asked the Minister of Transport whether the single omnibus service front Souldern to Bicester or Banbury, Oxfordshire, can be improved to three services each way daily, as was done by the local operator previous to the Oxford Omnibus Company being given the monopoly.

The company which is in course of revising its country services is prepared to consider amplifying this service to the. extent that the need is proved and resources are available.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps the Traffic Commissioner is taking to improve the omnibus service from Stoke Lyne, near Bicester, Oxfordshire, which at present runs once weekly, on Friday, to Oxford, whereas Thursday is Bicester's market day.

The omnibus company, who have received no suggestion from residents of Stoke Lyne that a service should be run between Stoke Lyne and Bicester, will examine any representations made to them specifying the demand for such a service. The Commissioner will consider any application made by the company for authority to operate it. I am informed that Friday is the market day at Bicester.

asked the Minister of Transport what amendments have been made to the original temporary safety plans for Otley Bridge; when will the amended scheme commence; how much will the scheme cost; and why there has been eight months delay in the carrying out of these safety plans.

The original plan has been amended to provide for control of vehicles entering and leaving the quarry near the bridge, and the estimated cost of the amended scheme is £2,500. Special control apparatus has to he made for the purpose, and the date when the installation will be put into operation depends on when that will be ready. I regret the delay that has occurred, but it has proved difficult to devise a satisfactory system of control. Consideration has been given to three different schemes for the purpose, and I am informed that the one now approved is the best that can be devised.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is the intention of the Government to include the furniture removal trade in the scheme for the nationalisation of road transport.

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

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the dangerous traffic situation in Silver Street, in the city of Durham; and what steps his Department proposes to take to remove the danger.

As the city corporation and county council of Durham were unable to agree on the details of a through road scheme to alleviate the traffic conditions in the city, I recently, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning, caused a local inquiry to be held into the alternative schemes proposed; the report has lately been received and is being considered.

asked the Minister of Transport why the Thames Conservancy are not dredging the river immediately above Sandford paper mill, Oxfordshire, to enable the proper flow of water for the production of paper and thus save coal

I am informed that the question of the flow of water to the Sandford paper mill was very fully investigated by the Thames Conservancy in September last and the conclusion was reached that the position would not be improved by dredging the river above the mill. The difficulties at the mill appear to have been due to deficient rainfall in recent years which has resulted in a depleted flow in the river. I understand the position has improved owing to increased rainfall in recent months.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will provide travelling facilities for senior scholars from the provinces to visit London on organised school trips.

The railway companies are authorised to reserve accommodation on scheduled trains, where that is practicable, or to run special trains, where the numbers warrant and it is operationally convenient, for the conveyance of organised parties except at weekends. As regards fares for such parties, I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement which I propose to make after Questions today.

asked the Minister of Transport the total amount which the railway companies paid in the last financial year by way of compensation for goods stolen.

The total amount paid by the railway companies during 1945 as compensation for articles lost or stolen was £2,525,405. Separate figures for thefts are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered a communication sent from the North American Seafarers' International Union and from the British trade unions to whom the Seafarers' Union made representations last month regarding the failure of the owners to provide suitable food and to ensure clean bedclothing for the crew of the British freighter "Samshee" while she was at sea and in Vancouver during May; and what steps have been taken in the crew's interest.

My Department received the communication referred to by my hon.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in the light of the experience gained at the Great Missenden sale, the further disposal of Government surplus motor vehicles is to be conducted in the same manner.

Yes, Sir. Further auctions of motor vehicles will be held, to supplement the method of disposal through the trade.

asked the Minister of Supply the present estimated cost of the aluminium house ex works; and whether he will give an analysis showing the various items which make up this total, including Ministry fees and overhead charges of factories.

It would be contrary to established practice to disclose the contract prices for the manufacture of this house but as stated in the White Paper on the Temporary Housing Programme (Cmd. 6686) the total costs of manufacture awl erection are estimated at £1,365 of which about 2 per cent. is accounted for by departmental expenses.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement as to the progress made either in Britain or Canada with the production of radium and of radio-active isotopes as by-products of atomic energy.

Radium is not produced as a by-product of the release of atomic energy. An atomic energy "pile" capable of producing radio-active isotopes is nearing completion in Canada and arrangements have been made for the distribution of some of its products to recognised institutions in the United Kingdom. Production of radio-active isotopes will commence in this country on the completion of the "piles" now under construction.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make it plain that the Government establishments for atomic research in no way endanger the lives or property of persons living in the localities concerned.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me this opportunity el repeating quite categorically that the danger to surrounding areas from the Atomic Energy Research Establishment is negligible. The carrying on of atomic research work as such will not involve risk of explosion. None of the processes to be employed could possibly cause such risk, and the apparatus used in the establishment will be as safe as a normal industrial plant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether arrangements will be made to secure that holders of temporary allotments receive assurances that they will he able to retain their allotments until Michaelmas, 1948?

I would refer to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) on 24th June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now say when be proposes to introduce his legislative proposals, especially those relating to dispossessed farmers.

No, Sir; legislation is now in preparation but I am not yet able to say when it will he introduced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what grass drying plants have been commercially tested by the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering during the past 12 months.

No grass driers have been commercially tested by the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering during the last 12 months, but a number of grass driers of new or improved design have been examined by members of the institute staff.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what tests are being carried out in grass drying at the Midland Agricultural College; and with which plants.

The tests planned at this centre are of the Petrie McNaught grass dryer, a conveyor type and coke using plant which is already in operation there, and of a Swedish grass dryer which is being installed shortly and uses electricity. Tests will be carried out in the first place with short fresh grass, but the work may later be extended to finishing hay. As I informed the hon. Member on 1st July, the investigations on the use of electricity in grass drying are part of a general scheme under the direction of the Electrical Research Association.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what changes in the cropping of Handley Common, Sixpenny Handley, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, have taken place in the last month and for what reason.

The only change in the cropping of this common, which has taken place in the last month, is in respect of just over one acre of the north corner where the wheat crop failed. As the Dorset War Agricultural Executive Committee were anxious to use a suitable plot in an isolated position on which to sow some special broccoli for seed production, this small corner was ploughed up and utilised for this purpose. The total acreage under cultivation on the common is 348, including 278 under wheat.

asked the Chancellor or the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is satisfied that the Berlin University is controlled by the Allied Kommandatura and that the appointments of the administrative and teaching staff are subject to quadripartite control.

The university is in the Russian sector of Berlin and is run under the direction of the Soviet authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why the pension of General Schönaich, President of the German Friedeusgesellschaft, has been stopped; if he is aware that he became a pronounced anti-militarist many years before the war; and whether inquiries will be made into this case.

I am having inquiries made in Germany in this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the application from Tshekedi Khama and five other chiefs in Bechuanaland for priority passage to England in order to make representations against the possible incorporation of Bechuanaland into the Union of South Africa has been considered; and what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to hear the case of these native chiefs.

The application of Acting Chief Tshekedi for a priority passage to this country was for the purpose of discussing the future status of South West Africa and did not relate to the question of the possible transfer of the government of the Bechuanaland Protectorate to the Union of South Africa. This latter question does not arise at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is the policy of His Majesty's Government on the question of incorporating Bechuanaland into the Union of South Africa; and whether any steps have been taken to ascertain local feeling in Bechuanaland.

The position is explained in the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 24th January last. In accordance with previous pledges the inhabitants of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, both Native and European, would be consulted in the event of a request being made for the transfer of govern ment of the protectorate to the Union of South Africa, under the provisions of the South Africa Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of imports from and exports to Spain during the first six months of 1939, 1945 and 1946, respectively; and the values of the main items making up these imports and exports.

Information about our trade with Spain during the first six months of 1946 is not yet available but will be published in the June and July issues of the Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom. Following are the figures for 1939 and 1945:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that his Department is satisfied at present with a delay of up to seven days in urgent cases between the making of a decision and its implementation by despatching the necessary authority to private persons and if he will instruct his Department that decisions once taken by himself or any senior official acting under him shall be implemented within 24 hours.

I do not know to what the hon. and gallant Member is referring in the first part of the question; but if he has any particular case in mind and will let me have details, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Report of the Working Party on the Furniture Industry is likely to be made.

I understood that good progress is being made by the working party for the furniture industry in drafting their report and that it is hoped to complete it in the fairly near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the discontent among industrial workers, with its ill-effects on production, at their inability to buy cigarettes, whereas, in places like Blackpool, cigarettes are being sold in amusement arcades at 10s. to 12s. per packet of 20, provided 20 to 24 competitors engage in a raffle of 6d. each to win a packet; and whether he will take steps to stop this by insisting that these cigarettes shall be sold at their proper price.

I am aware that the demand for cigarettes in many parts of the country, including industrial districts, is greater than shops can satisfy at all times, but I am not aware that cigarettes are being disposed of by raffles in amusement arcades. If my hon. Friend would furnish me with the evidence in support of his statement I should be pleased to look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the acute shortage of cigarette supplies to the retail trade in all parts of the country, he will inquire into the stocks held by N.A.A.F.I. canteens in this country, compare such returns with wartime levels and, if necessary, secure a redistribution to retail shopkeepers commensurate with the high level of demobilisation achieved by His Majesty's Government.

I am satisfied that stocks of cigarettes held by N.A.A.F.I. canteens in this country are only sufficient to enable them to provide efficient distribution. I understand that stocks and monthly supplies have been consistently reduced during the past six months and the retail shops have benefited accordingly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction as a result of the great shortage of cigarettes in the city of Birmingham; if he will state the reason for this shortage; and if he will look into the matter.

I am not aware that the cigarette supply position is worse in Birmingham than in some other parts of the country. As to the reason for the shortage, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Cardiff (Mr. G. Thomas) on 13th May, 1946.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of synthetic rubber was purchased, and at what price, by the United Kingdom from the U.S.A. in February, 1946; and what quantity of Malayan rubber was sold, and at what price, to the U.S.A. during the same period.

During February, 1946, 1,917 tons of synthetic rubber (G.R.S.) were exported from the U.S.A. to the United Kingdom at a price of 18½ cents per lb. c.i.f. United Kingdom port. Eleven thousand nine hundred and seventy tons of natural rubber from Malaya were sold to the U.S.A. during the same month at a price of 20¼ U.S. cents per lb. f.o.b. Malaya.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has refused export licences for constructional steel either from stock or from newly-manufactured supplies, since foreign exchange is so urgently required.

Export licences are not now required for constructional steel as such. Restrictions on authorisations to acquire constructional steel for export arise from a shortage of supplies of steel for all purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the allocations of steel for export during the second half of 1946.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to finished steel and not to steel in the form of fabricated articles. Steel is allocated to a number of Departments, and some of the steel so allocated is exported. The allocation of steel to the Board of Trade specifically for export as such in the third quarter of this year is 275,000 tons. No allocation has yet been made for the fourth quarter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange to make further supplies of sodium chlorate available as a weed killer.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Baker White) on 5th June last. Deliveries of sodium Chlorate for weed killing are still increasing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is a shortage of all articles of men's clothing in men's outfitters shops in Birmingham; and if he will give an indication of when he expects the position to be eased.

Shortages of many types of men's clothing in many parts of the country have been caused by the high level of contracts for demobilised men's outfits. With the rapid decline in these requirements, civilian supplies, which have already begun to improve, should continue to show a progressive increase.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a certain running mill, of which he has been informed, has been stopped, the operatives given notice and the machinery dismantled, prior to being shipped abroad; and, in view of the extreme difficulty of purchasing textile machinery in this country, together with the consequences such exports of machinery to foreign lands will have upon the industry, if he will take steps to stop this practice.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Meadows cotton spinning and weaving mill at Bacup, which is being closed by the owners. Before any machinery from the mill is exported, a licence will have to be obtained from the Board of Trade, and this will be granted only if we are satisfied that the machinery is not needed for the re-equipment of mills in the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that students arriving in this country from places in which there is no clothes rationing are given 100 coupons, whether they desire them or not; and whether, in view of the present shortage, he will review the necessity for this.

There is no automatic issue of extra coupons to students arriving in this country, except that British subjects are given 10 coupons as an instalment of the basic ration. If students need more clothing they have, like other visitors, to make application for coupons to the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his regulations provide that a tailor can refuse to accept an order for a suit of clothes unless he is given the necessary coupons at the time the order is placed.

The regulations make no such provision, but there is nothing in law to prohibit a tailor asking for the deposit of the appropriate number of coupons as a condition of accepting an order for a suit of clothes; it is a matter of private contract for the tailor and his customer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that student nurses get no additional coupons for shoes, although they are constantly on their feet and that they only get vouchers for three pairs of stockings per annum; and whether he will look into this matter with a view to action.

Student nurses receive their uniform on special terms. In return for an initial surrender of six coupons they are issued with an outfit of indoor uniform worth not more than 94 coupons, and with annual replacements. In addition they may use cloaks and capes from the stocks held by the hospital authorities. They are also allowed certificates worth nine coupons a year which provide six pairs of unfashioned or three of fully fashioned stockings. This leaves a substantial balance of their personal coupon ration for non-uniform clothing and shoes, and I do not consider that a further grant of coupons would be reasonable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements he has made to facilitate the supply of surgical shoes and boots to cripples and others who are certified by a surgeon as requiring them.

The main difficulty in the supply of surgical footwear is a severe shortage of skilled labour. In an effort to remedy this, we have arranged with the Ministry of Labour to set up centres to train disabled ex-Servicemen and others in this work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his investigation into the problem of providing work in North Wales for persons suspended from the slate industry on account of silicosis has yet been completed; what action is being taken; and when may the results be expected.

Information obtained by the Ministry of Labour shows that the number of silicotics suspended from the slate industry in North Wales is extremely small, and I do not consider that special action of the kind which is being taken to deal with the more serious problem in South Wales would be justified. The question of assistance for individual silicotic workers is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour but, as my hon. Friend the Member for Carnarvon (Mr. Goronwy Roberts) was informed on 19th June, I am examining memoranda submitted by the North Wales Development Council on the industrial position generally in North Wales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of buildings and hutments which have been transferred to his Department by the War Office since 1st January, 1946; and the percentage which has been put to other uses.

In the past six months the War Office have declared surplus to their requirements 14 buildings totalling approximately 300,000 square feet in area. Four of these buildings have been allocated to firms for production purposes and four more will similarly be allocated if present negotiations are successful. The remaining buildings have only recently been declared surplus and inquiries are being pursued as to their most advantageous use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average number of letters he now receives from the general public; the average number before the war; the size of the staff employed now; and the size of the staff before the war.

The Board of Trade is receiving an average of between 900,000 and a million letters a month for 1946. In 1938 the monthly average was 45,000 letters. The present non-industrial staff of the Board of Trade is 15,034 as against 4,200 in 1938.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations the British Council have made regarding the shortage of British books and publications in Greece; and the number of English books exported to Greece as from 1st January, 1946.

The Board of Trade and the Foreign Office are both anxious to see an expanding export of books and periodicals to Greece, and the British Council have recently arranged for the purchase of £5,000 worth of British books, which have been sent to Greece for exhibition there and for subsequent sale to Greek booksellers. It is hoped that this will stimulate further sales through normal commercial channels. The value of newspapers, periodicals and printed books recorded in the Trade and Navigation Accounts as exported from this country to Greece between 1st January, 1946, and the 31st May, was £5,725; but this figure does not include books and periodicals consigned by post, details of which are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to increase the supply of timber to this country since there is now a greater timber shortage than during the worst days of the war period.

There is still a world shortage of timber as compared with demand. I am in close and continuous contact with all overseas sources of supply and am taking every step possible to increase imports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that raw materials in short supply to the paint industry will not be allocated preferentially to paint manufacturers operating in development areas, as this will cause widespread dissatisfaction in the industry.

I have received representations on this matter from the industry and I am awaiting further information which has been promised me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much wool has been sold by His Majesty's Government's Wool Control to the U.S.S.R. since VE-Day, its weight and value in sterling.

About 1,900 tons of wool of a value of £420,000 were sold by the Wool Control to the U.S.S.R. between VE-Day and 30th June, 1946.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if facilities will be given to local authorities who have been accustomed to providing beds for municipal houses to obtain supplies for houses now in course of erection.

My Department will be glad to try to help all local authorities accustomed to supply bedsteads to their tenants to get such supplies as they may need for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements are being made to appoint a good will trade mission to China; whether he is yet able to indicate how it will be composed; and by what date it will be expected to proceed.

I am at present considering the personnel of the mission and when. it is completed I will make a further anouncement. The Chinese Government have suggested that the visit should take place in the autumn, and I hope that it will be possible for the mission to leave before the end of September.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why a Cotton Buying Commission is being set up before the necessary legislation has been passed.

The Cotton Buying Commission is not being set up. Legislation for this purpose will in due course be introduced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that whilst retailers are getting larger supplies of perambulators the demand is far from satisfied and hardship is being caused; and if he will make available additional facilities in labour and materials to manufacturers and regard this as a matter of urgency.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to Questions Nos. 87, 94, 99 and 100.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a table showing the total tonnage of imports and exports to and from each of the ports of South Wales for each month during 1938, 1939, 1945 and 1946. respectively.

No official statistics on this subject are compiled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will take steps to ensure that whatever constitution may be devised for the future government of India, full religious liberty will be secured for the Christian Church and community in India, with freedom to preach the gospel, to make converts and for the circulation of the Bible.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 20 of the statement of 16th May contained in Command Paper 6821, which makes provision for the appointment of an advisory committee on which the Christian community will with other smaller minorities receive due representation to advise the Constituent Assembly in regard to fundamental rights, the protection of minorities, etc. The proposed machinery will thus enable the special interests of Christians to receive consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India in what manner it is proposed that the Anglo-Indian community will have the opportunity of laying their case before the Constituent Assembly that will frame the future constitution of India, in view of the fact that the provisions for the election of the Assembly give no assurance that Anglo-Indians will secure even a single seat on that body.

The Anglo-Indian community will have due representation in the Advisory Committee referred to in paragraphs 18 and 20 of the Statement published on 16th May, and this will enable them, together with the other minorities, to put their case effectively before the Constituent Assembly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that 86,000 Indian estate workers in Ceylon are on strike against the village expansion scheme of the Ceylon Ministry of Agriculture; and what action is being taken by the Government of India and by his Department to ensure that Indians born in Ceylon shall be eligible to participate in such schemes on a basis of equality with other sections of the population.

I have received no official information from the Government of India regarding these strikes, nor do I know what representations the Government of India have made to the Government of Ceylon. As regards the facts, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and as regards action by my Department he will no doubt be aware that in these matters the Government of India are in direct contact with the Government of Ceylon through their own representative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has yet made any agreement with the Government of Ceylon on the question of franchise for the Indian estate workers under the new Constitution.

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why the reports of the Labour Investigation Committee appointed by the Indian Government in 1944 are not available for purchase in this country while they are in Delhi; and when they are likely to he available to the public

The question of the sale of Government of India publications in this country is a matter for the High Commissioner for India, who informs me that authority has now been received from the Government of India to place on sale in this country those reports prepared for the Labour Investigation Committee which have already been placed on sale in India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many Indian soldiers were detained in Germany as prisoners of war; and whether all have now been repatriated to India.

The number of Indian prisoners of war in Germany on 30th April, 1945, was 8,950. Except about 250 who are still unaccounted for all have been repatriated

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the policy of His Majesty's Government in India, he will state what arrangements are being made with regard to pensions, compensation for loss of career and employment under the new Government for members of the I.C.S. and the Indian police.

The matters mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member are under active consideration; but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma the estimated rise in the cost of living in Burma over the 1939 level; and what allowances have been made to compensate for this rise in the pay of civil servants in senior and junior grades

The present cost of living index is based on the figure of 100, for 1941. Compared with that figure the cost of living for a Burman family in Rangoon in May, 1946, was 404 as against 679 in November, 1945. A cost of living allowance on a sliding scale has been sanctioned for all civil servants in receipt of less than Rs.540 a month, ranging downwards from 150 per cent. of basic pay as the rate of basic pay increases. The cost of these increases is over £2,250,000 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will provide seats within the office building where passports are issued, for those who have to queue to obtain these.

Seating accommodation for about 15o people is provided for persons calling at the London Passport Office. A few more chairs are being installed which will bring the number up to the maximum practicable under the conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has made, or proposes to make, any representations to the Governments of France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden with a view to the reciprocal abolition of visas for travellers to and from these countries.

No approach has so far been made to the Governments mentioned, but the long-term policy of His Majesty's Government is, as stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 24th June, to return to prewar conditions by agreements with other countries as soon as conditions permit.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that persons applying for passports have now to stand in queues at the Passport Office for as long as eight hours before being attended to; that these queues include mothers with children and that the inconvenience and distress caused are often considerable; that complaint is made by applicants that some persons, by means of bribes, are able to secure earlier attention than others; and, in view of these complaints, if he will cause immediate investigations to be made into the general conditions now existing at the Passport Office.

I cannot accept the implication of the hon. Member's Question, but, as there are three passport offices, I have not been able to make full inquiries. If he will let me have details as to which office he has in mind I will inquire further and communicate with him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to secure the extradition from Spain of German war criminals and other Nazis who have been granted Spanish nationality by General Franco.

My information is that no German on the lists of the United Nations War Crimes Commission is in Spain. As regards the other Germans mentioned in the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Swingler) on 20th May and 24th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it was with his authority that an official of his Department announced to the Press that the President of the U.S.A. had been informed beforehand that His Majesty's Government proposed to take action against the Jewish Agency in Palestine.

The Press were not told by any official of the Foreign Office that President Truman had been informed in advance that His Majesty's Government proposed to take action against the Jewish Agency in Palestine. Speaking with full authority, the News Department of the Foreign Office told the Press that the United States Government had been informed of the action taken in Palestine, but had not been consulted. They added that, some ten days in advance, a warning had been conveyed to the United States Government that His Majesty's Government took a very grave view of the renewal of terrorism in Palestine.

asked the Minister of Health how many B.I.S.F. houses he estimates will be completed in Great Britain by 31st December, 1946; and what are the reasons for the delays in placing the erection contracts.

As the B.I.S.F. programme is still in its early stages, it is not yet possible to give an accurate estimate of the number of houses which will be completed by 31st December, 1946. My right hon. Friend is not aware of any delay in placing erection contracts and work has already begun on 62 sites. If, however, the hon. Member will give me details of any particular cases which he has in mind, I will have them investigated.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider the allocation of the domestic accommodation. at Milfield aerodrome to the War Office, in view of the fact that 31 British families are being deprived of temporary homes.

My right hon. Friend is exploring with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, the possibility of some part of the domestic accommodation at Milfield airfield being made available to the local authority to meet their requirements for housing purposes.

asked the Minister of Health when it is anticipated that the old cottages in Bucknall, Oxfordshire, will be connected to the existing sewerage system.

The question of sewerage in Bucknall, Oxfordshire, is one for consideration by the Ploughley Rural District Council in the first instance. I am having inquiries made as to the council's intention in regard to the properties to which reference is made.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will investigate the practicability of starting a chain of mobile canteens to visit farm workers, in view of the inadequacy of the present additional cheese ration to make up for canteen facilities available to other categories of heavy manual workers.

I have been into the question with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, but I regret we are driven to the conclusion that a mobile canteen service would be impracticable. Agricultural workers are so widely dispersed. Nevertheless, in addition to the cheese ration, agricultural workers do have the advantage of several special schemes, such as the meat pie scheme and the provision of extra rationed foods at such times as harvest time.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the city of Portsmouth imported tomatoes front the Channel Islands before the war for distribution to all parts of the country; whether he will state the reasons for his Department's recent decision not to use Portsmouth as one of the ports of importation; and whether he will receive a deputation to discuss this matter.

The distribution of tomatoes is controlled in order to spread supplies fairly throughout the United Kingdom and we have to concentrate on a limited number of ports of entry in order that arrivals may be canalised and sent to the appropriate areas. I regret I cannot arrange for Portsmouth to be a port of entry for Channel Island tomatoes, but I will gladly discuss the matter with my hon. Friend if he cares to get in touch with me.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that fish has been recently sold in the Grimsby docks at less money per stone than it is retailed per pound in the shops; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce the price gap between what the producer receives and the consumer pays.

I am aware that some fish recently fetched extremely low prices at Grimsby, but, as I explained to the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield (Air-Commodore Harvey) on 5th June, it would be impracticable for me to vary the maximum price schedules from day to day so as to enforce the passing on of price reductions. I believe that the policy of granting licences for retail fish businesses with considerable freedom will stimulate traders to pass on such reductions.

asked the Minister of Food when he expects that increased supplies of almonds, nuts, candied peel, bananas and tropical and semi-tropical fruit will be on sale to the British public.

I am doing all I can to obtain almonds and other nuts and candied peel in sufficient quantities to make supplies available to the public. Supplies of nuts have improved recently, but as they are still insufficient for retail distribution, they have gone to manufacturers. The needs of vegetarians are still being met. The first postwar purchase of peel has just been made and when candied will go to the cake and flour confectionery trade. Bananas are the only tropical and subtropical fruit of which significant quantities are available and supplies will increase during the coming months as the plantations recover from the recent havoc caused by hurricanes and tornadoes.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in the bread-rationing scheme, he will ensure that the wives of small farmers and smallholders, who in addition to working on their husband's holding have their household duties to perform, shall be placed in the category of heavy worker.

Any worker of either sex who is regularly employed in manual work within the official schedule of occupations for an average of not less than 22 hours a week will be eligible for the manual worker ration.

asked the Minister of Food whether in the bread-rationing scheme he will ensure that the small farmer and smallholder are placed in the category of heavy worker.

Agriculture, horticulture and market gardening are among tile occupations which qualify for the manual worker ration. The self-employed manual worker is eligible for this ration.

asked the Minister of Food whether, with the introduction of rationing, he will give an assurance that the size of the loaf will be restored, since rationing itself should produce the economy.

The present weights of loaves are particularly convenient for the administration of the rationing scheme. Whatever daily allowance of bread (in ounces) is fixed at any time for any class of the community, the weekly allowance will be a multiple of seven ounces, and as the present weights of loaves are also multiples of seven ounces, it would create great difficulties to restore these weights to their previous levels.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that a licence to mill wheat, using a windmill at Upminster of which details have been submitted, has been refused to an experienced miller on the grounds that demand for stone-ground flour does not warrant further licensing of millers; and if he will revise this decision in view of the present need for providing high extraction bread.

The facilities for the production of stone-ground whole wheatmeal are in excess of the public's demand for such flour and I regret I cannot at present license the mill at Upminster. We have, however, undertaken to look again at this case in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give a full list of the proportions of the items now incorporated in the flour provided for the national bread; and whether, as alterations in this composition are made, he will inform the public of them.

Apart from very small quantities of the various improvers which are customary additions according to the types of wheat in use, the flour from which the national loaf is made is milled from a pure wheaten grist at go per cent. extraction. Imported white flour is being admixed in the mills in England and Wales at the rate of io per cent. of the output and in Scotland and Northern Ireland at the rate of 15 per cent. Calcium is added at the rate of 7 ozs. per 280 lb. of flour. The usual practice of informing the public of any material change in the composition of national flour will certainly be continued.

asked the Minister of Food for how long he anticipates that he will be able to maintain the increase in the meat ration.

Unless any difficulties arise within the next few months which cannot at present be foreseen, I expect to be able to maintain the increased meat ration until the end of the year and possibly into the early months of next year. The outlook of the world supply position would not enable me to promise to retain the ration at the new level throughout 1947. We shall require considerably more meat from overseas than we can count on receiving this year to enable us to do so, but my hon. Friend may be assured that we will make every effort to get additional supplies.

asked the Minister of Food what tonnage of groundnuts is being imported from Madras during 1946; and what was the tonnage originally expected from this source.

I assume that by Madras my hon. Friend means the district served by the Port of Madras and the other usual Coromandel coast ports; that is the East Coast. The quantity of groundnuts shipped from there to the U.K. so far this year is 40,865 tons. As long as the present prohibition on the export of groundnuts from India continues we cannot expect to receive further quantities. The tonnage originally expected for the whole of 1946 was 250,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Food when S.R. & O., No. 1396, which was made on. 2nd November, 1945, was laid before Parliament as corrected by the slip issued on 3rd December, 1945, which substituted 15s. 3d. for 16s. 3d. as the maximum price for certain packages of apples.

The Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Act, 1945, which first required the laying before Parliament of Orders of the Minister of Food under the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, did not come into effect until:10th December, 1945. Accordingly the Order referred to was not laid.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent road transport is used for the carriage of potatoes from the growing to the consuming areas.

Road transport is normally used for local distribution, that is for old potatoes where the points of production and consumption are not more than 30 to 35 miles apart, and for new potatoes where these points are not more than 50 to 60 miles apart.

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of potatoes a month are being received by dehydration factories as compared with the tonnage made available for ordinary consumption

During the first five months of this year, an average of 6,770 tons of potatoes were sent to dehydration factories each month for processing into a product for human consumption, mainly to meet Service requirements, and 2,740 tons for processing into cattle food. Potatoes have moved into direct human consumption during this period at the rate of 458,800 tons per month.

asked the Minister of Food, in view of the importance of the importation of oil seeds and the residual value of cake for animal foodstuffs, what is the stock position of oil seeds in the United Kingdom; and what steps are b being, taken to ensure replacement relative to demand.

I do not feel that it would be in the public interest to publish figures giving the current stock position of oil seeds in the United Kingdom. So far as the future is concerned, United Kingdom supplies are based upon the recommendations of the International Emergency Food Council. The United Kingdom is represented on that Council and on its Commodity Committees and all possible measures are being taken to secure the largest possible supply for this country.

asked the Minister of Food if, before next winter, we will review the priorities allowed in the milk ration so as to ensure that, after the needs of mothers, children and genuine invalids have been met, there should be the fairest possible allocation of the reduced supplies of fresh milk that will be available.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that no application for bread was made this year by the local committee at St. Briavells, Gloucestershire, for an ancient Whitsun ceremony; and whether he will give an assurance that this will not be taken as a precedent if application should be made in more favourable times.

I am grateful to the organisers of this ancient ceremony for not applying for permission to use bread at this year's event. Of course, when supplies are easier their applications will be readily accepted.

asked the Minister of Food what was the total tonnage of homegrown barley purchased by his Department from the 1944 harvest; what was the cost to his Department and the total expenses incurred; what was the income received by the sale of the barley and the average loss per ton; and whether similar figures are available for the 1945 harvest.

The total tonnage of home-grown barley purchased by my Department from the 1944 harvest was approximately 347,000 tons at a cost of about £7,850,000. Expenses incurred in handling this quantity, including drying and storage, are estimated at £1,000,000. It is not possible to relate sales of barley to purchases made from a particular crop, since some of the barley purchased by my Department is stored in bulk and may be mixed with barley from a previous crop. Receipts from the sale of the quantity indicated, however, are estimated to total £5,387,000, showing an average loss per ton of approximately £10 Barley from the 1945 harvest is not yet fully marketed, and similar figures for purchases from the 1945 crop are, therefore, not available.

asked the Minister of Food if he will take steps to ensure that all relief sent to other nations will be in the form of meal or flour, so that the residue will be available for livestock feeding in this country.

The only cereals that remain to be shipped from the United Kingdom to other countries are 32,000 tons barley for the British zone of Germany. This barley is urgently required to meet the very critical position in the zone, and it would not be possible without delaying shipments to arrange for the barley to be milled in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Food if shaving soap is to be rationed or otherwise controlled to prevent supplies being used for other purposes.

The practical reasons for which shaving soaps and creams have not hitherto been included in the ration still hold good, and I hope it will not prove necessary to ration them. They are not generally suitable for other uses.

asked the Minister of Works what progress has been made in finding alternative accommodation for the storage of egg-boxes that are now taking up valuable space in a hosiery factory at Deacon Street, Leicester; and when this factory will he derequisitioned.

It will be necessary to build huts to provide alternative accommodation for this egg-box store. Tenders will be received shortly and the work will take about four months from the placing of the contract.

asked the Minister of Works whether the independent committee which he has appointed under the chairmanship of Sir Ernest Simon, to examine the distribution of building materials, will include in its inquiries the distribution of electrical components and fittings.

Yes, Sir

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will fix a date beyond which General Anders' Army will not be entitled to wear military uniform.

The personnel of General Anders' Army will in due course be en- rolled in the Polish Resettlement Corps. For many who remain in this country civil employment may be found and for these the wearing of military uniform will cease. For others, however, there will be group employment by units, and men will be under British military discipline. They will therefore continue to wear uniform. No date can therefore be fixed beyond which these Poles will not be entitled to wear military uniform.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of Poles are to be placed at Wallsend and that objections have been raised on the grounds of the food shortage and of the housing difficulty; and if there will be some arrangement made when Poles are directed to any district for work, for -he food supply to be increased to meet this position and for accommodation without any penalty upon the people in the district.

In accommodating the Poles, it is the policy to make the greatest possible use of Army accommodation and of camps held by the War Department. Their reaccomrnodation when directed to any district to work is to be the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works. As at present planned, all Poles will be fed by the Army from Array sources. If a different system is necessary when they are directed to work, I am assured that any adjustments of local food supplies which may he necessary will be carried out under the ordinary routine procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to consider some system of incentive to German prisoners of war, such as vouchers, which could be exchanged for goods in Germany; or a system of marks for good work, which would lead to earlier repatriation.

I have had under consideration the question of incentives to hard work by German prisoners of war in this country, and it has been found possible to give effect to certain improvements in their food allowances, working pay and supplies, within the limitations allowed by existing conditions. I regret that it is not practicable in present circumstances to adopt the specific suggestions put forward by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many civilian employees are employed in each of the military camps, respectively, in the county of Merioneth.

The numbers are: Tonfanau, 6; Harlech, 3; Towyn and Trefnant, 97; Coed Y Brewin, 2, Trawsfynydd, 50; Total, 158.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that Mr. H. Byard, Upper Cwmbran, Monmouthshire, has been refused unemployment benefit since 20th April, 1946, on the ground that he is following a subsidiary occupation; that he has employed a married daughter who is not resident with him and that the court referee has refused to take into account in assessing his earnings the amount paid to such an employee; and if he will arrange for unemployment benefit to be restored to Mr. Byard.

As the hon. Member is aware, decisions on claims for unemployment benefit are made by the statutory authorities appointed under the Unemployment Insurance Acts. The decision in this case appears to depend on the amount of the profits which Mr. Byard derives from a public-house of which he is stated to be the licensee. Further inquiries are in progress to ascertain whether there is any ground for an appeal from the decision of the court of referees to the umpire. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware that many people will be deprived of their holidays owing to the shortage of civil air transport between Belfast and England and Scotland during July; and if he will increase the number of passenger-carrying aircraft flying to and from Belfast during this month.

The services in question have recently been increased and are adequate to meet existing requirements. They can and will be supplemented if these requirements increase.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will give, in tabulated form, keeping the sexes and age groups separate, the average heights and weights of schoolchildren of five to 14 years of age in the county of London in the year 1939, previous to the evacuation; the comparable figures in the present year; and similar figures for the years 1914 and 1919.

I regret that I have not the information for the years in question. In 1940 the L.C.C. published a report on the average heights and weights of elementary schoolchildren in the county of London in 1938, including tables comparing the 1938 averages with the averages obtained in the period 1905–12. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of this report.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the latest time of posting at the House of Commons for mails sent by air and sea, respectively, to different parts of the Continent.

The information is being tabulated, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is to hand.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are undergoing training at Government training centres in England and Wales in the trades of bricklaying, carpentering, painting, plastering, plumbing and wood machining, respectively; and what the comparable figures are for training centres situated in the Eastern Region.

The numbers undergoing training at centres in England and Wales and in the Eastern Region, respectively, are as follow:

asked the Minister of Labour details of the nurnber of men and women who have been unemployed in North Staffordshire six months and over.

Returns showing the numbers of unemployed insured persons analysed according to the duration of un

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state the constitution of the court of inquiry into the recent stoppage of fishing trawlers and to give the terms of reference to the court.

Yes, Sir. I have appointed Sir John Forster, K.C. (Chairman), Lord Lucas and the hon. Member for West Nottingham (Mr. O'Brien) to be a court of inquiry under the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, to inquire into the circumstances and causes of the stoppage of work in the trawler fishing industry, and to report.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest unemployment figures on a trade and industrial basis for each of the towns in North Staffordshire, details for men and women to be shown separately.

I am having the figures extracted and will send them to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in Newport and in South Wales, men, women, boys and girls, separately, in each quarter this year.

The table below gives the information desired in respect of 13th May, 1946, the latest date for which figures are at present available, and lath February, three months earlier:

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of male and female workers employed, respectively, in the combing, spinning and weaving sections of the wool industry in May, 1945, and at the latest known date.

As indicated in my reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member on 20th November last, the available statistics of employment in the woollen arid worsted industry do not distinguish separately the combing, spinning and weaving sections.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of male and female workers employed in the hosiery trade in May, 1945, and at the latest known date.

At the end of May, 1945, approximately 12,300 male and 50,300 female workers, including insured persons and half the number of part-time female workers, were employed in the hosiery industry in Great Britain. The corresponding figures for the end of May, 1946, were 18,100 males and 57,100 females.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, were registered as unemployed in Glasgow in each of the last three months.