asked the Secretary of State for War how long it is proposed to continue billeting, soldiers in this country on private citizens; and whether he is aware that in the boroughs of Nelson and Colne, there are cases in which citizens have discharged this obligation for several years.

I regret that it has been necessary to billet small numbers of soldiers in private houses in Nelson and Colne over a considerable period. This is due to the lack of any other suitable living accommodation, but I have given instructions that further efforts should he made to find alternative accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether permission will now be given for boats to land visitors on the pier at Bovisand, Plymouth, thus restoring a privilege enjoyed for many years prior to the war.

Yes, Sir. The chief boat owner concerned has been invited to form a committee as was done before the war, through which applications for licences may be made to the War Department Land Agent.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the British Military Administration in the Island of Cos refused in January last to one, Dimitrius K. Hagianniou, a fully-qualified Greek advocate, permission to practise in the island on the ground that he had not the qualification required by the existing law, namely, that of Italy; and whether he will put a stop to a system which permits Italian Fascists to practise and prohibits Greeks from so doing.

I am making inquiries and as soon as they are completed I will write to my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the soldier who declined to be vaccinated on the troopship " Orion," which arrived in the Mersey on 7th April, was put ashore at Suez; and whether, in view of the fact that soldiers have a right to refuse vaccination and the additional fact that all the smallpox cases landed from troopships in this country have been vaccinated and revaccinated men, he will stop this treatment of men who exercise their rights in this matter.

Following the discovery of a case of smallpox on board the " Orion " all personnel were offered vaccination. One man refused. He was put on shore at Suez because it was considered that there would be a serious risk of his contracting smallpox himself and if this had happened it would also have increased the risk of infection for other men on board. I consider that the action taken was perfectly correct in the circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many former agricultural workers serving in the Army have been offered release under the Class B block scheme; and how many will be released by the end of May.

Up to the end of April 26,655 offers of release had been made to agricultural workers serving in the Army under the Class B block release scheme. Of these 12,841 had actually been released by that date and 1,621 had accepted and were in process of being released. I am unable to predict how many more will have been released by the end of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the facts of the cause of the death of Corporal Bob Wilmot, in Athens, on 30th April, 1946; and whether the perpetrators have been brought to justice.

Corporal Wilmot was found shot dead on the floor of his room at approximately 4.20 p.m. on 3oth April.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, on 11th May, three corrugated iron shelters near Baggrave Hall, Leicester, unguarded by either police or military, contained a great number of wooden packages labelled aromatics, highly inflammable and poison, some of which had fallen down and were lying in the roadway; and what steps he will take to ensure that such dangerous material is removed from all places where it cannot be under constant guard.

As a result of observations made on the spot it appears that the two shelters concerned had been tampered with. As soon as the boxes were discovered to be outside the shelters they were immediately put under cover and the shelters were re-stacked the following day. The stores contained in these boxes were not lethal. Every effort is being made to dispose of surplus ammunition and other similar stores as quickly as possible. It is impracticable to provide static guards for all such stores, but in the absence of static guards military patrols are employed as is done in the case of the particular ammunition store in question.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of ammunition huts in Oxfordshire which still contain explosives, as well as the total tonnage of explosive material therein; how many of these huts contain, respectively, detonators, gelignite, guncotton or similar high explosives, gas-shells and smoke-bombs; and whether he will give an assurance that no stores of poison gas exist in Oxfordshire

There are 1,450 ammunition huts in Oxfordshire containing 10,243 tons of ammunition. There are no detonators, gelignite or gun cotton but there are 647 tons of high explosives of a similar explosive nature. The remainder of the high explosive is in a form not considered dangerous. There are no gas shells or smoke bombs and no poison gas in any form.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by members of the Army with the arrangements in respect of the Vocational and Educational Training Scheme; and if he will take steps to improve the working of this scheme.

The Army Education Scheme is not a vocational training scheme. Instruction under it is mainly general and pre-vocational, though, by agreement with the Ministry of Labour and National Service, a limited amount of training in certain trades may be given where conditions make this practicable. Vocational training is the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, which arranges courses for men and women, who fulfil certain specified conditions, after their release from national service. I am not aware of dissatisfaction among members of the Army with the Army Education Scheme. Army Commanders at home and abroad have reported on its popularity and its good effect on morale. The extent to which the Scheme can be carried out by formations and units depends on their operational and other military commitments and is decided by General Officers Commanding-in-Chief. In spite of many difficulties, such as the release of trained instructors and Army Educational Corps personnel, the Scheme is working successfully in those formations and units which are not prevented by military commitments from carrying it out fully. The Formation Colleges, of which there are eight providing a wide variety of courses of a month's duration for over 5,000 students at a time, have received the greatest praise from those who have seen them or taken part in courses at them.

asked the secretary of State for War if he will state from his present information how many of the Spanish Republican prisoners, who have been detained at Chorley, were compulsorily forced into the Todt organisation.

I understand that all these men were, according to statement taken from the men themselves, forcibly conscripted into the Todt or other similar German organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Press representatives are not permitted to visit No. 1 Camp, Sudbury, where the Republican Spaniards are now held, pending demobilisation.

It is the normal practice to ask the Commanding Officer's permission before allowing the Press to visit military camps, and in this particular case the Commanding Officer considered that a Press visit would be inopportune at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Japanese have now been evacuated from Indonesia; how many remain; and when the evacuation will be completed,

Eighty-eight thousand, nine hundred and thirty-nine Japanese have now been evacuated from the Netherlands East Indies. Of these, 57,794 were evacuated from Java and Sumatra alone. A total of 224,984 Japanese remain, including 82,355 in Java and Sumatra. These figures include civilians, I cannot yet say by what date the evacuation of all these Japanese will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British and Indian troops have been withdrawn from Indonesia; how many remain; and when the withdrawal will be completed.

About a third of the British and Indian troops in Netherlands East Indies have been withdrawn; the remaining two-thirds are in Java, Sumatra and Celebes. I cannot yet say by what date their withdrawal will be completed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much Purchase Tax was received during each of the past three years from the sale of lamp glasses used with oil or paraffin lamps.

Exact figures are not available, but it is estimated that the receipts have been about 50,000 a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the occupying Powers are now agreed on the principles for the re-education of Germans and, in particular, on the syllabi being taught in German schools and universities; and whether, as a result, re-education is proceeding on broadly similar lines in all four zones.

Yes, Sir, re-education in all four zones follows the same broad pattern. A number of general principles have been agreed, including common standards for selection of students for universities, availability of higher educational establishments for students from all zones, and common policies for denominational education and religious instruction in schools. The detail of the syllabi is not constant throughout the four zones nor indeed in the British zone as regional variations inevitably arise owing to traditional considerations and the scope given to local initiative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of small savings deposited and withdrawn for the months of January, February, March and April, 1946.

As the answer is detailed, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, to the end that industry shall plough back its profits and not distribute them in dividends, he will issue regulations to ensure that companies which are controlled by not more than five persons and whose profits are put aside for the purchase of machinery which may not be obtainable for a number of years ahead, are not highly charged for Surtax purposes.

The law already provides that, in considering whether such a company is to pay Surtax, account shall he taken of its requirements for the maintenance and development of the business.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider adopting some scheme whereby parents, who wish to give their children higher education and cannot afford to do so unless they are allowed the use of their postwar credits, may have such credits paid to them in advance to enable them to do so.

No, Sir. I cannot at present extend my proposals for the repayment of postwar credits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to amend the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944, especially as regards the inequitable operation of the means test; and if all existing pensioners will be affected by the Government's insurance scheme when it passes into law.

The whole question of amendment of the. Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944, is under review and I am not in a position to make a statement at present. The existing pensioners affected by the National Insurance Bill are those whose pensions are payable under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1936–41, and the Old Age Pension Act, 1936. Other pen- sioners are affected only to the extent that, if below the age of retirement specified in the Bill, they will in general become liable to pay contributions like other persons below that age.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the recent increases in the price of clothing, motor cars and other goods, resulting from increased wages, are not causing inflation; and whether it is proposed to take any particular steps to introduce a wage policy to deal with this issue.

As I said in my Budget Speech, the risk of inflation will remain serious until there are more goods in the shops, and the only real remedy is increased production.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if it has yet been decided to what new town the populations proposed to be decentralised from the areas of local authorities in West Middlesex will be allocated.

No, Sir. The question of the areas to be made available for the accommodation of decentralised population is under consideration by the Advisory Committee on London Regional Plannings.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what ecclesiastical authorities and religious bodies he consulted in connection with his proposals to plan new towns.

My right hon. Friend has had a discussion with representatives of the Churches Main Committee and has told them that the planning of new towns will be a matter for the corporations which the New Towns Bill, at present before Parliament, proposes to set up, and that they may rest assured that the corporations will consult ecclesiastical and religious bodies before submitting proposals to him.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he has considered the proposal to erect an electricity generating station at Llanover in the Usk Valley; and whether he will make a statement.

This proposal is the subject of an application for a special order to the Electricity Commissioners, who are holding a local inquiry on nth June No statement can, therefore, be made at the present time. My Chief Inspector will be associated with the Commissioner, who is holding the inquiry, a copy of the notice of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Works if he will modify the present conditions regarding priority of building materials so as to enable the owners of hotels and boarding houses at Cromer, Norfolk, which have been occupied by the military authorities or closed during the war, to proceed with necessary renovations.

Existing arrangements already make provision for cases where work upon derequisitioned premises would result in an increase of dwelling accommodation. In present circumstances I do not think it would be justifiable to grant any general priority for work upon hotels and boarding houses.

asked the Minister of Works for what purpose the present reconstruction in the terrace houses in Regent's Park is being carried out; and whether it is temporary or permanent.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave on 9th April to the hon. Member for Hertford (Mr. Walker-Smith), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Works if the contracts for the alterations to the houses and terraces in Regent's Park are being carried out on a cost plus basis; and what is the final estimated cost of these alterations, expressed in pounds, spent per civil servant to be employed in these buildings.

No, Sir. Contracts for the preparation of houses in Regent's Park for use as Government offices were let after limited competition based on bills of quantities. The estimated cost of the work averages £112 per head of staff to be accommodated in these buildings. Although a large proportion of the work involved covers repair of war damage, and the making good of subsequent deterioration, the cost of the resulting accommodation compares favourably with that provided by any other means.

asked the Minister of Works how soon after 8th June the barbed wire entanglements and other obstructions now being erected in Kensington Gardens, in connection with the Victory Parade, will be removed.

The removal of the camp in Kensington Gardens, including the barbed wire fences, will begin as soon as the camp has been vacated by the contingents occupying it. The exact date will depend on the date of the return passages of the Dominion, Colonial and Allied detachments, but it is hoped to start the work about the middle of June.

asked the Minister of Works what application has been made to his Department for the allocation of labour and materials for purposes connected with the Spanish Centre at Eaton Square, London; and what steps he will take to ensure that no labour or materials are allowed to be used in connection with this project.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that a 65-roomed building in Eaton Square, London, has been purchased by the Spanish Embassy and is to be fitted up as a club; and what priority has been given for repairing and decorating these premises.

An application was made to my Department in February, 1946, for a building licence for the conversion of 102, Eaton Square, into a Cultural Institute at a cost of £12,887. This application was refused, as the work is not considered essential in present circumstances. A licence for a small amount of emergency work to the drains and to the electrical system has since been issued by the local authority.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will take steps to requisition the 65-roomed house in Eaton Square, W.1, which is now being fitted out as a centre of culture and propaganda for the present Spanish Government; and whether he will allocate it to one of the Government Departments in need of space, such as the Import Licensing department of the Board of Trade.

No, Sir. I am satisfied that there would be no justification for requisitioning this property for use as Government offices. In any case the accommodation is far less than suggested in the Question and would not give adequate space for a Government Department.

asked the Minister of Works how many temporary technical assistants are employed by the Emergency Works Organisation; what is their scale of salaries; and what number of them were previously employed or trained in the servicing building trade.

There are at present 53 temporary technical assistants employed in the Emergency Works Organisation; 27 are paid annual salaries ranging from £540 to £715, and 26 are paid weekly salaries ranging from £7 to £8. With the exception of nine, of whom seven are paid on a weekly basis, all have had previous experience in the building or allied trades or professions.

asked the Minister of Works if provisions are made for the replenishment to builders' merchants of stocks used in providing materials to private persons carrying out private building work or repairs under the non-licence limit of £10.

Priority is already granted for the replenishment of stocks used for urgent sanitary repairs, repairs to safeguard structural stability and repairs required under statutory notice. The replacement of materials used for non-priority work must be subject to the satisfaction of priority demands.

asked the Minister of Works if he has any statement to make about the future of the slate industry; and, particularly, the setting up of a working party for the industry.

Yes, Sir; I am appointing a committee on the Welsh slate industry with the following terms of reference:To consider and report upon the organisation of the Welsh slate industry and upon measures for increasing its efficiency and making it attractive to recruits, excluding wages and conditions of employment falling Within the negotiating machinery of the industry."The committee will consist of Sir Frederick Rees as independent chairman, together with representatives of employers and operatives, a member of the Building Research Station, an engineer and a geologist. I hope that the arrangements for the committee will be completed shortly and that it will be able to begin its work in the very near future.

asked the Minister of Works how far the six months' delay in completion of the new women's block at Standish House sanatorium, Gloucestershire, is due to shortage of labour; and what steps his Department has taken to remedy this.

About six months ago a shortage of bricks for this work was reported to my Department and immediate steps were taken to remedy the matter. I am informed that the new women's block has since been completed. Work is now in progress on an extension. No shortages have been reported and no delays are expected.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the shortage of electrical materials and accessories in Scotland; and what steps he is taking to deal with the situation.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leith (Mr. Hoy) on 13th May, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that there is a shortage of electrical materials and accessories in Aberdeen; that the goods are urgently required for houses and workshops, old and new; and if he will take immediate steps to remedy this.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon.. Friend the Member for Leith (Mr. Hoy) on 13th May, of which I am sending him a copy. I am not aware of any particular shortage in Aberdeen in comparison with the rest of the country.

asked the Minister of Works the factory cost of aluminium and other types of prefabricated houses, respectively; and if he is now able to state the average cost, on the site, for each type.

Prices for manufacturing some types of temporary house, including the aluminium, have not yet been fixed. Estimates of the cost of supplying and erecting the principal types of temporary house were given in Cmd. 6686, a coy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Works why the allocation of Arcon prefabricated houses for Scotland has been reduced from 10,000 to 8,000 units; and what steps he proposes to take to utilise the manufacturing capacity which Scottish contractors have been holding available for the 2,000 houses which have been cancelled.

There is no present intention of altering the number of Arcon temporary houses allocated to Scotland. Contracts placed in Scotland for the joinery work have produced sufficient supplies for the time being but further orders will be placed provided satisfactory prices are obtained, as soon as it is necessary.

asked the Minister of Works if he is in a position to indicate at what date the site at 53, Sherwood Park Avenue, Sidcup, at present occupied by one of his Department's camps, will be vacated in order that preparations for the early rebuilding of bombed houses on the site might be put in hand.

Arrangements for vacating this site are now in hand. I anticipate that the camp will be cleared not later than the end of June.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that housebuilding in the Ruislip-Northwood urban district area is being held up by the shortage of plaster board; and if he will provide for a further increase in the weekly allocation granted from 1st April.

I am seeing what can be done to help the Ruislip-Northwood urban district area. It would not be practicable to increase the general allocation since this could only be at the expense of other equally necessitous areas.

asked the Minister of Works if, in view of the complaints made that the city housing scheme at Portsmouth is being held up by the shortage of building materials, he will make a statement as to the result of the inquiry held by his Parliamentary Secretary.

On behalf of my right hon. Friend I visited Portsmouth on the 10th May to look into allegations that the progress of housing in Portsmouth was being seriously impeded by a shortage of building materials. After informal meetings with the deputy chairman of the City Health Committee, corporation officials and also with representatives of both sides of the building industry, and in the light of all the available evidence, I formed the very definite conclusion that the allegations were seriously exaggerated. In only two cases on new permanent housing sites had there been any hold up, in both cases due to the difficulties in the supply of facing bricks—and there it appeared that those concerned had not acted early enough in notifying my Ministry. When we were finally notified, supplies were made available within a few days of notification. No other material hold up was reported. It was agreed by all concerned that there had been a considerable amount of unessential building work going on in the area and the Ministry and the local authority agreed on urgent measures for ending it. It was further agreed by all concerned that, whatever other factors may have been operating, neither lack of labour nor lack of materials is responsible for preventing any expansion of the City's housing programme at the present time

asked the Minister of Health how many orders for the manufacture of prefabricated permanent houses of each of the approved types have now been placed; and how many have, up to the present, been manufactured and erected.

Arrangements have been made directly by the Government for the production of permanent prefabricated houses only in respect of Howard houses, B.I.S.F. houses and Airey Rural houses. For all other types of permanent prefabricated houses local authorities obtain tenders in the same manner as they obtain tenders for traditional houses. One thousand four hundred Howard houses and 18,906 B I.S.F. houses have been allocated to local authorities. Figures of the demand for Airey Rural houses are not yet available. Tenders have been approved for 2,566 Easiform houses, for 1,098 Orlit houses and for 2,374 permanent prefabricated houses of various other types. Up to 30th April, five Howard, 54 Easiform and two Orlit houses had been completed.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the quantity of petrol used for lighter fuel for each of the 15 months, January, 1945, to March, 1946, respectively; and whether there is any restriction upon the quantity of petrol that can be used for this purpose within any given period.

The grade of petroleum spirit supplied for lighter fuel is used for a number of other purposes, and I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available, although the quantities are small in relation to other use of motor spirit. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that there are many people in London who ordered fuel some weeks before 1st May but find that if it was not delivered before that date they are not now entitled to it; and what steps he is taking to remedy this.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of 9th April on this subject to my hon. Friend the Member for Upton (Mr. A. Lewis), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will grant an issue of coal during the summer months to persons who are classified as lodgers in other people's homes.

No, Sir. Local fuel overseers are already empowered to license additional supplies for any premises if they are satisfied that the quantities allowed under the restrictions are inadequate.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the difficulties of the inhabitants of Martley, Abberley, Witley and Shrawley in Worcestershire, in obtaining delivery of the coal supplies to which they are entitled; and whether, as this is due to the merchants being short of labour and transport, he will authorise the local fuel overseer to permit delivery of the ration in larger quantities to customers who have storage space available.

I am not aware that there are any special difficulties in the distribution of coal to domestic consumers in these districts or that there is any special shortage of labour and transport. Many of the premises in these districts are, however, inaccessible during the winter and applications from consumers to stock the full permitted quantity for the year during the summer will be sympathetically dealt with by the local fuel overseer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the consumption of petrol by motorists in this country during 1945.

The total imported motor spirit entered for home consumption during the year 1945 was approximately 6,000,000 tons. This figure includes requirements for military purposes. I have explained in reply to other Questions on this subject that I do not feel able to give separate figures for military and civilian use.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of priority certificates for domestic coal issued by the local fuel overseer in Hull during the coal year ended 3oth April, 1946, for consumers registered with the Co-operative Society, Risdale and Walkers and other merchants, respectively.

The numbers of certificates issued during the 12 months ended 3oth April, 1946, by the local fuel over. seer for the city of Hull authorising priority emergency deliveries were: for consumers registered with the Hull Cooperative Society, 577; for consumers registered with Messrs. Risdale and Walker, nil; and for consumers registered with other merchants, 201.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total number of consumers of domestic coal registered in Hull on 1st May, 1946; and the numbers registered with the Cooperative Society, Risdale and Walkers and other merchants, respectively.

The total number of controlled premises under the Coal Distribution Order on the register of the local fuel overseer for the city of Hull on 1st May, 1946, was 90,703. The number registered for supply by the Hull Co-operative Society was 18,166, for supply by Messrs. Risdale and Walker, Limited, 1,630, and for supply by other merchants,. 70,907.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements were made in Hull during the coal year ended 3oth April, 1946, whereby consumers entirely dependent on solid fuels for cooking, having no gas, electricity or oil, should have had priority of supply; why these arrangements failed; and what steps he intends to take to ensure that, during the present coal year, such consumers get priority of supplies instead of a shortage of several hundredweights below the percentage of coal actually supplied to the city.

Consumers in Hull, as in the rest of the country, could obtain licences for additional supplies on application to the local fuel overseer if they were entirely dependent on coal; merchants were responsible for apportioning their supplies according to the needs of their customers. I am not aware that there was in Hull any general failure to do this and I do not accept the implications made in the last part of my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish a White Paper setting out the facts of the present petrol situation, including the rate of consumption and the reasons for a continuation of petrol rationing.

As regards the rate of consumption I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to his earlier Question. I have given on several occasions, the reasons for a continuation of petrol rationing. Briefly, the answer is that we cannot at present justify the additional dollar expenditure which would be involved, and I do not consider that it is necessary to publish a White Paper on the point.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the maximum mileage taxicab drivers, outside the London area, are allowed to travel on any one journey; and what similar restrictions there are for private hire motor cars.

Except for the purposes described in Article 53 of the Control of Motor Fuel Order, 1944, or under the authority of a licence, petrol may not be used in a taxi-cab for a journey which is more than ten miles from the nearest point on the boundary of the area within which the vehicle is licensed to ply for hire. In the case of a private hire car, petrol may be used for a journey to any place within a radius of 20 miles of the place where the vehicle is ordinarily kept, but journeys for permitted purposes, as defined in Article 1 (b) of the Control of Motor Fuel Order, 1945, may be made within a radius of 150 miles.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how the arrangements for supplying petrol to French tourists visiting this country compare with those available for British tourists visiting France; and whether, since it is impossible for a French tourist to use his motor car effectively in this country on a basic ration, he will make arrangements to provide some supplementary ration for tourist visits, as well as business visits, as is done for British tourists in France.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to a similar question by him on 14th May. I regret that under present conditions I do not feel able to agree to the grant of supplementary allowances to tourists except for business purposes.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the considerable quantities of discarded and fallen timber throughout Scotland; and if he has any plans for its bulk collection and distribution as domestic fuel before this winter.

While the quantity of waste timber available in Scotland is considerable, its fuel value is poor. It consists mainly of softwood and the residue from the production of manufacturing timber Off-cuts of this kind do not provide good fuel, although they can be used by local domestic consumers who are in a position to sort out the most suitable wood for their fuel requirements. Every encouragement is accordingly given to such consumers to make full use of local supplies, but as most of the wood is situated in thinly populated districts, the large tonnages involved cannot be fully absorbed in this way. Wood fuel merchants are being encouraged to handle bulk quantities for sale in the larger centres of population, but this is not generally an economic proposition owing to the distance of the wood from the rail= head and the long and costly rail hauls involved. Moreover, these operations require labour and to some extent equipment, which, even when available, is out of all proportion to the fuel value of the wood.Every effort is however being made by my Ministry, in consultation with Home Timber Production Department, to ensure that the best possible use is made of such supplies as can be handled on a practical and economic basis; for example, considerable quantities have been disposed of to the Army for fuel purposes. But in view of the considerations referred to above, I do not consider it practicable to operate a large scale scheme for the distribution of this wood as domestic fuel.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in view of the increased knowledge of war camouflage, whether he will consider an experimental scheme of camouflaging some of the grid electric light pylons carrying 133,000-volt cables which at present are all painted aluminium, even in beauty spots.

No, Sir. I am informed that the Central Electricity Board have in the past tried other colours but have found grey or galvanised pylons most effective for blending with the landscape.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that men offered for employment in the coalmining industry, who have previously been employed as iron ore miners, are required to be submitted for an X-ray examination, which entails a cost of at least £5 which has to be paid by the applicant and not by the colliery company; and if he is prepared to abolish this practice of the man paying the cost.of such X-ray examination.

I am informed that iron ore miners seeking employment at coal mines in Cumberland may, in future, be required to undergo an X-ray examination under arrangements made privately by the owners. The cost of the examination, so I am advised, will be borne by the owners and not by the men themselves.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give an assurance that, when the mines pass to the ownership of the State the Government will continue to pay the pensions now being paid to ex-miners by certain colliery companies.

I would refer my hon. Friend to Clause 35, Subsection (2), of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Bill. It will be the National Coal Board, and not -the Government, who will be responsible for the payments of the pensions referred to.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average weekly drop in coal production since 1938; and are there any signs of any steady increase in production.

The average weekly output of saleable coal at coal mines in Great Britain since 1938 has been as follows:

Year.				'000 Tons.
1938	…	…	…	4,353
1939	…	…	…	4,437
1940	…	…	…	4,290
1941	…	…	…	3,957
1942	…	…	…	3,905
1943	…	…	…	3,730
1944	…	…	…	3,521
1945	…	…	…	3,350

The decline in production has been checked—output in the weeks prior to the Easter holiday was as high as the weeks before Christmas. Over the coming year, I am confident that output per man will increase, but total output also depends on the labour force in the industry. Everything therefore depends on whether it will be possible to maintain the labour force at its present level

asked the Minister of Labour why an offer of Class B release has not yet been made to all agricultural workers in the services who have com- pleted 12 months' service; and what steps he is taking to ensure that such an offer will be made forthwith.

The Service Departments have authorised the offer of Class B release to all releasable agricultural workers with over. twelve months' service who have been identified as eligible under the block release arrangements. In addition, as my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member on 9th April, arrangements have been made for war agricultural executive committees to consider applications from employers for the release of agricultural workers who do not receive offers of release under the block arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of his inability to give any assurance as to when' it will be possible to withdraw the Control of Employment Order relating to civil servants, he will take steps to arrange that henceforth a certain proportion of young men on being called up for National Service shall be directed to the Civil Service as well as to the fighting Services.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour if any decision has yet been reached regarding the proposal to work the shift system in Scotland for trainees for the building industries.

The proposal to introduce double shifting at the training centres in Scotland is under discussion with the representatives of the building industry in Scotland and an early decision is expected.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties caused to employers by the reduction of hostel accommodation for transferred workers in the Stroud area; and what steps he is taking to provide more accommodation.

I am informed that the only reduction in hostel accommodation for transferred workers in this area has been the closing some weeks ago of a small reception or transit hostel for 28 women which was no longer required, as any women it was still necessary to bring in for essential work could be found immediate accommodation in lodgings or in another hostel in the neighbourhood. It does not appear, therefore, that difficulties can have been caused to employers by the closing of the hostel.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that large numbers of men in the building trade have been informed that wages will not be paid to them for the national holiday declared by the Government on 8th June; and if the Government will take steps to see that men in this and other trades are not compelled to suffer loss of wages for this day of national celebration.

I have no direct information regarding the arrangements for 8th June, in the building industry. This is a matter for negotiation between the two sides and there is no action that my right hon. Friend can take either as regards this industry or any others.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Servicemen in Wallasey are registered for training at Government centres and are still on the waiting list owing to no vacancies being available.

On 18th May, 1946, 48 ex-Servicemen in Wallasey had been accepted and were awaiting allocation to training.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now considered Miss Margaret Clarke's application for a grant under the Vocational Training Scheme referred to him by the Ministry of Education on 12th March.

Yes, Sir. Miss Margaret Clarke began training on 29th April.

asked the Minister of Labour when the promised 'statement on the future conscription policy of the Government will be forthcoming.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now make the promised statement on conscription.

My right hon. Friend expects that this statement will be made at a very early date

asked the Minister of Labour whether the deferment of call-up for military service in the case of science students who have completed three years' work of national importance, and who are proceeding to science courses at universities, will be extended to include students who are proposing to study at technical colleges which have recognised courses for university science degrees.

My right hon. Friend is already considering this matter in consultation with his right hon. Friends the Minister of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the compilation of a cost of living index based on up-to-date information.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Wansbeck (Mr. Robens) on 9th April, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the statement issued on l0th May by the Fife county clerk, setting out the details of his criticism to the effect that housing progress in Scotland is hampered by red tape and forms, and his plea for a less rigid control of housing by Government Departments; and whether his Department proposes to make any reply to these charges.

I am satisfied that there is not the slightest foundation for the criticism made in the statement referred to. Central control and supervision have been kept to the minimum consistent with the requirements of national planning and the discharge of the Secretary of State's statutory duties. I can assure the hon. Member that no more forms are used than are essential for these purposes and the fair distribution of labour and materials. Measured by the substantial number of sites and tenders already approved, the position is that far from preparations having been delayed they have been expedited to the maximum possible extent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the vacancies for male students in agricultural colleges in Scotland are adequate to meet the applications received from prospective students.

In accordance with general Government policy on admissions to universities and similar institutions the Department of Agriculture for Scotland have asked the agricultural colleges when considering applications for admission to college courses in the session 1946–47 to give priority up to 1st July, 1946, to ex-Service men and women applicants. The colleges agreed to do so, and the present position is that for 180 estimated vacancies 78 applications have been received from ex-Service candidates and 103 from other candidates. Even although many additional applications may be expected before the opening of the session it does not appear likely that there will be any difficulty in accepting all the qualified ex-Service applicants.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will be in a position to give an assurance that farmers who are aggrieved by decisions of area executive or local advisory committees will have a right of appeal to an independent tribunal.

There will be provision for appeals against major decisions of area executive committees. To what extent such appeals can most appropriately be dealt with by the Land Court or other means is a matter on which I should not wish to anticipate my legislative proposals. No executive functions will be exercised by local advisory committees.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any report has yet been received from the Cameron Committee on the application of the recommendations of the Rushcliffe Committee on legal aid and legal advice to Scotland.

I understand that the committee have now completed their investigations and I hope to receive their report at an early date.

asked the Minister of Education how many of the 231 direct Grant schools have been confirmed in their status; how many have become independent; how many are awaiting decision; and how many new applications have been received and with what results.

Applications have been received from 196 out of the 231 schools. In 163 cases recognition has-been granted. 25 schools, including four which had been granted recognition, have decided to become independent. No decisions are outstanding, but in one case the recognition is provisional until next July. 36 applications have been received from schools not previously recognised for direct grant; of these four have been accepted and 32 rejected.

asked the Minister of Education the total number of teachers now released from the Services under Class A and Class B

Up to 3oth April, 8,491 teachers, including Scottish teachers, had been released from the Forces in Class B. No information is available on the number released in Class A, but up to 31st March, 1946, the total number of teachers who had returned from war service, whether in Classes A or B or otherwise, to schools and colleges maintained or aided by local education authorities in England and Wales alone, was 13,467.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what civil air services are at present starting, terminating or calling at Ringway airport; and what additional services and calls are contemplated within the next six months.

There are at present no services using Ringway airport but the airport is included in the schedule of routes to be operated by the proposed British European Airways Corporation. I will place a copy of this schedule in the Library of the House shortly, with, so far as is possible, an indication of the probable dates of introduction of the main services.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, as a result of the fire on the s.s. " Milwaukee," on 1st-2nd March, 1946, at Liverpool, approximately 200 sets of joiners' and shipwrights' tools were lost and have not been replaced; that many of these men have been served with notices by their employers; and whether he will take special steps to see that these tools are replaced at the earliest possible moment.

I am aware of the loss of tools as a result of this fire, but the terms of the contract with the firm who were engaged in fitting the "Milwaukee" for Government service do not make my Department liable for the loss. In this respect, I am advised that the Department's position is the same as in normal commercial practice. I am making further inquiries, but meanwhile I am informed that the employers concerned have issued sufficient tools on loan to enable the men to carry on and that none of the men have been served with notices as the result of any loss they sustained by the fire, although the loss of the ship has no doubt reacted on the amount of work available in particular trades.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the numbers of British business men and their wives who are awaiting passages to the Far East and of the importance of re-establishing British mercantile communities in that part of the world as soon as possible, what steps he is taking to increase the present provision of passages for these men and their wives; and whether he will take steps to see that business men get first priority and their wives priority over others who are not travelling on duty.

It is not possible, with the limited passenger tonnage now at my disposal to provide a service which will fully meet all present demands to the Far East, but a very considerable flow is being maintained outwards to Malaya, and over 300 civilians for Hong Kong and Shanghai are sailing in a troopship this week. A very high priority is accorded to business men proceeding abroad in the interest of the British export trade, but while the present shortage of passenger space persists, their wives and families must continue to receive a lower priority.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now able to make a statement about the future of that part of the West End Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, adjoining the Northolt aerodrome, which is now closed.

I regret that I cannot yet give a decision in this difficult,case, but I can assure my hon. Friend that I have it under active consideration with the Air Ministry with a view to determining the best solution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the evacuation of military installations from Egypt has begun: and if he will give an assurance that troops will not be evacuated from the Canal zone until an agreement has been reached providing for the adequate defence of the Suez Canal.

The evacuation from Egypt of military installations which have be- come surplus to requirements owing to the termination of hostilities has been in progress for some considerable period. In reply to the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made by the Prime Minister and the Lord President of the Council in the course of Debate on 7th May, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in regard to the recent White Paper on India, consultations have taken place with the Governments of France and Portugal; and what will be the future status of Pondicherry and Goa.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the Question the status of Pondicherry and Goa is not affected by the proposals in the White Paper

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the Polish airmen who took part in the Battle of Britain will take part in the Victory march on 8th June; how many of the Polish armed forces who fought side by side with the British forces, and who are now in this country,, will take part; and what were the terms of the invitation to the Polish forces to take part.

His Majesty's Government contemplate the inclusion in the R.A.F. contingent in the March of a representative party of 25 Polish airmen (including one officer) who fought in the Battle of Britain. There will he no separate representation of other Polish armed forces now in this country, since these do not form part of His Majesty's Farces, but the Polish Government have been invited to send a contingent of three high-ranking officers, three aides-de-camp or staff officers and a flag party of three men, followed by a detachment of.24 men representative of the Polish fighting services.

asked the Minister of Supply if the Army, R.N. and R.A.F. will draw from existing Government stocks of passenger motor-cars before new ones are ordered.

Yes, Sir. Before any new purchases are made, steps are taken to ensure that no suitable vehicles are available from redundant or surplus stocks.

asked the Minister of Supply when the proposed atomic research station at Didcot will be in operation.

Research on a small scale is expected to start in the course of a few weeks, and I hope that the conversion of buildings, the provision of equipment and the recruitment and housing of staff will be sufficiently advanced to enable research work to be carried on on a material scale towards the end of this year.

asked the Minister of Supply (I) what building materials, fitments and components are at present being manufactured in Government factories; what quantities of these products have so far been delivered from factories; and what further items of this kind the Government are planning to manufacture in the next 12 months;(2) which Government-owned factories are now producing building materials, components or fitments; what is the present total labour force engaged on all types of work in each of the factories concerned; and what proportion of this labour force in each of these factories is engaged on the manufacture of building materials, components or fitments.

The Royal Ordnance Factories are at present manufacturing such items as pressed steel fitments, cupboards and taps. Preparations are well advanced for them to produce ceramics and electric and gas cookers. The production of pre-cast concrete for permanent houses and structural components for the aluminium house is also under consideration. It would not be appropriate to publish production details.

asked the Minister of Supply the output of rolled brass and copper sheet and strip in the royal ordnance factories, Royal Mint, and Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, for the months of January, February and March 1946.

None of the establishments mentioned rolls sheet. The following figures for the first quarter of 1946 give the output of strip and fillets:

	Tons
Bronze	509
Nickel brass	39
Tombac	19
Brass	337
Copper	3

asked the Minister of Supply the total number of civil servants of all grades employed in his Department at the latest convenient date.

The number of non industrial civil servants of all grades employed in the Ministry of Supply on 1st May, 1946, was 46,173.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of civil servants of all grades employed in his Department at the latest convenient date.

The total number of staff employed in the Board of Trade on 1st April, 1946, was 23,790, comprising 14,956 non-industrial and 8,834 industrial. About 6,30o of the non-industrial and the whole of the industrial staff were transferred to the Board, between the 1st October, 1945, and 1st April, 1946, from the Ministry of Supply, from the former Ministry of Production, and Department of Overseas Trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reason for the delay in adjusting the salaries of his veterinary staff as in the case of the Scientific Civil Service as a whole; and by what date he anticipates that the veterinary staff will have their salaries suitably aligned with other members of that Service.

It has been necessary to consider the salary scales of Veterinary Officers in conjunction not only with those proposed in the White Paper on the Scientific Civil Servants, but also with the scales of other professional and technical staffs of Government Departments which are under review. Definite proposals have now been communicated to representatives of the staff and of the National Veterinary Medical Association and I hope that it will be possible for new scales to (be put into operation at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new industries, and of what type, have been established in Scotland since 1st January, 1946; and how many persons it is calculated they will employ.

One hundred and three new building projects in a wide variety.of industries have been approved for Scotland since 1st January, 1946. It is estimated that these projects will ultimately employ approximately 15,500 persons. Following are the details:

Industry	Number of projects	Estimated additional employment
Cement	1	100
Glass	1	49
Chemicals, Oil, Paints.	11	2,093
Metal manufacture	1	56
Engineering	8	1,403
Construction of vehicles	3	78
Other metal industries	4	53
Textiles	18	2,852
Leather	1	10
Clothing	8	2,211
Food and drink	12	989
Woodworking	8	660
Paper, printing, etc.	4	835
Other manufacturing industries.	13	4,028
Miscellaneous trades and services.	10	65
Total	103	15,482

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the official returns show that there are 74,415 unemployed in Scotland at 8th April, an increase including 7,167 ex-Service personnel who have had no employment since leaving the Forces, what steps he is taking to arrest this state of affairs.

The Board of Trade and the other Departments concerned, in consultation with the Secretary of State for Scotland, are taking all possible steps to reduce unemployment in Scotland as quickly as possible. For details of steps which have already been taken, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Edinburgh (Sir W. Darling) on 13th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the report of the Cotton Working Party is to be made available to the public; and whether it will be accompanied by a statement of the action the Government intends to take.

The report of the Cotton Working Party will be published on 31st May. A statement of the course the Government intend to take on it will be made as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present regulations governing sales by auction; and whether any relaxations in the restrictions are contemplated in the near future.

Sales by auction are regulated by S.R. & O. 1944 No. 767, as amended by S.R. & O. 1945 No. 220 and S.R. & O. 1946 No. 344. The object of these Orders is to prevent traders from evading price control by selling their goods by auction, and licences, which are granted at the discretion of the chairmen of the local price regulation committees, are not refused to bona fide auctioneers. I am satisfied that the provisions of these Orders are still necessary, and the answer to the second part of the Question is accordingly in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now issue priority dockets to Mr. R. H. Perkins, of 43, Dale Street, Chiswick, about whom the hon. and gallant Member for Brentford and Chiswick wrote to his Department on 11th March.

I regret that for the reasons given in a letter sent to my hon. and gallant Friend on 2oth May, a priority docket for floor covering cannot be issued in this case.

asked the Minister of Health why the Government lymph establishment is being closed.

It is now more advantageous to coordinate the manufacture and distribution of vaccine lymph with that of other immunizing agents, and so it will in future be undertaken on my behalf by the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of smallpox came from the " Britannic "; to which hospitals were they sent; how many proved fatal; and what was the vaccinal condition of the cases.

One case, which was taken to Fazakerley Hospital from this vessel on its arrival at Liverpool, was diagnosed as smallpox on the following day. The patient was transferred to the Port Hospital, New Ferry, where he has since died. I am informed that the vaccinal condition was unascertainable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Kenya had yet appointed any of its new African administrative assistants; and what will be the educational and other qualifications required for these posts.

The Governor had intended in the first instance to fill nine of the 18 posts for which provision has been made, but only five of the candidates interviewed came up to the required standard. The successful candidates are to be appointed immediately and further selections will be made as candidates with suitable qualifications come forward. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that in an experimental scheme of this sort the first appointments are vital to its success. Personality and character are of first importance and a knowledge of English is essential. Of the candidates selected, two have graduated at Makerere College, two others are ex-warrant officers, from the Army who have attended a course of secondary education and have passed an examination equivalent to the junior Cambridge examination, while the fifth is an African clerk with 15 years' experience of Government service

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the plans for providing homes at Gibraltar for those residents who were evacuated for military reasons during the early stages of the war; and what were the assurances given to these people at that time.