asked the Secretary of State for War when it is anticipated that the level crossing gates at Ambrosden crossing, C.O.D. Arncott, will be erected and complete; where the sets of gates for the remaining unprotected four level crossings at C.O.D. Arncott are being made and when they were ordered.

The level crossing gates at Ambrosden are nearly ready for erection. I hope they will be erected within a fortnight. The other gates referred to are being made in local Army workshops. They were ordered on 31st May and are due to be finished by the middle of July.

asked the Secretary of State for War why posters depicting Army equipment which was obsolescent before 1939 are displayed on Government hoardings in Whitehall at the present time: and how many of these prewar posters are being issued in connection with the campaign for recruitment into the modern Army.

Two prewar posters were inadvertently included by the local recruiting office in a selection of posters issued for display in this neighbourhood. They have now been withdrawn and steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that specialist medical officers recently called into the Army are being sent home for six to eight weeks to await posting to overseas commands and that specialist medical officers now serving overseas are having their release groups retarded on the ground of shortage of replacements; and if he will have the whole position of employment of specialist medical officers investigated.

Drafts of specialist medical officers are normally despatched at monthly intervals, the date of each draft being adjusted to ensure that all the officers comprising it receive 14 days embarkation leave after their primary training. Occasionally, the despatch of officers is delayed, either because of shipping difficulties or because of late notice of alterations in overseas requirements; but such cases are exceptional and do not materially affect the position of officers now overseas who are awaiting release. In certain theatres, and in respect of certain special subjects, the release of these officers has been retarded, but this is primarily due to the difficulty of obtaining replacements from the civilian profession.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present officer and other ranks establishment for the Special Armoured Devices Establishment; and the extent to which this establishment is filled at the present time.

The full establishment as 76 officers and 1,201 other ranks. The present strength is below establishment to the extent of seven officers and about 20 per cent. other ranks

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now give his decision on the case of 554793 Private S. J. Carroll, late R. A. O C., details of whose case have been sent to him.

The orders for recall have been cancelled in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has yet completed his investigation into why T/14427913 Driver J. Parker, 19 G. T. Company, R. A. S. C., B. A. O. R., has not yet recovered his watch and 2,503 Belgian francs, illegally held in the divisional welfare fund; and what instructions he has issued to the commander, 53rd Division, to ensure that this man obtains his rightful possessions.

The investigations are not yet completed but the money involved was credited to the soldier's account in April last. The watch has not yet been traced. When the case is completed, I will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War why T/174863 Driver P. McGuire was removed from a detention camp at Shepton Mallet to Wormwood Scrubbs and later to Dartmoor; and if he will state the term of imprisonment this soldier is expected to serve.

This soldier and a number of others were transferred to civil prisons following the destruction of a large amount of military prison accommodation during the disturbances at Aldershot and Northallerton. Their accommodation and subsequent moves were then controlled by the civil authorities. Men were originally selected for transfer according to the nature of their sentence and their conduct record. Driver McGuire's sentence has recently been reviewed by my Department, however, and as a result he will be released in the near future on a suspended sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now completed his investigation of the claim of S/Cdr. 5618041 F. Markland, as submitted to him by the hon. Member for Ladywood on 28th February; and if all moneys due to this demobilised soldier have been paid.

As already explained to my hon. Friend by letter, it was necessary to refer to India and I am afraid that the local investigation unavoidably took a long time. Some adjustments of the soldier's account have already been carried out and I am glad to say that a report on the other items has now arrived from India and is being dealt with. I will give the full details in a letter to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War why compassionate leave has been refused by Royal Signals Record Office, Caversham, to 14416169 Signalman Smith, G.A.R. in spite of the fact that his application is supported by his doctor and by the local welfare officer for the Hereford district.

This young soldier has already been granted 24 weeks' compassionate leave expiring on 26th July, to enable him to make alternative arrangements relating to a business. This would seem to be ample for that purpose and, as at present advised, I see no ground for a further extension.

asked the Secretary of State for War why permission has not been given to 10555824, Private J. Flee:, Signal Platoon, H.Q. Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, C.M.F., to marry his Sicilian fiancee, since application for marriage was made in January last and all the papers are in order.

I have no information on this matter but I have called for a report and will write to the hon. Member when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the relaxation of King's Regulations which has been made during the war to allow Africans to hold the King's Commission will be continued in the future; and whether he will amend A.C.I. 1435 of 1942 P.5 (B), which constitutes an official colour bar on entry into the British Army.

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 2nd April last.

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of the number of R.A. officers in C.M.F. due for release within the next three months have had their release dates provisionally deferred.

Up to 1st July, 31 R.A. officers in C.M.F., due for release in July, August and September, had been compulsorily deferred, out of a total of 177 such officers who were serving in the Command at the date of the latest strength return. The deferments, therefore, represent about 17½ per cent. of the total.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what theatres, other than C.M.F., R.A. officers due for release within the next three months have had their release dates provisionally deferred; and what percentage, in each case, the numbers deferred are of the total numbers of R.A. officers in the theatre due for release within the given period.

According to the latest figures available, which show the position on 15th June, six R. A. officers in M. E. F. and one in A. L. F. S. E. A., of the category referred to, have had their releases deferred; this represents 25 per cent. of the total number of R. A. officers in M. E. F. and nearly one per cent. of the total in India and A. L. F. S. E. A. who are due for release in the next three months. Separate figures of the totals due for release in India and A. L. F. S. E. A. are not available. I have no information of the number of officers who may have been warned locally of the possibility of deferment.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what authority signallers in M.E.F., of Group 33, who should have left for repatriation and subsequent release in mid June have been detained without any notification of deferments.

I have cabled for information on this matter and will write to my hon. Friend when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for War why a further census is being taken in connection with the families who desire to join their husbands in B. A. O. R., as his Department already has the necessary information.

The object of the census taken earlier in the year was to get an approximate estimate of the scope of the problem before a detailed scheme was worked out. The numbers involved, but not the names, were furnished. No further census is being taken but it is now necessary to obtain individual applications, with all the relevant particulars, from those who fulfil the conditions laid down and who still desire to apply having regard to possible changes in their circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that serving men will not have their demobilisation date deferred by reason of the fact that they volunteered for transfer to trades short of personnel.

No, Sir. To do as my hon. Friend suggests would be unfair to the men who were compulsorily transferred.

asked the Secretary of State for War is he will now arrange for Members of Parliament to inspect the proposed new ceremonial dress for the Army by exhibiting it in the Members' tea room or Library along with the designs which were approved in 1938 including the open neck tunic, collar and tie.

I will arrange for the proposed new ceremonial dress for the Army, as shown recently to His Majesty the King, to be on view to Members of this House, together with the dress designed in 1938. The details of the new dress have not yet been finally approved. The 1938 dress was considered but not approved.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now issue regulation Army greatcoats to members of the Army Cadet Corps.

I regret that I cannot see my way at present to accepting the increased commitment which would be involved. Any existing stocks not needed for future Army use would be made available to the Board of Trade for civilian use.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the dissatisfaction among signallers of M. E. F. with the rate of release due in part to units retaining more personnel than is necessary, he will consider allowing a Parliamentary delegation to visit M. E. F. to inquire into the present strength of establishments with a view to securing a reduction.

War establishments are produced as the result of exhaustive examination of the role to be carried out, coupled with the need for the fullest economy. Local commanders may and do under-post their establishments whenever the situation permits and the compulsory deferment of personnel in the Middle East is based not on the War Establishment but on the minimum working requirements. In the circumstances, I do not think any useful purpose would be served by an inquiry on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend. It will be appreciated by hon. Members that apart from the immediate duties at the moment units must be ready to undertake a more active role at short notice if necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present length of training for signal personnel; and, in view of the great hardship imposed on signal personnel who have had over four years' service abroad, if he will cut down the period of training to the utmost.

The training time varies according to the nature of the duties on which personnel will be used. A review of training syllabuses has recently been made and reductions of one to four weeks achieved in the time spent in Corps training.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will authorise the derequisitioning of the property known as Aerodrome Farm, Monkmoor, Shrewsbury.

Aerodrome Farm, Monk-moor, Shrewsbury, is not under requisition by my Department. If the hon. Member has in mind any other property in the neighbourhood, perhaps he will send me detailed particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has yet issued instructions to Army Commands that it will be in order for them to grant British soldiers permission to marry Austrian women.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Mr. Peter Freeman).

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the hard ship caused to soldiers and the inconvenience imposed upon the travelling public as a result of the equipment and kit which soldiers on leave are compelled to carry about with them; and if he will issue instructions to the Army commands that any equipment or kit which a soldier does not desire to take with him on leave can be left in charge of the regimental quartermaster

Soldiers in the United Kingdom are not required to carry any equipment or kit when proceeding on leave. Instructions to that effect were issued in July, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British prisoners of war who were in German camps are still untraced; and what steps are being taken to ascertain their whereabouts or fate.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on Tuesday last to a Question by the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter). The number untraced from German camps is 49.

asked the Secretary of State for War why German prisoners of war are being used as drivers for vehicles doing cartage work to and from V. R. D. Camp No. 31, while civilian drivers are available.

No German prisoners of war are employed as vehicle drivers at No. 31 V. R. D., Douglas, nor, as far as I have been able to ascertain, by any other Army establishments in that neighbourhood.

asked the secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the circumstances surrounding the removal of prisoners of war from the Quorn camp, which resulted in the loss of the services of 30 prisoners of war to the firm of Ensor Company, Woodville, Derbyshire, causing a loss of production of building materials; and why the firm did not receive adequate warning of the pending event in order that it might re-plan production for the period taken by the removal.

It became necessary to close this particular camp and, although the firm knew that the labour would be withdrawn for that reason, they were admittedly not given adequate warning of the actual date. Instructions have been issued that sufficient notice must be given to employers about the withdrawal of labour and I much regret the failure to do so in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider a change in the working hours of prisoners of war over the haymaking and harvesting period, to enable those farmers who wish to do so, to work from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Instructions have already been issued that prisoners of war should start and stop work at the same time as the civilian worker and that camp arrangements should be made to conform with this need

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the daily food ration of German prisoners of war employed on agricultural work living in prisoner-of-war camps; and whether he is satisfied that it is adequate having regard to the work which they are called on to perform.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd). I think he will agree that, in present circumstances, the scales may be regarded as adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that German prisoners of war in transit camps in this country, en route from the U.S.A. to Germany, are required to hand in the small quantities of coffee or similar stores which they have been able to purchase in the U.S.A. or elsewhere; and, since this confiscation of their private property is resented and causes an unfavourable comparison to be made between the U.S.A. and this country, whether he will order it to cease.

Instructions have been issued and are now in force whereby all German prisoners of war on arrival in this country are permitted to retain all their personal property with the exception of sterling and foreign currency, and articles which would assist them to escape. These latter are held in safe custody during their confinement in this country and a receipt is given to them. If the hon. and gallant Member has knowledge of a case where the instructions have not been observed perhaps he will send me particulars.

asked the Minister of Labour it he will give details of prisoners of war employed in North Staffordshire and particulars of the industries concerned.

572 prisoners of war are employed in North Staffordshire. 560 of these are employed in agriculture, 10 in the iron and steel industry and two in the baking industry.

asked the Secretary of State for War what approaches have been made to members of the Polish armed forces following on the announcement of 22nd May, 1946; why a request has been made to the Polish soldiers to sign a two year contract before they can be accepted for the proposed Resettlement Corps or other working unit: and what is the position and what will be the status of a Polish soldier who does not sign such an undertaking.

We are in close touch with members of the Polish Armed Forces regarding the formation of the Polish Resettlement Corps and arrangements to this end are well forward. The purpose of the two year engagement is to cover the maximum period which is thought likely to be required before all the Poles are settled into civilian life here or elsewhere. Men who, within this period, obtain civil employment will be relegated to the Reserve and will he treated to all intents and purposes as civilians. The point raised in the last part of the Question is still under consideration. It may not arise in practice.

asked the Minister of Works the number of seats that will be available in the New Chamber for visitors; and whether, in view of the continued public interest in Parliamentary proceedings, he is satisfied that this provision will be adequate.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee on Rebuilding, whose report was approved by the House on 25th January, 1945, 326 seats will be available in the new House of Commons for strangers other than reporters and officials, an increase of 67 seats over the number in the old Chamber. In answer to the second part of the Question, a further increase would be impracticable without a drastic revision of the approved plans and a radical alteration in the size and character of the Chamber.

asked the Minister of Works the total cost to the taxpayer of the celebrations on 8th June.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Supplementary Civil Estimate Class VII for £282,500 nett which has been laid before Parliament. This figure includes expenditure on entertainment and hospitality.

asked the Minister of Works why his office of combined operations has recently moved into a, modern black of flats at 3, Prince's Gate, since such flats are needed for family accommodation.

The building to which the hon. Member refers is not a block of flats; it was completed as a block of offices early in the war and is held on long lease by my Department. It is at present occupied by the headquarters of Combined Operations and by the Control Office.

asked the Minister of Works the total amount of building work he has licensed the London Co-operative Society to carry out by way of maintenance for a period of six months ending on the last convenient day.

Maintenance work is usually licensed on an annual basis and the amount of the licence granted to the London Co-operative Society for the maintenance of 346 properties during the year ending 31st July, 1946, is £47,475.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that, on 2nd April, his Regional Disposal Officer at Reading informed the Southampton Town Council that Orlit hutting was available for immediate disposal and, if the council was interested, fuller details would be furnished; and that, although a reply was sent on the following day that the town council was particularly interested and several telephone inquiries have since been made, no information as to price or any further details has been received; and if he will now have this matter expedited.

At the time of the original communication it was thought that it would be possible to sell this hutting direct to priority customers, but it was later disclosed that large portions of the stock consisted of hut parts and not complete huts and direct sales would be difficult as they would involve the sorting and rearrangement of very heavy components. Accordingly the stock has now been sold to the manufacturers of the butting, and all applications in the hands of my Department have been transferred to them. I can only express regret that the officer concerned in my Department did not notify the Southampton Town Council when it first became plain that negotiations with them could not he carried further.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give a list of persons, and the bodies they represent, who have already given evidence before the Committee of Inquiry into the Welsh Slate Industry: and a list of the persons whom the committee propose to interview before reporting to him.

Members of the Committee of Inquiry have visited slate quarries in Carnarvonshire, Merionethshire, Denbighshire and Mongomeryshire and in the course of these visits have taken evidence from both owners and workers. Visits to further quarries are proposed. The Committee has received no offer of evidence from outside the industry, but it is of course open to interested parties to submit evidence for its consideration. Inquiries about giving evidence to the Committee should be sent to the Secretary, Mr. Alwyn D. Rees, at the regional office of the Ministry of Works, 42, Park Place, Cardiff.

asked the Minister of Works what plans he has for the disposal of the blackout curtain material still to be found in Government offices.

Blackout curtains are being removed from Government offices as rapidly as circumstances permit and about 150,000 pairs have so far been declared to the Ministry of Supply for disposal as surplus.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give an assurance that no licences for building materials and labour for the construction of dog-racing tracks in Cornwall will be granted until the housing needs of the people have been fully met.

Yes, Sir. Licences will not be issued for the construction of dog-racing tracks to the prejudice of housing needs.

asked the Minister of Works the names and addresses of all factories and other premises still held under requisition by Government Departments in High Wycombe and Princes Risborough, respectively; and whether any indication will be given of their early release.

I have consulted my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade who is responsible for the general policy of derequisitioning factory premises and certain other categories of premises. I am sending my hon. Friend lists of such premises and of other types of premises. It is hoped that all factories will be derequisitioned before the end of 1946, but I regret that I am not at the moment in a position to give details of the prospective dates of release of the other premises.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps have been recently taken to remove difficulties in the distribution of petrol with a view to enabling people to save their June petrol coupons for use in August awl September; and whether he is trying to increase the supply of petrol for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that no extra petrol ration is allowed for the holiday months, he will now permit owners of motor-cars to use, at any time between now and the end of October, any petrol coupons they may save up from previous months, in order to enable them to make longer motor-car runs during their holiday.

I am afraid that in present circumstances my right hon. Friend cannot extend the existing carryover.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will amend existing Statutory Orders so as to permit petrol coupons to be banked with retailers.

No, Sir To permit this practice would place additional burdens on petrol retailers and increase substantially the difficulties of enforcement.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is now in a position to increase the supplementary ration of petrol for bona fide commercial travellers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in view of the importance of assisting trade and bearing in mind the large quantities of petrol used by pleasure coaches, he will instruct his regional officers to be more generous in dealing with applications from commercial travellers for supplementary petrol coupons.

My right hon. Friend is considering representations on this matter which he has recently received from the National Council of Commercial Travellers Associations.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the reason for prosecuting the motorist last week who had lodged his current petrol coupons instead of presenting the coupons at the time the petrol was obtained.

If the hon. Member is referring to proceedings at Otley (Yorkshire) on Friday, 28th June, these were taken as a result of inquiries made concerning a deficit of approximately 1,000 gallons in the stock of motor fuel held by a dealer for re-sale. A number of offences against the Control of Motor Fuel Order, 1944, were discovered. Article 1(c) of that Order states that except under the authority of a licence no person shall surrender to a supplier and no supplier shall accept coupons at a time other than that at which the supply of motor fuel is furnished. Altogether, 42 charges were preferred against the owner of the business, the manager and customers, 12 of the charges relating to offences against the above provision of the law

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has now considered the resolution, a copy of which has been sent to him, passed at the recent meeting of the Association of Health and Pleasure Resorts urging that additional petrol supplies should be granted during the holiday season to parks departments to enable them to maintain their amenities and to taxicabs in holiday resorts, so that they may meet the demands of the public; and what action he proposes to take on these matters.

My right hon. Friend has received a copy of the resolution to which the hon. Member refers and is considering it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he expects an in crease in the production of house coals sufficient to enable him to remove the restriction which at present limit registrations to one per house.

The general rule of one registration per house, except with the permission of the local fuel overseer, is essential if the available supplies of coal for domestic purposes are to be fairly distributed. It is not possible to forecast precisely when supplies will have increased sufficiently to justify the relaxation of this restriction.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken to utilise the small coal new stocked at the various pits by manufacturing patent fuel briquettes therefrom.

Twenty-five plants are already producing ovoid briquettes from the small coal referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the Government's intentions with regard to existing private pension schemes of collieries; will they be taken over as they are at present constituted, or will they be taken over under a new constitution.

Clause 37 of the Coal industry Nationalisation Bill provides for regulations being made for, among other things, the continuance, amendment or revocation of existing pension schemes. Such schemes vary considerably in character and it is not possible to generalise at the present stage about the way in which they will be dealt with under the regulations. I would emphasise, however, that the regulations which are made must provide for the same benefits or substituted benefits not less advantageous than those previously enjoyed either as of right or ender customary practice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he consulted the Ministry of Agriculture before he began to uproot 23 acres of growing wheat on Cameron Farm, near Windygates, Fife, in order to start opencast mining.

The Department of Agriculture for Scotland were consulted before it was decided to requisition this site.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if an alternative antiseptic to iodine has yet been approved for use underground; and what are the results of the practical trials being made underground to determine the suitability of other forms of antiseptics.

No alternative antiseptic to iodine has yet been approved for use underground. The practical trials to which the hon. Member refers are still proceeding.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now make a statement on the setting-up of a committee to inquire into the metalliferous mining industry.

Yes, Sir. I am pleased to say that Lord Westwood has accepted an invitation to act as Chairman of a Committee of Enquiry into this subject, and my right hon. Friend hopes shortly to announce the full constitution of the Committee and its terms of reference.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his efforts to find sites for centres for training building operatives in North Wales have now been successful; and whether any centres have been opened.

Yes, Sir, premises have been secured at Wrexham, and training will commence there tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he intends to establish a more comprehensive method of dealing with requests for jobs on the part of demobilised men than that which is indicated by the stencilled reply LAR47/HQ/ 591 issued from the London Appointments Office, 6, Tavistock Road, W.C.I.

There are very comprehensive arrangements for dealing with requests for jobs. The stencilled letter to which the hon. Member refers is nothing but a formal acknowledgment of receipt of a communication.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps to make more labour available to retailers so as to enable them to restore delivery services in order to ease the burden of the housewives.

In the present circumstances of manpower shortage I could not take special steps to divert for this purpose labour required for productive work, but retailers, like other employers, are free to engage such labour as they can attract.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Captain F. H. Christmas, 207770, of the 17th Infantry Holding Battalion, has been informed after taking a preliminary course at No. 3 Formation College and after being kept waiting for over eight weeks, that he cannot be accepted for a course in draughtsmanship; whether there is a surplus of draughtsmen; and, in view of the fact that Captain Christmas has now lost his right to reinstatement due to this delay, what he proposes to do for him.

The number of persons who have applied for training in engineering draughtsmanship is in excess of the number the industry is likely to be able to absorb for some time. I am having inquiries made about the particular case and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plan he proposes to co-ordinate in future the supplies of fish from Aberdeen with its distribution quickly in a fresh condition to the centres of population that need it.

Considerable improvement has been made in the distribution of fish, and during recent months supplies have been distributed from Aberdeen greatly in excess of those dealt with before the war. Every effort is being made to secure the rapid disposal and wide distribution of landings, and I am in close contact in this connection with my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Food and Transport who are the Ministers primarily concerned. The problems arising on the supply side of the industry are at present receiving consideration by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schoolchildren in the city of Aberdeen receive meals at school; and how these numbers of children, meals and constituents of meals, compare with the similar figure immediately before and during the war which has just ended.

In February, 1946, 5,366 children, or 20.5 per cent. of the roll, were receiving dinners at school in the City of Aberdeen. The corresponding figures in 1939 and 1942 were 720, or 2.6 per cent, and 2,558, or 8.5 per cent., respectively. Over the whole period breakfasts have also been provided for approximately 400 children daily. Before

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how soon he anticipates a decision will be reached regarding the request received from the Association of Sheriffs-Substitute for an increase in their salaries, as it is now six months since he received a memorial on this subject from the association.

After consultation with my right hon. Friends the Lord Advocate and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I have informed the Association of Sheriffs the war and during its earlier years the dinners were largely of the semi-liquid type (soup, mince or milk pudding) and they lacked several important protective foods. Since then improvements have been made by the addition of more meat, cheese, dried fruits, dried milk and vegetables, and the dinners now approximate closely in character and nutritional value to the standards recommended by the Government's advisers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children and of what ages, respectively, in the city of Aberdeen are now classified as of bad nutrition; and how do these figures compare with the year 1938 in the city of Aberdeen and in other cities in Scotland for which figures are available, respectively.

I have had the following statement prepared showing the particulars available from reports by school medical officers:The figures in brackets are the numbers expressed as a percentage of the total numbers in each age-group who were inspected.Substitute in Scotland of revised salaries which will take effect immediately. I am sending to the hon. Member a copy of the letter to the Association giving detailed information about the revised salaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that it will take some counties in the Highlands and Islands at least 30 years to complete the system of roads normally constructed and maintained by district councils out of their statutory resources, he has any proposals to make for accelerating the programme.

I fully appreciate the need for new roads in the Highlands and Islands and increased provision has been made this year for grants for the purpose under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the fortnightly steamer call at North Ronaldshay, Orkney, which is, in any case, liable to interruption in bad weather, is rendered even more uncertain because of lack of depth of water at the pier and whether he proposes to make a substantial grant towards the cost of lengthening it.

I have received no representations to the effect that the steamer service to North Ronaldshay is rendered uncertain because of lack of depth of water at the pier, nor has the county council made any application to me for a grant in aid of the cost of lengthening the pier.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken to prevent the destruction of growing wheat now being carried out or threatened in Fife by exploiters of opencast coal.

The Department of Agriculture for Scotland were consulted before this farm was requisitioned in November last, and the farmer was compensated for his winter wheat which was sown in the interval before requisitioning actually took place. Postponement of the working of the coal will enable the Whole crop to be harvested with the exception of little more than one-half acre affected by certain preparatory operations which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power feels must now proceed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the Report of the Committee on Farm Buildings for Scotland.

The Scottish Farm Buildings Committee, appointed M August, 1943, to consider and make recommendations regarding the layout, design, and construction of farm buildings after the war, reported to me last September. The report is to be published tomorrow. It contains a wealth of information and guidance, including plans and illustrations, for those about to embark on new or reconstructional work on farms.There is no doubt that, if full agricultural production is to be secured, and maintained, farm buildings will require to be brought up-to-date. This will entail an extensive programme of rebuilding or modernisation of existing buildings. The erection of farm buildings is subject to licensing by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works, and plans for new buildings in Scotland are referred to the Department of Agriculture for Scotland for examination. The position, however, in regard to the supply of building labour and materials is still serious and some time must elapse before the accumulated arrears can be overtaken. Meantime, in considering plans for new work, every opportunity will be taken to ensure that the fullest productive use of available supplies is secured.The report also contains recommendations which will require examination in conjunction with the recommendations put forward by the Farm Buildings Mission to the United States and Canada who were appointed by my predecessor and his colleague, the then Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and whose report was received last November. I am, in the first place, referring both reports to the Scottish Agricultural Advisory Council for their consideration.I am also proposing to set up a permanent advisory committee to arrange for the collection, assessment and dissemination of information about farm buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by how much the acreage of potatoes planted this year eceeds or falls short of the acreage planted in 1945.

Only an estimate has been made so far of this year's potato acreage This shows a decrease of 4,000 acres, the relative figures being 224,000 acres in 1945 and 220,000 acres in 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction in Scotland at the concentration there of so many of our Polish Allies; if he will have regard to the social and economic consequences of this concentration; and if he will take steps in conjunction with other appropriate Ministers to have them transferred elewhere.

I have had representations and seen statements in the Press expressing dissatisfaction at the presence of Polish troops in Scotland, but I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that the numbers of such troops stationed in Scotland have decreased substantially. I am keeping in the closest touch with the other Ministers concerned as to the position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government's promised plans for full employment in North Wales are now ready.

It is not practicable to give a comprehensive answer on this matter within the limits of Question and answer. Steps which have so far been taken to facilitate industrial activity in North Wales include the scheduling of Wrexham and district as a development area with the object of bringing the Marchwell R. O. F. into use for civilian production, the approval of seven new factories and extensions and the allocation for civilian production of five Government factories. These projects, when completed and in full production, should employ about 9,000 people.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether all possible steps have been taken to restart the canning of pineapples in Malaya; whether canning has already restarted and, if so, on what scale.

Yes, Sir. Unfortunately, the acreage under pineapples W a s greatly reduced during the Japanese occupation and only 2,000 acres are now in bearing. For this, adequate canning facilities exist. New plantings will take eighteen months to mature. The Government of the Malay Union are supervising the rehabilitation of the industry, and I have offered the help of an expert in canning from this country. It is hoped that some 15,000 cases may be available for shipment this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that complaints have been made regarding the treatment of detainees in Athlit detention camp; that in consequence of a protest and hunger strike organised by them, the G.O.C., Palestine, has promised to introduce a new order into the camp; and if, as independent persons were allowed to visit the Latrum detention camps, he will cause an immediate investigation to be made by similar persons in respect of the Athlit camp.

I am aware of the complaints to which my hon. Friend refers. As regards the second part of the Question, there has been no organised hunger strike, but on 30th June, the day following the operations, some detainees refused their lunch, though they took it later, as a protest against their finger prints being taken. No promise has been given that new arrangements will be introduced in the camp, nor is this necessary.As regards the last part of the Question, facilities were given to Press correspondents to visit Athlit on 5th July and some 10 journalists availed themselves of the opportunity. Facilities have also been given to two Rabbis to visit all detention camps. They have done so and have reported that the administration of all camps on the whole is excellent and that the detainees have asked them to express their thanks for the sympathetic attitude of the camp authorities. Specific complaints made by individuals concerning alleged ill-treatment are being investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by his Department to bring technical and professional Government officials from East Africa into line with modern practice; and whether facilities are offered to Government officials to attend courses for this purpose in the United Kingdom, either during or on completion of their leave.

Owing to the shortage of trained staff in the Colonial Service as a result of the very restricted recruitment during the war, it is not at present possible for Colonial Governments in East Africa and elsewhere to spare the services of many members of the professional and technical departments for extended periods of study leave. The hon. and gallant Member will, however, see from the report on Post-War Training for the Colonial Service which was published recently (Colonial No. 198 paragraph 6) that it is proposed to afford facilities for sabbatical or study leave to officers of both the administrative and professional branches of the service. This proposal will be implemented as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding the conclusions reached by His Majesty's Government on the financial issues arising in connection with the restoration of responsible government in the island of Malta.

His Majesty's Government have had under consideration the question of the financial arrangements that must be made with the Government of Malta in connection with the restoration to the Colony of responsible Government in accordance with the promise made by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in a statement in the House of Commons on 7th July, 1943. They have had the advantage of studying the able and comprehensive survey prepared by Sir Wilfrid Woods, who visited Malta last year to undertake a preliminary investi- gation into the finances of the local Government.2. His Majesty's Government have also had in mind the statement made in the House of Commons on 10th November, 1942, announcing that it had been decided to seek the approval of Parliament for a free gift of £10,000,000 to the Government of Malta to be used for the purposes of restoration of war damage and the rebuilding of Malta after the war. That statement contained the assurance that "if the total liability of the Malta Government for compensation and rebuilding, after allowing for contributions from private owners, exceeds the sum of £10,000,000, His Majesty's Government will be prepared to make available such further sums as may be required to meet liabilities which are found in the circumstances as existing after the war to be beyond the capacity of the Government of Malta to meet from its own resources, having regard to all other calls upon those resources at that time."3. The gift of £10,000,000 which Parliament approved in 1942 was based on the best estimate that could be made in the circumstances then existing, and was reasonably assumed to be adequate to meet the cost of the repair of the damage sustained by the Island at the hands of the enemy. While it is impossible to frame exact and precise estimates of the full expenditure involved, it seems clear that the original estimate is likely to be substantially exceeded. It is also clear from Sir Wilfrid Woods' Report that this expenditure would be beyond the capacity of the Malta Government to meet unaided from its own resources. In these circumstances, Malta can reasonably look to the United Kingdom for the further measure of assistance foreshadowed in the statement already quoted.4. His Majesty's Government, despite the immense difficulties confronting them in financing their overseas expenditure, will, in accordance with their pledge, make available such further assistance, and they have been considering carefully the form it should take. It could be given either in the form of a series of additional payments agreed from time to time as expenditure is proved in the future to be necessary in order to carry out the objects of restoration of war damage and necessary reconstruction; or in the form of agreement now on a definite sum of money to be drawn upon as necessary in accordance with the progress of expenditure. The first method of procedure would, in the view of His Majesty's Government, lead to many difficulties of administration and possibilities of friction between themselves and the Government of Malta, since differences of opinion would be bound to arise as regards the eligibility of particular expenditure, the ability of the Government of Malta to make some contribution towards such expenditure from its own resources in the terms of the statement referred to in paragraph 2 above, and the efficiency and economy of the arrangements for carrying out the works involved. His Majesty's Government would, under such a procedure, need to have powers of control over administration in Malta, which would be hard to reconcile with the new status. They have therefore reached the conclusion that it would be much more satisfactory to all concerned to fix now a total sum to be made available for expenditure on restoration of war damage and reconstruction in fulfilment of the promise of further assistance given in 1942.5. His Majesty's Government desire that the sum to be fixed in this way should leave some margin for reconstruction work not strictly covered by the present definition of making good war damage and, after considering the estimates in Sir Wilfrid Woods' Report, they propose to seek the approval of Parliament for the provision from United Kingdom funds of a further sum of £20,000,000, making, with the earlier grant, a total of £30,000,000 in all. This sum will not be paid into a trust fund, as was done in the case of the earlier grant, but will be constituted by law a charge upon the Consolidated Fund. Payments to the Malta Government will be made annually against reasonable anticipations of expenditure as soon as the earlier grant is exhausted. This procedure avoids the need for annual Votes by Parliament to authorise payments from time to time, Parliamentary authority being given once and for all by

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will grant the necessary travel document to Mr. and Mrs. Urrutia, Spanish Republican exiles, to visit France, their application to the Aliens Department having so far received no reply.

There is no trace of any application for a travel document by a Spaniard of this surname having been received either in the Aliens Department or by His Majesty's Chief Inspector, Immigration Branch, to whom such applications should be addressed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of persons convicted of murder and sentenced to death in each of the years since 1926; the number of such cases in which sentence was carried out; and the sums paid in fees to the public executioner for his services in each of such years.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to Questions by the hon. Member for Barnet (Dr. Taylor) on 29th November, 1945, and to the hon. Member for Norwich (Mr. Paton) on 27th February last. The fee paid to an executioner is a matter between the Sheriff and the person employed by him to carry out the execution, and I have no information as to the amount of such fees in any year.

asked the Minister of Education what advice she took before providing the standard hutting now being used for school buildings; and whether she consulted the sub-committee of the Royal Institute of British Architects, appointed in February, 1945, to report on school design construction.

Hutting has been supplied to local education authorities for school use since August, 1941, at first through the Ministry of Supply but since January, 1942, through the Ministry of Works. The Minister of Works appointed a Prefabricated Hut Design Committee, which included among its members high technical and other officers of several Government Departments, including the Ministry of Education, and the original Standard Ministry of Works hut design was gradually evolved under the supervision of the committee, in the light of the experience gained and of the changing situation, e.g., in respect of the materials obtainable.In February, 1946, I received a report by the Committee mentioned in the second part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities have established adult education colleges; and what central machinery she has devised for encouraging the development of such colleges.

Twenty local education authorities have taken, or are taking, steps to secure the provision of adult education colleges, in some cases working in cooperation, either directly or by aiding schemes sponsored by voluntary bodies. Sites and premises for 12 such colleges have either been acquired or are about to be acquired. One is now operating and arrangements for opening a number of the others are in an advanced stage. Adult education colleges form part of the provision of further education and their development does not, I think, call for separate central machinery.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will take steps to increase the number of delivery vans available to retailers, so as to enable them to restore delivery services in order to ease the burden on housewives.

No, Sir. The allocation of commercial motor vehicles is left to the manufacturers, who are doing their best to increase production to meet the very heavy demands from all quarters that are being placed upon them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when instructions will be issued by his Department to the London Regional Headquarters of the N. F. S. to enable former firemen employed by the Enfield Urban District Council to receive the cost of living award made in December, 1945.

Directions that this increase should be taken into account for the purpose of determining the pay of the firemen in question were issued on the 5th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied that the further reduction of interest rates on Government securities will not result in smaller savings owing to the incentive being taken away; and if he will bear in mind this possibility before making any new issue.

All relevant possibilities are always kept in mind by the Treasury and the Bank of England, but so far the response to the latest Tap offer has been very satisfactory.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the maximum and minimum number of clerks at the Bank of England authorised, without limitation as to amount, to sign British Government stock certificates between 1st March and 30th June, 1946.

The number of clerks authorised to sign depends on the numbers needed for this work. It, therefore, varies greatly from time to time, and I am informed that figures are not available.

asked the Prime Minister why no explanatory memorandum is appended to S.R. & O., 1946, No. 892, made on 26th June; and if he will explain the effect of the Order.

I have been asked to reply. No explanatory memorandum was appended to S.R. & O., 1946, No. 892, made on 26th June, because the effect of the Order is merely to put an end to the wartime suspension of the ordinary procedure for putting the Crown in possession of land which it is purchasing under the Defence Acts, and it was considered that this clearly appeared upon the face of the Order.