asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the transport difficulties facing the Government and people of Poland in their efforts to organise the distribution of food and medical aid, His Majesty's Government will offer assistance to Poland, with regard, particularly, to the bridges destroyed during the war.

His Majesty's Government are conscious of the urgent need of material for the reconstruction of the Polish transport system, which was left in a chaotic condition after the German occupation. In order to facilitate the distribution of U.N.R.R.A. supplies and of goods produced in Poland, His Majesty's Government have decided to make available to the Polish Provisional Government, as a further contribution to the rehabilitation of Poland, a quantity of railway bridging, the shipment of which has already begun. As the Polish Provisional Government are not in a position to pay for this material, which consists mainly of surplus stores, it has been decided to send it as a gift. Its value is approximately £535,000.

Will my hon. Friend arrange for these bridges to be marked in some way, or otherwise make arrangements so that the Polish people may know from where they are coming?

We will consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the raid carried out a few days ago by some 300 members of the Polish Security Police on the headquarters of the Polish Peasant Party in Warsaw; whether he is aware that the offices of the "Gazeta Ludowa," the organ of the Polish Peasant Party, were 'surrounded and searched, that the editor's desk was ransacked and documents taken away; and whether he has asked the British Ambassador in Warsaw to protest against these proceedings as inconsistent with the Yalta Agreement.

A report has recently been received from his Majesty's Ambassador upon this incident. My right hon. Friend is giving the subject his closest attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that His Majesty's Government pledged themselves both at Yalta and at Potsdam to see that elections in Poland should take place as soon as possible, he has given his approval to the proposed postponement of the general election to the autumn.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has addressed an inquiry on this subject to the Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs and is awaiting a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make on events in Persia.

In the absence of any reply to the inquiries which we addressed to the Soviet Government on 3rd March and subsequently, I regret that I am not in a position to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in this House on 14th March.

Without wishing to press the Minister on this very delicate question, may I ask if he has heard any official confirmation of the Moscow broadcast which was recorded in this morning's Press?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will provide the necessary facilities for a parliamentary delegation to visit Persia.

My right hon. Friend has already been asked if he will provide facilities for a small party of hon. Members to visit Persia. He has agreed to make the necessary arrangements for the journey.

While I thank the Minister for that very satisfactory answer, will he assure the House that the delegation in question will have the fullest freedom of movement through Persia, and in particular, through Northern Persia?

I should be surprised if Members of the House were offered any unreasonable barriers, but I think we had better await the report of members of the party.

Does not this sort of thing savour of interference in the domestic affairs of other countries?

If the Persian Government offered any objections at all, these would be considered, but I would be surprised if there were objections.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Greek police bear arms; and whether they have borne arms since December, 1944.

Both the town police and the gendarmerie are armed and have been armed since December, 1944. In the towns arms are not always carried by men on routine duties, such as traffic control, except when chiefs of police so order.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the disarmament of the Greek police has been the Labour Party's policy since the Labour Party Conference in 1944?

I cannot expect to place upon the sovereign Greek Government all the wishes—even the most excellent wishes—of the Labour Party.

Is not this country one of the very few European countries where the police are not armed?

Is it not the case that E.L.A.S. and E.A.M. were disarmed, without the semi-Fascist police being disarmed?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many polling stations there are in Greece.

There are about 3,000 polling stations in Greece.

Is there adequate hospital accommodation?

Does the Minister consider that this number of polling stations is adequate?

My information is that this number has proved adequate in the past.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which official parties in Greece intend to take part in the forthcoming elections; and which official parties have declared their intention not to take par.

Since the list is lengthy I propose, with permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the list :

The following Parties are contesting the elections forming three main groups:

A. United Coalition of Nationalist Parties comprising: 1. Populist Party. 2. National Liberal Party. 3. National Reform Party. 4. Party of Patriotic Union. 5. National Reconstruction Party. 6. Panhellenic National Party. 7. Embros Political Group. 8. Nationalist Workmen. 9. Social Radical Union.

B. National Political Union comprising: 1. Socialist Democratic Party. 2. National Union Party. 3. Party of Venizelist Liberals. 4. Republican Union.

C. The Liberal Party.

In addition to those three main groups the Agrarian Party under M. Mylonas and the National Party of Greece under General Zervas will be standing separately.

It is also reported that the following Parties will be presenting candidates in the Athens area: 1. Middle Class and Agrarian Private Ownership Party. 2. National Resistance Party of X-ites. 3. Orthodox Coalition of Greeks. 4. Patriotic Party of Reservists. 5. Independent Party of National Unity. 6. Social Party of Greece.

The following Parties have announced their intention of abstaining from the elections: A.E.A.M. Coalition. B.The Socialist Party (SKELD) under Professor Svolos. C. The Left Liberal Group. D. The Left Democratic Union. E. The Progressive Party.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether options and treatment similar to those recently announced for the Polish Forces will be accorded to members of the Czechoslovak armed forces under British command.

The Czechoslovak troops remaining in this country number only 75 officers and 333 other ranks. The problem is thus in no way comparable to that of the Polish armed forces under British command. In practice, however, those Czechs who wish to be demobilised in this country rather than return as soldiers to their own country are entitled to make individual application.

Is the Minister aware that a Czech airman, who fought gallantly in the Czech forces during the war and is now in the R.A.F., and who has married a constituent of mine, received a peremptory order to return at the shortest possible notice for repatriation to Czechoslovakia? Does not this matter require to be looked into further?

If my information is correct, the case to which my hon. Friend has referred is covered by my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he proposes to take under Article 1 of the Treaty of Mutual Assistance of 19th October, 1939, between Great Britain and Turkey in view of the recent concentration of troops on the Turco-Bulgarian frontier.

None, Sir. The Article in question engages His Majesty's Government to help Turkey in the event of her being involved in hostilities with a European Power in consequence of aggression by that Power against Turkey, and I have no reason to believe that any such aggression is likely to take place.

Will the Minister make inquiries, both at Ankara and Istanbul, as to whether the facts stated in the Question are not correct?

I have replied to the Question.

I am asking about armed forces on the frontier.

We have our own sources of information, but the Question was framed in relation to the Treaty, and I have replied in relation to that.

Might not the forces on that frontier be a threat to peace?

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware of the poor lighting on the Great West Road; and what steps he intends to take to remedy this.

Yes, Sir. The reason is the need for fuel economy, but I will consider what steps can be taken to improve the present conditions.

Whether it is a question of economy or not, will my right hon. Friend arrange that streets are equidistantly lighted, since at present there are sometimes three lights out and one on?

These matters are very difficult to enforce at the present time, but I will bear that suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of War Transport why he proposes to continue the laying of wooden sets as against new and more suitable forms of road surfacing.

It is not likely that wood block paving will be laid on trunk roads, for which I am responsible as highway authority. As regards the suitability of wood block paving generally, I would remind the hon. Member of the answer I gave him on 4th February.

Is not the Minister aware that a large part of central London is laid with wooden block paving which might have been suitable 50 years ago, but which is dangerous now, and if the Minister wants proof of that, will he come round with me in my car?

asked the Minister of War Transport why applications for permits for ex-Service motor cars from disabled ex-Servicemen are refused because of shortage of motor cars, whilst ex-Service motor cars are now to be auctioned publicly without regard to the need of the purchaser.

The allocation of surplus motor cars by my Ministry is confined to those which are reconditioned by the trade for sale at fixed prices under an approved scheme. The number of such cars averages at present less than Zoo a month, but I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply proposes to endeavour to select before the auctions, begin those cars which are suitable for reconditioning and sale through the scheme agreed with the trade.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his reply will not be appreciated by a number of these men who have had their applications turned down because their degree of disability was not 100 per cent.? Will he see that the reasons, in so far as they are good, are understood by these men?

It is very difficult to convey to applicants the real difficulties in this problem. The root of the problem is the limited number of cars, and that being so, I have to make the percentage of disability a very high one, otherwise it would only increase the amount of disappointment.

Will the Minister say what is the proportion of disability? Is it 50 per cent. or is it more?

It is nearer 100 per cent.

Will the Minister say whether the cars are reconditioned by the trade and handed back to the Government for disposal?

That is the position. These cars represent a very favourable bargain, because they are good cars and are free of Purchase Tax, and there is a great demand for them from Service men. I should be delighted to meet the whole of the demand but I am limited to the small number the Department receive, and have, therefore, had to fix a very high percentage of disability for the purpose.

Will the Minister bear in mind that it is useless to offer to these disabled ex-Servicemen high powered cars which are expensive to run as has been happening in the past? They need small, easily run cars.

I do not agree.

The Minister has said that the root cause is that he has not sufficient cars. It is precisely because of that that I asked why these large numbers of cars are being auctioned without any regard to the disabled men.

The Minister of Supply will be answering a Question on this matter later.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will introduce legislation, at an early date, to legalise expenditure by county councils on the provision of cattle grids.

As I informed the hon. Member on 22nd October last, I will bear his suggestion in mind when a suitable opportunity for legislation occurs.

Will not the Minister undertake to give some more positive assurance in view of the difficulty of fencing many miles of road in country districts, which is a very expensive business? The alternative is grids and we cannot at the moment construct them because of the legal position.

asked the Minister of War Transport when it is intended to commence roadwork in the County of Cumberland to absorb the unemployed of the development area of West Cumberland.

I am not yet the highway authority for any roads in the Development Area of West Cumberland but, in anticipation of certain roads becoming Trunk Roads on 1st April, I have made arrangements with the County Council which I hope will result in work being started this year on at least two major improvement schemes, south of Egrement. I am also prepared to consider applications from the highway authority for grants, at the increased rates recently announced, for approved works of improvement or maintenance on classified roads.

asked the Minister of War Transport how much of the £250,000 allocated for the road safety campaign has been spent up to date.

The cost of the present road safety campaign up to date has been £187,000. Arrangements have been made to spend a further £62,000 for the continuation of the campaign until the end of May.

Is the Minister proposing to present a report to the House on the way in which this money has been spent and the result of the campaign?

We have not in mind presenting any formal report but actually this matter is being raised this evening, and, if the hon. Member desires, I can give some details then.

May I ask whether the Minister is likely to press the Treasury for more money to carry this campaign further?

That is a matter which is under consideration at the moment.

How much has the "Daily Sketch" campaign saved the Government?

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will reinstate the issue of return tickets on the Green Line routes of L.P.T.B.

In restoring the present limited services of Green Line coaches, I decided that in general single tickets only should be issued for the present. I shall review the question of issuing return tickets later on.

Will my right hon. Friend give the reasons for issuing only single tickets, and is he aware of the great inconvenience caused to the workers of this country?

There is more than one reason, but I would ask my hon. Friend to hear in mind that the railway com- panies are unable at the present moment to operate—[HON. MEMBERS: "We cannot hear "]—many of their normal facilities.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether, before the introduction of legislation to nationalise the road haulage undertakings throughout the country, he will now consider holding a public inquiry for ascertaining whether it is in the public interest to introduce this legislation.

No, Sir. The Government had already announced their intention to bring long distance road haulage services under national ownership, and I see no reason for holding a public inquiry.

Is the Minister aware that this will cause untold hardship to the small hauliers throughout the country, and does he really think there is any justification for this proposed legalised con fiscation of the results of their many year of hard work and toil by which they have built up this industry?

That appears to me to he anticipating legislation.

asked the Minister of War Transport what encouragement is being given to the main line railway companies to adapt their steam locomotives to the burning of oil fuel instead of coal.

This is a matter which has so far been left to the initiative of the railway companies. The Great Western Railway have adapted a number of freight engines to burn oil fuel and are planning to adapt some express passenger engines.

Will the Government perhaps give some practical encouragement by abolishing the Revenue duty on imported fuel oil?

Taking a long term view, would it not be highly undesirable for any major section of our transport system to depend entirely upon fuel imported from overseas?

We will certainly take that into consideration.

Can the Minister say whether any of the larger locomotives have been adapted to jet propulsion?

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware of the intensification of peak hour travel congestion upon L.P.T.B. omnibus and train routes in Central London as a result of the abandonment of staggered hours of duty for the staffs of Government offices and other commercial concerns, and of the danger arising from overcrowded railway platforms; and in view of these conditions, if he will urge the adoption of the system of staggered hours of duty in London offices and other commercial concerns.

I am aware that the volume of travel in London at peak hours is increasing and am examining the situation with the London Passenger Transport Board. Meanwhile I take this opportunity of stating to all concerned that unless the systematic staggering of hours of arrival and departure is maintained it will be impossible to avoid serious congestion and discomfort of travel at peak hours.

Is the Minister aware that in many cases passengers see seven or eight trains pass through before they are able to get a seat? Is he aware also of the danger of people being pushed off the platform as the result of the crowd surging up from the rear? Will he give some attention to the matter, because I think it is a real danger at the present time?

My answer has shown that I am very well aware of that problem, and I think it will be remedied.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production which airline operators, who were running air services prior to 3rd September, 1939, have been successful in tendering for surplus aircraft.

As the answer includes a list of names, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that a number of aircraft companies who ran charter services before the war have been unsuccessful in obtaining aircraft; and will he see that these companies get a square deal—their aircraft were, after all, requisitioned at the beginning of the war—even if they have to pay the price which the Government paid them?

There is a considerable list of those who have been successful in my answer.

Is this really confined to airline operators or does it extend to charter services?

Following is the answer :

Successful tenderers for surplus aircraft include 16 who have signified their intention of using the machines wholly or partly for charter of passenger carrying work. At least seven, whose names follow, can be identified as having operated before September, 1939 others may have operated under names different from those under which they have now tendered.

The seven are:

Air Taxis Limited, Allied Airways (Gandar-Dower) Limited, Herts and Essex Aviation Limited, Hunting Aviation Limited, Rolla-son W. P. (Group Captain), Southern Aircraft (Gatwick) Limited, Straight Corporation Limited.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what is the present state of construction of the prototype of the Brabazon I; whether arrangements have now been concluded for the construction of a hangar at Filton of a size sufficient to accommodate this aircraft during its construction and for the extension of runways, so that the aircraft can take off with safety on its test flight.

The construction of the first prototype of the Brabazon I is going well and the assembly of the fuselage has been proceeding for several months. A hangar of sufficient size and a runway of sufficient length for this type of aircraft arc being built.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many dumps of salvage metal still exist on commons and open spaces; whether they are gradually being removed for manufacturing purposes; and how soon removal will be completed.

All my Department's dumps of scrap metal and I understand also those belonging to local authorities, have now been cleared from commons and open spaces.

Can the Minister say to whom all the existing dumps belong?

I am afraid I can only answer for my own Department.

Is the Minister aware that the wide open spaces are becoming congested?

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the great harm done to the nerves and ear drums of many hon. Members of this House by the exaggerated voice of the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bére), could you consider the advisability of allotting the hon. Member a remote corner of the House?

I was only talking about the wide open spaces.

asked the Minister et Supply and of Aircraft Production what the output per month from royal ordnance factories will be of taps, cupboard units and gas cocks; what is the completion date for the orders already placed; when it is expected that orders for gas and electric cookers, gas water heaters and ceramic components will be placed with royal ordnance factories; and if he is satisfied that sufficient supplies of all other components can be obtained without direct production by the Government in its own factories and workshops.

In answer to the first two parts of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to him on 5th and 14th March. Orders for ceramic components have now been placed, but those for cookers and heaters are not yet settled. Further orders on the factories will be placed as and when neces- sary, within the limits of available capacity, in accordance with my policy of using the royal ordnance factories to assist in overcoming shortages of civilian requirements.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he will consider publishing a report or a White Paper at an early date giving some account of the measures he proposes to take to meet the shortage?

Is the Minister making any preparation to increase the output of cast-iron baths from the factories, as they are among the articles most seriously short at the present time?

Yes, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend give me a reply to my supplementary question?

I will consider the matter.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he has yet established his programme of delivery, in England and Wales, Of bath tubs for the months of July, August, September, October and November for use in both temporary and permanent houses or reconditioned houses; and if he will give the numbers and in which classification of building these are to be used.

A production programme has been settled covering estimated requirements for the housing programme; the division between temporary, permanent and reconditioned houses and repairs cannot be given at this stage.

Has the Minister any information as to whether he will have enough bath tubs for these houses, although he has a programme for the houses?

I think so, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he is aware that the quota of sheet lead and lead pipe allocated to builders is based on their 1945 consumption and that, in view of the housing drive this allocation is inadequate; and will he take steps to considerably increase this quota.

There is a severe world shortage of lead which has made it necessary for substitute materials to be used in making sheets and pipes. I believe that essential needs will be met.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he will favourably consider the appointment of a national advisory council for the radio valve, and radio industry generally.

As there exist adequate means for dealing with questions relating to this industry, there is no need to appoint a council such as my hon. Friend suggests.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the cartels that are being operated, and of the big combines? Does he not think it is necessary to combat such activities?

I do not think the method suggested by my hon. Friend in his Question would be the best one with which to deal with them.

Can my right hon. Friend think of some other method?

Does the Minister think that there are sufficient valves on the market for the ordinary user of radio apparatus at present?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he will arrange for surplus tractors and four-wheel-drive trucks to be made available for disposal to farmers for field work and to allocate them through W.A.E.Cs.

There are no special arrangements for the sale of surplus vehicles direct to farmers but they, in common with other users, will be able to take advantage of the auction sales which are shortly to be held and which will include vehicles of the types mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production why the decision to sell surplus motor vehicles by auction is not being put into effect forthwith.

To ensure that the auction sales are conducted efficiently, considerable detailed preliminary work is necessary. This is being tackled with all speed as we are as anxious as anybody that the sales should take place as soon as possible.

Is the report which I have seen in the papers that sales are not to commence until May correct? If so, may I ask whether reputable private enterprise auctioneers are to take charge of the sales?

That has been done.

Why has it been decided at this juncture to sell by auction, in view of the fact that the shortage of vehicles has meant that there are not sufficient of them to supply the needs of disabled ex-Servicemen?

Because there is an accumulation of special types and of a large number of other vehicles, very few of which would prove to be suitable for the purpose mentioned by my hon. Friend. Therefore, I thought it best to char them off by offering them to the public in the first place.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether, before the public auction of surplus reconditioned vehicles takes place, he will ensure that the claims of all qualified ex-Servicemen, who wish to be accommodated under the Ministry of War Transport Scheme for the provision of reconditioned ex-Service vehicles, are satisfied.

We will do our best before the auctions begin, to select any cars which are suitable for reconditioning and sale through the scheme agreed with the trade.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether, in view of the large amount of semiskilled and general workers engaged in the motor industry, he will consider extending the representation on the National Advisory Council for the motor manufacturing industry, to include representatives from the general workers' trade unions.

It would not be possible to include on this Advisory council in- dividual representatives of all the trade unions with membership in the motor industries.

While I appreciate the reply, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that craft unions are represented, but that there is no representative from any of the general unions, although there are hundreds of thousands of general workers in the industry? Will he review the matter?

Two very experienced trade unionists are members of this council, and I think they will be able to give me all the advice of which I may stand in need.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he will make available surplus scientific equipment on reasonable terms to local education authorities for use in schools.

Yes, Sir; but the amount available is likely to be small.

Is the Minister aware that schools believe there is a considerable amount of our equipment which might be useless to a lot of people but which would be extremely useful for boys for experimental purposes in school laboratories? Would be consider that?

Yes, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of this equipment is being sold at public auctions, and that representatives of the universities and technical colleges are not given an invitation to attend? Will he see that in future they are given an invitation?

I will certainly look into that.

the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production to what extent lawn tennis clubs are able to obtain permits for the purchase of wire netting; and to whom the application should be made.

I have been asked to reply. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production on r8th March, there is an overall shortage of supplies of wire netting, and it is not yet possible to release wire netting 16r use by lawn tennis clubs. I understand that alternative materials such as second-hand fishing net are sometimes available through ordinary trade channels.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many tanks and of what type are being reconditioned at R.E.M.E. workshops at Aldershot; and how many men are employed upon this work.

I am informed by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for War, that 20 tanks a month are being reconditioned in these workshops; they are of the following types: Sherman Crab II, Sherman A.R.V. II, Cornet, Cromwell IV, VI and VII, and Sexton G.P.O. One hundred and fifty-three civilians, and 20 military personnel, are employed on this work.

May I have an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman that he will look into the question of using skilled labour for reconditioning obsolete tanks?

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in their request to industry for increased production, His Majesty's Government have agreed a plan for the amount required, or have fixed a target to which industry might direct its energies, namely, building, mining, engineering, shipbuilding, etc.; and whether such a plan or target has been communicated to the representatives of industry.

would refer my hon. Friend to the statements made by myself and my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council in the recent Debate on Manpower regarding the methods of planning adopted by the Government. In many fields of industry the various Departments concerned are discussing detailed plans with the industries affected; and, while these discussions cannot as yet cover the whole field, His Majesty's Government are con- tinuously considering means of extending the area of discussion to the widest extent possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of paying a visit to Moscow so that, by frank talks with Marshal Stalin, he may discover how, and to what extent, Soviet preoccupations with security can be reconciled with our own.

As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Upton (Mr. A. Lewis) on 13th March, I am ready to adopt any means likely to improve relations between the Great Powers. However, since the Security Council of the United Nations is now holding a meeting in New York, I do not consider that it would be advisable for me to make a proposal of such far-reaching importance to Marshal Stalin at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement as to the qualifications required for admission of students to German universities in the British zone; the precautions taken to prevent active Nazis being admitted; and the extent of Nazi propaganda being carried on in the universities.

As from 1st May, 1946, the admission of students to German universities will be governed by regulations approved by the four occupying Powers. These prohibit the admission of any person who was an active member of the Nazi Party, and provide for priority to be given to applicants who were never candidates for admission to the Nazi Party or members of the Hitler Youth. Remaining vacancies may be filled by persons who were non-active party members, but each case must be approved by a special denazification committee and the total of non-active party members admitted must not exceed 10 per cent. of the total. A number of vacancies are reserved for displaced persons. There is no well-founded evidence that Nazi propaganda is being carried on in the universities.

While it is no doubt the case that students will be taken care of, is anything to be done about the system under which all educational facilities have been reserved for Nazis under the Nazi regime, so that the universities were packed with Nazis?

The arrangements which I have outlined, and which operate from 1st May, have been designed to ensure that whatever system has operated in the past shall cease to operate from that date.

I do not think that my hon. Friend quite understood the point of my question. I asked whether anything was being done about a particular system.

Certainly, Sir. The Military Government in the British zone are entitled to exclude anyone from the university whom they may consider to be an undesirable character.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will propose to the Control Commission for Austria that Austria should now have the right to pass her own laws without first submitting them for the approval of the Commission.

British proposals have already been tabled for modifying the existing control over Austrian legislation.

While I thank my hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he will take steps to see that publicity is given to the widespread feeling in this House and in the country that the tutelage to which the hon. Gentleman referred is reduced as speedily and rapidly as possible?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the publication, "Living Casualties," compiled by the Farmers' Rights Association, a copy of which has been sent to him, in which is set out the grievances of farmers dispossessed by W.A.E.C.s; and whether he will publish the full facts of these cases in reply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will set up a special committee of inquiry, presided over by a British judge at which evidence can be taken on oath, to inquire and report to the House into the dispossession from their farms of gentlemen, particulars of which have been sent to him.

I have considered this matter and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by adopting either of the courses suggested. Many of the cases referred to have already been specially investigated by my predecessor at the request of hon. Members, and in every such case the facts showed that dispossession was justified in the interests of maintaining maximum food production during the emergency. Before any farmers are dispossessed in future they will be afforded the right of appeal, if they so desire, to Dispossession Appeal Panels which have now been set up.

Is the Minister aware that the publication in question has received wide circulation in my part of Buckinghamshire and that unless he publishes an answer to these cases he will make the work of the committees very much harder?

My right hon. Friend will appreciate that the dispossessing cases took place on the basis of evidence then available but no longer available, and that it would be impossible to publish a report on the lines indicated in the Question.

While recognising that we had to get food production from every source during the war, may I ask that the Minister should realise that the war is now over and that the dispossessed men have the right to a proper inquiry by an independent board into the allegations of nepotism and favouritism, which are numerous?

I do not accept the implication that there has been any nepotism. The committees acted only on the proof they had before them, when any farmer was dispossessed.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the basis on which the charge for the hire of implements from the W.A.E.C.s has been fixed; and whether any review of this basis has taken place in the light of the present need for the continuance of a high food production.

Charges for the hire of implements from War Agricultural Executive Committees are designed merely to recover the capital outlay during the estimated life of the implement and the estimated average cost of repair, maintenance and storage. I should not feel justified in making any general reduction in these charges at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture on whose authority 40 W.L.A. girls at Clent were forced to leave the hostel in which they resided to make accommodation for German prisoners of war; and if he is aware that owing to this treatment the girls have threatened to resign.

By arrangement between the County War Agricultural Executive Committee and the local organiser of the W.L.A. the occupants of the hostel at Clent, which was not in full use, have been transferred to other partially occupied W.L.A. hostels in Worcestershire, The accommodation thus freed is to be used for housing German prisoners of war who are needed to meet a serious shortage of male labour for heavy agricultural work in the district. The members of the Women's Land Army affected by this changeover have now been satisfactorily settled in their new quarters.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the shortage of agricultural mowing machines in Dorset; whether there is a general shortage throughout the country; and what steps are being taken to increase the number of imported and home produced machines to deal with this year's hay crop.

I am aware that the supply of mowers in Dorset and in other counties is insufficient to meet demands. Plans were made with the agricultural engineering industry to double the output of mowers during 1946, but owing to production difficulties full output has not yet been achieved. I shall continue to do everything I can to improve the position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture by what date he anticipates the new Agricultural Advisory Service will be in full operation.

As previously announced, the intention is to establish the National Agricultural Advisory Service on 1st October next. The Service will be developed to full strength as soon thereafter as circumstances permit.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give financial assistance to local agricultural shows in England and Wales on the same lines as is now provided by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland.

No, Sir. I have no evidence that the need exists for this kind of assistance in England and Wales.

Can the Minister tell us why he allows Scotland to get away with this one?

It is only one of many things that Scotland has got away with.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to overcome the present shortage of forks for agricultural purposes.

I am informed that the limited supply of forks for agricultural, purposes is due to the shortage of skilled labour to make them. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any special local shortage I will take the matter up with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply.

Is the Minister aware that manufacturers say they are compelled to send large quantities to the U.N.R.R.A. organisation, and will he see that British agriculture gets fair play?

If the hon. Gentleman will bring to my notice any case of a local shortage, I will do my best to see that the need is met.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the number of houses at present under construction for whole time employees of the Forestry Commission; and what is the number of houses under construction to provide accommodation with forest workers' holdings.

The answer to the first part of the question is 15, and to the second, Nil.

Can the Minister say why the position is so very unsatisfactory?

It is due perhaps to many causes, including the non-availability of technicians. However, I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that plans for 100 houses in England are already well in hand and tenders are being invited, and also 100 houses in Scotland.

Are these houses being built by private firms?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a further statement on the reconstitution of the county W. A. E. Cs.

As the reply is rather long I will, with permission, read it at the end of Questions.

Laler —

Yes, Sir. After discussions with representatives of the industry, I am proposing to reconstitute the War Agricultural Executive Committee in each county in England and Wales on the following basis: Three members appointed from a list to be submitted by the National Farmers' Union; two members appointed from a list submitted jointly by the National Union of Agricultural Workers and the Transport and General Workers' Union; two members appointed from a list submitted by the Central Landowners' Association; together with the chairman and not more than four other members to be appointed independently by me. In addition the representative of the Women's Land Army will continue to be a member. The purpose of my direct appointments will be to add to the members selected from the lists submitted by the various organisations a number of persons with general or special qualifications, knowledge and experience, such as would be of value in improving the efficiency of the Committees. I shall for example have in mind the claims of persons with appropriate scientific, technical or professional qualifications; persons with experience of commercial horticulture and other special types of food production that are of importance in a particular area; persons qualified to represent the point of view of working owners or owner occupiers of small farms in those counties where such farms are of special importance; agricultural workers where there are suitable men available who have not been appointed from the Unions' lists; and persons of any class who have served with distinction on the wartime Executive Committees and whose continued service is desirable. This reconstitution, which I hope will take place in June, will be for the interim period until legislation providing for the permanent Committees is on the Statute Book, and will be without prejudice to the basis of constitution of the permanent bodies.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to instruct the new executive -committees to reappoint of bring up to date the district committees also? Will he consider issuing instructions to them to see if they can make a start towards restoring good husbandry?