asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the increase of rationed petrol, he will now provide for French, Belgian and other tourists visiting this country as much petrol as France, Belgium and other countries provide for British tourists.

In the Debate on the Motion for the Adjournment on nth July, I made it clear that any relexation of the petrol restrictions would operate to benefit the British public and not foreign tourists coming to this country. Such tourists are eligible for petrol allowances at the rates currently in force and I am not able to agree to authorise exceptional treatment in their case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that tourists coming into this country benefit the British public, and would he not reconsider his decision in the light of this valuable idea?

I am all for encouraging foreign tourists to come to this country, but I am afraid I cannot relax the restrictions.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now prepared to authorise the issue of supplementary petrol coupons to officers of the Colonial Service on leave in this country.

A limited allowance of petrol, supplementary to the basic ration, for use without restriction of purpose, is granted to members of His Majesty's Forces and the Merchant Navy, whilst on leave in this country from service abroad or afloat, and I regret that I cannot see my way to extend this concession.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider again extending the concession to Colonial servants, who have been absent from this country very often for long periods, when they come home for a short period of leave?

That is precisely what we have done. As I stated in my answer, a limited allowance of petrol is provided supplementary to the basic ration.

But not to Colonial servants.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that during the war period many of these Colonial officials have had to spend their leave in the area in which they were serving, and that it is now many years since they have been in this country? Cannot he make a special allowance to them in order that they may go to see their relatives and friends?

If there are such cases and application is made to my Department, they will receive very favourable consideration, but if I am asked on general grounds to extend concessions, I am afraid I cannot do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, on 22nd July of this year, the Colonial Office wrote to say that Colonial officials on leave in this country are not eligible for the grant of extra petrol?

I am not aware of that. Perhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman will let me have that information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the war, when people came home from service overseas, they were allowed petrol sufficient for 200 miles? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that Colonial servants will get at least that much?

In view of what hon. Members have been asking and indicating, I think I ought to look at this again.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the average amount per acre offered to assist in the restoration of farm land that has been used for getting opencast coal; and how many complaints of the scale of recompense have been received.

The process of converting restored agricultural land to beneficial use after the replacement of the soil by the opencast coal contractor is undertaken by the local War Agricultural Executive Committee at a cost which normally does not exceed £15 an acre. No complaints have reached me that expenditure of this order, which is met by my Department, is inadequate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in West Fife, for instance, where £15 an acre is given, the actual cost of replacement of land for anything like decent use is £70, and it was a member of the agricultural committee who actually mentioned this, and said that it could not be done for less than £70? Will the Minister consider a more reasonable figure than £15 an acre if the circumstances can be placed before him?

Obviously if the member of a war agricultural committee feels aggrieved at anything we have done he should communicate with the Department. So far there has been no such communication.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of persons in 1944 and 1945 killed, seriously injured and injured and disabled for more than three days, divided into those on the surface, from all causes, and the total underground and on the surface under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what, in 1944 and 1945, were the death, seriously injured, totally injured and killed and injured rates per 100,000 manshifts at mines under the Coal Mines Act, excluding the stratified ironstone mines in Cleveland, Lincoln and Northampton, in Great Britain, divided into those on the surface from all causes; and the total underground and on the surface.

As the answer contains a. number of figures I will, with the right hon. Member's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to see whether

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what instructions he has given, or proposes to

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the right hon. Member's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The number of persons injured, but not seriously, during 1945 will be available in October.

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman. I think they should have been made available, but we have been pressed, particularly as regards the provision of petroleum statistics, which we are anxious to include in the report. I will do my best to expedite the statement.

Will the figures include the number of miners disabled through pneumoconiosis?

I rather think, yes.

None, Sir. I am sure the National Coal Board will give due weight to any previous service by applicants in the Armed Forces.

In view of the Government's often-declared policy of urging employers to absorb as many ex-Servicemen as possible into their employment, will the Minister bear constantly in mind the desirability of nationalised industries at least keeping pace with private enterprise?

Where the National Coal Board is bound to accept, under the Bill, obligations which were previously imposed on colliery owners—and that may include the employment of ex-Servicemen, of course—these commitments will be fulfilled.

When the right hon. Gentleman has exhausted the possibilities of employing all our own ex-Servicemen, will he exercise his great influence on the miners to get them to accept a certain number, at any rate, of Polish ex-Servicemen?

As I have already pointed out, I think in last week's Debate, there are not so many Polish miners available as some hon. Members seem to think.

If this matter is considered, will the Minister see that no Pole is employed while still retained as a member of General Anders' Army or the British Army?

asked the Minister of Labour whether men who have served several years in the Merchant Navy and have been discharged as surplus to requirements and accepted for examination by a selection committee for training under the ex-Servicemen's training scheme, are liable to recall for military service; and, if so, what is the age and amount of service which obviate such a recall to the Armed Forces of the country.

In present circumstances these men are not being called up for service in the Armed Forces.

If I send my hon. Friend particulars of a man who was called up, will he inquire into the matter very sympathetically?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour if training in the senior training corps in universities is now required as a condition of deferment for university students; and if he will make a statement on the question of reservation for the guidance of such students in the immediate future.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. In regard to the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement my right hon. Friend made in the House on 30th April, a copy of which I am sending him.

Is the policy adumbrated in the answer last April still the Minister's policy, or is there some change in it now?

I know of no change other than that announced in the White Paper issued some months ago.

Will not my hon. Friend tell us what is his present outlook upon this matter, and is he aware that many ' students who are now planning their futures want guidance on the matter?

I am afraid that could not be done in answer to a supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the importance of improving the cooking in the hotels of this country, he will draw the attention of juvenile employment committees throughout the country to the many vacancies for students in the cookery and hotel school of the Westminster Technical Institute of the L.C.C.

I will certainly do as the hon. Member asks, although the recruiting of boys for this school is primarily a matter for local education authorities.

Having just come from the annual luncheon of the Kitchen Committee, which the Minister's chief also attended, may I ask the Minister whether he will do all in his power, by propaganda and otherwise, to remove the prejudice against cooking as a calling, so that the vacancies in this admirable L.C.C. school may be filled?

We are, in fact, in the process of organising cookery courses under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour itself.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of former brickmakers, released under Class B, who have been directed to resume work in brickyards under Service conditions; and how many of these men have been directed to work in brickyards in Scotland.

Men released in Class B are not employed under Service conditions, but I presume the hon. and gallant Member has in mind former brickmakers posted to brickyards as members of the Forces as an alternative to release in Class B. The number who had been so posted up to 15th July was 247, of whom six were posted to brickyards in Scotland.

Does the hon. Gentleman regard that as satisfactory, having regard to the shortage of bricks in Scotland?

The Forces are being combed for all the brickyard employees we can get. These special steps have been taken, and any men who will take release in Class B certainly will be released for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of working days lost by reason of industrial disputes during the first six months of 1946; and how many of these relate to the coal industry.

1,166,000 days were lost in all disputes in progress in the first six months of 1946. Of these 264,000 were lost in coalmining.

Can my hon. Friend give the figures for 1919 as a comparison?

Days lost in all disputes in 1919, 11,776,000; coalmining, 2,700,000

Will the Minister carry out an educative campaign among all the workers of the country to tell them that, unless there is adequate production behind paper money, there will be a decline in purchasing power?

I thought that the production campaign, in which hon. Members from both sides have been assisting, was carrying out the wish of the hon. Gentleman.

Can my hon. Friend give us comparative figures for this country and America?

It would be impossible to make such a survey in answer to a supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is now in a position to announce an increase in the standard percentage under the quota scheme for the employment of disabled persons;

(2) what employments are to be designated under Section 12 of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944.

After consultation with the British Employers' Confederation, the Trades Union Congress General Council and the National Advisory Council on the Employment of the Disabled, my right hon. Friend has made Orders raising the standard percentage from 2 per cent. to 3 per cent. as from 1st September, and designating, under Section 12 of the Act, employment as passenger electric lift attendant and as car park attendant from the same date.

While thanking my hon. Friend for the improvement in the standard quota, may I ask if he will bear in mind that five out of six of the rather large total of unemployed disabled persons are registered as fit for normal employment, and that very many firms are already employing above the quota of three per cent.? Will he look into the position within the next month or two to see whether this improvement will in fact enable a larger proportion of disabled persons to be employed?

The National Advisory Council are keeping this problem under close scrutiny and will advise the Minister from time to time.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and the number of women registered as unemployed on 29th June, 1946; and what number of men and number of women were receiv-standard unemployment benefit on that date.

At 17th June there were 261,302 insured men and 100,249 insured women aged 18 and over suitable for ordinary employment registered as unemployed in Great Britain. There were 251,571 men and 86,780 women with applications for insurance benefit or unemployment allowances authorised or under consideration, the great majority of these being in respect of unemployment benefit.

Is the Minister aware that there is some dissatisfaction because men having long periods of unemployment are not put to work before others who have been unemployed for a shorter time, and would he consider the question of a rota to ensure that they are not out too long at any given time?

It is for the Ministry of Labour to offer men for employment; they have not power at the moment to compel employers—

At the moment?

They have not power at the moment nor will they have unless it is granted by this House. It is for the employers to decide.

Has the Minister by any lucky coincidence the figures for the same date in 1919?

Answer.

Yes, Sir, the figure is over 11,000,000.

asked the Minister of Labour why a manufacturer must complete eight copies of the monthly return of employment; and if he will cause this number to be reduced in order to save work and paper.

Eight copies of certain of these returns have in the past been asked for because they were needed for use by the headquarters and regional staffs of a number of Government departments. The reduction in employment on the manufacture of equipment and supplies for the Forces has made it possible to reduce the number of copies to four, beginning with the August returns.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has reconsidered the case of the 12 L.P.T.B. tramwaymen who, while drawing their pay regularly, are not allowed by the L.P.T.B. to take out their tramcars on the ground that they are members of one union and not members of another; and whether he will make a statement of his intentions on this matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which my right hon. Friend gave him on 18th June and 11th July,

Does the Minister understand that a reply given on 11th July cannot apply to a request for reconsideration very much later in July? May I now ask him whether he is aware that one of these men is the holder of the V.C., and does he not think it an outrage that 12 men should be denied the privilege of work merely because they prefer to be members of one union rather than of another?

Neither should the Minister of Labour become the protector of a scab union.

Has the Minister no plan whatever for ending this enforced and paid idleness at a time of national need?

The Minister has no powers but he will be assisted very materially if hon. Members will help him to obtain a little more discipline in industry amongst the unions.

Where the right of free association is inconsistent with discipline, is it the policy of the Government to stamp out that right?

If this concerned only the right of free association, there might be some point in the supplementary question, but this is an attempt apparently to destroy the right of men to organise.

Is it not the inalienable right of every Englishman who is dissatisfied with one union to join another, and if he does so decide, does that constitute the other union a scab union and result in the kind of position we are discussing today?

It is an inalienable right on the part of the workers in industry to decide with whom they will work. They have that freedom and these men have decided that unless the other men concerned join their union they will withdraw their labour, as they are perfectly entitled to do if they so desire.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will immediately devise a scheme for the gradual withdrawal of prisoner-of-war labour from the land; return to the farms all farmworkers now serving in the Forces; and suspend indefinitely the call-up of further men from the farms.

No, Sir; my right hon. Friend could not agree to the withdrawal of prisoners of war from agricultural work in advance of general arrangements for repatriation. As regards the second part of the Question release in Class B has already been offered to practically all agricultural workers with more than a year's service. On 2nd February, the Prime Minister announced that the call up of some 8,000 agricultural workers this year would be suspended at least until after the harvest. It has now been decided to make this suspension indefinite and they will not, therefore, be called up. Next year's arrangements will be in accordance with the White Paper, Cmd. 6831, which provides for deferment of agricultural workers on grounds of industrial need.

Does the Minister realise that the presence of prisoners of war is unsettling to other men on the farm and that this slave labour is undermining the position of the British farm worker who wants to do his best at this critical time?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Minister of State in yesterday's Debate on repatriation.

Could not a large part of the unemployed Polish forces be put on to this work?

May I ask the Minister whether he himself does not think it disgraceful that these men are retained here as slave labour contrary to the policy of his own party?

The hon. Gentleman is asking for an opinion, not for facts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the arrangements for consultation between the Government and the two sides of industry on the matters that are of common interest to employers and workpeople.

Yes, Sir. The Government have been giving considerable thought to this subject. It is the declared policy of the Government to entrust the responsibility for the determination of terms and conditions of employment to the joint machinery of negotiation between employers' and workpeople's organisations. There is no intention of departing from that policy, but the Government consider that it will assist and reinforce this machinery of joint negotiation if there is the closest possible contact between the two sides and the Government. This will enable both sides to have before them the fullest possible information regarding the general economic position and plans as they affect matters of common interest to employers and workpeople.

Accordingly, it is proposed to establish a regular system of consultation on such matters between the Government and the two sides of industry responsible for the machinery of collective bargaining. It is hoped by this means that the Government will have a ready means of obtaining an authoritative and representative view on problems as they arise and that the organisations of employers and workers will have a regular means of assessing all the factors relevant to their consideration. My right hon. Friend has already had a discussion with his National Joint Advisory Council, who have readily expressed their willingness to cooperate. The first meeting of the reconstituted Council will be held at an early date.

Does this Government consultative machinery recognise scab unions?

asked the Minister of Labour whether men released from His Majesty's Forces for work in the mines and who, if they had remained in His Majesty's Forces would have been eligible for Class A release, will be given the same rights as other civilian mine-workers to leave the coal industry as from 1st September, 1946.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to men without previous experience of coalmining who during the war volunteered from H.M. Forces for coalmining. As indicated in the statement which I made in the House on 24th July, 1946, these men will not be held compulsorily in the coalmining industry beyond a period of six months after the date on which they would have been eligible for demobilisation in Class A had they remained in the Forces. I hope, however, that as many as possible of them will remain and make a career of coalmining.

Is the Minister aware that I was referring to those members of His Majesty's Forces who have previous mining experience, and can we have an assurance that those men will have the same rights as others to leave the industry if they so desire?

No, Sir. They have been restored to their ordinary civilian employment and have been given a preference over their colleagues in the Forces because of national need. They are now in the same position as any other fellow worker in the industry.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to settle the dispute at the G.W.R. Workshops, Swindon, between the National Union of Railwaymen and the National Union of Vehicle Builders which has held up the completion of 150 coaches since early in January and to which his attention was called by the hon. Member for Monmouth on 28th May.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Monmouth (Mr. P. Thorneycroft) on 28th May. The unions are submitting the point in dispute for settlement through the appropriate machinery of the Trades Union Congress.

Is it a fact that this six months' strike has been going on because two rival unions cannot agree whose job it is to punch out these tickets? If the Government cannot do anything about it, may I ask whether they have considered applying to this dispute the methods with which they threatened the bakers the other day?

This matter has been one of very great difficulty. The unions involved have agreed to submit the matter to the Trades Union Congress Disputes Committee, and I understand that a meeting is due to take place in the next few days. I do not think anything ought to be said to make the position more difficult than it is.

While appreciating the difficulties and the machinery used to stop the dispute, may I ask whether it is not a rather grave matter that, in the present shortage of rolling stock, no progress whatever will have been made between January and August, when I understand that the dispute will come up for consideration?

I hope that nothing I have said gives the impression that I under-estimate the gravity of the position. We have been very much worried about it. We have now reached the stage where a settlement is in sight and we think that nothing ought to be said here which will prejudice that settlement.

Is it any good referring me to an answer given as long ago as 28th May? The dispute has been going on ever since. Will not the Minister cause some inquiry to be made into the machinery for dealing with disputes of this kind? Would he not agree that there must be something seriously wrong with either the machinery or with his own Department if a ludicrous dispute of this kind can go on for six months when the country is crying out for rolling stock?

Men who feel keenly about their rights in industry and whose feeling is dependent upon historical events, cannot be handled in quite that way.

Can we take it that one of the unions concerned will be designated by the Government as a scab union?

asked the Minister of Labour how it is that employment agencies can offer employment, providing posts to applicants paying fees; and why these vacancies are not being filled through the employment exchanges.

Save where the Control of Engagement Orders provide that vacancies must be filled through the employment exchanges, there is nothing to prevent employers engaging workers either directly or through private agencies.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of firms are taking advantage of agencies and that a bonus or a percentage of wages is paid, which really means a lowering of wages? Does it not appear that some employers are benefiting by the agencies getting them employees?

We have no ground for the suspicion mentioned by my hon. Friend.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in the hotel and catering industry many instances have been given in which workpeople who could not get jobs through the Ministry of Labour's employment exchanges have gone to the fee-paying agencies, have paid £15 and have got a job? After a week's work they have been dismissed. Is he aware, also, that there are grave charges of collusion between the employers and the agencies in sharing out the spoils?

I should like to see the facts which form the basis of those allegations.

Would not the Minister agree that these allegations show inefficiency under Government control?

I thought that notice would have been taken of the supplementary question last put.

Does not the state of affairs disclosed in the Minister's answer show discrimination between classes of unemployed and make those who are able to pay get the jobs and the poor be penalised for their poverty?

There is nothing in my answer which indicates discrimination of that type. The Ministry of Labour's exchanges are quite capable of providing jobs for men who are prepared to go where the jobs are available.

If I give the Parliamentary Secretary proof that there is collusion between employers and agencies on this point, that workers get jobs through the agencies and not through the employment exchanges and that they are immediately dismissed after taking those jobs, will be institute an inquiry?

I should prefer to consider anything which my hon. Friend submitted to me for examination before making any promises.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that unless he is more accommodating to his back benchers his Ministry will soon be designated a scab Ministry?

Why is there so much talk about unemployment at the present time? Did not the Government promise to provide jobs for all?

I should have thought that the last place from which to get that taunt would be the other side of the House.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons have been registered to date in Scotland as war-disabled persons; how many of these are in the city of Aberdeen; what are their disabilities; for how many of these has employment been found; and if he has any record, and, if so, what, of the extent of the co-operation of employers in absorbing them into industry.

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

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the freedom now enjoyed by English farmworkers to change their employers while remaining within the industry and the similar freedom soon to be granted to Scottish miners, he will take steps to have the standstill order amended so as to grant the same liberty of movement and engagement to Scottish farmworkers.

The matter is being discussed with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Are not Scottish farm workers to be given the elementary right of liberty to work for whom they will?

This country still wants food, Sir.

Does not the hon. Gentleman recall that English farmworkers have that right and that Scottish and English miners are to have it? Why is it refused to Scottish farmworkers?

I have not said that it will be refused.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the right of any man to change his employment will inevitably disappear as the Socialist experiment proceeds?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of the W.L.A. have responded to the appeal to continue in the service in Scotland; and how many are still required.

Six hundred and thirty members of the Women's Land Army in Scotland who had completed two years' service on 31st March last indicated their willingness to serve for a further year, and 1,340 other members, enrolled during the war, are continuing in the service for the present, without commitment as to period. The 420 members who have joined since the end of the war with Japan have undertaken to serve for at least two years. As regards the latter part of the Question, no estimate of requirements has been made. The present rate of enrolment is sufficient to meet current demands.

May I take it that the hon. Member is satisfied that the terms and conditions of service and of discharge of these young women are sufficiently attractive to maintain the necessary numbers?

The original Question makes no reference to terms and conditions of service.

Am I right in understanding the hon. Gentleman to say that no attempt has been made to get the number of women required for the important business of agriculture in Scotland?

I think the hon. Gentleman will be aware that a lot depends upon the farmers and what they have to say in this matter. At the present time, we are meeting the demand.

Does the Minister think that the terms and conditions are adequate to the services performed by these people?

I do not think that point arises out of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the case of Mr. David Phillips, of Aberdeen, of which he has notice in writing, an innocent man who was questioned by the Aberdeen police about a theft he did not commit, but whose name still appears in the police records as a suspect; and, in view of the fact that Mr. Phillips is a citizen of good character and a pensioner, if he will have the records rectified.

The police records relating to Mr. Phillips, which are confidential and conform to normal police practice, are confined to a statement of the time and reason of his presence in the police office and note that further inquiry disclosed no evidence that he was in any way responsible for the theft.

Thank you, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make a statement as to the prospects of the Orlit Company being able to make further progress with the manufacture of slabs or frames for new houses in Scotland.

Yes, Sir. I understand that the Scottish Orlit Company have now made arrangements to extend their working capital so as to be able to operate two factories in Scotland, one at Edinburgh and one at Paisley. Under these arrangements the Scottish company will be a separate company managed entirely from Scotland, but with the benefit of the experience of the English company.

May I take it from the answer that we are entitled to anticipate greater progress?

I was not over-pleased with the progress this company was making. I came to the conclusion that they could not manage this while their manager in Scotland was spending half his time in railway trains between the two countries. This is a job which had to be done and it required someone resident in Scotland for them to be able to do the work—[HON. MEMBERS: "Civil aviation."] This is not a matter for joking. It is a serious matter.

Can the hon. Gentleman indicate approximately the expected output of this company, say, for the next year?

I could not say. It depends on the number of contracts. They have contracts for 500 for Glasgow, 400 for Edinburgh and some for Stirlingshire. Speaking from memory, they run into a fair number, but the actual output will depend on the new set-up of management. I am hopeful that the new management will give a fairly good output. I may add that the Scottish Special Housing Association have also entered into a contract with them for the supply of blocks. I am not unhopeful that the new set-up will make for better progress than in the past.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when we asked last night for a Scottish management of civil aviation to be resident in Scotland it was denied to us?

I am not responsible for anything but Scottish housing—[HON. MEMBERS: "What about Scottish aviation?"]—and I am prepared to defend my work in this House or any part of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reason for the delay in supplying electricity to the smallholdings at Auchincruive, Ayrshire; and when electricity is likely to be available.

I understand that the question of an electricity supply to the smallholdings at Auchincruive, Ayrshire, has been the subject of neigotiations between the holders and the local electricity supply company. I have ascertained that the company are considering the rural electrification of Ayrshire, which would include Auchincruive and other smallholding schemes, but that in view of the immediate demands of new housing schemes they cannot at present say when a supply is likely to be available.

In view of the fact that these smallholdings are owned by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, will the Minister do everything in his power to speed up the supply of electricity to these agricultural communities?

The holders themselves have not asked the Department to interfere as yet, so we could not have taken any steps up to now. I should imagine it would be as well to leave it to the holders to carry on their discussions with the company meantime, and if they think we can be helpful, to let us know.

They have asked me.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners of war have been brought from Germany to this country for the purpose of labour.

There are 388,000 German prisoners. Up to 23rd July. 74,000 German prisoners of war had been transferred from B.A.O.R. I cannot say how many of them came direct from Germany; most of the men came from camps in Belgium.

In view of the situation in Germany, is the Minister completely satisfied that this transfer is free from the taint of slave labour?

Yes, I am quite satisfied.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of these people came first from America, on their exportation from which they were promised repatriation to Germany? Does he not think, in view of the statement made last night, that it is the considered opinion of His Majesty's Government that this traffic in slave labour should stop?

That is another matter altogether. It is really a matter of policy for the Government to decide.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not tell us a little about the procedure for bringing this labour over from Germany? Is it indented for by the Government, and, if it is. is no attempt made to find out how many hungry people would be willing to work for us free and for no wages?

The hon. Gentleman will have to put that Question down for the simple reason that all I am asked for here is specific figures.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman does rot know the procedure for transferring these men?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to announce the derequisitioning of Donnington Park.

A considerable amount of constructional work has been carried out at this depot at the public expense and it is still badly needed by the Army particularly if the release of vehicle depots on housing estates and by-pass roads is not to be unduly delayed. The possibility of releasing the track separately for use as a car testing ground was considered. It was found, however, that this would be a most expensive project, both in money and labour.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when this park is to be released?

I have said that it has been considered. I cannot give any definite or any approximate date when it will be released. A quarter of a million of money has been spent on this park.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to a fatal accident near Ampthill, Bedfordshire, where a motor-cyclist skidded into a roadside ammunition dump; and what steps he proposes to take to remove these dumps from public roads, woods and other dangerous places.

I am aware of this accident. As I have previously explained to hon. Members, we are disposing of our surplus ammunition as quickly as we can, but many hundreds of thousands of tons are stored in these damps and complete clearance will take some time.

May I ask whether the dumps near this town are all fused, and whose responsibility it is to clear them—the local command or the War Office direct?

The local command under War Office directions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question on fusing—is the ammunition fused?

That is a matter I shall have to go into. I do not know.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of this reply and the widespread anxiety in many rural parts of the country, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now received the report from Burma of the case of a soldier aged 19 years, of the 4th Borderers, Indian Division, formerly the South Wales Borderers, who died following disciplinary action of pack drill on or about VJ-Day; what the reason was for this punishment; why the death certificate stated spinal malaria as the cause; and whether pack drill as a punishment has now been prohibited in the Indian Army.

A preliminary report has now been received. The soldier in question was awarded seven days' C.B. for absenting himself from a parade ordered by his commanding officer, but I am informed that there is no question of his having undergone any form of pack drill. I am still awaiting confirmation of the cause of death as recorded on the death certificate and I am at present unable to reply to the last part of the Question. As soon as the further information is available I will write to my hon. Friend.

In the meantime, can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that pack drill has been abolished in the Indian Army as in the British Army?

It has been abolished in the British Army, but I am not quite so sure about the Indian Army and will inquire into that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are any British units in the Indian Army? What are these Borderers? There are the South Wales Borderers and the King's Own Scottish Borderers and the Border Regiment. There are no such things as Borderers.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will have to put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the cultural and civic activities of Preston are being handicapped by the continued occupation of the Public Hall by the Army authorities; and whether, in view of the rapidity of the Government's demobilisation scheme, he will now give an approximate date for its derequisitioning.

I realise the local inconvenience and I am trying to find other accommodation. The Record Office cannot be moved from Preston in the immediate future without hampering demobilisation. I estimate that November is about the earliest date on which the move can be arranged if, as I hope, we can find another suitable date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reply is quite inexcusable and quite unhelpful? When there are so many empty Army camps available in the immediate vicinity, why cannot the Army authorities follow the excellent example set by the Royal Air Force and establish their demobilisation centres in the suburbs of our largest cities?

In the present state of our demobilisation we cannot turn over immediately, but, as I have told the hon. Member, in November there will probably be some change in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many drivers, R.A.S.C., in C.M.F., have had their release deferred; and how many have been warned that their release will be deferred.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 23rd July to a Question by the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown). On 30th June, the latest date for which figures are available, a total of seven other ranks of the R.A.S.C. in age and service Groups 26 to 34 had their release deferred for operational reasons. I am afraid I cannot say if any of these were drivers.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman particulars of a unit in which all men in these groups and this trade have been told that they will be deferred for release, will he look into it?

I certainly will, but I have given the hon. Gentleman the information at my disposal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members are being inundated with letters of protest from men who have had their demobilisation deferred? Will he give new instructions to the effect that, in future, deferment is only to be arranged for really grave operational reasons, and not for matters of domestic convenience?

Yes, Sir. As a matter of fact I have given very definite instructions in the changeover that has taken place, particularly in the M.E.F., and I am very much concerned in ensuring that they are followed in C.M.F. also.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons for the delay of six months in allocating for use 51 huts in Shugborough Park, Milford, Staffordshire; and if he will immediately release the remaining 14 huts on this site.

It was planned to use this site as a prisoner of war hospital and it was earmarked and reserved for that purpose but many alterations had to be carried out. As I informed my hon. Friend on 12th July, the 14 surplus huts are already in process of release.

Why does it take six months for my right hon. Friend's Department to make a decision about a few huts?

Sometimes I find it is almost as difficult to get rid of some of these things as it is to get them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it would be quite easy to get rid of these huts in the locality, where there is a tremendous demand for huts at the moment?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these huts which his Department is holding could, with a little adaptation, be very useful in the housing shortage in this country? In particular, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to look at the huts around Sheffield and collaborate with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, and so relieve the distressing housing problem in Sheffield?

Yes, Sir, we do as much as we can in that respect—[An HON. MEMBER: "Not much."]—but the hon. Gentleman and others in the House should remember that something like 200,000 Polish soldiers are being put upon the War Office to resettle, and we have to take that into consideration.

These places are empty.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) when the public right of way will be reopened across Wallaford Down, near Buckfastleigh, Devon;

(2) if he is aware that many of the barbed wire fences surrounding Wallaford Down, near Buckfastleigh, Devon, are in an advanced state of dilapidation; that this old battle training area has not yet been made safe from unexploded bombs; and what steps he is proposing to take in the matter.

There is no longer a military requirement for Wallaford Down. The land is in process of being transferred to the Admiralty. I am not aware of any serious dilapidation of the fences. The question of the reopening of the public right of way will be for the consideration of my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for War what provision has been made for the accommodation of families of personnel of the Army in Egypt now moved out of Cairo and Alexandria to the Canal zone.

It will be appreciated by the hon. and gallant Member that the undertaking to evacuate Egypt presented a serious problem regarding the re-accommodation of families. It is possible to provide for them only on a temporary and austere scale: arrangements on the holiday camp principle were decided upon, and authority has been given for the constructional work to begin. Officers and men not wishing to accept this accommodation for their families are to be given the choice of returning the families to the United Kingdom or leaving them in the Delta. In the latter case they cannot of course be provided with hospital or N.A.A.F.I. facilities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say for approximately how many families these holiday camps are available?

I am sorry, but I cannot say at the moment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the circumstances of the civilians—whether they are relations or not of men who served the Army in Egypt faithfully for many years?