asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that a decline of interest in the A.T.C. is prevalent among boys of the upper forms in many schools; and what steps he proposes to take to maintain this interest at a higher level.

We could not expect quite the same intensity of interest in school A.T.C.'s as during the war. But we are taking a number of steps to encourage both school and local A.T.C. units. We are issuing a new and broader syllabus which aims at fitting a boy for entry into the R.A.F., the Fleet Air Arm, Civil Aviation or the aircraft industry. We can and will accept every up-to-standard A.T.C. cadet who wishes to join the regular R.A.F. And we can now say that almost every A.T.C. cadet can, if he wants, go into the R.A.F. on his call-up—diversion to the other Services will be quite exceptional. I take this opportunity to repeat that A.T.C. cadets who want to go into the R.A.F. on call-up must go to the Recruiting Centre in their A.T.C. uniforms, must take with them their training progress reports and must say that they want to go into the R.A.F. This does not seem to be fully understood and cadets have been diverted to the other Services because they failed to do these things. I have already told the House of our plans for the integration of the A.T.C. in Reserve Command.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the progress to date of the educational and vocational training scheme in the R.A.F. and his future policy with regard to it.

The quality and quantity of E.V.T. instruction has been uneven as between Commands and Stations, as I warned the House at the outset that it would be. But by and large a very great deal of good educational work has been done. We owe a great deal of gratitude no: only to the full time instructors but also to those who have worked in their spare time on E.V.T. to help others to get a better start in civil life. As the Royal Air Force drops in numbers the size of the scheme naturally diminishes and by the end of the year E.V.T. in its present form will have served its purpose. We shall then absorb the outstanding E.V.T. commitment into the permanent educational scheme for the postwar Royal Air Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the hardship caused to a number of civilian batmen and mess servants employed at the R.A.F. station, Pewnes, Pmllheli, by reason of the termination of their employment as from 9th April; and, in view of the fact that the majority of these men are ex-Servicemen, if he will arrange for their re-employment in place of German prisoners of war announced as shortly to be employed as mess servants at R.A.F. stations.

We do not intend to employ German prisoners of war as batmen or mess servants at Royal Air Force messes in this country. The civilian batmen and mess servants at Penrhos were discharged because we have closed the Royal Air Force mess there.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that there are now only empty locked huts and a few sheep grazing on the aerodrome at Kinnell, Arbroath, he will consider forthwith reopening the road across it which was formerly used by schoolchildren, as the continued objection to the use of this road means that the children are forced to take a roundabout route which adds two miles to their journey.

Yes, Sir. We are reopening this road, first for pedestrians, and then for other traffic, as soon as the local highway authority says that it is fit for general use again.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air on how many occasions in March and April has the R.A.F. been in action in Indonesia against the Indonesians; how many sorties have been made; how many Indonesians have been killed or wounded as a result of these sorties; how many dwellings have been destroyed; and when the R.A.F. will be completely withdrawn from Indonesia.

The Royal Air Force have taken part in seven operations in Indonesia in March and April. A total of 400 operational sorties has been flown but this includes photographic reconnaissance and leaflet dropping. There has been no bombing. The number of Indonesian casualties and the number of dwellings destroyed are believed to be small. As for the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his Question yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what practical steps his Department are going to take to encourage and assist civil gliding clubs.

I can add nothing to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) on 20th March and to the hon. Member for St. Marylebone (Sir W. Wakefield) on 27th March last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will revise the law disallowing tax exemption for expenditure on housing or welfare under the East African tax ordinances, as this law acts as a direct deterrent to providing improved accommodation and amenities for workers.

Steps are being taken to meet this point. The East African Governments propose to introduce legislation giving similar treatment in respect of housing to that provided under the United Kingdom Income Tax Act of 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the unsatisfactory arrangements for the inspection of labour conditions on the sisal estates in Tanganyika; and whether steps are being taken to provide an adequate inspectorate.

I am aware that, owing to shortage of staff, the Government of Tanganyika were unable during the war to maintain a sufficient scale of inspection of labour conditions on all sisal estates. The matter has been under my attention for some time. Since the beginning of 1945, the Medical Officer attached to the Labour Department has inspected the majority of the estates. The staff of the Department has been increased since the beginning of 1935 by the addition of five officers and will shortly be increased further. I hope that the arrangements for inspection will in future be adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that there is little security of tenure for Government employees in the lower grades of the Tanganyika Civil Service, and that they have no definite pension rights; and if he will take steps to remedy this situation.

The conditions of employment of non-pensionable European officers in the Tanganyika service are governed by formal agreements entered into between the officer and the Government. These agreements are as a rule valid for three years only but, in practice, the appointment of a non-pensionable officer would be terminated only for good reason. As regards pension rights, I am making representations to the Governor and I am hopeful that the Tanganyika Territory Government will give early and sympathetic consideration to the introduction of a contributory pension scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that even rudimentary local government does not exist in the villages of Mauritius; that the township boards function inadequately; that no rates are levied in some parts of the island with a consequent lack of all public services; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this situation.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to his Question on the 20th March. I agree that there are marked defects in the system of local government in Mauritius. The Governor has informed me that the report of the expert who recently examined the system is now before the Council of Government for consideration with a view to the introduction of necessary reforms.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give favourable consideration to the acquisition of the German owned plantations in the Cameroons by the Government of Nigeria for development as cooperative plantations, in view of the fact that the nearby Ibo country is overpopulated and large numbers of people are obliged to emigrate from Eastern Nigeria to the Spanish colony of Fernando Po, to find a living.

This matter has already been discussed with the Governor of Nigeria, and I hope soon to receive his proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the members of the Malayan Administrative Service who were being required to return to Malaya within a short time of release from internment will be required to remain in the tropics for a full term of duty.

No, Sir. Officers who were passed as fit to return to Malaya within a short time of their release from internment were asked to undertake as short a tour of duty as may be found practicable. That, as they have been informed, will be from 12 to 18 months only. This is substantially shorter than the minimum tour under normal conditions

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any decision has yet been reached by the State Council in Ceylon as to the adoption of Sinhalese and Tamil as the official languages.

A Select Committee of the State Council was appointed in September, 1945, to consider this question. I have not yet heard that the Committee has reported, but I am inquiring of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that exporters in this country are handicapped by the fact that they are at present unable to obtain rapid and complete information about Colonial Ordinances which may affect the import and sale of their goods in various colonies; and whether arrangements will be made in conjunction with H.M.S.O. to provide an up-to-date index of Colonial Ordinances in this country and to arrange that copies thereof shall be immediately available to all who require them.

No, Sir, but I shall be pleased to look into the matter if my hon. Friend will furnish me with details of any difficulties that have arisen. So far as customs duties and regulations are concerned, a publication entitled "Customs Tariffs of the Colonial Empire," revised up to September, 1945, is available on sale by His Majesty's Stationery Office. Alterations in customs duties and regulations are also notified in the Board of Trade Journal. The Colonial Office Library is open to the public for the perusal of Colonial Ordinances.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any agreement has now been reached regarding the reduction of the allied occupation forces in Austria; and whether he will give details.

No, Sir, the matter is still under discussion by the Allied Commission in Vienna.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that additional animals, including a lion, have recently been brought to the Berlin zoo; and, in view of the extreme food shortage in Berlin and other parts of Germany, what steps are being taken to ensure that an excessive number of animals are not being maintained and that those which remain are not suffering unnecessary hardship.

Since January, 1946, the only additions to the Berlin zoo have been one sheep, two goats, 11 rabbits and three hens. No lion has been acquired since August, 1945. Although the zoo is in the British sector of Berlin its affairs come within the purview of the Allied Kommendatura which is the responsible authority for the city as a whole. The animals are fed on meat condemned as unfit for human consumption and on vegetable waste. I am advised that they are healthy and that none is suffering hardship.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now restore to the housewife the liberty of choosing her own milkman since the freedom to register with new grocers has been restored.

I regret that it will not be possible to allow consumers freedom of choice of milk retailers when they register for milk this year.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that parcels of meat are being forwarded by butchers in Dublin to residents in this country; and as this practice is a contravention of his Department's orders, what measures he proposes to adopt to prevent disturbance of the rationing arrangements in process in this country.

I am aware that parcels of meat are being forwarded from Dublin to residents in this country. Inquiries which I have made reveal no evidence that parcels of meat other than gift parcels are being sent to any appreciable extent. When parcels are sent by butchers in Eire, at the request of residents in the United Kingdom it is the recipient and not the sender who commits the offence. I prefer to rely on the good sense of the citizens of this country to comply with the law rather than to introduce special measures which would be out of all proportion to the size of the problem and would in the process probably stop the sending of legitimate gifts.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst housewives with reference to the price of bread where a 1-lb loaf costs 2¾d. whereas a 2-lb. loaf only costs 4½d.; and if he will alter the price of a 1-lb. loaf to 2¼d.

I have no evidence of the dissatisfaction to which my hon. Friend refers. The relatively higher price of the 1-lb. loaf is due to its higher cost of production. I am afraid I could not therefore adopt the suggestion made in the last part of the Ouestion.

asked the Minister of Food if he will issue instructions that establishments operating under a catering licence in holiday resorts are not to discriminate against children by catering for adults only.

No, Sir. While I deprecate any such practice, I am advised that if the instructions mentioned in my hon. Friend's Question were issued I am without power to enforce them. I must therefore rely upon the good sense of persons who hold catering licences to refrain from the sort of discrimination mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the over ripeness and staleness of many imported apples and oranges when they reach the public; and if he will alter deliveries to obviate these deficiencies.

I am not aware that any apples imported during the past season arrived in anything but sound condition. In the case of oranges, which are more perishable, it is not unsual to find that on arrival a proportion of the supply has deteriorated. In order to ensure prompt despatch the destination of all imported fruit is determined before the shipments actually arrive. I do not think it would help matters to alter this arrangement.

asked the Minister of Food what percentage of waste was found in the first consignment of Teneriffe tomatoes.

There was no measurable percentage of waste found in the first consignment of Teneriffe tomatoes.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the Potato Marketing Board often employ local potato merchents as their buying agents; and if he is satisfied that this method is fair to other similar merchants.

I think my hon. Friend is referring to the Ministry of Food, not the Potato Marketing Board. Merchants are used by the Ministry as agents for the purchase of ware potatoes from growers wherever their services can be secured. In general, all licensed potato merchants are so used.

asked the Minister of Food what profit was made by the Government on all meat imported into the country in the year 1944.

The profit on imported meat in 1944 was of the order of three million pounds; this was applied in relief of the very much larger sums involved in subsidies on home produced meat.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he wilt give an assurance that no priority facilities will be given to foreign companies to build film studios in this country over those accorded to British producers.

I take it that the hon. Member has in mind the building of new studios. While I could not give an assurance that building licences will be reserved exclusively for British production and studio companies, it is our desire and intention to help in every way possible the healthy development of British production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated requirements of poles for electricity distribution in the United Kingdom over the next two years; what supplies have already been contracted for; and what steps are being taken to provide the remainder.

The Electricity Commission's estimates of requirements of poles are 90,000 in 1946 and 150,000 in 1947. Shortage of manpower and of materials, including poles, are likely to affect the fulfilment of all demands. Contracts have already been placed for some 150,000 imported poles against these and other requirements. In addition to imports, some supplies will be available from stocks in this country and from home production. All practicable steps are being taken to obtain maximum supplies of poles, as well as of other categories of timber, for priority purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet granted supplementary clothing coupons to Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Cotton, about whom he received representations from the hon. and gallant Member for Brentford and Chiswick on 22nd February, in view of the urgency of this case.

I sent coupons to my hon. and gallant Friend on 11th April for Mr. Cotton. It is not possible to grant coupons to Mrs. Cotton for reasons which I have already explained in my letter to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether any alteration has yet been agreed upon on the arrangements for the coming Peace Conference at Paris on 1st May;

(2) whether an agenda has been fixed for the Conference of Foreign Ministers opening on 25th April; and whether he will make a statement on the subjects to be discussed.

No formal agenda has yet been fixed for the meeting of Foreign Secretaries opening on 25th April. As regards the subjects for discussion, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Flight-Lieutenant Haire) on 15th April. The meeting will no doubt also consider the arrangements for the Paris Peace Conference.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will immediately derequisition Victoria Public Park, situated in East Belfast, so as to restore to the working-class people of that district their rights to make use of these grounds owing to this being the only recreation ground inside of a built-up area.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to derequisition Victoria Park.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will arrange for Members of the House of Commons to visit H.M.S. "Vanguard" with a view to inspecting improved accommodation and amenities for all ranks incorporated in its construction.

Yes, Sir. I shall be glad to arrange a visit to H.M.S. "Vanguard" on Friday, 31st May, when the ship will be at Liverpool. If hon. Members who wish to make the visit will write and tell me, the necessary arrangements will be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total accommodation for boys at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook; the number borne at present; and what further period of time is likely to elapse before the school is fully occupied, observing that the war with Germany ceased 10 months ago. and that there are a large number of orphans and other eligible candidates who should already have been admitted.

The school was originally designed for 860 boys; the number borne on the 1st April, 1946, was 516. The numbers which will he borne in future will depend on the number of suitable applicants, and the accommodation available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the dates of the examinations and interviews for the next entry of boys into the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook; and what instructions have been issued to ensure taking a higher number of suitable applicants than in recent entries, in particular from among the orphans of men who lost their lives while serving their country in the R.N. and Mercantile Marine, for which boys the school was instituted.

The dates are 27th to 30th April. Since the existing instructions are that boys should be capable in due course of reaching the standard for entry into the Royal Navy, or in compassionate cases of taking advantage of the education provided by the school, no further instructions have been issued. Apart from other publicity, however, the Ministry of Pensions has been asked to draw special attention to the facilities afforded by the School when sending out pension forms.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the decision taken to reduce the unnecessary high standards of entry into the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, he will state how many parents and guardians of boys previously rejected, but now eligible, have been written to, with a view to these boys being given another chance at the next entry.

I regret that, as a record has not been kept, I am unable to say how many parents and guardians of boys previously rejected have been invited to apply with a view to their being given another chance of entry, but the number of parents or guardians who have so applied is 22. A record of the number in vited will be kept in future.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what date his Department were approached on the question of ploughing up the unused land at Peplow R.A.F. station, Shropshire; and what decision has been given.

The airfield at Peplow is on loan to the Royal Navy from the Royal Air Force. I am not aware of any initial approach to the Admiralty in respect of this airfield, but it is Admiralty policy to bring the maximum amount of land on Naval Air Stations into agricultural use in association with the local war agricultural executive committees, and general instructions to this effect, calling for details of proposed acreage, were issued in February. Authority was given with the consent of the Air Ministry to plough up some 30 acres at Peplow towards the end of March.

asked the Minister of Works the total value of licences issued in respect of works at 20a, Cedars Road, Clapham; and the purpose for which these premises are to be used when the work has been completed.

One licence only has been issued to carry out work at 20a, Cedars Road, Clapham, to the value of£6,898. When the repair of war damage at these premises is completed they are to be used, as formerly, by the National Federation of Building Trades Operatives for headquarters offices.

asked the Minister of Works when the hosiery factory at Deacon Street, Leicester, now used by his Department for the storage of empty egg boxes, is likely to be de-requisitioned.

I am making alternative arrangements for the storage of these boxes, though I cannot yet give the exact date of release of the Deacon Street premises.

asked the Minister of Works how many men were engaged in the brick-making industry on 31st March, 1938, on VE-Day and 31st March, 1946; and how many men were employed as bricklayers in the building industry on the same dates.

The estimated number of productive manual workers engaged in the brick-making industry was 55,000 on 31st March, 1938, 11,000 on 8th May, 1945, and 23,500 on 31st March, 1946. The number of bricklayers aged 16–64 insured against unemployment in the building industry in Great Britain was 109,210 at 1st July, 1938, and 48,390 at 1st July, 1945. The number at 31st March, 1946, is estimated at between 70,000 and 75,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the protests being made by local inhabitants, he will at once derequisition Horn's Lodge, near Tonbridge, with two bungalows and two cottages occupied by Italian officers and prisoners.

I have been asked to reply. I regret it is not possible to de-requisition Horn's Lodge prisoner-of-war camp. Hildenborough, as it will be needed for an indefinite period for either Italian or German prisoners employed on agricultural work in the district.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the protein ration for dairy cows during the autumn and winter periods this year will be maintained at last year's level.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to similar questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash (Colonel Ropner) and the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Baldwin) on I5th April.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number and type of decorations won in the past war by Servicemen and women normally resident in Northern Ireland.

I regret that complete figures for all three Services are not available. In the case of the Army the figures available relate to officers and other ranks born in Northern Ireland or who had next-of-kin resident there, and in the case of the R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. to those normally resident in Northern Ireland. No figures are readily available in the case of the Navy. On these bases the awards to Army and Royal Air Force personnel excluding mentions in despatches and King's commendations were at least 264 and 263 respectively. This total of 527 included 22 D.S.O.s, 53 M.C.s, 163 D.F.C.s, 6 G.M. S, 135 M.M. S and 77 D.F.M.s.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of the various decorations awarded in the three Services respectively.

The approximate number of awards made, other than Mentions in Despatches and King's Commendations, from the beginning of the war to the end of 1945, was 104,000, of which about 18,100, 51,80o and 34,100 were granted in the Navy, Army and Air Force respectively, including Dominion, Indian, Burma and Colonial Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War why M. K. Lo, who was a member of the Hong Kong Council during the Japanese occupation, has been appointed Rice Controller by the present Hong Kong Civil Affairs administration; and if he will have him removed from that office.

I have asked for a report from Hong Kong and will write to my hon. Friend when I have the full details.

asked the Secretary of State for War the estimated value of the local procurements made by the British Armed Forces in Austria since 1st July, 1945; what proportion of this amount is accounted for by procurements of foodstuffs; and what financial arrangements have been made with the Austrian authorities with a view to offsetting the value of these procurements against British claims for occupation costs and.or reparations.

I regret I have no estimate of the value of all local procurements in Austria by the British Forces. Only in very exceptional cases are foodstuffs obtained locally and the total value of them, mainly hospital supplies, is not more than one or two thousand pounds. No special financial arrangements have been made with the Austrian authorities but the cost of all local procurement ranks as part of the costs of occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that parcels sent to serving men in Malaya are frequently not arriving; and what steps he is taking to ensure that gifts such as cigarettes are reaching their destination.

There are several points of transfer during the long journeys involved, and I am aware that opportunities for pilferage do unfortunately occur. The number of such losses is, however, infinitesimal compared with the number of parcels handled Specially trained military and R.A.F. police are being used to deal with the matter as far as is possible and train guards are provided on all important routes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that numbers of huts at Letchworth Gate, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, are not being used and are deteriorating; and whether he will take immediate steps to dispose of them.

Investigations as to whether this hutting was still required for War Department purposes have only recently been completed. The huts have now been declared surplus to military requirements and instructions have been issued for the transfer of nine Romney huts in situ to the Ministry of Works on behalf of the N.F.S. Instructions have also been given for the remaining huts to be reported to the Ministry of Works for disposal in the normal manner.

asked the Secretary of State for War when Major Hamp, who has recently been demobilised, may expect his home at Weston Favell, Northampton, to be derequisitioned; and whether this can be done quickly, in view of the fact that Major Hamp requires it as a residence for his family and it is at present being used to house only two A.T.S. officers.

I am informed that the Lodge at Weston Favell was purchased by Major Hamp about three weeks ago after he had been warned by the quartering commandant that early release would not be possible. Although it is at present used for A.T.S. officers sleeping and messing, endeavours are being made to re-accommodate these personnel, with a view to using the Lodge as offices in connection with the sub-district headquarters located in Weston Favell mansion. As far as can be foreseen it is unlikely that it will be possible to release this Lodge before August at the earliest.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause notices such as Death Keep Out and Warning Death to be maintained properly, if needed, on the Brecon Beacons and the Bwlch, Glyntawe or to be removed at once.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the total cost of operations in Indonesia since August, 1945.

The cost of the military and Air Forces stationed in Java and Sumatra since 17th August, 1945, to 31st:March, 1946, is very roughly£8,000,000. No appreciable extra naval expenditure has been directly incurred in connection with the Indonesian operations and the indirect extra expenditure due to the diversion of His Majesty's ships from other operations could not readily be evaluated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state, with

— Amountsspent year1944/45. Amountsspent 6months ended30.9.45. Amountsallotted 6months ended31.3.46. Amountsallotted year1946/47. £ £ £ £ Bedford … … 4,004 1,901 1,550 2,900 Buckingham … … 4,535 1,854 1,600 3,040 Cambridge … … 4,526 1,817 1,550 2,945 Essex … … 8,348 4,617 3,300 6,270 Hertford … … 6,546 3,210 2,200 4,180 Hunts and Northants … … 7,513 2,770 2,000 3,800 Kent … … 14,690 4,869 4,300 7,450 Norfolk … … 8,149 2,674 2,000 3,800 Suffolk … … 4,893 2,058 1,750 3,325 Surrey … … 13,773 4,708 4,000 7,600 Sussex … … 8,221 3,727 3,000 5,700

The allotments made for the current financial year, shown in the last column of the above table, were based generally on the rate of expenditure authorised for recent months adjusted for anticipated changes in the volume of work, etc., during this year.

asked the Minister of Supply if it is to be his policy to have a marine aircraft experimental establishment in this country; what similar establishments there are in any of the Dominions; and whether he has considered the greater economy of having one combined experimental establishment.

Yes, Sir. There are not at present any marine aircraft experimental establishments in the Dominions. It is proposed, however, shortly to hold an informal conference in London, on aeronautical research within regard to the Territorial Army and Air Force Associations of each of the counties included in Eastern Command, the total cost of headquarters salaries and wages during each of the following periods, namely, the financial year ended 31st March, 1945, the six months ended 30th September, 1945, and the six months ended 31st March, 1946; the financial allotments granted to each county to meet this expenditure during the financial year commencing 1st April, 1946; and the basis on which the above allotments are calculated.

The figures are as follow:

the Commonwealth, and the question of collaboration on seaplane research will no doubt be discussed there.

asked the Minister of Supply the use which will be made of the royal ordnance factory at Bridgwater; and why it has now been decided not to manufacture formaldehyde there.

The factory will be used mainly for the manufacture of explosives required for the Services. The production of formaldehyde for civil use has been considered, but there is at present no demand for additional supplies. In the event of a sufficiently increased demand, the plant at Bridgwater would probably be used.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the present release arrangements for officers and men serving in the Merchant Navy; up to what groups have releases been promulgated and by what dates will they be released.

, pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th April, 1946; Vol. 421, col. 373), supplied the following statement

The Minister of War Transport announces that, after discussion with the representatives of the owners, officers, and men, it has been decided further to extend the age and service groups in which applications for release can be considered from Merchant Navy officers and men in the Reserve Pool and, at the conclusion of their present engagements, from those serving on board ship.

The age and service groups now eligible are as follow: Masters and Navigating Officer 1–32 Engineer Officers: ( a ) Certificated (including holders of permits to serve in the place of Engineers with Second-Class Certificates) 1–27 ( b ) Uncertificated 1–37 Radio Officers: ( a ) Holding rst and end Class Certificates 1–37 ( b ) Holding special Certificates 1–50 Purser's Department 1–50 Ratings in Deck and Engine Room Departments 1–37 Ratings in Catering Department 1–50

Full details of the age and service groups can be obtained at any Mercantile Marine Office, Merchant Navy Reserve Pool Office, or from the officers' and men's societies. Those who wish to be released should apply to their local Merchant Navy Reserve Pool Office.

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of accidents to schoolchildren are regarded as being attributed to the siting of schools; and if he is considering any steps to abolish blind corners in the vicinity of schools.

I regret that the figures are not available. As far as blind corners are concerned it is for the appropriate highway authority to consider what is possible and desirable to increase the safety of traffic on the roads, and the proximity of a school is clearly one factor which will he taken into account.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether arising out of the Interim Report of the New Towns Committee and the fixation of the final boundaries for new towns, he will give an assurance that those farmers inside the boundary will have security of tenure for at least two years so as to avoid the immediate loss of food production over the whole area which would result from the immediate abandonment of cultivation of these farms.

Every effort will be made to avoid premature disturbance of farmers, but the need for development will generally be urgent and accordingly it is not practicable to give the assurance for which the hon. Member asks. I may add that in all such matters I am keeping and shall continue to keep in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys, under the age of 17, 16 and 15 years, respectively, have been committed to Wormwood Scrubs prison, from 1st February to 9th March this year; if he will state the courts by which the boys were committed and, in the case of courts which have made more than one such committal, the number of committals; whether he is aware that in at least two of the cases the boys had not been previously in trouble; and whether he will make inquiries whether they had been in a remand home and the grounds on which, in these cases, the boys were certified to be unruly or depraved.

During the period referred to, 29 boys under the age of 17 years were remanded to Wormwood Scrubs prison; of these boys four were 14, five were 15 and the remainder 16 years of age. Two of the boys came before more than one court before their cases were disposed of, and there were in all 32 court orders. Of these, three each were made by the County of London Sessions and by the Brentford (Ealing) and Stamford House Juvenile Courts, two each by the Bow Street, Tottenham and Willesden Courts, and by the Chelsea, Dorking, Friends' House and Toynbee Hall Juvenile Courts; and one each by the Central Criminal Court, the Brentford, Guildford, Uxbridge and West London Courts, and by the Dartford, Gore (Wealdstone), Guildford Borough and Penge Juvenile Courts.

As regards the two boys referred to in the last part of the Question, I am informed that they were charged jointly with another boy over the age of 17. The two younger boys had not been previously convicted but the court after considering all the circumstances, decided to remand all three boys to prison, giving a certificate of unruliness in the case of the two younger boys.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action was taken in regard to the foul irregularities which were reported by the inspectors under the Cruelty to Animals Act during the year 1945.

In two cases assurances were obtained from the authority responsible for the laboratory where the experiments were performed that greater care would be taken to ensure that the requirements of the Act are fully observed. In the third case the licence holder was warned that he must take greater care in future. In the fourth case the experiments were stopped.

asked the Secretary of State for the Horne Department whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to offer members of the regular police force serving in the Forces release under Class B; and, if so, on what date offers will have been made in all cases.

Class B release is offered to all police officers serving in the Armed Forces, with the exception of a comparatively small proportion who have to be retained on grounds of military necessity. I understand from the Service Departments that authority for Class B release has been given in the case of all men who are eligible, except for a very few cases in which there has been difficulty in tracing a particular man.