade if he is aware that 200. workers from Eire who came to work on sugar beet inthe Bury St. Edmunds district were given 88 clothing coupons as follows: 18 on 4th October, 1945, from the local food office at Bury; 50 on 10th December, from the Board of Inland Revenue, Ipswich; 10 in January, 1946, from the local food office; and 10 industrial supplementary; and why these workers received over the Board's allowance of 10 coupons for every three months and to industrial supplementary.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 6th March about coupon allowances to workers from Eire. Any issue made because of need is based upon examination of the individual case. If my hon. Friend will let me have the names and addresses of the workers concerned, I will investigate as to whether the proper procedure was gone through in these cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the Government's drive for increased wheat production for the harvests of 1946 and 1947, he will discuss with papermakers in England the possibilities of using the extra straw for papermaking as has been done successfully in Scotland.

The plant for treating straw in preparation for papermaking is already being used to full capacity, and its increase would involve a heavy expenditure of labour and materials, which are not at present available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made in negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the French. Government on the settlement of claims for compensation for loss of property by British subjects formerly resident in France as the result of enemy expropria- tion; and if he will arrange, in cases where delay in settlement is causing financial hardship, for the claims to be settled by His Majesty's Government.

Article 12 of the Anglo-French Property Agreement of the 29th August, 1945 (Cmd. 6675) provides that the French Government shall give no less favourable treatment to British subjects than to French citizens in regard to property in France which has been the subject of acts of expropriation. The application of this principle appears to involve the extension to British subjects of certain French legislation, and negotiations on this matter are still proceeding. The question of settling any of these claims from moneys provided by Parliament has not so far arisen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has not granted to the Granite Supply Association, Limited, Aberdeen, the licence asked for last autumn to import rough granite blocks from Sweden, Norway and Finland; whether he is aware that such imports are necessary to carry out war damage repairs and to execute orders for export which would be of advantage to Aberdeen; and if he will now grant these licences in order to prevent unemployment in this firm which, in 1938, imported 14,684 tons of rough granite.

Owing to our balance of payments difficulties, imports of granite cannot at present be allowed for home consumption. The licence required for the import of granite for the manufacture of goods for export is being granted forthwith

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is satisfied that steps have been taken to prevent a repetition of the financial upheaval experienced in the cotton industry after the 1914-18 war, which brought disaster to Lancashire, (2) if he will examine any buying and selling of majorities of shares and refloating of cotton mill companies at values which do not maintain stability; and if he will take action to restrict any such possibility.

As the House was informed on 21st November last, the posi- tion of the Lancashire cotton industry is very different from that which existed after the 1914-18 war; the Government are in a position to exercise a greater measure of control than was then possible; but the position will be watched so as to try to ensure that the abuses of that period are not repeated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the siting of advance factories in the North-East development area; whether he can state the position in regard to the six standard factories covering 200,000 square feet; and where it is proposed to place these factories.

The location of six advance factories each of approximately 25,000 square feet, has been approved. These are to be at Guisborough, Ashington, Houghton - le - Spring, Chester-le-Street, Blaydon and Jarrow. The location of two further factories of the same size is under consideration. The building plans for the factories are being finalised, and for the Jarrow factory the site is already being cleared.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the current boom in mergers in the retail trade and of the transfer of ownership of many small businesses to the large distributive concerns; and whether he will consider the compulsory display of the name of the actual proprietors, accompanying any trade name when on retail shop premises.

I have no information bearing on the suggestions contained in the first part of my hon. Friend's Question. As regards the second part of the Question, I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the provisions of Section 93 of the Companies Act, 1929, which provides that every company shall paint or affix, and keep painted or affixed, its name on the outside of every office or place in which its business is carried on, in a conspicuous position, in letters easily legible. This provision applies only to companies registered under the Act, and I have no power to extend the requirement to other cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the urgent need to increase production, he will set up an expert advisory service to assist firms with their production problems.

Yes, Sir. After consultation with both sides of industry, I have decided to establish within the Board of Trade an advisory service, designed to assist industry to increase productive efficiency. I have reason to believe that there is a considerable demand from progressive firms, particularly perhaps some of the smaller firms, for a service of this nature.The service, which will be known as the Board of Trade Production Efficiency Service, will operate in response to requests from firms, to whom no charge will be made at present. There will of course be appropriate consultation with the workers' representatives. The scope and organisation of the service will necessarily be experimental in the first place, but full advantage is being taken of the experience gained in the somewhat similar services which were provided during the war by the supply departments for the benefit of firms engaged

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps have been taken to ascertain what products of secondary industries which, by reason of shortage of manpower, this country is unable to supply for its own use in sufficient quantities, can be obtained from secondary industries established in the Dominions and Colonies; and whether any steps have been taken to encourage such importation in place of similar importation from dollar areas.

In planning our imports, we naturally take full advantage of supplies available in the Dominions and Colonies of goods capable of meeting our requirements. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member has in mind specific instances in which such possibilities have been overlooked I should be glad to consider them

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the North-East is securing its fair allocation of utility furniture, or what steps he is taking to improve the position.

Yes, Sir. Eleven more firms have recently been designated in the North-East area and several more have been given increased allocations. We have also recently relaxed certain restrictions on distribution, and, as a result, retailers in the North-East will shortly be able to place orders with any manufacturer in England and Wales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of industrial floor space released and returned to industry during January, 1946.

6.8 million square feet were so released.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make arrangements for the purpose of ensuring an increased production of ground nuts by instituting a long-term price guarantee to native producers of ground nuts in the appropriate colonial overseas areas

It is the practice of the West African Produce Control Board, who purchase the export surplus of ground nuts in Nigeria and the Gambia, to announce the price for the coming season before planting commences. This price is fixed after consultation with the authorities concerned with a view to obtaining the maximum production for export that local circumstances allow .I am glad to say that a bumper crop is expected this year in Nigeria and that production in the Gambia has been pushed to the maximum level which can be reached without cutting into the quantities of foodstuffs grown for local consumption. In these circumstances, while I share the hon. Member's desire to establish conditions of greater stability for Colonial producers, I am doubtful whether a long term price guarantee would be appropriate for ground nuts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in order to achieve more rapid economic development of total resources in the Colonies, he will ensure that in future the Colonial Research Committee undertakes the organising and financing of scientific industrial surveys for the early utilisation of data acquired either as a result of fundamental research and technological advance or from existing knowledge and practice.

:The task of considering how best to use for the benefit of the Colonies both existing knowledge and new discoveries likely to assist economic development falls to a number of research and advisory bodies attached to the Colonial Office. There are, besides, research institutions and technical departments in the Colonies themselves. The Colonial Research Committee is concerned with the co-ordination of those various activities, with advising on the best distribution of the funds available for research, and with seeing that the whole ground is covered. The conception of the honourable and gallant Member is kept well in mind and in addition, Colonies are encouraged from time to time to make ad hoc surveys on particular subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider utilising a part of the provisional allocation of £2,500,000 for training schemes for the Colonial Service to assist the education of children of ex-Colonial civil servants who wish to enter the Colonial Service and require financial assistance to do so.

The provisional allocation referred to is intended partly for the post selection training of candidates, whatever their origin, who are appointed to the Colonial Service; and partly for the grant of scholarships to enable men and women of Colonial origin or residentin the Colonies to obtain the academic or professional qualifications necessary for entry to the higher grades of the Service. Children of ex-Colonial civil servants who are resident in the Colonies will like other children be eligible if they satisfy the conditions, to apply for scholarships in the scheme, but it would not be proper to use funds provided for the promotion of development and welfare of the Colonies to give special assistance to any class of persons resident in this country. There are other schemes in force by which serving or retired officers of the Colonial Service can obtain in case of need financial help in educating their children. Particulars of these schemes are being sent to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that all British prisoners of war have now been returned to this country from Polish and Russian-occupied territory.

British search teams have been operating in the Russian zone of Germany, but up to the present have obtained relatively little information. The Russian authorities state that there are no British ex-prisoners of war at large in this zone. The position as regards Polish territory is not so clear as search teams have not yet been permitted to enter the country. I have, however, little reason to think that there is an appreciable number, if indeed there are any, ex-prisoners of war still in Poland.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that at BlundelLane and Icklingham Road in the Esher urban district there are two redundant Army camps, complete with water supply and drainage, ready for immediate use for rehousing 32 families and which have stood empty since early November, 1945, and that the Esher Council are pressing to take over the camps for urgent housing accommodation, but that they cannot be used until he has indicated that they are surplus to all Government requirements; and if he will expedite the release of these small camps to the Esher Urban District Council so that works of repair and adaptation can be immediately commenced.

These two Army camps have not yet been declared redundant to my Department, but if and when they become available I will certainly bear in mind the hon. and gallant Gentleman's

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps have been taken to increase the supply of poles for the distribution of electricity in rural areas; and if he has investigated the possibilities of a lattice or tubular steel pole for this purpose.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I am unable to add anything to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, to the Question addressed to him by the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) on 4th March last. As regards the second part of the Question, a lattice or tubular steel pole is technically suitable for the purpose, but would very seriously increase the cost of providing supplies in rural areas and I do not think that its use could be justified.

I asked the Secretary of State for War the latest figures of killed, wounded and missing of men in the British and Indian forces, since trouble arose with the Indonesians.

Casualties reported in Java and Sumatra up to 16th February, 1946, are as follow:

asked the Minister of Food what increase in meat imports to this country from Australia and New Zealand has taken place since VJ-Day.

In the seven months since VJ-Day our imports of frozen meat and canned meat from Australia and New Zealand have not increased as compared with the previous seven months, but this is not a true criterion of the contribution of the Southern Dominions to our meat supplies. For production and shipping reasons thesupplies from these sources are not imported at an even rate of flow. Thus, despite the fact that there had been no increase since VJ-Day, our supplies in the calendar year 1945 were considerably greater than those for 1944. The figures for these years are as follows:

asked the Minister of Food whether he is now con- sidering this country's requirements of canned fruits and vegetables due to be packed this summer and autumn; if, in doing so, he has given full consideration to Canadian claims; and whether orders by his Department are placed with the Canadian Government or direct with producers.

The answer to the first and second parts of the Questionis, "Yes, Sir" The answer to the last part of the Question will depend upon the outcome of the discussions which are taking place with the Canadian authorities.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the shortage of milk filter mediums in the country generally and in Caernarvonshire in particular and whether, in view of the consequent threat to health, he will indicate the steps he proposes to take to remedy the position.

My right hon. Friendis not aware of any shortage of milk filter mediums. Arrangements have been made for the production of 150 million mediums to meet estimated requirements in 1946 and this quantity will be increased if necessary. If my hon. Friend will let me have detailsof any particular shortages which have been brought to his notice I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Food whether in connection with the system of international re-allocation of wheat supplies, he will now make some statement regarding the development of the Food and Agricultural Organisation.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation was formally established at its first conference which was held in Quebec in October last.I would draw the attention of the hon. Member to the White Paper which has just been issued regarding this conference (Cmd. 6731). It is expected that the organisation will shortly summon a special conference in order to mobilise world resources to deal with the world food crisis, but I would emphasise that the Food and Agriculture Organisation will not be concerned with the allocation of food stuffs, which is a function of the Combined Food Board.

asked the Minister of Food the names of the members of the British food mission in Washington.

The names of the staff of the British food mission in Washington, apart from clerks, messengers, etc., are as follow:M. I. Hutton P F. Craig-Martin, R. A. Furness E. RoL G. W Baldock, C. P. Rawlings, F. Brown, H. C. Winsor, S J Knowles B. A. Watson, W. V. A Beckett, W A. Wilson, F. Northam, Miss R A. Pym M. F. Perkins, A S R. Williamson, and Miss A. E. Hunt

asked the Minister of Food whether he is satisfied with the present operation of the wholesale fruit and vegetable markets in this country, or what remedies he proposes to enforce.

My right hon. Friend is at present examining the existing arrangements for marketing fruit and vegetables in this country, with a view to seeing what action, if any, should be taken to improve them.

asked the Minister of Food the quantity of meats which had so deteriorated as to be unfit for human consumption during the most recent year for which he has the information.

The total quantity of imported carcase meat which became unfit for human consumption as a result of deterioration in the year ended 28th September, 1945, was 124 tons or about 0.04 per cent. of the average quantity in store during the period. Similar information is not available regarding canned meat and home killed meat, but the total quantity of canned meat found unfit for human consumption in the 12 months ended 28th September, 1945, was 541 tons or 0.12 per cent. of the average quantity in store. This quantity includes condemnations or losses from all causes —fire, water damage, enemy action, inherent faults, including blown or burst tins, and deterioration Condemnations of home killed meat from all causes, other than condemnations immediately after slaughter on account of disease, during the same period totalled 238 tons or 0.03 Per cent. of the quantity of meat obtained from fat stock purchased by my Department.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider raising the producer's price for eggs in order to make up losses the producer will suffer because of commitments entered into on the strength of the promise made last April of increased poultry rations for May, which are not now available.

Prices paid to producers generally are being reviewed at the present time and I can assure the hon. Member that the consideration to which he refers will be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Food the present calorific value per week of rationed food in this country; and what is the calorific value of an average consumption of unrationed foods.

The present average daily intake of calories per head of the civilian population in the United Kingdom is approximately 2,900. Of this, it is estimated that- rationed foods provide 1,200 calories and unrationed foods 1,700 calories. Included in the term "rationed foods" are all foods covered by the straight rationing, points rationing and personal rationing schemes, and the allowances of those "rationed" foods which are made to catering establishments and for manufacture into composite foods have been taken into account in making the estimates given.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the Dominions, other than Canada, are associated with the Combined Food Board through the London Food Council, he will state how the procurement and allocation of food from Canada is operated.

Canada is a member of the Combined Food Board and its committees and allocations of Canadian supplies are recommended through that machinery. Procurement of supplies from Canada is a matter for arrangement between Canada and the importing countries and is not the responsibility of the Combined Food Board.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the shortage of toilet paraffin in South London; and if he can give some information on the subject.

Sufficient oil has been made available, and is still available to meet the manufacture of toilet and perfumery preparations within the limits prescribed by the Board of Trade for the home market.

asked the Minister of Health how many unoccupied shops and houses have been requisitioned by the Newport Borough Council; how many have been made available for household accommodation; how many are under consideration; and how many people have been provided accordingly as a result of this action.

The figures are as follow:Unoccupied shops and houses requisitioned by Newport Borough Council —65.Number made available for household accommodation — 8.Under consideration —6.Number of people provided with accommodation — 26 plus 5 families of transferred war workers (exact number in each family not known).In the remaining 57 cases the requisition became non-effective as the owners notified their intention to occupy within the prescribed period.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the 3,305 tenders specified as being rejected on page 4 of the Housing Return for England and Wales, 31st January, 1946, were rejected on the ground of excessive price; and, in such cases, whether fresh tenders were invited on the same specifications, or whether the specifications were reduced or simplified to ensure lower tenders.

The lull information for which the hon. Member asks could not be obtained without a detailed analysis which would involve much labour but 1 am aware that excessive price has been the usual reason for the rejection of the tenders. When tenders are readver- tised amendments are suggested if it is considered that economies can be secured without prejudice to proper standards and amenities but not otherwise.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses were erected in England and Wales in each of the years 1905 to 1945 inclusive, indicating the re-

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons billeted under the voluntary scheme for housing homeless people.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the appeal to householders with vacant accommodation to share their homes with persons in need, and I would refer him to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Flight-Lieutenant Haire) on 7th February of which 1 am sending him a copy

asked the Minister of Health if a local authority spective numbers built by private enterprise without assistance, by State or municipalities and by private enterprise with the aid of subsidy.

I regret that no complete information is available of building in each of the years 1905 to 1919. From 1st January, 1919, to March, 1945, the following figures are available:which, in order to accommodate urgent cases, buys houses built by private builders, will qualify on such houses for the subsidy it is proposed to pay on houses built specifically for the local authority

Yes, Sir provided that the proposal is approved by me.

asked the Minister of Health when he intends to hold an inquiry locally into the present state of Kinmel Bay, in the urban district of Abergele, Denbighshire, where 2,500 inhabitants are living in conditions endangering health and where no improve- ments or redress can be secured from the Kinmel Bay Land Company, now in liquidation.

A scheme of sewerage and sewage disposal for the Kinmel Bay area is at present being prepared by the Abergele Urban District Council and as soon as this scheme is received by the Welsh Board of Health a public inquiry into the Council's proposals, as well as the sanitary conditions obtaining generally in the area, will be held.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of pulmonary and non-pulmonary tuberculosis have been notified in Leeds during each of the years 1938 to the latest year for which the records are available; and how many of the cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis were cases of tuberculosis meningitis.

The figures referred to in the first part of the Question are as follow:

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General now that numbers ofthe Post Office permanent staff are returning to their former positions, what procedure will be adopted when dispensing with the temporary staff; and if he will give an assurance that dismissals will be on the principle of last in the service first out; that every effort will be made to retain temporary male employees as long as possible; and that registered disabled civilians, part-time and otherwise, will be retained in the service as long as they are capable of performing the duties allotted to them.

The procedure followed in the Post Office in discharging temporary staff when they become redundant is based on principles agreed on the Civil Service National Whitley Council. Broadly speaking, temporary staff who are efficient and willing to stay will be retained as long as possible, those with the shortest service going first, regardless of sex. There is, however, a preference in favour of ex-Service men of the 1914-1918 war. The Post Office will provide employment for as many disabled persons as is practicable and will fully meet its obligations under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944. The question of retaining indefinitely registered disabled persons at present employed in a temporary capacity will be considered in the light of the Department's commitments in other directions.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why parcels arriving at Harwich have to be sent to Liverpool for official examination and in how many other ports of arrival in this country similar journeys for parcels are necessary.

Parcel mails received from abroad have to be opened at offices where there are Postal Customs Depots, and those arriving at Harwich are sent to Liverpool instead of London because the London Postal Customs Depot has been lost as a result of war damage. Parcel mails arriving at other ports which are not Postal Customs Depots have similarly to be sent to the appropriate Postal Customs Depot. The Postal Customs Depots include Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Plymouth, Southampton and Stafford.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that, owing to the operation of the Increase of Pensions Act, 1941, in the case of retired teachers re-engaging for part-time temporary work in State schools, the financial inducement is rendered insufficient to attract them and many have declined such offers; and whether she will ensure that those teachers who do offer their services will not be financially penalised.

I have no information which suggests that the operation of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944, seriously deters pensioned teachers from undertaking part-timeservice in State schools. I understand, however, that the possibility of revising the Act, which is a matter for the Treasury, is under consideration following the statement made in the House by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 6th November last.

Roberts asked the Minister of Education what are the precise status and functions of the Welsh Department of her Ministry; and what is the number of personnel employed in the Welsh Department.

The function of the Welsh Department is to ensure that the Minister is adequately advised on the special problems in the administration of education raised by the language, national sentiments and organisations in Wales, and also to provide Welsh authorities and other organisations with a special approach to the Minister. The department consists of a Permanent Secretary and four administrative officers with a separately organised Welsh inspectorate.

asked the Minister of Education if she will investigate the case, details of which have been submitted to her, of an officer in the R.A.M.C. who, relying upon the offer by the Government of educational grants to demobilised Servicemen wishing to improve their medical qualifications, took courses for this purpose but has now been refused financial assistance on the grounds that he commenced his studies before receiving the grant and that grants are not retrospective; and if she will rectify this position.

This officer began a year's course in September, 1944, and completed it in the summer of 1945 No formal application for an award under the Further Education and Training Scheme was received until September, 1945, after he had completed his course. Awards under the Further Education and Training Scheme are normally made from the date when an application form is submitted to the Ministry of Labour and National Service or from the beginning of the course, whichever is the later, and I am afraid that they cannot be made retrospectively to those who begin and complete a course on their own responsibility before making a formal application

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed that contingents of the West African Frontier Force, King's African Rifles and other Colonial regiments shall be invited to participate in the victory parade on 8th June

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why visas have been refused to Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm Richter, Ptaci pozemek, Novy Vrohoslav u Krupky, Czechoslovakia, who were hoping to rejoin their son, Wilhelm Richter, 105 Middleton Hall Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, seeing that Richter is an anti-Nazi refugee and has been in this country since the time of the Munich meeting.

I had already decided in the light of fuller information which had been given that this case should be reconsidered, and the Passport Control Officer concerned is being so instructed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the estimated figures of monthly releases by trades and groups up to 30th June, 1946.

Yes, Sir. The information required is contained in the following table.