asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will now amend the practice with regard to the granting of permits for reconditioned ex-Service motor cars and make such permits available, where required, without exception, to all ex-Servicemen who have lost a leg and who, in consequence, find difficulty in using public vehicles.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether any reconditioned ex-Service motor cars are available for issue to local authorities to enable them to equip their works superintendents and other officials in a manner which will enable them to increase the rate of progress of their housing schemes.

I regret that the number of these cars becoming available is so small that I must reserve them, except for a small proportionwhich are allocated to nurses and midwives, for badly disabled ex-Servicemen. As regards the latter, I can only entertain applications from those with a disability of 100 per cent. or thereabouts, who need a car to enable them to obtain a livelihood.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that a South-East Lancashire and East Cheshire Municipal Passenger Transport Joint Advisory Committee has been set up, consisting of the following municipaltransport authorities: Manchester, Sal-ford, Bolton, Ashton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Stalybridge; and what assistance he is prepared to give the committee to improve the transport of the area.

This Joint Advisory Committee has not yet approached my Department, but I have asked the Regional Transport Commissioner for the North-Western Region to consider carefully any proposals which it may put forward relating to the improvement of the local transport facilities.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that medical practitioners in the country districts of Scotland are unable to obtain motor cars to carry out their work; and whether he will restore the priority system in cases where, the possession of a motor car is essential in the national interest.

I do not think that it is necessary or practicable to restore the priority system but I am reminding manufacturers of the importance of giving preference to applicants needing cars in the national interest. All holders of licences under the old system are entitled to priority in delivery.

asked the. Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that, although the new omnibus service between Shaftesbury, East Orchard and Sturminster Newton was agreed to at Reading on 20th February, no action has yet been taken owing to the delay of his Department in providing the necessary licence; and, in view of the length of time that this matter has now taken, whether he will instruct his Department to issue this licence quickly.

Following the inquiry, revised proposals were submitted, which the Regional Transport Commissioner approved in a letter to the company dated 6th March. In that letter the Commissioner urged that the service should be introduced at an early date. The permit has now been issued.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether the 10 per cent. surcharge on bills for refreshment served by railway companies is in lieu of tips; whether this amount was fixed after consultation with the representative trade union concerned; and whether the employees concerned are paid a trade union rate of pay in addition to this surcharge.

The service charge was designed to take the place of tips but was not fixed in consultation with any trade union. The employees concerned are paid, at rates agreed with, or within the knowledge of, the appropriate trade unions, plus the service charge.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that a strong feeling exists among residents of Spilsby, Lincolnshire, and the surrounding district, that the passenger train service between Spilsby and Firsby should be resumed at the earliest possible moment; and when this service will be restored.

Yes, Sir, but having regard to the present limited resources of the railway company and to the alternative omnibus service available to meet the needs of the comparatively small number of passengers in this district, I do not consider that the restoration of this service would be justified at present. The position will be reviewed when conditions improve.

asked the Minister of War Transport the amount of compensation paid for loss of office under the Railways Act, 1921, to railway directors; the amounts paid in compensation to officers receiving salary at the rate of more than £350 per annum; the amount of compensation paid to members of the railway staff receiving £350 or less per annum; the number of cases settled by agreement and the number referred to the arbitrator in each class above; and the legal costs of the cases decided by the arbitrator, to the railway companies, and to the railway trade unions.

I regret that this information is not available, but 1 am making inquiries and will circulate the information in the Official Report later.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether, in view of the long waiting list for berths to South Africa, he will recommend special priority for the travel of aged parents who wish to visit their children in South Africa before they die.

Iregret that the pressure on passenger space in South Africa makes it impossible at present to provide for those who wish to travel solely for private reasons. If, however, urgent compassionate reasons exist, special consideration will be given to the merits of any particular case. If the person concerned is a South African national, the matter is one for the High Commissioner for South Africa.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether, pending the repair of the Weston pier, it is possible to re-open the remainder of the steamship service between South Wales and other Bristol channel ports

Yes, Sir, as far as is practicable with the ships available to the steamship company. Two vessels are now being reconditioned for the service, and a third is under construction It is hoped that one vessel will be ready by Easter to resume a service between Bristol, Cardiff and other ports in the area.

asked the Minister of War Transport what steps are taken to offer cargo space in His Majesty's troop transports not retained for Government cargo to shipping agents for the purpose of shipping commercial cargo.

There is no general shortage of cargo space for exports from this country and the question whether troop transports can be delayed to load cargo does not therefore arise except in special cases which are considered on their merits.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the fact that the reduction or proposed reduction of scientific personnel in Government establishments and elsewhere indicate a lack of overall co-ordinated planning forscientific research work and will prejudice the operation of decisions of the Scientific Manpower Commission, he will arrange that no further redundancy notices will be issued until the Report of the Commission has been made and implemented.

I am afraid that I cannot give the assurance for which my hon. Friend asks. The need for scientists in the universities and the teaching profession, and in civilian industry is so pressing that the Government would not be justified in delaying the release from Government service of any scientific worker whose retention is not absolutely essential. I understand that this view is likely to be in accordance with the recommendations of the Scientific Manpower Committee. The Ministry of Labour and National Service is actively engaged in seeing that the services of the scientists released are used in the best interests of the nation.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he is aware that parcels sent through the Chief Rabbi's Religious Emergency Council for relief purposes to Europe, are distributed only to Jews; and if he will give instructions that all such parcels shall be distributed to the persons to whom they are addressed, and intended, without discrimination as to their religious persuasion.

There is no authorised channel for sending relief parcels to named persons in the British Zones of Germany and Austria. Voluntary organisations can only send addressed parcels to their own relief workers in the field

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what steps have been or are to be taken in the British zone of Occupied Germany to restore to newly formed co-operative organisations the property previously owned by the German Co-operative Movement which was confiscated by the Nazis in 1934–35.

Newly formed Co-operative societies are permitted to apply to the military government in the British zone for the custodianship and use of former Co-operative properties. It is not possible to restore the title to these properties until inter-Allied decisions have been reached regarding the disposal generally of the property taken over by the German Labour Front and other Naziorganisations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of girls who have joined the W.L.A. from 1st January, 1946, to the nearest known date.

The number of recruits to the Women's Land Army for England and Wales between 1st January and 9th March, 1946, was 1,387.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now take steps to have part of the airfields at Harlaxton, Barkston, Coleby, and any others which can be spared in Kesteven derequisitioned, in order that farmers may use to the full advantage this land.

Arrangements are being made by the Government for the maximum agricultural use of airfields compatible with flying and operational requirements. The three airfields referred to by the hon. Member are, I understand, still required for flying use.

asked the Minister ofAgriculture if he is aware that because of a legal dispute between the Grimsby Town Council and the Lindsey County Council, the lower part of Ings Drain, Waltham, has not been put in order and 60 acres of good land are waterlogged; and if he will take steps to get this work done immediately

I am not in a position to intervene in a legal dispute and, in fact, neither of the parties concerned have approached me in the matter. I have, however, called for a report and will write to the hon. Member as soon as Ihave had an opportunity of studying it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the present 11,356,000 acres now used for grazing could not be better used for the growth of cereal crops and vegetables; and whether he has any comparative figures of the produce of foodper acre to indicate the difference.

In the Government's view, we should aim during this year and next at a return to the 1945 tillage area and at the production of the maximum weight of cereals with a special emphasis on wheat. With present supplies of labour, equipment and materials, and having regard also to the need for maximum milk production, this use of our agricultural land is considered likely to produce the best results in terms of output. No firm figure exists for the gain in food per acre due to the conversion of grazing land to cereals or vegetables

asked the Minister of Agriculture at what prices the fruit tree stocks supplied by his Ministry's research stations are sold to nurserymen; whether supplies are available to individuals as well as to nurserymen; at what prices grafted stocks supplied by nurserymen to individuals are controlled; and whether he will make arrangements to enable stocks to be grafted at the research stations and sold at reasonable prices direct to the general public.

The fruit seedlings root stocks raised at the Long Ashton Research Station from seed obtained from North America under emergency arrangements made by my Department have all beendisposed of to nurserymen and fruit growers. They were sold at prices approximating to the following:

1944–45

Apples—

Grade 1—70s per thousand, 9s per hundred.

Grade 2—35s per thousand. 4s. 6d. per hundred.

Grade 3—15s per thousand, 2s. per hundred.

1945–46

Apples—50s. per thousand.

Plums—100s. per thousand.

Cherries—250s. per thousand.

Sales of grafted stocks are not subject to price control. It is in my view neither necessary nor desirable that research stations should engage in the normal commercial business of grafting stocke for sale to the general public.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Jamaicans, who in the past have been loaned to the U.S.A. for agricultural work, are willing to offer themselves for similar work in this country during the summer months; and, in view of the shortage of labour which islikely to affect the harvest, if he will explore the possibilities of using this labour from the Empire.

The possibility of bringing West Indian labour to this country for agricultural work has been carefully considered by the Departments concerned, but owing to shipping, accommodation and other difficulties has been found impracticable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an assurance that he is in touch with the Herring Industry Board with regard to the disposal of craft suitable for herring fishing.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if it is his intention to submit to the Ship Building Committee set up by the Admiralty, proposals for the building of a number of Admiralty vessels suitable for the fishing industry, to be used in the first instance either by the Admiralty or by fishermen on a system of charter; and if he will consult the fishing industrybefore making such representations.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what types of aircraft are being purchased from the U.S.A. for use in the R.A.F.; and what is the cost.

No aircraft are being purchased by my Department from the U.S.A. for use in the R.A.F.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if, before decidingthe site for the proposed extension of the runway at Filton aerodrome, he will consider the possibility of avoiding the demolition of property; and if he will inform those likely to be affected at the earliest opportunity and assure them in the event of their being dispossessed that reasonable alternative accommodation will be provided and adequate compensation paid to them.

I regret that it is not possible to extend the runway at Filton airfield sufficiently for flying the Braba-zon I aircraftwithout demolishing some 36 houses. The earliest possible notice will be given to those whose land and buildings it will be necessary to acquire forthe purpose and fair compensation will be paid to them. Alternative accommodation will be provided beforehand for the local residents who will be dispossessed of their homes, and it is my intention to send representatives shortly to Bristol, to hold a meeting of those affected and to explain what is proposed and to answer any questions which they may wish to ask

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he has any statement of policy to make on the future employment of scientific and research staff, in view of the proposed cuts in the establishment of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that 40 per cent. of the staff of the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough have been declared redundant; and, as these dismissals show that no co-ordinated plan for the allocation of scientific manpower had been made, that there will be a further cutting down of the total research work in the country to the detriment of production, if he will take immediate steps to allocate urgent civilian scientific research work to be undertaken by the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough.

The scientific staff at the Royal Aircraft Establishment was greatly enlarged during the war and the present cuts in it will make scientists available to meet pressing educational and industrial needs. My Ministry will maintain a substantial and highly qualified corps of scientists to cover its defence and other responsibilities, including civil aviation, but it would not be possible for them to undertake outside civilian work.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the total number of Air Ministry and Ministry of Aircraft Production officials attached to the aircraft manufacturing companies as compared with the figure for August 1945; and how far the decline in numbers bears relation to the decline in the output of aircraft.

No Air Ministry officials are attached to aircraft manufacturing companies. The number of Ministry of Aircraft Production officials is 1,084, as against 2,329 in August, 1945. The functions of this staff are not confined to production matters, and their number cannot be related directly to numbers of aircraft currently being produced.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the names of the members appointed to form the National Advisory Council for the Motor Manufacturing Industry.

Yes, Sir.Mr. R. C. Rootes, .Sir Miles Thomas, D.F.C.,Mr. L. P. Lord,Mr. S. Wilks,Mr. R F. Fryars,Sir Charles Bartlett,Sir Peter Bennett, O.B.E., J.P., M.P.Mr. W. R. Black,Mr. George Wansbrough,Mr. H. Halliwell, andMr. R. Openshaw.There will also be an official representative from my Ministry, one from the Board of Trade and one from the Ministry of War Transport. Mr. O. S. Franks, the Permanent Secretary of my Ministry will preside. The Joint Secretaries will be Mr. C. Bennett of my Ministry and Lieutenant-Colonel D. C. McLagan, the Secretary of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Limited.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how he intends to dispose of the large numbers of motor cars, motor cycles, trucks and lorries now concentrated at Prestwood, Bucks.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that the motor trade is unable to recondition the large quantities of Government vehicles before re-sale to the public; that, in consequence, large numbers are becoming scrap; and if he will authorise the sale of such vehicles direct to the public, ex site.

asked theMinister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many surplus and used motor cars and lorries are still being held for disposal; and whether, in view of the shortage for civi- lian purposes and the deterioration taking place in the case of vehicles dumped in the open, he will immediately offer for sale all those fit for the road in their present state.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether, in view of the fact that thousands of Service vehicles are lying out in the open and deteriorating and in view of the urgent public need for these, especially in the distributing trades both at home and in Europe, he will forthwith put them up to public auction,

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if, in view of the scarcity of new motor cars, and the number of ex-Service vehicles now being broken up, he will allow persons who have placed firm orders for new motor cars to hire redundant vehicles at their risk until new motor cars can be delivered.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what policy is being followed in the disposal of surplus vehicles.

At present, some 41,000 vehicles, including about 12,500 motor cycles, are under the control of my Ministry awaiting disposal. The majority of the repairable vehicles of normal types so far declared surplus in this country have been sold through trade channels under an approved scheme whereby they are made available to users in a properly reconditioned state and at fixed prices. Thanks to the willing co-operation ofthe motor trade this scheme has worked well and to the mutual advantage of the Exchequer, the user, and the legitimate trade interests. We propose to continue to operate it.

I have, however, decided that it is necessary to supplement this scheme by special sales to clear as rapidly as possible the accumulations of vehicles of a variety of types at various parks throughout the country, such as that at Prestwood. I have arranged for sales by auction on the sites of these parks. Purchasers who buy in the auctions will be required to take the vehicles as they lie and "as is "—according to the phraseology of the trade —without guarantee of any kind. It will be for the purchaser himself to remove them, to arrange for such repairs as are necessary and to comply with the requirements of the law as to safety.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many of the surplus N.F.S. vehicles stored at Hollyfields, Rectory Road, Sutton Coldfield, have been disposed of; and the nature of such disposal.

One hundred and sixteen vehicles, beyond reasonable repair, have been moved to a breakdown depot. The remainder are to be sold by auctionas soon as this can be arranged.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if it is proposed to allow the sale in this country of a proportion of surplus Army stock of lightweight folding motor cycles, known as Welbike, to individuals desiring to purchase for their own use.

All surpluses so far declared have been disposed of to an export firm for re-sale to America. This transaction was particularly welcome in view of the urgent need for dollars. These machines could not in any case have been used on the roads in this country without considerable conversion to comply with the requirements of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the number of Class 6 vehicles sent to his depot at Ruddington for breaking up this year; and the number of these put on one side by the depot superintendent as suitable for further use.

1,713 vehicles have been sent to Ruddington for scrapping this year, and 163 of them have been set aside for further examination.

asked the Minister ofSupply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware of the difficulty of obtaining wire netting in the Reigate Division of Surrey without a permit from the W.A.E.C; that such permits are only granted to commercial growers, with the result that many vegetables in private gardens are destroyed by pests; and if he will take steps to improve the supply of wire netting in the interests of food production.

There is an overall shortage of supplies of wire netting due to the lack of skilled labour in the wire industry and to a shortage of raw materials. We are doing all we can to improve the position, and I am examining specially the needs of the small user.

asked the Minister ofSupply and of Aircraft Production what complaints he has received that the shortage of electrical material is holding up the housing programme; and if he will give an assurance that the export of such material will not be allowed to hold up housing in this country.

Shortage ofelectrical material is not holding up the housing programme, although supplies are not yet sufficient to meet the demand for replacements. I can certainly give my hon. Friend the assurance that export will not be allowed to hold up the housing programme.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he has now had an opportunity of considering the letter sent to him by the general secretary of the Association of Scientific Workers, on the advisability of setting up a working party for the radio industry; and if, in this working party, he will consider having representatives from firms outside the big combines.

I have considered the letter to which my hon. Friend refers but do not think that this would be an appropriate way of dealing with the questions raised in it. We are communicating with the Association.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Pro duction if he is aware that the M.A.P. bungalows at Horsforth are inferior and more expensive than local authority housing in the district; and, in view of the fact that the rents are out of line with similar accommodation elsewhere, if he will again review the position.

These bungalows, which conform to wartime standards of construction, are not eligible for subsidy under the Housing Acts and the rents are in line with those charged for similar unsubsidised accommodation in the district and elsewhere. The general question of the basis of assessment of rents for houses controlled by my Department is, however, under review and I will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as a decision is reached.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production why despite the fact that his Department received a cheque for £420 on 4th December, 1945, from the Bolton and District Boy Scouts' Association, only frames without rucksacks have been delivered which are worth only a few shillings.

This Association unfortunately misread my Department's offer, which was of rucksack frames and not rucksacks and tendered without inspecting the goods. As the Association is not a commercial one trading for profit, we have decided to cancel the contract and arrangements have been made to refund the money.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that a mobile field-kitchen, with the inscription that it was presented by the citizens of Leeds, is now consigned to a dump at Prestwood, Bucks; and, if the purpose for which it was presented no longer exists, why it was not offered back to the donors.

This field kitchen was obtained among others to meet the needs of S.H.A.E.F. It is not now required and will be offered back to the donors.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that chemists in East-leigh, Hants, are still awaiting delivery of their November allocation of cotton "wool; and whether he will expedite deliveries so as to relieve the sufferings of the sick.

I was not aware ofa shortage of cotton wool in Eastleigh, but if my hon. Friend will let me have fuller particulars, I will do my best to help and quickly.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that chemists under contract with county insurance committees are unable to obtain sufficient supplies of liquid paraffin, cotton wool and other surgical dressings, to supply their strictly medical needs; and if he can indicate when ample supplies will be available.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 14th March to the hon. Members for Reigate (Mr. Touche) and Kingston upon Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to lift the British Standards Institution package regulations instituted during the war.

Most of these have already been withdrawn. The only ones that are still in force relate to metal and glass containers, in the manufacture of which the shortage of labour is still so great as to preclude any relaxation at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now consider a special allocation of coupons to those who are about to get married.

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in the case of persons employed in the making-up of cloth into clothing in factories exclusively devoted to this purpose and provided with mechanical power, additional clothing coupons are only issued where the number of employees so employed exceeds 10 workers.

In the case of the clothing industry, the Industrial Ten supplement is intended for workers whoseclothing suffers exceptionally heavy wear and tear whilst working under factory conditions. I do not think that it would be practicable to define those conditions except by restricting the issue to establishments where more than 10 are employed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, following his recent decision to grant 20 extra clothing coupons to each of the 500 employees of Messrs. Baldwin, Limited, King's Dock Tin Plate Works, Swansea, these coupons, instead of being made available to the men individually, were delivered to the secretary of the men's union who deposited them all with the local Co-operative Society which in turn issued vouchers on their shop to the men; whether this procedure was approved by him; and whether he will make a full statement.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a full statement, as I am having full inquiries made into this incident. I will arrange for a communication to be sent to the hon.and gallant Member as soon as possible. I am informed, however, that the coupon equivalent document to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was in fact offered to private traders before it was accepted by the local Co-operative Society.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many brickworks in South Wales are now being used for storage purposes.

In South Wales, seven requisitioned brickworks are still used, wholly or partly, for storage purposes Five of these premises, suitable for production, should be vacated by April next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the proposed import of rayon from Japan and on its effect on employment in the British rayon industry.

I am not aware of any such proposal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much paper has been exported from this country during the past six months; and what were the countries of destination.

The total quantity of paper exported during the six months from August, 1945, to January, 1946, was 14,846 tons. Details of the countries of destination for exports of paper only are not readily available, but below is a table showing the principal countries for paper and board combined. In the period in question, exports of board amounted to 4,980 tons—only one-quarter of the total export.

United Kingdom exports of paper, cardboard, etc., from August, 1945, to January, 1946
Country to which consigned.	Quantity. Tons.
Eire	3,069
Australia	2,585
British India	2,266
New Zealand	1,171
British East Africa	1,070
Union of South Africa	984
British West Africa	981
Ceylon	766
British West India Islands	262
Other British countries.	1,795
Netherlands	1,024
United States of America	745
Argentine Republic	640
Belgium	232
Other Foreign countries	2,236
Total	19,826

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the many ex-Servicemen returning to their former employment as cabinet makers, he will now agree to an increase in the quota of timber allocated to the furniture and cabinet making industry.

My hon. Friend may be assured that I shall do my best to ensure a fair share of timber for furniture production, having regard to other essential requirements. A considerable increase was in fact made in the allocation for the current period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that unemployment is being threatened and orders refused in the High Wycombe furniture industry because of the lack of supplies of raw material; and whether he will take steps to improve the position.

I am not aware that unemployment in the furniture industry is threatened in the High Wycombe area. Efforts are constantly being made to obtain more materials for the industry and to apportion the supplies so that firms throughout the country can maintain their capacity for employment. I am satisfied that High Wycombe receives its fair share of the raw materials available. Demand for furniture is very much greater than supply and in these circumstances individual manufacturers are frequently unable to accept all the orders sent to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement on the Memorandum, dated 27th February, 1946, submitted to him by the English Schools Football Association, in support of the claim that those schools affiliated to the English Schools Football Association be given facilities to purchase football clothing and footballs.

No, Sir. But I am looking into the possibilities of what can be done for- football next season, and will certainly take into consideration the Memorandum of the English School Football Association'.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that 200 German scientists and technicians are to be brought here to work in an advisory capacity; whether he is satisfied that all these people are anti-Nazis; and if he will circulate, in the Official Report, detailed information concerning their names, qualifications and political history.

The Government's policy in this matter was set out in the answer which was given on the 19th December to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Workington (Lieutenant Peart), in which I stated that any Germans brought in under this scheme must be politically unobjectionable, and that they would be subject to strict supervision while they are here. It would not be practicable to publish the information asked for, nor would it be desirable in the public interest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now consider extending the range of manufacture of utility furniture.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Bucklow (Mr. W. Shepherd) on 6th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many blankets, sheets and mattresses, respec- tively, have been sent from this country to Europe.

During the six months July to December, 1945, 156,000 pairs of woollen and 5,000 pairs of cotton blankets were exported to Europe. As sheets and mattresses are not separately recorded in the export statistics, I regret that the information for these commodities is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what finding has been given by the U.S. Court of Customs and Patents Appeals on the question of including British purchase tax in the value of goods imported into the U.S.A., on which ad valorem duty is levied.

The United States Court of Customs and Patents Appeals has not yet given judgment

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of looms which his Department have given permission to export during the next 12 months.

Licences for the supply of textile machinery to a specified value are issued to individual manufacturers for six monthly periods from the time the particular manufacturer is ready to start a new production programme. It is not possible therefore to state the number of looms represented by these licences for a given period ahead, but deliveries of weaving machinery for export in the last quarter of 1945 were £125,000 in value as compared with deliveries to the home market of £298,000 in value.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the delivery quoted for automatic looms in this country.

Delivery periods vary between manufacturers, but those being quoted at present are protracted. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply is taking all practicable steps to improve the output, and I hope that these efforts will result in an improved delivery position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of automatic looms which have been exported during the last 12 months; and to what destinations.

Automatic looms are not separately specified in the export statistics and the information requested is therefore not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the high prices at which real sponges are being offered for sale; and if he will take steps to control these prices.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on January 30th to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of men's bathing trunks in Bedford; and whether he will make early arrangements for an improved supply.

Yes, Sir. The production of bathing trunks, sacrificed during the war to more essential garments, is now getting under way again; but though it is as large as materials will allow, it must be some time before supplies are adequate, either in Bedford or elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why titanium oxide and tri-cresyl phosphate, which are re quired for the production of coloured polyvinyl chloride, are being exported on instructions from his Department to such an extent that the manufacturers of polyvinyl chloride have now no stocks available for supplying this commodity to manufacturers of extruded products using polyvinyl chloride in this country; and if he is aware that, in consequence of this, the production of the completed articles has been stopped or seriously hindered.

Exports of titanium oxide have been permitted to an extent agreed with the manufacturers in order to meet the needs of Empire countries. No arrangement has been made by my Department as to the level of exports of tri-cresyl phosphate. Inquiries are being made regarding the supply of these materials to manufacturers of coloured polyvinyl chloride and the effect of any shortage on the output of extruded products. I will arrange for the result of those inquiries to be communicated to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that certain difficulties have arisen in the transfer of machines in Tullo's factory, Aberdeen, from the Government to Scottish agricultural industries; that these difficulties are preventing full employment there; and if he will specify these difficulties and have them removed so that this factory can start full working as soon as possible.

I have called for a report on this matter and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of plate glass" have been shipped abroad since D-Day.

The quantity of polished plate glass exported from the United Kingdom during the period June, 1944, to January, 1946, was 9,409,992 square feet.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that delivery of upholstered goods to retailers is now taking from 12 to 18 months; and whether he has any proposals for increasing the supply of goods of this nature.

No, Sir. The average delay in the delivery of upholstered goods over the country as a whole is about four months. This is due to the shortage of suitable covering materials, which I am doing my best to remedy, both by increasing new production and by the use of surpluses.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what procedure is adopted by his Department in the disposal of surplus Government factories; and whether he will assure the House that small businesses, outside of the big combines and cartels, have the same opportunity of acquiring these premises as the large combines.

The allocation of surplus Government factories is made normally in accordance with the recommendation of an Interdepartmental Committee which is guided by criteria of national interest. Particulars of these criteria have been published and I am sending my hon. Friend a note on the subject. All manufacturers wishing to use surplus Government factories have been invited to register their requirements with my Department, and they are notified whenever suitable premises become available. Small businesses have exactly the same opportunity as large ones.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are taken to help British nationals whose property in Italy was damaged in the war as a result of occupation by the Germans and bombing and shelling by the Allies; and if he will give an assurance that the interests of these people will not be overlooked by the British authorities when drawing up the peace treaty with Italy.

Throughout the war, registration facilities have been available toBritish owners of property in Italy. Particulars of property so registered were made available to the military authorities, and as and when Italian territory was liberated appropriate action was taken with the Italian sequestrators to ensure protection of the property. Whilst responsibility for this property remains with the Italian Government until satisfactory arrangements can be made for its return to the owners, Consular officers, who have taken over this task from the military authorities, are ready to safeguard owners' interests and particularly to give advice as to the state of their property and to endeavour to arrange for necessary repairs to be carried out by the Italian authoritiesto prevent further deterioration.It is hoped that early arrangements will be made for the return of the property to owners. Consular officers are responsible for advising owners or their representatives resident in Italy, but inquiries originating in the United Kingdom should be addressed to the Controller General, Trading with the Enemy Department, 24, Kingsway, London, W.C.2, who will secure reports from the Consular Officers and forward them to the owners here. His Majesty's Government are not yet in aposition to receive and sponsor claims for loss or damage sustained since the outbreak of war, but the interests of United Nations owners of property in Italy will be borne in mind in connection with the Peace Treaty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated cost to the taxpayer of the 10 working parties recently set up; and the cost to date of existing working parties.

It is not possible to estimate the cost of the 10 working parties recently set up. It will depend largely on factors which cannot at present be foreseen, such as the nature and length of their inquiries. The cost to date of the five working parties set up in October is £2,297, of which about £1,850 represents the expenses of the missions sent by the furniture and hosiery working parties to Switzerland and America.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the profession and present occupation of the ten chairmen of the recently appointed working parties; and will they and the other members receive salaries or allowances.

I append a statement giving particulars of the present and past occupations of the ten Chairmen of the recently appointed Working Parties. It will be seen that they include men of distinction in several walks of life. As 1 told the hon. and gallant Member for East Renfrew (Major Lloyd) on 13th November last, members of Working Parties areentitled to the normal expenses which can be claimed by members of Government Committees Such expenses can also be claimed by Chairmen. No salaries are paid either to the Chairmen or to members of Working Parties for their services.

Name of Chairman	Industry.	Particulars.
General Sir Ronald Forbes Adam. Bart.. K . C . B . D. S. O.,O.B.E., LL.D. (Hon.).	Linoleum	Adjutant General to the Forces. (General Adam will assume the Chairmanship on relinquishing hi? appointment as Adjutant General.!
Mr. Geoffrey Cunlitte .. Mr. S. J. L. Hardie, D.S.O., LL.D.	Carpets Jute	Managing Director, The British Aluminium Co. Ltd. Chairman of the Directors of the British Oxygen Co. and its-Associated Companies.
The Right Honourable Sir Richard V. N. Hopkins, G.C.B.	Woo	Formerly Permanent Secretary to H.M. Treasury and official head of the Civil Service. Chairman of the Census of Distribution Committee.
Professor W. R. Jones, D.Sc., D.I.C.M.I.M.M.	China Clay	Advisor to the Board of Trade on the China-Clay industry Dean of the Royal School of Mines; Professor of Mining Geology at the Imperial College of Science and Technology; formerly Managing Director in Burma of the High Speed Alloys Mining Co., and of the Malayan China Clay and Pottery Co.
Mr. C. R. Morris, M.A	Jewellery and Silverware	Headmaster, King Edward's School, Birmingham , formerly Fellow and Tutor of Balliol College, Oxford. Professor of Philosophy at University of Michigan, U.S.A. During the war, Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Supply and Under Secretary, Ministry of Production.
Mr. Joseph L. MusgTave M.I.C.E., M.I.H.V.E	Cutlery	Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Richard Crittall & Co. Ltd.; Joint Managing Director, Air Ducts Ltd.; Chairman, Grierson Ltd., and Crittall Kitchen Equipment Co. Ltd.; Director of Dulrae Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Magnetic Valve Co. Ltd., Clarke and Vigilant Sprinklers Ltd.; President, N. V. Stralingswarmte. Amsterdam; Chairman, Invisible Panel Warming Association;' President, Federation of Associations of Specialists and Sub-Contractors; past President, Institution of Heating and Ventilating Engineers and Association ol Heating and Ventilating and Domestic Engineering Employers.
Miss L. S. Sutherland M.A., F.R.Hist.S.	Lace	Principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. Formerly Assistant Secretary, Board of Trade, and Tutor in Economic History and Politics at Somerville College.
Sir Cecil M. Weir K.B.E., M.C., D.L.	Heavy Clothing	Partner in Schrader, Mitchell & Weir; Director of the Union Bank of Scotland, Ltd.; Former President. Glasgow Chamber of Commerce; former Chairman, Overseas Committee of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce; Vice-President of the Scottish Development Council; Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Empire Exhibition (Scotland), 1938; Chairman 0f the Scottish National Council for Refugees; Civil Defence Commissioner for Western Scotland till April, 1940; Controller General of Factory and Storage Premises, Board of Trade, 1941 /1942; (Director General of Equipment and Stores, Ministry of Supply since May, 1942). (Sir Cecil Weir will assume the Chairmanship on relinquishing his appointment as Director General of Equipment and Stores.)
Mr. Clough Williams-Ellis, M.C., J.P.. F.R.I.B.A., M.T.P.I.	Hand Blown Domestic Glassware	Architect. Past President, Design and Industry Association. Member of Welsh Reconstruction Advisory Council and of Art Committee. University of Wales. Company Director and Author

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the English author of a book published in the U.S.A. is re- entitled to the normal expenses which can be claimed by members of Government Committess Such expenses can also be claimed by Chairmen. No salaries are paid either to Chairmen or to members of Working Parties for their services.quired to have an import licence to import into this country the six free author's copies presented to him by the U.S. publishers; and whether he will waive this-requirement in respect of such copies.

I see no reason for extending the concession under which single copies of printed books may be imported through the post without an import licence, but, in cases of the kind referred to by the hon. Member, an author will have no difficulty in obtaining the necessary import licence provided that the facts are made clear when the application for the licence is submitted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to see that the proportion of British goods which are supplied to continental governments are transported in British ships in accordance with shipping agreements between the countries concerned; and that the practice of selling f.o.b., which allows the buyer to dictate the vessel in which goods are to be transported will cease.

No, Sir. While His Majesty's Government are determined that British shipping should secure fair participation in the trade between this country and the Continent of Europe, action by His Majesty's Government on the lines suggested would be contrary to the view which my right hon. Friend, the Minister of War Transport, has already stated in this House to be the basis of our policy that the interests of all countries are best served by the fullest international freedom for ships to ply in all trades. His Majesty's Government will take all possible steps to bring about the general adoption of this policy. For this reason, His Majesty's Government are opposed to discriminatory practices by Governments limiting cargoes to their national flag.

asked the Minister of Food how much maize he expects will be imported during 1946 for use as animal feeding-stuff.

I regret it is not possible to state at this stage what quantity of maize will be imported during 1946 for animal feeding-stuffs. A quantity has already arrived and further quantities purchased for shipment. It is hoped to continue making purchases, provided the supplying countries will authorise the export.

asked the Minister of Food the average number of eggs per week produced by the total of farm poultry in England and Wales; the average number made available for retail distribution; and what is the explanation for the difference.

The estimated total production of eggs in England and Wales during the year ended 31st May, 1945, averaged approximately 24 million eggs per week. The rate of production varies very considerably throughout the year. Of this estimated production the average per week distributed to consumers through the Ministry's distribution scheme together with those allocated to the Services was approximately 18 million eggs. The balance was disposed of in the following ways: consumed in the households of producers, used for hatching purposes, legal sales by producers with 25 head of poultry or less, breakages, and a certain volume of illegal sales. It is not possible to state relative quantities disposed of in these various ways.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he will be able to reduce the period of service abroad in the Army

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my statement on this subject during my Speech on the Army Estimates on Thursday last

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to be able to release 14676241 Private R. V. Pead, now at Misken Manor convalescent hospital, on compassionate grounds, in accordance with the undertaking given on 20th December, 1945.

Private Pead was released on 9th March.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. and gallant Member for North Dorset can expect an answer to his letter of 22nd January concerning Rifleman H. Simmons.

The hon. and gallant Member will no doubt by now have received the letter which was sent to him on 14th March.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can hold out hope of the early derequisition of the agricultural land between Broad Hinton and Marlborough needed for arable purposes.

I regret that I cannot say what the future of this area will be until the Army's requirements of land as a whole have been fully considered and discussed with the other departments concerned. The work of reviewing future military requirements of land is being carried out as quickly as possible, and in this connection the hon. and gallant Member may care to refer to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Merioneth (Squadron-Leader Emrys Roberts) on 22nd January.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can hold out hope of an early derequisition of the camp on Marlborough Common, needed for housing purposes.

Yes, Sir. I hope that so far as my Department is concerned it will be possible to release this camp at an early date.

asked the Minister of Education the present total number of teachers in the National schools; how many university graduates, two-year trainees from recognised training colleges, and one-year trainees from improvised emergency colleges, respectively, have been drafted into these schools since 1st April, 1945; how many new buildings or new premises have been taken over by the schools within the same period; and how many of these have been prefabricated huts and buildings, respectively.

At the end of December, 1945, there were approximately 176,000 teachers in maintained and assisted primary and secondary schools. The information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available, but it will be appreciated that the first colleges established under the Ministry's Emergency Training Scheme were opened only in May, 1945, and as the course lasts one year, none of their students have yet left college. There are, however, now serving in the schools 28 teachers who followed an emergency course of training which began in the autumn of 1944 at Goldsmiths' Training College.In answer to the third and fourth parts of the Question, no new permanent buildings for schools have been erected since April, 1945. Prefabricated huts have been supplied for use as classrooms at about 100 schools in order to extend the teaching accommodation

asked the Minister of Education how many university graduates have, since V-Day, obtained transfers from elementary schools to grammar schools; and how many graduate teachers have asked to be returned, or have returned to their schools upon being demobilised.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to introduce the Health Bill.

I hope that the Bill will be presented on Wednesday, 20th March, and will be available in the Vote Office on the following day.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will specify the categories of persons who will be for any reason out with the National Insurance scheme as at present proposed when it is in full operation; and whether he will provide an estimate, showing men and women separately, of the numbers of persons there will be in each of these categories in 1949, or at any other convenient date after the scheme is in full operation, assuming that all those who possess an option to remain outside the scheme exercise that option.

Under the National Insurance scheme all persons in Great Britain over school leaving age and under pensionable age, will be insured, with the exception of the very small class of persons resident here for short periods only and, subject to special conditions, non- gainfully occupied married women who elect not to be insured. Such women, estimated to number about eight millions in 1948, will, however, remain eligible for benefits on their husband's insurance. In addition, gainfully occupied married women may elect not to pay contributions but they too will be similarly eligible on their husband's insurance. In 1948 they are estimated at about 1½ millions. Self-employed and non-employed persons whose incomes do not exceed £104 a year may elect to be excepted from payment of contributions, thus foregoing title to benefits. The number of persons in these classes is estimated in 1948 to be about 4¾ millions, but the number of persons with incomes below £104 is not known.