asked the Minister of Supply what prospects there now are of joiners obtaining the tools necessary for training their apprentices.

We are doing all we can to increase the supply and to secure an even distribution of joiners' tools. The manufacturers are giving priority to home needs and in addition we have arranged for further imports. I hope that, as a result, better supplies will soon be available.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that Crown Mills, Walnut Street, Leicester, has been cleared of naval stores and derequisitioned except for 4,000 feet which his Department is retaining for stores which were declared surplus in 1945, including 2,000 rubber hot water bottles and other items in short supply; and what steps does he propose to take immediately to complete the de-requisitioning of this factory and save the expense of keeping three men to look after these redundant stores.

The hot water bottles referred to have already been sold and removed. The remaining stores will be disposed of directly from these premises within the next few weeks. In the meantime they are being moved to an air raid shelter out of the way of the firm's normal activities.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been called to the difficulties of chemists in fulfilling doctors' prescriptions for liquid paraffin owing to the small quantities of the medicament which they receive from the wholesale suppliers; and whether he will take steps to see that chemists are adequately supplied.

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

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that the tenants of the M.A.P. estate, at Victoria Avenue, Ilkley, intend to commence a rent strike at the end of this week because the houses are derelict, the rents excessive, many of the houses beyond repair, and some unfit for human habitation; and will he give immediate and special consideration to this estate as the tenants are being called upon to pay 17s. 4d. a week for accommodation that would be dear at 5s.

the bungalows on this estate were built to wartime standards and are not eligible for subsidy under the Housing Acts. I am at present considering with the other interested Departments whether the basis of assessment of rent should be revised. I have called for a special report on the condition of the estate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many farms have electricity supplied to them in Wales and England, respectively, and what proportion of the total number of farms in each country these figures represent.

The National Farm Survey undertaken between 1941 and 1943 showed that there were then approximately 65,000 agricultural holdings in England and 4,000 in Wales supplied with electricity from public mains, or 27 per cent. and 9 per cent. respectively of all farms. Holdings with private supplies numbered some 8,000 in England and 1,000 in Wales or 3 per cent. and 2 per cent. of all farms. The figures today would be rather higher.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that productive wheat and potato land in the parishes of Terrington St. Clements, and Clenchwarton, Norfolk, has recently been purchased or rented at high figures by bulb merchants and is now being used for bulb growing; and if, in view of the present food situation, he will give instructions that direction orders should be served upon the present occupiers so that the land may again be used for food production for human consumption.

I have made inquiries and understand that the proportion of land devoted to bulbs on the two farms referred to in the Question is very small. I do not consider that further directions are necessary in these cases.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in numerous cases where Italian prisoners of war are employed on the land, those who have had experience of farming are being returned and replaced by unskilled German labour; and whether, in order to help farmers, he will ensure that in the first instance prisoners with a knowledge of farming are drafted to this type of work.

In supplying German prisoners of war for farm work to replace Italians who are being repatriated, everything possible is done to make available men with agricultural experience

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Milk Marketing Board is selling spring balances to farmers that are not in conformity with any Board of Trade regulation governing balances for purposes of trade and that make it difficult for a user to achieve anything like a reasonable degree of accuracy; and if he will take steps to stop this practice.

I am aware that the spring balances referred to are not stamped as would be required by the Weights and Measures Acts if they were used for the purposes of trade. I understand that the balances are not so used, that they are not difficult to operate with reasonable accuracy, and that the Milk Marketing Board arrange for testing them from time to time and replacing inaccurate instruments. I see no reason therefore to intervene.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will, in the interests of farm workers, corn granary workers and others handling home-grown corn and seeds, consider the use of 1-cwt. sacks only for the storage of such products, and thus at the same time encourage their sale at per cwt. instead of at the diverse and odd weights at present in operation in different parts of the country.

While I have no power to enforce the general use of 1 cwt. grain sacks in place of the 2 cwt, grain sacks normally employed for transport and storage of grain, I shall be glad to consider any representations that are made to me by interested bodies regarding the need for a changeover to the smaller sack.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what plans are in existence for improving the flood-banks of the Severn above Gloucester; and what priority is to he given to their implementation.

The Severn Catchment Board have a scheme in preparation which will provide for the dredging of the Severn for a considerable distance above Maisemore Bridge and include the setting back of flood banks to provide for containing the river within its banks in flood time. This scheme can only be carried out after completion of negotiations with the Severn Commissioners in connection with their scheme for navigation improvement. Meanwhile the Catchment Board is not reconstructing. existing flood banks on their present site.

May I take this opportunity of correcting an impression conveyed in my reply of 28th March to my hon. Friend that the Catchment Board are permanently retaining an area on both sides of the river above Gloucester for a flood reservoir? The object of the above proposals for river improvement will be to contain the Hood waters within the river channel as is the case below Gloucester.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the operation of the Kitchen Waste Order, 1944, causes hardship to many small pig breeders, particularly retired and elderly persons who have been collecting waste food for many years and who cannot afford to buy processed pig food and do not require such pig food in the amounts supplied by the local authorities; and whether he will provide for a relaxation of the order to avoid such hardship.

The object of the Kitchen Waste (Licensing of Private Collectors) Orders is to limit the private collection of kitchen waste with a view of mitigating the risks of spreading animal diseases, and I am not aware of any hardship caused to small pig keepers. Persons keeping not more than four weaned pigs are exempt from the operation of the Orders, and licences are normally given to other persons who were collecting kitchen waste before the war. Moreover, the keen demand for the processed waste indicates that it is regarded as an economic feeding stuff for pigs. Having regard to the purpose of the Orders I cannot agree that any further relaxation is desirable. If my hon. Friend can give me details of any case where an unreasonable limitation of the quantities supplied is imposed I will ask my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to go into the question with the processing authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if in view of the abundant supplies of phosphates, he will consider decontrolling this commodity or otherwise increasing its availability to farmers.

Supplies of phosphatic fertilisers for the current season are not likely to exceed the amount required to meet the permits already issued and the recent allocations of these fertilisers for use on dairy pastures. I am, therefore, not at present in a position to withdraw the permit system of distribution of phosphatic fertilisers to farmers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) how the costs per head of maintaining girls in hostels managed by the W.L.A. in Wiltshire and by the Wiltshire W.A.E.C. compare with the charge to the Wiltshire W.A.E.C. for girls billeted on individual householders;

(2) the cost per head of running hostels for the W.L.A. in Wiltshire; and the figures for girls residing in hostels managed by the W.L.A. and for girls residing in hostels managed by the Wiltshire W A C, separately.

Approximate weekly costs of providing board and lodging for members of the Women's Land Army in Wiltshire are:

In hostels managed by the Wiltshire War Agricultural. Executive Cornrnittee—£ 8s. 0d.

In hostels managed by the Women's Land Army—£ 15s. 0d.

In billets—£1 7s. 6d. to £1 10s. 0d.

Rent, maintenance and similar charges are not included in the hostel figures.

The cost per head of accommodation in hostels is influenced by capacity as well as other factors. Because of the distribution of workers it is usually easier to keep small hostels full or nearly full, and in Wiltshire the hostels managed by the War Agricultural Executive Committee have on the average only half the capacity of those managed by the Women's Land Army. For this reason the figures I have given for hostels are not comparable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the firm of Burroughs and Wellcome are no longer producing distemper prophylactics for the commercial distribution of distemper virus vaccine and serum; and what steps he intends to take, to make supplies available to qualified veterinary surgeons, in order to implement the recommendations of the Distemper Council.

I am informed by Messrs. Burroughs, Wellcome and Company that the issue of dog distemper prophylactics has temporarily been suspended owing to certain production difficulties. The firm hope to resume the issue of supplies in the near future.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider, during the shortage of fats and oils, using fast motor-craft now redundant in capturing some of the small whales, porpoises and sharks found off our Western coasts and the tunny fish which appear off Scarborough in the late summer.

I will gladly consider the hon. Member's suggestion, but I doubt whether, even if the necessary craft and skilled personnel were available, the results likely to be achieved would justify the labour and expense that would be involved.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what workable deposits of coal and iron ore have been found in the Protectorate of Bechuanaland; and what steps will be taken to develop them.

From boreholes and wells which have been sunk, it has been ascertained that there are at any rate four coal areas in the Bechuanaland Protectorate, and several deposits of iron ore also have been reported. These coal and iron deposits have not so far been investigated, but it is hoped to undertake more detailed survey.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a shortage of perambulators in East Kent; that the main supplier in Canterbury has been given a quota of eight perambulators per month for the whole of 1946 and that this shop alone has a waiting list of 40 mothers; and whether steps will be taken to increase the supply of perambulators to East Kent.

I have no reason to believe that East Kent is not receiving its proper share of supplies. Production of perambulators is increasing as fast as supplies of labour and materials allow, and Kent. like other counties. will benefit from this increase.

asked the President of the Board of Trade it he will increase the supply of golf balls and tennis balls available to the public this summer.

Production is now limited only by supplies of raw materials and labour, but the supplies of these goods in the shops are gradually increasing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the production of furnishing fabrics does not exceed 5 per cent, of prewar production and that as a consequence, retailers are unable to supply these fabrics against Board of Trade dockets; and what action he proposes to take to increase supplies for the home market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that retailers are finding ii impossible to supply furnishing fabrics against the Board of Trade dockets to acquire 15 square yards, as the existing system of licensing production makes it impossible for them to get their stock replaced by their suppliers against the surrender of the pink dockets.

The: production of furnishing fabrics has necessarily been extremely small since 1940, but production has been slowly increasing. Reliable figures of prewar production are riot available, but it appears likely that production in 1945 was in the region of 10 per cent. of prewar. Supplies in 1946 should be at least double this quantity. The bulk of the material is utility fabric, which is reserved for the holders of priority dockets. and the increasing supplies of this fabric should gradually reduce the present difficulties in meeting docket demand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the production of furnishing fabrics for all purposes today including utility furniture, does not exceed 5 per cent. of prewar production; and in view of the unsatisfactory position in respect of both domestic and export requirements he will undertake an investigation into the methods of licensing production under the existing regulations.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to him and to the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. S. Shephard). With regard to the methods of licensing production, the production of utility furnishing fabrics is planned with the Cotton Control and is not affected by the licensing arrangements. Production of non-utility fabric has been diverted to this use. Licences are issued freely wherever suitable yarn is available, and the system of licensing is under constant review in order to avoid any unnecessary restrictions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what facilities are granted to British jewellers and silversmiths to export their manu- factures to Sweden and other Scandinavian countries; and to what extent these exports are encouraged by his Department.

I am anxious to encourage the export of jewellers' arid silversmiths' wares to all markets including Scandinavia, and discussions are taking place with the trade with a view to facilitating exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulty of obtaining schoolchildren's shoes, size four, in the greater London area; and what steps he is taking to increase the supply of these shoes.

No, Sir; but if the hon. and gallant Member will let me have particulars of the complaints he has received, I will look into them. The production of children's leather shoes has for the last three years been above the prewar figure and is steadily increasing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what steps are being taken to reduce the coupon value of children's footwear.

No steps are being taken in this direction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will favourably consider the grant of supplementary coupons to householders who have had service personnel billeted upon them during the war, to replace such items as bed linen, tea cloths, etc.

the greater part of the production of sheets is reserved for holders of priority dockets but some are unreserved and available in the shops. These can be purchased without coupons, as can a number of articles of household linen which are not subject to priorities. While the present severe shortage of household textiles continues, I regret that I cannot see my way to grant supplementary coupons or priority dockets for replacement of sheets or tea towels.

asked the President of the Board I of Trade how many licences to export works of art of each category were refused during each of the years since export has been controlled: and the values

The number of applications for licences to export works of art refused since export control was imposed and the total values of the items refused are as follows: NO. of Licences Value £ 1940 4 204 1941 4 376 1942 2 39,000 1943 19 6,517 1944 2 312 1945 1 65 1946 (to date) Nil —

The records readily available do not distinguish between various categories of works of art.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the num- — United kingdom Goods. Imported Merchandise Paintings in oil, etc Ink, pencil, etc., drawings. Paintings in oil, etc Ink, pencil, etc., drawings. £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 1940 … … 147 1 257 3 1941 … … 96 4 13 — 1942 … … 103 3 7 — 1943 … … 43 — 13 — 1944 … … 176 2 42 — 1945 … … 122 1 62 — The values of works of art, other than pictures, similarly exported were:

United kingdom Goods Imported Merchandise £000 £000 1940 … 34 5 1941 … 18 4 1942 … 5 — 1943 … 2 2 1944 … 13 4 1945 … 11 2

asked the President of the Board of Trade the object of the visit to the U.S.A. of members of the Furniture Industry Working Party; and if he is aware that the prime need of the British furniture industry is an adequate supply of timber rather than information about- American methods.

The object of the visit to the U.S.A. of a few members of the Working Party for the furniture industry ber of licences granted in each of the years 1940 to 1945, inclusive, of pictures, drawings, sculptures and works of art more than 75 years old, respectively; and what were the values in each category.

The numbers of export licences issued for works of art, including paintings, drawings and sculptures, and other articles more than 75 years old were as follow: 1940 … … … 2,492 1941 … … … 5,668 1942 … … … 4,370 1943 … … … 4,780 1944 … … … 5,590 1945 … … … 7,300

Information is not available to answer the second part of the Question precisely. The following figures show the value of paintings in oil or water colour and drawings in ink, pencil and charcoal, framed or unframed, exported from the United Kingdom in the years 1940–45:

was to study methods of production. The Working Party are concerned with the long term problems of the industry, their devotion to which does not signify any failure on our part to recognise that the immediate problem is one of shortage of timber.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the furnitur trade on account of the present and proposed importations of furniture from Canada, Finland, Czechoslovakia arid Sweden, at a time when the British furniture trade is ready to undertake large scale production if timber were available; and if he will use the available shipping space to import timber instead of furniture from these countries and from British West African Colonies, thus re-establishing the British furniture industry and improving our balance of trade.

No, Sir. I think the furniture trade understood the position which my right hon. and learned Friend explained on 10th December last in reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Flight-Lieutenant Haire).

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the shortage in many districts of suitable timber for the manufacture of utility furniture, what steps are being taken by his Department to improve the position, as the situation is growing worse week by week.

I am, of course, aware of the general shortage of timber, including timber suitable for furniture manufacture. If my hon. Friend has in mind shortages in particular districts arising from the process of allocating the available supplies, I should be glad of further particulars, since I am not aware that there is any unevenness in distribution to manufacturers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an allowance of clothing coupons can be given to cricket clubs for flannels and boots for returning ex-Servicemen who wish to resume cricket this season.

No, Sir. I am afraid that it would not be possible to make an issue of coupons for this purpose.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when he will be in a position to give the number and percentage of votes cast in the Provincial elections; and particularly for the respective parties.

I shall be glad to provide this information as soon as it is received from India, but I cannot yet say when that will be.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the results of the Central and Provincial elections in India.

The elections in the Central Provinces and Orissa will not be completed till towards the end of this month but I have placed in the Library a statement which shows the results of the elections to the Legislative Assemblies in the other provinces and also to the Indian Legislative Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount now allocated to Austria by U.N.R.R.A., and the supplies sent to that country up to 31st March, 1946.

I am glad to be able to state that U.N.R.R.A. have just signed an agreement with the Austrian Government under which they take over responsibility for supplies in Austria as from 1st April. This agreement relates to the whole of Austria treated as a unit and not to any particular zones. The programme of supplies agreed by U.N.R.R.A. for Austria up to 30th June this year amounts to 59 million dollars. The programme for the rest of the year has not been determined.

The military authorities have agreed to hand over to U.N.R.R.A. the supplies which they had already procured for the civilian population, and it is these supplies which will be distributed under U.N.R.R.A. supervision during April. U.N.R.R.A.'s own shipments have not yet begun on a full scale. I understand, however, that certain supplementary supplies were imported by U.N.R.R.A. before the 31st March. This included some 8,000 tons of wheat, 6,000 tons of potatoes and 2,000 tons of vehicles and other supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has received from the British political representative in Bulgaria in regard to the recent negotiations for the inclusion of representatives of the Opposition groups in the Bulgarian Government; and whether the proposals submitted by these groups, as a condition of their participation in the Government, are in accordance with the agreement reached by the Council of Foreign Ministers at their meeting in Moscow last December.

Following the resignation of the Bulgarian Government on 21st March the retiring Prime Minister approached the Opposition leaders with an offer for their participation in the Government. As a result of the preliminary negotiations Mr. Georgiev stated on 27th March that his final terms included an undertaking that a date would be fixed for the dissolution of the Sobranje and for the subsequent election of a Grand National Assembly and a new Sobranje. He also offered the Opposition the posts of Minister of justice and of two assistant Ministers in the Ministry of the Interior. I understand that the Opposition were still considering this offer when the negotiations were broken off by Mr. Georgiev.

As regards the second part of the Question, the Moscow Agreement did not prescribe any conditions on which the Opposition should enter the Government and in view of His Majesty's Government the agreement does not restrict the liberty of either party to negotiate as to the terms on which they will cooperate in a reorganised Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has laid down any condition for recognising the Bulgarian Government other than that a representative of each of the two Opposition groups shall be included in it.

The terms on which His Majesty's Government will be prepared to recognise the Bulgarian Government were laid down in the Moscow Agreement of 27th December. No additional conditions have been laid down since that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Iceland is recognised by His Majesty's Government as a sovereign independent State; and whether he will propose to the Security Council that the latter shall recommend the admission of Iceland to membership of U.N.O., in accordance with Article 4 of the Charter.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir." As regards Iceland's admission to the United Nations, His Majesty's Government have undertaken by the declaration of the Berlin Conference of August, 1945, to support applications for membership from those states which remained neutral during the war and which fulfil the qualifications laid down in Article 4 of the Charter. Under the rules of Procedure proposed for the General Assembly and Security Council the first step would be for the Icelandic Government to make an application to the Secretary-General.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if consultations are taking place with the French Government with a view to arranging the abolition of visas between the United Kingdom and France.

I have been asked to reply. There were some discussions with the French Government on visa matters a few months ago, as a result of which some relaxation was made in the restrictions on either side. His Majesty's Government are at present considering what further relaxations they can allow. It is their object, as the difficulties of accommodation and food in the United Kingdom are overcome, to make it progressively easier for the nationals of neighbouring countries to pay visits here, and they hope that visa requirements for such persons will eventually he abolished altogether.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what specific requests have been made to U.N.R.R.A. by the Chinese Government for increased food allotments in consequence of the present famine in that country; and what arrangements are being made to secure the best possible distribution of available foodstuffs to avert famine in all Far Eastern countries.

As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I am advised that a number of requests have been made to the Washington Headquarters of U.N.R.R.A. from time to time by the Chinese Government for increased food allotments. These requests cover different periods and commodities and I am afraid that I have not got exact or up to date information regarding them.

As regards the second part of the Question, arrangements are being made to secure the best possible distribution of available foodstuffs to avert famine in the Far Eastern, as well as other, countries by the Combined Food Board. As my hon. Friend is aware, the Special Commissioner for South-East Asia, Lord Killearn, has been given special functions urgently to coordinate arrangements for increasing the production and export of foodstuffs in South-East Asia. If his efforts are successful the Chinese will obtain increased supplies from this area.

asked the Minister of Transport if there are regular periods for compulsory inoculation and vaccination of Merchant Navy personnel against tropical and other foreign diseases as in the case of the R.N., or if he will cause that system to be set up at an early date.

No, Sir; vaccination and inoculation are not compulsory in the Merchant Navy, nor, I am informed, in the Royal Navy. Arrangements are however made for merchant seamen to be informed of the danger of contracting smallpox and other diseases at foreign ports and for their vaccination and inoculation if they are willing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many motorists completely ignore pedestrian crossings; and whether he will take steps and, if so, of what nature, to deal with this source of danger and discourtesy.

Yes, Sir. Motorists should show every consideration for the needs of pedestrians, particularly children, the aged and the infirm, in the spirit of the Highway Code. The Police will continue to do what they can to assure proper observance of the Pedestrian Crossing Places Regulations, but in the long run the value of these crossing paces must depend on the willing cooperation of all classes of road users.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of controlled road transport undertakings and hired undertakings, respectively, in Scotland; and the number of hired undertakings absorbed by controlled undertakings during the past five years.

There are 50 controlled undertakings in Scotland and 149 hired operators. My Department's records, maintained since September, 1943, show that five of these hired operators have been absorbed by controlled undertakings.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will rescind the regulation that three axles must be fitted to public service vehicles 30 feet in length.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the demand in the export market for public service vehicles built with two axles, he is prepared to receive a deputation representative of trade union and employer interests in the industry to discuss the merits and advantages of now allowing all public service vehicles, within the present permitted maximum length of 30 feet, being built with two axles.

I am not satisfied that the change proposed would be in the interest of the public. A deputation from the interests mentioned was received on 17th January, and I am aware of their views.

asked the Minister of Transport if consideration has been given to a petition submitted by residents in the Wellington, Oakengates and St. George's districts of Shropshire to the West Midland Regional Transport Controller for the improvement of the present unsatisfactory omnibus services between those places; and if steps are being taken to effect the desired improvement at an early date

No petition has yet been received, but my Regional Transport Commissioner is considering an application, which he has just received from the omnibus company, to restore the prewar service on the route.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that to passengers on main line trains, the cost of luncheon with a cup of coffee, and the service charge which is added to bills supposedly in lieu of gratuities, amounts to 4s. 4d.; and if, as apart from considerations of the quality of food provided. this sum is too high for the average third-class passenger to pay, he will take steps to have these charges reduced.

The standard charge of 3s. 6d. is the same as before the war. A charge of 4d. is made for coffee and a service charge of 6d. is made by agreement with and for the benefit of the staff concerned and I believe is generally welcomed by the travelling public.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is considering running later trains from Glasgow to London, and from London to Glasgow, during the summer months and arranging for the running of sleeping cars on these trains.

Yes, Sir. As from 6th May, the L.M.S. Railway Company propose to run trains, with 1st and 3rd class sleeping cars, from Glasgow to London (Huston) at 10.25 p.m. and 10.35 p.m. daily and from London (Euston) to Glasgow at 11.35 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, 11.25 p.m. on Saturdays and 11.45 p.m. on Sundays.

asked the Minister of Works how many wooden huts in Orkney have been handed over by the Admiralty to his Department; and what arrangements have been made for their disposal.

Up to the present, about 300 timber huts have been declared surplus by the Admiralty in the Orkney Islands, for disposal by my Department. Of these, 250 have been sold to the French Government as part of a large scheme for reconstruction in France The remaining 50 are being sold locally in the normal way.

asked the Minister of Works the number of new factories actually being constructed in Great Britain at the present time; and on how many of these completion is being prevented or delayed due to absence of piping, either iron or lead, and the inability to obtain the necessary paint.

Since June, 1945, licences have been given for the construction of between 900 and 1,000 new factories but without further detailed inquiry it is not possible to give the number under construction on a particular day. My Department has not received any representations with regard to delay in the completion of factories due to shortages of lead or iron piping or of paint, but if the hon. Member would let me have particulars of any case that he has in mind I shall be glad to have inquiries made immediately.

asked the Minister of Works whether it will be the policy of the Government, when important national buildings are to be erected, that the architectural work for these shall be done by permanent officials of his Department or the Ministry of Health; or whether it will be open to selection of an independent architect by competition or some other suitable method.

No change is contemplated in the policy followed before the war by the Office of Works in respect of important national buildings, which was to engage nominated architects of high merit for such works. It is the intention in future to meet fluctuating demands for Government buildings so far as possible by employing architects in private practice to a larger extent instead of, as hither- to, meeting fluctuating demand by taking on and discharging unestablished professional staff.

asked the Minister of Works if he is now in a position to say when Richmond Park, or any part of that park, is likely to be reopened to the public.

Richmond Park, with the exception of areas under cultivation, was reopened to pedestrians on 1st May, 1945. The possibility of reopening certain roads in the park to motorists is now under consideration

asked the Minister of Works what plans he has made for the importation into this country of foreign bricks.

A mission is at present in Belgium examining the possibilities of obtaining bricks. It is intended that the mission shall also visit Holland before returning to this country

asked the Minister of Works (1) the number of rat catchers employed by his department in the Metropolitan Police area; and how many premises under their control are at present rat infested.

(2) The number of cases in which one of his Department's inspectors has stopped the Westminster City Council rat catchers and the L.C.C. rat catchers, respectively, from carrying out operations to rid premises of rat infestation; and why his Department does not take action to stop the nuisance arising before it is reported by outside sources.

The number of rat catchers employed by my Department in the Metropolitan Police area. is 14 and, so far as I am aware, there are no rat infested Government buildings in this area. When the occupants of any Government building report to my Department that the presence of rats is suspected, immediate steps are taken to deal with the vermin. When the report is made by the occupants to the local authority that authority at once notifies this Department. There is the fullest cooperation between my officers and those of the local authorities, and in the case of buildings which are only partly in Government occupation, mutual arrangements are made between my officers and those of the local authority.

, in pursuance of his reply to the supplementary question put by Captain CROWDER on 4th April (OFFICIAL. REPORT, Vol. 421, C. 1375), supplied the following letter:

Ministry of Health, Whitehall,

London, S.W.r.

R.A.

2nd April, 1946.

DEAR SIR,

I am directed by the Minister of Health to say that a good deal of misunderstanding seems to have arisen about the operation of Circular 224/45 on the subject of the charges to be made to the occupiers of requisitioned premises. He thinks it would be helpful to authorities if he restates more clearly the precise basis on which rents should be assessed.

The maximum charge to any tenant of requisitioned premises should be the controlled rent, or, if the premises are not subject to control or the controlled rent is not known, the equivalent of the controlled rent.

This charge should, however, be reduced where it is higher than the tenant would normally pay. In the case of tenants who would normally occupy Council houses if enough Council houses were available, the rent asked should be the rent which the Council would ask for comparable accommodation on one of their own estates; and the Minister thinks it would be right in present circumstances for the Council to take a pretty wide view of the class of tenant who would normally occupy Council houses. Further, if the premises are larger than the tenant really needs, the rent charged should be only the rent which the Council would ask for accommodation of the extent which he does need.

Tenants who would normally occupy houses more highly rented than Council houses should be asked to pay a rent equivalent to the rent which they would normally pay (always, of course, subject to the maximum of the controlled rent); and this can usually be judged by reference to the type of accommodation they were occupying before they were bombed out or for any other reason had to have recourse to requisitioned premises.

I am to emphasise that no question of a means test arises. The only question which the Council have to determine is the type of accommodation which the tenant would occupy in normal times and the rent appropriate to that accommodation.

I am also to remind the Council that where they judge the tenants to be tenants who would normally occupy Council houses, they have discretion to operate a rent rebate scheme in precisely the same way as they have discretion to operate a rent rebate scheme for their own houses.

The Council should now reconsider the charges they are making and satisfy themselves that these. charges are in accordance with the terms of this letter. If, following the issue of Circular 224, the Council have charged and received rents higher than those they find appropriate following the explanation in this letter, overcharges should he repaid to the occupiers.

Yours faithfully,

S. MAYNE.

The Town Clerk, or The Clerk of the Council.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of the expenditure of voluntary hospitals is provided from private sources or from public funds.

The latest published figures available for England and Wales show that, in 1941, 36 per cent. of the hospitals' income was derived from voluntary sources of which more than half came horn income on investments and legacies; 24 per cent, was derived from public funds; and the remaining 40 per cent. from payments by patients, including payments through contributory schemes

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases of nervous disorders, neurological and psychological, requiring institutional inpatient treatment in England and Wales in the last complete prewar year and in the last complete war year; and in the latter case the numbers who were civilians and the numbers in the Services, respectively.

The number of patients under care in mental institutions under the Lunacy and Mental Treatment Acts at the end of 1938 was 158,723 and at the end of 1944 was 146,268. These figures relate to civilian patients. Any question relating to the numbers in the Services should be addressed to the Service Departments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of trades in the R.A.F. which are kept back two or three groups behind the age and service demobilisation scheme; why men in the clerical and electrical departments are still kept further behind than the rest of the trades; and will he endeavour to bring all these trades into line with the general body of the Service as laid down in the forms on demobilisation which have been posted up for their information.

In April 11 Royal Air Force trades are two groups behind the general level of release, and one trade is three groups behind. In our forecast for May and June we have told the Service that three trades will probably be two groups behind, and five trades will have a delay of three groups. The only airmen who will be more than three groups behind are those employed on accounting duties, who will have a delay of five groups for the reasons given in my reply on 13th March to the hon. and gallant Members for Lewes (Major Beamish) and Aston (Major Wyatt). We are doing all we can to level out the release rate and we have constantly explained in our Demobforms the reasons for any unevenness (which was foreshadowed in the White Paper) as well as the steps we are taking to correct it. Despite the accelerations of release up to date, which of course accentuate these problems, I am glad to say that delays will affect something less than 2 per cent. of the Royal Air Force in May and June.

asked the. Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement showing the number of volunteers from Eire enrolled in His Majesty's Forces during the war who were killed in action or wounded; and provide information about the number and character of any decorations earned by residents or citizens of that country which were awarded to them by the British authorities in the same period.

I regret that no exact figures are available either as regards casualties or awards. The following estimates have, however, been made of the casualties suffered by men born in Eire serving in the Army or Navy since the beginning of the war: R.N. Army Killed or missing 220 1,550 Wounded No information 2,550

No satisfactory estimate in the case of the R.A.F. is at present available.

Up to 31st March the total number of awards made to persons born in Eire is thought to be at least 780. This figure includes eight V.Cs. and one G.C.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have been released under the Class B Block Release Scheme for agriculture, up to 1st April, 1946.

Up to 15th March, 1946, the latest date for which information is available, 7,471 agricultural workers were reported as released under the Class B block release arrangements.

asked the Minister of National Insurance, what benefit will accrue to persons who, by reason of permanent ill-health, have never become insurable and who are unfit to follow any trade or occupation and have not reached retiring age or age qualifying for a noncontributory pension.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the position of these persons under the National Insurance Scheme. Such persons not being gainfully occupied will come within the insurance scheme as non-employed persons. Subject to payment of the appropriate contributions for the requisite qualifying period, they will in due course become qualified for benefits in the non-employed class.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that air-mail letters from the United Kingdom take an average of 20 days to reach the Belgian Congo, whereas letters from Belgium normally arrive in one week; and whether he will take steps to improve this service.

There is no direct British air service to the Belgian Congo and air mails for the Belgian Congo from this country are conveyed to Accra and thence in two stages by separate air services. These three services operate to different frequencies, with some consequent delay at the transfer points en route. The time of transit between this country and Leopoldville normally varies from eight to 14 days, and if my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have details of any air mail letters which have taken as long as 20 days I shall be glad to have inquiry made There is a direct air service from Belgium to the Belgian Congo, and arrangements are already in hand to make that route also available this week for air mail correspondence from this country at an appropriately higher air postage rate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he is making for the removal of indoor shelters.

Owing to manpower and storage difficulties I have not hitherto felt able to provide for the general collection of Morrison shelters. I hope, however, that it will be possible to arrange for the collection of a large proportion at any rate of these shelters in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps at an early date to indicate to all persons in prisons, Borstal institutions and remand homes, who are precluded from taking part publicly in the Victory celebrations on 8th June, the meaning of that victory; and if he will make for them, especially for first offenders and juvenile delinquents, some provision in the form of diminution of sentence or detention or otherwise which will encourage their goodwill and their interest in orderly government.

It has been the practice on previous occasions of national rejoicing for the inmates of Prisons and Borstal Institutions to he assembled to listen to a broadcast of the proceedings, where this can be arranged, and to an address on their significance. I hope it will be possible to make similar arrangements on this occasion. Arrangements in remand homes are a matter for the local authority, but I have no doubt that suitable arrangements will be made. As regards the second part of the Question, I would

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS FOUND GUILTY IN COURTS OF SUMMARY JURISDICTION, 1939–1945 All Offences. 1939. 1940. 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Boys under 14 … … 23,402 31,280 34,400 32,134 33,973 34,518 34,842 „14–17 … … 26,547 30,161 32,327 28,774 27,925 27,447 32,631 Girls under 14 … … 1,117 1,725 2,065 2,067 2,307 2,092 1,992 „14–17 … … 1,748 2,605 3,313 3,204 3,4543 3,579 3,475 Total … 52,814 65,771 72,105 66,179 67,659 67,636 72,940

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many people have been unable to derive the maximum benefit from the supplies of fish now available because fish and chip shops are experiencing difficulties in obtaining cooking oils; and whether he will give an assurance that measures to obtain ground nut oil and red palm oil from British West Africa are being vigorously pursued.

The answer to both parts of the Question is, "Yes, Sir," but my hon. and gallant Friend will no doubt be aware of the general shortage of oils and fats.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many building trade workers formerly working in the Portsmouth Royal Dockyard as dilutee shipwrights have left their dockyard employment since 17th August, 1945, when their discharge was offered them; and how many such building trades workers still remain in employment in the dockyard.

refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for West Willesden (Mr. Viant) on 11th October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the figures for juvenile delinquency for the years 1939 to 1945, inclusive.

The following are the figures:

One hundred and twenty-one dilutee shipwrights have left their employment in Portsmouth Dockyard since 17th August, 1945. The number of dilutee shipwrights in that yard is now 129. The number of these men who are building trade workers is not known at the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord at the Admiralty if he will publish comparative figures in respect of chief petty-officers and staff or flight-sergeants of equivalent years of service, for each of from six to 12 years service inclusive, showing the total weekly pay, including badge pay and increments as applicable, on the assumption that the staff or flight-sergeant first obtained his appointment after six years of service.

It is possible for a Naval rating to attain the rate of chief petty officer after only six years man's service, but such a case would in normal times be quite exceptional outside the artificer class. I am informed that this is true also of corresponding ranks of the Army and of ground trades of the R.A.F. in peacetime. To avoid general conclusions being drawn from unusual instances, I append figures, which are taken from the White Paper (Command 6715) showing the pay of equivalent ranks (seamen chief petty officers, staff sergeants other than highest skilled tradesmen, and flight-sergeants Group C) promoted after six. 12 and 18 years man's service.

1. Promoted after 6 Years' Man's Service. Chief Petty Officer staff Sergeant Flight Sergeant. s. d. s. d. s. d. 1st year … 81 1 87 6 87 6 2nd year … 81 1 87 6 87 6 3rd year … 85 2 87 6 87 6 4th year … 85 2 87 6 87 6 5th year … 86 11 94 6 94 6 6th year … 86 11 94 6 94 6 7th year … 91 0 94 6 94 6

II. Promoted after 12 Years' Man's Service Chief Petty Officer Staff Sergeant Flight Sregeant. s. d. s. d. s. d. 1st year … 91 0 91 0 91 0 2nd year … 91 0 91 0 91 0 3rd year … 92 9 91 0 91 0 4th year … 92 9 91 0 91 0 5th year … 94 6 94 6 94 6 6th year … 94 6 94 6 94 6 7th year … 96 3 94 6 94 6

III. Promoted alter 18 Years' Man's Service. Chief Petty Officer. Staff Sergeant. Flight Sergeant s. d. s. d. s. d. 1st year … 96 3 91 0 91 0 2nd year … 96 3 91 0 91 0 3rd year … 98 0 91 0 91 0 4th year … 98 0 91 0 91 0 5th year … 99 9 94 6 94 6 6th year … 99 9 94 6 94 6 7th year … 101 6 94 6 94 6 The last three years of this table assume re-engagement after completing 22 years' pensionable service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if temporary Reserve officers who have not volunteered for further service are being paid the rates of pay, with war service increments added, up to the date of their discharge; and why officers discharged after 30th June next will suffer a reduction in pay and allowances which would not be applicable to officers demobilised before 1st July.

Temporary reserve officers who are dispersed to leave on or before 30th June, 1946, will receive pay and war service increments under the present pay code. Those serving on the 1st July, 1946, will, in common with other classes of officers, come under the new pay code. The operation of the "War Excess" rule will, as stated in the White Paper (Command 6750) prevent any officer's emoluments being reduced on the introduction of the new code.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to implement the recommendations of the conference on Electoral Reform and Redistribution of Seats set out in the letter of Mr. Speaker, dated 10th July, 1944.

One of these recommendations—that provision should be made for absent voting by persons who are physically incapacitated—was implemented by the Elections and Jurors Act, 1945. The question of legislation to implement the remaining recommendations is being kept in mind, but I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.