asked the Minister of Transport whether, now that he is responsible for the Henley Fair Mile and the Trunk Road Scheme, he has any statement to make with regard to the adaptation of the lighting of the Fair Mile to modern traffic requirements, at the same time meeting the needs of pedestrians.

My Department is in touch with the Henley-upon-Thames Borough Council with regard to the lighting of this length of road.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that furniture removing is a specialised service involving much ancillary equipment and trained non-driving personnel, it is still his intention to include this branch of road haulage within his recommendation for nationalisation of road transport.

I cannot at this stage indicate in detail the scope of the proposed legislation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now secured reduced fares for blind people travelling with an attendant when taken for convalescence after sickness.

Whilst I have the deepest sympathy with blind persons, I feel that the very wide concessions already allowed adequately meet the needs of blind persons and that their further extension is not called for.

asked the Minister of Transport the acreage of land owned by the British railway companies, apart from the land used as running lines, goods and passenger stations, workshops and stores or warehouses

The acreage of land owned by the four main line railway companies, not forming part of the railway or stations, at 31st December, 1945, was approximately 34,000 acres.

asked the Minister of Transport it he is aware that a return ticket from Lincoln to Grimsby is 5s. 10d. by omnibus and 9s. 7d. by train; that village people who have no train service are denied the use of omnibuses because of long-distance passengers; and what steps will be taken to bring the omnibus and railway fares more into line.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport what amount of money has been spent by the Government on new equipment and improvements in the respective railway owned docks of this country; and how much of this is recoverable from these port and harbour authorities.

I am obtaining such information as is readily available and will arrange for it to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT later.

asked the Minister of Transport if he realises that inconvenience was caused to members of the public after the May alterations of the timetables, when for several days it was not possible to ascertain the new times even from the stations concerned; and if he will arrange in future for details of alterations in the times of running of trains to be published at least a week before the alterations take place.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on 15th May, to the hon. Member for Durham (Mr. Grey).

asked the Minister of Transport the number of ships sold by the Government under their first invitation to tender; the total amount received from the sale of these vessels; and the total price which the Government had paid to the builders for them.

169 vessels were sold as a result of the first invitation to tender for a total of £20,660,050. 146 of the vessels sold were from those built for Government account. These cost £29,374,800 and realised £19,892,400.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the s.s. "Dunara Castle" has again been withdrawn from the Glasgow-Colonsay service; that it is only a month since she came out of dock and resumed her sailings on this run; that, as the s.s. "Hebrides"Is now in dock, there is no steamer with passenger accommodation at present maintaining the service with the Island of Colonsay; and if he will take steps to provide a suitable steamer for this service.

The s.s. "Dunara Castle" was temporarily withdrawn on 11th May in order to replace in turn three mail boats on the David MacBrayne passenger and mail services during their annual overhaul. As no other passenger vessel is available, the "Dunara Castle" has been replaced on the Colonsay service by a cargo vessel, the "Lochgorm," which can carry up to 12 passengers. The s.s. "Hebrides" has been back in service to Colonsay since 14th May when drydocking was completed.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the state of the Ministry of Aircraft Production tied bungalows at Victoria Avenue, Ilkley; if he is satisfied that they are all fit for human habitation; why are such high rents required for such derelict accommodation; and, as the tenants are still on rent strike, when will he be able to announce a decision in this case.

A revised basis of assessment of rents for houses owned by my Ministry has now been settled and will be applied at once to these bungalows. I will let the hon. and gallant Member have details. All necessary repairs are receiving attention.

asked the Minister of Supply how many overseers there are at British aircraft factories; what is their cost per annum; and what duties they perform.

29, Sir. Their Service pay and allowances amount to about £38,000 a year. They are the chief representatives of my Ministry at the factories where they are stationed and their principal function is to relate service and technical requirements with production considerations

asked the Minister of Supply if he will now publish the Report by the Combined Production and Resources Board on the iron and steel industry prepared in 1944.

I am not clear to which report my hon. Friend is referring. If he will supply me with further details I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Supply how many beds were vacant on 14th May in the hostel at Stone-house; and for what categories of workers accommodation at this hostel is now reserved.

Most of the accommodation at this hostel is used by workers at a nearby ball bearing factory. Any free accommodation is allocated by the Ministry of Labour in consultation with my Department. I understand that on the date mentioned 42 beds were vacant, but that all were allocated,

asked the Minister of Supply when the Ministry of Education made application to his Department for emergency supplies of text-books, paints, brushes, drawing boards, set squares, wood, metal and cardboard for all the new educational colleges; what steps are being taken to expedite delivery; and what is the latest date for the required quantity of each of the above, respectively, to be delivered to St. Peter's Training College, Peterborough.

As the hon. and gallant Member has already been informed, the supply of this equipment is not the responsibility of my Department and no application has, therefore, been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the scarcity of hypodermic syringes, not only in Clapham but in London generally, and, as this is causing distress and danger to persons suffering from diabetes, if he will immediately make a larger allocation.

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir; and I have already arranged for increased supplies to be made available. Production has been stepped up and the position should improve rapidly

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster under what circumstances the Arab Aaref-Abdel-Razek, who was under British surveillance in the British zone in Berlin, left that zone.

So far as I am aware, he was never in Berlin.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will circulate in the OFFICAL REPORT, or give particulars in a White Paper, of the work that has been successfully carried out by the Military and Allied Control Commissions dealing with the transport, health, feeding, clothing and accommodation of displaced persons since the German surrender within the British zone; if he will give statistics to indicate the numbers involved and the burden that has fallen upon a small number of officers and officials during the past 12 months; and the approximate cost of their services to the British Treasury.

I was glad to have the opportunity of referring, during the course of the Debate on 10th May, to the fine work of the British Control authorities, the Army, U.N.R.R.A., the British Red Cross Society and other voluntary organisations in assisting displaced persons. At the end of hostilities, there were in the British zones of Germany and Austria approximately 2,300,000 displaced persons. About 1,800,000 had been repatriated by January and only some 430,000 now remain.The number of British officers dealing with displaced persons has varied from time to time and has decreased with the number of displaced persons and with the gradual assumption by U.N.R.R.A. of some of the tasks formerly carried out by the British authorities. It would not therefore be possible without considerable research to determine the cost which has fallen on the United Kingdom Exchequer in this connection.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many displaced persons are now resident in camps in the British zone of occupied Germany; if he will state their nationalities or countries of origin; if he has any statement to make as to their final disposal; and if any of them are being sent to countries to which they do not wish to return.

Approximately 405,000, comprising 263,00o Poles, 89,000 persons from Baltic countries, 15, 000 Yugo-Slavs, 6,000 Hungarians, 4,600 Rumanians, 1,900 Dutch, 1,000 Czechs, Loop Russians, and 17,600 of undetermined nationality and small numbers of various other nationalities. Their final disposal is part of a worldwide problem which is now being examined by the United Nations Committee on Refugees and. Displaced persons. The only United Nations displaced persons sent back to countries to which they do not wish to return are war criminals, quislings and traitors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if a scheme has been prepared by the associations in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Fishing Vessel (Deferred Payments) Account Agreement; and, if not, whether he will now release the credits to the owners concerned.

Schemes have been submitted by two of the principal associations of fishing vessel owners and the applicants have been asked to reconsider certain points in these schemes. I am informed that a meeting of representatives of the three associations of trawler owners will shortly be held to consider the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many golf courses have been given permission to re-seed their ground to permanent grass; and how many acres in all will thereby be lost to food production.

In cases where claims for restoration have been made, which are the only cases of which records are readily available, permission has been given during the last 18 months to 36 golf clubs to re-seed 470 acres of their land. Permission has not been given in any case during the last three months. Much of the land in question had been farmed out and was due for a rest; in other cases it had borne poor crops. Where practicable, arrangements were made for subsequent grazing of the land, and I do not think there has been any great loss of food production.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that 75,00o young trees were recently destroyed by fire which swept almost unchecked through the Forestry Commission's North Lincolnshire nursery woods; and what steps have been taken to control outbreaks of fire on other Forestry Commission estates.

I think the hon. Member must have in mind a fire which occurred at Willingham Forest on 4th May, which was started by a passing goods train and which burnt 35 acres of the Forestry Commission's young plantations. The fire did not go unchecked but was combated by Forestry Commission employees, fire brigades from Market Rasen and Lincoln, and by prisoners of war.As to the second part of the Question, very elaborate steps are taken at all Forestry Commission areas to protect the plantations against fire. As a preventive measure fire notices are prominently displayed and leaflets are periodically distributed through various channels; patrols are maintained night and day during danger periods. Fire fighting apparatus and fire beaters are stored at vantage points, and arrangements exist at all forests for summoning assistance from fire brigades, neighbouring estates, military and civil camps, etc.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what supplies of penicillin are available for the treatment of dairy cows.

There are sufficient supplies of penicillin for approved research for veterinary purposes, but until the extent of the demand for human needs is known I am afraid that it will not be possible to indicate what supplies will be available for the treatment of dairy cows generally.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many applications have now been received from men and women in the Services and since release for the agricultural and horticultural training schemes; how many have actually begun training; and how many are accommodated collectively and by boarding out.

Up to 30th April this year, 2,715 applications from men and women had been received. Of this number 2,026 had actually started training. These figures cover both farm and institutional training. The larger proportion of those engaged in farm training are boarded out, but precise figures are not available. Almost all those taking institutional training are accommodated collectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give an estimate of the prospective decline in the pig and poultry population of this 'country which will result from maintaining the present decreased rations for such livestock.

No reliable estimate can be made of the prospective decline in the pig and poultry population which will result from the reduction in rations of feeding stuffs which came into effect on 1st May, nor from that which will operate from 1st July. During the war the decline in numbers was much less proportionately than the reduction in supplies of rationed feeding stuffs, and I hope that producers will again make every effort to maintain livestock production both by increasing their own self-sufficiency in feeding stuffs and by making the greatest possible use of swill and other unrationed feeding material.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that, because of the Central Wages Board's refusal to grant a 90s. minimum wage, the N.U.A.W. is demanding the Essential Work Order be withdrawn from the industry; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

I am aware that at the recent Conference of the N.U.A.W. a resolution was passed that the Control of Engagement Order and the Essential Work Order should no longer apply in agriculture. The question of labour controls is kept under constant review, but I am unable to advise my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that either of these two Orders should be withdrawn at the present juncture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much raw silk in China and Japan is available for export; and what quantities are available for this country.

It is understood that 17 million lb. of raw silk may be available for export from Japan during the next 12 months, of which 6 per cent. would be available to this country, the proportion being based on the percentage of Japanese exports taken by the United Kingdom before the war. The quantity of raw silk available for export from China is very uncertain, but it is thought that possibly 2½ million lb. will be available from this season's crop. Exports of raw silk from China are not subject to any allocation system.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take active measures to develop and expand British export trade to British East Africa; if he is aware of the demand for the whole range of consumer goods; and if his Department is in contact with importing firms in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, as well as export houses in this country.

Yes, Sir. The importance of British East Africa as a market for United Kingdom exports is fully in mind and the demand there for consumer goods has recently been the subject of a report to the Export Promotion Department by His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Nairobi. Attention is to be drawn to these opportunities in an early issue of the " Board of Trade Journal." His Majesty s Trade Commissioner is in close contact with importing firms it Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to set up the committee to organise the Great Exhibition of 1951; and whether this body will have autonomous powers or be subject to the overriding control of his Department.

Active consideration is being given to the best method for organisation of the proposed International Exhibition of 1951, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is prepared to allocate additional paper for printing copies of the Bible, in view of the shortage of copies in many lands and the difficulties of societies responsible for circulating the Bible.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the late hon. Member for Down (Dr. Little) on 5th March last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps are being taken to increase the manufacture of drift and seine nets in this country for the use of our own fishermen.

Manufacture in this country of fishing nets, including drift and seine nets, is proceeding to the maximum extent possible, subject to labour shortages. As total production increases, that portion thereof allocated for home fishing will also increase.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is still being woven to wartime specification 38-inch dowlas; that this width of material is not a suitable furnishing width as printing rollers are mostly for 30-inch or 50-inch cloth; and whether he will give instructions that further production of this 38-inch cloth shall cease and the yarns be woven instead into widths, types and quantities of cloth suitable for furnishing for the home trade.

All weaving of linen dowlas to wartime specifications has now ceased.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many standards of Soviet timber have been purchased for delivery during the 1946 shipping season.

We are keeping in close touch with Russian representatives, but so far it has not been possible to make any purchases of timber for delivery during the 1946 shipping season.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made towards the conclusion of a trade agreement with U.S.S.R.

Discussions are continuing and I am, therefore, not in a position to make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is a dearth of galvanised hollow ware, namely, buckets, baths, etc., in the North-East of Scotland, particularly in Aberdeen; that English manufacturers have ready for the home trade an adequate supply of these goods but owing to the relevant maximum prices order are unable to deliver them; and whether he will arrange to rectify this.

There has been a general shortage of galvanised hollow ware but I have no information to suggest that this is worse in the North-East of Scotland than in other parts of the country. The maximum prices for these goods are at present under consideration; but this should not have any direct effect on distribution as between one area and another.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the imports from, and the exports to, Spain for the first three months of 1946.

Imports from Spain during the first three months of 1946 were valued at £4,240,000, and total exports at £,702,000, including £45,000 in respect of re-exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that cotton operative spinners are claiming monetary compensation because the Cotton Control is unable to supply the usual grades of cotton to cotton spinners and that certain operative cotton spinners have for this reason ceased work; and what steps he is taking to ensure continuity of production.

I presume the Question refers to a dispute which has led to a stoppage of work at the Elk Mill, Royton. I understand that before the war the firm used largely American cotton, and is now, like others, using a proportion of cotton from other sources. The complaint of the operatives is of excessive fly, or very short fibres thrown off in the course of spinning, which is said to be associated with the elimination by the firm of certain processes normally performed. Similar and lower quality cotton is used by other firms without complaint.I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, that the assistance of his Department is at the disposal of all parties in endeavouring to secure agreement as to the basis for resumption of work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to appoint women directors for the Treforest Trading Estate, in view of the large proportion of female labour employed there.

In view of the very representative character of the board of directors of the Wales and Monmouthshire Industrial Estates, Ltd., it is not considered necessary to ask the company to consider making a specific appointment of a director in the interests of women employed on the Treforest Industrial Estate. In any case, the estate company is in the position of landlord to the tenants employing women on the estate and the question of the welfare of the workers is primarily a matter for the employers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the constitution of the board of directors of the Treforest Trading Estate and the method of appointing local directors will be reviewed in view of its national responsibility.

In view of the responsibilities of the Wales and Monmouthshire Industrial Estates Ltd., not only for the Treforest Estate, but for numerous properties of the Board of Trade in other parts of Wales, including Wrexham, Pembroke and Swansea, the constitution of the Board of Directors has already been reviewed on three recent occasions and additional appointments made, with the approval of my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade, so as to secure as representative a body as possible. I see no occasion at present for any further review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many officers of his Department are authorised to sign Statutory Rules and Orders on his behalf.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons within his Department are authorised to sign Statutory Rules and Orders on his behalf; and what are the respective departmental ranks of these persons.

The number of officers within the Board authorised by' Statute to sign Statutory Rules and Orders on behalf of the Board of Trade is 89. These officers hold the rank of a secretary, an under-secretary or an assistant secretary. In addition, the President has granted special authorities to 14 regional and other controllers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the increasing exports of golf clubs from this country is causing a serious depletion of stocks of seasoned persimmon wood, and that unless new and plentiful supplies are forthcoming in the near future the export trade will have to be curtailed; and, in view of the substantial contribution which the golf club industry is making to a reviving export trade, if he will take steps to increase the importation of persimmon.

Orders have already been placed for a considerable quantity of persimmon blocks from the United States which is the only producing country. Supplies are limited, but we will do what we can to expedite them

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the export of antiques is being used as part of the drive to obtain dollar currency; and whether he will give any figures available for the last convenient period.

Total exports to the United States of America of works of art, paintings and curios in the six months ended March, 1946, amounted to £735,000. Antiques, which may be of many different categories, are not recorded separately; the value quoted would include goods other than antiques.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present regulations for the purchase of timber; and is he now able to relax the procedure by which small quantities of timber can be bought by private individuals for minor repairs to houses or furniture.

Timber, other than fuel wood, cannot be acquired without licence, except that up to £1 worth may be purchased during any one calendar month by a purchaser who declares, in writing, that he requires it for necessary repairs or other essential work. If essential requirements are to be met, it is not possible to relax the procedure during the present shortage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give immediate consideration to a reduction in the number of coupons required for children's footwear, having regard to the fact that where there are several children in a family the parents have to give up some of their own coupons in order to keep the children sufficiently well shod to attend school.

No, Sir. We are unable at present to add to the special concessions which children already enjoy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action is being taken by his Department to increase the flow of supplies of crockery and cutlery to holiday resorts, having regard to the increased number of people who will be taking holidays this year.

No special action is being taken, but I am satisfied that distribution of these articles by the trade is, in general, fair and equitable. I have no reason to believe that supplies in holiday resorts are shorter than elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to speed up corset production.

Approximately six million yards of surplus Government cloths have been diverted to the manufacture of corsets. There is some shortage of skilled labour in the industry, but firms are being encouraged to deconcentrate where the result would be to increase the rate of production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present position regarding the experimental spinning processes developed in conjunction with his Department at the Wye Mill; and if he has any statement to make.

Experimental spinning processes are being carried out both at the Wye Mill and the Musgrave Mill, Bolton, under the auspices of the Cotton Board. I expect to receive a report from the Cotton Board on their progress in due course. At the moment I cannot make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why 32 different grades of uniformed railway workers do not receive the Industrial Ten supplementary coupons; and if he will reconsider this matter.

Railwaymen in these grades are eligible for the civilian uniform concession, under which they give up not more than eight coupons a year in return for a uniform outfit worth at least 44 coupons and for replacements. This concession is in itself equivalent to a coupon supplement, and I do not think that a further supplement would be justifiable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that it is impossible to obtain a perambulator in the Southall, Hayes and Harlington, division of Middlesex; and if he will see that adequate supplies are provided for this district.

I am aware that there is a shortage of perambulators in most parts of the country, but I have no information to show that retailers in Middlesex are getting less than their fair share of supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if payments under the Private Chattels Scheme of the War Damage Act, made before general settlement in order to avoid hardship, will qualify for the 2½ per cent, interest.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 15th November last to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley (Captain Crowder) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the shortage of sports jackets and flannel trousers for civilians, what steps he is taking to meet the summer demand for these clothes and, in particular, if he will divert supplies from demobilisation to civilian uses.

There will be a progressive increase in civilian supplies as a result of the decline in Government contracts for clothing for demobilised men. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply that the production of sports coats and flannel trousers for demobilisation is now so small as to have no appreciable effect on civilian requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that coke and manufactured fuels are not directly covered by the Weights and Measures Acts; that there is much lack of uniformity in local byelaws relating to weights and measures; and whether he will arrange for the immediate appointment of a committee of inquiry to go into the whole question of revising weights and measures legislation, especially in relation to fuel and the problem of retailers who receive short weight from their suppliers without any protection under existing Weights and Measures Acts.

I am aware that the Weights and Measures Acts do not cover coke and manufactured fuels although some local authorities have taken powers to deal with this question. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power made arrangements during the past winter whereby short weight offences in coke and manufactured fuels can he dealt with under the Retail Coal Prices Order, 1941. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for South Bradford (Mr. Titterington) on 10th April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the latest available figures of the monthly production of gas mantles

The latest available figures of monthly production of gas mantles are 9,943 gross for March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the hon. Member for Solihull can expect a reply to his letter of 23rd April in respect of Mr. A. Stanley, 49, Braemar Road, Olton.

I hope to be in a position to reply shortly but the hon. Member's letter raises a point of some importance and, whilst I cannot promise a favourable reply, I do not wish to give a hasty One.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that secondhand tyre dealers are now selling tyres which were bought from the Government at 5s. each, for prices between £2 5s. and £3 5s.; and what steps he proposes to take to present this overcharging.

Only a very small proportion of the tyres on scrap rubber dumps are suitable for further use and most of these are suitable only for retreading. The price paid for all car tyres removed is 5s. each, which is the price which retreaders are prepared to pay for casings suitable for retreading. Dealers may obtain higher prices for the few tyres capable of further use without retreading, and this compensates them for the time and labour involved in searching the dumps. If would not be practicable to fix maximum prices for secondhand tyres.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department have brought pressure on manufacturers to export gold leaf, instead of allowing it to be used by publishers in this country with the object of increasing the export of books.

No pressure has been exerted on manufacturers to export gold leaf at the expense of supplies for bookbinding, but it is the Government's policy to maintain, wherever possible, a flow of exports of all kinds. I am anxious that exports of books shall not be prejudiced by a shortage of gold leaf. The Board of Trade is at present in touch with the manufacturers about supplies to the book trade; in addition, inquiries are being made into the possibility of increasing total supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the high prices now being charged for sponges, and the heavy drain caused as a consequence on hospital funds; and if he will explain this position and what steps he is taking to reduce the prices.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 3oth January to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue instructions to the trade commissioner at Cape Town to encourage by every practical means the export of wine and brandy produced in South Africa for the British market.

The primary function of His Majesty's trade commissioners is to promote the export of United Kingdom products to the areas in which they are stationed. The encouragement of South African exports to the United Kingdom is the responsibility of the Government of the Union of South Africa.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has completed his inquiries into the case of William Cowley, Limited, details of which were sent to him on 8th April; and if he will now make a statement.

As I explained in the letter which I wrote to my hon. and gallant Friend on 6th May, Messrs. Cowley's difficulties are due to the general shortage of the skins they require, but it is hoped that supplies will improve in two or three months' time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department refuses permission to send commercial samples of packed and processed foods to potential overseas customers seeing these samples are of no considerable quantity or value.

Samples of toodstuffs may be exported by sample post without an export licence, but a licence is required for the export of such samples in any other way. Consideration is given to applications to export samples of foodstuffs as freight, but licences cannot be issued for their export by parcel post as, in view of the difficult foodstuff position, there is a general ban on the export of foodstuffs in this way.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that U.N.R.R.A. have been, and are being, supplied with large consignments of new motor cars straight from the manufacturers and thus restricting the supply of motor cars to the home market; and if he will take steps to alter this and arrange for redundant motor cars from the various Forces to be supplied to U.N.R.R.A.

My hon. and learned Friend appears to have been misinformed. Only 225 British motor cars have been ordered by U.N.R.R.A_ from new production, of which about half have been delivered, the balance being spread over several months. The effect on supplies for the home market is therefore negligible. The possibility of meeting U.N.R.R.A.'s requirements for motor cars from redundant Service vehicles is constantly in mind, but the number of serviceable cars is very small and the requirements of other Government Departments have to be considered in conjunction with U.N.R.R.A. In view of this and of the figures given earlier in my reply, I should not be justified in taking the action suggested by my hon. and learned Friend..

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many mining areas are not receiving their proper share of goods because their supplies are based on prewar years when the areas were depressed and purchasing power was consequently low; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the matter.

I have at present no information suggesting that these areas are worse supplied than the rest of the country, but my Area Distribution Officers are making some enquiries. The distribution of unrationed goods is, of course, not subject to quota regulation by the Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the total number of electors to the Legislative Assembly and the proportion this bears to the total adult population of British India.

I have asked the Government of India for details of the electorate for the Indian Legislative Assembly but they have reported that the information has not yet been received from all the Provinces. When it has been collected it will be included in a return showing the results of the elections in India, which will be published in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many awards of the King's Medal for gallantry and the King's Medal for courage have now been awarded to French men and women.

The cases which the hon. and gallant Member has in mind are being dealt with as rapidly as the need for consulting the French Government permits. The number of awards in contemplation is very considerable, and the examination by the French Government of the various proposals must necessarily take time. Awards are being submitted for His Majesty's approval as and when the preliminary concurrence of the French authorities is forthcoming, but inasmuch as such cases are being dealt with at various stages from day to day it would be misleading, besides being contrary to public policy, if I were to attempt to give actual figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the names of all persons who were members of or accompanied the recent Parliamentary delegation to Hungary.

The Parliamentary delegation which recently visited Hungary consisted of the hon. Members for Wycombe (Flight - Lieutenant Haire), Wednesbury (Mr. S. N. Evans), The Hartlepools (Mr. D. Jones), Sunderland (Mr. Willey), Balham and Tooting (Mr. R. Adams), Shrewsbury (Mr. Langford-Holt), Putney (Mr. Linstead;, and Buckrose (Mr. Wadsworth). Mrs. John Haire, wife of the hon. and gallan Member for Wycombe, accompanied the delegation. She made the journey, understand, at the invitation of the Hgarian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affair whether any appeal has been made by His Majesty's Government to the Emperor of Ethiopia to see what action he is prepared to take to receive Jewish refugees

No, Sir. The future of Jewish refugees, as indeed that of all refugees, is being discussed by the Refugee Committee of the United Nations at present in session. Any appeal to Governments of countries of reception to admit refugees for resettlement will fall to be made by whatever international organisation is set up as a result of these discussions, to deal with the refugee problem as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will make it conditional on the withdrawal of our forces from Egypt that Britain shall have control of 3o miles each side of the Suez Canal in perpetuity.

My right hon. Friend considers that nothing on this subject can usefully be added at present to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 7th May. 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many German military and political officials in Spain, whose repatriation has been requested by the Allied Control Commission but who have not yet been handed over, have been granted Spanish nationality by General Franco.

So far as I am aware there are none. The Spanish Government have assured His Majesty's Embassy at Madrid that they will not grant Spanish nationality to any Germans. On the other hand they have refused to assist in the repatriation of a substantial number of Germans, including former officials and agents whom they regard as "Incorported in Spanish life " by virtue of their long residence in Spain, marriage with Spanish women, or humanitarian and other services during the civil war.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the British crew were paid off the " Cedardale "; what was the nationality of the crew which replaced them; and whether employment has been found for all the former crew of the " Cedardale."

R.F.A. " Cedardale ' returned to the United Kingdom in February, 1946, having exchanged her Lascar crew for the British crew of R.F.A. " Wave King " who had requested to be relieved after 12 months' service in the Pacific. After re-fit she was manned by a Chinese crew due for repatriation. With the exception of two members of the catering staff, who were retained until the new crew joined the ship, the returning British crew were paid off on arrival on termination of their agreement. On expiration of their paid leave, they automatically entered the Merchant Navy Reserve Pool and became available for allocation to other ships. Seventeen are now at sea, 12 have been released from the Pool at their own request on termination of war service and II are in receipt of Reserve Pool pay while awaiting allocation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will now make a statement on the future of the naval air station at Fearn.

The R.N. Air Station, Fearn, is being reduced to a care and maintenance basis on or about 30th June, 1946. The Royal Navy's future requirements of airfields in the United Kingdom are under review, and I am not at present in a position to say whether Fearn is likely to be recommissioned at some later date.

asked the Minister of Works the correct channel or channels by which surplus Service huts may be obtained by the public, either for associations and clubs or for genuine trading and agricultural needs.

Applications for Government surplus hutting should be made in writing to the appropriate Regional Headquarters of my Department. Priority is given only to applications which are sponsored by a Government Department and, if an organisation claims priority on the ground that its activities are in the national interest, the application should be addressed to the Department concerned. If the application is supported it will then be passed to my Department and given priority. Arrangements already exist under which, in very many cases, huts erected on agricultural land are offered in the first place to the owner of the site.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in order to assist local authorities to get on with their housing programmes, he will place at their disposal the necessary electrical equipment which has now become redundant through the shutting down of the British and U.S. airfields.

Arrangements already exist to give the requirements of local authorities for housing purposes an overriding priority over all other demands on stocks of suitable surplus stores.

asked the Minister of Pensions, whether he is aware of the delay, which sometimes amounts to one year or more, in supplying motor-propelled wheel chairs to crippled ex-Servicemen; and whether he will take steps to expedite the supply.

My right hon. Friend has already taken steps to expedite the supply of motor propelled tricycles, and now that deliveries of the new models are being made I anticipate that outstanding cases will be cleared within a few weeks.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that, on joining the Commandos, other ranks were required to revert to the rank of private and officers to the rank of subaltern, for reassessment in their new and special duties; that the subsequent diminution in pay and allowances before promotion could be earned resulted frequently in considerable hardship to dependants, es- pecially when casualties occurred; that it has now been considered necessary in consequence to raise a Commandos Benevolent Fund for the benefit of dependants of those killed; and whether, in view of the peculiar conditions of Commandos' service, he will consider taking the necessary steps to enable widows to receive pensions on the scale of the highest paid rank held by the casualty at any time during his period of service.

Article 6 of the Royal Warrant, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy, lays down the rank by reference to which an award of pension shall be made. The provisions are of general application and as at present advised my right hon. Friend is not aware of any grounds on which they could be specially modified in the case of the personnel now in question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated yield from the Purchase Tax on electric irons and washing machines.

About £¾ million a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make with regard to the recent financial discussions with the Swedish Government.

These conversations have now been concluded. In order to provide for the satisfactory development of Swedish trade with the sterling area, the Swedish monetary authorities will be prepared, within the framework of the existing Monetary Agreement, to hold additional sterling to the amount of £15 million during the year to 30th April, 1947. In case of need this figure may be increased to £16 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of granting age relief to widows and spinsters at the age of 6o years.

About £1 million.

asked the Minister of Education what is the present number of students in emergency colleges; how many are ex-Servicemen and women; and how many such' colleges are now in operation.

Seventeen emergency training colleges are now open, with 3,250 students; in addition 75 students are taking emergency courses at permanent Training Colleges. Of the total 2,045 are men and 1,280 are women. 1,114 men and 119 women are ex-Service.

asked the Minister of Education how many applications for emergency college training have been received; how many have been approved; and how many students are awaiting entry.

Up to 2nd May, 1946, the total number of applications received, less withdrawals, was 57,300. Of these 17,800 applicants had been accepted as suitable for training; and 14,400 of them were awaiting entry to a Training College.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his regulations permit a civil servant, either permanent or temporary, to act as a political agent to a Member of Parliament.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the daily caloric value of normal prison diet.

The average daily caloric value of the normal prison diet is approximately 3,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will now make a statement on the recent case in which two airmen were held under close arrest for 57 days in Germany while awaiting courts-martial.

In view of the nature of the offences with which these two airmen were originally charged, they had to be held in close arrest until they were removed from the locality where the offences were alleged to have been committed. This period of close arrest would be taken into account by the court in assessing the sentence. When, at the trial, they pleaded guilty to the charge of drunkenness, the other charges were dropped, but in accordance with the normal practice when a sentence of detention is awarded, they were, kept in close arrest pending confirmation of the sentence, which would, of course, run from the date of conviction. The cells in which the airmen were confined after they had been sentenced had not been in regular use but I have no evidence that they had ever been pronounced unfit for occupation. On the first night the airmen had complained of the cold, and were put in the guard room where there was an open fire. Minor repairs to the cells were carried out at once and the central heating was turned on. They have made no further complaints. I agree that it took a long time to bring them to trial but this was due to the shortage both of judge advocates and prosecutors and the need to obtain competent interpreters and to interview many witnesses of different nationalities. Whilst I cannot agree that the offences with which these airmen were charged were relatively trivial or that the sentences were severe, I can assure my hon. Friend that we are fully alive to the importance of speeding up action in such cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will consider speeding up the arrangements whereby Service personnel serving abroad, whose presence at home is required owing to the dangerous illness of a near relative, can be repatriated with the least possible delay; and if he will arrange that in such cases, the serviceman's unit is informed by cable, and not by letter, that the man's presence is required in this country.

The decision to return a member of the Royal Air Force to this country on compassionate grounds rests with the command concerned, and in these urgent cases we always notify the full details to the command by signal. An officer or airman coming home in these circumstances would travel on high priority by the fastest means of transport available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what salaries are being paid to the members of the B.O.A.C.; and what are their specified periods of service.

Prior to the statement of Government policy in the White Paper of December last, those members of the British Overseas Airways Corporation who are still serving, other than the Chairman, were receiving no remuneration. The revised basis of working for the three Corporations proposed under the Civil Aviation Bill will necessitate payment to all members of the Corporations, with retrospective effect to 1st January last. The terms of such remuneration are still under consideration. With regard to the second part of the question, the specified period of service of the present Chairman is for the four years ending 25th May, 1947 In the case of other members no specified period of service has been fixed.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the number of parishes awaiting supply from the West Gloucestershire Power Company and of the shortage of poles and labour at their disposal, he will relieve this company of the necessity of carrying supply two and a half miles over hilly country to the parish of Cranham by granting a fringe order enabling current to be supplied by the City of Gloucester Electricity Department whose nearest supply point is only a quarter of a mile from the parish boundary.

The West Gloucestershire Power Company have now applied for and received the authorisation of the Electricity Commissioners under Defence Regulation 56A for the execution of work to carry out a scheme to supply electricity to (i) Cranham Sanatorium by September next, followed by (ii) Cranham Village and district and Painswick Hill. These extensions to Cranham form an integral part of a link main in the distribution layout of the company. In these circumstances, the question of a Fringe Order by the Electricity Commissioners does not arise.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power which of the 45 parishes in the territory of the West Gloucestershire Power Company without supply of electricity could be quickly and economically supplied by adjoining companies under fringe orders.

I am having inquiries made and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible. I should point out that it would hardly be reasonable for the Electricity Commissioners to grant Fringe Orders where the Power Company have statutory powers and are willing to supply, but are impeded for the time being by shortages of labour and materials.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps have been or are being taken to develop the use of oil fuel in the production of electricity; how many electricity works are adapted to turn over to oil fuel; and if he will give an estimate of the saving of coal which would be effected if oil fuel were used in those undertakings adapted to use it.

Discussions are taking place between my Ministry, the Electricity Commissioners and the Central Electricity Board with a view to ascertaining whether any useful saving could be achieved by the conversion of boilers at Power Stations from coal to oil firing.

asked the Attorney-General why the appeal of Mr. A. Cull of 38, Pottery Road, Brentford, has not yet been heard, although Mr. Cull first applied to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal in December, 1944.

The listing of this case for hearing has been deferred at the request of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions pending a decision on a further claim by Mr. Cull under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme in respect of a war injury. The settlement of this claim has involved medical examination and protracted inquiries but it is hoped to settle the case shortly.

asked the Attorney-General what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to reproduce, in the form of a booklet available for sale to the general public, that part of the evidence given at the Nuremberg trial of Nazi leaders which is of major and lasting importance and which, if given the widest possible circulation in this and other countries, will make clear once and for all the meaning of Nazism in practice.

Arrangements have been made for the publication by the Stationery Office of a revised English text of the official transcript and also for the separate publication of the speeches of the four chief prosecutors. Arrangements are also being discussed for a publication relating to the trial in all its aspects in book form at the first appropriate opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will now state the Government's policy in regard to vagrancy;(2) whether he is aware of the increase of casuals admitted to casual wards during 1945 and the shortage of accommodation for casuals; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

I am aware that there was an increase in the number of casuals relieved in Public Assistance institutions during 1945 and that there is a shortage of accommodation in a few places where the former casual wards have been converted to other uses. On the general question I would refer to the statement I made on 28th March, 1946, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Clapham (Mr. Battley) that I hope shortly to issue a circular for the guidance of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give a list of the parishes in the rural districts of Calne and Chippenham, Cricklade and Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury, which are without a piped water supply.

According to my information the six parishes of North Wraxhall, Stanton St. Quinton, Heddington, Cherhill, Compton Bassett and Calne Without in the Rural District of Calne and Chippenham and the two parishes of Hanker-ton and Brockenborough in the Rural District of Malmesbury are without piped water supplies. In the Rural District of Cricklade and Wootton Bassett, every parish has piped supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that block deferment has been applied to all signal officers in the M.E.F. of age and service group 27; and for what period such deferment has been made.

It is not the case that the release of all signal officers in the M.E.F. of group 27 has been compulsorily deferred, although it has been found necessary in order to maintain a fair level of efficiency in that theatre, to retain a large majority, each on an individual basis. The period of deferment is not likely in this case to exceed two months.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make with regard to the currency in which troops of B.A.O.R. draw their pay.

Yes, Sir. Hitherto it has been the practice to pay the troops in B.A.O.R. in the currency of the country in which they are serving. Owing to the scarcity on the Continent of goods generally, and particularly of cigarettes, it has been possible for troops to make large profits in local currency by selling canteen goods to civilians at inflated prices, and to use the proceeds for further canteen purchases, etc., Consequently the amount of local currency received back by Paymasters from canteens and Army post offices and exchanged by them for sterling or other currency has been more than that issued as pay. Despite the limits imposed on the amount of exchanges for individuals, which have been some check on these practices, Paymasters have accumulated very considerable balances of German marks, which will be a direct loss to the Exchequer. In order to protect the taxpayer, I am arranging for the introduction of special vouchers denominated in sterling which alone will be accepted for purchases in canteens, Army post offices, officers' shops and other official organisations. Troops serving on the Continent, while continuing to have their pay credited to them in this country, will be able to draw against their pay these special vouchers which they can use for purchases in the official organisations To enable troops to make purchases from other than official sources arrangements will be made for the exchange of these vouchers for local currency, but not vice versa. The vouchers will also be exchangeable into sterling when troops leave the theatre, but local currency will not be so exchangeable. The scheme will apply to all three Services and to the military and civilian staffs of the Control Commission for Germany (British Element). The task of printing and distributing the vouchers is considerable and at least two months will elapse before the arrangements can be implemented. I have, however, thought it proper to inform the House of my plans and at the same time to give the troops this provisional notice of the change.