asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many house plans have been approved by his Department for the construction of houses temporarily sub-divided on the Silkin-Duplex principle.

No plans for the erection of Silkin-Duplex type houses have been submitted to my Department for approval, but five house plans based on the Duplex plans illustrated in "Planning Our New Homes" have been approved.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in view of the fact that the resistance to British rule in the British zone in Germany is on the increase, if he will take the necessary steps to crush this resistance by more stringent disciplinary measures.

Active resistance to British rule in the British zone of Germany is not on the increase; the measures taken to preserve law and order have proved fully adequate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the rates of pay for established shorthand typists and typists in the Civil Service, which were applied with effect from 1st January last, were rejected by the Civil Service unions.

I cannot speak for the unions, but I daresay that, while they welcome the improvements made, they wish to reserve their position in view of the wider negotiations now pending, to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member's Question last Thursday.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the reasons for the disparity between the prices of the daily Hansard of 6d. each, and the weekly Hansard consisting of five bound volumes of daily Hansards, which costs 1s. 6d.; and if he will consider reducing the cost of the daily Hansard.

The reason is the difference in cost of production. I am afraid I cannot see my way to reduce the price of the daily edition at present.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury full details of the functions of the Directorate of Common Services in the U.S.A., estimated as costing £447,500 during 1946.

The Directorate of Common Services in the U.S.A. is responsible, under the direction of the Treasury Establishment Representative, for the provision in general of common services for the various temporary British Missions. These common services include the following: (1) Local recruitment of civilian staff. (2) Determination of scales of remuneration and conditions of service of locally engaged staff. (3) Provision of accommodation, principally in New York, Washington and Detroit, including the leasing of buildings, alterations, repairs, maintenance and cleaning. (4) Provision of equipment, furniture, stationery, printing and office supplies generally. (5) Communications, i.e. mail, express, courier and safe-hand messenger service, teletype, telegraph and telephone. (6) Transport arrangements. (7) Insurance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when it is anticipated that the work of the Tithe Redemption Commission will be completed; and why it is proposed to increase the staff of the Commission during 1946.

A large part of the work of the Commission was suspended at the outbreak of War and many of the staff were released to other Departments and for military service. The purpose of the present increases is to restore the prewar position and enable the Commission to perform its statutory duties, but some time must elapse before the process can be completed. It is estimated that thereafter a period of about five years will be required for the completion of the work of the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for War why British troops in Java are not receiving their N.A.A.F.I. rations regularly; and why the cost of other items supplied by N.A.A.F.I., such as boot polish and fruit cordial, is so high.

There has been a shortage of N.A.A.F.I. supplies in certain parts of Java owing to irregularity of shipping, but the position has been improved. The prices of such items as boot polish and fruit cordials are approximately the same as in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to replace key personnel in all theatres so as to avoid, in the future, any further compulsory deferments on the grounds of military necessity.

Every effort is made to keep such deferments to the minimum possible numbers and to the shortest possible periods. In the case of technicians and other types of men who require long periods of training steps have been and are being taken to train replacements from those who have the necessary qualifications or potentialities.

asked the Secretary of State for War why officers of the Royal Signals serving with the M.E.F., with release Group 26 and upwards, have been informed that their release dates will be postponed for a minimum period of three months; and whether this proposed deferment was with his approval.

I regret that the release of a small number of officers in the Royal Corps of Signals serving in the Middle East must be compulsorily deferred on grounds of military necessity. Both the number and the duration of the compulsory deferments is being kept to the minimum, and every case is considered on its merits. Unless these deferments took place, the Army in the Middle East would rapidly become unable to fulfil its role.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made by his Department with the payment of gratuities to the next of kin of officers and other ranks killed in action; and how many cases still remain to be settled.

Out of an estimated total of some 160,000 cases, payment has been authorised in approximately 100,000. The number remaining to be settled is therefore in the neighbourhood of 60,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to improve conditions at Military Hospital, Head Injuries, Wheatley, Oxford.

This hospital is in buildings of wartime construction. Considerable works have been carried out to improve the original buildings, but the extent to which this could be done was limited by the necessity to move the hospital to Wheatley as quickly as possible from its temporary site at Headington, as this site was urgently required to meet civil needs. There are still certain defects in the general administrative arrangements of the hospital, which are being investigated with a view to effecting an improvement. I am advised that the standard of medical treatment is high.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers in the delayed release groups can now be released; when each group will be released; and when officers can expect to be released in the normal way.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the provisional programme for the release of officers up to 30th June, 1946, which I gave in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cambridge (Major Symonds) on 19th February. Under this programme the release of officers and other ranks of Group 32 will start on the same date, 24th June.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has any statement to make regarding the future of Redesdale ranges, Northumberland.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the future of the Redesdale Ranges. A review is being carried out as quickly as possible of the Army's requirements in land as a whole; until these requirements have been fully considered and discussed with the Departments concerned, it is impossible to say what the future of any particular area will be.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction with the excessive punishment that is meted out to members of His Majesty's Forces, particularly in the Army, on account of absence without leave; and whether he will institute an inquiry into King's Rules and Regulations with a view to causing early improvement.

As far as the Army is concerned, an instruction was issued by the Army Council quite recently laying down, as a guide for court martial tribunals, a scale of punishments for desertion considerably less stringent than those in operation during the war. It follows automatically from the instruction that punishments for absence without leave will also be less stringent in proportion. Punishments, whether awarded summarily or by court martial are subject to scrutiny by higher authority, who have powers of remission, suspension, etc., with which the House is familiar. I am satisfied that the punishments now being awarded in the Army are not excessive.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the delay in providing raincoats to men demobilised from the Services at No. 8 Military Dispersal Unit, Hereford, and of the difficulty discharged men are experiencing in obtaining replies to their subsequent inquiries; and what steps he is taking to speed up this unit.

Delay in the issue of a raincoat only occurs when the men cannot be fitted from sizes in stock. At present the time lag in these cases is from four to eight weeks. Every effort is made to reduce the periods to the minimum in all civilian clothing Depots. All available staff is being employed to ensure the rapid dispatch of clothing, and this inevitably means some delay in dealing with the large volume of correspondence about individual items of clothing. These difficulties are, however, of a temporary nature due to the recent rapid rate of Telease and I hope that they will be overcome in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for War the qualifications laid down by his Department for promotion to the senior ranks of the A.T.S.

An A.T.S. officer must prove to the satisfaction of her superiors that she is qualified for the regimental or specialist employment to which it is proposed to post her. In the case of regimental duty, this includes proved ability to safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of her troops, to carry out the training of her officers and non-commissioned officers in their professional duties, and to ensure the satisfactory organisation, discipline and efficiency of her unit. She must also have attained a high standard of leadership and power of command.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider including in the postgraduate course of the Military College of Science, arrangements for officers to spend some time in factories producing all types of munitions of war.

The present intention is that officers attending advanced classes at the Military College of Science shall, as an integral part of the course, be attached to various types of engineering factories.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the number of officers in Pioneer Corps units stationed in North Africa is surplus to requirements; and whether he will see that the release of Pioneer Corps officers in Group 26 is not further deferred.

So far from the number of Pioneer Corps officers in North Africa being in excess of requirements, there is a serious shortage of such officers both in North Africa and in other theatres. As regards the second part of the Question, the matter is under urgent consideration, both in the War Office and in the Middle East, with a view to reducing the numbers who may have to be deferred on grounds of military necessity and the period of deferment to the minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it has been arranged that under the proposed officers' new pay code a senior major with children will receive £39 11s. 6d. a year less than at present.

This is not so. In the case which the hon. Member has in mind the officer will receive over £30 more net in pay and marriage allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for War when 1058005 Corporal E. K. McEwan, R.A.O.C, will be returned to the United Kingdom for a Class B release as a teacher.

I very much regret the delay in releasing this soldier. A cable has just been received which states that orders have been issued for his immediate release from S.E.A.C., and instructions have been sent from the War Office that he should be sent home by the fastest available means.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will expedite investigations into the application for compassionate release of 1437578 Private M. House, Somerset Light Infantry, who is due to return to his unit on 31st March.

This soldier has already been granted 28 weeks compassionate release. His case has been carefully considered but I regret that a further period of release on compassionate grounds cannot be granted.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to visit B.A.O.R.

I regret I am not able to state when I will be able to visit the B.A.O.R.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he anticipates being able to derequisition the Masonic Hall at Thame, in view of the fact that it is no longer used as a recreation hall by the unit stationed at Thame.

This hall is still in use as a recreational hall, and in addition it provides sleeping accommodation for 80 men. It cannot therefore be released at present, but I am hopeful that it will no longer be required by the War Department by about the end of May.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he yet has any reliable information on whether the Japanese troops in Java and Sumatra landed over their arms to the native guerrillas; and, if not, where the guerrillas got their arms from.

There have been a number of reports from our troops that Indonesians in Java and Sumatra have obtained arms from the Japanese troops both by force and with Japanese consent.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Japanese troops are still in Java and Sumatra, and why they have not surrendered.

There are approximately 87,000 members of the Japanese armed forces in Java and Sumatra. 63,000 of these are under our control and obey our orders. Our troops have not yet made contact with the remainder, who are reported to be under the control of the Indonesians in East and Central Java.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the calory content of the food given to German and Italian prisoners of war in this country engaged in manual labour.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 12th March.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he has now any announcement to make regarding the future uses of Peny-chain camp at Pwllheli following the conclusion of the informal conference regarding the matter held by his Department at Pwllheli on 12th February last.

Yes, Sir. I am satisfied that, subject to certain concessions being made by Messrs. Butlin, to which I understand they agree, there are no planning objections to the use of the camp as a holiday camp. I understand also that my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Education, does not regard the camp as suitable for use as an educational centre. I hope to communicate with the parties to the informal Inquiry in the near future.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the importance of increasing home-grown supplies of tomatoes and other foodstuffs grown under glass, priority is given for the repair of bomb-damaged greenhouses; and whether he is satisfied that sufficient supplies of glass are available for the purpose.

Yes, Sir. My Department deals with such cases in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Steps are being taken to increase the supplies of glass, and this should enable the requirements for greenhouses to be more readily met.

asked the Minister of Works how many erected prefabricated houses are still without window glass.

There is no overall shortage of window glass and the responsibility for obtaining it for prefabricated houses lies with the erection contractors. I am unable to say how many erected houses are waiting for glass, but steps have recently been taken to establish small emergency stocks which can be drawn upon if, for any reason, a contractor is unable to obtain supplies in time through the normal channels.

asked the Minister of Works why the contract for slabbing for temporary houses at South Clevedon playing fields has not yet been fixed, in spite of the fact that the priced bill of quantities was forwarded to his Department on 13th December, 1945.

After tenders had been obtained by my Department in December for the foundation and erection work for the temporary houses at South Clevedon, the local authority asked that they might complete this work, using the contractor they had employed for site development. The price quoted by this contractor was considered too high and negotiations for a reduction became therefore necessary.

asked the Minister of Works what answer he has given to the Electrical Development Association in reply to their memorandum pointing out the inefficiency of the water heater installations in temporary houses; if these defects are being remedied in houses under construction; and why, in view of the wastage of current, they cannot be rectified in houses already finished.

My Department has already been in touch with the Electrical Development Association and further discussions are to take place with the Association and other interests concerned. I am not at present in a position to say more than that one of the recommendations of the Association is being adopted for future use.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that sites and roads for another 343 temporary houses are ready in the city of Leicester, and that prefabricated parts are awaited for these sites; if he will expedite delivery of these parts; and how many temporary houses he expects to have occupied and ready for occupation by 30th June in this city.

No, Sir. The number of houses for which properly developed sites in the city of Leicester have so far been made available to my Department by the housing authority is 160. Foundations have been constructed for 139 houses, the prefabricated parts have been delivered for 104, and 57 have been completed. The completion of the remainder will be expedited as much as possible, and it is expected that by 30th June about 140 houses will have been finished.

asked the Minister of Works whether any steps have been taken to expedite the delay in erecting prefabricated houses at Sileby, Leicestershire, sites for 21 of which have been completed since December, but for which no part of the structures have yet been received; and whether he is aware of the considerable dissatisfaction which this delay is causing locally.

The site in Leicestershire referred to in the Question forms part of a larger site, for which the housing authority elected to do the foundation work as well as the site development. In order to avoid delay, it was arranged in December last that my Department should take over responsibility for the foundation work on the Sileby Section, and a contract was let on 5th February. Work is proceeding, but houses cannot be delivered until the foundations are complete.

asked the Minister of Works how many prefabricated houses are held up for occupation on account of shortage of interior fittings; and how many baths and other interior fittings are surplus to requirements in Government Departments.

At the present time about 15,000 temporary houses are having interior fittings installed. I am not in a position to state precisely in how many of these cases completion is delayed by a shortage of particular fittings but the number is not relatively large.

The number of baths held by Government Departments surplus to requirements is about 200. These and other interior fittings surplus to Government requirements are of miscellaneous patterns and generally are unsuitable or are not required for making good the shortages in temporary houses.

asked the Minister of Works what action is being taken to meet the prospective short supply of cement, asbestos cement, plaster and plaster board, timber and bricks that will become apparent as the housing programme gathers momentum.

Every effort is being made, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, to increase the available labour supply in the building materials industries. Prisoners-of-war are available in considerable numbers and are being put to work wherever they can be usefully employed. In certain industries, for example, plaster board, production is limited by the extent of available capacity and in such cases further plants and factories have been planned and are being erected as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Works if he will arrange for the release to University College, London, of the portions of their anatomy department occupied by the Rat Infestation Section of the Ministry of Food and their physiology department now held by the Technical Reproduction Branch of the Admiralty.

Yes, Sir. As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) on 20th February, the highest priority has been given to the adaptation of alternative premises for the two Departments concerned. As soon as these premises are ready release will take place.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the shortage of bricks in the county of Durham and that men are receiving notice because of this shortage; and whether there is any prospect of the Government or private enterprise opening up new brick works in Durham to overcome this shortage.

Although there are difficulties in the supply of bricks, I am not aware of any shortage which has caused the discharge of any workers, but if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases I shall be pleased to look into them. There are 31 brickworks in production in Durham, and steps are being taken to bring into production the remaining 23 brickyards which are closed. I will consider the possibilities of opening up new works in this area.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is satisfied that there are adequate supplies of bricks, sand and gravel in the North-East to maintain the rate of progress desirable in the erection of permanent houses.

In all parts of the country deliveries of bricks are exceeding current production. There are, however, substantial stocks and every effort is being made to increase production as rapidly as possible. In the counties of Durham, Northumberland and Yorkshire the brickworks are adequate, when fully manned, to supply the bricks necessary to maintain satisfactory progress in the erection of permanent houses and at the end of February there were stocks in those three counties of more than 45 million bricks. I have no reason to suppose that supplies of cement and gravel will fail to meet requirements.

asked the Minister of Works how many brickworks in Lancashire have been reopened in the last-12 months; and how many still remain closed.

Since March, 1945, ninety-four brickworks in Lancashire have been licensed and of these 10 produced bricks in January. Four works remain closed and steps are being taken to reopen them.

asked the Minister of Works what are the figures for the production of bricks in Lancashire for the last two months for which figures are available; and what are the comparable figures for 1944 and 1939.

In January and February, 1946, the numbers of bricks produced in Lancashire were respectively 11,773,000 and 12,843,000 and in January and February, 1944, the comparable figures were respectively 5,525,000 and 5,746,000. The figures for production for the comparable period in 1939 are not available, but the maximum capacity per month is estimated at 73,404,000.

asked the Minister of Works who is the deciding authority under his new building regulation as to what is essential; and what rights of appeal there are.

The authority under the Control of Building Operatives (No. 6) Order, 1946, is the Minister of Works. There has been no change in this respect. The local authorities act as my agents in dealing with applications for licences in respect of work costing less than £100 or work designed to increase the available amount of housing accommodation; all other applications are dealt with by officers of my Department deputed for this purpose. There is no appeal from my decision, but I am, of course, always ready to look into cases brought to my notice by hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Works if he will arrange for the return of Eros to its pedestal in Piccadilly Circus for the 8th June Victory parade.

I have no responsibility for this statue, which is in the charge of the London County Council.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the shortage of slates in the county borough of Wallasey; what steps he is taking to remedy the situation; and can an increased allocation be made.

There is a general shortage of slates owing mainly to the exceptional demand for repair of war damage, and all possible steps are being taken to provide for the additional recruitment of labour upon which an increase in output depends. In the meantime the available supplies are being distributed according to the needs of the various areas, and there has recently been a reallocation, from which Wallasey should benefit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the shortage of gas meters in South London is holding up occupation of houses otherwise ready for occupation; and if he will take steps to increase the supply of meters to the gas companies concerned as quickly as possible.

I have been asked to reply. I am assured by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production that there is no general shortage of gas meters, but if details of specific cases are given I shall be glad to investigate them.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the cleaning of coal at the pit surface is regarded as work which is undertaken only by members of the National Union of Mine-workers.

I am not aware that the work in question is undertaken only by members of the National Union of Mine-workers. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member will supply details of the case he has in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to which countries we are exporting coal; how many tons were exported in November, December, January and February respectively; and what was the average price per ton received.

The hon. and gallant Member will find full details of coal exports in the published Trade accounts for 1945 and for January and February, 1946. The countries receiving the bulk of the coal exported in the four months November, 1945/February, 1946, were Eire, Denmark, France and French North Africa. The total quantity exported, which includes coal for bunker depots abroad, was 360,600 tons in November 494,400 tons m December, 484,900 tons in January and 366,300 tons in February. The average export price was approximately £2 a ton in each month.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the approximate number of boys who have been directed to the pits since the scheme began; the number of those boys who have actually worked in the pits; and the number at present, respectively, under direction and actually working in the pits.

Approximately 48,300 ballotees, optants and volunteers have been directed to the pits since the scheme began. Practically all of these men obeyed their directions and it is estimated that 30,000 remain on colliery books.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider reproducing the portrait of a miner credited with moving 28 tons of coal within one shift as a poster and symbol of the cheerful industry of the British miner and an inspiration to all engaged in the present production drive.

I appreciate my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion. Officers in my Department are already considering what use can be made of the portrait, and I understand that the "Daily Mirror" has agreed that we may use the picture as we may desire.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the dispute about house coal which caused the stoppage of work at Trimdon Grange colliery, County Durham, on 18th, 19th and 20th February; how many men were involved; and what is the estimated loss of coal production.

The workmen at Trimdon Grange expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the coal supplied to them. The management and the trade union representing the men then concluded an agreement which a general meeting of the men refused to accept. They thereupon withdrew their labour on the 18th, 19th and part of the 20th February against the advice of the union. Work was resumed on 20th February in order to enable further negotiations to proceed and a satisfactory settlement has been reached through the normal machinery. Some 590 men were involved in the stoppage and the loss of production is estimated at 2,250 tons. The settlement ultimately reached provides that if the workmen fill cleaner coal into pit tubs the management undertake to supply better quality house coal to miners.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will reconsider his decision not to publish the weekly output figures for coal, in view of the fact that unofficial statistics on this basis are being issued.

No, Sir

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that there is still a shortage of domestic coal in the city of Birmingham, some merchants having to inform their customers that they have no coal, which has caused great hardship, especially during the cold spell of the last few weeks; and why coal has been sent from that city to southern counties when there was not sufficient to supply its own citizens.

I am satisfied that Birmingham has received a fair share of the available supplies. Consumers have been advised, through the medium of the Press, to communicate with the local fuel overseer in case of difficulty, and all cases reported have been dealt with satisfactorily Midland coalfields are one of the main sources of supply for southern counties.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the nature of the inquiry he has ordered to be held into the maldistribution of coal in Hull; by whom the inquiry is to be conducted; the date on which it will commence; and what steps he intends to take to inform the large number of complainants of the inquiry.

I do not propose to have any formal inquiry such as my Hon. Friend appears to have in mind. Con- siderable investigation has already been made into complaints by and against individual merchants and I am asking my Regional Controller to make supplementary inquiries into any outstanding complaints.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether it is the policy of his Department at the present time to encourage or discourage the use of coal as the most suitable fuel for domestic heating; and whether, in view of the possibility of a shortage of coal, he intends, as a long-term policy, to deal with this problem by increasing the efficiency of coal utilisation or by encouraging the use of alternative fuels such as oil.

I attach great importance to improving the efficiency of coal utilisation both for domestic, and also for industrial purposes. I am not yet in a position to add to the information about the future supplies of oil fuel which 1 gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Chertsey (Captain Marsden) on 5th March.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the 440 tons of coal in an ex-military dump at Bridlington, refused by the Hull Co-operative Society, is in an almost inaccessible position with no vehicular road access and that vehicles were bogged when the coal was placed there; whether this coal was previously offered to merchants in Bridlington; and why it was not allocated to that town instead of to Hull merchants 40 miles away.

I am not aware that the site is so difficult of access as suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. It is correct that the Bridlington merchants were at first unwilling to accept this coal, but at a recent meeting they indicated their willingness to take it for distribution in Bridlington subject to agreement in price. The coal was offered to the Hull Co-operative Society on account of their complaint of short supplies, the intention being that they should use it for their customers in Bridlington and have part of their rail supplies diverted from Bridlington to Hull.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he consulted the Minister of Town and Country Planning and the Dorset local authorities concerned with planning and any amenity society before issuing a licence in pursuance of Section two (3) of the Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934, to a London company to prospect for oil in south Dorset.

No, Sir; such consultation was not necessary since the grant of a prospecting licence under the Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934, does not of itself confer upon the licensee rights of entry on land for his prospecting operations.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will issue supplementary petrol for a six months period, as is now done for basic, and close down the D.P. offices to the extent of 90 per cent, of personnel, and so save money and manpower.

No, Sir. Applicants for supplementary petrol are divided into four groups of more or less equal size and each group is rationed for succeeding periods of four months. This results in an even distribution of work and an economical use of staff. Any reclassification of applicants would require a period of several months to effect, during which considerable additional work in the regional offices would be involved. Little or no economy in staff would then result from the change.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what procedure is adopted to permit fuel overseers to carry out their duty of seeing that priority certificates for the delivery of coal are honoured.

Merchants have undertaken to ensure immediate deliveries in response to priority requests by local fuel overseers. The consumer receives a copy of the priority notice, on which a space is provided for him to notify the local fuel overseer if delivery is not made within the specified time so that statutory direction can then be issued if required.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has noted the analysis by a Danish customer of coal exported giving 46.91 per cent, as the moisture and ash content as compared with a 10 per cent, moisture and ash content before the war; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy these deficiencies.

I greatly regret the inferior quality of the coal referred to, but as the great bulk of the only coal at present available for export has to be taken from dumps, I am afraid that I can hold out no hope of any early improvement in quality.

asked the Minister of Labour how many per 100 men due for military service have been called up in the last 12 months; and if he will give similar figures, denoting the numbers in different categories, of those not called up.

I am uncertain what information the hon. Member desires. On 1st July. 1945, it is estimated that there were in civil life 669,000 fit men who had attained the age of 18 years and who had not attained the age of 31 years. From these men, and from those who attained the age of 18 since 1st July, approximately 180,000 joined the Armed Forces between V.J. Day and 28th February, 1946. It is not possible to subdivide these figures on an industrial basis.

asked the Minister of Labour how many apprentices registered at the Falmouth Employment Exchange are still deferred over the age of 20 years and how many have been refused deferment at the age of 18 years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what instructions have been issued to district manpower boards regarding the deferment of call up for military service of engineering apprentices.

District Manpower Boards have been instructed to grant deferment to engineering apprentices on account of their apprenticeship when they satisfy the conditions set out in the leaflet N.L.11, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. Apprentices who do not qualify for deferment in this way may be deferred on account of the national importance of the work on which they are engaged.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware of the widespread interest in the proposal to establish a planetarium, or star house, in London; and whether he will appoint a small committee to inquire into the possibilities and recommend action and to consider specially, the suggestion of the Astronomer Royal that the necessary equipment might be obtained from Germany by way of reparations.

I have been asked to reply. I am fully aware of the great interest aroused by the proposal to establish a planetarium in London, and the matter is at present under active consideration. The possibility of obtaining suitable equipment from Germany has not been overlooked. I do not consider it necessary at this stage to set up a committee.

asked the Minister of Education the amounts of grants given in support of adult education for the last complete year for which statistics are available; the names of the organisations receiving such grants; the amount received in each case; and the figures for each year since 1936.

The following return shows the grants paid to each responsible body for adult education from 1938–39 to 1944–45 inclusive. Detailed figures for 1936–37 and 1937–38 are not readily available, but the total grants for these years amounted to £89,095 13s. 3d. and £94,975 4s. 1d. respectively.

Return showing the amounts of grants paid to Responsible Bodies under the Adult Education Regulations in the School Years 1938–39 to 1944–45. Responsible Body Amounts of Grants. School Year 1938–39. School Year 1939–40. School Year 1940–41. School Year 1941–42. School Year 1942–43. School Year 1943–44. School Year 1944–45. I. ENGLAND. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Birmingham University Joint Committee 3,121 3 2 3,347 3 1 2,833 6 8 3,346 12 9 3,416 9 11 3,586 4 6 4,083 2 6 Birmingham University Extension Committee — — — — 11 5 0 — — Bristol University Joint Committee 2,999 1 8 2,942 2 5 2,338 9 9 2,003 13 11 1,847 3 9 1,940 0 9 2,800 14 3 Cambridge University Board of Extra-Mural Studies 3,285 6 4 2,625 10 8 2,899 4 8 3,910 2 1 4,044 18 4 4,636 1 10 5,904 9 3 Durham University (Durham Division) Board for Extra-Mural Studies 2,256 15 7 2,277 0 9 2,083 9 5 2,137 10 0 2,061 4 0 2,182 0 9 2,274 8 10 Durham University King's College Board of Extra-Mural Studies 2,962 15 6 2,430 15 8 2,652 10 4 2,624 16 8 2,798 8 9 3,124 4 10 2,932 5 7 Durham University Vacation Course Joint Committee 125 0 0 — 45 0 0 — — — — Hull University College 3,708 19 11 3,238 1 1 1,444 3 7 1,382 14 0 1,354 2 6 1,313 4 0 1,632 4 0 Leeds University Joint Committee 5,489 16 1 5,414 0 0 5,112 2 2 5,030 16 8 4,805 2 7 5,153 4 5 5,286 0 0 Leicestershire Adult Education Joint Committee 1,047 15 0 798 8 10 643 7 9 713 12 6 704 1 5 741 0 0 732 3 0 Leicester University College Joint Committee 1,763 14 9 2,007 12 11 1,849 14 8 1,946 1 4 1,944 4 5 1,968 5 7 1,856 7 2 Liverpool University Joint Committee 4,349 17 5 3,763 18 2 3,256 0 0 3,584 5 0 4,299 0 0 4,824 0 3 5,399 3 0 London University Extension and Tutorial Classes Council (Tutorial Classes Committee) 3,855 14 7 3,662 10 9 2,136 1 7 2,604 6 0 3,238 13 2 4,183 17 6 4,540 5 4 London University Extension and Tutorial Classes Council (University Extension Committee) 889 18 2 122 10 0 464 17 9 572 12 10 505 9 5 462 9 5 499 16 4 Manchester University Joint Committee 5,425 0 0 5,213 11 0 5,348 9 2 5,447 6 3 5,857 12 3 6,059 0 1 6,935 17 8 Nottingham University College Joint Committee 7,738 5 1 7,034 19 7 7,130 7 6 7,216 12 3 7,251 8 0 7,318 12 8 7,812 9 2 Oxford University Delegacy for Extra-Mural Studies (Tutorial Class Committee) 3,364 0 0 3,620 12 7 3,634 5 6 3,795 19 1 3,736 12 6 4,370 13 7 4,711 5 7 Oxford University Delegacy for Extra-Mural Studies (University Extension Lectures Committee) 299 16 3 289 5 0 155 3 9 282 11 10 325 17 6 367 10 0 414 7 6 Reading University Joint Committee 210 0 0 157 14 5 162 12 6 121 5 0 160 10 0 166 2 6 194 5 0 Sheffield University Joint Committee 5,734 10 8 5,406 14 4 5,471 10 10 5,191 10 0 5,145 17 6 5,478 17 6 6,063 3 9 Southampton University College Joint Committee 873 10 11 967 4 3 766 14 2 1,140 5 0 1,035 14 3 935 12 9 1,058 18 3 Southampton University College Extension Committee University College of the South West of England Joint 331 13 3 213 14 10 147 10 0 111 1 8 92 2 6 66 0 0 141 5 8 Committee 1,279 19 2 1,365 2 5 826 8 8 872 18 9 1,067 0 0 1,052 7 0 1,133 16 8 Bangor Vacation Course (Joint Committee of Manchester University and University College of North Wales) 220 0 0 — 160 0 0 215 0 0 350 0 0 350 0 0 350 0 0 Chester Vacation Course (Joint Committee of W.E.A. and Liverpool University) 130 0 0 130 0 0 140 0 0 — — — — Reading Vacation Course (Joint Committee of W.E.A. and Oxford University) 160 0 0 — — — — — — Return showing the amounts, of grants paid to Responsible Bodies under the Adult Education Regulations in the School Years 1938–39 to 1944–45—continued. Responsible Body Amounts of Grants. School Year 1938–39 School Year 1939–40 School Year 1940–41 School Year 1941–42 School Year 1942–43 School Year 1943–44 School Year 1944–45 I. ENGLAND— continued £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. Yorkshire Vacation Course (Joint Committee of Leeds University and Hull University College) 320 0 0 — — — — — — Workers' Educational Association (Local Branches, England) 13,2l8 12 6 11,839 5 7 10,147 0 3 12,735 15 5 18,371 19 11 20,863 0 1 20,783 14 4 Cornwall Adult Education Joint Committee 243 7 0 199 10 0 282 0 0 283 2 6 189 0 0 231 15 0 328 2 6 Educational Settlements Association 303 17 4 120 3 9 177 7 8 216 1 7 314 15 10 548 13 7 608 13 5 National Council of Y.M.CA's. (England) 36 0 0 — — — — — — National Industrial Alliance 188 12 6 135 17 6 58 8 2 59 5 0 59 5 0 55 10 0 53 15 11 North and East Yorkshire and North Lindsey Adult Education Committee 2.250 18 8 1.637 10 9 1.366 0 7 1.146 9 4 1.292 9 8 1.375 5 5 1.716 8 7 Oxford, Catholic Workers' College 358 0 0 — — — — — — Bournville. Fircroft College 607 6 8 261 6 8 — — — — — Hillcroft Residential College for Working Women 684 13 4 306 4 5 277 6 8 465 15 0 287 18 4 — — Oxford, Ruskin College 1,124 0 0 550 10 0 — — — — — TOTAL FOR ENGLAND 80,958 1 6 72,079 1 5 64,000 19 9 69,158 2 5 76,568 6 6 83,354 0 0 90,247 3 3 II. WALES. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. University College of Wales Joint Committee 2,114 3 3 1,699 7 2 1,827 9 8 1,753 13 4 2,149 8 10 2,768 15 6 3,319 10 5 University College of North Wales Joint Committee 2,575 15 2 2,525 18 7 2,312 14 2 2,329 17 11 2,375 3 9 2,579 15 10 2,958 11 6 University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire Joint Committee 3,108 16 6 3,019 0 0 2,590 6 3 2,879 15 0 2,681 3 1 2,980 6 3 2,637 5 0 University College of Swansea Joint Committee 2,149 0 0 1,912 16 11 1.298 0 0 1,233 17 6 1,302 10 0 1.343 0 0 2,052 15 2 Workers' Educational Association (Local Branches Wales') 3,398 10 0 3,119 1 5 2,513 7 0 2,795 0 9 2.793 3 9 1,233 17 6 2,481 1 3 Welsh National Council of Music 715 3 0 565 10 0 590 5 0 622 8 9 485 3 9 474 5 0 510 16 3 Welsh National Council of Y.M.CA's 188 0 0 156 7 6 110 5 0 85 0 0 124 5 0 104 10 0 93 17 6 Coleg Harlech 1,136 13 4 651 2 7 12 0 0 210 0 0 220 0 0 253 0 0 308 0 0 TOTAL FOR WALES 15.386 1 3 13,649 4 2 11,254 7 1 11,909 13 3 12,130 18 2 13,125 10 1 14,361 17 1 GRAND TOTAL £96,344 2 9 85,728 5 7 75,264 6 10 81,067 15 8 88,699 4 8 96,479 10 1 *104,609 0 4 *Provisional figures subject to amendment

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what arrangements he has made to find alternative employment for men formerly employed on the Liverpool Cotton Exchange;

(2) what provision has been made for ex-Servicemen who were former employees on the Liverpool Cotton Exchange and who can no longer be reinstated.

Before the Liverpool Cotton Exchange was closed on 31st March, 1941, many of the staff who would be displaced were interviewed by officers of my Department assisted by representatives of the Cotton Association with a view to assisting those not due for calling up to His Majesty's Forces to obtain suitable alternative employment. The great majority were placed in or found other work. Every effort is being made to offer suitable alternative employment to any of these workpeople who have since become unemployed and also to those who cannot be reinstated on return from the Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour why he sent no reply to the telegram, dealing with the case of Mr. R. A. Jackson, dispatched on 22nd February by the right hon. and gallant Member for Gainsborough, until 18th March; whether the delay was due to the Post Office and, if not, what steps he is taking to see that urgent personal cases submitted to him by Members of this House are dealt with more promptly; and what disciplinary action he has taken with regard to those responsible for the delay in this particular case.

The right hon. and gallant Member's telegram was received by me on 22nd February and immediate inquiries were made to ascertain the reason why Mr. Jackson's resettlement grant had not been paid. These inquiries revealed that there had been a misunderstanding of instructions issued to the Regional Office concerned, and resulted in payment being made on 2nd March. I very much regret that the right hon. and gallant Member was not notified of this fact before 18th March, and that his telegram was not acknowledged at the time of its receipt. As the circumstances which led to misunderstanding in this case were quite exceptional and are not likely to occur again, no question of disciplinary action arises.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish regularly in the "Gazette" detailed statistics as to the number of demobilised Servicemen who have so far failed to obtain employment.

Figures are already published each month in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" showing the estimated numbers of persons released from the Forces who have not yet taken up employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed, both male and female, to date, in the development area of West Cumber land.

At 11th February, 1946, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of unemployed insured persons suitable for ordinary employment, on the registers of employment exchanges in the West Cumberland Development Area were 1,770 males and 856 females.

asked the Minister of Labour whether arrangements will be made for special priority to be given to the supply and repair of spectacles for those whose work is impeded as a result of their loss or breakage; and whether he is yet in a position to state when he anticipates the labour position with regard to optical repairs will be restored to normal.

Any arrangements of the kind suggested would not be practicable in view of the fact that the work of most people is impeded by the loss or breakage of their spectacles. My officers are doing everything possible to meet the labour requirements of optical repairers, but I am unable to say when these requirements will be met in full.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the future of the National Service Hostels Corporation, Limited.

It has been decided to keep this Corporation in being for a further period of five years with the primary object of providing hostel accommodation for workers transferred away from home for essential work in connection with the reconstruction programme to places where existing lodging facilities are inadequate. The necessary legal steps have been taken to amend the memorandum of association of the Corporation so as to enable it to undertake this function and other services of the kind as necessary, as the agent of the Government Department concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he intends to ask this House to approve an amendment to the Essential Work Order to prevent the machinery provided by that Order from being used either to compel men to be members of a trade union, or to deny them the right to be.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the machinery of the Essential Work Order for determining appeals by workers against dismissal and for dealing with applications by employers for permission to discharge a worker. I am satisfied that the provision for appeal to an independent appeal board provides an adequate safeguard, both to employers and workers, against any attempt to misuse the machinery of the Order, and I have no intention of making any amendment of the kind suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour when he will be in a position to state the dates of release from the Forces by age and service groups for the period 30th June to 31st December, 1946.

asked the Minister of Labour the programme of demobilisa- tion beyond 30th June next, or when such an announcement can be expected.

asked the Minister of Labour the provisional programme of releases from His Majesty's Forces from June to December, 1946; and what groups should be reached in each month.

I hope to be able to make a statement shortly about the programme for releases from the Forces after 30th June next.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the fact that at 14th January, 1946, the total unemployed in Scotland was 63,681, he will state the industries and areas in which they occurred; and what steps are proposed to enable Scottish enterprise to further full employment.

The Tables below give the information asked for in the first part of the Question:

Numbers of insured persons suitable for ordinary employment, registered as unemployed in Scotland at 14th January, 1946, distinguishing the principal industries. Industry. Number of insured persons unemployed Building 1,462 Civil Engineering Construction 1,666 Shipbuilding and ship repairing 3,005 Engineering, etc. 9,812 Motor Vehicles, Cycles and Aircraft. 4,137 Explosives 4,253 Steel Melting and Iron Puddling, Iron and Steel Rolling, etc. 1,260 Hotel, Boarding House, Restaurant, Club, Catering, etc. Service 1,832 Tramway and Omnibus Service 860 Fishing 821 Shipping Service 828 Coalmining 2,150 Distributive Trades 4,749 National Government Service 3,738 Local Government Service 1,594 Agriculture, Horticulture, etc. 866 All Other Industries and Services 14,002 Ex-Service Personnel not classified by industry*. 6,646

*These are ex-service personnel who at July,1945 had not been classified to a particular industry. They may have had some employment since release or discharge from the Forces.

Numbers of insured persons suitable for ordinary employment, registered as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in the principal towns in Scotland at 14th January, 1946. Town Number o insured persons unemployed. Aberdeen 1,695 Airdrie 1,361 Ayr 754 Bathgate 531 Cambuslang 475 Clydebank 932 Coatbridge 1,881 Cowdenbeath 610 Dumbarton 680 Dundee 2,892 Edinburgh 2,837 Falkirk 1,318 Glasgow (including Rutherglen) 18,985 Greenock 1,981 Hamilton 1,865 Irvine 665 Johnstone 590 Kilmarnock 1,321 Kirkcaldy 409 Leven and Methil 752 Motherwell and Wishaw 2,979 New Milns 409 Paisley 1,549 Peterhead 435 Port Glasgow 500 Shotts 437 Stevenston 440 Stornoway 1,552 Uddingston 407 Wick 589 Rest of Scotland 11,850

As to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, to his Question on 3rd December last year. Since then approval has been given to a further 75 industrial building projects which will employ an additional 10,000 persons in Scotland. I would also refer the hon. Member to an article which appeared in the Board of Trade Journal, dated 16th February, outlining the industrial developments that are taking place in Scotland. Scottish industrialists have equal opportunities with others to display their enterprise and I hope that they will avail themselves of the facilities provided under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, to expand existing undertakings and introduce new industrial units in Scotland.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why Southleigh Farm Camp, Havant, of some 18 huts connected with all services, is being used to house naval stores when the demand for housing in the neighbourhood is great and the huts would be suitable for small families.

The question of using this camp to house small families is being examined as a matter of urgency. I will communicate with the hon. Member when this examination is complete.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether it is his intention to retain the royal ordnance depot at Melmerby, Yorkshire.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the number and ages of those who have been discharged since 1st January, 1946, from Woolwich Arsenal.

The total number of employees discharged from Woolwich Arsenal between 1st January and 16th March, 1946, was 956. I regret that, owing to the large amount of work involved I do not feel justified in calling for a detailed report on the ages of those discharged.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the regulations with regard to the use of anaesthetics in the dehorning of adult cattle.

The Animals (Anaesthetics) Act, 1919, prescribes that bovine animals of over one month old shall not be de-horned unless during the whole of the operation they are under the influence of some general aneasthetic or some local anaesthetic of sufficient power in either case to prevent them feeling pain.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he has considered the recent resolution of the London Retail Meat Traders' Association, a copy of which has been sent to him, opposing the nationalisation of road transport, and what reply he has sent thereto.

Yes, Sir. On 22nd February I wrote to the Council of Retail Distributors, through whom I received a copy of the resolution, stating that I had noted its terms. I have sent the hon. Member a copy of my reply to the council.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he has considered the recent resolution of the National Association of Creamery Proprietors, a copy of which has been sent to him, opposing the nationalisation of road transport; and what reply he has sent thereto.

Yes, Sir, and my reply to the Association on 13th February stated that the resolution had been noted.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will arrange for an evening collection to be made at the post box at Pebble Hill Road, Betchworth, in addition to the present morning collection which provides inadequate postal facilities for residents in this district.

— Prisoners in

Military Prisons Prisoners in Civil Prisons Normal Civilians Meat … … 35 ozs. (2s. 6d. per week approx.) Fresh 8 ozs. Preserved 4 ozs. (combined not to exceed is. 2d per week). rs. 2d. per week Fals … … 7 ozs 7 ozs. (r oz. cooking fat, 6 ozs margarine) 7 ozs. (r oz. cooking fat, 3 ozs. butter. 3 ozs. margarine) Choose … 14 ozs. 3 ozs. 3 ozs. Rice … … Nil 3½ ozs: if not available barley in lieu. Nil

I am happy to say that the evening collection from this particular posting box has now been restored.

asked the Minister of Food at what time intervals distribution of offals to butchers has been made in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham, Eastbourne and Cambridge during the past half year to the nearest date available.

The available supplies of offal are distributed as fairly as possible throughout the country and variations in the frequency of issues is no criterion of the amount of offal issued. With the exception of London, imported offal is issued to butchers in the towns mentioned once a fortnight and home killed offal is sent out as and when it becomes available after the slaughter of stock. In London, at the request of the butchers, a rota system has been adopted under which they take their supplies at less frequent intervals but in greater quantities, so that each butcher has sufficient to give all his customers a reasonable quantity. London butchers have been getting their supplies about once every four or five weeks.

asked the Minister of Food the amount of the ration in the United Kingdom of meat, fats, cheese and rice, supplied respectively, to prisoners in military prisons, prisoners in civil prisons and normal citizens.

The respective scales of food per week are as follow:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will arrange for priority passages from India to. be given to men between 60 and 70 years of age who remained in India to help their country during the war, and now wish to return to England.

Priority passages from India are allocated by the Government of India Priorities Board in accordance with a schedule of priorities. As accomodation on vessels homeward bound from India is in very short supply, I regret that it would not be practicable to accord any higher priority than at present to men between the ages of 60 and 70 who are returning finally to this country, unless there are special considerations attaching to each case which would qualify them for a higher priority.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if any figures or estimates are available of the number of residents or citizens of Eire who served in His Majesty's Forces during the 1939–45 war; and these figures can now be given.

There are no detailed statistics available of the number of persons who joined His Majesty's Forces from Eire during the late war. The only figures which are available are those given by my noble Friend in another place on the 19th March. As he explained, the only figures which can be given in the case of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are based on information supplied as to the address at the time of entry into the Service. Those for the Army and the Royal Air Force are based on information supplied as to place of birth, and in the case of the Army some of the men and women may have enlisted before the war. On these bases the figures are as follow:

Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Men entered and enlisted between 3rd September,1939, and 31st December,1944 483 Women enlisted between 15th December, 1943, and 31st August, 1945 34 Army. Total numbers serving at 31st December, 1944: Men 28,645 Women 4,133 R.A.F. Total numbers enlisted at Belfast between 1st January, 1943, and 31st August, 1945: Men 9,426 Women 528

As regaids R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. enlistments before 1st January, 1943, no distinction was drawn in the records between Northern Ireland and Eire. The R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. statistics also do not include enlistments in Great Britain of men and women of Eire origin as to which no figures are available. The bases on which the above information is given are, as my noble Friend said, not satisfactory, but it is not possible to supply more accurate figures without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and labour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the number pf European wives of non-Government servants, whose husbands are employed, or are to be employed in Malaya, now awaiting passages; and whether any priority is given to wives who have been separated from their husbands for long periods owing to internment or imprisonment.

There are some 2,000 European women and children awaiting passages to Malaya, of which about 90 per cent, are non-Government. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there has been any substantial improvement recently in the motor transport available to rubber planters and others engaged in the task of rehabilitating Malaya; to what extent surplus vehicles are being made available from military sources; and to what extent these can be supplemented by permitting civilians returning to Malaya to take motor bicycles or motor-cars with them.

I am glad to say that the transport situation in Malaya is improving gradually as a result of the steps mentioned in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Sir J. Barlow) on 20th December last. In addition, it is hoped to supply 1,000 military lorries from India, or failing that, from this country for civilian use in Malaya. So far as the Military Administration is concerned there are no obstacles in the way of civilians who wish to take their own vehicles to Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many strikes have taken place in Singapore in the last three months; how many workers were in- volved; what was the cause of these strikes; and what action is being taken to meet grievances of the workers.

I am taking steps to obtain the detailed information asked for and as soon as it is received I will write to my hon. Friend. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton (Mr. S. Marshall) on 6th February

asked the Secretary of State for War how many murders have taken place in Malaya during the past six months; in how many cases a conviction has been secured; and if he will make a statement on the incidence of serious crime generally.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of people now being held as political detainees in the Colonial Empire; in what colonies they are so held; and the reasons for their detention

Apart from two cases of aliens held at the request of the Foreign Office, I am not aware of any persons held as political detainees in the Colonies except in the Seychelles and Palestine. In the Seychelles, there are at present five Palestinian Arabs held for collaboration with the enemy and two Africans deported from Uganda for reasons explained in the answer to the Question by my hon. Friend on 7th November, 1945. As regards Palestine, there were on 31st January 530 persons detained under emergency legislation for security reasons, of whom 298 were held in Palestine and 232 in Eritrea.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken in Northern Rhodesia, to implement the recommendations made by a commission of inquiry into the grievances own countries. Prisoners of war here get working pay in addition to that. The rates of working pay are laid down by the Royal Warrant and are 6d. a day for ordinary labourer's work, and is. a day for other work. My hon. Friend has made great play with what he terms "slavery." I think he is exaggerating a little in that respect. After all, those who are prisoners of war in our hands— I can speak from my own experience, because I have seen conditions in Germany—are treated far better that their compatriots are in Germany. They are better fed, they are better clothed and they are better housed.

That only means that we are better slavemasters.

My hon. Friend should not use those terms. As one who has considerable sympathy with his point of view, I can say that we are doing our duty to these prisoners of war and we are acting in a humane and tolerant manner. My hon. Friend might be surprised to know that it was the German Government itself that insisted or tried to insist at the beginning of the war that German prisoners of war held by us should be put to work; but for reasons of security at that time it was not possible to do that. Idleness encourages the devil and the devil has plenty of work for idle hands. We are doing a good job by putting these prisoners of war to work. It is in their own interests, and they are contributing to this country s interest by helping to grow food, which not only our people, but they themselves require. My hon. Friend cannot allege in any way whatever that we are treating these individuals as slave labour. I look forward to the time when they can return to their own country, but I am afraid I cannot give the hon. Member any guarantee at the present moment when they will do so.

Question put, and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at Eighteen Minutes past Twelve o'Clock.

which gave rise to the strike among African railway employees last November; and whether the basic wage for Africans has now been increased to 25s. per month with rations and housing as recommended.

The Commission's recommendations have, I understand, been generally accepted by the Railway Company. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Altrincham (Mr. Erroll) on 6th February, the recommendations for increases in wages have been implemented.

asked the Minister of Food whether it is proposed to rough pack for export any part of the herring catch landed at Lerwick during the forthcoming season which may be surplus to requirements for home consumption.

If by "rough pack" the hon. Member means hand packed un-gutted herrings, the reply is, "Yes, Sir." Arrangements have been made for up to half the exports of cured herrings to the Continent to be in this form.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider allowing extra rations to workers engaged on the building of houses too far from their homes to enable them to get home for meals.

I would refer by. hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Jeger) on 19th December, 1945, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Food the total amount of sugar allocated during 1946 for the purpose of the manufacture of table jellies.

Allocations of sugar for the manufacture of table jellies during 1946 will amount to about 10,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the Honey Importers and Packers Association, of Old Broad Street, E.C.2, are forming a price ring for imported honey allocated for chemical purposes; that under this price ring chemists are forced to buy from a selected group of packers' firms at £120 per ton, honey passed to them by importers at £76 per ton, duty paid; and what steps he will take to put an end to this practice.

In 1944 when there was an acute shortage of honey, a consignment was purchased by the Ministry at a price higher than the normal. To avoid increasing the price to the general public^ this honey was distributed to manufacturing chemists. As honey forms only a small item of the ingredient cost of pharmaceutical preparations, the prices of the products involved were not seriously affected. Supplies of this more expensive honey are now exhausted, and steps are being taken to bring down the price charged to chemists accordingly. A meeting on the subject is being held today, and I will let the hon. Member know the result.