asked the Minister of Education what is the meaning and purpose of Statutory Rule and Order No. 424 of 1946.

Section 100 (1) (b) of the Education Act, 1944, under which these regulations were made provides as follows:

The Minister shall by Regulations make provision for the payment by him to persons other than local education authorities of grants in respect of expenditure incurred or to be incurred for the purposes of educational services provided by them or on their behalf or under their management or for the purposes of educational research.

The purpose of the regulations is to define the nature of the services which may be aided and the conditions under which grant may be paid in accordance with this Section of the Act. Examples of the bodies which have already received grant under these regulations are the Nursery Schools Association, the committee which organises the exchange of teachers with America and the National Foundation for Educational Research.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what action he proposes to take with regard to requests for the provision of telephone facilities at West Burrafirth and Muckle Voe. Shetland.

In view of the large amount of new construction involved—90 poles would have to be put up in each case—and the restricted resources of materials and labour, I regret that it will be necessary to defer action in both cases for the time being.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is prepared to extend priority telephone installations, at present afforded to farmers in Angus, to schools.

Applications by local authorities for the provision of telephone service at schools under their control are given priority in Angus, as elsewhere, and any other applications for telephones re quired for school business are given special consideration according to the circumstances of each case.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the complaints regarding the receipt of telegrams at Blaina, Monmouthshire, as one sent from Ely, Cambridgeshire, at 8.21 a.m. on 30th March was delivered at 3.45 p.m. the next day, and others from Bristol to Blaina took 26 hours before delivery; and if he will inquire into the matter.

I will be pleased to investigate the cases to which my hon. Friend refers if he will let me have full particulars.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what is the annual amount expended by the B.B.C. in the broadcasting fees which are paid through national agencies, including payments to composers and holders of performing rights; and what proportion of such fees may be considered attributable to the Welsh Regional programmes.

During 1945 the B.B.C. paid £523,193 through national agencies in respect of broadcasting fees. I regret that it is not possible to divide the sum into amounts attributable to the programmes of any of the Regions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reconsider his decision to open a Borstal unit in the women's prison at Exeter, which is merely part of Exeter Prison, in view of the fact that it is undesirable that girls should be housed in a prison where death sentences are carried out.

I am glad to say that there has been no execution at Exeter for over three years, but I fully recognise that this possibility is one of the many objections to using a part of a prison establishment for a Borstal Institution, and as I explained in my previous statement this arrangement has only been made because there is no alternative until new premises have been got ready.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance is given by his Department to enable persons to trace their relatives in this country.

This depends upon the circurnstances of the individual case. If my hon. Friend will give me some indication of the type of case which he has in mind, I shall be happy to supply him with further information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will inform the House of the arrangements in connection with the Victory Parade and the route which will be taken.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave the general composition of the Victory Parade in the statement which he made in this House on 18th February last, and information as to the routes for His Majesty's procession and for the marching and mechanised columns was issued to the Press on 25th March. Further particulars will be made public as the details of the plans for the Parade and other parts of the Victory Celebrations are developed.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements will be made for Members of Parliament to witness the peace celebration parade and fireworks display on 8th June.

Some accommodation in the small enclosures on either side of the saluting base will be reserved for a number of Members of both Houses of Parliament under arrangements which my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, is discussing with the authorities of both Houses. As regards the second part of the Question, I understand that the authorities of both Houses are considering how the facilities afforded by the Palace of Westminster can best be made available for the use of Members of both Houses.

asked the Minister of Food if he will reconsider the decision to grant extra rations to the organisers of Victory Day parties in view of the growing seriousness of the world food position and the unfortunate psychological effect such action will have on countries where the food position is even more critical than our own.

No, Sir. As I have already announced world shortages make it impossible to provide normal facilities for liquid and solid refreshment. It is however considered that on such a unique occasion some small provision for properly organised parties is justified. Small quantities of tea, milk, sugar, preserves and margarine only are being allowed and the total quantities involved will not be appreciable.

asked the Minister of Pensions why Mr. E. R. Perkins, of 2, Christchurch Road, Worcester, who applied for a pension on 10th January, 1945, has not yet had his appeal heard; and if he can estimate when this appeal is likely to be heard.

Category of person Number of suspects. Associated with B U.F" Link ".etc. Number tried. Released with out trial. Remainder Civilians:— 22 42 4 (i) Served in enemy forces 7 1 (ii) Broadcast for enemy 31 11 (iii) Other 30 3 Total 68 15 22 42 4 Servicemen:— 28 17 12 (i) Served in enemy forces 36 4 (ii) Broadcast for enemy 9 2 (iii) Other 12 Total 57 6 28 17 12 Total in Allied hands 125 21 50 59 16

Of the 50 persons brought to trial, 48 have been convicted; one civilian case is sub judice and one member of the Armed Forces was acquitted. Four persons released without trial are at

A statement of his case was sent to Mr. Perkins in October last. His reply necessitated a review of the whole case involving protracted inquiries on the part of my Department. These have now been completed and an award of pension is being made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been captured by Allied Forces in Europe since 1st January, 1945, who owed allegiance to the Crown, and are accused of aiding the enemy by serving in enemy forces, broadcasting in enemy programmes, or otherwise; and in each category how many belonged to or associated with the B.U.F., "The Link," or any similar organisation; how many have been brought to trial and with what result; how many have been released without trial; how many of those released are now at liberty in the British zone in Germany and what safeguards exist to prevent their resuming pro-Nazi activity; and when the remainder will be brought to trial.

The following figures relate to persons about whom there was information warranting special interrogation and inquiries for the purpose of considering whether they should be put on trial:

liberty in the British Zone in Germany; two are shortly to be repatriated; the others are subject to the general precautions in force in the Zone against political activity on the part of undesirable persons, one is in addition subject to restrictions requiring her to live at a specified address and to report regularly to the police. Of the 16 persons neither brought to trial nor released, two civilians will shortly be tried by the French authorities and twelve members of the Forces will shortly be court-martialled. Two civilian cases are still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to inform building operatives who were transferred from Wales during the war that they are now free to return to Wales.

This information was announced in the Press and in trade union circulars. In addition the employers terminated the employment of all the men who had come under directions offering them their fares home or re-engagement if they wished to stay voluntarily.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the shortage of midwives at the Highfield Maternity Hospital, Wallasey; and, in view of the fact that it may be necessary to refuse maternity cases, if he will take immediate steps to provide the needed staff.

My Local Officer has received a copy of a letter dated 4th April from the Wallasey Town Clerk to the Ministry of Health and is now in consultation with the Matron regarding her present staffing requirements. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as a full report is received.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are at present employed in the motor car manufacturing industry; and what are their average hours of work per week.

Statistics of employment and hours worked are compiled for the industry group "motor vehicle, cycle and aircraft manufacture and repair "and separate statistics are not available.

asked the Minister Labour whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the differentiation between the treatment of ballottees, optants and volunteers on being released from the coalmines on medical grounds, in counting time towards their demobilisation groups; and whether he is now prepared to apply the same rule to all categories that at present only applies to ballottees.

To allow employment in industry to count as the equivalent of service in the Armed Forces for de mobilisation purposes, save in the most exceptional circumstances, would do violence to the Release Scheme and would result in great injustice to large numbers of men in the Forces. As I explained in my statement to the House on 29th November, 1945 (HANSARD, col. 1543), an exception was made in the case of ballottees because they had been directed into coalmining without regard to their wishes, having declined to exercise an option to enter the industry. I should not be justified in extending the concession to men who opted or volunteered to go into the mines in the exercise of their own choice as an alternative to military service.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men and women, by occupations, who were registered as unemployed at the Sherborne Employment Exchange at the last convenient date.

At firth March there were two men, one printer and motor van driver, and one woman clerk on the unemployed register of Sherborne Employment Exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated shortage of nurses and domestic staffs in hospitals and sanatoria in Wales; and what is the present rate of recruitment.

There are at present vacancies for about 1,000 nurses and midwives and 250 domestics in hospitals and sanatoria in Wales which are being filled at the rate of approximately 200 nurses and 150 domestics a month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders about the system of taxing motor-cars; and if he will publish them.

I am not prepared, as a general rule, to publish representations which I receive. I regard the question of motor taxation, on which there has been prolonged discussions in this House and in the Press, as now definitely settled.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to make any change in the terms of issue of Tax Reserve Certificates.

Yes, Sir. Tax Reserve Certificates issued on or after 15th April, 1946, will carry interest, when tendered in payment of tax, at the rate of ¼ of 1 per cent. per annum tax free instead of 1 per cent per annum tax free. In all other respects the terms of the Certificates will remain unchanged.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the hardship now being caused to many prospective candidates for the Civil Service who, after receiving a warning order, may have to wait several months before they are called forward to sit for their entrance examination; and whether he will ensure that examinations are expedited.

I am aware that there are delays—I regret these. Some of them result inevitably from the competitive system, but every effort is being made to speed things up.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Class B releases have been refused by men serving in the Forces during the last quarter of 1945 and the first quarter of 1946, respectively; and what percentages these figures constitute of the total Class B releases for these periods.

[OFFICIAL REPORT, 4th April, 1946, Vol. 421, C. 1396], supplied the following statement:

The information is not available in respect of the Army as the War Office records do not distinguish between cases where the man concerned refuses release and where release is not offered, for example, because he is due for early release in Class A. The number of refusals of release in Class B by men in the Royal Navy and R.A.F. during the last quarter of 1945 was 17,732; and during January and February, 1946, (the latest months for which information is available) 12,156. The numbers of men released from the Navy and R.A.F. during the same periods were 22,102 and 16,053 respectively. In offering release in Class B under the block release arrangements the Service Departments allow for anticipated refusals and, within the limits of the number of men available, make as many offers as are considered necessary to secure the required number of releases in each occupation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish a table showing the numbers of men and women in the three Services below Group 50, similar to that contained in columns 443 and 444 of the OFFICIAL REPORT of 11th October last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the numbers in each release group in each of the Services from the groups now being released to Group 60, inclusive.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now publish a table showing the numbers of men and women in the three Services in each of the groups below No. 50.

[OFFICIAL REPORT, 7th March, 1946, Vol. 420, c. 108; 12th March, 1946, Vol.

(RELEASE GROUPS NUMBERS.) Notes: 1. Figures are not available for the same date for each Service. 2. Age and service groups for women do not include married women, who have the right to claim priority of release over all other women. Nursing Services arc included. 3. The information given relates to the age and service groups from the general level now reached within each Service in Class A releases to group 70 only. Group. ROYAL NAVY. (1). ARMY. (2) ROYAL AIR FORCE. (3) Men. Jan. 1946. Women. Jan. 1946. Men. 31 Dec. 1945. Women. Mid-Feb. 1946 Men. Jan. 1946. Women. Jan. 1946. 27 … See Note 3 See Note 3 191,062 See Note 3 See Note 3 See Note 3 28 … See Note 3 See Note 3 114,765 See Note 3 See Note 3 See Note 3 29 … See Note 3 See Note 3 60,963 See Note 3 See Note 3 See Note 3 30 … See Note 3 See Note 3 41,944 See Note 3 See Note 3 See Note 3 31 … See Note 3 See Note 3 50,047 See Note 3 See Note 3 See Note 3 32 … See Note 3 See Note 3 42,711 See Note 3 23,906 See Note 3 33 … See Note 3 See Note 3 32,869 See Note 3 18,979; See Note 3 34 … See Note 3 See Note 3 27,521 See Note 3 15,943 See Note 3 35 … See Note 3 See Note 3 29,698 See Note 3 14,226 See Note 3 36 … See Note 3 See Note 3 33,120 See Note 3 17,616 See Note 3 37 … See Note 3 See Note 3 41,396 See Note 3 22,350 See Note 3 38 … See Note 3 See Note 3 35,254 See Note 3 26,480 See Note 3 39 … See Note 3 See Note 3 28,673 See Note 3 30,758 See Note 3 40 … 10,077 See Note 3 22,640 See Note 3 24,474 See Note 3 41 … 13,447 See Note 3 27,101 See Note 3 17,637 See Note 3 42 … 13,190 See Note 3 26,986 See Note 3 11,960 See Note 3 43 … 10,826 See Note 3 32,752 See Note 3 8,585 See Note 3 44 … 16,623 See Note 3 43,361 8,212 10,690 3,429 45 … 15,900 886 23,614 7,430 14,481 4,378 46 … 14,137 1,087 24,545 6,666 13,702 5,861 47 … 11,798 1,268 27,909 5,234 14,649 6,987 48 … 17,099 1,545 24,553 4,495 11,785 6,559 49 … 14,768 1,436 22,038 3,957 9,774 5,752 50 … 22,233 1,662 37,516 3,267 9,087 4,203 51 … 18,179 1,696 20,858 3,215 6,929 2,523 52 … 23,627 1,815 22,762 4,665 9,112 1,809 53 … 23,886 1,992 20,267 3,515 8,371 997 54 … 28,606 1,597 15,621 2,900 8,936 647 55 … 21,319 1,699 13,523 1,612 9,361 421 56 … 19,751 1,475 9,866 1,928 8,402 476 57 … 20,373 670 18,445 468 7,846 251 58 … 11,829 369 16,625 1,249 5,106 1,365 59 … 7,139 1,321 19,158 1,675 9,053 2,599 60 … 8,175 2,331 21,963 1,752 6,933 2,224 61 … 8,431 2,094 27,188 2,053 5,458 1,639 62 … 5,754 928 28,359 2,460 4,099 930 63 … 5,331 803 19,510 2,806 3,954 234 64 … 4,631 977 33,689 2,787 4,105 140 65 … 4,579 749 20,237 2,710 3,398 46 66 … 4,139 405 17,074 2,776 3,857 96 67 … 5,436 152 24,147 3,160 3,312 138 68 … 5,874 168 18,662 2,492 3,554 224 69 … 4,133 160 16,622 1,520 9,982 395 70 … 6,054 215 11,853 1,124 11,368 581

asked the President of the Board of Trade what regulations govern the value and/or quantity of food 420, c. 175–6; and 28th March, 1946, Vol. 421, C. 576], supplied the following statement:

that may be sent into the United Kingdom as a gift from friends outside; if there is any limit to the number of such packages that may be received by one person in a given period of time; and if the size and weight of food parcels are the same as those for other goods.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Bucklow (Mr. W. Shepherd) on 15th November last. Gift parcels may not be sent to individuals more frequently than once a month.

asked the Minister of Health how long persons diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis have to wait before admission to a sanatorium.

The waiting period for admission of patients requiring sanatorium treatment varies from a few days to several months in exceptional cases, according to the urgency of the individual case, home circumstances, war service, accommodation available to the tuberculosis authority concerned, and other factors.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to improve the situation on Canvey Island, Essex, where a population of 8,000 persons is served by one medical practitioner.

I understand that the one resident doctor is not the only doctor who attends patients on the island, and that at least two others visit patients there. An immediate difficulty in improving facilities is said to be one of accommodation, and this is being investigated.

asked the Minister of Health why he has declined to permit alterations and improvements at the Calverley joint Hospital, when these consist only of new bedpan and scalding sinks and a new kitchen range and would in no way impede the housing programme.

I am inquiring into this matter and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of tuberculosis were notified in Wales in each year, from 1939 to 1945 inclusive; and how many beds were available in sanatoria in the Principality during the same periods.

The figures are as follow:

Year. Notified cases of Tuberculosis. Beds available for Tuberculosis(as at 31st December) Pulmonary. Non-Pulmonary. 1939 2,775 934 1,803 1940 2,934 967 1,835 1941 3,083 1,004 1,979 1942 3,049 944 2,002 1943 3,246 998 2,217 1944 3,777 920 2,198 1945 3,222* 783* 1,951 *Figures estimated from returns received to date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now received reports from local authorities of their plans for continuing the day nursery provision established in wartime; how many councils are closing nurseries; and how many are increasing the charges.

Schemes have been received from 256 of the 293 authorities which established day nurseries in wartime. These relate to 1,116 wartime nurseries. Sixty-nine authorities are, between them, proposing to close 97 of these nurseries. Increased charges are contemplated in about 13 areas, but my information under this head may not be complete, as authorities are not specifically required to notify their proposed charges.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that a farmer, who has received permission to build a house for an agricultural worker under the old scheme, by which he received a £10 a year subsidy, but has not yet started building, will be able to qualify for the £15 a year subsidy under the new scheme without a long delay and a reopening of his case.

In the circumstances described, it would be necessary for the farmer to apply to the local authority for the approval of his proposals under the new Bill after it has become law.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases completion of temporary and permanent houses is being delayed due to the inability to obtain the essential paint or laid piping, or lead for other purposes.

I cannot say exactly how many houses may be affected at present, but I am aware of the difficulties, and in conjunction with my colleagues am taking steps to meet them. As regards lead, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chippenham on 4th April.

asked the Minister of Health if he will expedite the erection of 10 pairs of Swedish houses for Stroud Rural District Council, which have now been waiting on the sites for some months, by accepting the council's assurance that the distance of cesspools from site will be increased from 42 feet to 50 feet, and not insisting on waiting until a new site plan can be prepared by an overworked and understaffed office.

Delay in the erection of Swedish houses by Stroud Rural District Council has not been caused by the need for submitting new site plans, but because the tenders originally received by the council were excessive. I understand that the council were asked to revise the sewage disposal arrangements and did so within a week. I anticipate that revised tenders will be approved in the next few days.

asked the Minister of Health what is holding up the acquisition of land at Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, for the construction of 400 council houses, the scheme for which was agreed by his Department in August, 1944, and by the Ministry of Town and Country Planning in September, 1944. and the value of which was loan sanctioned by his Department in December, 1945.

I understand that the local authority have had difficulty in completing a purchase agreement with the owner of the land, but that a meeting is to take place within the next few days between the district valuer and the owner's agents, as a result of which it is hoped that agreement will be reached.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the increasing unemployment in Prestwick, he will increase the orders placed there for prefabricated plumbing units; and whether he is satisfied that there is sufficient factory space for this purpose at Prestwick.

Owing to limitation of factory space, additional production cannot be undertaken at Prestwick to give deliveries in step with the temporary housing programme. Further orders for prefabricated plumbing units will, however, shortly be placed elsewhere in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of permanent houses under construction in Glasgow on 31st March, 1946, by the corporation by direct labour, by contractors for the corporation, by private enterprise and by the Scottish Special Housing Association, respectively; and also the number of temporary houses under construction in Glasgow on that date.

At 31st March, 1946, Glasgow Corporation had 1,218 permanent houses under construction by direct labour and 68 by contractors. In addition 52 permanent houses were under construction by private enterprise and eight by the Scottish Special Housing Association, the number of temporary houses in course of erection was 333.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give a schedule of his rulings covering the subjects which mem- bers of a local authority, who are also members of a cooperative society, can discuss and vote upon at council meetings.

Each case must, by the terms of the Local Government Act, 1933, be considered on its own merits in relation to the particular circumstances, and I regret therefore that I could not comply with the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dissatisfaction among residents of the Chwilog, Caernarvonshire district, because letters are not delivered in the district until mid-afternoon; and if he will augment the delivery service forthwith by increasing the number of postmen to the prewar figure of two, there being a number of unemployed ex-Servicemen in the area willing to undertake the duties of postmen.

My information is that the late delivery times in the Chwilog, Caernarvonshire district, are primarily due to difficulty in finding labour to perform part time postmen's duties, as a result of which two deliveries have had to be combined into one and houses at the end of the combined round are reached later. The position will be kept under review with a view to effecting an early improvement if at all possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether a decision has yet been reached with regard to the award of a Victory Medal; and what will be the qualifications for the award.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Petersfield (Sir G. Jeffreys).

asked the Minister of Agriculture in view of the fact that smallbore rifles used to kill vermin have been re- called, what steps he is taking to prevent an increase in vermin.

I do not consider that any surrender of firearms as a result of the recent appeal is likely to affect the work of the county war agricultural executive committees in regard to the control of vermin and land pests. The committees have wide powers, and an organisation which includes some 2,000 trained operators; the campaign against rats is based almost entirely on poisoning, gassing and trapping.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the various grades into which the personnel of the British civil control in Germany is divided; what amount of liquor in spirits and in beer is available for purchase per person in those grades and at what prices; and is there any differentiation on the ground of either age or sex.

All civilians at present serving in Germany are entitled, through N.A.A.F.I., to the following monthly supply for consumption in messes and clubs:

Quantity. Bottle. Price. Per Bottle. s. d. Whisky … … 1 8 6 Gin … … ½ 6 6 Litres. Per Litre. Beer … … 12 1 4

There is no distinction on grounds of age or sex.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Regular Army officers with less than 18 months' overseas service are being granted end of war leave while other officers in the same command with about four years overseas' service are being deferred in their release groups.

The grant of end of war leave is in no way related to length of service overseas. It is a brief break allowed to Regular personnel before they continue their service. I have no reason to think that any officer has had his release deferred on operational grounds because of the absence of another officer on end of war leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 7892082 W. O. 1 D. G. Camerson, Light Aid Department, R.E.M.E., 13th L. of C. Signals, B.A.O.R., who was discharged on i6th January at No. 3 Civilian Clothing Depot, and who sent a written demand to the Commandant, Room 39, Central Ordnance Depot, Branston, on 18th February, has not yet received a civilian suit.

During the peak period for releases production of civilian clothing fell behind requirements and as a result, it was impossible to supply a number of men with complete outfits of the correct sizes at the time of release. These cases are now being cleared at the rate of some 7,000 items of clothing daily and it is hoped that the position will be normal by the end of this month. I am having Mr. Camerson's case investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now reached a decision regarding the release for housing purposes of the buildings on the antiaircraft site at Abbey Road, Neath, Glamorgan.

No, Sir. The future of this and other A.A. Sites is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider making representations to the French Government to contribute towards the maintenance of the illegitimate children of French Servicemen who are left in this contry without any means' of support except that which can be provided by the English mother.

His Majesty's Government have not overlooked the problems which arise from the maintenance in this country of the illegitimate children of Allied Servicemen, but they are not in a position to make any statement at the present moment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs at what date His Majesty's High Commissioner in Australia will take up his duties.

The new United Kingdom High Commissioner in Australia has arranged to travel by the first boat in April sailing direct for Australia. This is not likely to leave before the end of the month, and Mr. Williams will thus be enabled to meet the Prime Minister of Australia here on his arrival next week.

asked the Minister of Transport the present authorised motor car parking places for persons visiting the Palace of Westminster and each Government Department, respectively, situated in the city of Westminster.

Parking places on the highway are for the use of the public in general and are not exclusively for visitors to any particular building. The authorised parking places on the highway within a short distance of the Palace of Westminster and of the principal Government Departments in the City of Westminster are as follow: Whitehall Court, Whitehall Place, Northumberland Avenue, Great Scotland Yard, Horseguards Avenue, St. Anne's Street, Abbey Orchard Street, St. James's Square, Howard Street (Strand), Temple Place, Berkeley Square.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that L.A.C. K. J. Copp, who was demobilised on 1st December, 1945, and about whom particulars were furnished to him on 8th March, 1946, has not yet received his demobilisation clothing; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to this ex-Serviceman, he will arrange for the issue of a suit without further delay.

I regret the time which is being taken to provide this airman with his suit, but the delay is partly due to the fact that he required not only a size, but also a material, which was not in stock. The suit is now being made and every effort will be made to send it to him soon.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what percentage of officers in the meteorological branch of the R.A.F. have been released since May, 1945; what proportion of this percentage have actually been lost to the Meteorological Office; and how many new forecasters have been trained in the same period and how many are being trained now.

Fifty-three per cent. of the Royal Air Force and Women's Auxiliary Air Force officers serving in the Met. Branch have been released during the period 1st June, 1945, to 31st March, 1946. Eighty per cent. of these demobilised officers are not now available to the Met. Office. During this period 77 new forecasters have been trained and a further 103 who had begun their training before last June have also been qualified. Sixty-seven forecasters are at present under training.