asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British citizens were granted Soviet citizenship each year since the Russian Revolution; how many are living in Russia today; and whether he will take steps to assist such men and women who wish to become British citizens again to do so.

The information asked for in the first two parts of the Question is not available, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is making inquiry of the Russian authorities, who alone are in a position to furnish this information. As regards the last part of the Question, it is not possible under our law to naturalise persons of British origin residing abroad who have acquired a foreign nationality and do not possess the necessary qualifications of residence in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reconsider the case, to which his attention has been called by the hon. Member for Eton and Slough, of a young woman who, having served four years in the A.T.S., is now, together with her British baby, separated by immigration regulations from her husband who served in the British Army, was for four years a prisoner of war in Germany, and is now serving as a Government welfare officer in Palestine but has been refused permission to join his wife and child in this country.

In this case the husband, who was of German nationality, settled in Palestine in 1934. In 1945, while he was temporarily in England, he married before returning to Palestine, a woman who was of Austrian nationality, and she, I understand, is unwilling to go to Palestine to join her husband. I cannot regard the birth of a baby in British territory as a reason in itself for allowing the father to settle here, and should only feel justified in agreeing to his admission if he can obtain an offer of employment here and the Ministry of Labour were prepared to grant a permit.

At a time when thousands of willing immigrants are being refused admission to Palestine, is it good sense to exert pressure on unwilling immigrants to go and live there? Moreover, is it creditable to this country that we should avail ourselves of the services of such people as these in our hour of danger, and then lock our doors on them when the danger is over?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is that that is not what is happening. Nor is what my hon. Friend has said, in the second part of his supplementary question, a fair comment on the situation.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government that if a Jew wants to go to Palestine he cannot, and if he wants to come out he cannot do that either?

No, Sir. I have said in my answer that if this man can obtain an offer of employment in this country, and the Ministry of Labour are willing for him to take it, I shall be perfectly willing to admit him; neither of the principals in this matter is a British subject at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he now contemplates increasing the pay of the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present pay of the Metropolitan Police and of the police generally throughout the country; and if he contemplates any change in the rates.

The pay of a constable is on a scale commencing at 90s. a week (or 88s. a week for men under 23 years of age) and rising to 117s. a week or 123s. in the case of men granted additional long service increments. These rates were introduced in March, 1945, on the understanding that they would not be modified for at least three years, but representations have recently been made by the Police Federation Joint Central Committees that the scale should now be improved. These representations have been circulated to members of the police councils with whom the matter will be discussed at meetings to be held at the end of this month.

In addition to giving, I trust, sympathetic consideration to the wages position in the police force, would the Minister now consider raising the ban upon the police having their own organisation to deal with these issues which may arise?

I do not think that arises out of the Questions that I have answered. Undoubtedly, that, and other matters with regard to the organisation of the police force, will have to be considered in the very near future.

Would the Home Secretary take into consideration the fact that of all the public servants in this country the police are the most devoted, and will he not give most careful consideration to any suggestion made for improving their conditions?

I think it would be very wrong of me, with the police councils considering this matter at the end of the month, to say anything today that would appear to give a lead one way or the other; but I do thank the hon. Member for the testimonial he has paid to the police force.

In assessing these rates of pay, does the Minister take into account the changes from time to time in the cost of living?

That again is a matter for the police councils to consider when they meet at the end of the month.

Will the Minister give consideration to the increase in the cost of living in the Greater London area? It is more expensive to live in London than in a provincial town.

I think it would be very wrong of me, with the police councils meeting at the end of the month, to give any indication of my personal views. I shall receive their advice, and in the light of that advice I shall have to make up my mind what, if any, changes I shall have to recommend

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on whose instructions the police failed to resist forcible entry at Fountain Court, of which they had been given prior warning, and what is the reason for the change of policy now shown.

There was no evidence that the original party of squatters at Fountain Court, of whose arrival the police had not been warned, entered by force, and the police on the spot acted on the view that the arrival of others to join the party already in possession did not constitute forcible entry. Later the Commissioner of Police issued an instruction to his officers to prevent any future misapprehension.

Is it not a fact that much of the inconvenience and distress which this episode caused was originally occasioned by the impression that the authorities were favourable to this movement, and that the change only took place after a crisis had arisen? Will the right hon. Gentleman be sure in future that the attitude of the Government is made plain before an anticipated breach of the law?

It is well known that the policy of His Majesty's Government is against all breaches of the law, whether anticipated or otherwise. In this case, no notice was given by the persons intending to commit a breach of the law that they meant to do it.

Do I understand the Home Secretary to deny the statement which was made several weeks ago by the chairman of the housing committee of the Westminster City Council that the police were informed in advance of the intention to squat?

I am informed, with regard to the particular case brought to my notice in this Question by the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg), that the police had no prior notice.

If the Government get into any further difficulty about these illegal immigrants looking for a home, might they not consult General Barker in Palestine?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions were given to the police after the initial occupation of Army hutted camps in respect of possible attempts to occupy requisitioned or private properties temporarily standing empty.

I have no authority to issue instructions to the police as to the measures they should take for the prevention of unlawful acts, and I am not normally informed of the instructions issued by chief constables to their forces. In the Metropolitan Police district the police were instructed by the Commissioner of Police on 10th September to do everything possible to prevent further forcible entry by squatters, and in view of the possibility that the tactics used in London might be copied by squatters in the provinces I drew the attention of chief constables to the action taken in London and to the importance of preventing forcible entry.

While appreciating the Home Secretary's point as to instruc- tions, may I ask if he does not consider that it would have been helpful on his part to have given advice to chief constables and police authorities after the initial occupation of Army huts, in order to forestall the difficulty which in fact arose by the occupation of requisitioned and private properties?

No, Sir There was no reason at that time to anticipate that the second and organised effort on these lines would take place. When it appeared likely that there might be a spread of this, I did issue a circular giving advice. Beyond that, I am not entitled to go.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases a poll has been taken under the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932, which has resulted in favour of Sunday opening of cinemas in reversal of the vote taken on the preceding town meeting; in how many cases where public polls have declared in favour of Sunday opening have His Majesty's Government refused to grant the draft order; and the extent to which cinematograph shows given by churches and clubs on Sundays are subject to police inspection.

Since the passing of the Act of 1932, there have been 116 draft Orders submitted by borough and urban district councils. As regards 79 of them, a public meeting vote against Sunday opening was reversed by a poll. The decision whether such draft Orders shall be confirmed rests not with the Government but with Parliament. In one case only has Parliament refused confirmation. All exhibitions involving the use of inflammable films, to which the public are admitted, are subject to inspection under the Cinematograph Act, 1909. Most licensing authorities take the view that the Act does not apply to exhibitions of sub-standard films which are, I understand, the kind more commonly shown in churches and clubs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what authority, and for what purpose, officials of his Department in- sist upon production of passports or other documents by persons travelling from England to Ulster and vice versa.

The authority is contained in the Aliens Restriction Acts and in the Emergency Laws (Transitional Provisions) Act which continued Defence Regulation 18. The purpose of requiring British subjects who are normally resident in Great Britain or Northern Ireland to carry either travel identity cards or passports is to enable them to be distinguished at sight from other passengers and passed through the control without delay. I am glad to be able to announce the abolition of the fee for the issue of travel identity cards. On and after Monday next, 14th October, these cards will be issued free in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the parties concerned to expedite the issue of the cards when applied for, because it still takes a very long time?

I will have that point looked into. I had hoped that improvements had been effected and, in fact, on occasions I have received letters indicating that that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps in the near future, to have removed the surface air-raid shelters in the Aston division of Birmingham, which are at present being used in ways detrimental to the public interest.

The local authority have already demolished the surface shelters in the busier streets, and are now negotiating contracts for the removal of all other surface shelters which in their view are a source of serious public nuisance. If my hon. Friend has any particular shelters in mind, perhaps he would be good enough to inform the corporation of the details in the first instance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the public anxiety occasioned by the fact that the police re- quested the Press to refrain from publishing a photograph of Neville George Clevely Heath, although they were convinced that he was the murderer of Mrs. Margery Gardner; and if he has any statement to make.

When the Metropolitan Police first requested the Press to refrain from publishing a photograph of Heath there was no definite evidence that he was the murderer of Mrs. Gardner. A description of Heath had been circulated to all police stations in London within 14 hours of the discovery of the body, and a taxi-driver had come forward who thought he could identify the man whom he had driven with Mrs. Gardner to the Pem-bridge Court Hotel on the night of the crime. It was evident that if a charge of murder could be brought against Heath, the taxi-driver's evidence would be vital to the success of the prosecution and that if in the meantime Heath's photograph was published in the Press it might enable the defence to. throw doubt upon the evidence of identification. The circumstances of the murder of Mrs. Gardner did not afford any reason to suppose that her assailant would commit a second murder, and I am satisfied that the police were right in asking that the Press should not take a course which might have prejudiced the due course of justice.

I desire to express to the parents and friends of Heath's second victim, Miss Marshall, sincere sympathy in their tragic loss.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if he can give an assurance that, in such cases, the police are not actuated by any undue solicitude for the feelings of suspects who may subsequently turn out to be not guilty?

No, Sir. I am quite sure that they have no such feelings. It is their duty to see that persons are not unnecessarily brought under suspicion, and, at the same time, to take every step to ensure that, when they do present a case to the court, they shall not, by their own actions, have cast doubt upon the evidence which they have to bring forward.

May I ask the Home Secretary why, when some newspapers very definitely stated that there was evi- dence and that the police were convinced that Heath was the murderer of Mrs. Gardner, at that time that photograph was not published; and can he state why the Home Office did not issue a disclaimer regarding that statement in the Press, which must have caused great distress and suffering to the parents when it was stated that the second death could have been avoided?

It would be quite impossible for my Department or any other to undertake to deny wrong statements that are issued in the Press. I am grateful to the hon. Member who put down the Question, thus enabling me to make a clear statement on this issue.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will reconsider his decision in regard to the findings of the special Arbitration Tribunal and allow an appeal on a point of law to the High Court in England and Court of Session in Scotland.

The decision that references to the special Arbitration Tribunal should be on the basis that both the appellant and the Ministry will accept its finding as final and conclusive was reached after full consideration of all the circumstances, and I can find no grounds for departing from this decision.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it highly undesirable that access to the High Courts should be denied to an individual?

Access to the High Court was there on the first occasion. This was rather a particular occasion created to meet a special difficulty.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Syston Parish Council, Leicestershire, have received about 130 applications for housing accommodation, but see no prospect of any permanent houses being built this year; and what steps he intends to take to remedy this position.

Contracts have been let for 66 permanent houses on two sites in Syston parish, and I understand that it is hoped that 40 will be completed by the end of the year. Work on 34 temporary houses is also about to be commenced. My Department will give all possible help to expedite the completion of these schemes.

Can the Minister say how many he hopes to complete before the end of the year and how many will be built by private enterprise?

That information has not been asked for. The hon. Member has already stated the position quite inaccurately in his Question, and he may put down another Question with similar inaccuracy.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the houses now being erected by rural district councils he anticipates will be occupied by agricultural workers; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that a reasonable share of these houses will be reserved for agricultural workers.

I do not possess data to enable a forecast to be made of actual numbers, but the provision which has been made by the Government in the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act for the payment of a special rate of subsidy for houses for agricultural workers will, I think, secure the object desired, the need for which is, I am satisfied, appreciated by rural district councils.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider obtaining special powers to requisition blocks of flats now standing empty, and which could be used to relieve the housing shortage, in cases where local councils are unwilling to use their own requisitioning powers.

I have already sufficient powers for requisitioning premises of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend. I have delegated them to the clerks of local authorities since those authorities are the best judges of the housing needs in their localities and have the necessary organisation for managing the properties. I am confident that these powers are in general adequately used, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I shall be happy to consider it.

Will my right hon. Friend explain why he did not use these powers in the case of the Duchess of Bedford fiats, which have been offered to the Kensington Town Council for requisitioning purposes and not taken up by them?

I have explained that requisitioning powers are entrusted to the local authorities.

What does the Minister propose to do about reactionary local authorities who do not use these powers?

I have already said that, if my hon. Friends will give me cases of local authorities inadequately exercising these powers, I will look into them.

In view of the publicity given to the case of the Duchess of Bedford flats, what does the Minister propose to do?

It does not necessarily follow that the publicity had any basis in fact.

asked the Minister of Health what is the policy of the Government in regard to squatters in disused Service huts and camps.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a full statement concerning the so-called squatters' camps; how many Army and other camps are now being used for civilian housing accommodation; how many persons, approximately, are being so accommodated; how many camps are being supervised under local government authorities; how many organised as communities with all social activities and communal services; and whether he is satisfied that all suitable sites are now being utilised.

These two Questions raise the same broad issues and, as the answer is rather long, I will, with permission, make a statement at the end of Questions.

It has for a long time been the policy of the Government to place at the disposal of local housing authorities camps and huts which are no longer required by the Service Departments or for other Government uses, and are or can be made suitable for housing; purposes; and in January this year my Department issued a circular to local authorities setting out the terms and conditions on which they could take over redundant camps and make any necessary conversions or adaptations. It has to be remembered that many camps although temporarily vacant need, nevertheless, to be retained for Service or other Government uses, and that, even where camps can be made available to local authorities, they may be unsuitable for housing purposes or would require, to make them suitable, an unjustifiable diversion of labour and materials from the national housing programme.

The Government, however sympathetic to the plight of individuals, are bound to condemn the action of squatters in taking unauthorised possession of these premises. In some cases, they have invaded camps which cannot be released for housing purposes. In others they have occupied camps either unsuitable for housing or requiring uneconomical works of conversion and adaptation. Further, where the camps are such as can be suitably taken over by the local housing authorities, the squatters have in many cases jumped the claims of persons higher on the local authorities' lists of applicants for houses. Where squatters have occupied camps which cannot be made available, or are unsuitable for housing, it will be necessary for them to move. Some have already moved of their own accord and for others alternative has been found. It has so far been necessary to institute legal proceedings for eviction only in one case in which it was not possible, after every endeavour had been made, to find alternative accommodation.

Where it has not yet been decided whether the camp can be used for housing, the local housing authority are asked to make all necessary public services available pending determination of the question. Where it is decided that the camp can be offered to the local authority, the authority are invited, in addition to making public services available, to take the camp over in accordance with the circular I have mentioned, or at least to undertake its management as the agent of my Department. Where the local authority take over or undertake to manage a camp, it is for them to consider whether any steps ought to be taken to displace some or all the squatters in order to accommodate other claimants for housing accommodation having a higher degree of priority. These arrangements apply not only to camps which can be permanently released for housing purposes but also to camps which, although ultimately required by the Services or other Government Departments, can be loaned for 18 months or more to the local authority.

The latest figures to hand indicate that in England and Wales 1,038 camps were in occupation by 39,535 persons. Of this total 145 camps, occupied by 6,175 persons, are required for Service or other Government purposes. In 633 camps occupied by 26,495 persons, emergency arrangements have been made by the local authorities, and in 171 camps occupied by 9,280 persons agreement for the taking over of the camp by the local authority has already been reached.

Current problems require the coordination of work between the Service Departments, the Ministry of Works, the Health Departments and the local authorities. This necessary coordination is ensured by regular meetings both at headquarters and in the regions of representatives of the Government Departments concerned, under the chairmanship of principal officers of the health departments, through whom the necessary arrangements with the local authorities are made.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his very full reply to my Question, may I ask whether he will answer this question? I understood him to say that, in certain cases, the camps were handed over to the local authorities for housing purposes. Can he tell us in how many cases, if any, those camps have been handed over after the action of squatters? Will he give us an assurance that the delay in reaching a decision on this matter on the part of the Government will not drive helpless people to take illegal action?

A very large number of camps were offered to the local authorities before, or were about to be offered to local authorities. It does not necessarily follow that the fact that a camp is not offered to a local authority is the result of un- necessary delay, although nobody is going to claim that where so many camps are involved some delay has not occurred. But the camps have had to be adapted to housing purposes before they could be handed over, and very great difficulties have been caused by having to adapt them when they have been in occupation. Whilst I am very sympathetic — nobody, I think, could be more so — with people's housing conditions, nevertheless, I do hope that statements will not be made in any part of the House or in any part of the country which would unduly distress those who are in need of houses.

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman heard the first part of my supplementary question. I asked him specifically if there were any cases, and if so, how many, in which the action of handing over the camps took place subsequently to the action of the squatters.

In quite a number of cases. If the hon. Gentleman will read my reply — I do not expect him to have gathered the full import of it on hearing it at first — but if he will study it, he will see that a quite considerable number of camps have been handed over to local authorities after they have been occupied by squatters.

May I ask whether these camps taken by local authorities and organised on communal lines are giving satisfaction and working satisfactorily? Are there any camps not taken over by local authorities, and what arrangements are being made to make them available?

A very thorough examination of the whole question has been made in the course of the last two months, and, as hon. Members will appreciate, where camps are available they are immediately offered to local authorities. But I should like to point out that, had I offered some of these camps to local authorities, Members of the House would have taken grave objection.

Is it not the case that in a number of districts where camps and huts were seized, it appears to the public that their occupation was afterwards legalised by the Government, and that that was a direct encouragement to a large number of people to seize other camps? Can the right hon. Gentleman square that with the fact that certain men have been placed in court for seizure, while others were legalised in a proper manner?

It must inevitably happen that quite a number of anomalies were created in this matter. It is not the English manner to Lake a 100 per cent. precise view as to whether a person has or has not stepped over the borders of legality. We did not want to expel large numbers of people from camps in these circumstances. But I think everybody would agree that the whole episode was brought to a conclusion in a very dignified manner.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how many persons now squatting have received orders to quit, and how many are still not provided with alternative accommodation?

I said in only one instance.

Can the right hon Gentleman say how many of the 145 camps are to be provided for Polish soldiers?

As far as I know, none at all.

Does the Minister know?

I said, so far as I know, none at all. There are limits to my knowledge.

In the camps which are to be handed over to local authorities, what total number of families does the right hon. Gentleman estimate will be accommodated?

A very large number of camps were in the possession of local authorities before, and if the hon. Member will look at my reply he will see the precise figures.

The question I asked was not how many were being accommodated now, but how many families will eventually be accommodated in these camps?

I cannot tell yet.

I take it that the right hon. Gentleman is definitely accepting a much lower standard of accommodation in these camps for people who wish to live there than would be acceptable in any permanent system of housing, and that the local authority regulations will be relaxed to a considerable extent in cases of people who wish to have any kind of home but who cannot have the kind of home which we think proper. and which we intend to secure for them?

It is quite true that the standard of accommodation in these camps is very much lower than we would consider to be desirable. However, it is very much higher than that of the slums in which the party opposite left people for so many years.

As the term "squatter" is rather an inelegant phrase, would the Government consider changing the name of these people who are occupying such camps to that of "Bevan boys," in imitation of another Minister's great achievement?

In the case of camps that are said to be unsuitable from the point of view of living conditions and also uneconomic, would the Minister consider displaying notices thereabouts, explaining precisely why they are unsuitable, because a great many people would have their anxieties relieved if they knew why the camps were considered totally unsuitable?

Certainly I will consider that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making two suggestions to local authorities? One is that, in these camps which are only going to be taken over for a very temporary period, they should keep some huts in hand as emergency accommodation, for people, especially those coming out of the Forces, who find themselves without a house. Will he also consider making some arrangements whereby local authorities other than those responsible for the area in which the camps are situated may be able to take over certain camps?

It is precisely because certain camps were held idle for emergency purposes that hon. Members accused the Government of handing them over too slowly.

Would the Minister encourage local authorities to give most sympathetic consideration to the special cases of those squatters who formerly had no homes of any kind whatsoever?

I am certain that the local authorities take a very sympathetic view about people in their own localities in this matter.

Would the Minister insist on local authorities putting in public services as quickly as possible?

That is being done.

asked the Minister or Health whether he will make a statement on the present policy of the Government in regard to day nurseries.

It is the Government's desire that day nurseries established during the war should be maintained wherever there is a recognised need for them, and a special Exchequer grant is now available to enable local authorities to continue, and, if necessary, to extend, their wartime arrangements where there is a continued demand for women in essential industries in their area. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a Circular 221/45, addressed to local authorities, which sets out the Government's views on the future of this and related services.

Is it not a fact that the Government grant to wartime nurseries has recently been reduced by 50 per cent.?

It is a fact, as has been explained on many occasions, that the Government do not take the view that the national economy can be properly safeguarded with 100 per cent. grants to local authorities for continuing services.

Can my right hon. Friend say what percentage of the day nurseries have closed down owing to this lower grant?

If the hon. Member will put a Question down, I will give him a reply.

asked the Minister of Health, if he is aware that the Three Counties Hospital, Arlesey, Bedfordshire, has been compelled to restrict the admission of female patients owing to the shortage of nursing staff; and what steps he proposes to take to improve this position.

I am aware that the Three Counties Hospital has been compelled to restrict the admission of female patients owing to the shortage of nursing staff. The Ministry of Labour has been asked to give the highest priority to filling the vacancies for nurses, and active consideration is being given to the question whether any other measures can be taken to relieve the situation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rates of pay for student nurses compare very unfavourably with the rates offered in other employment, and, in view of the adverse effect on recruitment that may arise from that, will he make representations to the proper channels to have this matter examined?

That, of course, is part of a wider question. As my hon. Friend knows, there have been recently a number of revisions in the remuneration of nurses, and that of student nurses is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the Report he called for regarding alternatives to the site originally chosen for the establishment of a sewage disposal farm for Goring in the vicinity of Hartslock Woods; and whether he will now make a statement indicating that the Thames amenities at this point are not to be disturbed.

The report submitted by the Henley Rural District Council shows that alternative sites are available for sewage disposal works for the parish of Goring. I have decided not to confirm the order for the compulsory purchase of the site originally proposed.

While I think it normally unwise to praise Ministers lest they become complacent, might I express my appreciation of the decision given in this case, and further express the hope that this may be used as a precedent for future action by the Minister in regard to other amenity questions?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that Mr. Harry Coveney, Isle of Grain, Kent. registered under the Blind Persons Act as unemployably blind, has had his public assistance grant cut by 15s. per week because he now receives family allowances; and whether any means test is applied to blind persons' grants or other recipients of public assistance.

I am informed that the financial assistance granted to this blind person under the Blind Persons Acts has been reduced by the amount and for the reason stated. Both under those Acts and under the Poor Law the amount of assistance payable depends upon the needs of the applicant and his dependants.

Will the Minister take this opportunity of explaining to the House and the public why there is a differentiation between civilian blind persons and blind persons who receive State allowances from the Ministry of Pensions?

There are certain allowances paid to an applicant in respect of statutory rights. If these allowances are inadequate, these individuals may make application for supplementary payments, but they can only receive supplementary payments if able to show that they are in need of them, and these are the categories referred to in the Question.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from local authorities on proposals to increase allowances to persons in receipt of outdoor relief in respect of their dependent children since the coming into force of the Family Allowances Act, 1945; and what steps he proposes to take thereon.

I have received representations from 19 of the 145 public assistance authorities in the sense indicated by the hon. Member. The whole matter is under active consideration.

Can the Minister say when he is likely to make an announcement in the House on this matter which, as he and the House are aware, is the subject of widespread concern?

No, Sir, I cannot give any undertaking at the moment as to when a statement will be made. I am aware, however, that there is a very general misunderstanding of the situation.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to make an announcement about the establishment of a tribunal under the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, to cover an area including the borough of Colchester and the Lexden and Winstree rural district.

The tribunal will be established as soon as suitable offices, for which an urgent search is now being made, can be found for it. I do not at present propose to include the rural district of Lexden and Winstree in the area for which this tribunal will act, since I have not yet received the views of the council in reply to my circulars.

asked the Minister of Health under what authority sanction is given to Co-operative members of local authorities to vote on matters affecting Co-operative interests; and how often such sanction has been given.

The authority to grant these dispensations is conferred on me by Section 76 of the Local Government Act, 1933, and in respect of members of metropolitan borough councils by Section 52 of the London Government Act, 1939. The dispensations have been granted to the class of persons referred to on 205 occasions.

In view of the increased political power of this commercial organisation, will the Minister do his utmost to ensure that individual members of it do not unfairly exploit the power of their vested interests on local authorities?

I am satisfied that, in almost every instance, the interest of the individuals concerned is very indirect indeed, and it is often very difficult to show any direct pecuniary interest in the decisions arrived at. However, these are powers conferred upon me by Parliament and I exercise them, I hope, with judicial impartiality. I can assure hon. Members that the law does place very rigid restrictions upon members of Co-operative societies.

Is it not desirable that all members of local authorities should be members of their respective Co-operative Society?

Will the Minister tell us whether the Government and his Department will consider some of these Cooperative people for bodies like the Coal Board and the Steel Board which have recently been appointed?

I am afraid that is a much wider issue.

asked the Minister of Education if she has information showing which local education authorities are demanding from ex-Servicemen the repayment of loans contracted for training as teachers before they entered the Forces.

I regret that no information in the general form suggested is available. My right hon. Friend has already made it plain that she hopes all authorities will consider whether they can make a partial or total remission in particular cases.

Is the Minister aware that there are local education authorities who are taking absolutely no notice whatever of the suggestion made by the Minister, and that ex-Servicemen are having to use the whole of their gratuities to pay off debts which were incurred before the war?

The right hon. Lady would like to make it perfectly clear that she is opposed to the granting of any further loans to intending teachers, and local education authorities have been informed to this effect. I am advised, however, that the general remission of postwar loans to intending teachers is of doubtful legal propriety.

asked the Minister of Education what percentage of school-children applied to drink milk at schools at the commencement of the past summer holidays; and what is her estimate of the percentage who attended.

I regret that the information is not available.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that considerable quantities of milk were wasted during the school holidays this summer, and will he say what steps will be taken during future holidays to prevent such waste? Will he consider allowing the mothers to have this milk during the holidays so that they may give it to the children at home?

It has been pointed out in Circular 119, paragraph 19, that if irregular attendance causes a waste of school milk during the holidays the arrangement shall be brought to an end. Every effort is made to see, although local authorities are not under any legal obligation to arrange for the children to receive school milk during the holidays, that no waste takes place.

asked the Minister of Education whether she can now say on what date her Department can arrange to make premises known as Llansantffread Court available to the owners

My right hon. Friend has approved the purchase of a large house in Warwickshire which the local education authority for Birmingham propose to use for the evacuated special school which has been housed in Llansantffread Court. The authority consider it essential to cary out adaptations before these new premises can be used for that purpose. This work which will be kept to a minimum may take as long as nine months, but my right hon. Friend has received an assurance that every effort will be made to complete the essential alterations in the shortest possible time.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Birmingham authority succeeded in the negotiation for these new premises as long ago as May of this year and that the whole of the period since has been taken up in trying to get permission to buy them from his Department? Are we going to have to wait another nine months before the owners of this hotel property can get the premises which belong to them?

I shall be very glad to receive any further details which can be given to the Department and my right hon. Friend will be glad to look into the matter, but such information as I have has been given in my reply.

Is not the delay shocking?

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware of the continued delays in dealing with applications for awards under the Further Education and Training Scheme; and what action she proposes to take.

My right hon. Friend is most anxious that candidates for awards should receive a decision as quickly as possible, and I can assure my hon. Friend that there is no avoidable delay, taking into account the large number of applications which have greatly increased in the last few months, the need for training the new clerical staff required, and the great shortage of typing staff.

Does the Minister regard six months' delay as reasonable, and is he aware that a large number of ex-Servicemen suffer considerable financial embarrassment owing to the delay in making these awards?

I would inform the hon. Member that we are very sympathetic towards this delay for a special reason. At the end of the first world war I, myself, had to wait three years before beginning my university training. Of course, that may have been a good thing.

What has that go to do with it?

It indicates that there is some recognition at the Ministry of what this long delay means and that we have every sympathy with those graduates who are waiting. It may be of interest to the House to know that the increase in the number of applicants between March and September is from 1,816 to 3,658 a month. I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall do everything to prevent the delay continuing.

Will the Minister say what increase has been made in the number of assessors in order to speed matters up in view of the greatly increased number of applications?

I should be glad to find out that information for the hon. Member, but I cannot give it today.

Why not get on with it?

asked the Minister of Education if she will state the extent to which child labour has been employed on the farms this year and if she will revoke forthwith the regulations which permit this.

I have no particulars of the numbers of school children employed in agricultural work this year under the arrangements authorised by Regulations 29 and 30 of the Defence (Agriculture and Fisheries) Regulations. The possibility of revoking the Regulations at the end of this year is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in respect of the awards for university students outlined in circular 104 of 16th May, 1946, she will state the income conditions and assessment of need under which awards will be made.

No contribution is expected from a parent whose income does not exceed £600 a year. Parents with incomes above this figure will pay a contribution assessed on a graduated scale, which provides that an award will become honorary when the annual income exceeds £1,500. In arriving at the amount of income for this purpose allowances are made in respect of other dependent children and their educational expenses, dependent relatives, mortgage interest, and certain other liabilities.

Would it not be wise to abolish the means test in this matter?

asked the Minister of Education what use she is proposing to make of the buildings and equipment at Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire, now that the No. 5 Formation College has been closed down.

Luton Hoo will be used as an emergency teachers' training college.

Can my hon. Friend say when he hopes to commence the actual training of teachers at Luton Hoo?

It is hoped that it will commence in January of next year.

asked the Minister of Education whether she proposes to amend the Teachers Superannuation Act, 1925, and the rules thereunder, so as to" provide that the service given during the war 1939–45 by teachers, who came back after retirement or who continued to serve after the age of 65, may count as contributory or recognised service for the purpose of superannuation allowances.

The service of teachers who came back to full time teaching in grant aided schools and educational institutions during the war is contributory service under the Teachers (Superannuation) Acts up to the age of 65. The age limit is part of the permanent plan of teachers' superannuation and no amendment of the Acts in this respect is proposed.

Would the hon. Gentleman reconsider that decision, because service has been given most loyally under difficult circumstances by these teachers over the age of 65 and they should not be penalised?

The real trouble in this matter is that it would not be practicable to amend this limit without extending it to other classes of employed persons other than teachers.

Owing to the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will now announce the formation of the Regional Advisory Committee of the B.B.C. for Wales and the names of those appointed.

I understand that the B.B.C. will shortly make an announcement on this subject.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the average weekly number of new telephone subscribers connected during the latest convenient period and the comparable figure for 1939.

The average weekly number of telephones connected during the quarter ended June, 1946, was 16,610, compared with 8,550 during the same quarter in 1939.

asked the Assistant Postmaster - General what arrangements are being made for the resumption of a postal service between the United Kingdom and Japan.

A service restricted to unregistered, non-illustrated, postcards on personal or domestic matters to the four main islands of Japan is being brought into operation today. For the present, despatches are made only by surface route.

When is it hoped to bring in a full service in addition to the service which the Assistant Postmaster-General has mentioned?

We are advised on this matter by the Supreme Allied Command.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will make a statement about his recent visit to the U.S.A. to study the U.S. telecommunications system; and whether it is proposed to make any changes in the British telecommunications system as a result of his investigations.

In company with the Deputy Engineer-in-Chief of the Post Office, I visited a number of cities in the U.S.A. and Canada and we saw demonstrations of the latest operating practices and technical developments. In general, these matters have been progressing on parallel lines in this country and in North America. We were shown some interesting experiments, which will be closely watched by the Post Office engineers, but so far as can be foreseen no major changes are likely to be made in the British telecommunications system as a result of our visit. I will send the hon. Member further details if he desires.

Has the hon. Gentleman studied the American system of automatic trunk telephone communication, and is he proposing to introduce a like system in this country?

Yes, Sir. That is being done.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that Mr. C. Odd, 30, Jubilee Crescent, Gravesend, has been receiving £4 per week as compensation in respect of injuries sustained while in the employment of the Port of London Authority; that he has a wife and six children and that 25s. per week is now being stopped from his workmen's compensation on account of family allowances; and, in view of the fact that this is not in accordance with the agreement reached with the British Employers' Corporation, what further action he intends to take.

I have ascertained that the case mentioned by my hon. Friend falls outside the scope of the arrangement made with the British Employers Confederation, the terms of which are set out in the reply given on 25th July to the Question put to me by the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith), a copy of which I am sending him.

Are we to understand from the reply that in no sense will the employer or the insurance company be relieved of any responsibility to the injured person?

The arrangement which I announced on 25th July concerned a certain number of cases, and, according to the information which I now have, this case falls outside. If my hon. Friend has any other information and will send it to me, I will look into the matter.

asked the Prime Minister why appointments, of justices of the peace in Scotland are made by the Lord Chancellor and not by the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Since 1707 justices of the peace in Scotland have been appointed by the Crown by a special Commission under the Great Seal of Great Britain, and in their report of 1911 the Royal Commission on the Selection of Justices of the Peace recommended that, so long as these appointments are made by the Crown, the Lord Chancellor as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal is the most suitable Minister to be entrusted with the responsibility of advising on the appointments to be made. I understand that the new Royal Commission on Justices of the Peace which is just about to begin its labours may be expected inter alia to review this question.

thanking the Prime Minister for his reply, may I ask him if he really thinks that the Lord Chancellor, who has no jurisdiction whatever in Scotland, is the appropriate person to deal with this matter?

That is a matter of opinion, and I shall await any remarks by the new Commission, but it seems to have been held by successive people from 1707 onwards.

Is this not the reason for a very large number of absurdities and injustices in Scotland since that date?

asked the Chancellor or the Duchy of Lancaster if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the economic changes in Germany resulting from the negotiations between the British and U.S. elements of the Allied Control Commission; and to what extent the French Government, not being bound by the Potsdam Agreement, propose to cooperate in so far as the French zone in Germany is concerned.

As a result of the negotiations referred to by the hon. Member, a joint Anglo-American Board has been established and has accepted certain basic policy principles. There is to be established as nearly as practicable a common standard of living in the British and American zones, with common ration scales. To achieve this, the resources of both zones will be used to their common advantage. There are to be common import and export policies, and imports into each zone will be limited to agreed items and quantities required in addition to indigenous resources, to provide the agreed standard of living. The execution of this agreed policy will be in the hands of representatives of German authorities in the two zones, subject to the direct supervision of British and American officials. So far the French representative in Germany has not been authorised to join in the new arrangement, although the British and American representatives have several times made it clear that we would welcome his participation and also that of the Russian representative.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how far he has been able, with the Admiralty, to agree on the release from minesweeping duties of German trawlers and other fishing craft capable of obtaining fish supplies from the furthest fishing grounds so as to increase the rations of the German population; and to what extent is equipment and gear available.

Since January, 1946, 10 trawlers and 68 K.F.K's. have been released to the Fishery Control Board for reconversion to fishing craft. Of the British allocation three trawlers and 68 K.F.K's. are still engaged on essential minesweeping duties and these will be released as soon as possible. First priority is being given to the reconversion of these vessels by the provision of repair facilities and materials and generally everything is being done to increase fish supplies available in the British zone.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there are sufficient gear and nets provided so that fishing can be continued to increase food supplies to Germany?

I would not like to say that there are all the gear and all the other requirements that we would wish, but I can say that first priority is being given to the supply of food in all directions, and particular attention is being paid to fishing. So far as our resources permit the equipment is being provided.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether in any period, say within the last 12 months, any trawlers fitted for minesweeping, and which could have been adopted for fishing, have been destroyed on account of their being war potential?

I think I can give a categorical negative reply in that case. There have been a number of hulks that have been destroyed, because following upon the tripartite decision, on examination it was decided that it would be uneconomical to try to repair these in the time and that we should concentrate our available resources on the repair of those vessels which can be repaired and put into operation.

In considering this matter of the supply of fishing gear for German vessels, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that British vessels are having to wait eight or nine months to get fishing gear?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement on the proposal entirely to close down five and partially to close down eight iron and steel plants in the British zone of Germany; if he will give the figures of unemployment among Germans likely to be caused by this development, the reasons for it, and the steps which have been taken to acquaint the local German population with the reasons.

Owing to the growing depletion of coal stocks in the zone and the urgent need of increasing allocations of coal for such purposes as housing repairs, it has, unfortunately, been found necessary to reduce the allocations to certain other industrial activities, including steel. This has been done in consultation with the German Economic Advisory Board. I am unable to give exact figures of the effect on local Ger- man employment, but am obtaining these from Germany and will communicate them to my hon. Friend.

Is my hon. Friend aware that owing to the failure to publicise in the British zone of Germany the information which he has just given out and the other details to which he has referred, considerable alarm and despondency has been caused among German civilians, and, taking a long-term view, may not the dismantling of factories be a case of cutting off our noses to spite our faces?

I am quite certain that alarm and despondency would be caused among German workers and any other workers when there was interference, however inevitable, with their employment but, as I have stated in the answer to the Question, the immediate cause of the restriction on the operations of these factories at this stage has been due to the coal situation, which is unavoidable. The wider question of the dismantling or allocation of factories for reparations is another matter.

In view of the world's steel shortage, would my hon. Friend be willing to maintain these steel plants in production should coal become available?

It is our intention to encourage the production of steel up to the maximum permitted under the level of industry agreement. I am afraid we are a long way off that, and even if more coal were to become available it would be some time before we could reach that level, but we would certainly be anxious to increase the production of steel up to that level if at all possible.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed males and females in Scotland at the latest convenient date and the approximate percentage of insured men and women unemployed in Scotland as compared with the corresponding per cent. ages for England and Wales.

At 12th August, 1946, 56,343 males and 19,756 females; that is 5 per cent. and 4 per cent. respectively of the estimated numbers insured. The corresponding percentages for England and Wales were 2½ and 1½.

Can the Minister say what the Government are doing about this rising tide of unemployment in Scotland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade on 21st May, 1946, in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Central Glasgow (Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison). It is a full list which covers the whole of the steps taken.

Is the Minister aware that a large number of the male unemployed are over 50 years of age, and that the view is held by his officials that these men will never again get employment? Has he any policy, or is he considering any policy as applied to men of that age?

That is another question, and if the hon. Member will put down a Question I will look into it. I cannot accept that that is the view of my officials.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state, as at a recent convenient date, the total capital expenditure incurred by National Hostels Corporation; the profit or loss made; and the amount of any subsidy from the Exchequer.

This precise information is not readily available. During the financial year ended 31st March, 1946, the corporation managed 64 industrial hostels for my Ministry, the capital cost of which was approximately £7,500,600. The total deficit incurred by the corporation at 31st March, 1946, covering the period from the middle of 1941 to that date, was approximately £1,400,000 excluding capital charges and some part of the cost of heating and maintenance.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the Government's policy in relation to the closed shop issue.

The hon. Member does not explain what he means by the "closed" shop issue." If he would care to state his meaning more precisely, I will be happy to answer any further Question he may care to put down.

Might I ask, does not the right hon. Gentleman read the "Evening Standard"?

Yes, Sir. I not only read the "Evening Standard," but I read other literature that has been published from time to time by the hon. Member. I would remind him that I know of a closed shop which is closed because the employer will not permit the employment of trade unionists.

What is the Government definition of the "closed shop issue"?

I would like to give the same reply to the right hon. Gentleman. If he will tell me what is meant by the "closed shop" I will answer him.

The right hon. Gentleman is responsible for dealing with these matters. Has he not formulated in his mind any idea what the closed shop issue is, and if he has, why should not he tell the House?

I would be quite willing to tell the House if hon. Members would tell me what they mean by the "closed shop." I know what the "closed shop" means in America. It is an American term which has been imported into use in this country for the purpose of causing trouble to the Government.

Might I ask the Minister if there has been a Cabinet decision to evade this issue?

If I understood the hon. Member to say that the Cabinet had reached a decision to evade the issue, I would point out that the matter has not been discussed by the Cabinet. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] When the Cabinet consider it necessary to discuss it they will discuss it, and when they do discuss it and come to a decision they will not evade the issue.

Is it not a fact that 20 or 30 men have been dismissed by an employer on the orders of a great trade union because they did not belong to the great trade union? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I am asking, is it not a fact that that is so? Have the Government not even taken the trouble to consider the implications of a step like that? Have they no opinion to give the House except the farrago of confusion, evasion, tricky words and formulas in which the right hon. Gentleman is indulging?