asked the Minister of National Insurance whether his attention has been drawn to the note on form FAM. 2 that no claim is to be made in respect of a child receiving a pension under the Orphans', Widows' and Old Age Pensions Act; and if he will clarify the position as this is causing concern to widowed mothers who have read paragraph II of leaflet FAM. I and some of whom now believe that they are debarred from claiming a family allowance.

The note to which my hon. Friend refers speaks only of orphans' pensions, that is, pensions paid to children who have lost both their parents. It does not apply to cases of children whose widowed mother is still alive. As to which I would refer to paragraphs 11 and 19 of F.A.M. I. Moreover, every such widow who has two or more children should have received direct from the Department a special explanatory letter and form of application.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what publicity methods he intends to use to make known the full details of the National Insurance proposals.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Carnarvonshire (Mr. Goronwy Roberts) on this subject on 14th March, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether any arrangements exist to cover that class of person in the community who has not been previously insured and who, therefore, is still outside the scope of the present National Insurance proposals.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 18th March to the hon. Member for Colchester (Captain C. Smith), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will discourage the lighting of bonfires in the Metropolitan area during the Victory celebrations as, in the absence of adequate police supervision, they entail the destruction of valuable salvage and extensive damage to road surfaces.

In a circular letter which I issued to local authorities on 18th February last, I said that the Government trust that, where it is decided to light bonfires, only material with no salvage value will be used, and that arrangements will be made with the National Fire Service to guard against any possible spread of fire. I would take this opportunity of appealing to the good sense of all concerned to see that bonfires are lit only in conditions in which no damage or loss will result.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no burning desire for bonfires on the part of ratepayers in the Metropolitan borough of Lambeth, where in last year's Victory celebrations bonfires caused damage to road services costing £2,750 to repair?

I hope that the populace of Lambeth will be more restrained on this occasion.

Will the Minister bear in mind that there is practically no material for bonfires nowadays which is not salvage material and that all material is valuable for that reason?

I do not think it is necessary for me to bear it in mind, but I hope the public will bear it in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps, with the aid of psychiatrists, scientifically to distinguish between the type of criminal offender who is likely to benefit by curative and reformative treatment and training and the type of criminal offender who is unlikely so to benefit; and will he emphasise discriminatory treatment between the two.

While I should be reluctant to accept any suggestion that certain types of offenders should be entirely excluded from reformative methods of treatment, the importance is fully recognised of developing scientific methods of classifying prisoners with a view to giving them the types of training best suited to their needs and capacities. The value of these methods has already been proved in the case of youths committed for Borstal training, and the plans for the future development of the prison system include the use of similar methods for the classification of prisoners whose sentences are long enough to make special courses of training possible.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will carry that principle also into approved schools where, in many cases at present, there is a tendency to lump together those who would benefit more by being segregated from the others, and to reduce the common denominator to the lowest level?

The principle of classification is already applied in approved schools. It cannot be applied as much as I would like at the moment owing to the large population that we have to deal with there, but as more schools become available or, as I hope also, the school population in these places falls, we shall endeavour to extend classification.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the principle which he has enunciated, for which I thank him, applies to juvenile delinquents as well as to adults?

Yes, Sir, I think the answer to the previous supplementary indicates that.

Would the Minister ask the General Medical Council to encourage the tuition of psychiatrists for this purpose?

I have no direct relationship with the General Medical Council myself, but I hope the scientific study of psychology will be undertaken by universities and other persons responsible for general education.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in a recent case in the Leicester Police Court, evidence of the sale of alcoholic liquor outside permitted hours was given by two policemen who admitted that they had obtained such evidence on the premises in question by attiring themselves in R.A.F. and Army uniforms, respectively; and whether he will circularise chief constables as to the undesirability of such procedure.

In response to inquiries by me, the chief constable tells me that he only resorted to the procedure in question when other methods had failed to score the evidence needed for enforcement of the law. As the subject was dealt with by the Royal Commission on Police Powers and Procedure and the Royal Commission on Licensing which reported respectively in 1929 and 1931, I see no occasion for a circular.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a considerable amount of feeling, not only in Leicester but elsewhere, in respect of methods of this description being used which might induce people to commit crimes, and will he see that something is done to prevent it?

I have been very carefully into this case and am satisfied that nothing improper was done by the police. The premises in question are exceedingly difficult of observation, and the complaints received by the police were so numerous that it was necessary to take every step to see that the law was enforced.

The right hon. Gentleman says that nothing improper was done; surely it is improper for anyone to masquerade in His Majesty's uniform?

The police officers concerned were all of them men who were entitled, within the law, to wear His Majesty's uniform.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cellars are still requisitioned for air-raid shelters; and the total rent paid out for them since VE-Day.

I regret that these particulars are not available. On 6th February, local authorities were given a wide discretion to release requisitioned basements without reference to the Department and it has not yet been possible to collect information as to the extent of the exercise of this discretionary power.

Is the Minister aware that there is a good deal of anxiety that public funds are being unnecessarily spent in this country, and will he do anything he can to try to prevent that continuing?

I will try to do all I can to see that economy is effected with regard to these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the cost of the police force of Kent for the year ended 31st March, 1939; and if he will give the estimated cost of the present police force of Kent for the year ending 31st March, 1947.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by him on 5th April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, before the decision to use Latchmere House as a Borstal institution, consideration was given to the shortage of land available for building in the area; whether the Ministry of Health were consulted on this aspect of the matter; and whether he is prepared to make some of the land belonging to this property available to the Kingston - upon - Thames Council for building purposes.

The question of the use of this land for housing purposes has been fully considered in consultation with the Ministry of Health, but I regret that it is not possible to make of the land belonging to the property available for building purposes. The hon. Member will be aware from my previous statements of the urgency of the need for a new Borstal reception centre in the London area, and there is no hope of getting any place in the London area so well adapted for this purpose as Latchmere House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, prior to the action of his Department, a compulsory purchase order had been placed on five acres of this large estate? Is it not possible for his Department, in view of the appalling housing situation in the area, to surrender five acres out of this large estate to help in housing the unhoused thousands in that area?

The compulsory purchase order was not made by the local authority before this property was handed over to me. I require the land in question for the purposes of recreational facilities for the inmates of this reception centre, and I regret that it is riot possible for me to relinquish any of the land.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really say that recreational facilities for inmates of a Borstal institution are more important than housing?

No, Sir, I have not made any such suggestion. There are other cases where houses can be built—

indicated dissent.

It is no use the hon. Gentleman shaking his head: I knew his constituency long before he did. It is not possible in this case, owing to the fact that it is a reception centre, to arrange the recreational facilities away from the main property.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the first opportunity of securing the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will consider sympathetically the inclusion within the naturalisation priority classes of widows of aliens killed while serving with His Majesty's Forces.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health if he has looked into the case, of which he received information from the hon. Member for Mile End, with regard to a house of six rooms in Poplar which was requisitioned, and for a number of years has been let by the Poplar Borough Council to a family of two adults and one child; arid what steps he is taking, in general, to prevent such occurrences.

Yes, Sir. This house was requisitioned in January, 1941, and has been occupied since by a family made homeless by bombing, the previous occupier having evacuated. The house has also been used in part as a furniture store. I have no reason to think that the Council do not make the fullest use of the accommodation in their possession.

Has the Minister discovered, in the course of his inquiry, that the original owner of the house, who has a family of four children, has asked for the house to be returned to him, and that this has been rejected by the local council?

I understand that there are two members of the family of the person in occupation of the house who will be demobilised this year. It is a question of weighing the claims of one against the other I am having the whole point of reoccupation of houses by evacuated persons examined.

Does the Minister think it is a fair balance that a family containing only one child should occupy six rooms in a house which is in fair condition, in the circumstances outlined to him?

It would be undesirable to evict a certain person from a house and to have that family joined in a few months' time by two soldiers who have nowhere to go.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many local authorities he has instructed to stop building by private builders; and if he will place copies of any instructions which have been sent out in the Library;

(2) how many houses are affected by his orders to suspend building operations by private builders; and what compensation he is paying them for expenditure incurred by them in their contracts and for loss of business.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that licences granted to private builders will not be cancelled in respect of houses on which work has already begun or for which commitments have been entered into by the builders concerned.

I would refer hon. Members to the statement which I made in the House on 11th April. In particular, I would repeat what I then said, that no licence should have been with- drawn where the house had been begun, and that in cases where my attention has been drawn to the fact that that has happened, I am in touch with the local authorities. Where such discussions have taken place, the position has been put right. If hon. Members know of other cases in which a licence was withdrawn where building had begun or a contract been entered into, I should be glad if they would send me particulars.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his policy is holding up the building of much needed houses, especially in the Orpington area? May I ask him to reply to the second part of the Question, namely, will he put copies in the Library? Also, will he compensate builders who have had to stop, perhaps not the building of houses, but contracts which have already been signed?

There is no obligation upon me to compensate anyone. The local authority have no instructions to stop licences where building had begun or contracts had been entered into, and. therefore, the issue of compensation does not, in fact, arise. Furthermore, as I explained on the other occasion, the revocation of these licences has not had the effect of preventing houses being built, because they were being built at the expense of other houses to let.

Can we take it as a definite assurance that building licences will not be withdrawn where building has actually begun?

Yes, Sir. This is about the seventh time I have said it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the action of certain local authorities in reducing tenders for work submitted by their own works' departments after seeing lower tenders submitted by private firms; and if he proposes to take any action with respect to this practice.

I am not aware of this action. I should be glad if the hon. Member would supply me with particulars.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, if supplied with these particulars, give an assurance that he will take action?

I can give no reply to a hypothetical question.

asked the Minister of Health if he will grant the same financial assistance to local authorities for conversion and reconditioning of property owned by them into living accommodation as part of their housing schemes as is now allowed to local authorities for converting and reconditioning privately-owned property taken over by them for housing purposes.

I have no power to grant such assistance, and I do not think it would result in many additional dwellings.

Is it not a rather unjust discrimination between the two types of property—if the corporation takes over the property now it gets the allowance for alterations, but if it is taken over already, I understand it cannot get the grants?

I am afraid the distinction exists, and it is a distinction in the law which I cannot change at the moment.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the full cost of a major and urgent surgical operation performed on Mr. A. D. W. Greene of 97c, Addison Road, Kensington, after demobilisation and before his appeal for pension was allowed, has been withheld, liability having been admitted on 8th September, 1945, by the payment of the sum of £55 11s. 6d. towards the unavoidable expenses incurred.

I am looking into this case and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of financial assistance to be granted by him under the scheme outlined on 6th November, 1945, to individual county boroughs, boroughs and Metropolitan boroughs, in England and Wales, for each of the years 1946–47 and 1947–48.

As the reply involves a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply :

Below are the sums which have been granted to individual local authorities in England and Wales as special financial assistance during the years 1946/47 and 1947/48. There are still a few authorities whose grant is not yet settled.

Local Authority 1941/47 1947/48 £ £ County Borough— Bootle 80,000 65,000 Canterbury 32,500 17,500 Eastbourne 160,000 40,000 East Ham 200,000 100,000 Exeter 85,000 38,500 Great Yarmouth 100,000 36,000 Hastings 110,000 50,000 Kingston-upon-Hull 285,000 225,000 Plymouth 235,000 200,000 Portsmouth 275,000 100,000 Southampton 200,000 100,000 Southend-on-Sea 60,000 — Swansea 120,000 70,000 West Ham 205,000 190,000 Borough— Aldeburgh 1,250 — Bexhill 52,500 20,000 Deal 29,500 14,750 Dover 50,000 32,000 Folkestone 92,000 48,000 Hythe 9,000 — Margate 56,000 40,000 New Romney 1,000 — Ramsgate 48,000 18,000 Urban District— Broadstairs and St. Peters 25,000 7,000 Clacton 18,000 6,000 Felixstowe 26,000 7,000 Frinton and Walton 13,000 4,000 New Hunstanton 950 — Sandown—Shanklin 15,000 4,000 Skegness 7,500 3,750 Ventnor 4,500 1,000 Metropolitan Borough— Bermondsey 100,000 85,000 Bethnal Green 47,500 42,500 Deptford 65,000 50,000 Finsbury 50,000 40,000 Greenwich 25,000 12,500 Hackney 30,000 20,000 Lambeth — 25,000 Lewisham 80,000 60,000 Poplar 80,000 70,000 Shoreditch 50,000 45,000 Southwark 65,000 60,000 Stepney 95,000 85,000 Stoke Newington 18,000 10,000

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many ex-V.A.D. nurses who would like to continue nursing are discouraged from doing so because their experience gained as V.A.D. nurses is largely ignored by the civil nursing profession; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that nurses who have been trained as V.A.D. nurses in military hospitals, and have gained experience during the war, will not be required to undergo more than a short training course in a civil hospital before ranking as fully trained civilian nurses.

V. A Ds with suitable nursing experience are already eligible for six months' remission in the period of their training for State registration. Consideration is being given to establishing a shorter course for those who have had nursing training and experience in the Services of a sufficiently high standard.

Does the Minister consider that six months' remission is really satisfactory at this time when nurses are so short?

I have great sympathy with the hon. Member's point and am having it investigated.

asked the Minister of Health when his Board of Control Department at Lytham St. Anne's, where some of the evacuated civil servants have been absent from their homes for over six years, will be returned to their home areas.

This matter is receiving active consideration but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the patience of these civil servants, who rendered such splendid and loyal service during the war, is almost at breaking point, and will he do something about it?

The hon. Member will, I am sure, realise that I am extremely sympathetic to the application of members of my own Department to come back to London, but the claims of other Departments have also to be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Education what special training facilities are available for mentally backward and deficient children in the Uxbridge and Hillingdon districts of Middlesex.

I have been asked to reply. There is a residential special school for educationally subnormal children at Hillingdon, and the Middlesex Local Education Authority maintain several day special schools for these children in other parts of the county. They are further proposing to provide a boarding school at Fetcham. Provision is made for the special educational treatment of the less seriously retarded children in the ordinary primary and secondary schools in the area.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is one child at least in that area who comes under the category and who has had no training for seven years owing to the lack of accommodation? Will he have the matter looked into?

If my hon. Friend will supply the name and address to the Minister, I think the matter will have attention.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will arrange for local education authorities to provide transport for children to attend private schools.

My right hon. Friend is grateful to the hon. and gallant Member for giving her the opportunity of adding to what she said in reply to a supplementary question on 4th April. The general arrangements of an authority for the transport of children may, and if he Minister so directs in any particular case shall, include arrangements for pupils attending independent schools. Also outside these arrangements an authority may pay the reasonable travelling expenses of any particular pupil to such a school. Some guidance on this matter was given to local education authorities in the Memorandum and Circular, of which my right hon. Friend is sending the hon. and gallant Member copies.

Is the hon. Member aware that this statement will give very great satisfaction and relieve a great many hard cases?.

asked the Minister of Education if she is yet satisfied that the educational facilities in Falmouth are sufficient to enable apprentices to fulfil the conditions necessary for deferment.

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the answer which she gave to my hon. Friend on 14th March.

Is my hon. Friend's right hon. Friend aware that if educational facilities in one particular area in the country are not readily available, very real grievance and hardship will arise?

Whilst it is not admitted that it is impossible for an apprentice at Falmouth to qualify, I will draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to the supplementary question

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the general shortage of custard powder in the shops at Braintree, Essex; and if he will take steps to remedy this shortage

With regard to the first part of the Question the shortage of custard powder is not confined to Braintree but is a general shortage throughout the country. With regard to the second part of the Question there is at present a serious shortage of starch and I am unable to release extra quantities for the manufacture of custard powder, of which it is the chief ingredient. I am, however, making inquiries to see whether Braintree is receiving its fair share of total supplies of custard powder.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has stopped the importation from Finland of poles for electricity distribution.

We have not so far been able to secure any poles from Finland since the resumption of trade relations, but we are continuing our efforts to do so.

asked the Minister of Supply why the promise made that the central furnishing department, being four floors at High Street, Leicester, of the Leicester Co-operative Society would he derequisitioned by March has not been kept; whether he is aware that these premises are being used as a dump for useless wading material at considerable expense to the country; and whether he will take immediate steps to give the society possession of the premises which they urgently need for the purpose of providing essential supplies to the public.

All the surplus wading equipment has been sold, but difficulty has been experienced in clearing it from the premises, owing to the shortage of railway containers and the fact that the construction of the building does not lend itself to rapid clearance. Two floors have already been cleared and every effort is being made to clear the remaining two and release the premises by the end of this month.

Will my hon. Friend say definitely that he will release the property this month? Is he not aware that release has been promised on a number of occasions and it is expensive for the Government to keep this place as a useless dump?

I am sorry that the target has been exceeded a little but obviously my saying that it will be definitely evacuated by the end of the month would have no effect if it were not possible to do so. We will do our best.

What is the ultimate target?

asked the Minister of Supply why, although requested in September, 1945, he refused until 25th March, 1946, to release from requisition six kilns belonging to the Tamworth Brick Company, Limited; why he has taken no steps to reinstate, or enable the company to reinstate, these kilns for brick burning; whether he is aware that this has delayed the production of bricks: and when he paid the rent for the kilns due on 25th March.

On 14th December, 1945, the company asked for the release of these kilns and an office by 25th March, 1946, and they were, in fact, derequisitioned on that date. I understand that a claim under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, is at present being considered by the Ministry of Works, who paid the rent due up to 25th March on 16th April.

How does the Minister expect the company to reinstate these kilns until they know what compensation they are going to get?

I am informed that on 5th April the company lodged a claim with the Ministry of Works and arrangements are being made to settle this matter as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many aliens who were enlisted into the British Army in North Africa are to be demobilised abroad; and what steps he is taking to assist them to resettle in a country of their choice.

Exact figures are not at present available, but all aliens enlisted in North Africa will be demobilised abroad except in a few very special cases of a compassionate nature to which consideration is at present being given. Resettlement in the country of choice largely depends upon the individual's securing admission to that country, but such steps as are possible are being taken to assist in this respect, particularly in the case of those aliens who are being sent to Italy from this country for disposal.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that it would be lamentable if any of the men who served for some three years in the British Army were eventually to be left adrift in Europe simply to find means of resettlement through displaced persons' camps? Will he not consider setting up some organ- isation within the demobilisation organisation to assist these men in their dealings either with the British Home Office, or the Governments of other countries in which they might be settled?

I do not think it is necessary to set up any special organisation, but I can tell my hon. Friend that we are closely in touch with the Home Office and doing all we can in these cases.

Is the Financial Secretary aware that many of these gallant men are at present being made to report to centres a long way from their homes, and does he consider that that is the right treatment for them at this stage?

Of course, there are unfortunately many cases of people being far from their homes as a result of the war, but we are doing all that is humanly possible to assist.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Messrs. T. J. Evers, Limited, Builders, Tiptree, Essex, were notified on 11th January that the Class B release of 14346086 Gunner H. Ketley had been recommended; and if he will now expedite the release of this man, whose services as a builders' general foreman are urgently needed in connection with local authority building work now immediately impending.

I very much regret the delay in dealing with this case. I have given instructions that an offer of Class B release is to be made to this man immediately, and if he accepts it I hope he will be released within a few days.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in consultation with Dominion Governments concerning the award of campaign stars and medals; how far these discussions have gone towards finding a solution to the anomalies which have arisen concerning these awards; and when he expects to be able to make a final announcement as to the decisions that have been reached.

I have been asked to reply. The scheme which is under consideration has been put to the Dominion and Indian Governments, and most, but not all, the replies have been received. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister hopes to make an announcement shortly after the next meeting of the House

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, in view of a recent decision of the High Court, he will consider reviewing the present constitution and powers of the General Medical Council.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend and reform the Medical Act of 1858, so as to give the General Medical Council a more democratic constitution, and especially to make provision for the hearing and investigation of unethical or unlawful charges against medical registered practitioners by an independent tribunal presided over by a judge, or consider the setting up of a Select Committee to review the functions of the present General Medical Council and consider any changes necessary in its constitution and procedure.

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the General Medical Council itself appointed a Committee in November, 1944, to consider the consolidation and amendment of the Medical Acts. I can therefore assure the hon. Members that the whole position is being examined and that the possibility of legislation at a suitable opportunity will be kept in mind.

Whilst I make no reflection on the impartiality of this august body, may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that there is grave doubt as to its competency to deal with the issues it has to decide upon? Will he inquire into the possibility of strengthening it on the general practitioner side, over which class of doctor it has virtually the power of ruin, on the uncorroborated evidence of neurotic women?

I will pass the hon. Gentleman's observations to my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council.

Is it right that the General Medical Council, itself the body which needs reform, should be asked to reform itself? Is this not a matter for the Government to take up to see that truant or errant doctors get full justice according to the law of the land?

I should have thought self-reform was always a desirable occupation for anybody, but I will suggest to my right hon. Friend that my hon. Friend thinks that a little stimulus from outside might assist in the process.

Is it not wrong in principle that the General Medical Council should be allowed to be judge in its own cause and to wreck the careers of people, as the previous questioner indicated, on inadequate evidence?

The general powers of this bock are, I understand, under review. I will draw my right hon. Friend's attention to the views expressed by the hon. and learned Member.

May I give notice that in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I propose to raise this matter as soon as I am successful in the ballot for the Adjournment?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the percentage of naval officers in the Control Commission of Germany as compared with the Army and the R.A.F.

Under 1 per cent. of the serving officers on the strength of the Control Commission for Germany are naval officers. The corresponding figures for the Army and R.A.F., including officers of the Women's Services, are 95 per cent. and about 4.5 per cent. respectively.

Is the Minister satisfied with these figures? I stress that he should consider raising the number of naval officers so that Germany will note the importance of British sea power.

I am afraid the pressure at the moment is all in the direction of reducing the staff to the minimum necessary.

Will the Minister make representations to the First Lord of the Admiralty to the effect that the Navy should, as a matter of policy, take a greater share in the administration of Germany, certainly in the areas round the ports, where I understand they have a minimum of responsibility at present?

The staffing of the Control Commission in Germany must not be dependent upon matters of prestige, or other factors of that kind, but must be dependent upon practical considerations. The fact is that the naval side of the administration is very small in proportion to the other side.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the monthly yield from taxation levied upon the inhabitants of the British zone in Germany; and how much of the proceeds of this have so far been made available to reduce the cost to this country of civil administration in Germany.

In February the yield from taxation in the British Zone of Germany was 241 million Reichsmarks; for March and April it is estimated at 385 and 3[...]7 million Reichsmarks respectively. All our Reichsmark expenditure in Germany is charged to the German budget; there remains our expenditure in sterling and other currencies which can only be recovered at present from such proceeds of German exports as are available.

Can the Minister say whether it is the policy of his Department to increase the German contribution to the cost of their own Government in order to reduce the present level of reparations in reverse?

I am afraid I will have to have notice of that question which needs a little digesting; but the policy we are pursuing is to charge the whole of our Reichsmark expenditure to the German Government. Recently, as the figures I have quoted show, we have considerably increased the taxation for that purpose amongst others.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the effect on ratepayers in areas which are controlled by joint water boards, in view of the decision to include precept income for taxation purposes and if he proposes to take any action to put this matter right.

The effect of the decision of the courts to which my hon. Friend refers is that, in the case of a joint water board, any income received under precept from the local authorities of the area is treated as a trading receipt of the Board for tax purposes, but any amounts paid by the Board under precept to other water undertakings are allowed as deductions. I do not think any amendment of the law is called for.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the effect of this decision on those local authority areas that are comprised within joint water boards will, in fact, mean that the precept income from the rates will have to be doubled in order to meet this decision?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will have a talk with me on how it works out in particular cases, but my personal opinion is that the law as it stands is fair.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the proximity of the beginning of a new academic year, he will now extend the release from military forces to all students

whose academic or professional careers have been interrupted by their call up.

I regret that it is not possible to agree to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Will the Minister do anything to help such persons as those mentioned in the Question to resume their interrupted careers?

A Debate took place on this matter this week and I thought the information was available to the House.

Would the Minister consider especially the case of women?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the numbers released from the Forces, to the latest available date.

Yes, Sir. I will with permission circulate a full statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The releases reported during March amounted to 370,450. The total number of men and women released and discharged from 18th June, 1945, to the end of March, 1946, was 2,691,760

Can my hon. Friend say whether we have overtaken the deficiency below the target which existed at the end of February?

I am very pleased to reply to that question. We have exceeded the target.

Following is the statement:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has investigated the complaint, to which his attention has already been drawn, that young men conscripted into a mine in the Durham area are being intimidated into joining the Durham Miners' Association; whether there is any compulsion for such conscripts to join a trades union; and whether he will take steps to protect these young men from intimidation.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power has undertaken to make inquiries into this case and to write direct to the hon. Member. With regard to the second and third parts of the Question, I would refer the hon Member to the reply given on 7th March to the hon. and gallant Member for East Renfrew (Major Lloyd).

asked the Minister of Labour why deferment is given to students in order to enable them to take courses at teachers' training colleges when they are under the age of 18 years on 1st October of the year in which the course commences, but is refused to other intending teachers who wish to commence university degree courses unless they are in the age group falling between 1st August, 1927, and 30th September, 1928.

Recruitment for teachers' training colleges is on a different basis from entrance to universities for degree courses and special arrangements have been necessary. In the case of university students it is not possible to make concessions for special classes.

If the policy is to defer students from call-up so that they may go to colleges, how can it prevent a system under which teachers who take one form of training are deferred and others who lake a different form are not?

I thought the answer would have been obvious. Teachers who go to teachers' training colleges are going for a similar purpose, but the students who go to universities are going for dissimilar purposes. It would be unfair to differentiate in that class.

is it not the desire of the Government that teachers should take university degree courses? This Question refers to intending teachers.

This matter has been gone into very fully with the vice-chancellors of the universities. Apparently there is agreement on this position, and in this matter we must naturally be advised by those authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is a considerable falling off in the attendance of apprentices at courses of study in technical schools and institutes, consequent upon the possibility of their being called up for military service in the middle of the apprenticeship period; and if he will consider granting automatic deferment to these people until their apprenticeship period is completed.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the question of the position of apprentices in relation to call up is under consideration.

Would my hon. Friend have regard to the concern exercised both by educational authorities and the parents of these apprentices who are concerned at their attitude because of the fact that it is likely they will be called up before they finish their apprenticeship, and consequently they are not attending the technical institutes?

My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air made a statement on this matter the day before yesterday. I would refer my hon. Friend to that statement.

Will the Minister consider the question of deferring those who have been encouraged by the Services to take courses of specialist study? Will he see to their deferment until they pass their examinations, particularly if it is only a matter of a few months?

On this we are advised by the university authorities and the joint university recruiting board. The steps that are being taken are the ones taken having regard to the vacancies in the universities. The House must keep this in mind. The vacancies in the universities must be kept for the men returning from the Forces.

What about technical schools?

I am afraid that is another question.

A very important one.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the functions of the League of Nations being transferred to U.N.O., he will state the measures now in process for the continued work of the International Labour Office at Geneva.

The arrangements for the dissolution of the League of Nations and the transfer of certain of its functions to the United Nations safeguard the position and continued existence and work of the International Labour Organisation, which is to be brought into relationship with the United Nations by agreement in accordance with the provisions of Article 57 of the Charter. Among those arrangements, I may mention that the twenty-first assembly of the League which is just concluding its work has approved a financial scheme which will not only enable the International Labour Organisation to maintain its activities unimpaired in the current year, but in addition will facilitate the future financial administration of the International Labour Organisation. Further, the League Assembly has approved the transfer of the ownership of the International Labour Organisation building in Geneva to that organisation. Under the Common Plan relating to the transfer of League assets to the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation will continue to enjoy its right of user in the Assembly Hall, Secretariat offices and Library at Geneva. I would add that the negotiations for the agreement bringing the International Labour Organisation into relationship with the United Nations are expected to open in New York at the end of May.

Will the Minister undertake to see that the efficiency of this very valuable organisation will be maintained at the same high level?

That is a conception very dear to His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the dissolution of the League of Nations and its transfer to U.N.O., a statement will be issued showing the members of the League who continued to discharge their financial obligations during the war and those which have been in arrears; and if any action is contemplated to secure the payment of League contributions by member nations in default.

As the answer is somewhat long I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would my hon. Friend say, just in a word, how many nations are in arrears?

I prefer to say that nine nations have made some payment in respect of their arrears, but, of course, other contributions have been made.

Will any steps be taken to collect the arrears?

That matter is engaging the attention of the Government and of other paying Members of the League.

Following is the answer:

A statement showing the position members of the League of Nations in respect of their contributions at the end of 1945 has been placed in the Library of the House. Since the preparation of this statement, the question of the collection of arrears has engaged the continuous attention of the competent organs of the League and of the Assembly itself at the present session. Thirty-seven member States contributed during the war years, and 13 of these were up-to-date in their payments at the opening of the Assembly, namely: South Africa, India, Australia, The Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, The United Kingdom New Zealand, Sweden, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark Czechoslovakia.

Nine other States have made payment in respect of arrears, and II others are negotiating arrangements for the same purpose.

I should like to take this opportunity of stating that from 1919, the date of the inception of the League, to the end of 1945, no less than 90 per cent. of the budgeted contributions have been received, something over 4½ per cent. cancelled and about 1½ per cent. consolidated for payment over a period of years.

The countries which have made payment during the course of this year are: Bolivia, Nicaragua, China, Portugal, Finland, Turkey, Honduras, Uruguay. Luxembourg,

The countries negotiating agreements are: Argentina, Greece, The Dominican Republic Iran, Mexico, Egypt, Panama, Ecuador, Poland, France, Yugoslavia.

The countries which have not initiated any negotiations are: Afghanistan, Latvia. Albania, Liberia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Chile, Peru, Columbia, Rumania, Estonia, Siam, Ethiopia, Venezuela. Hungary,

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what measures U.N.R.R.A. is adopting to alleviate the present sufferings of the people of Hungary in view of the lack of food and clothing and the spread of disease.

As I have informed the House on previous occasions, U.N.R.R.A. is authorised to provide Hungary with medical and sanitary aid and supplies and other emergency relief supplies for persons in greatest need, such as children and nursing and expectant mothers. The value of the goods so supplied is limited to four million dollars. U.N.R.R.A. representatives are already in Hungary and I understand that the first goods have reached Trieste now on their way to Hungary.

Will the Minister keep in mind the pitiable condition of a large section of the population and do anything he can to help them?

We have been most anxious to meet these desperate needs, but we can only bind ourselves to the most limited and more desperate categories.

Is the Minister aware of the very serious reduction in the amount of food produced in Hungary due to the land having been cut up in small sections?

I cannot see that that relates to this question of U.N.R.R.A. supplies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the cost of the work contemplated in providing temporary docks and other accommodation at Southampton, for any interim scheme at present proposed for the use of Southampton as a flying-boat base.

The estimated cost is approximately £80,000. This cost would be offset by considerable annual savings in respect of rents at Poole, transport of passengers, landing fees, and dead "flying between the operating base and British Overseas Airways Corporation's Maintenance Base at Hythe.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he can now give an assurance that no interim move will be made to transfer the B.O.A.C. flying-boat departure base at Poole, where operations have been safely and satisfactorily conducted throughout the war, to the more hazardous conditions obtaining at Southampton, pending the final decision to develop Langstone Harbour as the new main civil flying-boat terminal in the South of England.

No, Sir. In any case, my Noble Friend cannot accept the suggestion that operations at Southampton would be in any way less safe than those hitherto conducted at Poole.

Is not the Minister aware of the declaration of the British Airline Pilots' Association, in which they say that Southampton Water can never be considered as a suitable seaplane base, that it can only be considered as a single runway area—and that area out of wind —and that the scheme is unsafe both for shipping and for planes?

I could not accept that as it stands. I would accept the fact that Southampton Water cannot be considered as a satisfactory permanent marine base.

Has the Minister had an opportunity of considering the scheme for a marine air base at the junction of Southampton Water and the Solent, and is he aware that, during the 10 years in which flying-boats used the base, especially in 1944 and 1945, over 2,000 landings were made and there were no accidents?

This scheme was submitted only on 10th April, and I have not had time to give it proper attention.

Is my hon. Friend aware that American operators have categorically turned down the use of Southampton Water as a flying boat base on the score of it being hazardous, and does he think that we can overlook such experienced opinion expressed by those who have used this type of aircraft extensively and have operated them in this country?