asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give an estimate of the maximum KWA sub-station that could be erected for the military hospital, Holton Park, Wheatley, which the electric light company's mains could stand; what is the present capacity; when was the plant installed; what was the capacity asked for by the 'War Office; and what was the capacity first erected.

The maximum service capacity which the electricity supply undertaking could make available at the military hospital, Holton Park, Wheatley, is estimated at between 750 and 1,000 KVA. The Capacity first asked for and provided, in December, 1942, was 250 KVA. Subsequently, at the request of the War Department the transformer capacity was increased to 300 KVA in January, 1946. About a month ago, a 500 KVA transformer was asked for in place of the existing 300 KVA, and it is expected that the change will be completed within a week or two.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the, number of persons employed in the North Staffs coalfield in 1920 and on the latest available date; the numbers employed at the coalface for the same periods; the amount of coal raised; and the output per man shift, respectively.

The information requested is set out in the table below:

North Staffordshire — 1920 Average March. 1946. Wage-earners on colliery books— Total 36,250* 20,600 At the face Not available. 7,140 Output of coal per man shift overall (tons) 0.70* 1.22.1945. Output of saleable coal (tons) 5.594,700 5,576,600 * Average for year: estimated

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) the result of the latest investigation made into the prospects of the North Staffs coalfield;

(2) if consideration has beer, given to the coalfields of the Midland Regional Survey Report; and what action has been taken or it is proposed to take:

(3) if consideration has been given to paragraph 69 of the Midland Regional Survey Report; what action has been taken or is contemplated; if, in view of the potential supplies of coal in this area, recent borings have been made; when and where it is intended that new shafts will he sunk; and what are the programme and targets to be set for this area

The Report of the Midland Regional Survey was a comprehensive review of the coalfields in the Region more particularly from the point of view of long-term development. It will be for the National Coal Board, when appointed, to consider the recommendations of the Report, especially those, such as are referred to in paragraph 69, which relate to further exploration, and to plan the development of the area. In the meantime my Regional Officers are pursuing the recommendations of the Report designed to secure an immediate increase in output.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much of the projected 8,000,000 tons of coal production he hopes to have achieved by 30th April.

I anticipate that the additional output will be between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what changes in the application of the Abercrombie Report are planned by his Department, and in particular, with regard to High Wycombe.

I am unable to say what changes will be made in the Greater London Plan pending my right hon. Friend's consideration of the views of the local planning authorities, which he hopes to receive by the end of June from the Advisory Committee for London Regional Planning.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to supply additional information regarding the financial results of the use for grazing purposes of land at Torosay, Argyllshire, which was requisitioned under Defence Regulation 51.

Yes, Sir. I much regret that the figure of £3,517 given in my reply of 5th February last to the hon. and gallant Members for East Renfrewshire (Major Lloyd) and Salisbury (Major J. Morrison), as the accumulated profit on the working of this land was incorrect. After the trading account was made up a bill for payment of about £2,000 was received, and although the account was thereafter adjusted, the necessary alteration was, owing to an oversight, not made in the record provided for me for the purpose of answering the Questions put to me in the House. 'The correct figure was £1,484, and I am anxious that the correction should be put on record in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I may add that a loss of £786 was incurred in the year to 30th November. 1945, and at that date the accumulated profit was accordingly reduced to £698.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the decisions he has reached on the recommendations of the Alness Committee on Agricultural Education in Scotland.

I have decided to accept the Committee's recommendations that there should be a clear cut distinction between the teaching of students aspiring to a degree, and of those taking courses leading after two years' study to diplomas or taking shorter courses; and that instruction for the degree should be given in university classes and for the diploma and shorter courses in the agricultural colleges. I also accept the view of the Committee that the regional system of agricultural education in Scotland under which the three colleges were founded and have developed should not be altered. I do not, however, consider that a convincing case has been made for the centralisation of degree teaching in one university, and I do not propose to adopt the recommendation of the majority of the Committee to this effect. I agree that the scales of salaries of officers of the external services of the colleges should be the same as those approved for officers of similar standing and responsibility in the National Agricultural Advisory Service for England and Wales, and propose to make suitable financial provision in the Estimate for 1946. I am in communication with the agricultural colleges concerning certain of the remaining recommendations of the Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many argicultural workers were erroneously registered on call up as lorry drivers, tractor drivers, etc.; and if he will take steps to enable such workers to be released for agricultural work.

I am aware that men whose normal employment was in agriculture, but who immediately before enlistment were engaged on work outside agriculture, will not be shown in Service records as agricultural workers and will not, therefore, receive offers of release under the Class B block release arrangements for that industry. Such men were not erroneously registered, but arrangements have been made for war agricultural executive committees to consider applications from agricultural employers for the release of agricultural workers who do not receive offers of release under the block arrangements and, in appropriate cases, to recommend their release through the agricultural departments.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Appointments Board of his Department is refusing, in cases submitted under Order Form No. F123, to consider applications for appointments from officers serving abroad but due for immediate release, describing them as persons resident abroad and therefore precluded from consideration; and whether he will take steps to end this discrimination against members of His Majesty's forces, examples of which have been furnished to him.

Under current instructions all members of the Forces, including those serving overseas, whose release date has been notified may apply for registration at my appointments offices or with my technical and scientific register and for submission to appropriate vacancies. I very much regret that these instructions were not followed in the instances about which the hon. Member has given me particulars. I have issued instructions which should prevent any recurrence of such an unfortunate error.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state, by trades, the number of building trades operatives now employed in the city of Portsmouth and the number of those unemployed.

The latest available figures showing the numbers of insured persons employed in the building industry in Portsmouth are those for July, 1945, which I supplied to my hon. and gallant Friend in reply to his Question on 13th December. The table below shows the number of unemployed insured persons in the building industry on the registers of Portsmouth Employment Exchange and Juvenile Employment Bureau at nth February, the latest date for which figures are at present available.

Men aged 18 and under 65:

Carpenters, joiners, 1; bricklayers, 0; masons, 0; slaters, tilers (roof), 0; plasterers, 1; painters, decorators, etc., 1; plumbers, gas fitters, etc., 1; labourers, 32; all other occupations, 11.

Youths and boys: 11.

Women and girls: 0.

Total: 58.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed registered in Dorset, at the latest convenient date.

At 11th February, the number of unemployed insured persons, suitable for ordinary employment, on the registers of employment exchanges in Dorset was 952.

asked the Minister of Labour how many plumbers are registered as unemployed in the Sherborne and Yeovil area.

At 11th March, the latest date for which figures are available, there were no plumbers registered as unemployed at the Yeovil or Sherborne employment exchanges.

asked the Secretary of State for War why some of the Dutch troops who landed in Java on or about 9th March, were permitted to wear British type equipment, bear British type arms and be transported in British vehicles.

Well before the end of the war the responsibility for the provision of equipment for the greater proportion of those Dutch troops who were to take part in Allied operations in the Far East, including landings in the East Indies, was accepted by the British authorities. The fact that the Japanese war ended before these Dutch troops arrived in the Far East was not taken to mean that our responsibility for equipping them had ceased. The Dutch armaments industry is, of course, not yet in a position to provide equipment for its own forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the Army Pay Office await acknowledgment or wait a reasonable time after notifying an officer of the intention to make a lump sum deduction from pay before, in fact, making such deduction; and if there is any limit of time after which such deductions are not made.

I assume the Question refers to recovery of overissues. In such cases, paying authorities are not empowered except in the case of an officer on release leave to make a lump sum deduction from an officer's pay without his agreement. When an overissue is discovered, the paying authority informs the officer and invites him to make proposals for repayment either in a lump sum or, if this would involve hardship, by monthly instalments. At the same time, the officer is informed that, pending receipt of his proposals for repayment, a small monthly deduction will be made from his pay as a provisional measure. These deductions are based on the rate of pay he is receiving and they do not begin until the next but one issue of pay after he has been informed of the over-issue. Deductions are not limited to my period of time, but all cases are referred to the War Office if the amount of the overissue cannot be recouped within 12 months at a rate of repayment agreed to by the officer.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. Member for Solihull can expect a reply to his letter of 15th March in respect of 6353601 Private B. West.

This case is now being examined from the compassionate point of view and I hope to be in a position to write to the hon. Member in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for War why D/14333341 C. F. N. Kaye, R.E.M.E., Base W/Shops, Singapore, S.E.A.C., whose wife and two children were knocked down by a motor vehicle in Leeds and who was recommended for compassionate leave by his Department in a letter to the hon. Member for North-East Leeds, has now been informed by the Overseas Command that his grounds are not sufficiently strong for such leave to be granted; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that the recommendations of his Department, based on investigations at the home of Mrs. Kaye, are carried out.

It was made clear in the letter which was sent to my hon. Friend that the decision in the case of an application for repatriation from overseas on compassionate grounds rests with the Command concerned. In this instance full particulars of the case were brought to the notice of the Command to enable a decision to be reached. I am, however, making further inquiries into the facts of the case and when they are completed I will write to my hon. Friend again.

asked the Secretary of State for War when 997895 Sergeant L. C. Marsh, 13 C.M. Battery, C.M.F., about whom there was correspondence with his Department in November, 1945, and who has now been identified as a teacher, for consideration of Class B release, is likely to be offered his release in this class, as he is urgently needed for teaching at Beaminster.

Authority has already been given for an offer of Class B release to be made to Sergeant Marsh. I have not yet heard the result of this offer, but I am taking steps find out what action has been taken and as soon as I have received a report from the Command concerned I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War in which formations abroad the scheme under which Servicemen may be joined by their families is operating; how many families have proceeded to each of the formations; and how families arc selected to proceed abroad under the scheme.

The areas overseas where the military family scheme is operating, together with the numbers of families who have sailed since the inception of the scheme last October, are as follow:

Families sailed. Argentine — Australia 1 Bermuda 12 Central Mediterranean including Austria 595 East Africa 25 Finland — Gibraltar 69 India 193 Malta 41 Mexico 1 Middle East 248 New Zealand — North Africa 2 North Caribbean 15 St. Helena — Singapore — South Africa 13 South Caribbean 3 U S.A. and Canada 13 West Africa 4 British Army Staff, France — Czechoslovakia — Total 1,235

The general conditions under which a family may proceed overseas are that the officer or other rank concerned must be on a tour of at least two years of which he must have at least a further year to complete. Overriding consideration is given to compassionate circumstances. Otherwise priority is based on the date the soldier last left the United Kingdom and the overall length of separation from his family since war broke out.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will withdraw his request to planning authorities to classify defence works in their areas which will take a considerable time to complete; and alternatively, proceed with plans for full restoration without further delay.

I understand that the lists mentioned by my hon. Friend were asked for a year or so ago before the adoption of the new procedure for dealing with defence works which I described in my answer to the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) on 20th December last. I have given instructions for the necessity of these lists to be reviewed. The War Department is not responsible for physical removal of works which are not dangerous to the remover.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that petitions against the nationalisation of road transport have been circulated for signature amongst other ranks in the R.A.P.C. at Staunch Buildings, Edinburgh; and if he will take steps to ensure that such petitions are not circulated in other units.

I understand that the petition, which had already been signed by some civilians, was handed by a civilian to a Service friend in the unit in question. The latter asked other personnel who were interested to sign it, and obtained 16 signatures out of about 200 in the unit. Steps have been taken to prevent any similar occurrence in future and the individual who introduced the petition has been reproved.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that several delays and cancellations of ships scheduled to sail from Piraeus have occurred in recent weeks and, in view of the discontent that this causes among men awaiting release, if he will take steps to avoid this in future

It is true that, during the winter months, there have been unavoidable delays in sailings due to adverse weather conditions and cancellations due to mechanical defects and breakdowns in the ships operating the homeward ferry service from Greece to Italy. I regret that as a result some 200 men of Group 26 were released in the United Kingdom some three or four days late. So far as I am aware no similar cases have occurred since then. In planning movements from Greece the time allowed is normally sufficient to offset any unpredictable delays due to weather or breakdowns.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now reconsider his decision not to make available to the Sheerness Urban District Council seven empty houses on the Well Marsh Estate, Sheerness; and if he has any statement to make in this matter.

These houses were unoccupied in December pending repairs to fit them for their original purpose of providing officers' married quarters. It then became necessary to use them again as accommodation for troops. The troops left three weeks ago, and as soon as labour can be made available, the houses will be repaired and taken into use again as quarters. In view of the shortage of married accommodation for the Army, I regret I am unable to release the houses at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the person or persons responsible for defrauding hundreds of repatriated men who landed recently at Southampton on the s. s. "Ormonde," of the money advanced to pay for telegrams advising relatives of their arrival, have been apprehended; and whether any disciplinary action has been taken with the officials responsible for the landing arrangements.

Owing to the period that elapsed between the arrival of s. s. " Ormonde" and the discovery of the alleged fraud, by which time the majority of the personnel concerned were dispersed, investigations into the case have been very difficult and, so far. inconclusive. The investigations are continuing, but my right hon. Friend has given instructions that a Court of Inquiry shall he set up. The system for collecting and accounting for similar telegrams and money has been overhauled and fresh instructions have been issued with a view to preventing a recurrence.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the numbers of men passing through base depot and training centre, M.E.F., have progressively decreased since July, 1945, from an average daily strength of 5,000 to 1,500; that at the same time the number of officers has progressively increased; and whether he will take steps to review and revise the present policy of wholesale deferment of R.A.S.C. officers in M.E.F.

I am making inquiries into the point raised in the first two parts of the Question and as soon as they are completed I will write to my hon. Friend. As regards the last part of the Question I would refer him to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to several hon. Members on Tuesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers of the Royal Signals serving in M.E.F. whose release has been deferred; and whether the sole criterion applied to the question of deferment has been the irreplaceability of the officer concerned.

Twenty-one officers of the Royal Corps of Signals in Group 26 serving in M.E.F. will probably have to be retained as operationally vital after the release date for their Group. Each case is considered individually and an officer is only retained beyond his release date if he cannot be replaced.

asked the Secretary of State for War why all officers of 13 Corps Signals, C.M.F., in Group 26 and above have been informed that their releases will be deferred, as such action is contrary to announced Government policy.

Officers of 13 Corps Signals in Group 26 were warned that their release might have to be deferred. In fact it is found that it will not be necessary to retain all of them and it may not be necessary to retain any of them.

asked the Secretary of State for War the prospects of officers in units in B.A.O.R. in Groups 26, 27 and 28, respectively, being retained beyond the announced release date for their group on the ground that they are deemed operationally vital.

It is not possible to predict with any precision the extent to which the Commander -in-Chief, B.A.O.R., may have to defer compulsorily the release of officers in Groups 26, 27 and 28, but I have every reason to suppose that the majority of these officers will be released in the periods allotted to their groups.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that at Low Field Road, Anlaby, near Hull, there are a large number of brick buildings built during the war to house bombed out people from Hull, which are now being partially occupied by the military; and whether he will enable these buildings to be utilised for relieving the housing shortage for civilians in the Haltemprice Urban District Council area.

The buildings in question form part of the accommodation for Hull Transit Camp which is used by troops moving to and from B.A.O.R. The numbers in occupation naturally vary with the number of troops passing through. I regret that as no other accommodation is available I cannot adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War why certain companies of the Pioneer Corps consisting of Spaniards recruited to fight for the Allies are being sent to Italy to be demobilised.

The companies referred to include men of many different nationalities, although there are a certain number of Spaniards among them. These men enlisted outside the United Kingdom. They are not therefore eligible for demobilisation in this country. Although they are being sent to Italy in the first instance this is primarily a matter of administrative convenience and as and when individuals become due for release every effort will be made to send them from there to whichever country they wish to go.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, as members of His Majesty's Forces on release leave are subject to disciplinary action, such members of the Forces will be entitled to additional pay in respect of annual service increments of pay they qualify for during their period of release leave.

No, Sir. To facilitate the arrangements for the payment of men on release leave and to avoid any delays occurring, the rates of pay both for officers and other ranks are fixed at the rate admissible at the beginning of their leave and are not subject to any change during leave either upwards or downwards

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men served in the Druze Regiment, the Transjordan Frontier Force and the Arab Legion during the war; and whether these strengths were included in the official totals of Arab and Jewish enlistments.

I am taking steps to obtain the figures asked for and will write to the hon. Member as soon as they are received. The previous figures I gave related only to enlistments in Palestine

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been reached as regards the service pay of members of the Polish Paratroop Brigade who were taken prisoner at Arnhem; and why officers and other ranks of the Polish Paratroop Brigade did not receive pay for the period of their imprisonment on the same basis as the officers and other ranks of the British Airborne Division.

The emoluments of the Polish land forces under British Command are paid by the Polish military authorities, from funds made available by the British Government, but they are governed by Polish regulations These regulations do not necessarily conform in all respects to those of the British Army. I understand, however, that the Polish military authorities are now making arrangements to issue arrears of pay for periods of captivity to officers and other ranks taken prisoners of war while serving in the Polish land forces under British Command, subject to conditions similar to those operating in the British Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many applications have been received from Service personnel to bring dogs from overseas under the Government scheme; if any have been refused for lack of facilities to house them; and if any have been prevented from being brought to this country because of lack of transport.

Two thousand three hundred and ninety-seven applications for Service licences have been received. Four hundred and eighty licences have been issued up to date. The number of licences which can be issued is limited by the kennel accommodation available. As regards the remainder of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) on 2nd April. I should point out that Service personnel may import dogs under an ordinary Ministry of Agriculture and Board of Trade licence and the Services scheme is only intended to supplement the normal method of importing dogs.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now agree to grant compassionate releases to those mm and women who have been on temporary release for periods totalling 12 months and more and who are still at present on temporary release.

So far as I am aware there are at present no men or women in the position described by the hon. Member, but if he will send me particulars of any case of this nature he has in mind I will have the circumstances reviewed immediately.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if. in view of the fact that vacancies for the new Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, are to be filled only by persons who are British subjects, the sons of British subjects and of pure European descent, he will take immediate steps to remove from qualification for admission to the Academy any question of racial discrimination among British subjects.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Central Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Major Wilkes), on Tuesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War the quantity and value of British tanks, guns, weapons and vehicles now lying unused and surplus to the requirements of the British Army in Europe; how much of such surplus war material is obsolete; and what is the policy in regard to the disposal or maintenance of the remainder.

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply on 4th April. As soon as overseas theatres are informed that certain types of equipment may be regarded as obsolete they are empowered to hand over to the Ministry of Supply for disposal all their stocks of such equipment. This process is going on continuously and without making detailed inquiries overseas it is not possible to say how much surplus equipment is of an obsolete pattern. Other equipment surplus to War Office requirements is also handed over to the Ministry of Supply for disposal. It is not our policy to carry out maintenance on any equipments which are or are likely to be declared to the Ministry of Supply for disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of an outbreak of anterior poliomyelitis, infantile paralysis, among the men of the Sixth Infantry Brigade Headquarters, Signals Section, British S.E.A.C.; how many men are affected; what is the cause of the outbreak; and what action is being taken in respect of same.

I am aware of an outbreak of infantile paralysis in Singapore. Up to 26th March, 1946, 17 Army cases with six deaths had been notified, but I cannot say how many cases occurred in the particular unit mentioned. Thirty-three cases with six deaths occurred in the other Services.

The outbreak was first reported in a signal dated 20th February. A research epidemiologist nominated by the Medical Research Council left by air on 2nd March to investigate the outbreak and, in preliminary reports dated 13th and 19th March gave his opinion that the outbreak had passed its peak and that all possible measures were being taken to prevent a recrudescence. The outbreak has been attributed to the presence of carriers of the virus in surroundings where, owing to Japanese neglect, unsanitary conditions favoured the spread of the disease. The incidence was mainly among young Chinese children. Cases occurring among Service personnel are believed to have originated from contact with carriers or cases among the civilian population.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the entire civilian personnel in the six clothing depots were given notice to terminate their employment on 23rd March; that 85 per cent. of them are ex-Servicemen of the 1914–18 war, and some of the 1939— 45 war; and what steps are being taken to carry out the Army Council Instruction that all possible attempts should be made to retain these men in Service employment.

On 23rd March, 1946, six of the ten Civilian Clothing (Demobilisation) Depots closed, as the rate of demobilisation has dropped to such an extent that four depots only will be sufficient to meet future requirements. There is no opportunity of the War Department's using these men's special qualifications except in the civilian clothing depots. I am not clear which Army Council Instruction the hon. Member has in mind, but I assume that it is the one which states that when redundancy arises in a War Department establishment civilian employees should be retained so far as practicable by posting elsewhere the Service personnel engaged on similar work in the same establishment. This, however, cannot be applied to the case of an establishment which is being dispensed with altogether.

The possibility of replacing military personnel in the four remaining depots by civilians who might be ready to go there from the depots which have been closed has been carefully examined but it is impracticable to reduce the -present proportion of Service posts in these particular establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to make a statement about the future of East Africa Command.

No, Sir, but the matter is under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will promise an early derequisitioning of the searchlight site at Aldbourne, Wiltshire.

The hutting on this site forms part of the accommodation of the nearby Aldbourne Camp. As soon as commitments allow, this searchlight site will be derequisitioned, but I cannot yet say when this will be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the ammunition dump at Abinger, which was to have cleared by 31st March, will, in fact, he cleared.

All ammunition, apart from smoke generators, has been cleared from this area. The disposal of the smoke generators by burning or dumping at sea has been delayed by weather conditions. Efforts to complete the clearance at the earliest possible date will continue to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the communication sent to him by the Holy- wood Branch, County Down of the British Legion, dated 1st April, 1946; and if he will take the necessary action so that a larger proportion of ex-Servicemen are employed in the royal ordnance and other Army establishments in Holywood.

I have not vet been able to give full consideration to the communication referred to by the hon. and gallant Member. I will write to the hon. and gallant Member when I have considered the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for War, how many Austrian prisoners of war have been repatriated; how many still remain in this country; and at what rate they are being sent back to Austria.

Fifty-six Austrian prisoners of war have so far been repatriated from the United Kingdom, 11,500 remain in the United Kingdom, and arrangements have been made for the repatriation during April of approximately 1.200. The rate at which it will he possible to transfer the remainder who are eligible for repatriation has not yet been determined.

asked the Secretary of State for War when facilities will be provided for parents and relatives of men killed abroad to visit the graves.

I would refer my bon Friend to the reply I gave to my hon Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Garry Allighan) on 26th February.

asked the Secretary of State for War what Allied assets, fixed and movable, remain in the area of the Persia and Iraq Command; and what negotiations have taken place with the Persian authorities over the disposal and removal of these assets.

So far as fixed assets owned by British Service Departments are concerned, a number of installations comprising camps, railways and additions thereto, airfields and temporary buildings erected for the use of the Allied Forces, still remain in the area of the Persia and Iraq Command. They are in process of disposal by the War Department to the Governments of Persia and Iraq, and also to private buyers. I understand that Persia is in the main clear of surplus serviceable movable assets, but the completion of the sale of certain rolling. stock to the Iranian State Railways and of other small lots of stores to other Persian authorities is in the hands of the British Embassy. There are in Iraq about 187,000 tons of surplus stores. I have no information regarding stocks of American or other Allied stores in the territories concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a representative meeting of Africans in Tanganyika has protested against the White Paper proposals for inter-territorial organisation in East Africa; and if he will consider the proposals made, namely, that there should be stronger African representation in the Central Assembly, limitations on the powers of the High Commission, that African representatives should be chosen by election, and that the Governor of Kenya should not be the permanent chairman

I was aware that a meeting of Africans in Tanganyika had been held I am, of course, closely following the discussion on the proposals now proceeding in East Africa, but as this is still continuing it would be premature for me to express a view on any particular points raised.

asked the Minister of Food what plans and plants for cold-storage are now in actual operation and in prospect to secure at all seasons a fair and even supply of fish to all the people of Great Britain.

Following is a list of cold stores and quick freezing plants used for fish and of quick freezing plants for fish in course of installation. My right hon. Friend does not intend to increase the number of Government owned cold

COLD STORES USED FOR THE STORAGE OF FISH Town . Commercial Undertakings . Fleetwood … … *Fylde Ice & Cold Store Co., Ltd., Wyre Dock, Fleetwood. Grimsby … … *Grimsby Cold Storage Co., Ltd., Royal Dock, Grimsby. *Standard Ice & Cold Storage Co., Victor Street, Grimsby. Hull … … … Union Cold Storage Co., Ltd., 29, Warehouse, Wm Wright Dock, Hull. *Stirk Bros. Ltd Subway Street, Hull. Liverpool … … Union Cold Storage Co. Ltd., Alexandra Dock, Liverpool, 20. Union Cold Storage Co., Ltd,. Williamson Square, Liverpool, 1. Union Cold Storage Co., Ltd., Redfern Street, Bankhall, Liverpool. London … … … Union Cold Storage Co., Ltd,. Red Bull Whart, 93, Upper Thames Street,E.C.4 Union Cold Storage Co., Ltd., Duchy Street Cold Store, S. E. 1. South London Cold Store, Albany Road, Old Kent Road, S.E.5. Bermondsey Cold Store, Galleywall Road, Bermondsey S.E.16. Sterns Assembly Cold Store, Assembly Passage, E.1. *London Ice & Cold Storage Co. Ltd., 11 Billingsgate Market, E.C.3. Aberdeen … … *New Standard Cold Storage Co., Ltd.. Raik Road, Aberdeen. Aberdeen Market Co., Ltd., Cold Store. East Green, Aberdeen. Scottish C.W.S. Ltd., Fish Curing Works, Aberdeen John Ross, Jnr. (Aberdeen) Ltd., 5, Albert Quay, Aberdeen. Dundee … … Dundee Ice & Cold Storage Co., Ltd., 35/41, Trades Lane, Dundee. Glasgow … … Union Cold Storage Co., Ltd., George Street, Glasgow C. 1. W Milne Ltd. 40, Old Wynd, Glasgow, C.1. Leith … … … *North British Cold Storage & Ice Co., Ltd. Tower Street, Leith, Edinburgh, 6. Government-owned; operated on behalf of the Ministry of Food Chelford … … The Pavilian Refrigerator, Knutsford Road, Chelford. Cheshire Goldsborough … … Goldsborough Cold Store, Station Road, Goldsborough, Yorks. Hexham. … … The Cold Store, Hexham, Northumberland. Liverpool … … Aintree Cold Store, Aintree, Liverpool, 9. Preston … … Ribbleton Cold Store, Cromwell Road, Ribbleton, Nr. Preston, Lancs. Stratford-on-Avon. … Stratford Cold Store, Alcester Road, Stratford-on-Avon. Warwick … … Warwick Cold Store, Budbrooke Road, Warwick. York. … … … Eason View Cold Store, North Lane, Dringhouses, York. Llantarnan (S.Wales) … Court Cold Store, Llantarnan, Monmouthshire, S. Wales. Perth … … … Muirton Cold Store, Dunkeld Road, Perth. *Plants with facilities for the freezing of fish. The other plants have facilities for the storing of fish already frozen. QUICK-FREEZING PLANTS FOR FISH. In Operation (in some cases during appropriate season). Grimsby … … Frigidfish, Ltd., Grimsby Smethursts, Ltd., Grimsby. Lowestoft … … Herring Industries Ltd., Whatload Road, Lowestoft. Great Yarmouth. … Frosted Foods Ltd., Great Yarmouth. Fraserburgh. … … Frosted Foods Ltd., Fraserburgh. Leith … … … North British Cold Storage & Ice Co Tower Street, Leith. Lerwick … … … Herring Industries Board, Lerwick. In course of installation Grimsby … … H. Mudd & Sons, Ltd., Fish Docks, Grimsby Robert Chapman, Fish Docks, Grimsby. Thomas Ross, Ltd., Fish Docks, Grimsby. H. Markham Cook, Ltd. Fish Docks, Grimsby.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he has taken, either alone, or in consultation with the Minister of War Transport, to secure a better distribution of fish especially to inland places and to prevent waste in time of plenty, and scarcity at other times, of this food.

stores, but the long term development of quick freezing with a view to the objectives suggested by my hon. and learned Friend is being considered.

My right hon. Friend, in consultation with the Minister of Transport, ended the white fish zoning scheme on 2nd March last and thus allowed the trade to distribute surplus fish from any port or market to any part of the country. He decided, however, to retain the minimum quantity scheme of distribution which ensures a supply to every trader and every area at times of relative shortage. The railway companies have been instructed by the Minister of Transport to make every effort to provide whatever facilities are necessary for the transport of fish, and. following the heavy landings of the last few weeks, many additional trains have been run. My right hon. Friend will continue to consult the Minister of Transport on other practicable steps to speed up the movement of fish.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many firms have been compelled to reduce output on account of shortage of fuel; and what industries and areas have been most affected.

The loss of industrial production through shortage of coal has been negligible but stocks in all areas have fallen to a very low level. The regional boards for industry are paying close attention to the industrial demands for coal in their regions.

asked the President of the Board of Tade when new tyres will be available for purchase by users of S and basic petrol rations.

The production of new car sized tyres is steadily increasing, but it is likely to be a considerable time before it will more than meet the demands of "E" coupon holders and of new car production and leave a surplus for other motorists.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish an estimate of the increase in the cost of clothing which will result from the operation of S.R. & O., 1946, No. 356.

I regret it would not be possible to make such an estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why there is a difference in the fixed price of cloth, sold at 3s 9½d. for the home trade and the same cloth sold for export at 4s. 7d; and, in view of the importance of the export trade, if he will take steps to remedy this anomaly.

The prices quoted by the hon. Member do not enable me to identify the cloth to which he refers. In general, as a result of the Government's policy of price stabilisation, the value of cloth in a foreign market is often greater than the price at which it can be sold for the home trade; as the price of cloth for export is not controlled, this difference will tend to be reflected in the price which the cloth will command for export. Having regard to the need for foreign exchange, it would be undesirable that cloth for export should be sold at less than its value in the overseas market.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the issue of a badge for boys called up to the mines and discharged through accident or illness.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that there is insufficient restaurant accommodation for third-class passengers on main line trains throughout the country, and will he take steps to see that facilities provided for first-class passengers in this respect shall he accorded to third-class passengers also.

At the present time the railways can run only a limited service of restaurant cars but they endeavour to cater for both 1st and 3rd class passengers and on many trains both classes use the same restaurant cars. I am not aware of any discrimination in this matter between 1st and 3rd class passengers. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will let me know, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of War Transport what progress has been made in the electrification of suburban railway services as recommended in the Final Report of the Royal Commission on Transport, 1930.

Since the date of the Report the mileage of lines electrified has been as follows:

Main Line Railways, 480¼ route miles.

London Passenger Transport Board, 24 miles.

In addition, electrification of the following route mileages was in hand, but was interrupted by the outbreak of war:

Main Line Railways, 125¼ route miles.

London Passenger Transport Board, 62¾ route miles.

It is difficult to draw the line precisely between suburban and other lines but on a broad interpretation, all the above mileage, may be regarded as of an urban or suburban character.

asked the Minister of Transport how many Government owned ships have been sold, and how many remain unsold.

Two hundred and eighty-eight Government owned merchant ships have been sold, and out of about 230 ships remaining in Government ownership, 53 have been chartered on bare boat terms to shipowners for periods of three or five years. These figures do not include tugs and other small craft.

asked the Ministry of Transport what new sea marks he has sanctioned for the financial year 1946–47 on the advice of the General Lighthouse Authorities.

The following new sea marks or improvement of existing sea marks have been sanctioned for the financial year 1946–47:

Trinity House

Installation of radio beacons on three light-vessels.

N. E. Varne Sand, English Channel— Substitution of a lighted buoy for the existing unlighted buoy

Wolf Rock Lighthouse—Renewal of the fog signal machinery and the repair of war damage, including the provision of a new lighting apparatus.

Crayfordness, River Thames—Establishment of navigation light on Bofors Gun Tower.

Bideford Leading Lights—Erection of a new tower for the High Light, conversion of the illuminant of the lights to acetylene and making them semi-watched instead of fully-watched.

Bideford Fairway—Substitution of a lighted hell buoy for the unlighted buoy.

Portland Bill Lighthouse—Retention of the fog signal established during the war at Admiralty request.

Haishro Lighthouse (Norfolk)—Retention of electricity as illuminant introduced during the war.

Northfleet Lower Lighthouse, River Thames —Conversion of illuminant from coal gas to dissolved acetylene.

Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses .

Pentland Skerries, Auskerry and Copinsay Lighthouses—Conversion from Island to Rock stations.

Killantringan Lighthouse—Renewal of the tog signal installation and improvement of characteristic

Croulin, Arnish, Ornsay, Greinam, Millmore, Ris an tru, Grey Rocks, Ruadh Rock (West coast of Scotland)—Substitution of dissolved acetylene as illuminant for oil gas.

Cava (Orkney Islands), Carraig Mhor (West coast of Scotland) Cairnbulg (Fraserburgh)— conversion from carbide-to-water to the dissolved acetylene system of lighting.

Stroma, Pentland Firth—Establishment of a radio beacon.

Tiumpan Head (Isle of Lewis)—Establishment of a siren tog signal.

Commissioners of Irish Lights .

Kish Light vessel (Dublin Hay)—Installation of a radio beacon.

Mew Island Lighthouse (Belfast Lough)— Establishment of a radio beacon.

Cromwell Point Lighthouse—Improvement of the light and its conversion to unwatched.

Roche's Point—Renewal of the fog signal engines and substitution of a diaphone for the fog siren.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent he is using his powers under the Coast Protection Act, 1939, to prevent coast erosion

The Act to which the hon. Member refers empowers me to prohibit, restrict or impose conditions as to the removal of materials forming part of the seashore when this is considered desirable for the protection of the coast from erosion or for the prevention of damage to lands by the action of the sea. When complaints or reports are received that erosion is being caused by the removal of materials from the shore, the question of making an Order under the Act is carefully considered. So far two Orders have been made, but in addition some 50 Orders which were made before the passing of that Act are now deemed to be Orders for all purposes of the Act

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many experiments were performed for public authorities and how many for the purpose of testing sera and vaccines during the year 1944.

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to experiments performed under licence under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876. The figures for which he asks have not been extracted from the annual returns of the licence holders since 1939. In that year, out of a total of 954,691 experi-

Imports from the British Empire, January-June, 1946 … Volume in '000 tons. Value(f.o.b.) in £millions Main Sources, Cereals … … … 2,048 32.0 Canada Oils and fats … … … 545 15.3 India, Ceylon, British West Africa Sugar … … … … 150 2.9 British West Indies Meat and meat products … 348 29.8 Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Eire Dairy Produce … … 197 24.8 Australia, New Zealand, Canada Eggs (shell and processed) … 36 8.0 Australia, Canada, Eire Fresh fruit and vegetables … 181 5.8 Palestine, South Africa, Channel Islands Tea … … … … 88 16.2 Ceylon, India Coffee … … … 15 1.5 Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda Cocoa … … … … 86 3.6 British West Africa Beer, wines and spirits … 110 5.1 Australia, South Africa, British West Indies, Eire Tobacco … … … 22 4.9 Rhodesia, India, Nyasaland Canada Miscellaneous … … — 12.6 3,826 162.5

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is anticipated he will receive the Report of the observers on the Greek elections; and whether this Report will be made available to hon. Members.

The Mission hope to complete their report on 10th April. A sum-

ments over 175,000 were reported as having been performed for public authorities and over 296,00o as having been performed, whether for such authorities or not, for the preparation and testing of antitoxic sera and vaccines or for the testing and standardisation of drugs

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the principal articles of food, drink and tobacco included in the estimate of £350,000,000 obtainable from Empire sources, giving the quantities, values and countries of origin.

The following table shows estimated imports of these supplies from Empire sources in the first half of 1946, totalling £162,500,000. I cannot, as yet, give such detailed analysis for the second half. But imports in this period are estimated at £170,000,000. The supplies likely to be available are less than when the original estimate of £350,000,000 was made.

mary of the report will then be telegraphed to London, Washington and Paris for publication there and in Athens. Copies of the full report will at the same time be transmitted to the Greek Government and to the Governments of the United Kingdom, United States and France. I hope to arrange for the publication of the report as soon as it is received.

asked the Minister of Works on how many days during the Parliamentary week ended Friday, 5th April, were the furnaces for centrally heating the Palace of Westminster alight, and how much fuel was used.

The boilers in the Palace of Westminster supply steam for cooking and for sewage pumps as well as for central heating, and sufficient pressure to meet the demand was maintained on every day during the week ended Friday, 5th April. The amount of coal used during this period was 40 tons, as compared with 70 tons a week during cold weather.

asked the Minister of Works on how many days during the Parliamentary week ended on Friday, 5th April, were the furnaces for centrally heating No. 5 Palace Yard alight; and how much fuel was used.

A fire in the central heating boiler in 5 Old Palace Yard was kept going every day during the week ended 5th April, but, in order to save fuel, it was banked most days and every night during this period. The amount of coke used was five hundredweights.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the leakage of water at premises in Sherborne, which results in continual pumping and waste of fuel to the district council; and whether he will make renewed representations to the Ministry of Labour and service authorities for the release under Class B of 14214160 Sergeant E. J. T. Rogers, R.A.S.C., C.M.F., and 11411364 Private Willcocks, Somerset Light Infantry, C.M.F., both of whom are plumbers.

Yes, Sir, I was aware of the leakage of water at Sherborne which I understand has now been rectified. It was not possible to approve the release of the two plumbers in question as key specialists, but if the firm concerned will make known their requirements for plumbers to the local office of the Ministry of Labour everything possible will be done to assist them.

asked the Minister of Works why huts and barbed wire enclosures are being erected in Kensington Gardens; and if he is aware that the loss of this amenity is resented by mothers with children who regularly visit the gardens.

May I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Paddington South (Vice-Admiral Taylor) today?