asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of widespread complaints amongst R.A.F. personnel now stationed in Batavia as to the standard of feeding; and if he will take steps to inquire into and improve the standard of quality and preparation of food in R.A.F. messes there.

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will give the probable date of release of 1659301 L.A.C. J. E. Bodley, whose release as a key worker and on compassionate grounds, was recommended by the Ministry of Works on 26th November, 1945 and approved by his Department on 19th December, 1945

This airman has now declined the offer of release in Class B since he is due to be released in Class A next month. I regret that there was some delay in tracing him as he was serving on detachment from his unit overseas.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any married quarters exist for the use of No. 202 Maintenance Unit at Long Parish, Andover; and when the provision of adequate married quarters at this station maybe expected.

this is a temporary wartime station, and in consequence no married quarters have been provided there. Future construction will depend on whether the station is to remain in use, which has not yet been decided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what steps he is taking to improve amenities for passengers at British staging posts and air terminals in Europe.

I am assured that the British Overseas Airways Corporation is making every effort, in consultation with the local authorities and the civil air lines concerned, to provide adequate amenities for its passengers at the airports and air terminals on the European air routes at present operated by the Corporation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many fitters, riggers and other ground staff personnel employed by B.O.A.C. at Whitchurch airport, Bristol, have been notified that they are now redundant; and who many Polish refugees employed in similar capacities are being retained in preference to our own men.

This Question was received by my Department only yesterday, and I have not had time to complete inquiries. I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I have done so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give sympathetic consideration to a Parliamentary delegation visiting the West African Colonial territories.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is most anxious that Members of the House should interest themselves in Colonial affairs. While I cannot give any specific promise at the present time I will consult my right hon. Friend who, I am sure, will gladly bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total number of students in West African colleges now compared with 1939; whether all college premises are now completely derequisitioned; and how many applicants to these colleges have had to be refused owing to insufficient accommodation.

I am asking the West African Governors to provide the detailed information required by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the policy of the Government in regard to the squatter question in the Kenya Highlands; and whether it is proposed to bring African squatters away from the farms against their will.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 53 to 60 of Kenya Sessional Paper No. 8 of 1945, issued last November, which set out the policy with regard to resident labourers in the Kenya Highlands With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer specifically to paragraph 54 of the Paper, which states that

" there is no question of the compulsory removal of those labourers back to the native areas; there is work for all to do in a great variety of occupations, and as the land is more intensively developed, there will be work for more still."

.asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that under the January, 1945, Defence Regulations for Palestine, the onus of proof is shifted to the defendant, who may be called upon to prove that he is not a member of any secret society; that the G.O.C. can set up military courts consisting of one commissioned officer only, with wide powers of trial over civilians and empowered to pass long sentences of imprisonment; and what emendation of these regulations he intends to make.

As regards onus of proof, I understand that Regulation 8 of the Defence (Emergency) (Amendment) Regulations, to which my hon. Friend evidently refers, makes no change in the existing law The summary military courts which may be set up under Regulation 4 have only limited powers of punishment. These Defence (Emergency) Regulations were made by the High Commissioner in his unfettered discretion, in virtue of the powers vested in him by the Palestine (Defence) Order in Council, 1937, as being in his view essential for the protection of life and property in the conditions now prevailing. In view of the present situation in Palestine, the High Commissioner cannot be asked to consider their amendment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what machinery exists in Palestine for the registration of refugee German Jews who intend ultimately to return to Germany; and whether he has any information as to the numbers involved.

I have no detailed information on the subject but I am making inquiry of the High Commissioner for Palestine and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken, as a result of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry in Mauritius in 1944, to improve the efficiency of administrative and labour services in the Colony.

I am in communication with the Governor of Mauritius on his proposals for improving the administrative services on the lines recommended by the Commission of Enquiry held in 1943. The Commission's recommendations for improving the labour services have been adopted and made effective by decentralising the Labour Department and by legislation amending the Industrial Associations Ordinance as proposed in the Report. Further measures are contemplated as a result of experience gained from the setting up of the first Industrial Court in 1944, and the visit to Mauritius by an experienced trade unionist from this country last year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that teachers wages in Southern Rhodesia are higher than in Nyasaland, and that there is consequently a tendency for matriculated teachers in Nyasaland to work outside their own territory; and what steps the Government of Nyasaland proposes to take to halt this drift.

The cost of living and consequently the general standard of wages is higher in Southern Rhodesia than in Nyasaland. I am not however aware that this has led to any marked migration of Nyasaland teachers to Southern Rhodesia but I am asking the Governor for a report and will communicate with my hon. Friend when it has been received. I may add that the Nyasaland Government as part of their education development plan are making increased grants towards the salaries of teachers in aided schools so as to enable these salaries to be increased.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the Government of Nyasaland to increase provision for the training of teachers, and, in particular, of women teachers.

A grant of £345,000 has been made under the Colonial Devel6pment and Welfare Act for a five-year education development plan in Nyasaland. A portion of this money is being devoted to aiding both men's and women's teacher training institutions. I am asking the Governor for a progress report on teacher training and when this has been received I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has now received the report he asked for respecting the recent disturbances in Jamaica; whether any action has been taken by the police authorities; and whether the report will include particulars respecting the nature of the grievances of the mental hospital workers who were on strike.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any statement to make regarding the strikes in the Kingston mental hospital, railways, fire services, prison, printing office and part of the public works department, Jamaica.

The Governor has informed me that the police were in- structed on 19th February to submit a full statement regarding the disturbances. Owing to the heavy pressure on them since that date their investigations have not yet been completed, but their report is expected shortly. It will not deal with the grievances of the Mental Hospital workers. I am, however, glad to say that the strikes were ended by agreement with the unions concerned on nth March, and this will enable any outstanding matters affecting the workers to be settled by the appropriate negotiating machinery. I take this opportunity to say that information now received shows that the number of deaths in the disturbances was three and not five as stated in the Official Report of 26th February.

asked the Minister of Food why the Ministry sponsored companies which compete with wholesalers are to be spared the additional strain on transport when the sector scheme is abolished on 28th April next; and will he place wholesalers on the same preferential footing as such companies as Marcom.

The abolition of the sector scheme on 3rd March last, which was welcomed by wholesalers, did not confer any privileges upon Marcom or other Ministry sponsored companies. Marcom's distribution depots were established before the institution of the sector scheme and will be retained for the time being. The use of additional transport by wholesalers is a matter entirely within their own discretion.

asked the Minister of Food what complaints he has received about the accuracy of weighbridges at cattle grading and collecting centres; whether he is aware that farmers complain of the results given by some of these machines; and whether he has any system of inspection to ensure that it is not possible for a series of mistakes detrimental to the farmer to be made.

Complaints about the reliability of the weighbridges at three collecting centres have been received recently from the National Farmers' Union. Every weighing machine used in connection with the grading of fatstock is required to be tested by an inspector of weights and measures once every six months and special tests may be called for at any other time if the Ministry considers it necessary.In the majority of markets the weighbridge is regularly serviced by the makers and all certifying authorities have been instructed that they must satisfy themselves that the machines are in proper working order while cattle are being graded. The Ministry's livestock inspectors also pay careful attention to the machines during their visits to collecting centres.

asked the Minister of Food when he expects to be able to extend licences to fish and chip shops in Blackpool which were licensed up to 1941; and whether he has considered the hardship caused by refusal to grant these licences in cases where the previous licensee was a member of the Forces and the present applicant is either the same member of the Forces, or another member of the Forces, who is demobilised.

Any application by an ex-trader to reopen a fish and chip shop which he had to close because of the war, would normally be granted under the priority arrangements for the reinstatement of ex-traders. These arrangements do not, however, extend to the reopening of a business by a person other than the original owner. Any such application would be considered in the light of public need for an additional business.

asked the Minister of Food his reasons for spending time and money in sending out Form F1246P/N on the saving of bread to several thousand caterers at a cost of several thousand envelopes and gummed labels, plus the postal services, in view of the publicity given by the broadcast and Press notices; and if he will in future avoid similar waste of public money.

This circular was issued in order to make a direct appeal to caterers to avoid waste of bread. My right hon. Friend does not expect caterers to learn of an appeal of this nature only through the indirect means of the Press and the B.B.C. In answer to the second part of the Question, he does not agree that there was any waste of public money, in view of the paramount importance of avoiding waste of food at the present time.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that since the cessation of the zoning scheme it has been practically impossible to buy biscuits in the Metropolitan area; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter.

The hon. and gallant Member has been misinformed as to the cessation of the Biscuit Zoning Scheme, which remains in operation until 28th April, 1946.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent surplus grain stocks are being purchased from Ethiopia; and whether he will take steps to increase the ration of meat in this country by negotiating with the Ethiopian Government for a large-scale purchase of cattle.

The surplus of Ethiopian grain available for export this year is not likely to exceed the requirements of neighbouring territories. As regards the second part of the Question, difficulties of transport and a lack of refrigerating plant prevent the development of exports of cattle from Ethiopia to this country.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of wheat was damaged or ruined through being stored in areas which have recently suffered flooding.

The only case known to my Department is that of a store at Gunthorpe in the Newark area which was affected by the overflowing of a river. The total quantity of wheat damaged by this event is not expected to exceed 10 tons. Four tons of this wheat, which have already been recovered, will be used for animal feeding as being now unfit for human food.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether there is any information as to the whereabouts of the following important Nazis: Herr von Opel, Herr Furtwängler and General von Ilsemann, the former German military attache.

Inquiries are being made and I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Food the volume of shipments of wheat to Rumania and Greece from this country during the past six months; what exports have been arranged for the coming three months; and whether his attention has been drawn to the Russian offer of wheat on terms to Roumania and Greece.

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the Question is that no shipments of wheat have been made from this country to Roumania or Greece during the past six months, and that no exports to these destinations have been arranged for the coming three months. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the official pronouncement by the Director of the Canadian Textile Board that Canada had been forced to seek new markets because she was unable to get woollen textiles from Britain and Europe; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the large stocks of wool in this country are being made available to the textile industry.

I have no knowledge of the statement referred to Canada is getting supplies of wool textiles from this country, but there is a world shortage of these goods and it is unfortunately not possible to satisfy all requirements. I am glad to say that recently it has been possible to increase the allocations. As regards the last part of the Question, the programmes of production by the wool textile industry are designed to make the best use of all the available capacity, and manufacturers have free access to all the raw wool-they require for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the increase in the production of tobacco in Empire countries between 1919 and 1937; and the increase in the imports of Empire tobacco into the United Kingdom during that period.

Complete particulars of production of tobacco in Empire countries are not available for 1919. Total production in Canada, Australia, Union of South Africa, Rhodesia and Nyasaland increased from 56 to 147 million lbs. between 1919 and 1937. Imports of manufactured tobacco into the United Kingdom from these countries were 6.4 million lbs. in 1919 and 37.2 million lbs. in 1937. Imports from all Empire countries were 13.3 and 57.3 million lbs. respectively. Of the difference of just over 20 million lbs. in imports in 1937, 19.2 million lbs. came from India, which produced 1,111 million lbs. in that year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large surplus stocks of winter coats in some outfitters shops, he has considered the possibility of crediting such outfitters now with a number of coupons, to be refunded at a later date, so that they may purchase spring and summer clothing which they will be prevented from doing unless they obtain coupons for their winter coats.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement which was made on 4th March about the temporary reduction in the coupon value of several items of women's and maid's outerwear of wool This arrangement should serve the purpose which the hon. and gallant Member presumably has in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about the establishment of a Consumer Research Council.

It is not proposed to establish such a body. The interests of consumers are best looked after by Parliament and particular associations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that all available stocks of timber, plywood and furnishing fabrics in this country have been disclosed, and are being used in the present production drive in the furniture industry.

Yes, Sir. If my 'hon. and gallant Friend has any information to the contrary, we shall be glad to consider it. The quantity of timber and plywood available for furniture is that allocated by the Materials Committee after consideration of otheressential needs. The production of utility furnishing fabrics is entirely reserved for utility furniture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that students in radio engineering are unable to obtain text-books and periodicals on the subject; and whether he will make more paper available for such publications.

Paper supplies continue to be difficult, but over the last nine months the general quotas for book publishers have been increased from 42½per cent. of prewar usage to 75 per cent., and for periodicals from 22½per cent, to 28½per cent. In addition, it is open to any publisher who cannot bring out an important text book merely from lack of paper to apply for an additional allocation for that purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to improve the wearing quality' of leather used in the making and repairing of children's shoes.

Steps have already been taken to maintain the wearing qualities of children's shoes at the highest possible level, both by laying down minimum standards of soling leather and by keeping a special reserve of suitable leather for the manufacturers of children's shoes. Further improvement must depend upon leather supplies generally. It is hoped that now that more rubber shoes are available for children the wearing of their leather shoes will be now less marked.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of inverted gas mantles in Kensington; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the shortage.

I am well aware of this shortage. It is general throughout the country and affects not only domestic users but also street lighting authorities. The position is that before the war the production of gas mantles averaged about 17,000 gross a month, but owing largely to a reduction of the labour force in the industry, the average figure had dropped by 1945 to just over 7,000 gross. Production at this rate was quite inadequate to meet the suddenly increased demand, particularly from street lighting authorities, on the lifting of the blackout, and widespread shortage has resulted in recent months.There has been some recent improvement in production; for last November and January the figure was about 8,000 gross, and for December over 9,000 gross, but any more substantial improvement must depend on more workers joining the industry, particularly to make ceramic rings for the mantles. Efforts are being made to increase the labour force and as a temporary measure we are investigating the possibility of obtaining gas mantles and gas mantle rings from abroad. Further, since ceramic rings are at present the bottleneck for production for gas mantles, manufacturers have been asked to arrange for collection of used rings from their customers and I hope that lighting authorities and the public will play their part by returning used gas mantle rings to their suppliers. I am afraid there is little prospect of ending this shortage until the summer months give us an opportunity to clear off arrears and to build up some stocks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the need to increase Anglo-Soviet trade and to further cement good relations between the two countries, he will make representations to the Soviet Government to have his offer to extend the Anglo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship from 20 to 50 years and to consider suggestions for amending it placed before the Soviet people since, so far, no reference has been made to it in either the Soviet Press or radio.

My willingness to extend the Anglo-Soviet Treaty of Collaboration and Mutual Assistance was brought to the attention of the Soviet public by the only means available to me, that is, by publicity in the "British Ally." Subsequently it was referred to by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wood-ford (Mr. Churchill), and in this context was reprinted in "Pravda" on nth March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he now has any statement to make regarding Persia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received a reply to the British Government's Note to the Soviet Government on the subject of non-withdrawal of Soviet troops from North Persia.

I would refer the hon. Members to my statement at the end of Questions today.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that German prisoners now in British hands are being treated in accordance with the terms of the Geneva Convention; and which protective power operates in accordance with the provision therein.

Since the German surrender it has not been possible to carry out the Geneva Conventions in all respects owing to situations having arisen which were never contemplated when they were drawn up, but His Majesty's Government continue to observe the spirit of the Conventions. There has been no Protecting Power since 14th May, 1945, when the Swiss Government themselves withdrew from representing German interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will open new negotiations with the Government of the U.S.S.R. for the purpose of ascertaining whether agreement can be reached for co-operation in a 20-year plan for the economic reconstruction of the world, which will aim at raising the standard of life of peoples of all countries and so remove the economic causes of war.

A large number of international bodies have been projected or set up for world economic reconstruction and* the Soviet Union is, or has been invited to become, a member of all these.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to increase the pensions payable to naval pensioners who were recalled for further service during the war; and, if so, from what date this increase will become pay able.

I am not in a position to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 6th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Stafford (Captain Swingler).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many passages he is granting in March to the families of naval officers posted to Hong Kong.

None, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what demobilisation group has been reached in the cooks' branch of the R.N.; how many groups this branch is behind the average; what steps are being taken to speed up demobilisation in this branch so as to bring it more into line with other trades; and when he anticipates that cooks in release groups up to 50 will be demobilised.

In the period expiring 29th April, chief petty officer, petty officer, and leading cooks will be released up to Group 38, cooks and assistant cooks up to Group 42, the average for the whole Navy being Group 47. It is not yet possible to give a reliable estimate of the date by which cook ratings in Age and Service Group 50 will be released. Large numbers have been and are still being-entered and trained for this branch. In addition, ratings of other categories are being employed on cook duties wherever possible, and, in consequence, the position of junior cooks is improving. The real difficulty lies in replacing the senior ratings of experience from the relatively inexperienced men remaining in the Service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if all former members of the police force in the R.N., who desire it, can be granted release under Class B, in view of the fact that this privilege is being promised to all new recruits from the Far East in the recruiting campaign now being carried out there by five chief constables.

All former members of the Police Force now serving in the Royal Navy who desire it and who can be spared, are being granted release in Class B. As regards the latter part of the Question, the instructions which have been issued by the Admiralty make it quite clear that the number of new recruits for the Civil Police who can be released in Class B is limited and that it should be clearly understood that even within this limit release may have to be refused on grounds of military necessity.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps have been taken to notify ratings that agricultural workers with a year or more service are entitled to Class B release; and whether commanding officers have been notified that disciplinary action will be taken if this release is delayed.

There is no question of "entitlement" to release in Class B. Agricultural workers, like men in other industries, are selected according to their pre-entry occupations in order of age and service Groups. The names of those selected are promulgated in Fleet Orders, copies of which are displayed on the notice boards. Officers and men concerned are also informed personally of their eligibility for Class B release. With a view to achieving the release of the numbers required by the Ministry of Labour, release has been offered to all agricultural workers with more than one year's service, with the exception of a small number who cannot be spared. So far, release has been offered to 1,363 men, and a further 200 offers will be made shortly. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No, Sir." Commanding Officers have been instructed to give special attention to the immediate dispersal of men accepting release in Class B, without relief wherever possible, and even at the expense of some loss of efficiency, and I am satisfied that these instructions are being carried out.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what plans he has for speeding up the demobilisation of sea transport officers so that they may overtake the executive and other officers who by June will be 12 groups ahead of sea transport officers.

This difficulty had already been foreseen. During the period 1st March, 1945, to 1st March, 1946, 82 young officers had been entered into the corps either by transfer from general service or by promotion from the lower deck in order to accelerate the release of officers already serving. The work performed by sea transport officers during the war is being handed over to the peace-time Merchant Shipping Organisation as rapidly as circumstances will permit. At the beginning of the present month, it was possible to announce a further acceleration in releases so that by the end of June they will be only eight groups behind the average of officers, instead of 12. I must explain that this is entirely an age difficulty. On 1st March, 52 per cent. of sea transport officers had been released as compared with 39 per cent, of officers as a whole

asked the First Lonl of the Admiralty if he will consider abolishing the rule in Admiralty factories whereby a non-established workman is compelled to retire at 60 years of age without pension, and bring them into line with the national scheme of retirement at 65 years of age

Yes, Sir. The rule regarding compulsory retirement of Admiralty workmen on grounds of age is being altered by the substitution of "65 years" for "60 years."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Lieutenant Anthony V. W. Bennett, R.N.V.R. (Sp), has not received any pay since 30th November, 1945; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.

I regret the delay in this case which resulted from a misunderstanding as to where this officer was borne for pay. A cheque was sent to him on Thursday last

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he will expedite the delivery to an ex-seaman, of whose name and address he has been informed, of a suit for which he was measured on 28th November, 1945, at the Portsmouth depot, issue ticket No. 131759, and delivery of which was promised within a month.

I regret that the delay in delivering this suit resulted primarily from its being sent on 14th December to the wrong address. Some time elapsed before it was returned to the Central Ordnance Depot and it was not until a letter was received from- the ex-seaman in the latter part of February that the correct address was ascertained. The suit has now been reposted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of the un satisfactory conditions under which naval ratings travel on Italian cruisers in the Mediterranean; that in the cruiser "Guiseppe Garibaldi," which sailed from Malta on 1st December last, there was overcrowding, lack of water, no washing facilities, bad sanitation and insufficient storage space for kits; and if he will give instructions to discontinue the use of this kind of transport.

Owing to the lack of suitable British shipping, it was necessary for a time to make use of Italian cruisers for trooping in the Mediterranean. With the reduction of drafting commitments, and the arrival of additional British trooping frigates, their use has already been discontinued. It was realised that conditions on board these cruisers would be inferior to those normally enjoyed by the Royal Navy, and use was made of their high speed to reduce time on passage to the minimum. The maximum trooping capacity of the "Guiseppe Garibaldi" was limited to 400 British officers and ratings for whom special mess decks were reserved. On the voyage referred to in the Question, she carried 15 officers, 17 chief and petty officers, and 214 ratings only.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will investigate food wastage at Chatham Naval Barracks, due to meals being badly cooked.

I am not aware of any food wastage at Chatham Barracks but I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the pier at Weston-super-Mare has not been de requisitioned; and when it is intended to do so.

The pier at Weston-super-Mare was derequisitioned on 5th March.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of His Majesty's ships and British merchant ships, respectively, sunk and damaged and the number of R.N. and Merchant Navy personnel, respectively, killed and wounded during the war, in carrying weapons and materials between this country and the U.S.S.R.

The number of His Majesty's ships sunk and damaged was 19 and 14 respectively; the corresponding figures for merchant ships being 30 and 8. The naval casualties amounted to 2,055 officers and ratings killed, and 87 wounded. These figures include Royal Marines and men manning defensive equipment on merchant ships. So far as can be ascertained, the number of Merchant Navy personnel killed was approximately 525, but I regret that information concerning the number wounded is not available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of Members of Parliament who are still serving in the Navy and in receipt of pay; and what appointments they hold.

There is at present no Member of this House serving in the Royal Navy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the system of entry, and schools at which previously educated, of the 55 13-year-old ordinary cadets entered at reduced fees.

I regret that this in formation is not readily available, and could only be obtained by diverting staff from other urgent work.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of officers, warrant officers and ratings, respectively, who have been invalided out of the Navy with tuberculosis in the years 1939 to 1945.

The information required is contained in the following table:

Year.	Officers.	Ratings.	Total
1939	11	213	224
1940	30	441	471
1941	33	811	844
1942	67	1,364	1431
1943	87	1,555	1,642
1944	142	1,843	1,985
1945	101	1,565	1,666
Total	471	7,792	8,263

The figures include Royal Marines Separate figures for warrant officers are not readily available They have, therefore, been included with the officers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of ratings accommodated, respectively, on the seamen's and stokers' mess decks of H.M.S. "Howe," with war complement; the cubic capacity of each of these two mess decks; the number of ward-room officers; and the cubic capacity of the wardroom, ante-room and cabins for these officers.

The answer to the- first and second parts of the Question is 790 seamen, 191 stokers; 131,700 and 30,300 cubic feet respectively. In addition, the Howe" has a crew's recreation space of 9,400 cubic feet, a cinema of 12,300 cubic feet, and a school of 4,500 cubic feet. The complement of wardroom officers is 59, including those borne for training. The cubic capacity of the ward-room, ante-room, and wardroom officers' cabins, is 12,000, 7,300, and 66,000 cubic feet respectively.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it will be possible to derequisition numbers 40, 42, 44 and 46, Grosvenor Road, Skegness; and whether he will put the furniture now stored in them to a more useful purpose and make these premises available to solve the housing problem in this district.

These properties are not held on requisition by the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why commissioned ranks of the R.M. are excluded from the pay increases recently announced for officers of the other services.

The recent White Paper stated that the pay of Royal Marine officers would be considered separately. This review is now preceeding.

asked the Attorney- General when the Government propose to restore to litigants the right to have their actions tried by judge and jury, and to restore the number of members of the jury in criminal trials to 12.

I am advised that the prewar position as regards civil and criminal cases could not at present be restored without grave inconvenience to all concerned. The position is, however, being watched by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, with a view to recommending the re-introduction of the prewar position as soon as conditions justify this course.

asked the Attorney- General whether he has considered the charging under the Defence of the Realm Act and committal for trial, of Elsa Gertrude Bietzmann, aged 35, whose father was German and who has been living in Germany since 1923, and the sentencing of a Channel Islander, John Lingshaw, aged 36, to five years penal servitude, for doing acts with intent to aid the enemy; and if, now that the war is over, he will consider instituting no more prosecutions of this nature.

Yes, Sir. The case of Breitzmann is sub judice and it would not be proper for me to make any comment. The prosecution of Lingshaw was undertaken after consultation with the authorities of the Island of Jersey as the Royal Court has no jurisdiction to try this type of offence. With regard to the last part of the Question, I have no authority to give any dispensation from the provisions of the law

asked the Attorney- General whether he will take proceedings against P. G. Wodehouse for treason able acts committed during the recent war.

The question of instituting proceedings against this man will be reconsidered if and when he comes within the jurisdicton of our Courts.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements exist for the prompt despatch and receipt of mail by R.A.F. personnel in B.A.O.R.; what is the average length of time taken for letters posted in this country to be delivered in Germany; and whether he is satisfied that there are no unnecessary delays.

Letters are despatched daily by air in both directions to and from suitable Base Army Post Offices in B.A.O.R. The average time taken for letters posted in this country to be delivered in Germany is three to four days. Provided a full and correct address is used I am satisfied that there are no unnecessary delays.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a recent demobilisation party consisting of 600 other ranks, who were due to be demobilised at Manchester, were ordered to Carlisle in order to hand in their web equipment; and whether arrangements have now been made to ensure that web equipment can be handed in at demobilisation centres.

All men due for Class A release are dispatched on arrival in this country to a military disembarkation camp in the first instance. The purpose of this is not simply to enable them to hand in web equipment. At these camps they are made up to the correct scale of warm underclothing which they are allowed to retain in civilian life; all Government property which they are not allowed to retain, including web equipment, is withdrawn; necessary documentation is carried out and drafts are sorted out into separate parties in such a way that each man is sent to the military dispersal unit nearest his home. This process normally only involves staying one night at the disembarkation camp. The disembarkation camp at Carlisle is in fact being closed down largely because it is not altogether conveniently situated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that an R.A.S.C. sergeant, T/221342, has been in correspondence with the regimental paymaster since July of last year about the settlement of his account: that up to date he has had no satisfactory reply; and whether he will have the matter expedited.

The facts of this case are that a debit balance as at 31st July, 1945, was notified to the soldier in India on 7th October, 1945. As he objected to this balance a detailed statement of accounts was sent to him on 6th December, 1945. As a result of further complaints from the soldier the account has been examined in detail and this has involved protracted inquiries. It is hoped that the Paymaster will be in a position to despatch a complete statement of accounts in the course of a few days.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of an Army officer who was refused release under Class B, although eligible as a university student, while students in higher release groups have returned to their universities, released under Class B; and if he will ensure that this officer, who wishes to undertake teaching, is released before the beginning of the next university session, in October.

I regret that this officer cannot be released under Class B at present. All applications for the Class B release of officers are considered individually. Whether or not a particular individual can be released depends on the officer situation in his particular arm or corps and on any relevant special circumstances, as well as on his age and service group. It may therefore well be that students of later release groups than this particular officer have been released. I cannot give any undertaking that he will be released before October, 1946, as there are numerous other individuals in similar circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for War his intentions with regard to the stocks of surplus furniture stored in Parry's Mills, Hythe Quay, Colchester; and whether he will give an assurance that in no case will any of these articles of furniture be destroyed as unserviceable, unless the public or a representative of the local authority have had an opportunity of examining them.

This surplus furniture is being offered for disposal through the normal machinery. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Italians have so far been tried as war criminals; where these trials have taken place; how many remain to be tried; and by when it is estimated that the last of such criminals will have stood trial.

Eight Italians have so far been tried as war criminals; five were tried in Bologna, one in Bari, and two in Naples. The number of alleged war criminals against whom cases have been prepared is 220. Seventy-five of these are now in custody, and all possible efforts are being made to apprehend the remaining 145. Until this has been done it is not possible to say when the last of such criminals will have stood trial.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made with the rehabilitation of Hong Kong.

The rehabilitation of Hong Kong has been progressively pursued since the return of our Forces. The first essentials were, of course, the provision of food and clothing and the preservation of law and order. In spite of difficulties initial steps are now being taken to revitalise certain local industries. In addition, arrangements have been made to facilitate the trade of the Colony as shipping becomes available and raw materials and consumer goods can be obtained. I understand that the health of the inhabitants is good.

asked the Secretary of State for War why members of the W.A.A.F., W.R.N.S. and A.T.S. are still given larger rations than civilian women who are often doing the same kind of work.

Any comparison between Service and civilian ration scales is liable to give a misleading impression. The Services have a limited ration of foods such as bread and potatoes which are unrationed for civilians. Moreover, civilians' have greater opportunities to supplement their rations by meals in restaurants and canteens and by the purchase of various unrationed foods. The Service ration scales are at present under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many motor-cars of all types, and motor-lorries of all types were held in reserve by the Service Departments on VJ-Day; and how many of each have been disposed of up to 31st January, 1946.

The figures for all three Services are as follow:

Held in reserve in the United Kingdom on VJ Day:
Cars	710
Lorries	82,438

Notified to the Ministry of Supply for disposal between VJ Day and 31st January, 1946:
Cars	917
Lorries	33,314

asked the Secretary of State for War how much money has been paid to the custodian of enemy property in Malaya for rubber found on re occupation; and, of this sum, how much has been paid to claimants who have proved their claims.

The position is still as stated in the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for East Renfrew (Major Lloyd) on nth February

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is still a considerable delay in the delivery of mails between Ceylon and this country; and whether he can give an explanation of this delay.

As a consequence of, the general shipping position the conveyance of surface mails between this country and Ceylon is taking longer than in prewar days. Every available outlet is used. There was some delay to inward air mails from Ceylon earlier in the year owing to weather conditions, but there has since been an improvement, and during the three weeks ended 7th March the average transit times have been five days outward and seven days in the homeward direction.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production to what extent the Henderson crash proof fuel tank has been used in Service air craft; with what results as to its safety value; and whether it is proposed to make wider use of this device in future.

The Henderson crash proof fuel tank was fitted in a small number of R.A.F. training aircraft. The tank gave satisfactory results but complete evidence as to its safety value was not obtained as none of the aircraft in which it was fitted suffered an accident of the nature in which serious collapse of a normal tank would have occurred. I am unable to say whether this particular design will be adopted for use in Service-aircraft in the future.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he will make a statement in re- gard to progress, number employed and output, at the new penicillin factory, Speke, Liverpool.

Production at this factory is at present in its initial stages and the number of people employed is 311. Output is rising steadily at a rate which is expected soon to increase when initial difficulties have been overcome and the staff is fully trained.

asked the Minister of Works how many redundant R.A.F. hangars passed to his Department for disposal have been sold.

No surplus R.A.F. hangars have been sold by my Department. A number of airfields have become redundant to flying requirements and the hangars on them are being used by several Departments including my own, for storage purposes.

asked the Minister of War Transport, with a view to increasing the imports of fresh fruit, what steps are being taken to encourage the building of refrigerating ships.

No special steps are necessary to encourage the building of refrigerated ships by United Kingdom owners. There are at present under construction or on order for United Kingdom owners 54 refrigerated ships with a total refrigerated capacity of about 18½ million cubic feet; of these, over 20 should be completed this year. This total excludes ships having only a small amount of refrigerated space, i.e., less than 40,000 cubic feet. I must add that notwithstanding the high priority given to this work within the shipyards there will be difficulty in obtaining the necessary plumbers and joiners to complete the refrigerating installations on the ships under construction.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will give a list of the motor fishing vessels which have become a total loss, or constructive total loss, while on requisition, showing for each vessel the name, length, type of engine, and amount of compensation offered, and stating whether it has been accepted or not.

The following statement gives the desired particulars, except that it does not include the amount of compensation

LIST OF MOTOR FISHING VESSELS WHICH HAVE BECOME TOTAL LOSSES OR CONSTRUCTIVE TOTAL LOSSES.
(A)—For which compensation offers have been accepted.
Name.				Length.	Type of Engine				Compensation Accepted.
" Joan Margaret"			…	50·1 ft.	Bergius, Diesel, 66 h.p.	…	…	…	£1,500
" Dusky Queen"		…	…	59·9 ft	Allen Bedford, Diesel, 100 h.p.		…	…	1,920
" Gloamin '"		…	…	45 ft.	Bergius, Diesel, 66 h.p.	…	…	…	1,000
" Minicoy "		…	…	50 ft.	Gleniffer, Diesel, 80 h.p.	…	…	…	1,940
"Comfort "		…	…	69 ft.	Bergius, Diesel, 120 h.p.	…	…	…	3,000
" Boy Roy "re-named				38·6 ft.	(1) Bergius, Petrol/paraffin, 26 h.p.			…	550
" Torch "					(2) Atlantic, Petrol/paralffin, 16 h.p.			…
" Family "		…	…	45 ft	(1) Gardner, Petrol/paraffin, 24 h.p.			…	720
					(2) Bergius, Petrol/paraffin, 26 h.p.			…
" Mistletoe "		…	…	49 ft.	Bergius, Petrol/paraffin, 60/72 h.p.			…	750
" Proficient		…	…	71 ft	Ruston and Hornby, Diesel, 75 h.p.			…	1,800
" George and Annie '			…	45 ft.	" 3 D.M.", Diesel, 27 h.p.		…	…	1,030
" Manx Lad "		…	…	44 · 3 ft.	Bergius, Diesel, 66 h.p.	…	…	…	1,835
" Chrysolite "		…	…	40 ft.	Bergius, Petrol/paraffin, 26/30 h.p.			…	950
" Pearl "re-named				77·25 ft.	Gardner, Petrol/paraffin, 55 h.p.			…	1,000
"Legend"
"Premier	…	…	…	45·9 ft.	Gleniffer, Petrol/paraffin, 40/50 h.p.			…	575
" Chancellor '		…	…	45 ft.	Gleniffer, Petrol/paraffin, 40/50 h.p.			…	600
" Gleam "	…	…	…	69·9 ft.	Deutz, Diesel, 70/77 h.p.	…	…	…	2,000
" Edith M "		…	…	41·5 ft.	(1) Petter, Diesel, 36 h.p.		…	…	1,650
					(2) Britt, Petrol/paraffin, 28 h.p.			…
" Mary VI "		…	…	40 ft.	Redwing, Petrol/paraffin, 40/50 h.p.			…	1,300

(B)—Others.
" Girl Helen "	…	…	73·7ft	National, Diesel, 220 h.p.			…	—
" Good Design "	…	…	47 ft.	Bergius, Diesel, 66 h.p.	…	…	…	—
" Persevere "	…	…	48 ft.	Bergius, Diesel, 66 h.p.	…	…	…	—
" Girl Mary "	…	…	51·5 ft.	Gardner, Diesel, 86 h.p.	…	…	…	—
" Honeydew	…	…	79·05 ft.	Morris Henty & Gardner, Petrol/paraffin, 75 h.p.				—
" Goodwill	…	…	52 ft.	Bergius, Diesel, 66 h.p.	…	…	…	—
"Ruby"	…	…	68·5 ft.	Morris Henty & Gardner, Petrol/paraffin, 75 h.p.				—
" Winsome "	…	…	70 ft.	Gleniffer, Petrol/paraffin, 90 h.p.			…	—
" Nautilus "	…	…	79·3 ft.	Gardner, Diesel, 96 h.p.	…	…	…	—
" Braeflett "	…	…	78·2 ft.	Morris Henty & Gardner, Petrol/paraffin, 75 h.p.				—
" White Heather "		…	76 ft.	Morris Henty & Gardner, Petrol/paraffin, 75 h.p.				—
" Golden West "	…	…	48 ft	Gardner, Diesel, 36 h.p.	…	…	…	—
" Triumph VI "	…	…	68 ft.	Morris Henty & Gardner, Petrol/paraffin, 75 h.p.				—
" Manora "	…	…	48 ft.	Gleniffer, Diesel, 80 h.p.	…	…	…	—
" Duplex "ex "United "			53·4 ft.	Morris Henty & Gardner, Diesel, 36/40 h.p.				—

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that a public demonstration is to be held at the Albert Hall, on Wednesday,

My right hon. Friend has no power to prevent the holding of meetings, however strongly he may disapprove of their objects. The police will take all proper steps for dealing with any attempts to create disorder.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to prevent or control the threatened revival of those football pool firms who, prior to 1939, were attracting between 5 and 10 per cent. of the total weekly sum spent by the public in this form of gambling, but whose payments back to the public in winnings were negligible or non-existent.

If my hon. Friend has information supporting the allegation in the last part of his Question, I shall be glad if he will let me have it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if agreement has been reached as to the quota of bulbs to be imported from Holland this year; and if a maximum price has been fixed for the sale of these bulbs in this country.

The quota of bulb imports from Holland for the forthcoming season has not been finally agreed, but it is hoped to make an announcement shortly. It is not proposed to fix maximum prices for the sale of these bulbs in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the importance of a full response to the next month's recruiting drive for the W.L.A. and the possibility of attracting girls now returning home from the Services and factory work, he will modify the condition that all recruits must be mobile and agree to work away from their home districts.

I regret that I cannot see my way to adopting the hon. Member's suggestion. It is not practicable to waive the mobility condition for the existing members of the Women's Land Army, and it would not be equitable to maintain it for these members (most of whom are employed at a distance from their homes) while waiving it for new recruits.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that all available land is being used for the greatest production of human food; and what are the principles which guide him in deciding which foods are to be produced.

Yes, Sir. Every effort is made to ensure that all available land is used to the best advantage for food production. National requirements, as determined in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food, are the basis for deciding what production targets should be set for particular commodities.

asked the Minister of Health whether any of the 209 cases of diphtheria reported in Darlington in 1944 occurred amongst immunised children; and what were the ages of the 10 fatal cases of that disease.

Returns from the local authority show that the number of cases of diphtheria notified in Darlington in 1944 among immunised children was 30, as compared with 122 among children who were not immunised Of the 10 deaths from diphtheria assigned to Darlington in 1944, 8 were of persons under 15 and 2 of persons over 15; they included no immunised child.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the Civil Service rates of pay for shorthand typists and typists, in the London area and provinces respectively; and in which of the principal towns and cities there is a shortage of this type of labour.

The present Civil Service rates of pay for shorthand typists in London range according to age from 52s. a week at age 16 to 84s. a week at age 22, with annual increments at the rate of 3s. a week beyond that figure to a maxi- mum of 104s. a week. The corresponding amounts for typists are 48s., 72s. and 96s. a week. The rates in the provinces are in general 3s.. a week less than for London. Temporary typing staffs have hitherto been paid at lower rates, but are about to be brought on to the same scales as for permanent staffs. The principal towns and cities in which there is a shortage of this type of labour for Government service are London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Reading, Cambridge, Nottingham, Harrogate and Tunbridge Wells.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the overcrowding of ex-Service patients in the West Riding Mental Hospital and the staff shortage there; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with these matters.

I am aware from reports of the Mental Specialist who visits the institutions in question to report on the well-being of ex-Service patients who are the charge of my Department that the position is not entirely satisfactory. Copies of those reports have been sent to the Board of Control, who are giving the matter urgent attention.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will enumerate the diseases which. are included as consensus of opinion cases.

It is not possible to prepare from all the diseases known to medical science a comprehensive list of those the onset or development of which would either generally or in certain circumstances be unaffected by war service. Moreover individual cases are considered on their merits in the light of all the facts and these may at times enable an award to be made in respect of a condition which in general would be unrelated to service. The following are examples of cases in which normally the disability would be regarded as unconnected with service:

1.Malignant diseases with certain well recognised exceptions;

2.Certain diseases of the glands, for example, lymphadenoma;

3.Certain diseases of the nervous system of developmental origin, for example, syringomelia;

4.Certain diseases of the blood and blood forming organs, such as leukaemia;

5.Progressive visual changes due to errors of refraction;

6. Venereal diseases.

asked the Minister of Pensions, what instructions have been issued by him to the independent tribunals in connection with consensus of opinion cases.

None, Sir. These independent tribunals are in no way under my control or direction.