asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to reduce the cost of requisitioned property occupied by British troops in Belgium substantially below the present high figure.

There has been a considerable and progressive reduction in the cost of rent for requisitioned premises in Belgium since December, 1945, and the responsible authorities are fully aware of the urgent necessity for retaining the minimum amount of accommodation under requisition.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the damage that was done to certain property on Shanklin Esplanade, Isle of Wight, as a result of Pluto operations; and when arrangements will be made to pay the compensation due and to sponsor priority for licences to carry out the necessary repairs.

Yes, Sir. Arrangements have already been made in agreement with the Esplanade Association, for submission of claims which will cover both war damage and dilapidations for which the War Office is responsible. Some claims have been received and are in course of settlement. The question of licences for repairs is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British horses and mules employed in the service of the Armed Forces are still in Egypt and North Africa; how many such animals have been disposed of; and in what manner this was done.

On 12th March 1,417 British horses from this country were still in the Mediterranean area, of which 1,250 were in Egypt and Palestine and none in North Africa. Separate figures for Egypt and Palestine are not available. Six thousand, three hundred and forty-nine have been disposed of. All of them either died or were humanely destroyed. No British mules have been sent overseas since the beginning of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a soldier demobilised at Guildford on 16th January, particulars of whom have been sent to him, found no civilian suit to fit him; was measured for one and given written directions as to where to apply if he did not receive the completed article within 28 days; that he has received no acknowledgement upon fulfilling these instructions; that no Civilian suit, after two months delay, has been issued to him; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

I understand that the man in question has now received his suit and has expressed his satisfaction with it.

asked the Secretary of State for War why no suit, hat, and shirt, were available for Mr. J. G. Ladner on discharge at No. 3 Civilian Clothing Depot, Northampton, on 15th January, 1946, and why the commandant at the civilian ordnance depot at Branston has failed to supply these articles in response to application by Form M.O. 297, or to answer letters dated 11th February, 25th February and 13th March; and when Mr. Ladner may expect his clothes.

Delay in the issue of clothing only occurs when a man cannot be fitted from sizes in stock. Every effort is made to reduce the time lag in these cases 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 release and I hope that they will be overcome in the near future. Mr. Ladner's clothing was despatched on 28th March.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will examine the reasons for which a N.C.O., T/1441546, with 552 Company, R.A.S.C., B.A.O.R., is being retained; and whether, in view of the considerations submitted in a letter from the hon. Member for Colchester, dated 26th March, he will arrange for this N.C.O.s release.

It was decided that this N.C.O. need not be retained beyond his release date. He left his unit on the way home on 25th March and he should, therefore, be released well within the period laid down for his Group, which ends on 20th April.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 1439847 Sapper W. Burge, 719 A.W. Company, Platoon 3, Royal Engineers, B.A.O.R., a bricklayer in release group 39, has not been offered a Class B release.

In meeting the demands of the Ministry of Labour and National Service for bricklayers, we have not reached age and service Group 39 in the Corps of Royal Engineers.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. and gallant Member for North Dorset can expect an answer to his letter of nth February, concerning 1435711 Gunner L. W. Pike.

A reply was sent to the hon. and gallant Member's letter on 26th March.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 14610416 Lance-Corporal W. J. Pike, X Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, C.M.F., a builder in release group 36, has not yet been offered his release under Class B.

This man's release under Class B has now been authorised. Some delay occurred in this case owing to his trade having been incorrectly recorded in the War Office Central Card Index.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to grant Class C release to 14432666 Sapper G. Nicholls, No. 4 Platoon, 678 A.W. Coy., R.E., B.A.O.R., who has already made application.

A recommendation for repatriation on compassionate grounds has been sent to B.A.O.R., but I must emphasise that the decision rests with the authorities in B.A.O.R. if it is decided that Sapper Nicholls should be repatriated he should make an application for compassionate release through his Commanding Officer on arrival in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many cases of yellow fever have been notified in the Army drafts arriving at Gibraltar; and how many yellow fever cases there have been in the Army in any area in which troops are serving.

During the war years no case of yellow fever amongst British troops has been notified from Gibraltar or any other area.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that persons of Yugoslavian nationality, detained in some cases without interrogation at Terni Detention Camp, have been removed by force to an unknown destination; and whether he will give an assurance that these people have not been sent back to Yugoslavia against their will.

No persons are detained at Terni Camp without interrogation. Recently six Yugoslav nationals in that camp, whose surrender has been requested by the Yugoslav Government on grounds of collaboration with the enemy, were removed to a prisoner of war camp while further consideration was being given to their case. No decision has yet been reached as to whether or not they should be sent back to Yugoslavia.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the marriage ban between British nationals and German members of B.A.O.R. will be lifted; and whether he is aware of the disastrous consequences this ban is having on the private affairs of many men.

Provided the German party is a member of His Majesty's Forces there is no ban on such marriages. As regards marriages with other German nationals I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply of 5th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Miss Colman).

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will derequisition Cromer Town Hall, Norfolk, at an early date, so that it can be prepared for use for entertainment purposes during the coming season.

Yes, Sir. The Town Hall is in process of being derequisitioned.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the vaccine against scrub typhus began to be used on the troops fighting in the Far East; how many men have been inoculated with this vaccine in the areas in which scrub typhus occurs; whether he has received any information as to the number of cases of scrub typhus each month since the disease first attacked our troops; and if he will publish the figures.

The first batch of scrub typhus vaccine was despatched to India for use in A.L.F.S.E.A. in June, 1945, and by December, 1945, 268,000 cc. had been despatched. Information is not at present available in the War Office as to the number of men inoculated and information as to the number of cases relates only to 1944 and 1945. The following figures of cases of scrub typhus were reported to the War Office for the years 1944 and 1945: 1944 1945 January … … … 100 291 February … … … 22 40 March … … … nil 27 April … … … 4 39 May … … … 35 24 June … … … 46 79 July … … … 133 210 August … … … 835 157 September … … 694 111 October … … … 728 177 November … … … 677 120 December … … … 530 65

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the concern recently expressed in Colchester about prospective lack of canteen facilities for members of the garrison there, as evidenced by a letter addressed by Colchester Rotary Clubs to Eastern Command; how many voluntary canteens are available in the town and the capacity of each of them; and whether he has any statement to make about proposals for increasing the canteen facilities available.

There are now ten Voluntary Canteens operating in Colchester, two of which are for Women's Services only. The details are: Capacity. Congregational Church Canteen, East Stockwell Street 50 Cardinal Bourne Institute, Priory Street 40 Church Army Social Club, 21, Maidenburgh Street 25 Congregational Club, Lion Walk 190 Baptist Church Club, Lid Lane 75 King George V Club for Women, Museum Street 50(Approx. Allied Services Club, Trinity Street 50 Spiritualistic Church Club 77, Military Road 50 Y.W.C.A. Canteen, Woodlands, Lexdon Road 28 Girls Friendly Society, St. John Street (Women only) 50 (Approx.

There is also a N.A.A.F.I. Club at St. Botolph's Hall with accommodation for 500 men and women. Another voluntary canteen is opening on 31st March, 1946. This is the Church of England Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Club, Flagstaff House, which will provide facilities for 600 men and women. In addition, a permanent N.A.A.F.I. Club for men and women is being built in the Garrison Area, which it is hoped will be opened in the autumn. It is considered that these facilities should meet all reasonable requirements, but the situation is kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for War what the cost has been of building the Army huts and services in the Gladstone Road, Huntly; what was the date of commencement and completion of the work; and by what numbers they are now occupied.

There are two camps in Gladstone Road, Huntly-Market Muir Camp and Meadow Bank Camp. The cost of building huts at Market Muir Camp was £6,804, other services £1,021, total £7,825. Cost of huts at Meadow Bank Camp was £10,175, other services £1,525, total 11,700. The work was started in November, 1940, and completed in April, 1941, in both cases. Forty-eight personnel are now accommodated in Market Muir Camp. Meadow Bank is occupied by N.A.A.F.I. Stores but not by personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many soldiers who would like to bring back dogs to this country from the Middle East have been prevented from doing so owing to the limited kennel accommodation on board the transports; whether these facilities will now be improved; what is the present position with regard to the capacity of the military quarantine station for dogs in this country; and whether additional accommodation will be provided elsewhere.

I am aware that there is a shortage of kennel accommodation on board ships and the possibility of increasing this accommodation is at present under discussion with the Ministry of War Transport. The existing accommodation at the military quarantine station is 500 kennels and it is hoped to start work shortly on increasing the number of kennels to 600. No further increase is contemplated at present either on this site or elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that considerable damage is being done to unoccupied W.D. huts on redundant gun sites; and whether he will arrange for these huts to be sold on site by local auction.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Fareham (Sir A. White) on 19th February last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the issue of greatcoats and boots to members of the cadet forces.

This matter is still under consideration in connection with other commitments and liabilities.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many cases of enteric fever and deaths from that disease have occurred in British Armies throughout the world during the recent war.

I regret that complete figures are not immediately available, but the following figures give the number of cases during the periods stated for four Commands: United Kingdom (September, 1939-December, 1945) 210 M.E.F. (1941–1944) 789 (87 deaths) C.M.F. (1943–1945) 622 B.A.O.R. (July-December 1945) 29 1,650

Except in the case of M.E.F., no figures of deaths are available. The figures relate to the enteric group of diseases, which includes Typhoid fever, Paratyphoid fever A, B and C, and "Clinical Typhoid."

asked the Secretary of State for War why no reply has been made by his Department to a letter, dated 9th February, 1946, from the Dolgelley Rural District Council, objecting to the proposed use of land at Talybont, Merioneth by No. 164 O.C.T.U.

A reply was sent to the Dolgelley Rural District Council on 19th March, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War which release groups have so far been reached with offers to building trade workers for release under the block scheme.

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

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the annual rent of the Spread Eagle Assembly Hall, Thame, which is requisitioned by his Department; where the accounts can be found for money received for each night it is let for private functions at the rate of £1 for rent and £1 for insurance; and whether he is aware that this hall has been let three times a fortnight for the last 18 months, apart from military dances.

The annual compensation rental of Spread Eagle Assembly Hall, Thame, is £115. In addition the owners are repaid £7 10s. per annum in respect of the Fire Insurance Premium. Letting charges for private functions held in this property are paid to the District Paymaster, Oxford. I am aware that there are frequent demands for the hire of this Hall from civilian sources, and these have been met wherever possible. The Hall is no longer required by the War Department and will be derequisitioned provided it is not required by any other Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now arrange that all military exercises involving explosives and live ammunition in the vicinity or Groomsport, County Down, are stopped, and all unexploded mortar bombs on the foreshore removed.

As there is no suitable alternative site available I regret that I cannot agree to discontinue essential military training in the Groomsport area.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Thame Masonic Hall, which is requisitioned by his Department and has been empty since last October, began to be used on 14th February for canteen purposes, in the evenings, and one room only being used.

The hall was taken over by a unit which was then at full strength and required sleeping, canteen and other recreational facilities. Numbers have fallen and it has now been decided that this hall need not be retained for military purposes. It will, therefore, be derequisitioned provided it is not required by any other Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to preserve, as far as possible, the continuity of the studies of students obliged to serve in His Majesty's Forces by informing them when, where and how long they will be stationed in a particular place.

Once it has been decided by the Ministry of Labour and National Service that a man shall be called up for the Army he must serve wherever he may be required; and I regret that it would not be practicable to give any under- taking as to where he will serve or as to how long he will remain in any particular place.

asked the Secretary of State for War why blasting operations of great force still take place at Trawsfynydd, Merioneth, in spite of the repeated assurances given to the hon. Member for Merioneth that the force of the operations would be reduced; and whether he will now put an end to the blasting operations arising from the destruction of surplus ammunition at Trawsfynydd.

The size of the demolitions has already been considerably reduced but a further thorough investigation is being carried out. Because of the condition of these explosives, it is not possible to dispose of them by dumping at sea or by breaking them down and the artillery range at Trawsfynydd has been selected as the most suitable site available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement with regard to the financial position of the War Damage Commission and give a general report on the situation in relation to payments.

I have been asked to reply. Up to 31st March, 1945, £152,000,000 had been collected, and £230,000,000 paid out, under Part I of the War Damage Act. It is estimated that at that date about £520,000,000 remained to be paid out and about £50,000,000 remained to be collected As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already stated, no contributions beyond those due last July will be levied and all payments made after 31st March, 1946, will be a charge on the Consolidated Fund. Cost of works payments are made as they fall due, and are now running at about £10,000,000 a month, but my right hon. Friend cannot yet say when it will be decided to issue value payments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the function of the War Damage Commission in deciding questions of war damage suffered by public utility undertakings.

The function of the Commission is limited to making advances, on the certificate of the appropriate Department, to Public Utility Undertakings on the conditions set out in Subsection (3) of Section 70 of the War Damage Act, 1943.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated loss of production and cost in wages if Saturday, 8th June, is to be considered as a holiday; and whether such loss to firms in wages and output will be allowed for in assessing for tax purposes.

No such estimate is available, but a trader who gives his employees a holiday with pay on 8th June may deduct the pay in computing his trading profits for tax purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now give, in sterling to the nearest £, the latest available figures for direct and indirect taxation per head of the population in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, South Africa and the U.S.A., oh the lines of the answer given on 22nd June, 1943.

A statement is being compiled and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to pay total loss war damage claims.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of 5th February, to the hon. Member for Solihull (Mr. M. Lindsay).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons are employed by His Majesty's and local governments as civil servants or in any other capacity; and the total annual cost to the Exchequer and local authorities.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Monthly Digest of Statistics for February, Tables 4 and 22, and to the latest statement of civil staffs employed in Government Departments (Cmd. 6763). Estimates of the annual cost of Central Government staffs during 1946–47 are now being published; but no corresponding figures are available for the cost to local authorities of their staffs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a statement setting out the last estimates of revenue and expenditure submitted to the University Grants Committee by each university, in order to enable a comparison to be made between the amount which the university would desire from the committee and the amount which the committee actually recommended as appropriate, having regard to the limited amount at its disposal for all universities.

No, Sir. The relations between the University Grants Committee and the individual Universities are confidential.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total annual revenue to the Exchequer in Entertainments Tax from the takings in all cinemas in Great Britain for the year 1938 and the latest corresponding year for which figures are available.

Estimated figures are as follow:

1938 … … £5,600,000 1945 … … £41,000,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information has so far been called for by the Bank of England, since its nationalisation from the joint stock banks.

The powers conferred on the Bank of England by Section 4 (3) of the Bank of England Act have not been used. There is full cooperation, as hitherto, between the Bank of England and the Joint Stock Banks

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will take steps to see that in any inquiry consequent upon a compulsory purchase order the chairman assessor shall be an independent person and not a civil servant attached to the Ministry.

No, Sir. The responsibility for the actual decision in such d case rests with me, and I am satisfied that those appointed by me to hold inquiries report to me with complete fairness all the circumstances and points of view presented to them. It is normal practice for inquiries into the acquisition of land to be conducted by civil servants.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he has given consideration to a resolution from the Norfolk Advisory Committee on Town and Country Planning relating to the future development and use of the Breckland area in South Norfolk; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. The resolution of the Norfolk County Planning Advisory Committee has been referred to the National Parks Committee, who propose to visit the Breckland area in the near future. I shall consider the resolution in connection with the Committee's Report.

asked the Minister of Works why the gates into Hyde Park are closed at midnight and sometimes not locked, whereas it is possible to enter the park by walking round the pillar where the railings used to be; and if he will open the roads to the public at night.

Hyde Park is still closed to the public at midnight although owing to removal of railings it is no doubt difficult to prevent access by un-authorised persons after that time. I see no grounds for opening the roads to traffic after midnight.

asked the Minister of Works why the gates into Hyde Park, between Exhibition Road and Queen's Gate, are permanently closed; and whether, to facilitate the flow of traffic, especially when functions are being held at the Albert Hall, he will now cause those gates to be kept open.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the gates at each end of the road in Kensington Gardens leading past the Albert Memorial. Owing to bomb damage the Coalbrookdale Gates at the eastern end of this road have for safety reasons to be kept closed. This involves the closing of the gates at the other end of the road. The reopening of the road will depend on the repair of the gates, and whether traffic needs justify the entry of vehicles into Kensington Gardens. The practice of opening the Coalbrookdale Gates until midnight when concerts, etc., were held at the Albert Hall was dis-continued in 1926.

asked the Minister of Works if he will have aerial photographs taken at peak traffic times of all entrances to Hyde Park, St. James's Park and Regents Park, to show the bottleneck of traffic, and if he will place these in the Tea Room.

No, Sir. I see no need for this.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the supply of whiting is inadequate to meet the needs of the country; and what steps he is taking to bring this up to our needs.

I am aware that whiting is in short supply. As a result of intensive efforts, however, there has been substantial recruitment to the industry, and every effort will continue to be made to meet the further labour demands. Plans have also been made for the extension of existing industrial capacity.

asked the Minister of Works (1) how many surplus R.A.F. hangars passed to his Department are not situated on airfields; how many of them are empty and if he intends to dispose of those not in use;

(2) why none of the 387 surplus R.A.F. hangars handed to his Department have been disposed of; and what procedure must be adopted by persons or firms who wish to acquire them.

Hangars which are no longer required by the R.A.F. and can be used for other purposes where they stand are handed over to the Board of Trade and not to my Ministry for allocation to meet Government storage requirements. The Board of Trade have allocated 114 hangars for this purpose to my Department, all of which are situated on airfields. Of these, 25 are at present empty but will shortly be taken into use for storage purposes. Surplus hangars on R.A.F. airfields which are not required for Government purposes and are to be removed from the site are disposed of by the Air Ministry. If they are to be disposed of as part of the sale of a surplus site the matter is handled by my Department. Accordingly applications for persons wishing to purchase hangars for removal from an R.A.F. airfield should be made to the Air Ministry; applications from persons wishing to purchase a site with the hangars erected thereon should be made to my Ministry. No hangars in either category are as yet available for disposal.

asked the Minister of Works when Ocklynge Farm House, Eastbourne, used by the Public Assistance Board as offices, will be derequisitioned, so that these premises may be used for residential purposes.

Search for alternative office accommodation for the Assistance Board in Eastbourne has so far been unsuccessful. Ocklynge Farm House, which was vacant when it was requisitioned, will be derequisitioned as soon as other premises can be secured, but I am afraid that I cannot say how soon this will be.

asked the Minister or Works whether, in view of the prospects of an increasing shortage of coal, he is taking steps to ensure that further attention is given to the installation of oil-fuel heating appliances in new Government buildings.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power to the hon. and gallant Member for Chertsey (Captain Marsden) on 5th March, of which I am sending him a copy. In designing heating installations in new Government buildings my Department keeps in close touch with the Ministry of Fuel and Power.

asked the Minister of Works why it is necessary for workers in the building industry to be employed under varying sets of conditions; and why normal working rules are not being restored.

Variations are provided for in the working rules of the building industry in order to meet differences in local conditions and to promote the mobility of labour. The conditions of work in the industry are governed by the working rules although specially agreed provisions apply in cases where direction of labour is necessary and the Essential Work Order has to be applied.

asked the Minister of Works, in view of the return to postwar conditions, what steps he purposes taking towards the rehabilitation and amenity of the Royal Park of Holyrood.

The proposals which are under consideration for improving the amenities of Holyrood Park include the provision of additional seats, the planting of trees and shrubs and the construction of sandpits and a paddling pool for children. I am glad to say that an initial supply of seats is now ready. I should like to thank my hon. Friend for the interest which he has shown in this matter and should welcome any assistance which he can offer towards preventing wilful damage to seats and other property in this park.

asked the Minister of Works whether the scheme for extensions to Faraday House in Queen Victoria Street is being prepared in his Department; how high are these extensions to be; and is it proposed to take this building close up to St Paul's Cathedral.

A scheme for the extension of Faraday Buildings is being prepared in the Department. The buildings will conform in respect of building line, frontage heights, total heights and general design to the recommendations of the City authorities, and the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, and will be to the approval of the Royal Fine Arts Commission.

asked the Minister of Works for what amount a licence has been issued for the repair of the Liverpool Exchange buildings and the adjoining offices; if licences for similar amounts have been granted for any war-damaged office property in London or elsewhere; and what is the policy regarding the issue of such licences generally.

The amount of the licence for work on the Liverpool Exchange Buildings was £138,370, and this is the largest amount so far authorised for the repair of a single war damaged office property. Applications for the repair of war damaged offices are considered in the light of the cost of the work in relation to the floor space to be brought into use, the local demand for building labour and materials, and the importance of the use to be made of the premises. The decision in this case was influenced by the need for reducing unemployment in Liverpool.

asked the Minister of Works the estimated labour force and quantity of materials required for hutting and other preparations for the Victory Parade on 8th June; what is the estimated cost; and under what Vote will such expenditure fall.

The principal materials required by my Department for the Victory Parade on 8th June are steel scaffolding, rough timber decking, iron pipes, masts, flag poles, hessian and Elsan closets. In addition the War Office, who are erecting camps in Kensington Gardens and Regents Park, will use surplus tents and administration, ablution and washing units from redundant stocks. Until quantities are taken out it is not possible to give exact details of the materials required, but a large proportion will be available for re-use.

The labour force required by the Ministry of Works will amount to 560 men for eight weeks, and by the War Office 500 men, including a number of prisoners of war, for six weeks.

The total cost of all Civil Expenditure on the Victory Celebrations is provisionally estimated at £135,000. The expenditure by the War Office on the camps is placed at £33,000. A supplementary estimate under Class VII of the Civil Estimates will be submitted to Parliament in due course. Expenditure by the Service Departments will fall upon their ordinary votes.

asked the Minister of Works why, having regard to the provisions of Regulation 68CA, the Government continue to requisition for use as offices, housing accommodation available for residence; and on what authority the Government purport to take such action.

It is not the practice of Government Departments to requisition for use as offices housing accommodation which can readily be used for residential purposes. The provisions of Regulation 68CA are complied with by Departments. The powers of the Government to requisition and hold properties on requisition are contained in the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act, 1945, and the Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Act, 1945.

asked the Minister of Works, whether any progress has been made towards the vacation of Ibstock Place, Roehampton, by a branch of the Ministry of Supply, in order to enable the house to be occupied by a school.

Owing to the special requirements of the branch of the Ministry of Supply at Ibstock Place, a suitable alternative building has not yet been found. Search is being made urgently. I am fully alive to the need for restoring Ibstock Place to its former use as soon as possible and every effort is being made to that end.

asked the Minister of Works the brick production for Scotland for each of the last three months.

The figures of brick production for Scotland are as follows:

December, 1945 … 16,154,000 January, 1946 … 15,897,000 February, 1946 … 19,120,000

asked the Minister of Works how many brickworks are now in production in Wales; and how many men and women, respectively, are employed in them.

There are 31 brickworks at present in production in Wales and 1,132 men and 19 women operatives were employed in these works at the 28th February.

asked the Minister of Works how many brickworks in Wales are undermanned; what is the estimated number of men and women, respectively. needed to obtain full production in these undertakings; and what steps he is taking to recruit the necessary labour.

62 out of a total of 74 brickworks in Wales have so far not attained their prewar labour force and it is estimated that 1,340 operatives of all types are required to obtain full production. Every effort is being made to recruit the labour required by means of Class B release from the Forces and by the employment of prisoner-of-war labour where British labour is not available. In addition, arrangements for training new entrants in brickworks are at an advanced stage of discussion with the industry. The number of women likely to be employed it the future is not known.

asked the Minister of Works what regulations or instructions have been issued by him relating to the payment of bonuses to bricklayers engaged on permanent houses.

My Department has not issued any regulations or instructions about the payment of bonuses to bricklayers engaged on permanent housing.

asked the Minister of Works on what terms the managing companies responsible for the storage and distribution of temporary housing supplies are remunerated; and what is the total cost of this service up to date.

Two of the large managing contractors for the temporary house programme are to be paid a fixed fee for their services. The remuneration of the other two large firms is still under negotiation. For the smaller firms, the remuneration is either an inclusive fee per ton or per item handled, or a percentage on costs. The cost of storage and distribution centres, including an allowance for the fees of the managing contractors, up to the end of last month is estimated at £31,292,000.

asked the Minister of Works when he hopes to be able to deliver to the Dunstable Borough Council the 50 Tarran houses for which the sites were ready several months ago, and which he hoped to be able to deliver by 17th February.

It is hoped to start delivery of the houses this month. They were not delivered in February as fresh tenders had to be invited for the erection contract, the first received being too high.

asked the Minister of Works for an analysis of the causes of the present high costs of building; and if he will analyse them so that a comparison can be made as to the relative increases which have taken place as regards the costs of labour, materials and finance.

The causes of the present high cost of building as compared with prewar are in the main the increases in the prices of materials and components, the improvements in rates of wages and conditions, and the reduction in the rate of output due to the dislocation resulting from the war. The relative weight of these factors varies according to the type and locality of building and cannot be expressed in firm figures.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that trenches for drains are now being dug across the site of the Budbury Circle; and whether he has satisfied himself that this will not constitute a violation of the undertaking given by his Department that work would not proceed on this prehistoric site without the supervision of an archæologist.

Representatives of the Department have recently been to the housing site at Budbury, and I am advised that the operations so far carried out have not involved excavation so deep as to affect any archæological remains.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that certain cottage dwellers in the rural areas, who are solely dependent on coal for heating and cooking, are receiving an allotment of only 1 cwt. per week; whether this is a general order; and what prospects exist for an increase before the winter is over.

Supplies may be authorised for premises entirely dependent on coal up to 54 cwt. per annum, or about 1 cwt. per week in the South, and slightly more in the North, but actual deliveries may have been a little short of this figure. I am sorry that no increase in these allowances is likely in the near future but any consumer who is suffering hardship may seek the assistance of the local fuel overseer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of the total units of electricity sold in this country is sold to areas where the voltage is not between 210 and 250 A.C.

In 1943 2.2 per cent, of electricity was supplied by undertakings operating entirely on voltages below 210; none was supplied at voltages over 250. Fifty-nine undertakings give part of their supplies at voltages below 210 but their statistics do not show how much is supplied at those voltages.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the rule that an allowance of petrol will not be granted for a new hire motorcar service or the extension of an existing service except in respect of persons disabled within the meaning of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, is too rigid; and whether he will give sympathetic consideration to applications from persons who are not disabled, but whose circumstances warrant the grant of such allowance.

The rule to which my hon. Friend refers is not as rigid as he indicates. Petrol allowances have been authorised in a considerable number of cases where the public need has justified the employment of additional hire car services.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he proposes to make a statement about the validity of the use of the "L" coupons issued with the basic fuel ration.

An official announcement was issued to the Press on nth February. The announcement indicated that, until further notice, both the "L" unit coupons and the "N" unit coupons will be valid for the supply of motor spirit on the basis of one unit equals one gallon. This point was emphasised in a further public announcement on 28th February.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that on 24th March at 5.47 p.m. in full daylight, the street lights in Fulham Road, S.W., had been turned on; and what action he intends to take to prevent future similar waste of fuel.

Some of the lamps in the Fulham Road are switched on by hand. To ensure that all these lamps are alight by sunset it is necessary, with the inadequate labour available, to switch on some of the lamps some time before sunset. I can assure the hon. Member that my Department is exercising the utmost vigilance in preventing any form of fuel wastage.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will, by broadcast or otherwise, issue a public appeal to all persons on whose land there are dead and fallen trees, to sell this timber to timber merchants, as much of this can be cut and resold for fuel and other purposes.

I have no evidence of any reluctance to sell dead or fallen timber. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the difficulty about using this timber is that it involves heavy expense in labour and equipment. I am most anxious that no timber suitable for fuel should be wasted and if my hon. Friend has any particular instance in mind and will let me have details I will see what can be done to encourage the necessary cooperation between the interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the maldistribution of coal in Hull, both to merchants and customers, he will arrange for a public inquiry there to allay the misgivings of the citizens and also so that merchants' books of receipts and supplies may be checked, evidence taken from the trade and customers who have not received their percentage share of coal over considerable periods; and steps taken to ensure a more equitable distribution to small customers.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to his Question of 26th March on this matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of registered domestic coal customers in Hull at the beginning of the coal year 1945–46; the number added each month since and the present total; what the weekly allocation of coal to the city was in May, 1945. and what it is today.

The following is the information in respect of the nearest dates for which figures are available:

The number of controlled premises registered under the Coal Distribution Order, 1943, including all domestic premises, supplied from depots in the Hull district was: 1st May, 1945 … 99,959 15th June, 1945 … 101,086 31st October, 1945 … 102,981 12th January, 1946 … 106,124 12th February, 1946 … 106,675 12th March, 1946 … 107,055

The house coal weekly allocation for this district for the six months May to October, 1945, was 5,822 tons. This figure was based on an estimate of the coal supplies which would be available between May and October, 1945, which was not in fact realised. The allocation today is 5,285 tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average weekly percentage of the coal allocation actually supplied to the Co-operative Wholesale Society and other merchants in Hull, during the 47 weeks of the coal year 1945–46; and what amount of coal should have been supplied to each registered domestic customer in this period or the period for which the latest figures are available.

I am obtaining the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend and will communicate with him.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the shortage of suitable timber poles for extending high voltage electricity mains into rural areas, he will encourage the use of reinforced concrete poles.

Reinforced concrete poles are suitable technically for 11,000 volt overhead lines but as they cost more than timber poles and are more expensive to install their use would seriously increase the cost of electricity in rural areas. I should not, therefore, feel justified in adopting the suggestion of the hon. Member unless the cost of using these poles can be considerably reduced.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the present proportion of coal and fuel oil, respectively, used in steam power stations in Great Britain.

In 1944, which is the latest period for which full information is at present available, 5,287 tons of fuel oil were used in steam power stations of authorised electricity undertakers, as compared with 23,118,807 tons of coal. It is estimated that, of the 37,000 million units generated at these stations in 1944, 17 million were produced by oil fired plants.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the estimated cost in man hours of one ton of good quality bituminous coal delivered to site in central London.

The best estimate available is 10 man hours. This figure covers the labour directly employed on producing coal, on transporting it from the pithead to a London depot, and on distributing it in sacks from the depot.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average annual reduction in the number of horses and ponies employed below ground in mines from 1922–28 and from 1928–44; and the average annual rate of increase in the proportion of the coal output carried by mechanical conveyors at or near the coal face since 1928.

The average annual reduction in the number of horses and ponies employed below ground in the period 1922–1928 was 2,236. The corresponding figure for 1928–1944 was 1,596. The proportion of coal output carried by mechanical conveyors was 12 per cent. in 1928 and 69 per cent. in 1944, an average annual rate of increase of 3½ per cent.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider arranging for a delegation of working miners, representative of each part of the coalfield, to visit the U.S.A., to enable them to obtain firsthand knowledge of American mining methods.

In view of the urgent need to conserve dollar exchange official visits have to be kept to the minimum.

Care and treatment of animals or cruelty to animals: contraventions of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, and the Protection of Animals Act, 1911. Year Prosecutions (number of separate charges). Number of Convictions. Fines. Imprisonment. Warnings. 1940 … … … … 13 11 1 — 1941 … … … … 20 19 1 — 1942 … … … … 36 32 1 — 1943 … … … … 29 26 2 — 1944 … … … … 41 36 3 — 1945 … … … … 23 23 — —

Seven Inspectors of Horses devote their whole time to enforcing the law and the other Members of the Mines Inspectorate give part of their time. The law is generally well observed and the measures of enforcement are adequate.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now in a position to make a statement about introducing the system of points and extra rations for coalminers, as in Holland, in this country.

I have not yet received the complete details of this scheme which I have been endeavouring to obtain from Holland but I will consider them as soon as they reach me.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that

I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion if circumstances become more favourable.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many cases have been brought to the courts in each year since 1940 for ill-treatment to horses and ponies working in mines; in how many cases have convictions been successful; in how many cases have warnings, fines or imprisonment, respectively been imposed and what action he proposes to take to reduce such cases of cruelty.

The information is as follows:

William Michael Easther, of Eastbourne, passed the first M.B. in all subjects except one; that because of the date of his birthday and the date of the examination he was precluded from sitting again within the prescribed time and age limit; that three months deferment was requested to enable him to qualify but was refused; and whether he will reconsider this case, with a view to recommending his release from the Army to enable him to take this examination.

This man was given three months' postponement in June, 1945, but was then refused further postponement by the Hardship Committee. This decision was confirmed by the Umpire on appeal. I see no grounds for asking for release from the Army.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state the Government's policy with regard to the length of service which shall be required of young men called up to the Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour if the Government have yet arrived at a decision as to the length of service required to be served by men called up under compulsory service, as parents are anxious for this information.

I am unable to add to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for East Renfrew (Major Lloyd) on 27th February. The matter is receiving urgent consideration and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst university students in the Forces caused by the deferment of military service of new entrants to the universities; and it he will take steps to see that those whose education has been interrupted and who have served in the Forces return to the universities before young people who have not done any military service are allowed to enter.

The general question of entrance of students to Universities in October, 1946, is now being examined and the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend are being fully borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the long delay, amounting to about six months, before surgical boots and appliances and artificial limbs can be supplied to those requiring them, he will defer any further call-up of the skilled workers engaged in making such appliances and accelerate the release of those in the Forces.

I am aware of certain difficulties in connection with the production of surgical boots, appliances and artificial limbs, and am considering, in consultation with the interested Government Departments, the possibility of deferring the call-up of members of the 1926 or earlier classes who may be employed on this work. It is already open to an employer to apply through the appropriate Government Department for the release from the Forces of any particular man who is a key specialist in this work.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to state the policy of his Department in regard to the deferment of agricultural students attending recognised training colleges.

I hope to make a general statement on deferment of students very shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour what opportunities will be offered to men called up for compulsory service to volunteer for service with the Army.

Every man on registration is invited to express a preference for one or other of the three Services and a man who expressed a preference for the Army would not now be called up for another Service unless he possessed special trade skill that could not be employed in the Army.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board are obliged to employ German prisoners of war on the Loch Slay Scheme as they are unable to obtain sufficient Scottish labour; and if, in view of the fact that there are over 1, 000 unemployed Scotsmen registered in the neighbouring county of Argyll alone, he will take steps to draw the necessary labour for the Loch Sloy and other similar schemes from these unemployed Scotsmen.

Yes, Sir. The employment of German prisoners of war on the Loch Sloy scheme was authorised only after all suitable unemployed Scotsmen in the area had been considered for the work. About 300 British labourers are at present engaged on the scheme, and I understand that more will be employed when additional accommodation becomes available. If at any time it became practicable to replace the prisoners of war by suitable unemployed Scotsmen their withdrawal would be arranged.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will issue a general direction to enable farm workers, who took up employment with W.A.E.C.s away from their home districts during the war, to return to their homes.

Instructions have already been issued that applications from workers wishing to leave scheduled employment, including employment with a war agricultural executive committee, who have been working away from home for a substantial period are to be given sympathetic consideration. For the time being I cannot go further than this.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now relax the rule applied by National Service officers that farmers may not advertise for farm labour more than one month in advance of the date on which they require it.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour how many building operatives during and since the war left Wales to engage in the restoration of war damaged property in England, voluntarily, and by direction, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour how many building trade workers left Wales to repair damaged property in London and other cities; how many have returned; and what steps he is taking to retransfer those who are still employed outside Wales.

During the period of active recruitment for war damage repairs in London, some 3,000 building operatives were transferred from Wales. Of this number, about 2,000 were volunteers and 1,000 were directed. Since January, 1946, these workers have been free to return to Wales, but it is not possible to say how many have returned.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken, and are further contemplated, by his Department to ensure that the number of building operatives in Wales will be sufficient to meet the present housing, school and factory building requirements of Wales.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of building operatives employed in Wales in June, 1939, and October, 1945; and the present total.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men were employed in the building trade in Wales in 1939; how many are employed today; and what steps he is taking to increase the building force of the Principality, in view of the urgent need for building factories, houses and schools.

It is estimated that the numbers of insured persons aged 16 years and over in employment in the building industry in Wales and Monmouth at July, 1939, and July, 1945, were 33,738 and 11,740, respectively. I regret that corresponding figures are not available for any date later than July, 1945. Besides measures which are being taken generally to increase the building labour force throughout Great Britain, including the release of building operatives from the Forces under Class B, steps are being taken to provide additional training facilities in Wales. Already three additional centres have been opened for building training and arrangements for three other centres are in hand.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the building operatives released from the Forces during the last 12 months have taken up employment in Wales; and how many building operatives have left Wales during this period.

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider amending the ruling whereby Servicemen are permitted a period of only six months to draw the grant of £150 to assist them to set up in business again, in view of the fact that returning Servicemen find it difficult to obtain business premises when their previous shops have been destroyed during air raids; and if he will change the period of six months to two years.

Applications under the Resettlement Grants Scheme must normally be made within six months of release or discharge, because it is considered to be in the best interests of the persons concerned that they should reestablish themselves as soon as possible. Provided that application is so made, there is no rule which requires a grant to be paid within any particular period. If an applicant is able to show reasonable cause for not applying within the time stated, his application would be considered. As exceptional cases of the kind referred to by the hon. Member are, therefore, already provided for, I do not see any grounds for altering the present rule.

asked the Minister of Labour if, to meet the problem of the appropriate placing in industry of the returning ex-Service men and women, since so many men and women have a strong desire to choose their own employment, he will arrange for some of the Government advertisement space in the newspapers to he devoted to advertisements of situations vacant.

My Department have made comprehensive arrangements for the placing in industry of ex-Service men and women including the advertising of vacancies in the newspapers. These arrangements are under continuous review and the hon. Member's suggestion will be borne in mind

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 2,120 women released under Class B by mid-January have taken up tilt employment for which they were released; what proportion of this number have been employed by laundries; and whether he will make a statement on the result of his recent talk with representatives of the laundry industry.

I regret that statistics on the points mentioned in the first two parts of the Question are not available. Officers of my Department recently met representatives of employers in the laundry industry and made it clear to them that as women can no longer be directed to employment, further steps to attract labour were in the main for the industry itself; at the same time they undertook to continue to do everything possible to help the industry in its present difficulties

asked the Minister of Labour the total average individual weekly earnings of port workers and stevedores, respectively, at the following ports and harbours: Thames, Port of London Authority, Bristol, Southampton, Liverpool, Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, Belfast, Glasgow, Clyde Trust, Aberdeen, Newcastle and Immingham

the latest available information regarding the average weekly earnings of port transport workers relates to the year 1945 and is shown in the statement below These earnings include wages, attendance money and holiday pay.

Ports Quarter ended 31st December 1945. £ s. d. London (including Tilbury) … 6 10 5 Bristol and Severn Ports … 5 17 5 Southampton and Poole … 6 14 5 Liverpool and Birkenhead … 6 17 2 Glasgow … 6 16 7 Aberdeen … 6 7 7 Tyne and Wear Ports … 7 8 7 Grimsby and Immingham … 6 10 7

Notes. —(1) Separate figures are not available for port workers and stevedores or for persons employed by the Port Authorities named.

(2) Separate figures are not available for the ports of Bristol, Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle and Immingham as these are included in dock labour schemes covering other ports also.

(3) Figures in respect of the port of Belfast are not available.