asked the Minister of Labour how many men in the building trades were unemployed on the last date when figures were compiled.

17,837 at 12th August.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the ban on finding work in England, Wales and Scotland for such of the Gibraltarian evacuees now accommodated in camps in Northern Ireland still obtains; what were the grounds for its imposition; how many young men and women retained in these camps are obtaining work in Ulster; and how many were in employment in the United Kingdom outside Ulster when they were ordered to leave for these Irish camps.

There has been no ban on Gibraltarian evacuees in Northern Ireland finding work in Great Britain. The question of their employment in Northern Ireland is for the Government of that country and not for me. Statistics are not available showing how many were in employment in Great Britain before their departure to Northern Ireland

asked the Minister of Labour whether appointments as handi craft teachers to schools, advertised by the Ministry of Education in appropriate journals, are also made available through the Appointments Board; and, if not, if he will see that this is done.

I am informed by my right hon. Friend that the Ministry of Education does not advertise posts for handicraft teachers in schools. When such posts are advertised by other bodies, the Regional Appointments Offices of my Ministry bring them to the notice of suit able registrants.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Mr. Richard MacKay, of Durness, Sutherland, has been called up, and that he was responsible for four crofts covering 21 acres of arable ground and also for 200 sheep, three milking cows, two pigs and 50 poultry and that he also assisted with the accountancy at his mother's grocers shop and her hotel; why it was necessary to call up Mr. MacKay; and whether the fact that this boy was registered as a grocer when 18 years of age had any bearing on the decision.

This young man was regis tered as a grocer and indeed obtained considerable periods of postponement in that capacity. His agricultural activities were found not to be such as to necessitate further deferment in the interests of agricultural production. Deferment of the call-up of young men who can in fact be spared could only result in delaying the release of others who have served for considerable periods.

asked the Minister of Labour whether registered occupation made under the National Service Acts can be altered before call-up if such occupation changes through inheritance.

The registered occupation at any particular time is the occupation in which a man is known to be mainly engaged, whatever the circumstances in which he became engaged in it.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British Servicemen have now married ex-enemy women before and since the relaxation of the ban; how many Servicewomen have married ex-enemy men; and if fraternisation and marriage are now permitted between British citizens and ex-enemy prisoners of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now modify the regulations regarding non-fraternisation in respect of those German prisoners of war still held in this country.

I cannot say how many Service men and women have now married ex-enemy nationals. This in formation would not necessarily be avail able in the records of the Service Departments.As stated in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 2nd August, it is not at present pro posed to relax the rules regarding fraternisation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider allowing officers and men of the armed forces to make their applications in connection with the Further Education and Training Scheme as soon as their release group dates are notified so that if they are refused they can make alternative plans for their future.

Existing arrangements already provide for this.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action has been taken by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff with regard to a letter sent by General Barker to certain of his officers in Palestine.

The Chief of the Imperial General Staff has taken appropriate action to bring the views of His Majesty's Government, as expressed by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council in this House on 31st July last, to the attention of General Barker.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the shortage of British newspapers for C.M.F. troops; and whether he will arrange for at least the air mail edition of "The Times" to be supplied to each unit.

Delivery of daily papers by air to this Command has already been tried, but was found to be unsuccessful, owing to delays. 20,000 Sunday papers are despatched each week by air and, as an experiment, daily papers are now being sent overland. If this proves to be satisfactory the numbers will be increased as required.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there is any prospect of a quicker mail service to C.M.F.

No, Sir. Letters to Italy are despatched daily by air from this country and to Austria three times weekly. Second class mail is despatched daily by overland route. Advantage is taken of all available means of transport and speedier services are not considered possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give a list of the civilian organisations now operating with C.M.F.

I am not sure what type of organisation my hon. Friend has in mind. If he is referring to voluntary welfare organisations, the following is a list:Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association.Incorporated Soldiers', Sailors' and Air men's Help Society.Philanthropic Bodies affiliated to the Council of Voluntary War Work such as:

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make arrangements to have all recruiting posters showing out-of-date uniforms and equipment withdrawn, and replaced by those of modern design.

Instructions have been issued for any such posters to be with drawn.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the release of all senior ranks, sergeants and above, in age and service group 42, R.A.O.C, 5.B.O.D., M.E.L.F., has been deferred; and whether he will take steps to see that these men are released at an early date.

I am aware that there is a considerable shortage of senior ranks of the R.A O.C. in Middle East; special efforts are being made to supply reinforcements from other sources, to minimise the need for compulsory deferment. I am satisfied that the power to defer personnel compulsorily will not be used, in these or other cases, unless deferment is really necessary and until each individual case has been considered on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that building materials needed by civilian builders have been left to waste in the open at the R.E. depot at Horley; what action he has taken in the matter; and what steps are being taken to prevent similar examples of wastage of building materials and public money.

The great bulk of the building material at Horley has been declared surplus to Army requirements and is in process of disposal by the Departments concerned. The War Office is making every effort to release surplus items in Army depots with the minimum of delay, particularly where they are needed by the civil market. The total quantity involved is very large, however, and the shortage of manpower and repair capacity necessarily prolongs the process. Every endeavour is made to prevent deterioration but the limited amount of storage space at our disposal forces us to store more equipments in the open than we would wish.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the facts revealed by the American Commander-in-Chief in Germany that the Jewish Brigade with the British Army had been transporting Jews through the British zone into the American zone en route to Palestine.

I have made careful inquiries, but I can find no evidence that the Jewish Brigade, as such, has been transporting Jews from the British to the American zone en route for Palestine, although there is some evidence that in- dividual soldiers gave assistance to illegal immigrants in isolated cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Queen's Army Schoolmistresses serving in Italy are only given the status of warrant officers, whereas foreign women engaged in a temporary capacity on teaching duties are given rank as commissioned officers; and whether he will rectify this anomaly by giving full officer status to Queen's Army Schoolmistresses.

Queen's Army Schoolmistresses are civilians. They have no military status and are not subject to the provisions of the Army Act. Certain improvements in their pay and conditions have recently been effected and all their terms of service, including status, are at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to close No. 5 Command Workshops, Buntingford, Herts; and, if so, whether he will give an assurance that the buildings will be used to give employment locally.

This workshop will be closed in the near future. The buildings are still required for storage and local civilian employees will be needed; but I am afraid that there will be little or no place in the new establishment for skilled tradesmen of the types now employed.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has any statement to make regarding the accident on 27th August, by which six Gloucestershire soldiers of the 15th Infantry Training Company lost their lives; and if it is proposed to make any alterations in this type of training.

I deeply regret that a contributory cause of this tragic accident was failure of those responsible to observe in full the requisite safety precautions. A military inquiry has been held and disciplinary action will be taken where called for. I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my sincere sympathy with those who are bereaved.

asked the Secretary of State for War what inquiries, in the case of the loss of six lives by drowning at Colchester of members of the Gloucester Regiment, were made by the officer in charge before going on this river exercise to ascertain that all troops could swim even when carrying heavy packs; and what steps are being taken by his Department in the future to see that all troops are taught to swim while carrying heavy packs.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Parkin).

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider making a statement to the Press indicating that many members of His Majesty's Forces have been reduced in rank owing to redundancy and that this demotion in no way reflects upon their character.

I am glad to have this further opportunity of removing any misconceptions on this point. The war-time promotion codes provide for the grant of temporary or acting rank to fill vacancies on the establishments, which are naturally much more numerous than in normal times. With the contraction of the Forces a very large number of appointments carrying higher rank have been and are being dispensed with. In consequence many officers, warrant officers and non-commissioned officers or equivalent in the three Services have been obliged to relinquish their higher acting or temporary rank. This reduction in rank is due entirely to the contraction of the Forces and in no way reflects on the military efficiency or the personal character of the individuals concerned; I hope that the information which I have now given will receive wide publicity.

asked the Secretary of State for War the circumstances under which a compulsory deduction has been made from the pay of men in the 2nd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, stationed in Palestine, for providing a Christmas dinner; and whether it is proposed to penalise men who have refused to accept such deduction.

I have no information in regard to this matter. I have cabled for a report from M.E.L.F. and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as a reply is received.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he refuses a compassionate release to 2549324 Boy Morris Aldred, Royal Signals, seeing that he enlisted two years ago on the insistence of his late father and against the will of his mother, now widowed.

The circumstances of this case were fully explained in a letter sent to my hon. Friend on 3rd October, which I hope he has now received.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 14424178 Lance-Corporal A. H. Williams, R.E., C.R.E. Office, Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica, was late in being demobilised; and why the letter dated 27th August from the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield concerning this soldier's release was answered on 24th September, giving only a negative reply.

This soldier's release was deferred by the local overseas commander on grounds of military necessity. As recently explained to the hon. and gallant Member by letter, arrangements are in hand for his replacement and release. The reply to the hon. and gallant Member's letter of 27th August had to await the re sult of the inquiries in Jamaica.

asked the Secretary of State for War by what date the withdrawal of all British troops in Greece will have been completed.

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend had very much hoped that he would by now have been able to announce the date of the withdrawal of the British troops in Greece. The recent outburst of disorders in Greece and in particular those along her northern frontier have however made any final decision at this moment impossible. My right hon. Friend still hopes that it will be possible to withdraw British troops from Greece in the near future, but until he sees how the present situation is likely to develop, he will not be in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will make a statement on the disposal of hutted accommodation in Shugborough Park, Staffordshire.

I have been asked to reply. Only 14 huts on this property are surplus to requirements; the remainder are in full use as a hospital and as living quarters for the hospital staff. Two of the surplus huts have been sold to the owner of the site. The remaining 12 have been dismantled and will be reassembled elsewhere for military use.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of non-Regular officers employed during the late war in the Army and the number of Regular and Regular reserve officers so employed; how many of each category attained the rank of brigadier or higher, otherwise than in Anti-Aircraft Command; and what are the figures for similar categories in the Dominion Forces.

About 229,400 non-Regular officers and 24,100 Regular and Regular reserve officers were employed. 203 of the former and 1,855 of the latter held the rank of brigadier or above otherwise than in Anti-Aircraft Command I have no corresponding information about the Dominion Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many persons are employed in the Army Records Office in Edinburgh; and what arrangements are being made for the future accommodation of this Department in the capital of Scotland.

The present establishment is 530, including eight military officers: this figure is subject to reduction concurrently with the run-down of the Army. The regrouping of record office work is now under consideration, in the light of the changing requirements. This will probably involve a reduction in the total number of Army Record Offices and it is unlikely that the Edinburgh office will be required permanently. There is, however, no immediate prospect of moving the work elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men on home establishment whose state of training and medical category render them fit for foreign service have never done any service abroad; and what proportion this represents of the total home establishment strength.

As explained on 28th November, 1945, in reply to a question by the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Pritt), the figures required are not available from the normal strength returns and could not be ascertained without a considerable amount of research and correspondence. I can, however, assure the hon. and gallant Member that if there are any such men the number would be very small.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number and what proportion of men who completed their training in Primary Training Centres during the quarter ended 30th September 1946, were allocated to each arm of the service.

The following are the figures:

GENERAL SERVICE INTAKES.
Allocation to Arms from Primary Training Centres.
Arm.	July, 1946.		August, 1946.		September, 1946.
	Out-Put.	Percentage of total output.	Out-Put.	Percentage of total output.	Out-Put.	Percentage of total output.
Royal Armoured Corps including House·hold Cavalry.	574	4·7	740	4·94	803	5·19
Royal Artillery	2,091	14·82	2,774	18·50	2,872	18·55
Royal Engineers	859	6·08	962	6·42	1,138	7·35
Royal Signals	856	6·07	790	5·27	969	6·26
Infantry including Foot Guards, Army Air Corps and General Service Corps.	3,039	21·54	3,519	23·47	3,326	21·49
Royal Army Service Corps	1,720	12·19	2,148	14·33	2,034	13·14
Royal Army Medical Corps and Army Dental Corps.	1,176	8·34	775	5·17	798	5·15
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers	657	4·66	916	6·11	1,069	6·91
Royal Army Ordnance Corps	1,328	9·41	794	5·30	889	5·74
Royal Army Pay Corps	215	1·52	130	·87	170	1·18
Pioneer Corps	250	1·77	278	1·85	182	1·18
Other Corps including Royal Army. Veterinary Corps, Army Educational Corps, Corps of Military Police, Army Physical Training Corps and Intelligence Corps.	1,344	9·53	1,168	7·79	1,228	7·94
	14,109	100·00	14,994	100·00	15,478	100·00

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in the registration of British war graves; to what extent these will be centralised in British cemeteries; and when he will be able to arrange visits of relatives to graves in Holland, Denmark, Italy and other European countries.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Spark-brook (Mr. Shurmer). About 75 per cent. of the work on the registration and concentration of British war graves has now been carried out. Owing to the shortage of manpower and the wide area of search, progress has been slower than was expected and it will be some time, particularly in North-West Europe, before the task is wholly completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of German prisoners of war now held in Great Britain, in the British Empire and in other countries occupied by British troops and their distribution in various theatres.

The total of Germans held on 30th September was 551,927, distributed as follows:

Great Britain		398,159
Overseas Theatres—
Middle East	102,807
C.M.F	37,500
B.A.O.R	5,682
		145,989
Other parts of British Empire—
Canada	4,182
Australia	1,566
East Africa	99
Malta	1,006
Jamaica	528
Gibraltar	398
		7,779
		551,927

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Polish soldiers have enrolled to date in the Polish Resettlement Corps.

Up to 5th October, 17,480, which represents a high proportion of those to whom offers have so far been made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that all Polish units in the British Army have now been disbanded.

Not yet, Sir. The process of enlisting members of the Polish forces under British command into the Polish Resettlement Corps (an unarmed corps) began on 11th September, 1946. This process is proceeding and it is hoped that it may be completed during the early months of next year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increased responsibilities which are to be placed on the Universities Grants Committee under their new terms of reference, any steps are to be taken to broaden the basis of membership of that committee.

This matter is now being considered by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sum of money expended on Government publicity agents during the first six months of 1946; and how this sum, expressed in percentage, compares with similar expenditure during the first six months of 1938.

The total expenditure on the staffs of Information divisions of Government Departments in this country, including Ministry of Information and the Central Office of Information, in the first six months of 1946 was £545,714. The expenditure in the first six months of 1938 was 9.2 per cent. of this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of the fact that he was relying on £520,000,000 from the National Savings movement for this year's Budget, the National Savings poster urging people to buy their own homes was suddenly withdrawn, and by whose orders;

I cannot identify the poster described by the hon. Member; nor do I know of any instance of a Savings advertisement being prematurely withdrawn.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the Weekly Campaign Circular issued by the National Savings Committee, No. 248, dated 10th August, 1946; if he was aware that 3½ pages of this issue are devoted to publicity for the Trades Union Congress, the Trades' Councils, and the National Council of Labour; that the article deals, in detail, with the role of the Trade Union Congress in industrial disputes, while only making passing mention in one sentence of its association with the National Savings Committee; and if he will take steps to ensure that the National Savings Committee is not used for trade union propaganda in future.

The Weekly Campaign Circular is not issued to the public but distributed by the National Savings Committee to its voluntary workers. I have seen the article referred to by the hon. Member. It was the third of a series written to provide the Savings Movement with information about industrial organisation, in preparation for the drive to increase savings in industry. The previous article in the series described the British Employers Confederation; the other articles dealt with the Regional Boards for Industry, and with Chambers of Commerce.With regard to the last part of the Question, I do not consider that the matter calls for any action on my part. The leaders of the National Savings Movement have made it clear on many occasions that they will not allow the Movement to be used to carry on any form of sectional propaganda.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the rules governing the sending to members of the armed forces, or the purchase by members of the armed forces, of cigarettes, etc., duty free.

Since September, 1945, only members of His Majesty's Forces serving on His Majesty's ships or in the Far Eastern theatre have been permitted to receive duty-free parcels of tobacco and cigarettes from this country. The reasons for this restriction were then set out in a Press notice of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I would draw attention to the fact that, as the notice explains, other members of the Forces abroad receive liberal duty-free supplies by free issue and through N.A.A.F.I.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost of printing, issuing and distributing new weekly tax table forms, Finance Act, 1946; and what was the approximate weight of paper involved.

The cost was about £163,000 and 1,400 tons of paper were used.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the anticipated total of free exchange that will have to be paid to the Argentine for meat up to 31st March, 1947.

The meat negotiation is not yet completed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the percentage of ex-Servicemen established in the Department of Inland Revenue as a result of the first review of civil servants over 30 years of age; what proportion of this percentage was in the provinces; what is the date of the second review; and will the Commissioners give an assurance that ex-Servicemen of the 1939–1945 war will not be overlooked at the time of this second review.

Ninety persons have been established by the Inland Revenue, 18 of them are ex-Servicemen, 15 of them being in the provinces. The date of the second review has not yet been fixed but I can assure my hon. Friend that the ex-Service men who are qualified for consideration will not be overlooked.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what increase has been allowed to Members of Parlia- ment, who have privately been visiting non-sterling areas during the Recess over the £75 generally available.

None, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost to public funds of the motor-car provided for the Lord President of the Council during his holiday in Eire; under what statutory or other authority such expenditure has been met; and whether he was informed in advance of the Lord President's intention to impose this expense on the Exchequer.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Lord President of the Council to the Questions addressed to him by the hon. Members for Lewes (Major Beamish) and Oxford (Mr. Hogg). On the second part of the Question the expenditure is an ordinary incidental expense of administration, the authority for which is the approval by this House of the financial provision in the Departmental Vote for incidental expenses. As regards the last part of the Question, the answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that considerable hardship is being caused to widows of men who hold post-war credit certificates for Income Tax, inasmuch as these certificates will not be cashed until the widows attain the age of 60; and whether, in view of the circumstances, he will change the existing regulation.

The provisions under which repayments of Income Tax Post-War Credits for certain years are now being made to old people are contained in Section 26 of the Finance Act, 1946, and there is no power to depart from the age limits prescribed by that section.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will take the necessary steps to ensure that letters from Member? of Parliament on important constituency matters addressed to Ministers should be replied to by the Minister addressed or his Parliamentary Secretary and not over the signature of an office secretary.

A universal rule on the lines suggested would not be appropriate. The matter is one which in my view hon. Members should, if necessary, take up with the Minister concerned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of civil servants, permanent and temporary, at the latest census; and at what date was that taken.

709,449 at 1st July, 1946 — 236,384 established, and 473,065 unestablished.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he is aware that 12 semi-detached houses on Glasllwch Crescent, Rogerstone, Monmouthshire, were destroyed by enemy action in May, 1941, and cannot be rebuilt on the same site, because of a proposed trunk road to be built at the suggestion of the Minister of Transport; and whether, as there is no provision in the War Damage Acts for a cost-of-works payment to be made for houses to be erected on another site, and as a 1939 value payment will not provide anything like a similar house to that which was destroyed, if he will look into this matter with a view to rectifying it.

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the facts related, and steps have had to be taken to safeguard the line of the proposed new trunk road. As regards the compensation under the War Damage Acts, this is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer

asked the Minister of Works whether it is proposed to manu- facture hollow bricks for housing and factory construction; and whether, in view of the shortage of supply for building purposes in South Wales, it is contemplated that factories in suitable localities may be set up for this purpose.

My hon. Friend doubtless has in mind the manufacture of hollow blocks not hollow bricks. My Ministry has been authorised to arrange for the production of a new type of hollow clay blocks by Government enterprise. At present a search is being made for a suitable site, and I have very much in mind the needs of the development areas.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that considerable structural alterations are being made to the Sackville Club, Cullum Street, London, involving building material and labour amounting to £6,000; and by whose authority the licence was granted to carry out this work.

Licences for work costing £1,392 were granted earlier in the year to the Sackville Club, Cullum Street, E.C.3, by my Regional Licensing Officer. I am advised that the work, which has now been completed, has not exceeded the expenditure authorised.

asked the Minister of Works, why preferential treatment was given in July for fittings to Lord Hyndley's house at Chelsea; and, in view of the fact that the non-essential nature of the work was brought to the notice of the Minister of Health at his request, what fittings were licensed; what is the present position; and if he will take disciplinary action against the person who issued the licences.

The fitting of wash basins into four of the six bedrooms at this house was authorised as it was considered that the special service to which this accommodation was to be put justified the issue of a licence and no question of preferential treatment arose. The work has been completed. No disciplinary action is called for.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a statement on the machinery for the disposal of hutted accommodation and the reasons why delays occur.

Hutted accommodation surplus to the requirements of Government Departments is either sold to the owner of the site on which it is situated or sold for removal. The sale to the owner of the land is carried out by the holding department. Sales for removal are carried out by the Ministry of Works through the machinery of its Regional Disposals Officers. I have no reason to believe that there is avoidable delay in the disposal of hutted accommodation but a procedure which involves the inspection of the site, the invitation and acceptance of offers, and the removal of the hutting by the purchaser, obviously takes time. The procedure is flexible and changes are adopted in the light of experience.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will state his intentions in the disposal of hutted accommodation on Hixon airfield, Staffordshire.

My Department proposes to use two of the camp sites at Hixon Airfield in connection with the Polish Resettlement Programme. Apart from this some huts are still in use by the R.A.F. while the majority have been handed over to the Ministry of Health for emergency housing.

asked the Minister of Works if there is an approved list of contractors for the erection of temporary dwellings; what are the terms and conditions for entry to the list; and what is the procedure for the examination of, and decision upon, tenders.

Lists are kept of building contractors and tenders for temporary house erection are invited from those who are situated in the locality and are best able to undertake the particular work. Tenders are carefully examined and the lowest tender is normally accepted provided it is in order and not excessive.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is satisfied that, in the demolition of surface shelters, adequate machinery is in force to secure full salvage and utilisation of materials.

The demolition of public shelters is carried out by local authorities in accordance with the general policy laid down by the Home Office. If the hon. Member knows of any specific instances in which the arrangements for salvage are not working satisfactorily perhaps he will bring them to my notice.

asked the Minister of Works whether it is the policy of his Department when placing contracts to have insulating materials for house walls Supplied in standard sizes ready for immediate installation, or to have them supplied in rolls and cut to measure at the time of installation.

Insulating materials are supplied in rolls of varying widths. Where my Department places contracts for such materials they are ordered to the width suitable for the construction and lengths are cut from the roll on site as required.

asked the Minister of Works what materials it is his policy to recommend or order for the insulation of house walls.

At present insulating material is used in the walls only of houses of non-traditional construction such as temporary and permanent prefabricated houses. In these cases insulation is obtained by the use of mineral wools in mat form or aluminium foil mounted on waterproofed paper.

asked the Minister of Works how many skilled building workers are registered in South Wales; and how many are engaged on house construction, factory construction and on non-priority work, respectively.

There were approximately 9,400 craftsmen engaged in the building and civil engineering industry in the South Wales development area at the end of August. Of these just over 3,200 were engaged on housing work providing additional accommodation and about 1,400 were employed on the construction and extension of factories. The balance were employed on other jobs including war damage repair and maintenance of houses and other buildings, some of which have priority.

asked the Minister of Works what progress has been made by the committee inquiring into the operation of the cement industry.

I understand that the committee have nearly finished taking evidence.

asked the Minister of Works when he expects to receive the report of the committee under the chairmanship of Sir Ernest Simon which is examining the distribution of building materials.

The committee is meeting weekly. The inquiry is complex, and it is too early to forecast the date by which the committee will be able to report.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement, arising from his recent inspection of hydro-electric undertakings in Scotland, as to the intention of His Majesty's Government with regard to rural electrification in that country.

The Government's policy, as has already been announced, is to promote rural electrification not only in Scotland, but throughout Great Britain generally. I was glad to see that the hydro-electric schemes in Scotland will be able to make a contribution towards carrying out this policy.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the shortage of electricity poles in the Oxford shire district; and if he will take steps to increase supplies in this area.

I am aware that there is a general shortage of wooden poles for electricity and other purposes. The supplies available are allocated so far as possible to meet the most urgent needs.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) in what quantities concrete poles are now available for electrical supply extensions in rural areas;(2) how many wooden poles and how many concrete poles are expected to be available for extensions of electricity supplies in rural areas during the next 12 months.

So far as I am aware sufficient concrete poles are now being produced to meet the current demands of Electricity Undertakers and sufficient capacity is available to meet their expected demands over the next 12 months. I hope that there will be at least 80,000 wooden poles available for Electricity Undertakers in 1947.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what basis consumers are selected by his Department as suitable for transfer from coal to oil burning, and what special financial concessions are allowed to those firms accepting his Department's proposal.

I am arranging for the initial releases of oil to be made to consumers who possess stand-by oil-fired equipment which can be brought into immediate permanent use or who have coal-fired plants which can be converted to oil firing during the next few months, and thereby save coal this winter. In other cases, the order of priority of the release of oil and equipment for oil firing will be governed by the extent to which the requirement not only saves coal, but is calculated to obtain the best results from the use of oil fuel. With regard to the second part of the Question, no special financial concessions are offered to such new consumers. In common, however, with other users of fuel oils they will benefit by the subsidy announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 1st August, which was intended to encourage the use of fuel burning plant to the maximum extent and thus a saving of coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the approximate amount of petrol now being consumed monthly; and what is the increased consumption which he anticipates when petrol rationing is dispensed with.

The latest figures of the quantity of imported motor spirit entered for home consumption relate to July, in which month approximately 358,000 tons were used. This is equivalent to an annual rate of about 4,300,000 tons. The rate of consumption on the removal of rationing can only be roughly estimated but probably it would exceed the 1938 total of 4,900,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now state when he proposes to abandon petrol rationing altogether; and if he can give an estimate of the resulting saving in manpower, and the numbers of petroleum officers, clerks and typists, respectively, that it would release for productive activity.

I am not yet able to state when it will be possible to abandon petrol rationing. The ultimate staff reduction would be 1,880, of whom 69 are Petroleum Officers (all grades), 1,716 are clerks, and 69 are typists.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he can now state the approximate percentage of petrol being supplied from the U.S.A.; and whether, in view of the necessity to conserve dollar credits, he will consider all Britain's supplies being delivered from sterling area sources, in view of the fact that there are adequate supplies available within this area.

During the three months, June, July and August, the last three months for which figures have been published, 21 per cent. of petrol imports into the United Kingdom were drawn from the U.S.A. The quantity of petrol produced within the sterling area is relatively small and does not cover consumption in the United Kingdom. But, as I have indicated repeatedly in reply to past Questions, even total British controlled petrol production, including supplies from Iran and the Dutch West Indies which are outside the sterling area, is insufficient for our total needs. In addition to the United Kingdom, we have to make supplies available for the rest of the sterling area and for our export trade.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is now able to agree to an increase in the petrol allowance to commercial travellers and other business men as many of them are unable to earn their living on the present amount granted.

I am glad that it has been found possible to make a further increase of approximately one-third in the petrol allowances for commercial travellers as from 1st November. I regret however that I am not in a position to grant a further increase to other "S" coupon holders for business journeys in addition to the increase of 50 per cent. which came into effect on 1st August last.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the poor quality and exorbitant price of the manufactured fuels which have been delivered recently to the Isle of Wight; that in many cases at least 50 per cent. of the fuel is found to be of such poor quality as to be useless for consumer purposes; and what action he proposes to take.

No, Sir, but if the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any cases he has in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he proposes relaxing the general restrictions on shop-window lighting; and if he will give an assurance that such relaxations will be made before the Christmas period.

I regret that the fuel position docs not justify any relaxation of the lighting restrictions at present. I cannot predict the position at Christmas, but if there is any substantial improvement, I will consider this matter again.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage of the allocation of domestic coal to Hull supplied to the city during the first quarter of the coal year 1946–47; and the percentage supplied to the Hull Co-operative Society, Risdale and Walkers, and the other merchants, respectively.

During the first quarter of the coal year 1946–47 domestic supplies to the Hull district amounted to 99.43 per rent of its allocation. The corresponding percentages for the Hull Co-operative Society, Messrs. Risdale and Walkers and the other merchants were respectively, 100.64, 98.26 and 99.17.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is now prepared to re-open Fauldhouse Colliery which has been closed since March, upon renewal of the guarantee against unofficial stoppages such as he has accepted in respect of other collieries and which was previously offered unanimously by the Fauldhouse miners, but not accepted.

No, Sir. The closure of this colliery has since led to increased production elsewhere, and on these grounds alone the decision to close this pit has been justified and there is no likelihood at present of it being re-opened.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the salaries paid to members of Regional Coal Boards.

These Divisional Boards are not statutory bodies and are not appointed by me. They are appointed by the National Coal Board as part of its managerial staff. Under the Coal Nationalisation Act the National Coal Board is given full freedom by Parliament to settle its own organisation and the terms on which it engages staff, in the same way as other statutory and commercial undertakings, and I have no official responsibility or information in the matter. While I am responsible for deciding the salaries of the members of the National Coal Board itself and have reported these to Parliament, I made it clear during the passage of the Bill that I did not intend to interfere with the discretion of the Board in its organisation and administrative arrangements for carrying out the duties entrusted to it and that my power was accordingly limited to that of giving general directions. I have no intention of giving general directions on such matters as the salaries the Board should pay to their staff, which under the Act is essentially a matter for them to decide themselves.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements are being made to prevent colliery concerns disposing of assets in advance of the vesting date with a view to avoiding transference to the National Coal Board under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act.

Special provisions of a comprehensive character have been included in the First Schedule of the Act to guard against any disposal of the assets. The broad effect of these provisions is to nullify any transaction of this kind which has taken, or may take place, after 1st January, 1946, unless it can be proved that it was entered into in the ordinary course of business, such as the sale of coal by a colliery concern, and was in no way connected with the provisions of the Act nor in anticipation of these provisions. Persons who enter into transactions with colliery concerns which are not clearly covered by the exceptions mentioned should be aware therefore that they do so at their own risk.

asked the Minister of Supply how much of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoed, Monmouthshire, is now in use; and if he will take steps either to put the other parts into production on behalf of the nation or to lease them f6r use by others and thus provide work for the unemployed in the county.

The Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoed was designed and equipped as a filling factory and is being retained for current production and as essential war potential in that capacity. The main buildings and plant are so specialised that without a major reconversion, which would seriously impair their value as war potential, they can only be used for their original purpose and the breaking down of ammunition. Alternative work, some of which is already in progress, is being introduced as fast as possible into all the suitable non-specialised buildings and none of these is available for release. The total employment in the factory is at present equal to about three-quarters of full single shift working.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the continued shortage of lead for the toy trade; and whether he is now able to increase the allotment of lead for home-market purposes.

There is still a severe shortage of lead for essential purposes such as cables, batteries and housing components. My right hon. Friend much regrets, therefore, that he is unable to allocate supplies for non-essential manufactures, including toys, for the home market. Manufacturers should endeavour to use other metals which are not in short supply, and if they approach us, we will be glad to advise them on this point.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that refrigerators which depend for their action on a heating unit consume three times as much electricity as the compressor type; and what steps he is taking in the interests of fuel economy to encourage the manufacture of compressor-type refrigerators.

Only a very small proportion of refrigerators now being produced depend for their action on a heating unit. The remainder employ the motorised compressor system.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many gift parcels sent from people in the Dominions to friends in this country are not being delivered; that no notification as to the fate of such parcels is being given to either senders or addressees; and what is the Government's policy in regard to the confiscation of gift parcels.

The impression in the public mind that a large proportion of the gift parcels sent by post from the Dominions to this country is not delivered is entirely erroneous, and in order to explain the position my noble Friend recently issued a detailed statement, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. The chief source of difficulty is the long time which elapses before the parcels reach this country, particularly from Australia and New Zealand. Any confiscation of gift parcels for infringement of the Import Licencing regulations is the responsibility of the Customs Department. I am informed however that in such cases a notice of seizure is invariably sent to the addressee, who has the opportunity of applying for an import licence, and that the number of parcels confiscated during the first five months of this year was less than one in every eighty thousand. The direction of policy in this matter is the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if in view of the closer integration of the British and U.S. zones in Germany, he has been able to make arrangements for two-way telegraphic communication between British subjects in this country and the U.S. zone.

The reopening of public telegraph services between the U.S. zone (like the other zones) of Germany and other countries requires the authority of the Allied Control Commission and this has not yet been given. As regards service between this country and the Forces in the U.S. zone arrangements are in hand for the introduction of a service and are nearing completion.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the amount of money paid from State funds to the unemployed for the first six months of 1919 and the first six months of 1946, respectively.

Payments to unemployed persons by way of unemployment benefit and out of work donation were approximately £26,000,000 during the first six months of 1919, and £14,000,000 by way of unemployment benefit and unemployment allowances during the first six months of 1946.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he is taking to reduce the delay in dealing with applications for compensation from persons affected by pneumoconiosis and from the relatives of those who have died from this complaint.

Six additional doctors have recently been appointed to the medical board responsible for making the examinations and giving the certificates for this disease. Further special measures are also being taken in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Jewish internees in Cyprus who express pro-Russian views are put into a separate camp.

My hon. Friend is misinformed. There is no truth whatsoever in this allegation.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of women whose widows' pensions have been, or are in process of being, downgraded because they are now in receipt of family allowances.

In accordance with the provisions of the Family Allowances Act, family allowances of 5s. are being substituted for children's allowances of 3s. for the second and subsequent children of widows under the Contributory Pensions Acts in about 35,000 cases.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of men whose disablement pensions have been, or are in process of being, downgraded because they are now in receipt of family allowances.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of women whose pensions, as widows of men who lost their lives during the present emergency, through enemy action, have been, or are in process of being, down-graded because they are now in receipt of family allowances.

None, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many German civilian internees are at present in Denmark under British supervision; and when it is proposed that they should be returned to their own country.

The 200,000 German civilian refugees in Denmark are not under British supervision, but are in internment camps under the control of the Danish Government. The question of their return to Germany is under discussion by the representatives of the Four Powers on the Control Council in Berlin and it is impossible to say when a solution will be reached. The problem should not, therefore, be regarded as purely Anglo-Danish, but the authorities of the British zone have agreed to receive into the British zone those of the refugees who previously lived there numbering 10,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the envoy whom the Soviet Government propose to send as Ambassador to this country is the Ambassador who was in charge of the Embassy in Canada, certain employees of which were found to have been concerned in the espionage activities exposed by the Canadian Royal Commission, he will express His Majesty's Government's preference for a different envoy to be sent.

The Canadian Royal Commission which investigated the espionage activities in Canada reported that the evidence before them was that those members of the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa who were engaged in improper and inadmissible activities operated in special sections of the Embassy, the operations of which were quite distinct from the official and legitimate activities of the Soviet Embassy, and that the Soviet Ambassador in Canada had no part in them. This circumstance was borne in mind by His Majesty when he gave his agrément to the appointment of M. Zarubin as Soviet Ambassador in London.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons enjoying diplomatic privilege are employed, respectively, by the Embassies in London of U.S.S.R., the U.S.A., China and France.

According to the latest information in the possession of the Foreign Office the numbers of diplomatically privileged persons comprising the staffs of the Soviet, United States, Chinese and French Embassies in London are the following: Soviet Embassy, 122; United States Embassy, 450; Chinese Embassy, 42; French Embassy, 98.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent national and local officials of the wartime Japanese Government have been replaced by those opposed to that regime; and whether he will take steps to guarantee long-term security against reprisals for co-operating with the Allies so as to encourage such men to come forward and assist in creating democratic institutions and government.

On 4th January, 1946, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Tokyo issued a directive to the Japanese Government entitled "Removal and Exclusion of Undesirable Personnel from Public Office." In accordance with this directive a comprehensive purge of the central and local administration in Japan has been carried out. General MacArthur's Headquarters report that by 29th July the screening of all holders of public office under the provisions of the directive had been completed. By that date 814 persons had been removed from high-ranking policy making positions and 186,000 had been excluded from the lower ranks of the Government service. The objective which the Allies have set before them in Japan is the establishment on a permanent foundation of a peace-loving, responsible administration from which men of good will shall have nothing to fear. It may be possible to institute certain safeguards, for a period after the occupation forces have been withdrawn, but nothing less than the fulfilment of the Allied aims can provide a sure guarantee against the dangers which my hon. Friend has in mind. It is my right hon. Friend's constant endeavour to further the attainment of these aims. In one year since the surrender great progress has already been made.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to restore transport services between the islands of Aran, Bute, Cumbrae and the mainland.

The seamen's strike which interrupted these services on 2nd October was settled at midday on 3rd October. Some services were resumed immediately and all normal services were running on 4th October.

asked the Minister of Transport how many locomotives are to be converted to oil burning; what is the cost of the conversion; and what are the running costs in comparison with coal.

Arrangements are in hand for the conversion of 1,217 locomotives to oil burning. I am not yet in a position to give estimates of conversion and running costs.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that one can travel any distance in England at the rate of 18s. 5d. for a single berth sleeper but between England and Scotland the rate is 33 per cent, higher, and if it is his intention to equalise the charges throughout Great Britain.

No, Sir. The journeys for which sleepers are used are as a rule considerably longer between England and Scotland than between places in England. The difference between the present charges of 28s. and 21s. for a first class berth is not unreasonable.

asked the Attorney-General if he has considered the situation created by the fact that no action for damages lies against the Crown in respect of wrongful actions done by its servants; and if he will introduce legislation in the near future to remedy the hardship caused thereby.

The Government are aware of the necessity of introducing legislation to deal with this matter as soon as Parliamentary time is available. In the meantime, the Government will do their best to ensure that none of His Majesty's subjects are deprived of a remedy in respect of wrongful acts committed by Crown servants.

asked the Attorney-General what arrangements have been made to enable Servicemen whose articles to a solicitor for a fixed period of years have been interrupted by national service, to continue that training beyond the end of the period originally fixed for its termination.

Provisions for the computation of national service in a clerk's period of articles to a solicitor are contained in the Solicitor's (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1940. If an articled clerk does not wish to take advantage of these provisions he may, by agreement with the solicitor to whom he is articled, continue serving his articles for the full period of years required by the Solicitor's Act, 1932, on payment of Stamp Duty of ten shillings on further articles for the remainder of the term. If the solicitor to whom the clerk is articled has died or retired from practice in the meantime, or for any other reason is unable to accept the clerk under articles for the remainder of the statutory period, the Law Society uses its best endeavour to secure another principal with whom the clerk may finish the period under new articles. I know of no case in which it has not been possible to make the necessary arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the oat production in Scotland in 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945; and what are his plans for maintaining and increasing it.

Oat production in Scotland in the years named was as follows: 1939; — 614,000 tons; 1940 — 761,000 tons; 1941 — 889,000 tons; 1942 — 967,000 tons; 1943 — 845,000 tons; 1944 — 757,000 tons; and 1945 — 834,000 tons. Agricultural executive committees have been asked to obtain approximately the same cereal acreage in 1947 as in 1945, with the fullest possible production of oats.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in consultation with the Tourist Development Board in Scotland, he will plan a Scottish holiday town in the remoter parts of the Highlands and Islands, with sea, mountaineering and other facilities with air, road and rail connection.

I could not contemplate the diversion of building labour and materials to such a project at present. The Scottish Tourist Board are, however, anxious to increase and improve the tourist accommodation available in the Highlands and Islands and both I and my hon. Friend the Secretary for Overseas Trade, who has been charged with a special responsibility for tourist matters, will be glad to give them any help we can.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Canadian Government have officially reported to His Majesty's Government the findings of the recent Royal Commission presided over by two judges of the Supreme Court in Canada which investigated espionage subsequently demonstrated to have occurred; whether His Majesty's Government proposes to publish the findings of the Commission and make the report available to the public through His Majesty's Stationery Office; and what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take to expose and prevent similar activities in this country, certain British nationals having been convicted of complicity in this conspiracy.

The Canadian Government have forwarded to the United Kingdom Government copies of the report of the Royal Commission to which the hon. Member refers. As regards the second part of the Question, efforts are being made to secure copies of the report from Canada with a view to their being placed on sale in this country. As regards the third part of the Question, the United Kingdom Government are alive to the possibility of similar activities being undertaken in this country; it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose what measures have been, or will be taken to combat them.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will arrange for the supply to Members of Parliament of the Official Report of the Canadian Royal Commission on Espionage, which is otherwise unprocurable in this country, or, if this is not practicable, place a copy in the Library of the House of Commons.

Copies of the report are not available in sufficient numbers for distribution as suggested, but a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as an efficiency award has been granted to officers and other ranks of the Territorial Army and the A.T.S., he will grant a similar award to other soldiers for long and meritorious service, such as men who, having served overseas as officers on the Special Reserve with the 1914–18 war, served again overseas as Emergency Reserve Officers in the 1939–46 war.

The Efficiency Decoration and the Efficiency Medal were instituted in 1930 in succession to the previous similar awards granted for some decades in the Territorial and Volunteer Forces. They mark the special character of service in the Territorial Army, and it is not proposed to recommend the institution of any new awards of this nature for the regular Forces or for Emergency Reserve Officers, in addition to the various forms of recognition already available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the medical branch of the R.N. has not been granted entertaining allowance, while other branches of the service including the engineers, R.M., Supply officers, W.R.N.S. officers have been included with the executive officers in this privilege; and if he will rectify this inequality.

Entertaining allowance is normally restricted to executive officers and R.M. officers in command. In a few exceptional cases it has been granted to officers of other branches holding analogous appointments, and its extension to medical officers-in-charge of R.N. hospitals is now under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the proposed strength of the Humber Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, its complement of officers and instructors; and whether the headquarters are to be ashore or afloat and if afloat in what ship.

The proposed strength of the Humber Division of the R.N.V.R. is 92 officers and 700 ratings; an officer instructor will be appointed, and such C.P.O. or P.O. instructors as may be required for the numbers of ratings in the various branches. Headquarters are at present ashore, but the possible provision of a drill ship is receiving consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the selection of British newspapers and articles which are allowed to circulate in Germany remains his sole responsibility; whether that selection is determined by the politics or by the figures of circulation of each individual publication; and if he will supply the list now authorised by him.

No, Sir. Newspapers and periodicals may be sent through newsagents or dealers by post to individuals in the British zone or the British sector of Berlin. The possibility of extending this scheme to the other zones of Germany is under examination. I am still responsible for selecting the British newspapers and periodicals supplied at public expense to certain German politicians, officials and editors. My selection is determined by neither politics nor circulation figures, but I try to make it as representative as possible. The list at present is "The Times," "Manchester Guardian Weekly," "Observer," "Spectator," "New Statesman and Nation," "Economist," "Tribune." I have also selected the following wider range of newspapers and periodicals for display at information centres in the British zone and the British sector of Berlin:

Times.	New Statesman and Nation.
Daily Telegraph.
Daily Express	Illustrated London News.
Daily Graphic.
Observer.	Picture Post.
Daily Herald.	Punch.
News Chronicle.	Horizon.
Daily Mail.	Geographical Magazine.
Daily Mirror.
Daily Worker.	Catholic Herald.
Manchester Guardian.	Times Literary Supplement.
Fortnightly Review.
New English Review	Spectator.
Nineteenth Century.	Sphere.
Economist.	Lancet.
	Church Times.

I am also responsible for the selection of articles in German and English which are sent at public expense for distribution to the German Press and radio. My selection of these articles is determined by current affairs and the necessity to enlighten the Germans on world events.

asked the Minister of Education if she will give a target date by which time the building of a canteen for the St. Stephen Churchtown Primary School, Cornwall, will be completed.

The authority's proposal to acquire a site and erect a canteen has been approved and they have been authorised to obtain the hut and equipment, but until the negotiations for the purchase of the site have been successfully concluded it is impossible to fix a target date by which the building will be completed.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that the handbook, "Suggestions for Teachers," which has been accepted as a valuable guide, is nearly 10 years old; that the last edition was written primarily for elementary schools; that the change in the classification of schools, and other material alterations resulting from the Education Act, call for a new edition to suit the changed circumstances; and if she will take immediate steps to fulfil this need.

I am aware that the "Handbook of Suggestions for Teachers in Elementary Schools" is out of date in some respects, though it contains much that is still of value to teachers. I have, however, decided that in this period of rapid development it is more useful to devote our energies to the particular problems which face us from time to time, and my Department is actively engaged in preparing pamphlets giving advice to teachers and local education authorities about particular types of school and aspects of the curriculum.