the Minister of Fuel and Power what control and co-ordination over the distribution of coal from pithead to distributors exists in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and whether he will improve present arrangements so as to ensure that transport and petrol are not wasted in useless journeys to pits which cannot supply the coal demanded.

The distribution of coal by road from the pithead is regulated by my Regional Officers. I am not aware of any wasteful use of transport in this connection, but if my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular case in mind and will give me the details, I will have the matter examined.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that approximately 50 per cent. of the boys now compulsorily employed in the mines of South Wales, are disabled by accidents or illness for periods of more than three days within the first year of employment; and what further steps arc being taken to minimise such injuries.

The figures for accidents to boys under 16 involving absence from work for more than three days are approximately 33 per cent. in the Cardiff Division and 38 per cent. in the Swansea Division. I have no corresponding information about disability from illness. As regards accidents, my Department, in co-operation with the industry, are taking all possible measures to reduce their number. This will be effected by improved training methods and modifications in the safety laws

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what Salaries are to be paid to the members, vice-chairman and chairman of the National Coal Board; and whether on their appointment he will require them to resign all other positions of trust or gainful occupation.

The salary of members of the Board will be £5,000, and of the Chairman £8,500. The salary of the Vice-Chairman has not yet been determined. As I stated on the Second Reading of the Coal Nationalisation Bill the members of the Board will be full time members. The regulations to be made under Clause 2 of the Bill will provide that the holding of any other positions by members of the Board would require my consent. This would only be given in exceptional circumstances.

asked the Minister of Labour with how many cases of officers seeking employment his Department and his officers have been concerned; and how many have not found employment.

Statistics of ex-officers seeking employment are only kept in respect of registrations at appointments offices. From 1st May, 1945, to 11th February, 1946, there were 20,977 such registrations and at the latter date 9,204 ex-officers were recorded as unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registrations by ex-Servicemen on the register of the London Appointments Office of his Ministry from 1st June, 1945, to 28th February, 1946; and the number of vacancies filled during the same period.

Between 1st June, 1945, and nth February, 1946 (the latest date for which figures are available), 11,651 ex-Servicemen (including ex-officers of the Merchant Navy) sought the assistance of the London Appointments Office of my Department in finding employment. During that period 1,065 ex-Servicemen were placed in employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the shortage of labour available to manufacturers of spring cases in the Nottingham district; and, in view of the fact that 50 per cent. of the motor-car manufacturers in this country are dependent on spring cases supplied from the Nottingham district and the production of motor-cars is being seriously delayed on this account, if he will take steps to improve the labour position.

I am aware of the position in this industry in the Nottingham district and am doing all I can to help. In the last five months 131 workers have been submitted for employment. The labour shortage is common to many undertakings in the Nottingham district and is likely to continue. I would recommend that the increased labour force should be obtained by opening up additional production units in a Development Area where labour would be available

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will allow all architectural students who have completed a minimum of one year at a recognised architectural institute to be released from the Forces to resume their studies, in order that the housing programme may not be handicapped in the future by a shortage of qualified technicians.

No, Sir. I am not satisfied that such an exceptional measure would be justified.

asked the Minister of Labour when Mr. Alfred S. Hunt, of the Well House. Crow borough, Sussex, who registered in September, 1944, but was deferred until 31st July, 1945, to sit for a State scholarship, will be called up.

When Mr. Hunt registered he expressed a preference for the Navy, but the demand for men of his qualifications has been limited. It is expected that he will be called up about the end of March.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the numbers in each release group in each of the Services from the groups now being released to Group 60, inclusive.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 7th March to my hon. Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan). I will consider what further information can be made available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have been released from the Services under the Class B scheme, to go into the brick and tile industry, as applied for by the South Western Brick and Tile Federation; and if he is satisfied that an adequate number of men have been released to produce enough bricks for the housing programme in that part of England. .

The South Western Brick and Tile Federation have applied for the release of some 200 experienced workers in Class B, and the Services have been asked to offer release to these men. I cannot say, however, how many have actually been released to date. As regards the second part of the Question the needs of the industry are much greater than can be met by releases from the Services and numerous other steps are being taken to augment it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider removing or modifying the recent restrictions placed on local authorities for borrowing from municipal banks.

No, Sir. I think that present arrangements are reasonable having regard to the facilities now enjoyed by local authorities of borrowing at gilt-edged rates from the Local Loans Fund.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make on the conclusion of a monetary agreement between this country and Switzerland.

A Monetary Agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Swiss Government has been signed today. It provides a satisfactory mechanism of payments between the sterling area and Switzerland and will thus facilitate the resumption of Anglo-Swiss trade. The text of the Agreement will be presented to Parliament and copies will be available in the Vote Office tomorrow.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of excess profits tax due to be paid for the year ended 31st March, 1945, and the amount still outstanding for that and preceding years; the number of cases of fraud and evasion dealt with, and the total tax involved during this period.

My hon. Friend will find particulars for all assessments made up to 31st March, 1945, in paragraph 16 of the Report of the Comptroller and Accountant-General on the Revenue Departments Appropriation Accounts for 1944. As regards the latter part of the Question, particulars of Income Tax and Excess Profits Tax cases dealt with at Head Office are given in paragraph 18 of the Report.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the ruling that persons over 30 years of age are too old to enter the Civil Service was made in the light of the manpower situation of the country now divulged and is to be adhered to in view of the Prime Minister's recent appeal to employers to give opportunities of employment to elderly people.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Proctor) on 26th February. I would add that there is no upper age limit for recruitment to most temporary posts in the Civil Service, and the Service is most anxious at the moment to utilise the services of persons of all ages in such posts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to a notice issued by the Civil Service Commission dated February, 1946, regarding appointments as assistant commissioner under the National Savings Committee, C.S.C.31, whereby a candidate is required to pay a fee of £1 on application and, if successful, a further fee of £3 before the issue of a certificate of qualification for appointment; and if he will explain the reason for this demand.

It is the recognised practice to charge fees for entry to Civil Service competitions. The prewar fee for the grade of Assistant Commissioner under the National Savings Committee was £8, but this fee, like others, has been halved during the reconstruction period, in view of the fact that there will be many ex-Servicemen and women among the candidates. A proportion of the fee is required on application to enter the competition, in order to ensure that only bona fide candidates apply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction, examples of which have been furnished to him, amongst university graduates with regard to Civil Service Reconstruction Examinations, in a recent example of which only 16 per cent. of the candidates who had incurred considerable expenses by their application were selected; and if he will institute more equitable arrangements in future examinations.

In this particular examination the proportion of suitable candidates was abnormally low. I should have been glad indeed if it had been higher. The only expense necessarily incurred by candidates was the examination fee of £3, plus travelling expenses in attending for examination.

asked the Chancellor 01 the Exchequer the number of staff employed and the cost of the collection of Income Tax, Surtax, death and Estate Duties in the Departments of the Board of Inland Revenue; and similar informaation for the Customs and Excise and Purchase Tax Departments.

The total number of staff employed in the Inland Revenue on the 1st January, 1946, was 36,793 and the estimated cost for the year to the 31st March, 1946, is £13,886,930. This figure is 1.48 per cent. of the estimated revenue for the same period. This staff is employed on the assessment and collection of Excess Profits Tax, National Defence Contribution and Stamp Duties, as well as on the duties referred to by the hon. Member; and as some staff is concerned with more than one tax it is not possible to give precise figures of staff and cost for each tax. The hon. Member will find a considerable amount of information on the numbers and costs of the staff employed in the various branches of the Inland Revenue on page 13 et seq. of the 1945 Estimates for the Revenue Departments. The total number of staff employed in the Customs and Excise Department on 1st January, 1946, was 9,934 and the estimated cost for the year to 31st March, 1946, is £6,569,600. This figure is 0.58 per cent. of the estimated revenue for the same period. This staff is mainly employed on Revenue work, but also perform, as part of their ordinary duties, a variety of non-Revenue agency functions for other Departments, referred to on page 24 of the Report of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the year ended 31st March, 1945 (Cmd. 6703), to which reference is suggested. Precise dissection of staff and cost for Revenue, and non-Revenue, work is impracticable, but the cost of the non-Revenue work is estimated at £426,000. Whilst there is a small number of officers at headquarters and a few at important centres, wholly engaged on the administration and collection of Purchase Tax, the general position is that this work is also being done by the staff of the Customs and Excise Department as part of their ordinary duties and dissection of the above figures in respect of either staff or cost is again impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of permanent houses in Scotland, completed by 31st January, 1946, whose construction was commenced after 31st July, 1945.

Of permanent houses begun after 31st July, 1945, 16 had been completed by 31st January, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the recommendation of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee that the powers of local authorities in regard to the improvement of amenities should be strengthened; and what action he intends to take on this recommendation.

The Committee's recommendations will be considered in connection with future planning legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the recommendation of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee that there should be a subsidy to encourage the provision of houses for owner-occupation; and if he will introduce the necessary legislation at an early date.

:Except for the assistance available to private persons under the Housing (Agricultural Population) (Scotland) Act, 1938, for the special purpose of replacing unsatisfactory houses occupied by agricultural workers and others, it is the Government's present policy that State assistance should be confined to the provision of houses by local authorities for letting at reasonable rents to those in greatest need. I am, therefore, not in a position to accept the recommendation of the majority report with regard to subsidy but I propose to commend to local authorities certain other recommendations designed to assist prospective owner-occupiers in providing new houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of soldiers now undergoing sentences of military imprisonment in Scotland; in which prisons they are serving their sentences; the number who have been punished since 1st January, 1946, for offences against prison regulations and the nature of the punishments.

Ninety-nine persons sentenced by military courts martial are detained in the following prisons

Prison and number detained.
Aberdeen	4
Dumfries	3
Edinburgh	8
Glasgow (Barlinnie)	6
Greenock	3
Inverness	1
Perth	3
Peterhead	71
Total	99

One prisoner in Edinburgh Prison and 15 in Peterhead have been punished since 1st January, 1946, for offences against the prison regulations. The punishments, which have varied with the nature of the offences, have included forfeiture of remission, forfeiture of privileges, dietary punishments, and sleeping on a wooden guard bed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there are any special facilities in Caithness and Sutherland for the education of backward children.

Instruction for backward children is provided by Caithness Education Authority in Pulteneytown Academy, Wick. No classes for backward children are conducted in schools managed by Sutherland Education Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what institutional facilities exist for the care and training of Caithness and Sutherland children ascertained to be mentally defective.

Institutional treatment for Caithness children who have been ascertained to be mentally defective is provided at Baldovan Institution, Dundee, or at the Royal Scottish National Institution, Larbert, and for Sutherland children at Baldovan Institution, Dundee, or at Caldwell House, Renfrew.

asked the Secretary of State for War the conditions under which soldiers under the age of 19 years are, after a short period of training, posted for duties as orderlies in mental hospitals.

Soldiers are only posted for training as mental nursing orderlies after careful selection from those who have expressed their willingness to undertake this type of work and normally after the completion of their usual four months basic training. They are not actually posted for duty as mental nursing orderlies until they have successfully completed a further special course of training of at least three months under the supervision of experienced psychiatrists; they must then be accepted as suitable by the Officer Commanding the hospital to which they are posted. This process may on occasions be completed before the man is 19, but with the present shortage of manpower this is unavoidable.

asked the Secretary of State for War what representations he has received from the Surrey County Council regarding the continued existence of dumps of ammunition at numerous places in the county; and whether he will take steps to have this source of potential danger removed as soon as possible and, in the meantime, kept under adequate control.

A letter dated 19th February, 1946, has been received from the Surrey County Council. A full reply to this letter was sent on 26th February on the lines of my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Mr. Palmer) last Tuesday, to which T would refer the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Regular soldiers on reserve in 1939 were recalled for service; that some of these were returned to the workshops because of their skill; that these men have now been recalled although they are over 30 years of age and have been given high group numbers; and whether, seeing they would have been time expired men in 1944 and 1945, he will decide that their wartime work in industry should count as service, since their retention in industry was an administrative order.

It is a fundamental principle of the release scheme that only service with the Colours on full pay should count for the purpose of assessing a man's age and service group. Moreover, the Regular soldiers in question must be treated in the same way as all other men who were released to industry during the war and subsequently recalled. I cannot, therefore, agree that the time spent by these men on Class W reserve while released to industry should be allowed to count towards their age and service groups or towards their Regular service with the Colours.

asked the Secretary of State for War which age and service release groups have now been reached by his Department in the offer of Class B bulk release to carpenters and joiners.

There are a number of sub-classifications under the general heading of "carpenters and joiners" and different groups have been reached in different cases and again in different arms of the Service. It has not so far been necessary in order to meet the demands of the Ministry of Labour and National Service to go beyond Group 38 in any of these occupations in any arm, and in some of the occupations and in some arms that Group has not yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for War what age and service groups in the three Services, so far, have been offered block release in Class B, in respect of building trades operatives.

There are many different sub-classifications under the general heading of building trade operatives and so far as the Army is concerned different groups have been reached in different cases and again in different arms of the Service. I regret, therefore, that it would take a considerable time to obtain the information asked for, which would involve a mass of figures. As regards the other two Services, I understand that with the exception of those persons who cannot be spared, virtually every tradesman in the Navy and R.A.F. with more than one year's service, who is not due for early release in Class A and is in the categories of building trade operatives required by the Ministry of Labour and National Service has been or will shortly be offered block release in Class B.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the release of officers in Groups 25 and 26, now serving in Italy, has beer deferred until 15th May and 15th June, respectively.

I have called for a report on this matter and as soon as it is received, I will write to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of service personnel passing through Army demobilisation centres in the months of January and February who were not supplied with a suit of clothes or a similar outfit.

The total number of men of all Services passing through Demobilisation Clothing Centres in January and February was 795,221 of whom 51,937 could not be fitted from stock with suits or similar outfits. 22,806 outfits have since been sent by post

asked the Secretary of State for War the highest and lowest age and length of service groups from which men classified as slathers and plasterers are at present eligible for release under Class B.

New demands for men in both these trades have recently been received from the Ministry of Labour and National Service, and I cannot yet say to which groups it will be necessary to offer release under Class B in order to meet these demands. Hitherto slaters and tilers have not been offered release in groups beyond 33 and plasterers in groups beyond 36. In some arms of the Service these groups have not been reached, as men are drawn first from the Corps from which they can more easily be spared.

asked the Secretary of State for War if every possible step is taken to publicise in all units the reasons for alterations in demobilisation and any modifications of the original plans; and whether periodic printed statements are both circulated among all troops and instructions given that these statements should be prominently displayed.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Flight-Lieutenant Beswick) on 26th February, and also to the statement I made on this subject last Tuesday in the course of the Debate on the Defence White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is permissible for British soldiers now in Italy to marry Italian girls and, if not, whether an announcement has been made to that effect; and who is the person responsible for seeing that no such marriages are contracted.

It is and always has been permissible for soldiers in Italy to marry Italians.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatisfaction among Scottish troops stationed in Scotland caused by the decision to close the dispersal centre at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh; and if he will have this decision reconsidered in order that this centre, the only one in Scotland, will be retained.

By March the peak flow of release will be passed and in view of the necessity to reduce overheads in every way possible, it has been decided that a number of Military Dispersal Units and Civilian Clothing Depots can be disbanded; the centre at Edinburgh is one of these. Even during the peak period the number of dispersals through Edinburgh has been relatively low as compared with the other centres. There are now comparatively few troops stationed in Scotland and the retention of a centre specially for their use would not be justified. Their dispersal will be carried out at York instead. In the case of men returning from overseas to homes in Scotland, no inconvenience will be caused by this arrangement, as York will generally be on their way home.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many mutinies have taken place recently in military detention barracks; and what action is being taken to prevent further outbreaks and the burning and destruction of Government property.

Three mutinies, one major disturbance and two minor disturbances have taken place recently in military prisons and detention barracks. In order to enable them to defend themselves in the event of further outbreaks all members of the Military Provost Staff Corps are being armed with batons. Additional troops have also been detailed to stand by at all Military Prisons and Detention Barracks, and will be called in to assist the permanent staff in case of necessity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that discharged soldiers have to wait five, six and 10 weeks for their civilian clothes; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that these men are enabled to be dressed as civilians.

Delay in the issue of civilian clothes only occurs when the men cannot be fitted from sizes in stock. Every effort is being made to reduce the time taken to supply made to measure garments in such cases. The shortage of certain standard sizes, which has arisen as a result of the recent high rate of release is being rapidly overcome.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that an ex-Serviceman, of whose name and address he has been informed, is still awaiting delivery of the size eight shoes and the raincoat which were not available when he passed through No. 10 C.C.D. on demobilisation on 24th January; what is the average period of delay in such cases; and if he will either cause the process of forwarding to be expedited, or consider issuing extra cash and coupons, so that men may purchase privately articles not available in the depots.

A raincoat and shoes will be issued to this man in the course of the next few days. Delay in the issue of civilian clothes only occurs when the men cannot be fitted from sizes in stock. At present the time lag in these cases for issue of raincoats is from four to eight weeks. That for shoes is normally much shorter. Every effort is made to reduce these periods to the minimum. I am not prepared to adopt the alternative suggestion made in the last part of my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that demobilised soldiers are compelled to hand in their greatcoats at Olympia and that civilian overcoats or raincoats are not available for some of them; and if he will give immediate instructions to permit such men being allowed to retain their greatcoats until civilian supplies are available.

It a man cannot be fitted with a raincoat at Olympia he may retain his military greatcoat on payment. The only occasions on which soldiers are compelled to hand in their greatcoats are when they are issued with raincoats.

asked the Secretary of State for War why British soldiers in Vienna are compelled to walk about unarmed.

It is not the normal practice for British soldiers to carry arms when walking out off duty, unless it is considered necessary to do so for security reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will expedite the payment of moneys owing to an ex-Service-man, of whose identity he has been informed, whose release leave ended on 2nd March and whose pay book has been lost by the Regimental Paymaster, Army Pay Office, Knightsbndge, or by the unit from which this soldier was demobilised

I regret the delay in settling this soldier's account which arose from the fact that his pay book was sent by his unit to the wrong Pay Office Even in the absence of the pay book the Regimental Paymaster should have made payment to the soldier at the end of his first 56 days of release leave on the assumption that he had been receiving his normal cash issue each week before his release leave started. This was unfortunately not done but the amount due to him has now been issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in reply to a request for the compassionate release of 7897101 Lance-Sergeant K Bull, A Squadron, 50th Tank Regiment, C.M.F., now demobilised, on the grounds of the critical:illness of his father, his Department advised the hon. Member for Bristol, South, on 11th February that Mr. Bull was not dangerously ill and was not in need of further assistance; that Mr. Bull died on 12th February; that Lance-Sergeant Bull, after 15 days in transit, failed to reach home before his father died; and on what inquiries the erroneous information supplied by his Department was based.

The information contained in the latter which was sent to my hon. Friend on 11th February was based on a report from a reliable source dated 21st January, and I have no reason to suppose that the information was not accurate at that time I very much regret that the information was not conveyed immediately to my hon. Friend. It is, however, unlikely that, even if later information had been available to the War Office, it would have made any difference in the time of Sergeant Bull's arrival in this country, as he would probably already have left for England on Class A release before any instructions could have reached his unit.

asked the Secretary of State for War when his Department proposes to reply to a letter addressed to the Financial Secretary on 23rd October 1945, by the hon. and gallant Member for Blackpool, South, about the case of the late 1444946 Sapper R. Crook, and acknowledged on 24th October; and whether he is aware that a reminder was sent to the Financial Secretary on 7th February, 1946, and acknowledged on 8th February, since when no further communication has been received.

I regret that it has not been possible to trace the hon. and gallant Member's letter of 23rd October. I also very much regret the delay in dealing with his reminder of 7th February which was occasioned by an exhaustive search being made for the previous letter It was impossible to make inquiries on the basis of the second letter without knowing the contents of the earlier one, but if the hon. and gallant Member would now send me full particulars, I will have immediate inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many cables have been sent to A.L FS.E.A. directing the release under Class B of an officer, whose name has been communicated to him; and what prospect there is of the direction being complied with

I regret the delay in dealing with this case, but a report has now been received that this officer cannot be made available for Class B release, as this would result in the retention of another officer beyond the date on which he is due for Class A release.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 14015321 Rifleman G. Brown, of the Cameronians, who was demobilised from the Army on 27th November, 1945, served overseas from October, 1941, until February, 1944, while serving with the R.A.F., from which he was transferred on 15th May, 1945; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the demobilisation leave pay due in respect of such overseas service is paid to Rifleman Brown without undue delay.

I regret the delay in assessing the overseas service leave due to this man, but his overseas service has now been verified and the pay and allowances due to him were despatched on 6th March

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made in freeing, from military use, districts in North Wales which are vital to the agricultural and tourist industries of the area.

Three hundred and eighty-five areas in North Wales were at one time held or used for training purposes. Three hundred and one of these have now been released. About 1,400 acres were also held for accommodation purposes of which 25 per cent. has already been released and it is hoped to release a further 28 per cent. shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will set a term to the period of oversea service, even if that period may not have been continuous.

I regret that it would be quite impracticable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion particularly having regard to the reductions in the establishments of the Army at home, and consequently reduced scope for employment in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange, having due regard to strategic requirements, that British units shall be stationed near towns where certain amenities and comforts are available; and, in particular, that the units stationed at Kamaredi shall be removed from there as soon as possible.

I fully appreciate the desirability of stationing troops near . towns and, wherever possible, it is our policy to do this. Troops must, however, be stationed in the localities most suitable for the tasks on which they are being used. Moreover, suitable accommodation is not always available near towns. Kamaredi is a suitable area for the training of gunner units and it is the intention that these units shall only be stationed there for the period of their reorganisation and initial training after which they will be sent to join the formations for which they are destined.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that since N.A.A.F.I. have taken over the canteens in Burma the troops' rations of cigarettes and soap have been drastically reduced; and whether he will arrange for increased supplies.

I understand that cigarettes and soap are allocated by N.A.A.F.I. to Burma on the same scale as in all other overseas theatres where N.A.A.F.I. operates

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to make any increase in the pensions payable to officers of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers who have been recalled for military service during the war.

As stated in paragraph 07 of the decent White Paper on officers' emoluments, the position with regard to the retired pay of the officers to whom my hon. and gallant Friend refers is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will improve the conditions under which troops are living at Ossett Camp, Yorkshire.

Since it became necessary to reoccupy this Camp last September, considerable improvements have been carried out. For example the building has been redecorated, a new cooking stove installed and ventilation improved. All accommodation is on the correct scale. There is a fully staffed N.A.A.F.I., public amenities are good, and weekly dances are held The latest reports indicate that conditions are now satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many A.T.S. have been recruited at 295 High Street, Lincoln, during January and February of this year.

:There haw- been 55 applications and 35 actual enrolments. Arrangements are now in hand to vacate these premises.

asked the Secretary of State for War why apprentices and engineers who are posted by the Ministry of Labour to the Army for duty as non-tradesmen, are not being granted transfer to R.E.M.E. on application.

The demands of all Arms of the Service have to be taken into consideration when allocating Army Class intakes. It would be impossible to absorb all apprentices and engineers posted as non-tradesmen into the R.E.M.E.; a number of them are considered suitable and required for similar employment in technical Corps other than R.E.M.E. Their qualifications are in any case noted and they are earmarked for suitable employment as and when vacancies occur

asked the Secretary of State for War why Polish Forces stationed in Scotland may only travel to England from Scotland for leave on compassionate grounds.

This restriction on leave from Scotland to England for Polish Forces has now been removed.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that complaints are being received in this country about the quantity and quality of food being supplied to various units in S.E.A.C. stationed in Malaya; and if he will make a statement on the subject.

As regards the quantity of rations issued to troops in Malaya I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. and gallant Member for South Blackpool (Brigadier Low) on 26th February. Every effort is being made to supply as many fresh items of food in the ration scale as possible and to increase the variety of the diet. Practically no fresh supplies are available in Malay? from local resources, but arrangements have been made to import from the Southern Dominions such items as fresh potatoes, fresh vegetables, fresh butter and bacon. The first consignment of potatoes and vegetables should by now have reached Singapore.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will announce the amount of the present composite lodging allowance for officers; and the amount, as at 1939, of the separate allowances which have now been consolidated into that allowance.

The rates of composite lodging allowance have not yet been fixed but they are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men who have served compulsorily since the outbreak of war, four years or more, five years or more and six years or more, respectively, with the colours.

I regret that I cannot give accurate figures in the form asked for. It has, however, been estimated that the approximate numbers of men called up to the Army under the National Service Acts who will probably be serving at 30th June, 1946, will include the following:

Service at end of June, 1946 and Numbers involved.
5½ years or more	21,000
4½—5½years	103,000
4–4 ½years	113,000
	237,000

asked the Secretary of State for War the daily cost of maintaining troops in Java; and the number of men killed, wounded and sick, respectively.

The daily cost of maintaining the present garrison in Java is, very roughly, £35,000. I gave certain figures for killed and wounded in Indonesia in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Keenan) yesterday, but I have at present no separate figures for the number of sick in Java.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement regarding the unjustified conditions of crowding and living under which 250 junior officers of the Army and R.A.F. travelled from Rangoon to England on board the s.s. "Corfu" last month.

The "Corfu" has not yet reached this country from Rangoon. I am taking steps to obtain a full report on conditions on board as soon as the ship arrives and I will then write to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Cottage, Victoria Drive, Wandsworth, remains requisitioned; and for what purpose it is being used.

These premises were in occupation by a military unit. As soon as it was known that the unit was leaving and that the premises would not be required for further military occupation steps were taken to derequisition them. The house was, in fact, derequisitioned on 1st March.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Thorney-croft, Dorking Road, Leatherhead, and a spinney in Downs Lane, Leatherhead, have not been used by the military authorities for some months past; and when he expects they will be derequisitioned.

Both these properties are now surplus to my Department's requirements. In accordance with the normal procedure other Government Departments are being consulted and if they do not require these properties they will be derequisitioned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Regular soldiers stationed in Italy who desire to spend their 28 days' Victory leave in this country will be granted transport facilities to enable them to do so.

I regret that in view of the transport situation Regular soldiers stationed in Italy cannot be permitted to make a special journey to the United Kingdom in order to take their special End of War Leave. It must be added on to L.I.A.P. or any other leave to this country which may be granted.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that on 13th January the "Orzel Bialy" (" White Eagle "), published by the Press and cultural department of the Polish Second Corps, contained an account of an interview with Mr. Tomasz Arciszewski in which he was described as the Prime Minister of Poland, Mr, Raczkiewicz was referred to as the President of the republic, and the Polish Government was called the agents of a foreign military occupation, from which Poland was waiting to be delivered by General Anders' army; and whether he will take steps to put an end to forces under His Majesty's Government's command, paid for out of Treasury funds and subject to Army Council regulations, recognising an emigre government and regarding as enemies and usurpers the government of our ally Poland;(2) whether he is aware that on 5th January the "Gazeta Zolnierska," printed at Bari on the instructions of the Press and cultural department of the Polish Second Corps, described the guarantees offered by that Government to returning soldiers as worthless, denounced the Polish Government as a tyranny imposed by a foreign Power and stated that General Anders army would resist any attempts to disband them and settle the future of Poland with their guns and tanks; whether the funds of the Press and cultural department are derived from the £2,000,000 a month paid by His Majesty's Government for the upkeep of General Anders' army; and whether he will take steps to prohibit these attempts to stop Polish soldiers going home.

I am aware that articles of a controversial nature did appear in January on the dates mentioned in newspapers published for troops of the Polish Second Corps, though my information as to some of the contents does not agree with my hon. Friend's. Since 13th January there have, however, been changes in the editorial staffs and a Polish speaking British officer has been appointed to supervise the Polish Press. In addition orders have been given that no articles of a controversial or political nature shall be allowed to appear in Polish newspapers published for the use of Polish troops. Paper and printing materials for news- papers published for the use of Polish troops in Italy are paid for from funds accruing from sales of the newspapers.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, having regard to the serious position in Salonika arising out of the black market in N.A.A.F.I. supplies, he will take immediate steps to arrange for the confiscation of all British cigarettes, shaving soaps, brushes, toothpaste and other articles supplied by N.A.A.F.I. which are on sale in the markets, shops, kiosks and offered by street corner vendors; and if he will have a thorough investigation into the means whereby these goods have come into their unlawful possession.

The military authorities in Greece are well aware of this problem and as I said in reply to a previous Question by my hon. Friend they are taking all possible steps to deal with the situation, including the provision of guards for stocks during unloading and in transit. I do not consider that it would be practicable to take any action on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend in the first part of his Question. nor would it be within the competence of the British military authorities in Greece.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that N.A.A.F.I. in S.E.A.C. are rationing writing materials, shoe polish, fruit, etc., to the men in this area; and if he will take steps to see that adequate supplies are made available in future.

In view of the serious world shortage of many goods on sale in N.A.A.F.I. canteens, rationing is in force where necessary in order to ensure a reasonable distribution.

asked the Secretary of State for War what provision will be made for service entertainment when E.N.S.A. winds up.

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 12th February.

asked the Secretary of State for War the numbers of Servicemen who have rejoined the three Services, respectively, on release; and what percentages of the release totals these represent.

So far as the Army is concerned, no separate figures are kept for those who have re-enlisted after their release; they are included with all other types of voluntary enlistment. Since 27th December, I understand that 131 naval ratings have been accepted for further service on regular engagement. This represents .073 per cent. of the total releases from the Navy. In the case of the R.A.F., I understand that since 12th October, out of 2,320 airmen of ground trades who have applied, 686 have been accepted. This is equal to .2 per cent. of the total Class A releases in those trades. These figures exclude all officers and airmen air crew.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that E.N.S.A. makes a charge for admission to concerts when the artistes are members of His Majesty's Forces giving their services voluntarily; and what happens to the profits from such shows.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to entertainments given by Service artistes in E.N.S.A. theatres. In such cases, the E.N.S.A. theatre staff normally collect the admission charges and, after deducting their own expenses, return the net profit to the unit or formation providing the entertainment.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Spanish anti-Fascists are still detained as prisoners of war at Chorley; and if he will make a statement on the recent hunger strike among them.

There are 180 Spanish Republicans still detained at Chorley as prisoners of war. A number of these men have stated that they wish to be released in this country instead of going to France.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether consideration has been given to the need of securing improved service from Austrian and German prisoners of war in this country by improving their diet, where necessary, in order to maintain their physical health at approximately the same level as others who are not prisoners but are doing similar work; what is the calorific standard applied to the general diet of prisoners of war; and what means are adopted to improve the morale of these prisoners.

Working prisoners of war receive a diet of 2,900 calories a day. Naturally all measures open to me are adopted to maintain the efficiency and health of such prisoners. Any increase in their diet can only be considered in relation to the present world food shortage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give instructions that prisoners of war employed in agriculture shall be accommodated where possible in huts released by the Services and not in houses.

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. Wherever camps are available and suitably situated they are used for this purpose in preference to houses.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether all land now in the possession of the Government as well as any that may be taken over, will be held as animal and bird sanctuaries.

No, Sir. A special committee of the National Parks Committee is, however, considering the whole question of the conservation of wild life, and I hope to receive their report before the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether, in the light of the Government's announcement of their policy to secure the decongestion of the crowded areas of large cities, it is proposed to commence development of any of the satellite towns proposed in the Greater London plan; how far this will involve legislation and when such legislation is likely to be introduced.

Yes, Sir, the Government propose that an immediate start should be made with the development of a satellite town at Stevenage. To this end my Department, in collaboration with other Departments and the local authorities affected, are already taking the necessary preparatory steps under my existing powers for the acquisition of the land required, the provision of public services and the preparation of layout plans. The town will provide for an ultimate population of 60,000 people with a commensurate proportion of industry to provide local employment. For the full development of the town, further powers are needed and the necessary legislation will be introduced as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning the conclusion reached respecting the advantage sand disadvantages of trees planted in town and city streets; whether any general advice is given to local authorities on this matter respecting future developments; and if such trees involve local authorities in extra expenditure respecting the repair of pavements and roadways.

I hope shortly to issue a circular to local authorities advocating increased tree planting in streets The circular will deal with the particular point mentioned in the last part of the Question. I will send my hon. Friend a copy when it is issued.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what steps should be taken by the Middlesex joint town planning committees to assist their constituent authorities to obtain land for housing development.

My officers are meeting representatives of the Middlesex Joint Committees in a few days' time to discuss this question, and they will suggest as an immediate step a survey of housing land available.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what further steps he has taken to encourage county councils to reinstate or to provide signposts indicating public footpaths in country areas.

As I explained to my hon. Friend on 4th December last, these matters are under consideration. I am, however, not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the shortage of bricks in East Kent; that the Bridge-Blean Rural District Council is anxious to proceed at an early date with the erection of about 100 houses, but that no supplies of bricks will be available from manufacturers for several months to come; and what steps he will take to improve the position.

Yes, Sir. There is a shortage of bricks in East Kent but supplies will be available for the houses to be erected by the Bridge- Blean Rural District Council. In this area two brickworks commenced production last month and as seasonal works re-open supplies will increase.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of brickyards and brickfields still under requisition; and their prewar output.

I have been asked to reply. 225 brickworks are still held under requisition by Government Departments, or under private treaty, and their prewar production was approximately 169 million bricks a month. 31 of these brickworks are small units which have been closed throughout the war, the existence of which has only recently come to my knowledge. Of the total of 225, 69 are already cleared of storage, or clearance is in process; in 32 of these cases the remaining storage is not interfering with brick production.

asked the Minister of .Works what progress is being made with the shipment of air raid shelter bunks to Greece.

1 know of only one request for the supply of air raid shelter bunks to Greece. At the request of U.N.R.R.A., 5,000 bunks were delivered to the dockside at Liverpool in December last. U.N.R.R.A. were responsible for the shipping arrangements and I am informed that the bunks were shipped in S.S. "Lyras" on 12th January.

asked the Minister of Works what progress has been made by the inquiry into the operation of the cement industry which he set up last year.

The committee has held a number of meetings and is at present taking written evidence. I understand that 41 organisations or individuals have been invited to give oral or written evidence.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will release the premises now held by his Department at Hanbury Street, Droitwich, so that the Waldor Tool and Gauge Company, Limited, who wish to use them for the manufacture of glass frames and glass-houses for the increased production of food, may be enabled to make use of the premises.

I am quite willing to release these premises as soon as suitable alternative accommodation can be obtained. A search is being maintained but suitable properties are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Works, as building work is being held up owing to shortage of scaffolding, whether he is taking steps to retrieve any of the large quantity of metal scaffolding left round the coast.

The work of removing beach and similar defences which are constructed of tubular scaffolding is proceeding, but the material recovered, apart from its deterioriation during the war, does not conform generally with the British standard specifications, and its use as scaffolding for building work would be accompanied by a serious element of danger. I would refer the hon. Member to a reply given by my right hon. Friend, when Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, on 12th December, 1944.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that brick layers, plasterers and carpenters are now being employed as labourers by private builders and in bomb damaged repair gangs because the release of labourers from His Majesty's Forces has not kept pace with the release of tradesmen; and what steps he is taking to prevent this misemployment of skilled operatives.

I am aware that the number of building labourers released from the Forces has not kept pace with the release of craftsmen and that in some cases craftsmen have assisted with unskilled work to avoid work being delayed. Arrangements have been made for substantial releases of building labourers from the Forces under Class B.

asked the Minister of Works on what date Albert Hall, Aston, will be derequisitioned.

These premises are not held under requisition. They are hired for use by the Ministry of Labour for the accommodation of medical boards, and I am unable to say when they are likely to cease being required for this purpose.

asked the Minister of War Transport by what date he anticipates it will be possible to fit out the highways of this country with up-to-date and uniform traffic signs of the kind recom- mended in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs, 1944.

1 have indicated in a circular to highway authorities, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend, the relative urgency of replacing or amending existing signs by those recommended in the Report of the Traffic Signs Committee. I hope that, as regards the most important points, there will be a uniform and up-to-date system within two years.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he has completed his inquiries into the charges for conveying ambulances across the Forth at Queensferry; and if he has any statement to make.

Yes, Sir, 1 have made an order requiring all the tolls and charges at Queensferry to be reduced to the pre-war level as from 25th March, 1946. At present the tolls and charges are generally 25 per cent. above prewar except those on motor goods vehicles which are generally 20 per cent. above prewar. The tolls on ambulances have already been reduced to below the prewar level.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is taking steps to ensure that the L.M.S. Railway Company's campaign against the Government's nationalisation policy will not be financed from profits that would otherwise accrue to the State under the Railway Control Agreement.

Expenditure incurred by the railway companies for the purpose in question would be charged to their own funds and would not fall upon the Control Account.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that troops recently returned from the Far East have had to make the journey from Scotland to London in un warmed trains; and if he will remedy this.

No complaint of this nature has been made to me or to the railway companies, but if the hon. Member will let me have the details on which the complaint is based I will make further inquiries.

asked the Under secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that at the R.A.F. station in Reykjavik, Iceland, a parade was recently held when the temperature was seven degrees below zero, centigrade; that the inspection lasted 1½ hours and that five men fainted; and whether he will stop the holding of all unnecessary parades under arctic conditions.

This parade was held in reasonable weather conditions. The temperature was just over 19 degrees Fahrenheit, and it was a clear windless day, dry on the ground. Parades of this kind at Reykjavik have been cancelled in bad weather throughout the winter and this was, in fact, the first to be held since last autumn.

asked the Under secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there have recently been long delays in the forces mail from Iceland to this country; and whether he will take steps to remove such delays.

Letters from members of our Forces in Iceland are at present being sent twice a week direct to this country by air. The only delays have been due to bad weather, which interrupted the service twice in February.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what steps are being taken to ensure that adequate newsreel footage is offered through the British Information Services to U.S newsreel companies; and how far is a reduction of this service proposed as a consequence of the British Information Services grant being reduced.

The Ministry of Information does not compete with newsreel companies in the coverage of British items for the American newsreels. It has, however, always been the practice to send special items, not covered by the commercial newsreels, to the British Information Services in the United States for distribution by them and this will continue. With regard to the second part of the Question, no reduction is propose.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General, as representing the Ministry of Information, whether, in view of the fact that the total weekly circulation of Soviet Embassy publications in this country amounts to 135,000, whereas the British Embassy journals in the U.S.S.R. reach only 50,000, he will consider bringing about a parity between the issues in both countries by reducing the Soviet issue to the British level.

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government does not intend to apply restrictive measures to the circulation of the Soviet Embassy's weekly publications in this country.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what are his plans for the radio production unit at Horn Bournemouth.

The future of this unit, which is located at West Howe, Bournemouth, is at present under consideration in connection with the merger of the Ministries of Supply and of Aircraft Production.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that 15 members of the Civil Defence Service in Sheffield trained in gas cleansing work have been refused gratuities and postwar credit, notwithstanding that in other areas the gas cleansing staff were merged in the rescue service for operational purposes and have received gratuities and postwar credit, and if he will now reconsider his decision in the matter.

Eligibility for Civil Defence war gratuity is limited to persons serving under the conditions appropriate to whole-time members of one of the Civil Defence Services, including a minimum duty period of 72 hours a week. The gas cleansing station attendants in Sheffield, who were neither merged in the rescue service nor wholetime members of any Civil Defence Service, and who were not employed on Civil Defence conditions of service, are accordingly not eligible.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that prior to the passing of the Education Act, 1944, the Gloucestershire Education Committee paid maintenance grants to children entering school at the age of 11 years; that since the coming into force of this Act, no new grants have been allowed until the age of 14 years and that hardship is being caused to some parents by this; and what action she proposes to take.

The power of local education authorities to grant new maintenance allowances is limited by the provisions of Section 81 (c) of the Education Act, 1944, to pupils over compulsory school age and there is therefore no action which I can take in the matter. As has been explained to authorities in Circular No. 26, however, it is open to them under Section 81 (a) of the Act to defray the expenses of pupils of compulsory school age in order that they may take advantage of educational facilities without hardship to themselves or their parents. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this circular.

asked the Minister of Education why her Department does not reply to an application made by Dr. Williams' School, Dolgelley, Merioneth, in May, 1945, regarding the status of six members of the teaching staff, as the uncertainty is prejudicial to the teachers and to the school; and why her Department does not return the Froebel certificate which was forwarded to her Department on 17th May, 1945.

The necessary information has now been obtained and a reply has been sent dealing with five of the six teachers concerned. A further reply dealing with the sixth case will be sent as soon as possible. The certificate in question has been returned. The inquiry related to the status of these teachers under Article 15 of the Primary and Secondary Schools (Grant Conditions) Regulations, which does not apply to this school, as it is a direct grant grammar school. My Department is always glad to give advice on such inquiries and I very much regret the delay in doing so in this case; but it is necessary to give priority at times of pressure to inquiries about teachers whose present service falls under the Regulation in question.

asked the Minister of Health whether compulsory purchase orders have been granted to Stepney Borough Council for their proposed acquisition, at an estimated total of £346,125, of housing sites at Limehouse, Mile End and Shadwell, including 10.74 acres bounded north by Halley Street, south by Repton Street, east by Blount Street; 14.5 acres bounded north by L.N.E.R. viaduct, south by Cephas Street, west by Wickford Street and east by Globe Road; and 5.05 acres bounded north by Tarling Street and west by rear of shops in Watney Street; what price is being paid for each area; and what were their aggregate rateable values during 1939.

Yes, Sir. The price of these sites has not yet been settled. The rateable values are as follows:Limehouse (10.74 acres), £6,494; Mile End (Bancroft Road) (14.5 acres), £9,243; Shadwell (Tarling Street) (5.05 acres), £4,151.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the continued accumulation of tinned and bottled jams in grocers' shops, due to the housewives' preference for sugar; and whether, in view of the unsatisfied demand for jam, he will increase the preserve ration.

I am not aware of any continued accumulation of tinned and bottled jams in grocers' shops generally, though some cases of overstocking with the less popular varieties of jam have been reported. My right hon. Friend regrets that at present he has not a sufficient supply of preserves to increase the ration.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of wheat consumed in this country at the present time is imported in the form of grain and flour, respectively; whether, as wheat imported in the form of flour is deprived of its germ in the country of its origin, and the germ contains some of the most nutritive parts of the grain, he will increase the import of wheat as grain as compared with flour; and why the bread subsidy has been raised from £35,000,000 per annum in March, 1945, to £69,000,000 at the present time.

Of the wheat consumed in this country at the present time, approximately 80 per cent. is imported in the form of wheat or flour. Of this 80 per cent., 12½ per cent. is in the form of flour and 87½per cent. in the form of wheat. Imported flour is necessary apart from other considerations to augment home flour production to meet consumption requirements.As regards the last part of the Question my hon. Friend appears to be under some misunderstanding. The figure of £69 million contains subsidies other than the bread subsidy Today's figure comparable with that of £35 million in March 1945, is £41 million had the advance is because of increased costs connected with the supply of flour and bread