asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an assurance that all ex-employees of the Liverpool Futures Market have been found employment on equitable conditions.

As I said in reply to the Question by the hon. Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples) on 26th March, the great majority of the staff displaced by the closing of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange on 31st March, 1941, were placed in or found other work at the time. Every effort is being made to offer suitable alternative employment to any of these workers who have since become unemployed.

Will the Minister say when these men in fact received suitable employment, and when he is going to relieve the anxiety which is now felt?

If the hon. Member has any information of any case where there is anxiety, I would be glad to look into it, but I cannot find these men jobs until they ask for them.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of young men and young women who have left the counties of Monmouth and Glamorgan, respectively, during the past 12 months to obtain employment through the medium of the employment exchanges; the number whose benefit has been stopped because of refusal to accept such employment; and similar particulars for persons other than those mentioned above.

I regret that this information is not available.

Does that mean that none of this information, for which I have asked before, is available? Are the statistics up-to-date?

If my hon. Friend will see me and let me have particulars, I will try to do what I can, but we have no information about those who have gone to work elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Labour how many cases there have been in which a trades union has threatened stoppage of work if former employees who were not members of that union were reinstated under the Reinstatement and Employment Act.

None, Sir, so far as I know.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to a report of such an incident with Odham's Press which appeared in the evening Press on 3rd June?

With great respect, there was no such incident reported in line with the hon. Member's Question and in which a trade union threatened a stoppage of work. There is no case on record of a trade union having threatened a stoppage of work.

asked the Minister of Labour, how many electricians' labourers, wireman's mates, were unemployed at the latest convenient date in England, London and Middlesex, respectively; and what are the reasons for such unemployment.

At 11th March, 1946, the latest date for which figures are available by separate occupations, the numbers of unemployed electricians' labourers and wiremen's mates were—England 511, Administrative County of London 25, Middlesex 11. I am not aware of any special reason for unemployment amongst these workers, although there is some shortage of supplies which every effort is being made to overcome.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of the unemployed in the building industry at the latest date available.

At 13th May, there were 11,406 unemployed insured males classified as belonging to the building industry on the registers of employment exchanges in Great Britain.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why there is this unemployment at the present time when there is such a great demand for houses?

Yes, Sir. From an investigation I made this morning, I find that a great number of these are short-term unemployed—men who come on for a week and go off, and who are constantly changing their jobs. There is a great deal of unemployment in the Liverpool area where efforts are being made to overcome the difficulty. It is in the Liverpool area where the biggest number exists—961—but it is mainly short-term unemployment, and some of them are the lads who follow on the regular craftsmen in the jobs.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the rural areas there are quite a number of these unemployed men who are not included in these figures?

They are included in the figures and, if the hon. Member desires it, I will show him the full list.

Is the Minister aware that if the Tories had been in power the amount of unemployment would have been double what it is at present?

asked the Minister of Labour why no progress has been made with the scheme for facilitating the immigration of domestic servants to this country.

As regards the recruitment of hospital workers, the replies from foreign Governments so far received indicate very little possibility of any large scale recruitment as the countries approached appear themselves to be suffering from similar labour shortages. As regards private domestic work, nearly 500 permits have been issued since 14th May, and a number of applications are now under consideration.

Does the Minister really expect the housewives of this country to go over to the Continent and make their own arrangements, and does he not think that 500 is quite an inadequate number in relation to the urgent demand for domestic servants in this country?

The hon. Gentleman is missing the point. What we are trying to do is to get staffs for the hospitals. If we were to put everybody into domestic employment we should be short of staff for the hospitals, but we are giving every encouragement to get them to this country.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet consulted with the trades unions concerned in regard to the employment of foreign domestic workers in hotels, boarding houses and other catering establishments and what has been decided in this matter.

In view of the overriding need for domestic staff for the hospitals, I do not propose for the time being to make arrangements for the admission of foreign domestic workers for hotels, boarding houses or other catering establishments.

Would the right hon. Gentleman mind answering my Question, which was whether he had consulted with the trade unions and what was the decision reached between his Department and the unions concerned? That is part of a letter which he wrote to me.

I am sorry if I have not dealt with the specific point raised by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. We have not consulted with the unions because we are not yet ready to put forward a scheme; we are concentrating on the hospital workers.

How does the Minister hope to revive the tourist traffic in this country without the necessary domestic servants?

asked the Minister of Labour how many applications for alien domestic servants to come to this country have been received under the scheme recently announced; and how many granted.

It is not possible to give figures of the number of applications for permits received in every office of the Department, but, up to 22nd June, the number of applications dealt with at headquarters was 510, of which 486 were granted.

May I ask the Minister if, in view of the urgent necessity for housewives to have this domestic assistance, he will give instructions to his officers operating this scheme to do everything possible to speed the arrival of these domestics?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that that will be done. The idea of working out this scheme originated in my Ministry and we are anxious to see it become operative.

asked the Minister of Labour what provision is being made to safeguard the interests and welfare of alien girls coming to this country to take up domestic employment.

In the case of the official scheme of recruitment of Belgian women for work in London hospitals, comprehensive arrangements for welfare, covering both individual and collective welfare, are undertaken by my welfare officers in co-operation with matrons and the Belgian Embassy liaison officer. Similar arrangements will be made under any other official schemes of recruitment that may be put into operation. With regard to foreign workers admitted for domestic service in individual private households, it is a condition of the grant of the permits that the wages offered are not less favourable than those prevailing for British domestic workers. They are also eligible to benefit from the State services in the same way as Eire and British private domestic workers.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who have registered to date as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, and give an indication of the disabilities from which they suffer and their origin.

On 20th May, 538,287 persons were registered as disabled. Of this number 265,522 were disabled from injuries received during service in His Majesty's Forces and from other war injuries, and 226,579 from accidents and diseases. Forty-six thousand one hundred and eighty-six have been disabled from birth or early childhood. I will circulate a detailed analysis of the register in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I should add that such an analysis appears monthly in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette."

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform us if any difficulty has been experienced in connection with the 2 per cent. quota, and what prospects there are of firms taking disabled persons when that percentage is increased?

One of the most pleasant things in relation to this Act of Parliament is to be able to record the very cordial cooperation which employers have given in absorbing the 2 per cent. and, on that basis, we anticipate no difficulty at all in maintaining that cooperation and in helping to absorb the others.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the number of unemployed rose sharply in May, and will he reconsider the question of raising the quota?

I think I just said that we had thought of raising the quota.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the lifting of the Essential Work Order many firms are dismissing their disabled men and drawing on the labour reserve now available, and will he get his inspectors to look into this matter in the regions?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of disabled men and women, respectively, in Hull; the number suitable and unsuitable for ordinary employment; what steps his Department are taking themselves, and

There may be isolated instances of that kind, but I can assure the House that I know of many large firms in this country who are employing 10 and even 15 per cent. of disabled persons on their staff.

Following is the analysis:

with industry, to find employment for these people; whether, in view of the number of disabled persons in the Hull area, he will consider setting up a special British factory in the city for their employment; and, if so, at what date.

The numbers of persons registered as disabled in Hull on 20th May last were 4,210 men and 252 women. Of these totals 605 men and 30 women were unemployed at that date and of these 294 men and seven women were classified as unsuitable for ordinary employment. Every effort is made by my Department both under the quota scheme and otherwise to find employment for these people. In regard to the last part of the Question, the Disabled Persons Employment Corporation proposes to set up a British Factory in Hull as soon as practicable, and has approved a site for this purpose.

Will the Minister consider the special case of cripples who are not ex-Servicemen, but of whom there is a comparatively large number in the Hull area?

Yes, Sir. They will all be taken into consideration, but I would remind the House that the Act places on the Minister the responsibility of giving priority to cases of ex-Servicemen.

asked the Minister of Labour why ex-Servicemen who were employed as general labourers in the buiding trade before the war, are debarred from taking part in the Government Vocational Training Schemes to qualify themselves as skilled building operatives.

The hon. and gallant Member appears to have been misinformed. Applications from such men who are considered suitable for training are accepted, but preference in allocation to the centres is given to the younger ex-Servicemen who, because of their war service, were unable to start or complete their training for a skilled trade.

May I ask the Minister what he considers a younger ex-Serviceman and whether, in fact, it is not an intolerable burden on ex-Servicemen to be prevented from bettering themselves just because of some arbitrary age limit fixed by the Minister?

There is another side to that. If a man has a trade which he can carry on and there is a younger man who has not had the chance to be trained at all, and we have to decide who can get a livelihood, we obviously have to pass over the man who has a trade and take the man who has not.

asked the Minister of Labour how many applicants are now awaiting accommodation at the training centres in Cardiff; and what steps are being taken to expedite their absorption.

In Cardiff, 261 applicants have been accepted and are awaiting allocation to training centres. The new permanent centre at Cardiff, with about 500 places, is now in full operation and, to expedite entry into training, accommodation is being sought for another centre in Cardiff. In addition, a new centre is shortly to be opened at Bridgend.

Thank you.

asked the Minister of Labour when he intends to restore to individuals in, respectively, the mining and agricultural industries, the right to choose their own vocation.

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friends about this matter. The situation in the coalmining and agricultural industries does not, at present, permit the abolition of all labour controls, and I am not in a position to make any announcement about future arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour how many dockers were unemployed or unable to obtain work, on an average, during the past four weeks for the last period for which figures are available, at the ports of London, Cardiff, Bristol and Liverpool

I am obtaining the information, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he will instruct his port labour superintendents to offer the services of any unemployed dockers to the Ministry of Food in order to facilitate the delivery of the accumulated stocks of gift food parcels which are lying at our docks awaiting delivery, and failure to deliver which is causing dissatisfaction up and down the country?

I can make no observation on the latter part of the supplementary question, but if there is any possibility of putting these workers into a job elsewhere, we will do so.

asked the Minister of Labour the conditions of deferment for students at places of instruction such as the Architectural Association.

As these details are rather long, I would refer the hon. Member to the Memorandum for Guidance of Principals and Headmasters (Administrative Memorandum No. 160 dated 4th June, 1946) prepared in consultation with my right hon. Friends, the Minister of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland, a copy of which is in the Library. Architectural students, including those at the Architectural Association, fall within the scope of the arrangements set out in the Memorandum.

Will the right hon. Gentleman interpret for me the relevant passage which I was hoping he would do?

If the hon. Gentleman had asked me that specific question, perhaps I might have had a go at it.

Now is your chance.

Can the Minister tell us anything about the lifting of the Control of Employment Order from the Civil Service?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Labour the approximate number of students debarred entrance to the Scottish universities this year by the 10 per cent. formula; and whether emergency measures will be adopted to enable these students to continue their studies progressively.

The information asked for in the first part of the Question cannot become available until September. The provision of emergency measures for additional students is a matter for the universities themselves.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the formula of 90 per cent. ex-Servicemen and 10 per cent. pupils is a uniform formula, not applicable to conditions which are not uniform, and that in Scotland pupils cannot possibly take their inter B.Sc. or the inter B.A., or their first year of medicine, unless they get entrance to the universities, whereas they can in England take these qualifications?

I can only say that in working out this scheme, we have had the advice of all university authorities, and adopted the course which appeared to us to be most suitable in the circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of tuberculin-tested and other milk herds in the county of Perth for which an additional allocation of feedingstuffs is being given as a result of the contamination of pastures by poison gas.

Only one application for a special issue of coupons to purchase feedingstuffs has been made in respect of a Perthshire herd which had been kept indoors on the instructions of the War Office authorities. This was granted.

Is the Secretary of State aware that over 100 attested cattle are affected in this herd, that they are still being kept indoors although six months have elapsed since they became visibly affected and that their rations are inadequate? What is being done to remove the cause of contamination, and to provide adequate rations?

The Agricultural Department, who advised the issuing of the special coupons because of the situation which had arisen, were advised that favourable consideration would be given to the issue of a limited quantity of feedingstuffs to overcome the difficulties which have arisen. As and when applications are made, I will certainly give them favourable consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the numbers and locations of fire brigades or fire service detachments effectively equipped and manned and available to deal with outbreaks of fire in those districts of the county of Perth in which ammunition and explosives are at present stored.

National Fire Service units are immediately available at Dunblane, Doune, Auchterarder, Crieff, Comrie, Callander, Aberfoyle, Balfron, Stirling and Bridge of Allan, with a total strength of 16 wholetime and 91 retained (parttime) firemen, 10 major pumps, 8 light trailer pumps and other equipment, to provide fire cover for this area of Perthshire. Ample reinforcements can also be sent, if necessary, from adjoining areas.

In view of the grave risk to life and property in this neighbourhood because of the great dumps of ammunition, is the Secretary of State satisfied that the fire fighting units are adequate in numbers to cope with the enormous area?

I know the dangers are great, but I am satisfied that with the equipment and personnel we have we can carry through the duties which may devolve upon us.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the numbers of cattle, sheep and other livestock in the counties of Perth and Stirling respectively, which since 30th September, 1945, have died, or have been destroyed, as a result of suspected or alleged poisoning or other disease due to the proximity of poison gas containers.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that claims have been received by his Department in respect of 78 cattle and 15 stillborn calves in Perthshire, and of 133 cattle, 60 stillborn calves, 80 sheep and 374 stillborn lambs in Stirlingshire.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if this question has been referred to any research institute in order to find out precisely the reasons for this contamination?

Yes, Sir, I am having full inquiries made, and the whole of the Departments that are affected and in- terested by this problem are concentrating their inquiries and their efforts with a view to finding out exactly what is the position.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is being done to prevent further outbreaks?

I cannot say until I have had the report from this expert body of individuals who are inquiring into the whole problem. The hon. Member can rest assured that as and when I get that report, speedy action will be taken upon the evidence in the report submitted to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the dissatisfaction following the announcement of the results of the Group Leaving Certificate examinations in Scotland; if he will give the percentage passes in relation to entries for 1944, 1945 and 1946, respectively; and whether there has been any alteration in assessing scholastic attainment during this period.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I am aware of the statements that have been made on this subject. As my reply to the other parts of the Question is rather long and contains a table of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the prewar standard has been reimposed in the pass lists? Is it fair to reimpose a prewar standard, however desirable, when the conditions lack prewar advantages and facilities?

I cannot, in answer to a question, give the full details in connection with this problem. What has been established is an external examination on exactly the same lines as took place in 1939, and the only figures that could be comparable would be the figures in 1946 as compared with those for 1939.

Following is the reply:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in order to encourage the development of a distinctive arts policy in Scotland, he will arrange for the provision of a separate grant-in-aid under Class IV, Vote 10, of the Civil Estimates in place of the existing grant-in-aid to the Arts Council of Great Britain.

The organisation of the Arts Council of Great Britain includes a Scottish Committee, appointed in consultation with me, whose chairman is a member of the Council; and the Council has an office in Edinburgh. Under these arrangements Scottish interests are safeguarded, and I am not satisfied that the hon. Member's proposal would be to the advantage of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he is aware that the majority of applications by ex-Service fishermen for grants or loans for nets are being rejected on account of the means test applied; that no allowance is made for the depreciation of nets which have been stored during the war; and what steps he is taking to remedy this situation.

The applications for grants for nets and gear are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Inshore Fishing Industry Act, 1945, and the Herring Industry Act, 1944. In the former case no applications have so far been refused in Scotland and in the latter case, 27 applications for grants have been refused because the applicants could reasonably be expected to provide their gear without assistance by grant. In 15 of these cases loans have been offered and in the remaining 12 no loan was requested.

As regards the second part of the Question, I am bound by the terms of the Acts to give assistance only where it is necessary for the provision of nets. Consequently if a man is in a position to provide the nets without a grant I cannot make allowance for any depreciation which he may have incurred on nets already in his possession.

Surely the depreciation on nets which have rotted during the war in the case of ex-Servicemen could be taken into account in assessing whether a man is in a position to purchase his own nets or not? Surely that is a factor which could be taken note of?

I am prepared to give consideration to that point, but I am pointing out that I am bound by the terms of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will arrange that in cases where an application for admission to training under the Emergency Training Scheme for Teachers has been rejected by the Central Selection Board there shall be a right of appeal to the Scottish Education Department.

No, Sir. The Central Selection Board, which includes representatives of wide educational interests, is appointed by the National Committee for the Training of Teachers, a body elected by the education authorities of Scotland. The Committee is charged with the entire responsibility for selecting and training suitable persons for service as teachers in Scottish Schools, and if they, or the selection board to whom they delegate their powers in this matter, decide that an applicant is unsuited for such training, I think that that decision should be accepted Normally, applicants under the emergency training scheme are interviewed and reported on by a provincial selection board before their cases are considered by the Central Board. On each board the Scottish Education Department is represented by officers acting in the capacity of assessors.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will explain the cause of the delay in having machinery installed in the new brickworks at Inverkeithing, Fife; and, in view of the need to increase the supply of bricks, if he will take steps to have this brickworks brought into production as soon as possible.

The delay in the installation of machinery in this brickworks, which had been partially completed at the outbreak of war, is due to the uncertainty of their future arising from the proposals in the Forth Road Bridge (Draft) Provisional Order, particularly the line of the approach road. The circumstances are most exceptional but the position is under review and I am hopeful of a compromise which will enable the brickworks to be brought into production. I shall keep my hon Friend fully informed.

Surely, in view of the fact that it will take a considerable number of years to get ahead with the Forth Road Bridge, they could have had these brickworks working and made preparation at the same time for transferring it several years ahead when necessary?

I am fully aware of that and I have been into the matter, but the fact is that the owners of the brickworks will not go on with their production until they are given very definite guarantees that the Forth Road Bridge will not interfere with their work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement giving guidance to Scottish local authorities as to whether family allowances should, or should not, be taken into account when assessing applicants for public assistance.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Renfrew (Mr. Scollan) on 30th October last, of which I am sending him a copy.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is a good deal of concern among Scottish local authorities about this matter and, failing a general directive, there is not likely to be any uniformity of practice? Will he not take his courage in his hands and direct the local authorities to ignore these allowances?

It is not so much a question of courage in this case as a question of fulfilling the law. I cannot give a direction in this instance without an alteration in the law.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures, additional to the importation of bricks from England, are being taken to meet the shortage of bricks in Scotland.

In addition to the special steps to expand brick production referred to in the reply which I gave my hon. Friend on 28th May, the Government have arranged, as a temporary measure, to import substantial numbers of building bricks from Belgium. A considerable proportion of these will be brought to Scotland and the first consignment is expected to arrive next week.

Can my hon. Friend say whether brick production in Scotland continues to increase and if and when it is likely to reach such a figure that these imports from outside Scotland will be unnecessary?

We get the figures at the last day of each month. Until the last day of May the figures had risen substantially each month, four or five million a month, but they are not yet up to the number that we require for our large building programme in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now make a detailed statement on his plans for education in the postwar Army.

I regret that it is not yet possible to add anything to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 21st May.

Is my hon. Friend aware that an early statement on this subject was promised and, in view of the vital importance of this in the development of the postwar Army, can he state when he expects to be able to make a statement?

No, Sir, not at the moment, except that I can say that the matter is being given careful consideration by the War Office. I have seen the projected plans but they have to have very careful consideration.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that he has got the staff to deal with the very great mass of new conscripts?

I should not like to give a definite answer to that at the moment in view of the very ambitious plans that we have, but obviously this matter has to be considered in relation to the postwar Army, and the postwar Army is not there yet.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the only newspaper circulating amongst the troops in Austria is the "Eighth Army News" which gives little news of interest to the troops; and if he will consider supplies of national newspapers throughout the British zone.

Sunday papers from home have been supplied regularly to the troops in Austria for some time. But I am afraid there is no possibility of sending daily papers, owing to the difficulty of providing air transport and of maintaining regular deliveries. The "Eighth Army News" has been extremely popular with the troops: it has a good service of home news and was preferred to daily papers arriving a few days late. It has recently been superseded in Austria by a local edition of "Union Jack." The "Morning News" published and circulated by the British Element Allied Commission is also available in Austria.

Is the Minister aware that one can read the "Eighth Army News" in about five minutes? Has he tried the experiment of sending out the daily papers even though they may be a day or two old?

Yes, Sir. We have tried sending out the daily papers to Austria but it has not been satisfactory owing to the irregularity of air transport.

Are we to infer from what the Financial Secretary has said that not only are no daily newspapers circulated to the troops but also no daily newspapers are sent to Austria at all?

Daily newspapers do go to Austria but not under the auspices of the War Office. The newspapers that are circulated—the "Union Jack" and the "Morning News"—I have seen myself and they give quite a lot of information to the troops.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the "Eighth Army News" contains a lot more news and truth than some of the yellow gutter Tory rags?

asked the Secretary of State for War for how many years the building used at 21 Court Martial and Holding Centre, Portici, C.M.F., has been occupied by British Forces; and on what date the necessary repairs to the washing and sanitary arrangements were put in hand.

The building was taken over by British Forces in December, 1943, and was first occupied by this particular unit in September, 1945. Repairs to the internal washing and sanitary arrangements were begun last month, as soon as sufficient water could be supplied to enable them to be put into use, thus justifying the expense of the repairs.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the reassuring reply previously given on this matter by his right hon. Friend does not altogether correspond with the facts, and will he look into it more thoroughly, as the position is very bad at this place?

I will certainly look into the position further.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the details submitted to him of soldiers who have been awaiting trial at 21 Court Martial and Holding Centre, Portici, C.M.F., for periods of from two to seven months, including five who were arrested last November and are still untried; and what steps he is taking to lessen the period of waiting.

I have looked into this case and I find that lengthy and complicated investigations have been necessary in connection with the charges, which involve several thousands of pounds of public money. There have also been difficulties in tracing all the accused. I agree, however, that the delay has been somewhat protracted and I am therefore glad to say that the accused were due for trial on 24th June.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many solicitors have responded to the recent invitation, issued by his Department and the Air Ministry, through the Council of the Law Society, to undertake defences before courts martial in Germany; and what reduction he anticipates therefrom in the time spent awaiting trial.

Seventy solicitors and 55 barristers have so far offered to undertake this type of work and applications are still being received. I hope that this scheme, when in full operation, will help to reduce the time spent awaiting trial, but I cannot at this early stage estimate its effect. Every effort is being made to avoid undue delay, whether due to this or other causes.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that articles which are still sufficiently serviceable to meet the urgent needs of civilians are being destroyed as unserviceable at the R.A.O.C. depot at Barlow, Yorkshire and if he will institute an inquiry into this matter;

(2) whether he is aware that articles which are in great demand by the public are being destroyed at R.A.O.C. depots although many of the articles are sufficiently serviceable to meet the needs of civilians; and what steps he is taking to prevent such incidents.

I was aware of the allegations made in the case of the Barlow depot, and inquiries had already been carried out. Certain unserviceable articles which were destroyed or allocated for other uses in the Army might possibly have been made to serve a civilian purpose, but the great majority were quite unsuitable for civilian use. The destruction of unserviceable stores which might be of some use to the civil population is expressly forbidden and the instructions on this point have now been repeated to those concerned at all ordnance depots.

Is it not true that a large number of articles have been destroyed because they do not come up to Army standards, but they are very worth while for civilians who are desperately short of any of these stores?

No, Sir, that is not quite correct. Some of these articles were not considered by a civilian Department to be of service to the public. Certain of the articles, like sheets, for example, were torn and holed, and would not have been of any use to the civilian public and, therefore, they have been used as rags.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 10577903 Corporal J. Mitchell, R.A.O.C, India Command, was warned for overseas service on 17th October, 1945, has been in transit for seven months, and now finds he is shortly to return to this country for demobilisation.

This soldier returned from B.A.O.R. in November last, as available for drafting overseas. After 28 days' leave, and leave during Christmas, he was placed on draft for India by air, obtaining a passage on 6th February, and arriving in India three days later. The release dates for his age and service group have not yet been announced.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that since last October this soldier has passed through 12 different units and has done practically no work at all? Surely things could be organised better?

I do not know about the latter part of the hon and gallant Member's supplementary, but I must inform the House that it is quite possible that soldiers do get posted to different units. After all, we are under pressure to release men, and as release takes place so units disappear, and, therefore, soldiers have to be used to the best possible advantage.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make arrangements for members of His Majesty's Forces serving in the British zone in Germany to telephone to the United Kingdom.

Yes, Sir A one-way telephone service, from Germany to the United Kingdom, will be opened on 1st July for the benefit of members of the Forces and Control Commission. I am giving full details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would the Financial Secretary say whether the charge is within the pockets of "other ranks," and can he say how many telephones he proposes to install?

As far as B.A.O.R. is concerned, the charge will be 5s. for a three minute call. The hon. Gentleman can, therefore, assess whether it is within the pockets of "other ranks."

Would the Minister say what he means by a one-way service?

A service from B.A.O.R. to this country. Apparently, it is not yet possible to have a two-way service from this country to B.A.O.R.

Following are the details:

On 1st July, 1946, a Soldiers' Social Telephone Call Service from Germany will be opened for the benefit of members of the Occupation Forces, including members of the Control Commission. This service will be "one-way" only, that is, calls can only be made from Germany to the United Kingdom. Calls will be booked by the caller up to four days in advance at various canteens and clubs throughout the British Zone of Germany and Berlin and will be made from kiosks specially provided for the purpose. The cost of a call which will be paid by the caller to a kiosk attendant at the time of making the call will be 5s. 0d. for three minutes and each call will be limited to three minutes. The service will be available from 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. (B.S.T.) on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. (B.S.T.) on Sundays; all the available circuits are in use for official purposes at other times.

The service has been arranged by the War Office in collaboration with the Post Office. Owing to the restricted number of circuits available in relation to the numbers in the Occupying Forces and the Control Commission, it will be necessary to limit the number of calls which can be made, and the standard of service which would be given in normal conditions should not be expected in the special conditions of this service.

It will be necessary rigidly to adhere to the time limit of three minutes so that the maximum number of people may derive benefit from the limited facilities available. The period of three minutes begins as soon as the called number answers, and it is, therefore, important that the required person should be called to the telephone as quickly as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increasing control that the Government are exercising throughout the country as a result of their nationalisation of many industries, he will give an assurance that the Government will refrain from introducing Government views and Government news by the utilisation of the publicity agents which are attached to all Government Departments.

If the hon. Member means that information officers should not function for the issue of news and comments on matters concerning their Departments, the answer is: "No, Sir."

Will the right hon. Gentleman recall that at the Imperial Press Conference held this month there was widespread complaint against the views of the Government anonymously given by unsigned articles? Is he not further aware that any tendency to suppress the source of news for the Press is a negation of democracy? Why not let the Press find their own news in their own way, which they do admirably?

I do not know about the first point which the hon. Gentleman made, and I disagree with the last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the first point was given wide publicity by that wonderful free Press which, thank God, we still have in this country?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to declare the date of the end of the national emergency.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council on 18th December to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Saffron Walden (Mr. R. A. Butler).

Would the right hon. Gentleman say if the next election is the probable date of the end of the national emergency?

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the amount of salary enjoyed by the present deputy-chairman of the Assistance Board.

£1,500.

While recognising to the full the high qualifications of the new occupant of this post, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Miss Violet Markham, whose qualifications were certainly not less, has held this post for many years past at a salary of £700, and what is the reason for doubling the salary of this new appointment?

I am aware of that, but the salaries have varied from time to time. The first deputy-chairman received £3,000. Miss Markham received £750 at her own request. The chairman, whom we all remember in this House, has had £5,000, and £1,500 seems to be a very suitable sum for the deputy-chairman.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will ensure that, in future, announcements of alterations in the rationing of commodities affecting the whole nation are made first in the House of Commons and not at Press conferences or during broadcasts by Members of His Majesty's Government.

Changes in rations nearly always affect the whole nation, and in present circumstances they have to be made frequently and often at very short notice. Some of the changes are of comparatively minor importance. Those of major importance are usually announced in the House, if it is sitting at the time, and this is the practice which His Majesty's Ministers will continue to follow. It is, however, of prime importance, in my view, that the public as a whole should be given as long notice as possible of impending changes, and I must leave it to individual Ministers to determine the best method of securing this object in each case.

Does the Prime Minister consider that such cases are covered where the announcement of soap rationing was made at a Press conference in the morning when this House was sitting? Surely such an announcement should have been made in this House which, after all, is still responsible for the government of this country?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is mistaken. It was made in a broadcast on the Sunday night, and the House did not sit until Tuesday.

The actual announcement was made in the Press in the morning by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, and this House sat in the afternoon—two hours difference.

The hon. and gallant Member is mistaken. The announcement was made in a broadcast on Sunday night, 16th June.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements he has made for the conduct of public business in the absence from this country of the Secretary of State for India, the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Secretary of State for Air, the President of the Board of Trade, the Minister of Food, the Minister of Supply and the Attorney-General.

Sir, as far as the absence in India of the Secretary of State for India, the First Lord of the Admiralty and the President of the Board of Trade is concerned, I would refer the right hon. Member to the statement which I made on 19th February. In the absence of the Secretary of State for Air from this country during the negotiations for the revision of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has been responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Department. Questions of major importance have been referred to me as Minister of Defence. In the recent short absence of the Minister of Supply who was leading the delegation from the United Kingdom Empire Parliamentary Association to Bermuda, the Permanent Secretary has been in charge of the day-to-day administration and supervision of the Department. Parliamentary and Ministerial duties have been shared between the Joint Parliamentary Secretaries. During the absence of the Minister of Food in Canada and the United States, the Parliamentary Secretary is in general charge of the Department. During the recent short visit of the Attorney-General to the Continent, the Solicitor-General has been responsible for public business normally falling to the Attorney-General.

While realising with gratitude that since I put down this Question, some of these Ministers seem to be drifting back to duty, does the right hon. Gentleman think it is really satisfactory that at a time when the future of the Defence Services is under review and most important decisions have to be taken, two out of three Service Ministers should be out of this country for practically three months?

The right hon. Gentleman is mistaken The Secretary of State for Air has not been away for three months.

He has been away for very nearly two months off and on.

Can my right hon. Friend say who is responsible for the continued and very frequent absences of the Leader of the Opposition?

Would it not be more convenient if, instead of the Leader of the House taking on all these various duties while his colleagues are abroad, he should come to the House on important occasions to assist in the conduct of the Business?

I am afraid the right hon. Gentleman is mistaken again. It is only in respect of the Board of Trade that the Lord President of the Council has been taking an interest.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Attorney-General's visit to Poland was made with his approval.

Yes, Sir.

Was it with the Prime Minister's approval that the right hon. and learned Gentleman stated at Cracow on 16th June that General Anders had greatly abused the hospitality extended to him by England?

I am not aware of that statement. Perhaps if the right hon. Gentleman wishes me to answer that Question, he would give me notice of it. I have not heard of it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman also approve of the statement in the Press, which the right hon. and learned Gentleman made in the same speech, that His Majesty's Government had no intention of interfering with the internal affairs of—

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. I have often heard you rule that it is out of Order for hon. Members to give Ministers information. Surely, it is more out of Order to give them wrong information?

I did not quite hear the hon. Member's question. Perhaps he would repeat it.

Surely, it is within the recollection of the House that you have often ruled that it is out of Order for hon. Members to give information to Ministers. A fortiori, to give the wrong information must be much more out of Order.

I think the right hon. Gentleman was imputing those two statements to the Government, and, therefore, it is not a question of giving information to a Minister.

I asked the Prime Minister whether the visit had his approval, and I was only going to ask whether the statements which had been widely reported in the Press—

The Question was whether the visit had the Prime Minister's approval, and not whether the speech had his approval.

I was referring to both the visit and the statements.

Will the Prime Minister request the Attorney-General, when he is visiting foreign countries, not to make statements on foreign policy, some of which cast reflections upon hon. Members of this House, without the authority of the Cabinet?

I suggest that it hon. Members wish a reply concerning alleged statements made by a Minister, they should give me notice of what those statements are.

I intended no discourtesy to the Prime Minister, but I am only allowed to raise a speech in the case of a Cabinet Minister; hence the form of my Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the total strength of British forest officers and foresters now working in the British zones of Germany and Austria as members of the Control Commission or of other services or delegations; and how many of such foresters or forest officers have been detached from the Forestry Commission for service on the Continent.

There are 27 in Germany: two in Austria. Twenty-two of those employed in Germany have been detached from the Forestry Commission.