asked the Minister of Labour whether Service personnel re-' leased to industry or in Class W Reserve can now be finally demobilised with their proper age and service groups.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on 18th December to the hon. Members for South Islington (Mr. Cluse) and Bewdley (Major Conant), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to encourage demobilised Servicemen, formerly foundry workers, to return to employment in foundries; and what percentage of such Servicemen have in fact returned to this employment.

In December, 1945, special publicity by means of Press and wireless was undertaken to make known the need of the iron founding industry for additional workers, and ironfounding was included in a special advertising campaign which had as one of its objects the return of former workers to essential industries. Demobilised foundry workers who report at employment exchanges are encouraged to go to foundry vacancies which have a high preference in view of their importance. Moreover, the release from the Forces under Class B of some 5,000 former foundry workers has been agreed.

I regret that the information asked for in the latter part of the Question is not available, but it is known that large numbers of such Servicemen are returning to foundry work.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that 2196724 Sapper E. S. A. Baker, 2 Athelstan Road, Canterbury, who was, at the request of his Department, discharged to W Reserve on 8th December 1945, has not been found the employment for which his release was granted; is not able to obtain alternative employment in his trade as draughtsman; is without income or unemployment benefit, although he has paid contributions for over five years; is not allowed to return to the Army; and if he will take steps to ensure that this man is found employment immediately.

Sapper Baker elected to be released in Class B under the block scheme. His experience was found to be limited and despite several submissions it was not possible to place him in the class of work for which he had been released. He has, however, as the hon. Member is aware, now been placed in suitable alternative employment

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of people registered as unemployed in Wallasey on 1st July, 1945; and what was the number on 1st October, 1945 and 1st January, 1946, respectively.

The numbers of unemployed insured persons aged 14 years and over suitable for ordinary employment on the registers of the Wallasey employment exchange and juvenile employment bureau at 16th July, 1945, 15th October, 1945, and 14th January, 1946, the only dates in these months for which figures are available, were 233, 568 and 1,084 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour, to the last convenient date, the number of men and women, respectively, registering at the following employment exchanges in South Wales: Neath, Resolven, Aberdare and Mountain Ash.

At 11th February, 1946, the numbers of unemployed insured men and women suitable for ordinary employment on the registers of the Neath, Resolven, Aberdare and Mountain Ash employment exchanges were as follow:

—	Men aged 18 and under 65.	Women aged 18 and under 60.
Neath	924	894
Resolven	358	517
Aberdare	1,981	1,453
Mountain Ash	985	782

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed in Pontefract, Knottingley and" Goole, respectively, at the end of February.

At IIth February, 1946, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers of unemployed insured persons aged 14 years and over, suitable for ordinary employment, on the registers of the Pontefract, Knottingley and Goole employment exchanges were 626, 64 and 472 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give an assurance that, in the recent appointment of an attendant at the Miners' Hostel, Dalmellington, consideration was given to the applications of partially disabled men on the unemployed register; and why one of them was not appointed.

This hostel is managed by the National Service Hostels Corporation, Limited, and I am not responsible for the staffing of their junior grades. In this particular case, I am informed that a disabled man submitted himself for the vacant post, but was not appointed as he failed to return as requested for interview. A non-disabled man was appointed but remained only five days, when the position was filled by a disabled man submitted by the local employment exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements are made to ensure that prisoner-of-war labour does not undercut trade union wages and conditions in this country.

PRISONERS OF WAR EMPLOYED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ON 31ST JANUARY, 1946. AGRICULTURE.
Department.							Germans.	Italians.	Totals.
Ministry of Agriculture	…	…	…	…	…	…	94.300	48,600	142,900
Department of Agriculture for Scotland			…	…	…	…	6,500	3,800	10,300
Totals		…	…	…	…	…	100,800	52,400	153,200

INDUSTRY.
Department.						Germans.	Italians.	Totals.
Ministry of Works. (Housing sites, building materials manufacture and civil engineering).						30,000	3,700	33,700
Ministry of Supply. (Iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, storage, engineering, etc.).						Nil	4,800	4,800
Board of Trade. (Home timber production, fertiliser industry, tyre production, salvage, etc.).						4,800	6,500	11,300
Ministry of War Transport. (Railways and roadways, quarries, canals, etc.).						2,000	9,900	11,900
Ministry of Food. (Milk, sugar, milling, seed oil threshing)					…	800	2,75O	3,550
Ministry of Fuel and Power. (Gas and coal distribution)					…	200	1,150	1,350
Total	…	…	…	…	…	37,800	28,800	66,600

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware of the concern of education authorities at the dearth of vacancies for qualified applicants for admission to universities; and if he will indicate the action he is taking in the matter.

I am aware that, in the abnormal conditions following the war, the capacity of the universities to accept students is severely strained. I am very willing to give universities any

Employers of prisoners of war are required to pay for them at the appropriate rate for the job. Unless a special rate applicable to prisoners has been agreed in a particular industry by the appropriate joint negotiating machinery, the appropriate rate is that which applies to British labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give details of the numbers of prisoners of war engaged on agriculture and industry in the United Kingdom and classify their occupations and nationality.

The details are as follow:

assistance in my power, but I would point out that the main difficulties, shortage of teaching staff and shortage of accommodation, are not susceptible of immediate solution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are stocks here of food, sports goods and the like owned by the Canadian Y.M.C.A. which the organisation is anxious to sell, but that the sale is held up by the Customs demand for payment of import duties as well as purchase tax; and if he will take steps to end this deadlock.

Yes, Sir, and I have authorised their sale, but Import Duty and Purchase Tax must be paid since these stores came in free of duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now permit more than £ 15 to be taken out of this country by persons going abroad.

I propose to simplify these regulations, but 1 cannot promise any substantial increase at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the Report on the House of Commons Members' Fund, 1944-5, and if he will consider introducing the necessary legislation to increase these pensions seeing that the capital at the credit of the account amounts to £ 41,725 2s. 7d.

I understand that, in view of the Government Actuary's report of 4th July, 1944, on the House of Commons Members' Fund, of the need to accumulate a sufficient reserve to cover contingent liabilities, and of paragraphs 14 and 16 of the Report of the Departmental Committee on Pensions to Members (Cmd. 5624), the Trustees of the Fund do not think it advisable to propose any amendment of the Members Fund Act, 1939.

asked the Minister of Health if he is able to state the number of persons living in insanitary huts and caravans under conditions which, if housing conditions were normal, would be considered unsuitable.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if the cost of the houses completed at 31st January, 1946, could be analysed to show the amounts spent on labour and materials, respectively; and could similar figures for comparable houses built in 1939 also be published.

I regret that it is not possible to state the cost of the completed houses, since very many of them form part of contracts which are still current. There are no figures available to show the costs of building houses in 1939 analysed in the manner desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses were built in Leeds by private enterprise and the local authority, respectively, in each of the years 1919 to 1925.

The figures are as follow:

—	Local Authority.	Private Enterprise.	Total.
Year ended
31st March, 1919	Nil	4	4
31st March, 1920	Nil	7	7
31st March, 1921	92	104	196
31st March, 1922	930	118	1,048
31st March, 1923	1,810	108	1,918
31st March, 1924	264	354	618
31st March, 1925	358	593	951
31st March, 1926	332	1,044	1,376

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the growing practice of offering, often through the medium of public advertisements, substantial monetary rewards for in formation leading to the tenancy of a house or flat; and if he proposes to take steps to stop this practice.

The taking of a premium by a landlord or agent for the tenancy of a controlled house is an offence under the existing Acts, and the question whether the Acts should be strengthened to deal with the particular matter to which my hon. Friend refers will be considered when it is possible to introduce a comprehensive Bill. It would not be possible to deal with the matter in isolation.

asked the Minister of Health why, in areas around London, his regulations state that there is to be 1·9 standards of timber in every house, while the Timber Control will not supply more than 1·7.

Circular 205, issued in November, 1945, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy, informed local authorities that the maximum amounts of timber which could be allowed for each new house was two standards of softwood with further provision of plywood and hardwood. I am not aware that there is now any difficulty on this question, but if the hon. and gallant Member has a case in mind, I will be glad to look into it if he will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the present shortage of accommodation for mental defectives; and whether, in his next return dealing with housing, he will include a section dealing with the steps which have been taken to increase the accommodation for such persons.

I am aware of the present shortage of accommodation for mental defectives; and as soon as the situation permits, I hope that it may be possible to accord a high degree of priority to the provision of additional accommodation. Meanwhile the accommodation diverted to the Emergency Medical Service during the war is being returned as quickly as practicable. It would not be appropriate to include particulars of this matter in the housing returns.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause the conditions of pleurisy, phlyctenuler conjunctivitis and erythema modosum to be made subject to provisional notification, in order to assist in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.

The desirability of bringing the conditions mentioned to the attention of the tuberculosis service is recognised, but I am advised that this would not be achieved simply by instituting a procedure of notification. The important thing is that general practitioners should be fully aware of the significance of these conditions in relation to tuberculosis, and should encourage recourse to the specialist facilities of the tuberculosis service whenever they are met with. I am considering what I can do to help in this.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is intended to provide artificial limbs in all necessary cases as an essential feature of treatment under the new National Health schemes; and whether he will consider the provision at State cost of initial and duplicate artificial limbs, with repairs and renewals as necessary, to assist limbless persons to become assets to the State rather than a liability.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the Government's proposals for a National Health Service, which will be submitted to the House shortly and which I do not think I ought to anticipate at this stage.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the greater success which has been achieved in diphtheria immunisation, he will consider making vaccination non-compulsory and instituting a widespread publicity campaign to encourage it.

I must not anticipate the National Health Service Bill, but I am fully alive to this point.

asked the Minister of Health if he will reconsider the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a graduate of London University who returned to this country after four years' overseas service and has been appointed to the post of deputy treasurer to the Skipton Urban District Council, but who is prevented from taking up the appointment as the council's application for his release under Class B has not been approved; and if he will support the application for this man's release.

The officer in question was not previously employed by the Urban District Council of Skipton and his experience of administrative work in local government is, by reason of his age, necessarily limited. I am afraid that in the circumstances I cannot, consistently with the principles laid down for such cases, recommend his release under Class B as a "key man" essential to the post at Skipton.

asked the Minister of Education if the new scale of salaries under the Burnham Report of 1945 have yet beer: paid to teachers of practical subjects such as tailoring, bootmaking, etc., or when such payments may be expected.

Teachers are employed and paid by local education authorities, and if in fulltime service their remuneration is that prescribed by the full Reports of the Burnham Committee issued on 26th October, 1945. I am not aware that the salaries of assistant teachers in a particular category have not been adjusted to the new scales but if the hon. and gallant Member will let me have particulars of any cases I will gladly make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Education the result of the consultations which have taken place between His Majesty's Inspector of Education and the local education authorities in the Falmouth area with a view to improving the facilities available to engineering apprentices in Falmouth.

The local education authority are taking all possible steps to improve the educational facilities for engineering apprentices in Falmouth. Good provision for the more advanced work already exists at Dolcoath (Cam-borne) which is within reasonable travelling distance of Falmouth.

asked the Minister of Education what steps are taken to provide opportunities for children before leaving school to visit public institutions, factories, workshops and other possible enterprises, so as to enable them to choose their future avocations with greater under standing and appreciation.

The practice of arranging such visits is already common and will, I am confident, become more widespread as a result of the recommendation in paragraph 68 of the Report of the Committee on the Juvenile Employment Service.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that the protection given by the 1944 Education Act to married women teachers does not apply to those employed in technical colleges; and what action she proposes to take to remedy this injustice.

Yes, Sir; I propose to ask local education authorities to apply to the staffs of schools and colleges generally the same principles as apply to the staffs of county and voluntary schools, who are at present protected by Section 24 (3) of the Education Act, 1944.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the need for an international language, as illustrated by the wartime meetings of the leaders of the United Nations, the U.N.O. conferences and the Nuremberg trials, she will consider bringing before U.N.E.S.C.O. the claims of the existing neutral inter national language, Esperanto, with a view to proposing its introduction as a compulsory subject in the United Nations' schools; and whether she will consider introducing Esperanto into the schools of this country.

I have no doubt that the claims of Esperanto to recognition as an international language will in due course be brought before U.N.E.S.C.O.

asked the Minister of Education whether her attention has been called to the delay in payment of grants to men discharged. from His Majesty's Forces as undergraduates and students at Oxford University; and what steps she proposes to take to minimise the delay.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the discontent among demobilised students who have resumed their studies under the Further Education and Training Scheme for Teachers, occasioned by the delay in paying the grants; and what steps she is taking to expedite payments.

Yes, Sir. I am very anxious to reduce delays in the payment of grants, and I hope that recent increases in the clerical staff in my Department will have this effect.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that, owing to bomb damage, the scholars of St. Alban's Schools, Boundary Street, Liverpool, have been sent to other schools; that congested traffic conditions make this a dangerous area for street crossings; that parents are indignant at the long neglected educational needs of the schoolchildren of this area; and if she will take immediate action to provide temporary school accommodation near the old school site.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. It is for the managers of the school and the local education authority to submit proposals for the provision of temporary school accommodation in the district concerned. Any such proposals would receive my most careful consideration. I am sending a copy of this Question and answer to the authority.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that many boys leaving independent preparatory schools at an age of 13 plus have a working knowledge of algebra, geometry. French and Latin and possibly Greek and trigonometry, whereas most boys of comparable age educated under the State system learn nothing of these subjects and are, therefore, at a disadvantage in their future careers; and what steps she proposes to take to amend the syllabus and raise the standard among, at least, the cleverer boys in the schools for which she is responsible.

Most of the subjects mentioned are already available in grant aided schools for pupils of comparable age capable of profiting by them. I do not agree that their omission from the curriculum for other pupils necessarily places the pupils at a disadvantage or implies any lower standard of education.

asked the Minister of Education how many schoolchildren in England and Wales were re- commended by school medical officers for operative treatment for the removal of tonsils and adenoids in 1938 and 1944; and what percentage of children so recommended received such treatment.

128,405 schoolchildren were recommended in 1938 for treatment for chronic tonsillitis and adenoids, but I have no information as to the nature of the treatment recommended. In that year, 88,919 children received operative treatment. In 1944 the number of children returned as having received operative treatment was 63,745, but the statistics collected for that year do not show in how many cases treatment, operative or otherwise, was recommended by School Medical Officers.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the recent county council elections, she proposes to alter the date, now 1st April, by which education authorities are required to present their schemes under the Education Act.

The date in question is fixed by Section 11 (1) of the Education Act, 1944, which gives the Minister power to extend the time in any particular case. I have recently issued a circular, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member, informing local education authorities of the circumstances in which I am prepared to consider applications for such an extension. I am particularly anxious that there should be no avoidable delay in the preparation and submission of these development plans, and I should not regard a change in the composition of the local authority as a good ground for postponement.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that owing to the new arrangements brought about by the Education Bill, a number of pupils who would be taking building trade courses are now prevented from so doing due to lack of accommodation and facilities; and what is being done to remedy this handicap.

I am not aware that any developments under the Education Act, 1944, have had the effect suggested by the hon. Member. I understand, however, that the recent extension of the system of apprenticeship in the building industry has caused a sudden increase in the demand for educational facilities for building trade apprentices, which, in present circumstances, it is not everywhere possible to meet immediately. Some time lag is inevitable while premises are being provided and staff assembled, but I am confident that local education authorities are doing all that is possible

asked the Minister of Education the number of special building industry pupils now being trained in technical schools.

I assume the hon. Member is not referring to special entrants under the scheme of the Ministry of Labour and National Service for the training of demobilised persons. The bulk of the training given in technical schools is concerned with entrants to: (1) full-time junior courses; (2) senior and advanced part-time day courses; and (3) senior and advanced full-time courses. Statistics of these courses will not become available until after the end of the current educational year.

asked the Minister of Education when Mr. D. Williams, 7 Windsor Terrace, Penrith, Glamorgan, a student at Cardiff University, will receive the educational grant for which he made application several weeks ago.

Mr. Williams has now been informed of the amount of his grant and payment will be made as soon as the certificate of attendance, which is my Department's authority to pay, has been returned by the college.

asked the Minister of Education how many teachers now employed in the services as meteorological officers have been applied for in the Army, R.N. and R.A.F. respectively; and how many have been released in each case.

Teachers are not released from the services as the result of application by my Department for specific individuals, but under a scheme for the block release under Class B of 13,200 teachers from all three services. Any questions on the actual number of meteorological officers who have been released under this scheme or otherwise should be addressed to the Minister responsible for the service concerned.

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in the setting up of county colleges.

Under the Education Act, 1944, the duty of local education authorities to establish and maintain county colleges is to operate from a date not later than three years after that on which the school leaving age is raised, to 15, namely, 1st April, 1947. As I have previously stated, having regard to the heavy building programme with which local education authorities will be faced in the fields of primary and secondary education, it is unlikely that the establishment of county colleges can begin earlier than 1950. My Department has recently published a pamphlet under the title "Youth's Opportunity "which I hope will be of service to local education authorities in preparing their plans for county colleges.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will now consider introducing equal charges in rural and urban areas for installation and rental of telephones as part of a policy for increasing the amenities of rural areas.

The charges for telephone service are the same in rural areas as in urban areas, except in London and the four largest cities, where the rental charges are somewhat higher.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the need for a telephone kiosk in the populous but remote village of Rhiwlas, Caernarvonshire, inasmuch as hardship has accrued to the inhabitants, particularly to service personnel and their relatives and to invalid persons, over a long period because of the lack of this amenity; and if he will take action in the matter.

Yes, Sir; and the work is being put in hand.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that a telegram handed in at 11.30 a.m. on 23rd January, at Tiptree, Essex, by the Rev. J. Harris Smith, was delivered on 24th January at pinner, Middlesex, with the morning mail; if he will state the causes of this delay; and if he will make arrangements in such cases to refund to members of the public the moneys expended in telegraphic charges.

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to send me the delivered telegram referred to, I will ascertain why it was posted; and if it failed in its purpose through a Post Office mistake, its cost will be refunded to the sender.

asked the Assistant Postmaster General whether he is aware that drastic reduction in the postal services in the districts lying between Fort William to Mallaig took place during the war; and if he will now make some improvement.

A second delivery had to be suspended in one or two localities in this neighbourhood during the war and collection and delivery times have been altered in conformity with changes in the railway service, but I am not aware of any drastic reduction of postal services. The service is now under review in accordance with the statement I made on 12th instant on postal services generally.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the regularity and speed of the airmail service between this country and Malaya has deteriorated since Christmas; that mail often arrives in Malaya one month after posting; and whether steps will be taken to improve this service, since is. 3d. per half ounce is still charged for it.

Since the introduction of the through B.O.A.C. thrice-weekly service to Singapore on 31st January, air mails for Malaya have been sent by that route, the transit time being about six days to Singapore, as compared with about ten days under the previous arrangement whereby the mails were sent via Calcutta for onward carriage through military channels. If the hon. and gal- lant Member will let me have details of any air mail letters which have taken as long as a month to reach Malaya, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will consider the preparation of an illustrated book, for sale to the public, describing the war effort of the Post Office.

An illustrated book for sale to the public describing the war effort of the Post Office is in course of production by H.M. Stationery Office.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that chemists under contract with the Surrey Insurance Committee are un able to obtain sufficient supplies of liquid paraffin, cotton wool and other surgical dressings, to supply the strictly medical needs of the county; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether his attention has been drawn to the shortage of liquid paraffin, cotton wool and surgical dressings in the county of Surrey; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this shortage.

Production of these commodities is sufficient to meet all medical needs, but I am aware that they — and in particular liquid paraffin — are sometimes used for purposes other than medical ones. My right hon. Friend is at present engaged in a detailed investigation of the intricate channels of distribution of liquid paraffin to see how the position can best be improved, and would be grateful if the hon. Members would let him have details of any specific cases of which they are aware.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what orders have been placed with royal ordnance factories for housing components; the actual items and quantities of each ordered; what royal ordnance factories or other buildings are being pre pared to manufacture this equipment; when the re-tooling and installation of machinery will be completed; what is the output per month expected of each article; and when production will commence.

Orders have been placed with Royal Ordnance Factories for 331,850 taps, 12,700 cupboard units and 100,000 gas cocks. The placing of orders for gas and electric cookers, gas water heaters and ceramic components is under consideration. For the orders so placed the Royal Ordnance Factories concerned are located at Woolwich, Maltby and Birtley. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him on 5th March.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production when he expects to derequisition Norbury Park, Leatherhead, which was previously used for tank experiments and where no tanks have been tested for over a year.

My Department has never held any part of Norbury Park, Leatherhead, under requisition. We did, however, requisition four acres of land adjoining the Park for a tank testing ground and this has just been released.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now make a statement on the release from the Forces of U.S. and other Alien Servicemen who desire to return at once to their own countries.

Men and women who do not possess British nationality and who desire to be repatriated to their own countries may now apply for repatriation irrespective of their age and service groups. They will be released on disembarkation in their respective countries abroad. The necessary instructions have already been issued and individuals affected should apply to their commanding officers

asked the Minister of Labour whether non-British members of His Majesty's Forces' who were enlisted in North Africa after liberation from Vichy concentration camps, will be demobilised in British territory if they so desire.

I have been asked to reply. As I stated in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Winchester (Mr. G. Jeger) on 5th March aliens who enlisted outside the United Kingdom will not be eligible for release in the United Kingdom; nor will they be eligible for release in other British territories.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the fact that transport is no longer a limiting factor in the speed of demobilisation, he will consider the immediate reduction of the qualifying period for Python leave to three years in all or any theatres; and whether he will consider increasing the frequency of leave granted before a Serviceman becomes entitled to Python.

My right hon. Friend will be making a statement or the subject of the length of overseas tours in the course of his speech on the Army Estimates today. The question of increased leave from overseas Theatres is still under consideration and I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the matter.

asked the Secretary 0f State for War if he will state to the latest available date, the total cost of maintaining the B A.O.R. in Germany.

I regret that the total cost of the B.A.C R. is not available. The pay and family allowances of the troops occupying Germany are at present running at the rate of £ 65,000 000 a year

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider, for Class C compassionate release, servicemen who were obliged to close their businesses on joining His Majesty's Forces, in the special class of cases where custom and goodwill are now jeopardised and competitors are establishing themselves in the locality.

1 would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Westmorland (Mr. Vane) on 5th March.

asked the Secretary of State for War the highest age groups in which former plumbers and carpenters, respectively, have been offered release under Class B.

As regards plumbers, 1 would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Colchester (Captain C. Smith) on 26th February. As regards carpenters, I would refer him to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey) on 12th March.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that private soldiers returning home from the Far East in H.M.T. "Athlone Castle" recently, were allowed only 10s. each to spend during a journey of three weeks, with the result that the goods in the ship's canteen were beyond their reach; and if he will remedy this.

I understand that, although a general payment of only 10s. was made during this voyage, further payments were made to those men who applied for them. It is laid down in the instructions now in force that cash issues will be made to soldiers at such a rate as the officer commanding troops may determine, but such issues will be restricted to the minimum of their requirements. I hope that under these arrangements no further difficulties of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend will arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many members of the West African Frontier Force are still serving overseas; and how many have been demobilised since the conclusion of the Japanese war.

Approximately 67,500 West Africans of the West African Frontier Force are still serving overseas. Thirty-one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three have been repatriated to West Africa since VJ-Day. The majority of those who have been repatriated will have been released shortly after their arrival in West Africa as the West African release scheme provides for the release of personnel as soon as possible after the return of their units from overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of premises, showing dwelling houses and other accommodation, separately, which have been requisitioned by his Department in the borough of Cambridge; the numbers still under requisition, subdivided as to those occupied and those unoccupied; the periods for which the unoccupied premises have been standing empty and the dates on which they will be derequisitioned.

As numerous properties have been requisitioned, derequisitioned and transferred to other departments on various different occasions throughout the war, I regret that the information asked for by the hon. and gallant Member in the first part of his Question is not readily available. The War Department at present holds 17 dwelling houses in the borough of Cambridge, all of which are occupied. Nine other properties are held, of which two are empty. These two properties are no longer required for military purposes and, provided they are not required by any other Government Department, they will be derequisitioned shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the Italian-authorities, aided by the military administration, have lately been mobilising the Slovenes for the Italy Army in Zone A of the Julian March, and why this has been allowed.

I have called for a report on the matter, but it has not yet been received. As soon as it reaches me I will write to my hon. Friend

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of vacant holdings on State-owned lands in the Skye district of the county of Inverness; how many of these are not equipped with dwelling-houses; and the total sum per annum spent to maintain these vacant holdings and such houses as exist.

The number of un-tenanted holdings on State owned lands in the Skye district of the County of Inverness is 51, of which 28 are not equipped with dwelling houses. The expenditure being incurred at present on these holdings is in connection with their use, along with other untenanted properties in the Highlands, for the grazing of Highland cattle for the Department of Agriculture. I regret that I have no separate details of expenditure for Skye holdings alone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the views expressed by the Soviet Government in respect of General Franco's regime, and having regard to the defiant and contemptuous attitude of General Franco to the three-Power declaration, he will consider approaching the Governments of the U.S.A. and France to invite the U.S.S.R. to join them in taking more effective steps to liquidate this regime.

His Majesty's Government's views regarding the situation in Spain were made clear in the statement issued jointly with the Governments of France and the United States on 5th March. My right hon. Friend does not consider that anything can usefully be added to that statement meantime.

asked the Attorney-General whether it is his intention to introduce legislation at any time giving tenants the right to renew ground leases on expiry; and, if so, whether such legislation will include provision that rent payable under the new ground lease should not be more than that previously paid.

It is not proposed to introduce legislation to give the tenant under a ground lease an absolute right to renew the lease at the same rent when it falls in. Such a provision would be an unjustifiable interference with the freedom of contract and would take no account of the fluctuations in money values which occur over a long period of years. I would remind my hon. Friend that many of these leases were granted nearly a century ago, and since then the money value of land has greatly increased and it is inevitable that rents should have increased correspondingly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that British employees of firms in Siam, who were interned during the war with Japan, have accumulated savings in certain banks in Singapore which they are not permitted to draw upon; and, as many of these people have now arrived in this country and find themselves in actual need, if he will take steps to permit of them withdrawing their savings from the Singapore banks.

My information is that, at least as far as the banks whose head offices are in London are concerned, no restrictions are in practice placed on the withdrawal of savings. If, however, my hon. Friend will give me further particulars, I will gladly make further inquiries.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is in a position to state the schedule of release dates for the age and service groups in the Merchant Navy; and if the dates of release for the Merchant Navy will be given at the same time as those of the Armed Forces proper.

Most officers and men in the Merchant Navy are following their normal occupation, and there is, therefore, no general release programme. Extensions of the age and service groups in which those who wish to do so may claim their release are approved from time to time as the manpower position permits. I hope very shortly to announce further extensions and I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the announcement.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can give an assurance that exports of feeding stuffs for animals are being reduced, in the light of current shortages.

Exports of feeding stuffs which are made under licence go principally to the Faroe Islands and to the Channel Islands. Shipments to the former were reduced as from the 1st January and those to the Channel Islands will be reduced as from 1st May in conformity with the reduced distribution in this country which comes into operation on that date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the quantity of potatoes exported from this country in the six months ended 31st December last; and whether he is satisfied that the expected production of this year will be sufficient to meet our own needs.

Exports of ware potatoes in the period mentioned amounted to 32,500 tons and of seed to 24,150 tons. In addition, 174,000 tons of ware were shipped:o the British and United States Forces. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "Yes. Sir."

asked the Minister of Food the names of the members of the London Food Council.

The members of the London Food Council are as follow: The Minister of Food (Chairman), the High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia, the High Commissioner for New Zealand, the High Commissioner for the Union of South Africa, the High Commissioner for India, the High Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Minister of War Transport.

asked the Minister of Food how many persons are employed in the preparation of foodstuffs for export; and how far his Department has altered its export allocations for foodstuffs, such as biscuits, in the light of the present shortage of cereals.

In answer to the first part of the Question, I regret that it is impossible to estimate how many persons are employed in the preparation of foodstuffs for export as these are merged in general production. The number so employed is, however, very small in relation to those engaged in food manufacture as a whole. Allocations of foodstuffs for use in the manufacture of foodstuffs for export are being examined under a general review of food export policy, which is now being made in the light of the difficult food situation.

asked the Minister of Works what steps have been taken to reopen the Cymdu brickworks at Skewen, Glamorganshire; and when, in view of the urgent need for bricks, he expects production to be resumed in this undertaking.

Clearance of this works for derequisitioning will be completed within 10 days and a licence for production has already been issued.

asked the Minister of Works if he will consider appointing a committee with terms of reference which will allow them to inquire into the present high cost of building, and to make recommendations for its reduction.

The causes of the present high level of building costs are well known to the Government and to the building industry itself. There are many quite different problems which accordingly require different treatment. The industry has set up a National Joint Production Committee with the object of securing a higher rate of production. The prices of building materials are subject to control. In these circumstances I do not consider that the appointment of a committee with the comprehensive terms of reference suggested in the Question would serve any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cases in which furniture or bedding dockets have been issued upon the ground of illness, and the average time taken between the dispatch of applications for furniture dockets and the issue of the dockets to the applicant.

Separate statistics cannot be supplied for the class of case to which my hon Friend refers. Permits and dockets are issued whenever we find on inquiry that the applicant is suffering from an illness which creates an exceptional and permanent need for additional furniture or bedding. Those special cases demand special treatment but, on an average, the time taken to deal with applications is three weeks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received the Report' of the committee appointed to make proposals for the formation of the British Institute of Management; and whether he accepts it and intends to publish it.

Last November I appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Sir Clive Baillieu, President of the Federation of British Industries, to formulate detailed proposals for setting up a central institution for all questions connected with management. The committee have now presented their Report, which I regard as a most valuable document. I have arranged for it to be published in the near future.The committee recommend the setting up of a British Institute of Management, which should aim at establishing itself as a professional body. The functions of the proposed Institute would be to provide a centre for the study of management, to carry out research and to disseminate . information on the subject of management, to encourage and advise on schemes of training in management, to work in close co-operation with those existing management bodies which are effective in their own specialist fields, and, generally, to take all possible steps to assist in raising the standards of management practice in this country. I am in full agreement with the general recommendations of the committee and 1 hope soon to announce the names of the chairman and the members of the first council, which the committee recommend ' be appointed by the Government until elected representatives can take their place according to a formula worked out by the committee. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has agreed that, to ensure a favourable start for the Institute, contributions from members and from industry shall, as necessary, be supplemented by an initial grant not to exceed £ 150,000 over five years, this money to be provided from public funds subject to its being voted by Parliament year by year. After that time the Institute will have to be self-supporting.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the purpose of the fortnightly publication entitled "British Zone Review;" the cost and who bears it; the printing order and annual consumption of paper; and where it is circulated.

The purpose of the "British Zone Review" is to keep the personnel of the British element of the Control Commission and of the British Army of the Rhine informed of developments in the British Zone and of the problems confronting the administration. Its cost, of which I cannot give an estimate without further inquiry, is almost entirely borne by Germany. It is printed in Germany by Germans on a requisitioned German press; the annual consumption of paper, obtained from German stocks, is approximately 20 tons. The circulation is 15,000 fortnightly. Most of the copies are, of course, distributed to British personnel in Germany, but copies are also sent to newspaper editors and others in the United Kingdom and overseas as well as to hon. Members on request.