asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the use of the R.A.F. for hunting two criminals on behalf of the civil police was made by the authority of the provost marshal of the R.A.F.; and whether the airmen were given power of arrest.

I understand that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the occasion when an escaped prisoner was re-arrested by the civil police after a Royal Air Force aircraft- had been successfully used to find him. The use of aircraft is not a matter for the Provost Marshal to authorise, nor was there any question of making or authorising an arrest from the air.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will give an assurance that commodities which are in great demand by the public and which are at present held by aerodromes all over the country, will be declared surplus to requirements before deterioration takes place, and that these surplus goods will be made available for the public to purchase.

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that we are declaring our surplus stores as quickly as we can. So far as possible, those suitable for household use are dealt with first, and are properly stored under cover until we give them up. Disposal to the public is a matter for the disposal departments concerned, who are notified of all our surplus goods.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will have the order, issued by the No. 7 works area for the removal of airfield lighting poles now about to commence in West Suffolk, postponed until after the harvest, where these poles stand in corn, potato, sugar beet or other growing crops.

Yes, Sir, except that we hope that the farmers will agree to the work not being postponed where poles or wires carrying electric current are in a dangerous state.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what report he has received from the C.I D. about members of the R.A.F. smuggling foodstuffs from this country into Berlin; and how many members of the R.A.F. are under detention in this connection.

We have received no report whatever from the C.I.D. about any smuggling of foodstuffs from this country into Berlin by members of the Royal Air Force, none of whom is under arrest in this connection. I would like to make it clear, however, that we are fully conscious of the opportunities which are bound to exist at present for activities of this kind. We are taking every possible precaution and any offence will he severely dealt with.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the number of officers of the Military Government in the British zone who are under open or close arrest following allegations against them by Germans discharged from posts by those officers in the course of their duties; how long have such officers been under arrest awaiting a disposal of the complaints against them; and what are the arrangements for a speedy disposal of such complaints against the British officers concerned.

None, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give an estimate of the total value of machinery removed to each of the Allied countries concerned from Germany and Austria since VE-Day.

Plant and equipment to be removed from the Western zones of Germany as reparations to the Western Allies are to be allocated by the Inter-Allied Reparations Agency at Brussels. I understand that the Agency will shortly be in a position to make its first allocation but none has been made so far. Nor has any plant or equipment been delivered to Russia from the Western zones of Germany. I have no information about the plant and equipment which may have been delivered from the Russian zone, under the terms of the Potsdam Protocol, to Russia and Poland.

asked the Minister of Food when must his inspectors be accompanied by civil police; what are their instructions when consent to search is refused by motorists; and what action was taken in the one case in which the motorist refused his consent.

The only occasion when an inspector must be accompanied by a police officer is when a search warrant under Defence Regulation 88A has been granted to the police officer and himself. If my inspector has no search warrant the motorist can, of course, refuse to allow his car to be searched, as the motorist did in the case to which the hon. Member refers. But such a refusal inevitably suggests that the motorist, however innocent he may really be, has something to conceal.

asked the Minister.of Food whether his attention has been called to the fact that a load of lettuce which came from Wisbech, via Covent Garden, was dumped on a farm in Kent; and what action does he propose to take to prevent waste of food of this kind.

I have seen a report in the Press that lettuces were dumped in Kent but I have been unable to trace the consignment. With a commodity so perishable as lettuce it is difficult to avoid supplies sometimes reaching the market in an unsaleable condition. The existing arrangements for marketing fruit and vegetables in this country are being reexamined.

asked the Minister of Food how much of the grower's price for gooseberries at 33s. 3d. per hundredweight is represented by the pickers' wages; why the price is lower than the corresponding price of 1945 at 42s. per hundredweight; and whether he will increase the price to a figure which is remunerative to the grower.

Under the provisions of the Home Grown Soft Fruit Order, 1946, the maximum grower's price for dessert gooseberries is 93s. 4d. per cwt. and for other gooseberries, 37s. 4d. per cwt. from 20th May to 30th June, and 32s. 8d. per cwt. thereafter. The 1945 soft fruit prices were specially adjusted owing to damage caused by late frost. Picking costs are variable but such costs have been taken fully into account in fixing this year's prices, and I am satisfied that these prices provide a reasonable return to the grower.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the statement signed by 48 strawberry growers, in North-west Kent, concerning the unfair treatment this late maturing district is receiving through the pre-emption of the strawberry crop at prices below the cost of production; and what action does he propose to take.

I am aware that some strawberry growers are not fully satisfied with the control prices. These prices have to be fixed according to the average date at which crops mature, and costs of production are taken fully into account in fixing these prices. I am advised that it would not be practicable to vary the date according to the season.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that a supply of free milk and vitamins has been refused to a pregnant woman, the wife of a demobilised soldier undergoing a training course as a bricklayer, on the ground that her husband's pay of 70s. per week to pay rent of 15s. and maintain two adults and two children is too large, and that the husband is contemplating abandoning the training course in order to earn enough to pay for the proper nourishment of his wife; and what steps he is taking to ensure a free supply in this case.

The income in the very hard case quoted by the hon. and learned Member is above the limit of the scale for free welfare foods benefit. I am extremely sorry but exceptions cannot be made for individual cases. However, in the autumn the Welfare Foods Scheme will be associated with family allowances in that it will represent benefits in kind for young children and expectant mothers. The arrangements for free welfare food benefits when this change is made are at present being considered.

asked the Minister of Food why the shipment of apples recently received from Australia and New Zealand is being allocated to the South of England where there is a considerable home crop; and why no allocation is to he made to Scotland and the North of England where fruit is normally scarcer.

This is only the second allocation of imported apples made to the South of England during the past three years, whilst Scotland and other parts of the country have received four. An allocation will be made to Scotland and the North as further supplies arrive.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the lack of attention and inefficiency displayed by the officials concerned with the recent distribution of ration books in the Clarkeston and Netherlee districts of Renfrewshire; that many women had to wait more than three hours before they received attention; and whether he will have investigations made into the matter.

Only one complaint of delay at Netherlee was received by the Food Office by telephone. The Food Executive Officer reports that he has visited the distribution centres daily and has found nothing wrong I have, however, ordered a special inquiry to be made and will communicate the result to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the Healing Parish Council has repeatedly written to his Department for the derequisitioning of the emergency communal kitchen in Oak Road, Healing, Lincolnshire, which has been cleared of all contents since March; and, since the building is required as headquarters for the local British Legion branch, if he will take steps immediately to have the premises derequisitioned and freed.

The local authority was instructed on 28th May to derequisition these premises.

asked the Minister of Food what steps are being taken to make fish available in shops at a price which bears relation to the low price received by fishing vessel owners at the present time.

It would be quite impracticable for me to vary the maximum price schedules from day to day in order to enforce the passing on of reductions in fish prices at the ports. I believe, however, that the recent change in licensing policy, which has led to a big increase in the number of retail fish businesses, will stimulate traders to pass on such reductions.

asked the Minister of Food how many officers of his Department are authorised to sign S.R. & Os. on his behalf; and what are the respective departmental ranks of these persons.

Three officers, namely the, Permanent Secretary and two deputy secretaries, are so authorised. In practice the senior officer on duty signs Orders and all the Orders made during the last six months were signed by the Permanent Secretary.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider the issue of a supplementary soap ration to workers engaged in occupations the nature of which renders the frequent washing of overalls necessary.

I regret that with the present difficult supply position of fats I am unable to extend the existing arrangements for the supply of soap to industrial workers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will indicate what steps he proposes to take to introduce legislation to replace the existing Cinematograph Films Act when it expires; and whether it is intended to set up a preliminary committee of inquiry.

The present Cinematograph Films Act expires in 1948 and new legislation will be introduced at the appropriate time. Before deciding upon the provisions to be incorporated in a new Bill my right hon. and learned Friend proposes to give all interested parties a full opportunity of submitting their views on the subject, but he does not consider it necessary to set up a special committee of inquiry for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the opinion is widely held in the U.S.A. and in the United Kingdom that the permanent closing of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange was contrary to the spirit of the Loan Agreement; and whether, in view of the importance of this country acting in accordance with the spirit as well as the letter of its international undertakings, he will reconsider the decision not to reopen the Liverpool Cotton Exchange.

No, Sir. While I am aware that the decision to continue centralised purchase of raw cotton has been the subject of considerable discussion in the U.S.A. and in this country, I do not agree that it is in any way contrary to the spirit of the Loan Agreement or of the " Proposals for consideration by an International Conference on Trade and Employment " which were issued, concurrently with the Loan Agreement, by the United States Government. These Proposals, which were fully discussed with United States representatives last autumn, contain a section covering the operation of state trading organisations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why it is necessary for British Manufacturers to obtain an import licence for drawings and sketches sent by firms in the U.S.A. and other countries to indicate the designs required in the production of goods for export, since the Customs and Excise Department have ruled that such sketches shall be permitted entry duty free.

Where it is a question of a small number of drawings or sketches being imported for the purpose of production of goods for export, an import licence is readily granted on application. Cases in which drawings and sketches are imported in bulk, involving appreciable payment in foreign exchange, are considered on their merits. If the hon. and gallant Member has a particular case in mind, and would let me have particulars. I should be glad to look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to make increased supplies of chlorate of soda available to farmers and market gardeners to enable them to deal with wartime accumulations of nettles and other weeds.

Steadily increasing quantities of chlorate of soda have been provided for weed killing since the end of the war and deliveries for this purpose now exceed the prewar rate. It is not yet possible to meet in full the exceptionally large demand arising from the accumulation of weeds, but it is expected that the supply will continue to increase and will before long be sufficient to meet the essential requirements of farmers and market gardeners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if discrimination in allotting Government advertisements in West African newspapers is to be used as a permanent penalty for alleged misrepresentation; and what newspapers are not now given these advertisements.

No, Sir. The Government of Nigeria does not, however, at present allot Government advertisements to a group of newspapers which have shown a lack of responsibility and have abused the privileges of the Press. The newspapers in question are the " West African Pilot," " Daily Comet," " Southern Nigeria Defender," " Nigerian Spokesman," " Eastern Nigeria Guardian."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the withdrawal of the penalty of corporal punishment for African soldiers is to become operative; if the same principle is to be applied to all Colonial troops; and whether a similar withdrawal is to take place in respect of civilian prisoners in West Africa.

Administrative instructions were issued by my predecessors before the war that corporal punishment should not be awarded to African soldiers for military offences in peacetime. I am making it clear to African Governments that these instructions still apply, since the war, pending the enactment of the necessary amending legislation to make the award of corporal punishment for military offences no longer legal. In answer to the second part of the Question, corporal punishment cannot be awarded for military offences in any other Forces raised in territories with which I am concerned. In answer to the last part of the Question, corporal punishment is rarely awarded to civilian prisoners in West Africa. The position is however under constant review; and I am now considering what further steps can be taken to modify existing laws and regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the area of land given over to game reserves in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika; and whether any of this land is suitable for farming.

The following is the answer:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give details of the incidence of sleeping sickness in Tanganyika during the last 10 years.

Five thousand three hundred and seventy-two cases of human sleeping sickness were reported in Tanganyika during the years 1936 to 1945 inclusive, of which 2,527 were fatal. Of 86 cases reported up to the end of April this year, 16 were fatal.

asked the Secretary of State for the' Colonies what progress has been made in Tanganyika during the last ten years in clearing land of the tsetse fly.

During the last 10 years, 1,150 square miles of land have been cleared of tsetse fly and 44,300 persons resettled in the cleared areas. An additional 1,130 square miles are in course of reclamation and 550 square miles have been surveyed and await reclamation. A further 1,200 square miles are in course of survey.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made by the Commission appointed to inquire into salary scales for civil servants in West Africa.

The Commissioner has completed his work in West Africa and is, I understand, now on his way home. He will then require some further time to complete his report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has yet been taken on the nationalisation of the Rhodesian railways; and whether he will give an assurance that, after nationalisation, the existing colour bar operating on the railways of Southern Rhodesia will not be extended to Northern Rhodesia.

No, Sir. The Report by Sir Harold Howitt is still under consideration by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs and myself in consultation with the Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to the urgency of more economic development in Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia he will direct the Governments of Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia to utilise the services of the expert committee on electrical development, now in East Africa, before they return to this country.

I have nothing to add to my answer of 15th May. I am satisfied that the right course is to await the report on East Africa before considering whether this or a similar Commission should be sent to Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, where the problems are in any case not entirely similar

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many West Indian students arc now receiving their education in this country; how many have applied but cannot secure places; and whether any quota system for the West Indian and other Colonies has been considered.

About 300 West Indian students are now receiving higher education in this country. One hundred and three new applicants for the October session and negotiations for places in the universities are in hand. It is too early to say how many candidates will he rejected. A quota system is in operation for medical students and universities have been asked to allocate quotas for other students in accordance with the Colonies' needs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied with the progress made by the Colonial Food Yeast Company, in Jamaica; and in which other colonies he intends to set up further yeast factories.

The Colonial Food Yeast Company's factory in Jamaica began production of food yeast on a limited scale about a month ago, but production has been interrupted owing to technical difficulties which have been investigated and which it is hoped will be overcome in the very near future. It is not proposed to set up any further yeast factories in the Colonies until adequate experience has been gained with the Jamaica factory but the erection of a factory in Mauritius is under contemplation if circumstances prove favourable, and certain preliminary investigations have been undertaken to that end.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if a legislative council has now been set up in Malaya; and if he will state the composition of that council, the date of its appointment and the manner of its selection.

A legislative council has not yet been set up either in the Malayan Union or in Singapore. The local consultations which the two Governors have been instructed to under-take before these councils are established are still in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present daily ration of rice in Malaya; and how this ration compares with the ration in India and Ceylon.

The present daily ration in rice in Malaya is three ozs. per person in the Malayan Union and four and and a half ozs. in Singapore Colony. This ration compares with seven ozs. in Ceylon. In making these comparisons regard must be had to the availability of supplementary foods, particularly flour. In Singapore, for example, there is a total daily cereals ration of seven and a half ozs. and in the Malayan Union of six ozs. compared with nine ozs. in Ceylon, and 12 ozs. in India.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the fact that Malaya is no longer under military administration but under civilian government, he will take steps to repeal the laws in operation in Malaya before the Japanese occupation which make the present Communist party of Malaya illegal.

The amendment of the existing law in the Malayan Union and Singapore, which requires that a society must apply for and he accepted for registration before it can be a lawful society, is at present under consideration. In the meanwhile, all societies, including the Malayan Communist Party, are being permitted to operate whether registered or not. This applies equally to the period of Military Administration and to the Civil Administration which has now taken its place

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to assure the House that the offensive lido establishment on the shore of the Lake of Galilee has been removed.

I am making a further inquiry of the High Commissioner for Palestine on this subject and am for the moment unable to add anything to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, West (Mr. Edelman) on the 15th May. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as the High Commissioner's reply is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how the present cost of living index in Palestine, related to the 1939 figure, compares with the United Kingdom and the U.S.A.

The latest month for which a comparison is possible is March, 1946, when the cost of living index in Palestine was 258. I understand that the comparable figure for the same month for the United Kingdom and the United States of America was in each case 131.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what purpose the Arab Higher Committee and the Jewish Agency have been requested to state, in writing, their attitude to the proposals of the Anglo-American Palestine Committee, in view of the fact that both these bodies gave evidence before the Committee in which evidence their views were fully stated.

His Majesty's Government are pledged not to enter into commitments regarding the future of Palestine until they have consulted both Arabs and Jews. The fact that the Arab Higher Committee and the Jewish Agency gave evidence to the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry is not a reason for omitting them from the list of Governments and organisations which are being consulted in accordance with this pledge.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals have been made to the U.S. Government for collaboration in implementing the recommendations of the Anglo-American Committee on Palestine; and when he hopes to be able to announce the Government's policy.

No such proposals have been made to the United States Government. His Majesty's Government and the United States Government have agreed, as the first step in their joint examination of the Committee's Report, to initiate discussions between their respective officials. The policy of His Majesty's Government cannot be announced until they have concluded their consultations with the Government of the United States, the Arab Governments and representative Jewish and Arab organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the position regarding the negotiations with the British North Borneo (Chartered) Company, for the assumption by His Majesty's Government of direct responsibility for the administration of the territory.

The negotiations are nearing completion. The Court of Directors hope to circulate proposals to the shareholders of the Company very shortly.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that there is no Protecting Power, he will make arrangements with the International Red Cross for their inspection of all camps containing German prisoners of war, or detention camps containing civilians under British control.

The International Red Cross will, as in the past, be given full facilities to visit any camps containing German prisoners of war or civilian internees under British control. The International Committee of the Red Cross have, however, notified His Majesty's Government that, for financial reasons, they are compelled to reduce the number of delegates available for the inspection of prisoner of war camps in the United Kingdom. They therefore propose to limit their visits to cases where requests are made by the British authorities, the camp leaders, or the prisoners of war through the medium of their camp leaders.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the allowance of 5s. per day granted to officials of his delegation at the recent Paris Conference to meet all expenses above their messing arrangements is inadequate; and if he will increase the allowances before he and his staff return to Paris on 15th June.

All members of the delegation received free accommodation and board. In addition they received an allowance of 5s. per day. I am looking further into this.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has yet been received from the French Government to the proposal that they should send observers to watch the revision of the Greek electoral lists in preparation for the coming plebiscite.

Yes, Sir. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a note dated 16th May notified His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris that the French Government, whilst recognising the importance of the revision of the Greek electoral registers, regretted that they were unable to accept the Greek Government's invitation to send observers for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many members of the Foreign Service have been retired on pension below the normal retiring age since 1st August, 1945; and what was the last rank held by each of those so retired.

Not counting retirements on grounds of health, there have, since 1st August, 1945, been two cases in which members of the Senior Branch of the Foreign Service have been retired on pension below the normal retiring age. Both those concerned have held the rank of ambassador.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any further statement to make on the discussions with the U.S. Government with regard to the enforcement in the U.S.A. of paternity orders made out in this country against former members of the U.S. forces.

As has already been stated in reply to Questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield (Air-Commodore Harvey) on 1st May and by tile hon. Member for Newton (Sir R. Young) on 8th May, the whole question of the maintenance of illegitimate children in this country of former members of the United States forces who have left this country is under discussion with officials of the United States Government. I am very anxious to be able to get this matter settled as soon as possible on satisfactory lines.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Resettlement Corps, into which the Polish soldiers not desirous of returning to their homeland will be incorporated in the United Kingdom, will be officered or administered by personnel at present officering or administering the Polish Armed Forces from which these men will be drawn.

Yes, Sir, but under British service law and with the assistance of a number of British officers who will have to be provided for the interpretation and administration of the service code of law and for guidance in British methods.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the military training centre at Paderborn has been visited by representatives of the various training departments in the R.N.

No, Sir, but the centre has been visited by a Flag Officer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a decision has yet been reached about the establishment of a Royal Marine Volunteer Reserve.

Yes, Sir. It is intended to set up a Royal Marine Forces Volunteer Reserve on lines following those of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as closely as possible. The steps necessary to set up this reserve are now under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is anticipated that supply officers in Group 34 will be demobilised.

It is expected that these officers will be released in October, 1946.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the last book of instructions for chargemen in His Majesty's dockyards was published; and whether, in view of the fact that it is now completely out of date and in possession of very few chargemen in the yards, arrangements will be made for it to be revised and republished.

The booklet in question was last published in 1901 and now requires considerable revision to bring it up-to-date. It is our intention that this shall be done at the earliest opportunity, although pressure of urgent work will necessarily prevent it being carried out in the immediate future.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to state if personnel of the Maritime Regiment are entitled to share in awards of prize money.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how soon he expects to be able to make a statement on the amount of prize money to be distributed to the R.N. as a result of naval operations during the war; and whether he will give an assurance that the statement will enumerate the numbers of admirals, other officers, and ratings participating in these awards; the amounts to be received by each of these groups; and the number of those receiving prize money who were actually on the scene during the relevant operations.

In view of the complexity of this subject, I regret that some time must necessarily elapse before it will be possible to make any further statement on prize money In the meantime, I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble) on 6th February.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Ford aerodrome consists of valuable arable land, and when he proposes to release it for agricultural production.

Yes, Sir, but this station meets an important requirement for naval aviation in the Portsmouth area, and I regret that I can hold out no hope of releasing it for agricultural purposes. As much of the land as it is possible to give up to agriculture is already under cultivation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he proposes to reply to a letter, sent to his Department on 4th March by the hon. Member for Heston and Isleworth relating to the case of Marine Albert Meeks.

A reply has now been sent. I regret the delay, but, as I have explained to the hon. Member, this has been entirely due to the necessity of awaiting the arrival of the court martial papers from Hong Kong and of a careful review of a very intricate case.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a part of the coast line of Northumberland, which is regarded as a place of beauty, is being used for target practice by the R.N.; and if he will now put an end to this.

No part of the Northumberland coastline is used for target practice by the Royal Navy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will make a statement on the circumstances under which the Government have decided to scrap the three aircraft carriers " Malta," " Gibraltar " and " Africa."

None of these three ships had been laid down when the war ended, and their cancellation was decided upon as a part of the reduction of the wartime fleet to the strength required to meet our peace time naval commitments. This policy was explained to the House by my right hon. Friend the First Lord in his statement of 6th March when introducing the Navy Estimates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reasons for recent reductions in the Pacific Fleet; and if consultations have taken place with the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand on naval policy in this sphere of imperial defence organisation.

The reduction in size of the British Pacific Fleet is part of the process of reducing the Royal Navy generally from a war to a peace footing. The proportion of the Royal Navy stationed in the Pacific is adequate to meet our naval commitments in those waters. The answer to the second part of the Question is " Yes. Sir."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to announce the new rates of pay for warrant officers.

Yes, Sir. I am now in a position to inform the House of the revised rates of pay which will come into force on 1st July for R.N. and R.M. Warrant Officers, and officers promoted therefrom. The rates represent in all cases an improvement on those previously prevailing. The following are the details:In accordance with the principle of pay parity between branches already approved for commissioned officers, the following rates will apply to warrant officers and officers promoted therefrom of all categories, whether mechanical or non-mechanical. Also on the principle of the new code for commissioned officers, all forms of extra pay, except sea-going command money and flying and submarine pay, will be abolished.The starting rate for warrant officers will be 19s. a day with biennial increments of 1s. up to 23s. a day. Ratings, who on promotion to warrant rank have had considerable service as ratings, will enter the scale at a rate in excess of 19s., and will continue to receive the excess during service in the rank of warrant officer until the maximum of 23s. is reached.Substantive promotion to commissioned officer from warrant officer will be by selection from a zone of five to nine years' seniority. Pay on promotion to this rank will be 24s. a day with biennial increments of 1s. up to 29s.Promotion to lieutenant will be by selection with a starting rate of 30s. a day and biennial increments of 1s. 6d. to 34s. 6d.Promotion to lieutenant-commander will be made at eight years' seniority as lieutenant with a starting rate of 36s. and biennial increments of 2s. up to 40s.Marriage Allowance will be payable under the conditions applicable to commissioned officers. The standard rate of marriage allowance for warrant officers and officers promoted therefrom will accordingly be 12s. 6d. a day. They will also be eligible for the supplementary marriage allowance under conditions applicable to commissioned officers of rank of lieutenant-commander and below.The arrangements outlined above will also apply to R.M. warrant officers and officers promoted therefrom, whose conditions of promotion will be assimilated to those of the R.N. warrant officer classes. These arrangements do not apply to schoolmasters who in future will not belong to the warrant officer category.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why Mr. David Gillon, of Kincardine-on-Forth, after eight years' service in the royal armament depot at Crombie, has been dismissed while other workers with less service are retained; and whether this represents a change of policy in the employment of Kincardine men at the depot.

There has been no change of policy in the employment of Kincardine men at this depot. Reduction of work has made it necessary to discharge a number of workers; the selection of men to go was made in accordance with the rules and procedure agreed on the Admiralty Industrial Council, and in con- sultation with the workers' own representatives locally.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of Greenwich Hospital Fund capital released as a result of the withdrawal of age increases for naval pensioners; and the purpose to which this capital will be applied.

No fixed amount of Greenwich Hospital revenue was set aside for the purpose of providing for Greenwich Hospital Age Pensions. Any Greenwich Hospital revenue now freed by the waiver of the Greenwich Hospital contribution in this matter will be applied for the purpose of increasing present Greenwich Hospital benefits.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the District Railway trains running between London and Barking are always overcrowded, especially at the rush hours; and whether he will take steps to improve the ventilation in these trains.

I am aware that trains on this line are heavily loaded during peak hours. The service is the best that can be provided with the rolling stock at present available. When the London Passenger Transport Board have been able to obtain new stock it is the intention to increase the accommodation at peak hours. There are several types of coach in use and the ventilation in the more modern type can be improved by opening the windows at each end of the coach. This feature will be embodied in all new rolling stock.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the reduction in allowances paid to British officials in France, following upon the devaluation of the franc to bring French prices nearer to world prices, has had the result that these officials are still faced with great difficulties in maintaining a reasonable standard of life; and whether he will re-examine these allowances in connection with the present cost of living in Paris.

No, Sir. The majority of British officials in France are provided with board and lodging at public expense. This is an important concession which more than offsets expenditure on other items costing more than in this country. In the other cases where staff are not provided with board and lodging at public expense but are receiving inclusive allowances, I am satisfied that, apart from the cases of one or two officers where information is lacking and is being sought, the amounts in issue are adequate to cover the extra cost, result-Mg from their having to live in France, of the normal items of expenditure.

asked the Minister of Labour if, with a view to improving recruiting for the A.T.C. he will consider a regulation to reduce by three months, or some such appropriate period, the conscripted service of a member of the A.T.C. when called up, provided he had obtained the proficiency certificate.

It would not be practicable to adopt this suggestion under the existing age and service release scheme, but I will arrange for the Service Departments to be consulted as to whether an arrangement on the lines suggested by the hon. and gallant Member would be possible at some future date for young men enlisted for a fixed period of service.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider giving a definite assurance that a member of the A.T.C. who has a minimum of 12 months' service and has obtained the proficiency certificate will automatically be posted to the R.A.F., provided he is medically fit for that service.

Members of the A.T.C. who express a perference for the R.A.F. are posted to that Service, provided they are medically fit and are accepted by the R.A.F. interviewing officer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what arrangements are being made by the Central Office of Information for the preparation of a special film centring round the forthcoming Victory parade and for the adequate distribution of that film throughout the Empire and overseas generally.

None, Sir. Filming and overseas distribution will be fully covered by the news reel companies. Special arrangements are, however, being made to cover the activities of Colonial contingents, films of which will be distributed for Colonial use.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for shops supplying food and other necessities to remain open until eight o'clock on Friday, 7th June, to enable women workers to get in their shopping.

The Minister of Food has already approved recommendations made by the Retail Distributive Trades Conference for the opening of food shops so far as necessary on 8th June.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that the claim by Aerlec (Aluminium), Limited, which he stated in his letter of 12th April would be settled quickly, has not yet been settled; if he will give the reasons for the protracted delay in settlement; and if he will also give an assurance that steps will be taken to see that the settlement of all claims of this nature is speeded up.

I regret that we have not yet been able to settle the somewhat complex financial issues outstanding with this company, but we are doing our best to do this as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Supply what educational establishments have received a special allocation of cameras from surplus Government stores in the past six months; and for what purpose were they so allocated and at what prices.

There have been no allocations to educational bodies so far, since the small amount of equipment of this kind which has arisen for disposal has not included anything which would meet their requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the ration issued to troops still in Egypt is dried egg; what is the total weight per week involved; and what steps have been taken to supply British troops with fresh eggs produced in Egypt.

I am making inquiries into this matter and as soon as they are completed I will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the fact that men still serving in the Naples area who require to send urgent telegrams home have to go to the local Italian postal authorities, and will he consider making available the British A.P.O. to these men for urgent domestic telegrams to this country, leaving greetings and social telegrams to be sent by the Italian service.

The Army Post Office may still be used by Servicemen in Italy if they prefer. The arrangement by which they may now use Italian post offices as well was made in order to give additional telegraphic facilities to Service personnel. The rates charged are similar.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will derequisition the Northolt Playing Fields, belonging to the royal borough of Kensington, so that they can be used during the Summer.

I regret that the Northolt playing fields must be retained at any rate for the time being, as they are still required for accommodation and recreational purposes in connection with the Greenford Ordnance Depot.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will derequisition Holland House, so that this open space can be acquired for public use.

Holland House itself is not under requisition by the War Department, but the grounds are still required for military purposes and must therefore be retained under requisition. I regret that I am not yet in a position to forecast a date when release will be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War an estimate of the number of officers and other ranks, other than Regular soldiers with more than three years' service, who will still be serving on 1st January, 1947.

I regret that I cannot give such an estimate until the release programme for the last three months of this year has been finally decided upon and announced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to prevent fish being dumped back into the sea, as happened recently to 450,000 herrings at North Shields.

My information is that no herrings have been dumped back into the sea by fishermen at North Shields. Owing, however, to the unpredictable nature of the herring fishery there is always a risk, at times of heavy catches, that the quantity landed on a particular day may be beyond the normal capacity of the merchants and processors at the port My right hon. Friend is discussing with his colleagues the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Food, and with the Herring Industry Board, the best method of ensuring that no avoidable wastage of a valuable foodstuff shall occur, but the precise action to be taken must necessarily vary according to the circumstances of the particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, though over 1,000,000 barrels of herring could be cured for export to the Continent, the present target of 500,000 barrels is now unlikely to be achieved; that plans are being made for restricting the fishing; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the situation.

The target of 500,000 barrels for 1946 is the highest which could be fixed in view of the number of barrels likely to be available for cured herring and the labour available for filling them. The supply of barrels is limited owing to the acute shortage of the special timber required, but every effort has been, and is being, made to obtain barrels, and I have every hope that the target will be reached. The Herring Industry Board assure me that regulation of fishing will be the minimum necessary having regard to the capacity of the home and curing markets. There is special need for regulation at the present moment because herring are not yet in good condition for curing and the outlet for them is limited accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now extend the regulations for bringing displaced persons into this country so as to include widows aged 55 and over, who have lost their homes, families and friends as a result of German military action, and who have relatives in this country who are prepared to give them a home without the State being called upon to meet any expense, and give special priority to those widows who were found in German or Austrian concentration camps and who are at the present time being cared for by U.N.R.R.A.

Under the Distressed Relatives Scheme which I announced on the 13th November, a widow is already eligible, irrespective of age, if she has a child or grandchild here who is willing and able to provide for her accommodation and support. Until I have better information of the number of potential applicants under the present categories, I regret that it is not possible to consider extending them.

asked the Attorney-General how many housing possession have been heard at Bromley County Court during the last 12 months to the nearest effective date; how many verdicts were given in favour of owners; and how many were given in favour of tenants.

During the last 12 months 298 actions for possession have been heard in the Bromley County Court; judgment for the plaintiff was given in 274 cases, and for the defendant in 15 cases; the remaining cases were adjourned or settled. In a very high proportion of the cases in which the plaintiff obtained judgment the operation of the order for possession was suspended for a period ranging between one month and six months to afford the tenant time to find other accommodation, and it was only necessary to issue warrants for possession in nine cases.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will inquire into the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a student of the London School of Economics who, in 1942, whilst nursing, received an injury, compensation for which has been reduced by 50 per cent. during the past year and whose appeal against this decision and request for a further medical board have been refused.

I am arranging for this lady to be examined by a special medical board and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Works which building materials are not available or in short supply, to enable building contractors to try to plan ahead and use alternatives if possible.

The building materials which are in short supply have been listed for the purpose of the Priority Distribution Scheme, and have been notified to the representatives of the contractors. In addition circulars have been issued with regard to methods of economising in the use of certain of these materials and to the employment of alternatives.

asked the Minister of Works to what extent there is a shortage of plumbing units for prefabricated houses; and what steps are being taken to overcome this.

On 18th May about 45,500 complete plumbing units had been manufactured as against 55,000 required. Supplies are increasing and constant touch is maintained with manufacturers to promote an adequate rate of production.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that there has been no appropriate reduction in the retail price of firewood logs since the introduction of the Wood Fuel Prices (Wholesale) Order, 1946, limiting the amount which a producer may receive; and if he will take steps to enforce such a reduction.

The primary purpose of the Wood Fuel Prices (Wholesale) Order, 1946, was not to effect an all round reduction in the retail price of firewood logs but to check a tendency on the part of some distributors to charge excessive prices and to prevent prices in general from rising further. The costs of retailing wood fuel in any area must necessarily vary according to the handling and transport charges, and appropriate margins are agreed by my regional coal officers with the principal distributors so as to prevent exorbitant retail prices.The public has been advised to bring to the notice of the local fuel overseer any instance where an excessive price appears to have been charged, and if on investigation this is found to be the case, I have power under Defence Regulations, to make an Order prohibiting the merchant concerned from selling or supplying wood fuel except at a price not exceeding that named in a permit.