asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider suspending low flying in the vicinity of Booker airfield, High Wycombe, or take steps to limit to a short period in the day the nuisance caused to the residents in that area.

We have to use the airfield at Booker for flying training and I am afraid we could not limit the flying there to a short period during the day. All our training aircraft are, however, now marked with large identification numbers, and I should be glad to investigate any particular complaint of unauthorised low flying.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the age plus service release scheme applies to those airmen who come directly under the command of the director of the Meteorological Office at his Department; and if he will make a statement on his further policy with regard to employment of meteorological assistant for the R. A. F.

The age plus service release scheme applies to airmen employed on meteorological duties in the Royal Air Force. These airmen are under the command of Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief in the same way as all other airmen, but their postings, promotion and technical duties are normally determined by the Director of the Meteorological Office. Every effort is being made to provide civilian meteorological assistants to facilitate the further release of airmen engaged on meteorological duties.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why no provision has been made for a United Kingdom service for Prestwick; and if he is aware that Holland and Sweden are using this airport.

The British Overseas Airways Corporation operates a service six times a week across the North Atlantic to and from Prestwick. Swedish operators use Prestwick only very occasionally, when diverted from Iceland by bad weather, whilst the Dutch have used Prestwick only four or five times for delivery Fliģhts of new aircraft or of aircraft to be modified or converted by Scottish Aviation Limited.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give production statistics of coal, iron ore, pig iron, steel ingots, cotton goods, woollen goods and of other principal items of production in order to show what response there has been to the Government's appeal for greater production.

The hon. Member will find the figures for which he asks in future issues of the Digest of Statistics which is published monthly by the Stationery Office

asked the Minister of Food what are the functions in his Department of food planners; how many such posts there are at present; how many more it is intended to create; and what is the salary attached to each.

Proposals for implementing the Government's long-term policy, which I announced on 7th November, are being worked out by the staff of my Department in connection with their normal duties. I have no staff who might be described solely as "food planners" nor do I propose to appoint any. The last part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the practice is increasing of the refusal of greengrocers to sell goods in short supply unless other purchases are made; and if he will take steps to stop this practice and inform the public of the action they can take when this illegal dernand is made.

I am not aware of any increase in the practice referred to by the hon. and gallant Member. Appropriate action is taken whenever offences of this kind are brought to the notice of my Department and any information from a member of the public will be welcomed at the local food office.

asked the Minister of Food what reply has been sent to the Australian Food Control's offer of zoo tons of margarine a month to this country

I accepted this margarine three weeks ago to meet requirements of our Forces overseas in place of margarine drawn from the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that cases have occurred recently when local fishmongers have urged catering establishments to take over some of their surplus fish before it went bad, but that the latter were unable to do so without infringing the provisions of the Fish (Supplies to Catering Establishments) Order, 1943; and whether in these circumstances he will arrange to increase the present allocation to caterers in order to prevent unnecessary waste of fish.

I am not aware of the cases to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but, in order to prevent waste, arrangements exist for temporary and local relaxation of the restrictions upon the purchase of fish by caterers. I am at present re-considering the arrangements for allocating fish to catering establishments and hope to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the scarcity of hotel accommodation in Colwyn Bay and the hardship entailed by the continued requisitioning of these buildings both to the proprietors and the visiting public in a seaside resort, he is now able to give a definite date when some of these hotels will be released for the use of the public.

Following a recent transfer of staff from Colwyn Bay, a substantial number of the buildings previously occupied by my staff there have already been given up; by the end of April the number will have risen to 18, including one large hotel and some smaller hotels and boarding houses. Twenty-two buildings will still be retained. It is not possible to fix a date now for the release of the remainder, but the position is kept under constant review in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

asked the Minister of Food how the reserves of wheat and flour at 31st December, 1945, compare with the three and a half millions tons at 31st December, 1943.

As my hon. Friend was informed in answer to his Question on this subject on 20th March, it is not possible to say what quantities of wheat and flour were regarded as being held in reserve at 31st December, 1943. Stocks at 31st December, 1945, contained only a small reserve element and were little more than sufficient to ensure uninterrupted distribution and processing.

asked the Minister of Food how much of the tomatoes recently imported into this country was allocated to Wales.

During the next two months the quantity of imported tomatoes will be small in relation to the total population. None of the tomatoes hitherto imported has been allocated to Wales, but I hope that it may be possible to make a first allocation to parts of Wales in the near future.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that importers of Canary tomatoes are offering 25 to 27 pesetos f.o.b. without wastage clause, as compared with the price, approved by him, of 20 pesetos, with wastage clause; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

The relevant Order merely prescribes the import sale price of the tomatoes. The prices paid in the Canary Islands are beyond my control and I see no reason to take any action in the matter.

asked the Minister of Food if he will increase the prices offered for Irish fat cattle, so as to secure the maximum possible supplies.

I am not prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion, as I am advised that it would not be likely to result in greater quantities of meat becoming available in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will forbid the sale of bread less than a day old.

The hon. Member's proposal is one of several which I have considered recently with the object of securing economy of bread usage. I have come to the conclusion, however, on the best evidence available, that no net saving would be likely to result, and indeed increased waste might result. The proposal has the further disadvantage that, as was proved in 1917, an Order prohibiting the sale of bread less than a day old would be largely unenforceable owing to the difficulty of determining the exact age of any particular loaf.

asked the Minister of Food the total of the food stocks in this country in March, 1938, and, on a comparable basis, in March, 1946

There is no reliable information about the total food stocks in the United Kingdom in March, 1938, and, in any event, they would not be comparable with current stock levels as there was then no food control and supply conditions were totally different. The total of Ministry owned and controlled stocks of food and feeding stuffs in the United Kingdom at the end of March, 1946, is provisionally put at 3.9 million tons.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make provision for the supply of one unrationed chocolate Easter egg of standard size and price for every child throughout the country.

Much as I should like to be able to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion, I regret that the shortage of the necessary raw materials makes it impossible for me to do so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of artists' materials; and whether he will now release these in larger quantities.

I am aware of this shortage and I am doing all I can to help the manufacturers to increase their production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what total weight of raw wool is held in stock in this country at the present time; and what amounts suitable for the production of yarns up to 5os. quality and over 5os. respectively.

The stock of raw wool held by the Wool Control in the United Kingdom at the end of January, 1946, was about 5go million lbs. (greasy w eight); of this, about 140 million lbs. was suitable for yarns up to 50s. quality and 450 million lbs. for yarns over 50s. In addition, about 230 million lbs. were held by merchants and consumers, but information is not available on the proportions suitable for yarns up to 50s. and over 50s.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of British books exported to the States of South America from 1st July, 1945, to the latest date for which figures are available; and what schemes are at present in operation to encourage the export of British books and publications to these countries.

Exports of books are not recorded separately; they are included with newspapers and periodicals, and recorded by hundredweights. During the period July, 1945, to February, 1946, inclusive, 185 cwt. of newspapers, periodicals and printed books, valued at £4,584, were exported from the United Kingdom to the various States of South America. These figures do not include books sent abroad by parcel post. As regards the second part of the Question, we have recently arranged a scheme under which a special increase of 10 per cent. over and above publishers' basic paper quotas, which at present stand at 75 per cent of prewar usage, is made available to publishers who undertake to use it entirely to increase their rate of export. The publishers, on their side, have undertaken to attempt to reach, as a target, an export rate of more than double in value their prewar rate of export by the middle of next year, and have, in addition, organised an export research department to help them to achieve that target. These arrangements should stimulate exports to all countries, but are not designed to promote exports to South American countries in particular. In addition, the British Council have arrangements for giving publicity and general assistance to the book export trade in South America and certain other countries and are responsible for the publication and distribution of "British Books to Come," which has proved of great assistance to exporters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what permits or licences have recently been issued, or are to be issued, in respect of the export from this country to Argentina of aeroplanes, arms or other military equipment.

Thirteen licences have been issued since 1st October, 1945, for the export from this country to Argentina of civilian aircraft or components of, or accessories to, such aircraft, and one licence in respect of naval and military swords.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what form the special representation contemplated under the new constitution of Mauritius for those who will not receive the franchise will take.

This matter is under consideration as part of the general question of constitutional reform in Mauritius.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give particulars of the response to his appeal on 14th February to employers in Malaya to adopt towards those of their employees who were interned the same policy as the Government with regard to the compensation of civil servants who were captured and interned; and whether, in view of the financial inability of some employers to compensate their employees as generously as the Government, he will agree to provide half the cost of compensating all employees on the same terms as civil servants, provided that the employer is prepared to bear the cost of the other half.

As regards the first part of the Question, I have reason to believe that some employers have decided to pay the full salary of those of their staff who were interned, but the statement which I made on 14th February did not invite employers to inform me of their action in this regard, and I am therefore not in a position to estimate its effect. I regret that I do not regard it as possible to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the Government are prepared to provide free passages to the Far Fast for those Europeans in Malaya who were evacuated from Malaya during the Japanese invasion and who have subsequently been brought to this country and who now wish to return to their employment in Malaya.

Free passages from this country to Malaya are granted to former prisoners of war and civilian internees unless. under the normal conditions of the employment to which they are returning, passages would be provided for them by their employers. Subject to the same exception any such person is also provided with free passages for his wife and children if they were evacuated from Malaya. Other persons evacuated to this country from Malaya are not, in general, eligible for free return passages but it has been suggested to the civil governments which were established in the Malayan Union and Singapore on 1st April that they should appoint Committees to advise on applications from such individuals who claim that refusal to afford them this assistance would cause hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any trade unions have been formed in Malaya since the Japanese conquest; and what steps he is taking further to develop trade unions.

A number of trade unions have been formed under the guidance of a British trade unionist attached to the Military Administration. It is the policy to develop trade unionism and two additional British trade unionists are being appointed to the service of the Civil Government which took over the administration on 1st April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to restart local industries in Malaya, with particular reference to fishing, pineapple canning and the paper industry.

The rehabilitation of the Malayan fishing industry has been given particular attention in view of the food shortage, and special efforts are being made to obtain fishing gear and equipment, including ice-making plant, for use by the industry.

Active steps are being taken by the Department of Trade and Industry in Malaya to restart and rehabilitate the important pineapple industry. One hundred and fifty tons of tin plate have already been despatched for canning, and it is hoped that exports of canned pineapples will be recommenced on a small scale soon.

I have no information regarding the paper industry, but I will make inquiries. My hon. Friend may rest assured that I am very anxious to restore and encourage the development without delay of all economic secondary industries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the report by the Ross Institute that conditions in Malaya, with regard to malarial control, have reverted to those of 25 years ago; and what action is being taken or contemplated by the Government of Malaya to remedy this.

Yes, Sir. I have seen this report. The Military Administration fully appreciate the serious effects of Japanese neglect and within the limitations of manpower, supplies and trans port, they pushed on with the restoration of malaria control in the larger centres of population. The Advisory Malaria Board has been reconstituted and it is the intention of the civil medical authorities, who have now taken over, to press forward not only with emergency measures of oiling and the distribution of drugs but also with the reconstruction of the anti-malarial works which did so much to reduce the incidence of malaria in prewar Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet approved any development plans for Sierra Leone; and whether such plans make adequate provision for demobilised troops.

The Governor of Sierra Leone has recently submitted a development programme for Sierra Leone which is at present receiving consideration. The programme has been drawn up to cover development in the territory during the next ten years, and it includes a number of schemes which have already been approved and are now in operation. Priority is being given to those parts of the plan which will provide employment for ex-Servicemen, and proposals for a training centre to provide further technical instruction for demobilised troops have also been included.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the constitutional changes for the Protectorate of Sierra Leone announced on 2nd February, have been favourably received in the protectorate.

As I said in the statement to which my hon. Friend refers, the Bills introducing the changes were generally welcomed in the Council and criticism was confined to minor points of detail. I have not received any later information which contradicts this view but I am asking the Governor for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Tanganyika has adequate machinery for coordinating malaria control schemes on sisal estates; or whether there are any plans for establishing such machinery.

The coordination of malaria control schemes on sisal estates in Tanganyika forms part of the general public health service of the territory. This service is not yet fully effective owing to the acute shortage of staff in the medical department. Recruitment to fill existing vacancies in the establishment of the department is proceeding as rapidly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what will be the composition of the standing committee of five that is to he appointed to assist the Development Commissioner in Tanganyika; and whether the opportunity will be taken to associate local opinion with the operation of plans under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, by the inclusion of non-officials and Africans on this committee.

The Governor of Tanganyika has submitted proposals for the composition of this Committee on which I am still in communication with him. Until this consultation has been completed, I regret that I am not in a position to reply further to my hon. Friend's. Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a committee on the protection of native crops in Nyasaland has recently reported that in some cases losses as high as 50 per cent. are caused by game, and by soil erosion due to the uprooting of trees to build protective hedges against game; and what action the Government of Nyasaland is taking to deal with this matter.

I have received a copy of the report by the Forest and Game Reserves Commission of Nyasaland which confirms that serious damage has been caused in recent years to native crops by game. The Governor has made a grant for the immediate protective measures by way of employment of native hunters and organised game drives in respect of the areas most affected and a further and more general scheme is now being prepared by the Forest and Game Reserves Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the prospects of lead production in Tanganyika as a result of recent discoveries; and on what terms as regards royalties, rent, etc., are the mines to be worked by the concessionaires.

I am advised that recent discoveries of lead bearing ore on mining leases held by Urawira Minerals Limited in Western Tanganyika offer promising prospects of successful exploitation. I am in consultation with the Governor regarding railway access and the terms on which these discoveries should be worked.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the amount of unemployment since the ending of the war amongst Africans and white people, respectively, in the African Colonies; what trades, industries and avocations it affects; what progress has so far been made in reducing it; and what prospects there are in the immediate future for the full employment of these people.

I regret that the information which my hon. Friend seeks is not available to me but I will endeavour to obtain it from the Governors and communicate with him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will specify the state of trade union organisation and the progress of the Cooperative movement in the African Colonies, giving the numbers and kinds of the various unions and branches and the central organisations to which they are, respectively, affiliated.

In Nigeria there are over go registered unions embracing all the principal industries, the majority of which are members of the Trades Union Congress of Nigeria. Sierra Leone has nine unions, one of which is a branch of the National Union of Seamen, covering mining, waterfront, railway and general workers and seamen. There is a central organisation known as the Sierra Leone Trades Union Council. In the Gold Coast there are 12 unions covering the railway, mines, municipal and transport workers, and in the Gambia there are three general unions.

In East Africa, trade unions have been, or are being formed, among the railway workers of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika and in Uganda there is an African Motor Drivers' Union. In Northern Rhodesia there are three unions in the mining industry.

As regards the Cooperative movement, progress varies in the different African territories. Among those in which active movements exist are Nigeria, the Gold Coast, Tanganyika and Kenya. The societies are mainly producers' societies. I have recently emphasised in a circular dispatch to all Colonial Governments the importance of developing the cooperative movement in all its branches and have asked all territories to send me an annual report on progress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in Malta every trade union must be registered by a certain date or dissolved; what is the reason for this enactment; and whether it applies to branches of a British trade union, such as the Amalgamated Engineers Union, registered in this country.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The reason for the enactment is to establish the legality of trade unions in Malta. The terms of the Malta Ordinance relating to compulsory registration are in common form throughout the Colonies. The point raised in the last part of the Question is under investigation and I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will assist me by sending me a copy of the rules of the Amalgamated Engineers Union.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that an officer appointed to inquire into the administration, discipline and conditions of the Barbados police force has reported a failure to move with the times and has recommended increases in salaries and allowances for the police; and whether he is satisfied that the Government of Barbados has adequate plans for the reorganisation of the force.

The report, which is a very comprehensive document, was received in the Colonial Office on the 14th of March, and there has not been time vet to consider it. The matter is, however, primarily one for the Barbados Government and I have no doubt that that Government will take the necessary steps to implement the findings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to establish the universities in the West Indies and West Africa, as recommended' by recent commissions of inquiry.

The recommendation of the Irvine Committee on Higher Education in the West Indies for the setting up of a university college and eventually of a full university has my entire support. The views of the West Indian Governments are generally favourable but replies are not yet complete. I recently proposed to the Governors certain action for carrying out the recommendation, and am awaiting their replies.

Further, since it is clear that certain of the problems connected with the setting up of the university college. can be more fully considered on the spot, arrangements have been made for a delegation from the London University to visit Jamaica and Trinidad and consult with the local authorities. This delegation left last week.

As regards West Africa, I am not yet in a position to add anything to the answer given to the lion. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) on 20th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement outlining the 10-year development plan for Jamaica, which is to cost £20,000,000, of which over £6,000,000 is to be met from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund; and if the whole scheme of expenditure has been approved by him.

The plan, of which I have received a draft, covers the whole field of development and welfare in Jamaica, and includes proposed provision for agriculture, for development of communications, mainly roads, for educational development, for public health, and for social welfare. This draft plan is now being discussed by the Jamaica Legislature and will be reviewed by the Jamaica Government in the light of these discussions before it is submitted to me for final consideration and approval. It is thus still in a preliminary stage and therefore still open to modification.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the Rehabilitation Committee, in Barbados, has been able to find employment for 115 out of 678 demobilised men repatriated there and, in view of the over-population in that colony, he will give favourable consideration to assisting' emigration from Barbados to British Honduras, and to the appointment of a development officer to plan new industries in Barbados.

I am aware of the problem to which my hon. Friend directs my attention and have given consideration to it. I will certainly bear in mind his suggestions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that 248 illegal Jewish immigrants coming from Poland, Hungary and other East European countries to Palestine, were arrested at Haifa and subsequently placed in a detention camp; and whether he proposes to send them back to the countries from which they have escaped or what does he propose to do with them.

Some 240 Jewish illegal immigrants were landed at Haifa on 26th March and transferred to the Athlit Clearance Camp for immigrants. Provided they pass the usual security check, they will be released in Palestine, and their number will be deducted from the immigration quota.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now make a statement regarding rent restriction in Cyprus.

I have recently received from the Governor a report on the measures proposed for dealing with this problem; and these are now under my consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is prepared to set up in his Department a cooperative department and cooperative advisory committee to make recommendations for the development of cooperative association and enterprise among the native peoples of the Colonial Empire.

As regards the proposal that there should be a separate cooperative department in the Colonial Office, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon Member for Central Hackney (Mr. H. Hynd) on 24th October last. I am at present considering the question whether it would be helpful to establish a cooperative advisory committee in addition to the Office Committee on cooperation which at present functions within my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make effective, in territories where co-operative legislation is at present inadequate, a model co-operative ordinance, drafted on sufficiently elastic lines to cover the diverse conditions of the various Colonies.

I have recently circulated to all Colonial Governments a comprehensive model Co-operative Ordinance. The adaptation of this model Ordinance to the diverse conditions of the various Colonies is a matter which will receive consideration by the respective Colonial Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are in progress, or in contemplation, for the development of the production of petroleum oil in British Colonies, and especially in Nigeria.

A great deal of exploratory work for petroleum in the Colonies has already been carried out. Trinidad remains, however, the only Colony with a substantial production of oil. A two years licence for exploration work in Nigeria was granted in 1943, but owing to war conditions a moratorium until July, 1947, was granted to the holders. It expected that the holders of the licence will shortly be in a position to resume operations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many colonies do not benefit from grants from Great Britain under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act owing to their inadequate trade union laws.

The territories concerned fall into two categories. First, those territories, namely, the Malayan Union, Singapore, Sarawak, British Borneo, Hong Kong and the Western Pacific High Commission Territories, which were, until recently, wholly or partly in enemy occupation. There, the introduction of suitable legislation will be an early concern of the restored Civil Administration. Secondly, Ceylon, Bermuda, Bahamas, Gibraltar and Palestine. The necessary legislation will be enacted in the near future in Gibraltar and Palestine. Neither Bermuda nor Ceylon have any intention of applying for assistance under the Act, and the Bahamas' participation is limited to some general West Indian schemes not involving works services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to how many colonies and to which ones, British trade union advisers have been sent; and whether, in view of the success of the work of these advisers, this system will now be extended.

British trade unionists arc now serving as labour officers or advisers in eight territories—Nigeria, the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, British Guiana, the Windward Islands, Palestine, Mauritius and Malaya. The system is being extended and there will shortly be trade unionist labour officers in Kenya, Tanganyika and the Gambia, and additional officers in Nigeria, the Gold Coast and Malaya. The Government of Ceylon also contemplate the appointment of a trade unionist labour adviser.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if members of the auxiliary nursing services who were interned by the Japanese will receive pay under the same conditions as civil defence workers similarly interned.

Members of the Auxiliary Nursing Services will be given treatment at least as favourable as that of women members of the Civil Defence units who were not normally dependent on their own earnings. Applications for more liberal treatment for many who claim to have been so dependent will receive consideration

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that planters and other employers of labour in British North Borneo were requested by the Government of British North Borneo to remain on their estates in the event of war with Japan; and whether, in these circumstances, the British Government will make some contribution towards compensating them for loss of salary as a result of their capture and internment by the Japanese.

As regards the first part of the Question, I am informed that it is the case that on the outbreak of the Japanese war planters and other employers of labour were requested by the Governor of British North Borneo to remain at their posts. As regards the second part of the Question, the territory was not administered by His Majesty's Government but even if it had been, His Majesty's Government could not undertake to make a contribution towards compensating the planters and employers in question for loss of income. With other persons who have suffered loss of income as a result of internment in the Far East, they are eligible for the assistance mentioned in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 7th November, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the nature and purpose of the works and services in the Gilbert and Ellice islands that have increased grants in aid from the Treasury by £100,00 involved in the occupation of Christmas, Hull and Canton islands; and what will be the permanent value or cost of maintenance.

Only £100 of the increase of £100,100 under Subhead A8—Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony—of the Vote for Colonial and Middle Eastern Services, 1946–47 (Class II–10),is connected with the occupation of the Christmas, Hull and Canton islands. The increase of £100,000 is due to the inclusion in this Vote of provision for a grant-in-aid of expenses of administration, etc., for the Colony itself. These expenses up to 31st March, 1946, were met from the Vote of Credit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, taking the purchasing power of the £ in 1900 as 100, he will state the corresponding figure at the latest available date and the figure calculated for the whole field of personal expenditure.

Forty-five and 40 last month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at the latest convenient date, the annual amount now required as subsidy for food.

About £304 million a year

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of civil servants employed in Government Departments and branches located within the area of the Parliamentary division of the borough of Cambridge on 1st March, 1939, and 1st March, 1946. respectively.

On 1st April, 1939, the number of non-industrial civil servants of all grades employed within the area of the borough of Cambridge was 1,400, of whom 995 were Post Office staff. I regret that corresponding figures for the present time are not available.

asked the Minister of Works if, having regard to the shortage of bricks for house building, he will arrange for supplies of imported bricks to help meet the deficiency.

In view of the present brick situation the possibility of importing from abroad is being re-examined.

asked the Secretary of State for War the average number of men per month who have been granted indefinite release in Class C on one man business grounds since 1st September, 1945; the average number of men per month whose indefinite release has been refused during the same period either because they were under 30 years of age or in an age and service group from which postings to the Far East are being made.

The average number of Class C releases of men per month from 1st September, 1945, to 28th February, 1946, was 3,497. We have no record of the exact number of those who were released on "one man business" grounds, but it is probably about half. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what way the release of men in Class A is affected by the release of men in Class C, whether indefinite or temporary.

Although over 20,000 men have been released under Class C since the beginning of the release scheme, this is a small proportion of the total number released or discharged. Releases of men under Class C at the present rate cannot, therefore, be said to affect materially release under Class A, but any appreciable increase in Class C releases might well affect other releases as the total numbers which can be released in all categories are governed by the commitments to be fulfilled by the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that no man who has a good case for indefinite compassionate release on one-man business grounds, and who would have been indefinitely released had he not been under 30, or in an age and service group from which postings to the Far East are made, will be posted abroad.

Such an arrangement would be unfair to men in a similar position already serving overseas who are not in such cases normally brought home on compassionate grounds. Moreover, retention in the United Kingdom without release would seldom be of any great assistance to a man who wishes to keep open a one-man business. I cannot, therefore, give the assurance asked for.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the 12 hutments belonging to his department on land at Elmbridge Drive, Eastcote, Middlesex, can now be released to the local authority for emergency housing purposes.

It has now been decided that the small camp at Elmbridge Drive, Eastcote, may be released to the Ministry of Health to meet the local authority's housing requirements. Instructions have therefore been issued for the camp to be transferred to the Ministry of Health.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will personally investigate the case of 13073773 Private G. Stanley, 145 Company, Pioneer Corps and reconsider his decision not to grant compassionate release, in view of the fact that severe domestic hardship necessitates this soldier's presence at home.

Private Stanley has been granted 28 days compassionate leave from 1st April. He is due to be released under Class A shortly after the end of this period of leave. as he is in Group 29, the release of which should take place between 19th May and 1st June. This arrangement will in fact be more to his advantage than the grant of a short period of compassionate release; compassionate release would delay his eventual Class A release from the Army, as time spent on the reserve does not count towards a man's service in assessing his age and service Group.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet is a position to reply to the letters sent him by the hon. Member for Gravesend on 26th February, respecting Signalman A. R. Dunn, and on 17th January, respecting Sergeant F. Edwards, and on 27th February, respecting Mr. A. J. Goodger.

Replies have now been sent to my hon. Friend on all these cases A reply to his letter of 17th January about Sergeant Edwards was sent on 14th February, but in case it has gone astray a copy has been sent to my hon. Friend

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to be able to derequisition the old police station, Deveron Road, Huntly, which is at present occupied by a garrison engineer, as there are empty Army huts in the vicinity, and the police station is required for housing married ex-Service policemen.

The garrison engineer at present in occupation of the old police station, Deveron Road, Huntly, is moving out within the next few days Provided it is not required by any other Department the property will then be released.

asked the Secretary of State for War why cigarettes captured from the Japanese are being issued to R. A. F. personnel serving in Batavia; and what steps are being taken to provide some more satisfying alternative brand.

I am making inquiries and as soon as they are completed I will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give an assurance that an increased quantity of coal is to be made available to the railways, in view of the grave situation which will arise unless there is some improvement in the present position.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the stocks of locomotive coal held by the railway companies; how many days' consumption these stocks represents; and whether he is satisfied that the present level of these stocks is adequate to ensure the movement of railway traffic.

The stocks of locomotive coal held by the railway companies at 23rd March were 420,000 tons. This represents nine days' consumption. The level of these stocks is causing me concern, and I and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power are in consultation to see what can be done to meet the position.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that nothing has yet been done to reinstate in their former condition the houses on the Lochruan site in Campbeltown, which were requisitioned by the Admiralty in 1942 and vacated by them in October, 1945; and when the work of reinstatement will be carried out.

I regret the unfortunate delay which has occurred in this case, but immediate steps are being taken to de-requisition these houses, and to restore them to their condition previous to being requisitioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make on the proposal made by the French Prime Minister for a Franco-British alliance.

His Majesty's Government have always wished to maintain relations of the closest possible friendship with France and have for long been of the opinion that these relations ought at the appropriate moment to be cemented by the conclusion of a Treaty of the same character as the Anglo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, and which would provide further security against any renewal of German aggression. M. Gouin's statement has provided an opportunity for His Majesty's Government to give renewed consideration to the whole question and this they are now doing.