asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his Department will in future make themselves responsible for the housing accommodation of civilian employees at naval establishments where any such accommodation cannot be found by these men themselves.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Health, is responsible for housing questions. It is, however, the Admiralty's normal practice where the local authorities are unable to meet the housing requirements of Admiralty employees, to assist by making suitable representations to the Ministry of Health.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty which Northern Scottish ports will be visited this summer by the Home Fleet.

The Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, in H.M.S. "King George V," will visit Oban from 25th July to 1st August. I regret that it has not been found possible to include other Northern Scottish ports in the summer cruise programme of the Home Fleet.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the Royal Marine barracks at Plymouth will be modernised and the men provided with lockers for their clothes and other facilities.

I am fully aware of the need for modernising the Royal Marine and Royal Naval Barracks but in view of the difficulties in regard to building construction in badly bombed areas, the amount of improvement in the Royal Marine Barracks, Plymouth, to be expected this year, cannot be as great as one would wish. Kit lockers could not be provided under the austerity scales enforced during the war but are now being supplied to Shore Establishments as quickly as possible from ships paid off into reserve.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, what educational vocational training is in operaton or projected for the continual service ranks of the Royal Marines.

The Royal Marines share the educational vocational training facilities provided for the Navy as a whole, which at present, within the limits permitted by the manning situation, aim to equip the sailor or marine for appropriate employment in civil life on leaving the Service. All continuous service ratings and other ranks are also eligible to take courses at the main Naval Educational Vocational Training centres during the six months after their discharge, as well as courses under the Government Vocational Training Scheme. The future arrangements for educational vocational training are under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the present Greenwich Hospital benefits it is proposed to increase from funds released by the waiver of age increases to naval pensioners and the amount of such increases.

The money expected to he available will be used for increasing Greenwich Hospital benefits, in particular:

(1) Greenwich Hospital Special Pensions to Seamen and Marines.

(2) Education and maintenance of the daughters of Seamen and Marines.

(3) Grants towards the education and maintenance of sons and daughters of deceased or distressed Commissioned Officers of the Royal Navy or Marines.

I regret that it is not possible at present to state the amount by which these benefits will be increased.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the present strength of the A.T.C.

On 30th April, which is the date of the most recent quarterly return, the strength was about 66,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his Department has taken any steps to drequisition the former R.A.F. landing ground at Winkfield, Berkshire, to enable the area to be used for agricultural purposes.

We were able to de-requisition a part of this landing ground last November. We now know that the rest of it can be released and about six weeks ago we made it available for unrestricted agricultural use in advance of the actual de-requisitioning.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will announce the demobilisation dates for the groups remaining in the Service at present or, in default thereof, some convenient approximation.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Captain Chetwynd).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, how many aircraft of all types, civil and military, were either diverted to, or recalled to, Prestwick since VE-Day by reason of bad landing conditions elsewhere.

Thirty-three civil aircraft and 182 military were diverted or recalled to Prestwick on account of bad landing conditions elsewhere between VE-day and the 30th June, 1946.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the reasons for the cancellation of B.O.A.C. Transatlantic Air Services following the action of the American Civil Aeronautics Administration in grounding all Lockheed Constellations; whether he is satisfied with the safety factor in B.O.A.C. Constellations; what steps are being taken to avoid any possible fire hazard on these aircraft; whether any other modifications are necessary to them; and when it is hoped to resume this transatlantic service.

The cancellation of the B.O.A.C. Transatlantic Service operated with Lockheed Constellations was necessitated by a temporary suspension by the American Civil Aeronautics Administration of the American Certificate Of Airworthiness on which the British certificate for this type of aeroplane rests. Both American and British standards are satisfied by the structural safety factor. An investigation is proceeding in America as to the cause of the recent accident which led to the temporary grounding of the Constellations. Until its report has been received I am unable to reply to the last two parts of the Question. The Air Registration Board and B.O.A.C. both have representatives in America who are in close touch with the investigation. The B.O.A.C. Transatlantic service will be resumed at the earliest practicable date.

asked the Minister of Food why, despite the fact that the production and distribution of breakfast cereals has been fully maintained, no adequate supplies of cereals such as wheat-flakes, puffed wheat and grapenuts are yet available in Preston and other areas.

Manufacturers of cereal breakfast foods are working to the limit of the existing capacity of machinery and labour but they are unable to meet the present very high consumer demand. As a result, supplies in most parts of the country are at present inadequate, although the total supply available, both in Preston and nationally is considerably in excess of the prewar quantity.

asked the Minister of Food when he anticipates being able to resume the importation of olive oil for culinary purposes.

Much as I should like to import olive oil for culinary use, the present prospects of securing it in sufficient qualities for this purpose are poor. Supplies in many of the producing countries are insufficient for local needs.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will modify his bread-rationing scheme so that one point can be exchanged for two B. U. s and one B.U. for half a point.

No, Sir. But I shall, of course, carefully watch the way the exchange of points with bread units goes.

asked the Minister of Food how many persons it is estimated will draw extra bread unit coupons as being manual workers engaged in the trade of the manufacture of camouflage and the production of camouflage materials, as specified in paragraph 27 of the Schedule to form B.M.W.1.

None. The category is now obsolete and was left in the schedule by mistake—but it was the kind of mistake which does no one any harm.

asked the Minister of Food if it is intended to employ enforcement officers in connection with the bread rationing scheme.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in the interests of people living alone, he will consider making bread units exchangeable for points in multiples of four instead of eight.

I regret that I do not see my way to accept this suggestion.

asked the Minister of Food, if there is to be any limit to the amount of bread which can be served when bread is taken as a third course at restaurants, canteens and catering establishments.

There is no limit to the individual's course but the catering establishment will only be given a definite allowance of bread for all its customers.

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of wheat he expects to save monthly by rationing bread; and how many days supply this represents.

Flour consumption will be influenced directly and indirectly by factors whose effects cannot be reliably assessed until the scheme is in operation. I regret therefore that at the present stage, I am not in a position to give the information for which the hon. and gallant Member asks.

asked the Minister of Food how many points one B.U. represents; and whether he will consider allowing them to be given in for food on points without exchanging them for points.

One bread unit will exchange for one point. On the second part of the Question I must refer the hon. Member to my reply to questions by the hon. Members for Hemel Hempstead (Viscountess Davidson) and West Lewisham (Mr. Skeffington) on 10th July of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Food if a special bread allowance can be made for schoolchildren when a midday school meal is not provided.

I regret that I cannot adopt this suggestion. The allowances for children have been fixed to meet their needs even if they do not get school meals.

asked the Minister of Food whether persons who receive extra bread coupons as manual workers will remain entitled to use them in all circumstances; or in what circumstances of their stopping work, and for what periods, will their right to extra food be in abeyance.

If employers will notify food offices when such workers leave their employment the extra coupons will be cancelled when eligibility ceases.

asked the Minister of Food what is the proposed conversion value of one B.U. in terms of oatmeal.

I regret that I cannot declare the points value of oatmeal before 21st July.

asked the Minister of Food for what reason an adolescent van-boy will get twice as much bread as an adult working housewife or shop assistant.

Adolescent van boys would get the quantity mentioned only if they had the manual worker's ration, and few of them will qualify for this.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that women who are engaged in manual work as office cleaners for 30 hours per week and who are in receipt of the industrial 10 clothing coupons are being refused extra B.U. coupons; and whether he will add these women to the list of persons contained in the Schedule of B.M.W.1 who are eligible for such additional bread ration.

I am aware that office cleaners are not eligible for the manual worker bread ration. I regret that I cannot see my way to extending the schedule of B.M.W.1 to include them.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that large supplies of gifts from abroad, of food of various kinds, are being distributed to hospitals who are already well supplied through the ordinary channels; and whether he will arrange a distribution to old age pensioners and other deserving people, after due regard for the welfare of hospital patients.

This is already being done. Seventy per cent. of all food gifts from abroad is distributed to aged and needy people through local authorities in all parts of the country. The remaining 30 per cent. is divided between hospitals, charitable institutions, including homes for children and elderly people, and workers' rehabilitation centres.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that it is impossible for the seaside holiday resorts to supply their visitors on the present allocation of rationed and unrationed foods; and whether he will take steps to allot a larger supply to them during the summer months.

I have just had a report from the area which the hon. Member represents that arrangements made by my Department to increase supplies to holiday resorts there have been successful. I shall be glad to make further inquiries if he will send me particulars of any resorts where difficulties are still being experienced.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that turkey and goose eggs are sold for 3s. each in shops and guinea fowl eggs for 1s. 6d.; and if he will take steps to price control and ration these items of food.

I am aware that these eggs are fetching high prices but the annual production is hardly large enough to warrant their inclusion in the system of price control and rationing.

asked the Minister of Food the quantities of malting barley supplied to brewers during each month of 1946.

Malting barley is supplied only to those brewers who are themselves maltsters; other brewers receive malt which has been produced by maltsters for sale, who also supply some malt to brewer_maltsters and also for other purposes. The following statement shows the quantities of malting barley derley delivered to brewer-maltsters and to maltsters for sale.

		Quantities of Malting Barley sold to:
1946		Brewer Maltsters.	Maltsters.
		Tons (A).	Tons (B).
January	…	35,500	63,600
February	…	26,300	50,500
March	…	20,900	46,900
April	…	11,500	28,500
May	…	5,300	22,400

It is estimated that about go per cent. of (

asked the Minister of Food how much home grown wheat from the 1944 crop was purchased for flour milling. how much flour it is estimated was produced from the wheat; and what was the total of subsidy paid.

2,277,000 tons of home grown wheat was delivered to the mills from the 1944 harvest and the quantity suitable for flour milling produced 1,766,000 tons of flour. The approximate total subsidy paid in respect of the 1944 wheat crop is estimated to be£12¼ million; this figure, which is based on ex-farm prices plus approved charges and estimated costs of milling and millers' profits, does not include the wheat acreage payments nor does it include the bread subsidy paid to bakers.

asked the Minister of Food how much home grown wheat of the 1945 crop has, so far, been purchased for flour milling; and how much home grown barley has been purchased by his Department.

The quantity of home grown wheat of the 1945 crop purchased for flour milling up to 29th June, 1946, was approximately 1,407,000 tons. Purchases by my Department, up to the same date, of barley from the 1945 crop, amounted to 530,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the case of the working-class household at Braintree, particulars of which have been submitted to him, in which 10s. 6d. a week is paid out for priority milk for two members of the household suffering from tuberculosis; and if he will make it possible for tuberculous people to get priority milk at a cheaper rate, as in the case of babies and expectant mothers.

I appreciate that this is a very hard case. But I do not think that the way to meet it is to extend the National Milk Scheme. Perhaps the hon. Member will consult with my Ministry and the Ministry of Health on the matter.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that quantities of milk have been returned to farmers in East Compton and Pilning districts, near Bristol, as unfit for consumption; and if he will take steps to prevent the waste of milk in future.

I am aware that some milk has recently been returned to producers in the East Compton and Pilning districts because it was alleged to be unmarketable. I understand that the milk was tested by the distributors under the National Milk Testing and Advisory Scheme and failed to reach the required standards. I am having inquiries made as to the cause of the failures and why it was not possible to use the rejected milk for manufacturing purposes. I will communicate the results to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements are made for the disposal of any milk supplied to schools which is not drunk by the children; and what steps are taken to make absolutely certain that there is no waste of any school milk that is found to be surplus.

Head teachers have been asked to take all possible steps by careful ordering of school milk to avoid any appreciable, surplus; where a surplus occurs, which cannot be disposed of to children in the school, the local food office should he informed and will issue instructions as to its disposal.

asked the Minister of Food what progress he has made in ascertaining the number of officials in his Department who have been associated with the firm of Unilever; and if he will circulate in HANSARD a list of the positions which they occupy.

The information for which the hon. Member asks is not yet ready, but if the hon. Member will put a Question down for next week I will endeavour to give him the information.

asked the Minister of Food (1) who have been the purchasers of Argentine linseed for export during the past three months;(2) to whom the linseed from the Argentine, at one time believed to have been purchased by the U.S.S.R. was, in fact, sold; and if he will make a further statement regarding his own efforts to obtain further supplies of linseed from that source.

A small quantity of linseed oil has been shipped for U.N.R.R.A. from Argentina. I am aware of no other purchase either of linseed or of linseed oil for export from that country in the past three months. With regard to our own efforts to obtain further supplies of linseed from the Argentine, negotiations are still proceeding and I regret, therefore, that I am not yet in a position to give any further information on this matter.

asked the Minister of Food if he has any further statement to make regarding the supply of linseed from South America.

Not yet, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food (1) if he will investigate the practicability of utilising the liver-oil and the fin-gelatine of the large numbers of basking sharks in Western Isles waters, in view of present oil needs and the heavy demands on gelatine;(2) whether the oils extractable from the basking sharks in Western Isles waters are suitable for soap-making.

The oil obtainable from the basking shark is a valuable source of vitamin A, and I should prefer to use any that can be obtained for this purpose rather than for soap-making. I shall be glad to investigate with the help of my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the possibility of further exploiting this source of liver-oil, and of recovering gelatine or glue from the fins.

asked the Minister of Food if his attention has been called to complaints by consumers and retailers regarding the excessive amount of top green-stuff which is included in the weight for selling purposes in the case of early vegetables such as carrots; and if he will give instructions to prevent the abuses which have occurred recently under this heading.

I am aware of complaints chiefly by consumers, and I have already given instructions for special investigations to be carried out iv the different markets and for action l o be taken where the foliage on bunched carrots, the only early root vegetable subject to control, exceeds the maximum length of nine inches.

asked the Minister Food if lie has now reached a decision about a higher killing price for hens, to operate during the next three months when poultry farmers will, because of lack of feedingstuffs, have to dispose of large numbers of laying hens at heavy financial loss.

This question is still under examination. But as already announced, producers will receive immediate assistance as a result of the substantial increase in producers' prices for eggs during the period 1st August to 30th November.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that people who grow their own vegetables are frequently refused supplies of fruit at greengrocers' and fruiterers' shops; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 10th July to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid)

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that farmers receive the same price from his Department for their animals for slaughtering whether the hide is affected by warble fly or not, thus creating no inducement to them to adopt anti-warble measures; and what is the annual loss to his Department, in view of the fact that hides are sold to tanneries on grade designations which means that a warbled hide may mean loss to his Department of anything from ½d.to 2¼per lb.

The great majority of cattle are purchased by the Ministry of Food on the basis of their live weight and grade as determined by certifying authorities at collecting centres, and we have not found it practicable to make a distinction between the prices paid for cattle which are affected by the warble fly and for those which are not. The prices charged to the tanners for warbled hides are lower than those for clear hides. If the hides of all cattle purchased by the Ministry of Food in 1945 had been entirely free from warbles the additional sum realised on sale would have been in the neighbourhood of£130,000. The prevention of warble fly is entirely a matter for my colleague the Minister of Agriculture, with whom I will gladly discuss the matter further.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of barley have been exported from the United Kingdom or diverted from United Kingdom allocations to Holland and Denmark since 1st August, 1945.

The only barley exported from the United Kingdom to Holland and Denmark since 1st August, 1945, has been for the manufacture of beer for British troops. Statistics of the quantities are not available in my Department but I will obtain them and communicate them to the hon. and gallant Member. No barley has been diverted to these countries from cargoes afloat to the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the letter of protest from the National Utility Poultry Society concerning prepared poultry food being sent from this country to France; and whether he will state the nature of the reply he has sent to the society.

The reply which was sent by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries drew attention to the joint announcement by the Agricultural Departments about winter rations for livestock. The export of prepared poultry food to France, to which my hon. Friend refers, was in exchange for an equivalent quantity of groundnuts.

asked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied that the industrial valleys of South Wales receive an adequate allocation of non-rationed foods as compared with other areas; if he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction amongst miners and other workers in heavy industries on this matter; and if he will make a statement to allay the doubts that now exist.

I have already authorised my divisional food officer in South Wales to increase allocations of ingredients for the manufacture of meat products and flour confectionery in districts where such increases can be justified. If my hon. Friend cares to let me have particulars of other shortages, and of the places where they occur, I will willingly make further inquiries.

asked the Minister of Food whether consideration will be given to the requirements of the tourist trade in connection with the new restrictions which he is considering imposing on hotels and restaurants in this country.

I can assure the hon. Member that the requirements of the tourist trade have not and will not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Food whether he intends that the proposed maximum surcharge of 2s. 6d. per head should apply to Government hospitality henceforward; and whether in view of the importance of providing foreign statesmen with hospitality no less generous than they provide for a British statesman attending conferences in foreign capitals, he will make provision for adequate elasticity in the enforcement of the new scheme.

Yes, Sir. Restrictions on the additional charge made for meals served in private rooms will apply to Government hospitality.

asked the Minister of Food whether in view of the stocks of tea held in this country, he will consider increasing the tea ration, at least for small one and two family households.

I am sorry that I cannot adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider including the North of Scotland in the same category as Northern Ireland in the price schedules of S.R. & O., 1946, No. 809.

During the first part of the season the schedule of carrot prices maintains the prewar differentials. The prices of main crop carrots have not yet been fixed, but they will be at a level which will ensure an easy flow to the North of Scotland.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the representations made to his Department by the West Cornwall Fishermen's Council, since the beginning of the year, and by other representative bodies and persons resulting in investigations by his Department, he will, since the pilchard fishing season has already commenced and is relatively short, now make a statement to allay anxiety amongst the fishermen regarding prices.

As a result of the recent investigations, I have decided to remove pilchards from maximum price control. They will also cease to be subject to transport levy, and traders will pay their own carriage. I will continue to encourage the export of cured pilchards in every practical way, and, if contracts are made with U.N.R.R.A. or similar bodies, I will see that the fishermen get a fair price for pilchards sold for curing.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will state the total quantity of Dutch lettuce, and its value, imported into this country during the present season

The season for the importation of Dutch lettuces ended on 31st May. Up to that date 4,800 tons were imported and their value was£ 526,264.

asked the Minister of Food on what grounds it has been decided that no white flour or white bread should be made available for invalids who are unable to digest bread made from supplies of flour having an extraction rate of 90 per cent., although special provision was made for such persons during the 1914 to 1918 war.

The Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council advised the Ministry before the extraction rate of flour was raised to 90 per cent. that they saw no reason for making special provision for white flour to invalids provided the extraction rate did not exceed 90 per cent.

asked the Minister of Food why it is his policy to restrict the price of home-grown leeks to 26s. 3d. per cwt., wholesale, whilst imported leeks may be sold at 74s. 8d. per cwt.

I am making an Order temporarily suspending control of prices of home grown leeks thereby placing them in the same position as imported supplies.

asked the Minister of Food it he is aware that, in connection with bullocks sent from Scotland to Manchester for slaughter, the butchers and housewives complain of the overfat condition of meat; and what steps does he intend to take to ensure that these beasts are brought to the market earlier, thus effecting a saving in cattle-food, or alternatively, to reduce the allocation of feeding-stuffs to the farmers concerned.

As regards the first part of the Question I am aware that in Manchester prime fat Scotch beef is less popular than it is in some parts of the country. As regards the latter part of the Question the proportion of cattle which the consuming public generally may consider over-fat is relatively small and I see no reason for altering the present arrangements. It must be borne in mind that no feeding-stuffs are allocated for fattening cattle, the production of which depends upon the resources of the individual farm.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will reduce the allocation of 90 per cent. of the 1939 quantity of grain used for the manufacture of beer, by which 700,000 tons of human food are devoted to this purpose, until the food situation has improved and the rationing of bread becomes unnecessary.

No, Sir. In my opinion such a course would not be in the general interest.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now arrange for an increased supply of soya beans to this country in view of their dietetic value and low cost, particularly for those who depend on soya products to replace meat, milk and animal fats.

I am doing all I can to obtain increased supplies of soya beans, but the U.S.A. is at present virtually the only source of supply and I have not been able to purchase all I would have liked from there.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many building workers have to rely on a packed midday meal; and if he will grant the extra cheese ration where it is established that no canteen facilities exist for these workers.

I am aware that some building workers have to rely on a packed mid-day meal but I regret that I am unable to extend the special cheese ration to these men.

asked the Minister of Food if he will set out the main differences in the present powers of his Department to control or ration foods, compared with those in the years 1919–20.

There are no differences of any importance, as can be seen by comparing the scope of Regulation 2F made under the Defence of the Realm Consolidation Act, 1914, with that of Regulation 55 of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, and of Regulation 55AB.

asked the Minister of Food what amount of rice the Peace Treaty with Siam obliged that country to provide free; what amount has been handed over to the latest date for which figures are available; the average quantity per month so far; and why some rice is now being paid for and at what price per ton.

I am writing to the hon. Member regarding this matter.

asked the Minister of Food who are the chief officials constituting the British Rice Unit set up for Siam; what are the salaries and emoluments paid to each; and what is the present total annual cost of the unit falling upon the British taxpayer.

The British Rice Unit for Siam consists of an officer in charge, the Hon. Somerset Butler, with a salary of£2,700 per annum, two senior officers, Mr. L. C. J. B. Walton and Mr. A. N. J. Harrison, with salaries of£980 per annum, and two junior officers with salaries of£600and£500. In addition these officers receive the appropriate Foreign Service allowances, totalling£2,500. The total cost of the unit is£14,000 per annum.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent adulteration of flour for bread making, etc., is permitted; what materials are allowed to be used for whitening the flour or other purposes; and in what quantities.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on the 8th July, 1946.

asked the Minister of Food what action he is taking to increase the supply of meat to this country from Eire.

At my request an Agricultural Mission has come over and discussions have started with officials of my Department. I hope, however, that the House will not imagine that any swift or dramatic increase in supplies is possible from this source.

asked the Minister of Food whether an additional ration of soap will be issued for coal workers in railway yards where there are no washing facilities.

Extra soap is available for tippers, bunkerers and teamers in the coal transport industry and for coal trimmers generally. Supplies do not per- mit of extra soap being provided for any other classes of coal workers in railway yards.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that barbers are being refused supplies of shaving soap by manufacturers on the ground that they cannot fulfil orders; and what steps he is taking to right this matter.

If my hon. Friend will supply me with particulars of the cases he has in mind, I shall he glad to see whether I can assist in securing supplies.

asked the Minister of Food what provision is made for the supply of soap, in addition to the soap ration, to heavy industrial workers who have no facilities for washing at their place of employment.

None, Sir. I regret I am unable to make special provision for workers mentioned.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now explain why 5,000 tons of soap, offered by Australia, were not acquired for the United Kingdom.

A small offer of soap was received from the Australian Government for the first time just over a week ago. I hope to take advantage of this offer as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.

asked the Minister of Food what was the actual percentage cut in beer output in the Midlands between April and May, 1946.

About 12 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of golf balls; and the percentage of the total production which is allowed for free sale in this country.

I am aware of the shortage, but I am glad to say that output is increasing. The answer to the second part of the Question is 55 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, owing to higher priorities having been given to the building and furniture industries, no further supplies of beech are now available for the production of wood heels for women's shoes, 60 per cent. of the output of which relies exclusively on this timber for which there is no practical substitute; and what steps are being taken to provide home grown or imported beech for this purpose.

I am aware tat manufacturers of wood heels are not getting all the beech they need. This is due not, as the hon. Member suggests, to any preference given to other industries, but to a general shortage of supplies. Home grown beech is scarce because of the very heavy inroads made into available supplies during the war. Every effort is being made to obtain imported beech from all possible sources; and it is hoped that, in particular, increasing quantities will become available from Germany.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of our exports, since the end of the war, is represented by shipments to British and other forces overseas and on behalf of U.N.R.R.A.

Exports by U.N.R.R.A. have not been separately recorded. A precise figure cannot therefore be given, but such exports have represented about 3 per cent. of the total exports in the year ended May, 1946. No reliable estimate can be made of the percentage of total exports represented—by N.A.A.F.I. supplies but it is known to be considerable—probably larger than that for U.N.R.R.A. British Government-owned stores shipped to British and other forces overseas are not included in the export statistics.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total tonnage of timber imported into this country from Germany in the first six months of 1946.

In the first five months of 1946, 15,200 tons of timber were imported from Germany. The figures for June are not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any estimate of the amount of timber in Germany suitable for use as poles for electrical transmission lines

Arrangements have been made to obtain poles from Germany as part of our softwood supplies, but no estimate of the amount likely to be received can yet be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many tons of biscuits have been exported from Great Britain in the past 12 months.

Eighty-six thousand, five hundred tons of biscuits were exported from the United Kingdom in the 12 months ended May, 1946.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of watering cans for garden and greenhouse use; and whether he will give an assurance that at early date more of these articles will be available.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 6th May to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère). The manufacturers of watering cans have promised to do all they can to improve supplies, but they are handicapped by shortage of labour and of steel in the appropriate gauges.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total maximum value of cutlery goods permitted to be imported from the U.S.A. under the latest agreement.

The extension, recently announced, of the token import arrangements to the United States of America means that in a full year imports of cutlery from that country will be admitted up to the value of about£5,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the fall in the consumption of wool from 75·8 million pounds in March to 63·4 million pounds in April is due to the unsatisfactory working of the Wool Control; and what steps he is taking to alter this situation.

I am not aware of any such thing The figures quoted include both consumption and stocking up by merchants and manufacturers. Consumption in April is estimated to have been 51 million pounds, slightly higher than in March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that there are large stocks of wartime produced shoes, under-soled with Balata belting, in the retailers' hands which are practically unsaleable; and if he will consider allowing these to be sold free of coupons;(2) how much under-employment there is in the firms manufacturing miners' and other heavy nailed boots; and, in view of the large surplus stocks, if he will make them saleable free of coupons and so increase employment in this branch of the industry.

As I informed the hon. Member for Bucklow (Mr. W. Shepherd) on Monday last, I am considering the general question of the pointing of footwear. Heavy working boots are one of the main items I have in mind. I have already given permission for the unlimited export of these boots, and, if I find I can make some coupon concession, the employment position in this industry will, no doubt, be further benefited.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the special coupons issued to Service personnel attached to headquarters in London who are not occupying married quarters and therefore must maintain a home, are not acceptable for fabrics for loose coverings and curtains; and whether he will make some compensating issue to their Wives.

The special coupons are given to enable officers to purchase civilian clothing for off-duty wear. The wives concerned, if they are setting up house for the first time in this country, may well qualify for priority dockets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the premises of Messrs. Arnold Senior and Company, Limited, Bottoms Mill, Bilkenshaw, near Brad. ford, were requisitioned in 1942 and will be derequisitioned in September, 1946, when the firm proposes putting back into production 54 looms which have been stored; that the Wool Control, Bradford, refuses to make any allocation of wool because the looms were not registered as carrying ration during the period taken as a basis for the allocation of wool supplies; and if he will arrange for the reversal of this decision to enable this old-established firm to resume the production of cloth that is urgently required.

Yarn is rationed to weavers on the basis of the machinery operated by them immediately prior to the war. I understand that the looms to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers were not operated by Messrs. Senior and Company, Limited, for several years before the war and that the responsibility for the recruitment of labour and for such production as was obtained from the looms during that period was that of another manufacturer to whom they were leased in 1935 and who derives his present yarn allocation partly from that production. Having regard to the continuing shortage of wool yarn, no ground is seen for departing from the ordinary rule which precludes the grant of ration to more than one manufacturer in respect of any particular plant. Any yarn ration granted would have to be at the expense of other firms.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the demobilisation and resettlement of those Colonial Forces recruited from West Indian and African Colonies between 1939 and 1946; how many of these men became casualties and what aid is being offered to train them for civil occupations.

Yes, Sir. The figures are as follow:

DEMOBILISATION.
West Africa:
Demobilised up to 31st May,1946	67,021
East and Central Africa:
Demobilised up to 31st May,1946	163,150
West Indies:
North Caribbean:
Demobilised up to 31st May, 1946	2,369
South Caribbean:
Demobilised up to 30th June, 1946	2,472
Bermuda:
Demobilisation complete—Number released	373
West Indians specially enlisted in R.A.F. for duty in the United Kingdom.
Demobilised	1,800

Demobilisation is proceeding smoothly and the local forces are expected to be reduced by the end of the year, or earlier, to a figure approximating to the interim strength approved pending a final decision regarding peacetime establishments. The above figures refer, except in the case of the West Indians specially enlisted in the R.A.F. for duty in the United Kingdom, to locally enlisted military forces only. The position in regard to the small local Naval and Air Forces raised in these areas is similar.RESETTLEMENT.(1)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give details of the Malayan Government's scheme to give financial assistance for the rehabilitation of Chinese tin mines in Malaya.

The Malay Union Government are prepared to make rehabilitation loans to the Chinese section of the tin industry for approved programmes of repair on terms similar to those for European companies. The loans will be a first charge on the repaired asset and will be set off against any compensation payable for war damage. Any balance remaining after the set-off will in the case of dredges be repayable in equal instalments over a period of 15 years, or less at the option of the company, with interest at the rate of 3 per cent. accruing from the date of the loan. The repayment period in the case of hydraulic, gravel pump, opencast, and lode mines will depend on the circumstances of the individual case but will not exceed 10 years. Repayment of capital and payment of interest will not commence until a decision has been reached on claims for compensation or on 1st January, 1950, whichever is the earlier. Companies or persons receiving loans will be required to adopt all reasonable measures for ensuring the highest degree of efficiency in their operations and they will also be requited to provide fair conditions of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of houses in Kuala Lumpur, previously requisitioned by the military, have now been derequisitioned: and whether he will see that this derequisitioning is hastened, in view of the housing shortage in the area.

Detailed figures are not available but between December arid June last the proportion of troops housed in requisitioned property in the Kuala Lumpur area was reduced from 75 per cent. to 40 per cent. and the proportion under canvas increased from 20 per cent. to 55 per cent. As a further measure to release houses for civilians, the Service authorities are undertaking a building programme and much of the temporary accommodation thus provided will, it is hoped, be ready for occupation by troops in the Autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether, in view of the congestion in the harbours of Singapore and Part Swettenham and the consequent delays in the delivery of materials urgently required for the rehabilitation of Malaya and its inhabitants, he will grant priority for the work of restoring the dock facilities;(2) whether, in view of the delays to ocean tonnage awaiting berths at Singapore, he will grant further priority for the repair of damaged go-downs.

My right hon. Friend is doing all in his power to expedite the supply of materials and equipment for the rehabilitation of Malayan ports, including Singapore and Port Swettenham. Considerable quantities have already left and every effort is being made to procure and ship the remaining requirements without any avoidable delay. The supply position in the case of certain materials, for example, corrugated iron sheets which are essential for roofing go-downs, is, however, so difficult that it may be some time before all requirements can be met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is yet in a position to make a statement regarding the claims for compensation from the widows and relatives of C.D. workers killed in Malaya at the time of the Japanese invasion; and the petition by the Junior Civil Service Association of Malaya for back pay for the period of occupation.

I have now been informed that the payment, under the Personal Injuries Scheme, of pensions to dependants of any Civil Defence workers who were killed in Malaya, has been authorised. As regards the second part of the Question, the whole question of back pay during the period of occupation is now under review locally with unofficial assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now see his way to ease the existing tension in Palestine by revoking the death penalty for the carrying of arms and t confining it only to the illegal use of arms.

Consideration has been given to this suggestion but my right hon. Friend is unable to agree.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the Jews who were arrested in Palestine on or after 29th June last have since been released and how many are still being detained.

2,675 were arrested and releases up to 16th July were 677. On that date 1,998 were still in detention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the special maps of Palestine promised in the Report of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry will be ready; and how they can be obtained.

Plates for these maps are under preparation by the Ordnance Survey and I am informed that they are expected to be ready in August. They will be placed on sale by His Majesty's Stationery Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Arab officials were present during the search of the premises of the Jewish Agency and for what purpose.

No Arab officials or other Arabs were brought to the Jewish Agency building for the purpose of taking part in the search of the premises or for the examination of papers belonging to the Agency. The search and selection of papers was carried out entirely by experienced British officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any member or official of the Jewish Agency was present during the search of the premises of the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem.

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reason the disarming of the illegal military organisations in Palestine, condemned by the Anglo-American Committee, has been discontinued.

The plans for the search of settlements put into effect on 29th June have been completed and the High Commissioner has expressed the hope that there will be no further need for widespread military action. There is no question of discontinuing action against the illegal organisations and any further outbreaks of violence will be dealt with with the utmost vigour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will secure the derequisitioning of the buildings belonging to the large shops in Singapore in order that the needs of the inhabitants may be catered for.

Progress has already been made by the release of the whole or a large portion of the buildings of the firms of Messrs. Whiteaway Laidlaw, Messrs. Robinson, and Messrs. John Little, the chief shops in Singapore.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has had time to study the particulars that have been sent to him regarding the administration at Singapore; and what action he has taken to meet these criticisms.

The Secretary of State has written to the hon. Member to explain that it would be impossible to deal with all the matters raised in his letter in reply to a single Question. Some of them are the subject of other Questions today, and my right hon. Friend will of course be glad to answer any Questions which the hon. Member may care to put down on any other specific points.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that Japanese prisoners of war are occupying houses in Singapore requisitioned by the Army while British subjects are unable to find suitable accommodation; and if he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.

I am informed that the only residential accommodation occupied by Japanese, surrendered personnel is the Government Reformatory School and one area on a rubber estate which includes a bungalow used as a Japanese hospital. In addition one requisitioned bungalow is used for three Japanese civilians who are engaged on broadcasting to Japanese soldiers on a neighbouring island.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the hardship to next-of-kin of men killed on active service who are unable to obtain grants of administration, he will arrange to open the Companies and Deeds Registers and the Estate. Duty Office in Singapore immediately.

I am informed by the Governor of Singapore that the Companies (Special Provisions) Ordinance to assimilate the law to the present conditions in Malaya comes into force on 19th July and that the Companies Office is now open. The Deeds Registry is also open for registering transactions which can be exempted from the provisions of the Moratorium Proclamation. The appointment of an Acting Commissioner of Estate Duties will be gazetted -at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the number of murders and armed robberies in Singapore since 1st January, 1946; and if he will issue the necessary instructions to deal with persons in illegal possession of arms.

There were 39 murders and 458 armed robberies, of which 101 were robberies by armed gangs, in Singapore during the period 1st January to the moth July. My right hon. Friend is considering a recommendation by the Governor that he should be authorised to introduce more effective deterrents than are provided by the existing penalties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the adequacy of Colonial pensions was last reviewed; and whether he anticipates it will be possible to arrange for their augmentation in the near future owing to the rise in the cost of living.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave on 29th May to the hon. Member for Kingston-on-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what quantity of Argentine maize has been imported into Nigeria during the past 12 months; and how many tons have been condemned as unfit for human consumption.

One shipment of 2,741 tons of Argentine maize was imported in the period mentioned. This consignment arrived in poor condition and 1,896 tons had finally to be condemned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the export of soft soap from Nigeria is prohibited.

The export of soap from Nigeria is controlled by licence. As the quantity of soap produced locally is less than that required for domestic consumption, export is permitted only in exceptional cases, particularly for the other West African Colonies and for ships' stores.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give figures showing what moneys have been expended, year by year, over the past 10 years by each Government in Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Tanganyika, Uganda, Kenya and Somaliland on territorial famine relief, or anti-famine measures, in such directions as subsidies, food purchases, & c.

I am asking the Governors for the information required and shall write to the hon. Member when it has been received. As regards Somaliland I am consulting the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps, with or without assistance from the Colonial Welfare and Development Fund, have yet been taken to implement the report made by experts to the Crown Agents in 1941 on the handling and scientific storing of grain in Kenya; and whether, with a view to the elimination of future risks of total or partial famine or food shortages, any efforts on similar lines are contemplated, regionally or territorially, for other African colonies.

The hon. Member is probably referring to the visits to East Africa in 1943 and 1944 by representatives of engineering firms whose advice was asked when the question of erecting silos for grain storage in Kenya was being considered. As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member in reply to his Question on 13th February, the position in East Africa has been improved by the establishment of bag storage depots with a capacity of nearly 100,000 tons. The question of the erection of silos is still being considered by a Committee in East Africa. Proposals on these lines are not under consideration for other African Territories, but an expert is shortly proceeding to West Africa under the auspices of the Colonial Agricultural Research Committee to investigate and advise on storage problems in West Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the number of European settlers accepted for Tanganyika during the past 12 months; how many have actually arrived in that territory; and whether hostels have now been arranged for the reception of their families and adequate steps taken for training on the land preparatory to settlement.

No European settlers have been accepted in Tanganyika during the past 12 months for Government-sponsored settlement schemes because the Tanganyika Government is still engaged in examination of the proposed settlement schemes. It may be assumed that provision for training on the land will be included in any settlement schemes and the question of the establishment of a hostel for intending settlers will undoubtedly also be considered by the Tanganyika Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet reached a decision on the question of sending a Parliamentary delegation to study conditions in West Africa.

No, Sir. The proposal is receiving the attention of my right hon. Friend

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is intended to recover from our recent enemies the 30,000,000 odd needed for the rehabilitation of Malta.

Loss and damage in Malta resulting from the war were, of course, taken into account when the United Kingdom and Colonial claims for reparations were compiled. But there is no prospect that enough money will be recovered from our late enemies by way of reparations to reimburse His Majesty's Government with more than a small proportion of the grant made to Malta.