asked the Minister of Works if he will specify the Materials used in the maintenance work which is being carried out at the Grosvenor Square premises of the Italian embassy.

I am advised that the work recently done at these premises and now completed involved the use of paint, distemper, cement, plaster and sand.

asked the Minister of Works to whom the 1,258 seats in the Mall on Victory Day, that were not occupied by Members of the House of Lords, House of Commons and the Foreign Office, were allocated.

The seats on the Saluting Base were allocated to members of the Royal Family and Foreign Royalties, Ministers, Dominion High Commissioners, heads of Missions of the Fighting Allies and members of the Board of Admiralty, Army Council and Air Council. The remaining seats on either side of, and opposite to, the Saluting Base were allocated in the main to persons who had performed valuable services to the State during the War. A quota of seats was allocated to the Service Departments, and two seats to each Civil Department for civil servants. Seats were also provided for the Press.

asked the Minister of Works, in view of the fact that the Ministry of Health has assumed the major responsibility for the housing programme, by how many he proposes to reduce the staff of his Department.

The distribution of duties between my Department and the Ministry of Health was settled shortly after the present Government took office, and remains unchanged. The staff of the Ministry has been adjusted to its present functions.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will expedite the liberation of redundant Government huts for the purchase and subsequent use by youth movements throughout the country.

The rate of release of Government huts must depend on the needs of the holding Departments, but I know they are fully aware of the need for useful prefabricated hutting, especially that of priority customers such as youth organisations whose applications have the support of the Ministry of Education.

asked the Minister of Works which brickworks have been reopened in county Durham during the year; how many brickworks are now in full production; and how many are partly or completely idle.

17 brickworks have reopened in County Durham this year. They are as follow:Britley Brick Co.R. Blackett & Son, Ltd.Wm. Burnip (Exors. of).Burns Brick Co. Ltd.Crossley Building Products, Ltd.Dunwell Bros.Fcrens & Love (1937) Ltd.R. Glass & Sons.Harton Coal Co. Ltd.Lambton, Hetton & Joicey Coll. Co. Ltd.—Hetton.Neasham Brickworks, Ltd.New Brancepeth Colliery Co. Ltd.Northern Industrial Improvement Trust, Ltd.Sir S. A. Sadler, Ltd.Scoby Scaur Brick & Gravel Co. Ltd.Usworth Bricks, Ltd.H. R. Vaughan & Co. Ltd.Forty-four brickworks in County Durham were in production at 30th June last, 21 of them at their pre-war level. Six are preparing to resume, and 5 are idle.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that construction of houses at 45–55, Stanley Avenue, New Malden, Surrey, is at a standstill owing to shortage of bricks; and whether he is taking any action to remedy this.

I regret that this work is delayed by the shortage of bricks. Supplies are being distributed on the fairest possible basis and the total requirements for this job will be made available as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Works the number of prefabricated houses which have been imported from overseas; the country of origin; and to what extent they have proved satisfactory.

About 8,500 prefabricated temporary houses have been imported, on lend-lease terms, from the United States of America, and 4,944 prefabricated permanent houses have been imported from Sweden. Both types are satisfactory and I know of no complaints from tenants.

asked the Minister of Works how many types of prefabricated temporary and permanent houses, respectively, have been approved by his Department; and how many of each individual design have been erected up to the last convenient date.

Ten types of prefabricated temporary houses have been approved. I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the number of each type which have been erected. For information with regard to permanent prefabricated houses I must refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friends, the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now in a position to give any further information as to assisting ex-Servicemen and others to earn a living by the use of their own motorcars as commercial travellers or otherwise, by increasing the petrol ration for business purposes.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 16th July.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will have a survey made of the Cowthat Glen, Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, with a view to discovering whether the coal deposits are worth working; and if he will also consider a survey of the whole of the Annandale Valley.

Cowthat Glen, Ecclefechan, has been surveyed by the Geological Survey. No coal seams have been recorded and as the geological formation is older than the coal bearing strata no coal seams of workable thickness are likely to be found there. Similarly, the Annandale Valley has been surveyed and no coal seams are recorded.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men whose names have been accepted for training as plumbers since the training scheme commenced; and the numbers who have completed their training, are now in training and have not yet started training, respectively.

Of 4,130 men accepted for training as plumbers, 298 have already completed their course in a training centre, 945 are now in training and 2,887 await allocation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give particulars of courses of training available for disabled men in the Northern Region; if he is satisfied that these are adequate to meet the demand; and if he is contemplating establishing additional centres in this region.

In the Northern Region vocational training courses for which suitable disabled persons are eligible are available in the building trades (bricklaying, carpentry, painting, plastering, plumbing, slating and tiling and wood machining), bespoke tailoring, boot and shoe making, boot and shoe repairing, clerical and commercial work, electric welding, gardening, institutional domestic work, light and heavy leather work, shorthand typing and typewriter mechanics. Since the war ended centres have been opened in the Region at Aycliffe, North Tyne and Spennymoor in addition to that at Wallsend. A further centre is just coming into use at Felling-on-Tyne and a centre in West Cumberland is also proposed. The additional facilities provided are mainly for training in the building trades and I am satisfied that they are adequate for this purpose. In other trades, unfortunately the training so far has had to be limited in view of the number for whom employment is likely to be available on completion of training.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of people registered as unemployed in Wallasey at 14th July, 1946, or the nearest convenient date.

1,464 at 17th June.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the approximate number of youths who it is anticipated will be enlisted in His Majesty's Forces from Scotland for 1946 and for 1947.

Under the present arrangements the number of young men under 21 in Scotland enlisted under the National Service Acts will be about 26,000 in 1946 and 20,000 in 1947. Voluntary enlistments in 1946 will probably total about 7,000; the number of volunteers in 1947 cannot be safely estimated.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons in Scotland were called up for service in His Majesty's Forces under the National Service Acts up to the end of 1945; how many have been demobilised up to the end of June, 1946; and how many will be demobilised in each of the next six months.

The number of persons in Scotland called up for service in His Majesty's Forces under the National Service Acts up to the end of 1945 was 359,883, of whom 20,397 were women. The information asked for in the second and third parts of the Question is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will introduce legislation to provide the same rights of reinstatement in civil employment for men conscripted to the A.F.S. on 3rd September, 1939, for full-time service and later placed on part-time service until recall to full-time service in April, 1940, as are already possessed by personnel directed into the N.F.S. after April, 1941.

No person was conscripted for the Fire Service before the passing of the National Service Act, 1941.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons who have served or are serving, in the Polish Aimed Forces have been allowed to start work in Scotland during the last six months; at what trades were, or are they working and in what districts.

During the last six months one permit has been issued by my Department, to enable a member of the Polish Armed Forces to start work as a foreign correspondent with a firm of marine insurance brokers in Glasgow. In addition a number of Polish soldiers have been given leave by the Polish military authorities to be attached to firms or factories as student trainees. In military trainee cases, figures for which are not available, civilian labour permits are not required, but each case will be reviewed by the Departments concerned on the formation of the Polish Resettlement Corps.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the resolutions, of which copies have been sent him, from the churches, the trades councils and other representative bodies in Scotland, calling for the withdrawal of the Polish soldiers from Scotland; and what, and when, steps will be taken to comply with this demand.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has brought these representations to my notice. As I have previously stated, we are required to accommodate a large number of Polish troops, and we are doing it as far as possible in existing camps. It would not be practicable to exclude Scotland from the arrangement entirely. But, under the new distribution, the total allocation to Scotland compares favourably with the allocation to other parts of Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate numbers or percentage of miners and farmers or farm workers, respectively, in General Anders' Army, or if he will take the necessary steps to ascertain these figures.

A census is being taken, but the figures for the whole Army will not be available for some little time. I understand that there are considerable numbers of agriculturists and comparatively few miners.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Polish soldiers that have been sent to the camp at Egremont, Cumberland; and what is the reason for their having been sent thereto.

About zoo Polish soldiers have been and another 500 will be sent to this camp. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 25th June to a Question by my hon. Friend tit? Member for Clitheroe (Mr. Randall).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet agreed to the drainage scheme for Chapelton, Lanarkshire; and when work is likely to commence.

The scheme has been approved in principle and the Department of Health are in touch with the county council about the details. The scheme is one of many which are before the county council and which are heavily engaging the council's engineering staff, and the date of its commencement will depend largely on the priority which the council give it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if there are common nutritional standards for the examination of schoolchildren in Scotland.

All education authorities in Scotland have been advised that the classification "Bad Nutrition" should be used to cover only those children who, in the opinion of the medical officer, are suffering in health to a serious degree in consequence of bad or insufficient feeding. While, as I stated in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 16th July, nutrition standards are not capable of exact statistical measurement, the findings of the school medical officers do serve their main purpose of drawing attention to those children who appear to require medical supervision and, if necessary, treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of pupils, expressed as a percentage, at fee-paying schools under the education authority in Edinburgh, who are in receipt of school meals; and the similar figures for non-fee-paying schools.

In February, 1946, the latest date for which statistics are available, the number of pupils in the fee-paying schools under the Edinburgh Education Authority who were receiving mid-day meals at school, expressed as a percentage of the total roll of such schools, was 28. The corresponding figure for pupils in the non-fee-paying schools was 24.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take for the improvement of the services relating to milk production in Scotland.

I have had this matter under consideration and have appointed an independent committee with the following terms of reference:

"To review the services at present in operation in Scotland in connection with the production of milk and the quality of the supply, and to consider and report what improvements in those services are desirable and practicable."

The names of the members of the Committee are:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the salaries paid to each of the part-time Sheriffs-Principal

——				1936.	1937.	1938.	1939.	1940.	1941.	1942.	1943.	1944.	1945.
(1)	…	…	…	25	23	21	18	9	5	17	3	5	5
(2)	…	…	…	26	21	28	28	17	13	8	18	5	10
(3)	…	…	…	25	34	34	23	20	12	12	16	18	12
(4)	…	…	…	15	16	11	9	14	7	12	3	4	8
(5)	…	…	…	31	22	25	14	25	14	11	22	16	11
(6)	…	…	…	1	3	2	2	1	2	—	—	1	2
(7)	…	…	…	11	9	13	15	12	9	10	14	8	9
(8)	…	…	…	5	18	21	13	15	18	11	19	19	14
(9)	…	…	…	3	4	1	4	4	2	3	2	2	3
(10)	…	…	…	7	2	4	4	3	5	3	4	1	7

The appeals were generally heard in the respective Sheriffdoms, the proportion heard elsewhere, usually in Edinburgh, not exceeding 5 per cent. Particulars of cases, other than appeals, heard by the Sheriffs are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been done to remove the anomalies described by the Aberdeen pre-apprenticeship school teachers in their letter of 10th May, 1946, to him, which letter gives particulars of how these teachers who have considerable experience in industry, excellent technical qualifications and years of

The Sheriffdom for which Sheriffs act in a part-time capacity and the salaries of such Sheriffs are as follow:

	£
(1) Aberdeen, Kincardine and Banff	1,200
(2) Perth and Angus	1,200
(3) Stirling, Dunbarton and Clack-mannan	1,200
(4) Inverness, Moray, Nairn and Ross and Cromarty	1,100
(5) Renfrew and Argyll	1,100
(6) Caithness, Sutherland, and Zetland	1,050
(7) Fife and Kinross	1,000
(8) Ayr and Bute	1,000
(9) Roxburgh, Berwick and Selkirk	900
(10) Dumfries and Galloway	900

The number of appeals from the Sheriffs-Substitute heard by the Sheriffs of the above-mentioned Sheriffdoms in each of the last 10 years were as follow:teaching on advanced work are, under the Teviot scales, paid on a lower salary grade than manual instructors; and if he will take steps to rectify the position.

The salary conditions referred to are those agreed upon and recommended by the National Joint Council to deal with salaries of teachers in Scotland, a body representing both teachers and education authorities. The recognition of an uncertificated teacher as certificated would normally result in an improvement in his salary position, and the Department are considering whether any and, if so, what steps can he taken to assist teachers in pre-apprenticeship classes to obtain certificicated status.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what housing sites have been examined in the village of Douglas, Lanarkshire; what sites have been found suitable; what sites have not been taken up; and for what reasons.

Two sites of approximately eight and a half and three acres have been examined. Of the first site some six acres have been approved for the erection of 56 houses by the Scottish Special Housing Association. Development of the remaining five and a half acres presents difficulty from the agricultural standpoint, but I have arranged for technical officers of my Department to examine the matter further this week in consultation with the County Council. I am writing to my hon. Friend in fuller detail.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the latest total figure of the number of houses erected in Scotland since July, 1945, as compared with the total number completed during the 12 months immediately following the end of the 1914–18 war.

In the year ended 17th July, 1946, 2,483 permanent and 4,876 temporary houses were completed. According to my information no houses were completed during the period referred to in the second part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the latest total figures of the number of houses for which tenders have been approved in Scotland; and what proportion are of nontraditional construction.

Of a total of 43,853 permanent houses for which tenders have been approved or central orders placed up to 19th July, 17,487 or approximately 39 per cent. are of non-traditional construction.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date planning was started for B.A.O.R. wives to join their husbands; approximately what date the first of these will go out; and by approximately what date all those who have at present applied will have reached Germany.

Planning started on 20th December, 1945. The first of the families, apart from the advance party, will go on 29th August, 1946. We do not yet know how many will take advantage of the scheme but, unless the numbers are greatly different from those reported in April, all should reach Germany within two or three months of the opening date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an officer who has been released from His Majesty's Forces is ineligible for a permanent commission and that he must apply either to go back in an emergency commission for a period of at least one year, or to be granted a short service commission; and whether he will alter this rule in the case of suitable applicants.

I am aware of the rule so far as the Army is concerned, and I think it is a reasonable one. The officers in question were given every opportunity to apply before their release and, if they were nearing release, could have continued to serve until the results of their applications were known. They can also apply if they return on short service commissions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 3247680 C.S.M. B. Coutts, of the Royal Scots, after serving for three years in Burma was returned to this country on compassionate grounds and immediately reduced to the status of private and is now kept on fatigues, although a Regular soldier with an excellent record; and whether he will take steps to prevent the occurrence of injustices of this kind.

I am aware of this case. When the soldier was returned to the home establishment he necessarily lost the acting rank attaching to his appointment overseas. This is in accordance with the ordinary rules. Unfortunately he had not held it long enough to qualify far war-substantive N.C.O. rank and he had to be reverted to private which is his substantive rank. Arrangements can be made to give him the opportunity to regain higher rank if he is willing to forego compassionate posting in the London area.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 4539855 Private H. Smethurst was imprisoned for four months without charge or trial; that, following inquiries by the hon. Member for the Hulme Division of Manchester, a charge of the technical theft of 15 gallons of petrol was preferred against him, for which he was sentenced to nine months' detention; and whether he will remit this sentence and, in view of the unsatisfactory manner in which this case has been conducted, if he will cause an investigation to be made.

This soldier was tried on three charges, including the one mentioned, and was found guilty on two of them, His trial was delayed because investigations were necessary over a very wide area in Italy and there was difficulty in tracing some of the witnesses. The reduction or remission of the sentence will be considered by C.M.F. in the ordinary course of events and, on present information, I see no reason to interfere. I am, however, calling for certain additional facts on receipt of which I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 14557553 Corporal F. Howe, Eritrea Signals, M.E.F.5, who is a signals office clerk in release Group 37 and was due for release in August, has had his release deferred for three months; on whose authority this deferment was ordered; whether all signals clerks in all commands are receiving similar treatment; and whether he will cancel this 'deferment and allow this 37years-old man, with three years' overseas service, to return at the proper time.

I understand that Corporal Howe is not yet due for release but has been warned that he may have to be deferred when the release date for his group is reached. If he is retained, it will only be until a replacement can be provided. Deferment by the General Officer Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, would be permissible in his case under the authority of paragraphs 320 and 321 Release Regulations. There is a general shortage of men in his trade and deferments have proved to be necessary in Middle East and other Commands. Replacements are sent as quickly as possible and local training of other suitable men is also being carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for War when Sergeant J. H. Gardiner, 67 Lord Street, Oldham, formerly T/91430 R.A.S.C., may expect his claim for losses, while prisoner of war in Japanese hands, to be dealt with by his Department.

The circumstances of the losses reported by Sergeant Gardiner were such that my Department cannot, under present rules, pay compensation. The rules on the subject are being re-examined by the Departments concerned and Sergeant Gardiner will be informed of the decision in accordance with the promise made to him.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will expedite the return to this country of 14423065 Private R. Evis, Dorsetshire Regiment, 1st Company, 4 Wing, B.B.R.C., India Command, who has been accepted as a police recruit and who made an application for release under Class B on 20th March.

The preliminary action in these cases is carried out in India and so far I have received no application for the release of this soldier in Class B. I have called for a report from India and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will amend the regulations so as to increase the grants of £10 towards funeral expenses and undertakers' charges now made by the Army Council to the next of kin of soldiers killed in this country on duty, in view of the fact that this sum is inadequate under existing circumstances.

No, Sir. The object of this allowance which is not restricted to Army cases, is to assist relatives to defray the burial expenses when they themselves choose to be responsible for the funeral arrangements and I am satisfied that it is adequate for that purpose. It was increased to the present figure during the war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers who accept short service commissions and are posted to India will be entitled to take their wives and families with them.

Yes, Sir. They are eligible to have their families sent out to join them under exactly the same rules as other Army personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the age limit for the grant of short service commissions under A.C.I. 511/1946.

There is no specific age limit. Acceptance in each case depends upon the prospects of employing the applicant for the period of his commission, having regard to his age.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will review the charge for private telephone calls to England by Army personnel in Austria.

There is now a public telephone service between the two countries, the charge for which is based on an international arrangement and I am afraid it is not possible to introduce a reduced rate for Service personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for War the incidence of malarial fever amongst British troops on the Island of Shikoku, Japan; and what special anti-malarial precautions are taken in respect of British troops stationed there.

I have no specific information about the incidence of malaria on this Island, although it is known to be one of the malarious places in Japan. But the incidence of malaria in Japan as a whole, for British troops, is very small. In the fortnight ending 31st May, 1946, three cases were reported and in the fortnight ending 14th June, 1946, one case. All the usual anti-malarial precautions, and certain special measures which include spraying with DDT and the arsenical compound (Paris Green), are being taken on the island.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the complaints as to slow delivery of mail from home to members of the British occupation Forces in Japan; and if he will take all possible steps to secure an improvement in the rate of transmission of home mail to these Forces.

I do not think that there is any general cause for complaint. Owing to monsoon conditions, the average time for letter mail to reach Japan has risen from 11 to 12½ days, base to base. This cannot be improved until the end of the monsoon. Delay has sometimes occurred in individual cases through failure to write the name of the Force clearly in the address.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now announce that all restrictions on the rights of British soldiers to marry any women of their choice, irrespective of nationality, have been removed.

Not yet, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers in Germany and Austria have married German and Austrian women in spite of the marriage ban; and what action has been taken by the military authorities.

One British soldier has married a German woman contrary to the ban. Disciplinary action is being taken. Eighteen British soldiers married Austrian women, but these were all ex-prisoners of war who had promised marriage before March, 1945, and the marriages were not contrary to the regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now examined the evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for Doncaster showing that the Dress Advisory Committee of 1938, presided over by the Adjutant-General, did obtain official approval by His Majesty the King for a new scheme of ceremonial and walking-out dress for the Army; and if he can state the reasons for the proposed change in policy regarding these designs, which were also adopted by his Department and the Army Council in 1938.

Certain proposals regarding a new ceremonial and walking-out dress which were put forward by the Army Council in 1939 did then obtain the general approval of His Majesty the King. These proposals were reconsidered recently when the question of the future dress of the Army was referred to a committee specially appointed by the Army Council for the purpose. It was felt that there were advantages in a return to a dress of a more traditional type and colour which would be suitable for ceremonial occasions and as a smart uniform for wear by the soldier off duty.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what purpose Army welfare organisations of Palestine Command are organising and conducting tours for soldiers to inspect the settlement of Yagom; and why they are informed that the Jewish Agency has been favoured and encouraged by an unfriendly foreign Power, Great Britain's war time ally, solely to challenge British military, political and economic interests in the Middle East.

I have no information on this matter; I have called for a report and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to give an undertaking that overcoats will be supplied to all members of the Army Cadet Corps before the winter.

No, Sir. I cannot at present add anything to the reply given on 9th July to a Question by the hon. Member for the Isle of Thanet (Mr. Carson).

asked the Secretary of State for War when he will reach a decision regarding the derequisitioning of the Imperial Service College, Windsor, in view of the fact that the buildings are urgently needed by the Windsor Borough Council.

These premises are still required for military purposes and I am afraid there is at present no prospect of their release.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the U.S. authorities have recently issued a report on the health of their troops in Germany; and if he intends to follow suit.

This report has not been brought to my notice officially. A report of the Army Health Statistics for 1943–45 is in preparation and will be published shortly. It includes B.A.O.R. The year 1946 will he covered in due course by the Annual Report on the Health of the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of British Army personnel killed and wounded in Egypt and the number killed and wounded in Palestine during the months of May and June, 1946.

The returns so far available show that the following casualties occurred during the months in question.

			Killed	Wounded
Egypt	…	…	—	51
Palestine	…	…	3	10

asked the Secretary of State for War why a court of inquiry is being held on the behaviour of 263 men of the 13th Parachute Battalion stationed in Malaya; and how many of these men have been under close arrest or confined to their camp since 14th May.

asked the Secretory of State for War if he will cause an inquiry to be made into the circumstances which led to 265 men of A Company, 13th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, being placed under close arrest and now awaiting court martial in Malaya; if he will hold up the court martial until after the inquiry; and if he is in a position to make a statement on the conditions of the camp where these men are and the allegations made, a copy of which has already been sent to him.

Two courts of inquiry have been held, one to determine the cause of the mutiny and the identify of those taking part, and the other to investigate the circumstances leading up to it. These were considered to be necessary preliminaries to the court martial proceedings which are now being taken, 265 men believed to have been concerned in the mutiny have been kept in close arrest since 14th May. I am not in a position to make a statement until the proceedings are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it has been necessary to build an extension to the N.A.A.F.I. in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, recently; and if he will state the number and nationality of the troops that are to be stationed in Huntly during 1946.

building is part of the Command Supply Depot. It was built in order to release requisitioned premises at Kenneth Mont. The only troops at Huntly are those employed by the Command Supply Depot. There are about 100 and they are mainly Poles.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now considered, with the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the existing ban on persons being admitted to Sandhurst who are not of European descent; and if he has any statement to make thereon.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that soldiers are still being put to unnecessary fatigues in 27th Company, R.A.S.C., C.M.F., including polishing with blacking the soles of canvas shoes worn nightly in the billets, polishing the soles of spare boots and scrubbing kitbags; and if he will cause an investigation to be made into the conditions in this unit.

I have no information on this matter. 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 he is aware that when retired officers were re-employed during the war they were offered the choice between accepting a supplement of 25 per cent. on pay and receiving on demobilisation a more substantial rate of retired pay; and whether he will now permit such officers to refund the 25 per cent. addition to pay in exchange for reckoning re-employed service as one-sixth for each year of active-list service during the war.

I am aware of the arrangement. I am not prepared to allow the officers in question the option of refunding the 25 per cent. addition to pay which they received during re-employment, in order to secure to them a larger reassessed retired pay rate. Retired officers re-employed during the war had no option but to surrender their retired pay, receiving instead 25 per cent. on their pay. This addition to their pay was intended to satisfy any claim they might otherwise have had to increased retired pay, and the measure of re-assessment of retired pay which is already allowed to them represents a considerable concession.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many skilled workmen in the Army are engaged on duties in which their specialised skill is not employed; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such waste of skill and manpower.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that apprentice engineers and joiners with more than two years' experience of their trade, on being called up for service, are being offered only the choice of cook or infantry and are being informed that there is no chance of following their trade while in the Army; and what steps he is taking to place lads like these in units where they would have some opportunity of carrying on their trade.

It would be very difficult to ascertain how many skilled workmen now in the Army are not employed in their civilian trades at any particular moment, and it would be essential, as a preliminary, to have a clearer definition of the trades which my hon. Friend the Member for West Woolwich (Mr. Berry) has in mind In general, I can assure both the hon. Members that specialised skill is used to the fullest extent consistent with Army needs. The qualifications of all men are examined and recorded when they are called up. Those suitable for Army trades are posted accordingly, either at once or when vacancies occur. But the Army requirements are not identical with those in civil life and there are bound to be individuals who cannot be employed at the time in their own particular occupations. These are allocated to duties which appear to be most suitable as a result of the selection procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many civilian suits have been issued to demobilised Servicemen in person and by post, respectively.

Nearly three million in person and just over 380,000 by post, up to 10th July.

asked the Secretary of State for War how it has come to pass that N.A.A.F.I has obtained authority to take over various breweries in the British-occupied zone of Germany; what has been the cost: on whose advice it was done; and if he will reconsider this matter, as this step has affected the receipts from local revenues besides being unpopular with the troops who were satisfied with German beer which used less material and was more suitable to conditions and taste.

The breweries have not been handed over to N.A.A.F I. They were requisitioned by the Control Commission for Germany (British Element) for the production of beer for the British Forces, because the requirements of beer by B.A.O.R. could not be met from the United Kingdom. N.A.A.F.I is responsible only for the distribution and, as a matter of convenience, under the direction of the Ministry of Food, for obtaining and shipping any necessary raw materials into the British zone of Germany The beer approximates in strength to that brewed in the United Kingdom and is popular with the troops.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many R.A.S.C. drivers in the Naples area, C.M.F., have had their Python rights for July deferred; and why this action has been taken.

I am aware that some R.A.S.C. drivers in C.M.F. have had their repatriation under Python deferred, though I do not know the actual number. I explained the reason for the deferments in this Command on 9th July, in reply to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Malden (Mr. Driberg) and South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan). Replacement drivers are being sent as quickly as possible, both from the United Kingdom and from other overseas theatres, and I hope that any deferments which prove to be necessary will be for only short periods.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to make the comprehensive statement on the future of training areas, with particular reference to the Fylingdale training area, which, on 7th May, was promised during the course of the Summer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Kingly Vale is one of the finest beauty spots and recreational resorts in the South Downs and when he proposes to restore its use to the public.

On the general question I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave last Tuesday to a Question by the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom). The Fylingdale area and Kingly Vale are both included in the schedule to which I referred.

asked the Secretary of State for War approximately how many acres of agricultural and other land in Westmorland will be held by his Department under D.R.52 for military training or other military use on 1st August, 1946, and how this compares with the total on 1st August, 1944.

The figure on 13th July, 1946, was 71,294 acres, as compared with 107,485 acres on 1st August, 1944.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the releases of officers and other ranks under Class A have fallen behind the scheduled programme of releases in respect to the British Forces in Greece.

Not at all, Sir, so far as I am aware. As in other theatres, some individuals may have to be compulsorily deferred.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as a result of his inquiries into the deferment of officers and other ranks in C.M.F., he has any further statement to make.

I am glad to be able to say that the latest report from C.M.F., giving the position as at 15th July, 1946, shows that the number of officer deferments in Groups 1–34 (medical officers Groups 43–48) has decreased by 95 to 201, and of other rank deferments by 7 to 45. For Groups 35–37 inclusive, the number of officer deferments now forecast is 9 and the number of other rank deferments 16. It may be that the numbers actually deferred will be less than this.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 204 officers and men of R.E.M.E., 56th (London) Division, C.M.F., due for release, Python or L.I.A.P., on or before 1st August, 1946, have been informed that they must wait until after 31st October, 1946; and why the release of all R.E.M.E. personnel from Group 34 onwards has been deferred in this Division, and not even local leave is to be granted during the next three months.

The reasons for the present delay in repatriation and in the grant of home leave from C.M.F. were explained on 9th July, in my reply to Questions by my hon. Friends tae Members for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) and South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan). I will make inquiries about the suspension of local leave in the formation mentioned and will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men in release Group 36 serving with 169 Infantry Brigade Workshops, R.E.M.E., have had their release deferred; and how many men in this release group are serving with this unit.

Group 36 is not yet due for release, but some of the men may have been warned of the possibility of their deferment. I have called for a report and will write to the hon. Member. The general situation in C.M.F. was explained by me on 9th July, in reply to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) and South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make as to deferments of releases in 3rd Survey Regiment, R.A.

Particulars of the deferments in this unit were given on 9th July, in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson). The reasons for deferments generally in C.M.F. were explained on the same day, in reply to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) and South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at or about 3 p.m., from 8th July, 1946, onwards, Driver Mitchell, 27th Company, R.A.S.C., H.2 Platoon, C.M.F., was doing pack drill in the heat of the afternoon each day as a result of seven days' field punishment; and what disciplinary action he proposes to take with the officer concerned, in view of the fact that pack drill has been abolished as a punishment in the British Army.

I have no information about this incident. I have called for a report and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War what surplus medical equipment exists in the stores adjacent to the military hospital at Takoradi, Gold Coast; and what steps are being taken to dispose of this surplus so that this equipment can be of benefit either to the peoples of the Gold Coast or elsewhere.

Except for a few items in short supply authority has been given for the disposal of all surplus medical equip- ment locally. Such surplus equipment in the Gold Coast is declared to the Colonial Government who, acting as agents for the Ministry of Supply, accept responsibility for disposal. I could not give the amounts without an inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War, why the Singapore Swimming Club pool is no longer available for other ranks except between Mondays and Fridays between the hours of 10 a.m., and 4.30 p.m., when most of such other ranks are on duty; and if he will inquire into the entertainment facilities available for other ranks stationed in Singapore.

I am making inquiries on these points and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now give instructions for his Department to vacate the site at Hillyfields in the borough of Lewisham, owing to the fact that there is little open space in this crowded and badly-damaged part of London.

No, Sir, I regret that this camp is fully occupied and must be retained for some time to come. It will be released as soon as suitable alternative accommodation becomes available.

asked the Secretary of State for War the normal interval between the receipt of a claim for gratuity by an officer or other rank indefinitely released before June, 1945, and the payment thereof.

These claims are dealt with by the Pay Offices as soon as they are received, and there is no delay except in a relatively few cases where the particulars of service are not available. Payment is made by means of a credit in a Post Office Savings Bank account and I understand from my noble Friend the Postmaster-General that the time taken by that Department to issue a Savings Bank book is not more than a week and is usually only two or three days.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent lectures and educational courses on civics and social questions are now taking place in B.A.O.R. and other commands; and whether this type of education is compulsory.

Education in civics and social questions is given in B.A.O.R. and other commands by means of discussions on current affairs, including social questions; instruction in citizenship; lectures by civilian lecturers, including lecturers sent on short tours of overseas commands; classes in history, geography, economics, home and health and other social subjects; correspondence courses; short courses, including courses for discussion group leaders and instructors in citizenship; residential courses of a month's duration in social subjects at formation colleges; the Forces educational broadcasts, films, exhibitions, and dramatisations of current affairs; organised visits to places of civic and social interest; information rooms, which include material on civic and social questions.It is laid down that one hour a week during training or working time will be devoted to discussions on current affairs and one hour a week to instruction in citizenship, but this is often not possible in units having heavy operational or other military commitments.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the inability of any German woman in Germany either to seek for an affiliation order against the father of her child, when he is a British soldier, or to secure any financial assistance from him, whether he will take steps to secure that this matter shall receive early consideration in order to vindicate the standard of moral responsibility already upheld in British courts; and if he now possesses information respecting the approximate number of children being born each month from these irregular unions in Germany.

No, Sir. This is not a matter within my province. I have no information as to the number of children involved.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that an Army Order just issued in Greece compels webbing equipment to be kept clean by washing with soap and water, whilst in the past a brush and water has sufficed; that instructions have been issued that two ounces of soap is to be given to each soldier per month for this purpose, which would mean a consumption of two tons of soap per month for the Army stationed in that country; and if he will take steps to ensure that this order is withdrawn as unnecessary.

I have no information on this matter. I have called for a report and will write to my right hon. Friend when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give a comparison of the leave facilities available to men serving in Great Britain and in Germany.

The new privilege leave arrangements at home and overseas were fully set out in my reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan) on 4th June. They were brought into force on 1st July.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date permission was given to the owner of Luton Hoo to move furniture back into the main building; by whom the permission was given; and for what reasons.

I am having the matter investigated and when detailed information is available I will write to my hon. Friend. Provided spare accommodation is available, however, as a rule the owner of a requisitioned property may be allowed to store furniture in it at his own risk.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date No. 5 Formation College at Luton Hoo will be closed down.

As far as I can judge at the moment, shortly before the end of September.

asked the Secretary of State for War why officers can only count service after the age of 21 towards pension and not the whole of their service after being commissioned.

I explained the reason far this rule in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Dodds-Parker), on 4th June.

asked the Secretary of State for War why other ranks who became Regulars cannot count their war service towards pension.

This is not so. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for North Blackpool (Brigadier Low), on 28th May.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the inadequacy of the arrangements made for sleeping accommodation for A.T.S. and Army personnel passing through Derby while on leave; and what steps he is proposing to take.

The accommodation for personnel on leave in Derby at present consists of 50 beds which is adequate for present requirements except at week-ends when there is some congestion. Until recently, there were a further 50 beds available but the demand had fallen to a point where it became uneconomical to continue the hostel concerned which was, therefore, closed and the premises derequisitioned. The position is now being examined with a view to providing emergency accommodation to overcome the week-end congestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now decided to compensate the Swindon Town Council for all the damage done to Crate Water, Swindon, during the war.

I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning and I am advising the Swindon Town Council how to proceed if they wish, as I understand, to claim an amount in excess of that which is payable by my Depart-merit under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will reverse the decision of General Headquarters, Middle East Command, to deny the use of the Army letter service to British U.N.R.R.A. personnel, including many ex-Servicemen now serving in Greece, in view of the fact that letters by the civil post are taking up to three weeks to reach this country, as opposed to five days by the Army letter service.

No, Sir. As my hon. and gallant Friend was informed in reply to a Question on 11th July, the transit times of the civil and Army letter posts ate similar in the case of Greece, namely, five days by air mail and three weeks by surface mail. In the circumstances I see no reason for making any exception in this case to the normal rules regarding U.N.R.R.A. personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider extending the period of the Pacific Star to include the operations in Java and Sumatra.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether, in view of the pilfering of military food and stores at Singapore, he will give instructions that stores being landed shall be tallied by responsible officers;(2) the difference, since 1st January, 1946, between the value of military stores shipped to Singapore and the value actually received in good condition by the military authorities.

The pilferage which occurs results from the present abnormal conditions within the port, due to shortage of skilled staff and lack of storage. It could not be stopped by the measures suggested by the hon. Member. Pending the restoration of normal conditions all possible action is taken to protect military supplies and stores, with such military police as are available and with specially recruited guards. I could not assess the amount of the toss or damage en route or at the port since 1st January, 1946, without considerable detailed investigation. Energetic steps are, however, being taken to lessen the damage due to bad handling and the Army has organised special repair facilities at Singapore.

asked the Secretary of State for War why military stores are still being sent to Singapore in excess of requirements.

I am not aware that stores are being sent to Singapore in excess of requirements. Somewhat larger shipments from India recently gave rise to difficulty owing to the badly congested state of the harbour, and the despatch of outstanding demands of stores is now limited so as to be kept within the current capacity of the port.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is yet in a position to announce the postwar rate of pay for Army chaplains.

Yes, Sir. There are considerable differences in the organisation and conditions of service of chaplains in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force on the one hand, and the Army on the other. The proposed rates of pay have regard to these differences, but they are based on the principle in paragraph 2 of Cmd. 6750 of giving a broad equality of treatment between officers of the three Services.In the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, there will be, as at present, a continuous scale of pay (except for the higher posts mentioned below). Rates will be 22s. 6d. a clay on entry, proceeding by biennial increments of 2s. 6d. to a maximum of 55s. a day after 26 years' service. For assessment of allowances, Royal Naval and Royal Air Force chaplains with under 14 years' service will be treated in the same way as junior officers. After 14 years' service they will be treated as Commanders, Royal Navy, or Wing-Commanders, Royal Air Force, and after 22 years' service, as Captains, Royal Navy, or Group-Captains, Royal Air Force.In the Army, there will continue to be a fixed complement of posts for each class, and promotion from class to class will be by selection. Chaplains of the 4th and 3rd classes will, however, receive pay on the same scale, namely 22S. 6d. a day on entry, rising by biennial increments of 2s. 6d. to a maximum of 42s. 6d. For higher classes the scales will be: 2nd class, 45s. by biennial increments of 2s. 6d. to 50s.; 1st class, 52s. 6d. by biennial increments to 57s. 6d. Allowances will be drawn according to the relative rank appropriate to each class, which will remain as at present.The following will be the rates of pay for the higher posts:

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will set up a public court of inquiry, to which the Press will be invited and to which no relevant witnesses will be barred, concerning the running of civilian internment camps in the British-occupied zone of Germany since they were first established.

No, Sir. The report which I received from Germany on these camps was very full, and the statement made by my hon. Friend on 2nd July was a fair summary of it. It shows that those concerned did all that was possible in difficult circumstances and I do not think anything would be gained by setting up a public court of inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will ascertain the total number of German prisoners of war now in camps under British control as compared with six months ago; into what categories prisoners are separated and the approximate number in each; how often reports are received respecting the morale of these prisoners; and if he will give the general conclusions of the latest report.

The number of prisoners held under British control on 31st Decem- ber, 1945, were 490,862, and on 30th June, 1946, 515,918. I assume my hon. Friend is referring to political categories; these are: "White," democratic and actively anti-Nazi; "Grey," no definite political convictions; "Black," Nazi. The latest screenings are:

White	…	…	25,512
Grey	…	…	211,947
Black	…	…	61,288
Unscreened	…	…	217,171
			515,918

Reports on the morale of prisoners are received monthly as regards prisoners of war held in the United Kingdom and Middle East who constitute 94 per cent. of the total holding; reports on the remainder are received from time to time. The most recent reports indicate that morale, which had improved with the increased arrival of mail from Germany, has recently shown some decline due to various causes.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he is making for the provision of food for gangs of prisoners of war who have to work overtime during the harvest period.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 9th July, 1946, in which is set out the harvest supplement for prisoners of war.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what procedure he adopts in cases where, in his opinion, it is desirable to require or permit a person or authority either to demolish a structure or replace it.

If, as I understand to be the case, the hon. Member has particularly in mind the treatment of structures of special architectural or historic interest, I can assure him that in those cases in which my approval is required, it is my policy to secure that such buildings are preserved if their preservation is not inconsistent with desirable redevelopment.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will make an order that all rights-of-way which legally existed prior to January, 1939, and which were closed during the war on the understanding that they would be re-opened at the end of hostilities, be re-opened not later than 31st December, 1946.

I have no power to make an order such as is suggested.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will grant extra petrol for bread delivery vans in country districts to enable them to give more frequent deliveries, in view of complaints by housewives that the present bread is turning stale very quickly.

Since last August it has been the practice of regional transport commissioners to issue all the fuel required for any reasonable delivery services which retailers are prepared to give.

asked the Minister of Transport why Mr. John Clarke, a former member of the N.F.S., was refused a livestock carrier's licence by Mr. Henderson, Regional Traffic Commissioner at Glasgow; and whether he will review this case and define the status of ex-Servicemen for the purpose of such licences.

I am informed by the Regional Transport Commissioner that Mr. Clarke sold his business at the beginning of the war and does not therefore qualify for special consideration; I understand that his application for a defence permit was refused because there was insufficient evidence of need.

asked the Minister of Transport who was responsible for the new design of the 16-ton all-steel mineral wagon; whether he is aware that railway-wagon builders are being presented with specifications in which they have taken no part in preparation and which will result in an unnecessary cost of upwards of £15 a wagon; and whether, in the interest of public economy, he will institute an inquiry with the object of ensuring that the standards adopted are the best and most economical.

The design was prepared by the railway companies for the construction of their own wagons and was adopted as being the most suitable for general use throughout the country. The cost of production is largely determined by the methods of construction employed and I cannot accept the suggestion that the specification involves an unnecessary cost of upwards of £15 a wagon. I see no reason for instituting an inquiry into the matter, but I understand that discussions are taking place with the private builders as to whether any modifications in design should be made when further orders are placed.