asked the Minister of Health whether he will give instructions that birth certificates of adopted illegitimate children are not to be distinguishable from those of legitimate children.

Under existing legislation a birth certificate shows the parentage of a child, and thus discloses whether the birth is legitimate, but all that an adopted child ordinarily requires as evidence of age is an extract from the Adopted Children Register, which does not give particulars of his real parentage and, therefore, does not show whether he was legitimate or illegitimate at birth.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of the day nurseries established during the war were closed down by local authorities when the grant was reduced by 50 per cent.

Of the 1,304 day nurseries in operation in England on 31st March last, when the 50 per cent. grant was introduced, 114 (or less than nine per cent.) have been closed.

asked the Minister of Health whether a decision has yet been reached on the site for the sewage works at Bromham, near Devizes; and, if not, when such a decision will be reached.

I understand that a site for the construction of the proposed sewage disposal works to serve the Council houses at Bromham has now been agreed.

asked the Minister of Health how many squatters have taken possession of military and civilian camp buildings; how many of them have been evicted; and if he is in a position to make a statement on squatting generally.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 10th October, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health the authorised increase in the cost of building materials since the original ceiling price of £1,200 for privately-built houses was fixed and what percentage increase this represents.

Different rates of increase have been authorised for different materials at different times, and no exact figure can be obtained which will reflect the variable factors involved. I am advised, however, that increases authorised since June, 1945, in the cost of materials used in a typical house may be estimated as approximately 8.5 per cent., which represents approximately 4.5 per cent. of the building cost.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the Report published by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on District Heating; and whether he will give assistance and approval to the proposal of the Spenborough Urban District Council to instal district heating on the new Windy Bank housing estate.

I am about to send this Report and the memorandum by the Ministry of Fuel and Power and the Ministry of Works on district heating as applied to small housing estates, to local authorities with an intimation that I am prepared to entertain proposals for district heating on new housing estates. Assistance has been, and will continue to be, given to Spenborough Urban District Council in the preparation of their scheme, which I understand is now under revision by them.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken on the report of the committee on the reconversion of existing houses.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Denbigh (Sir H. Morris-Jones) on nth October.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the Report on Rural Housing from the Central Housing Advisory Committee.

The Rural Housing Sub-Committee is presenting its report to the Central Housing Advisory Committee on 18th October.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the survey of the coast of Great Britain in relation to the erosion problem; and how soon he anticipates being able to make a statement.

This survey has now been completed and the problem of coast protection is being considered in the light of the findings but I am not yet in a position to say when a statement of the Government's decision can be made.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to end the unsatisfactory accommodation for casuals at the Cambridge Poor Law Institution, particulars of which have been sent to him.

I suggested in a Circular last June that, where necessary, separate reception centres should be provided for casuals. I agree that the Cambridge Institution is unsuitable for the purpose, and am continuing to urge the appropriate authorities to make alternative arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the present average prices at which German coal is being exported by the North German Coal Control Commission, and the present average costs of production.

The average export price of coal is forty-five shillings per ton free on board, deep sea port or free on rail, German frontier station. The average cost of production in Germany is estimated at Reichsmarks thirty-two per ton.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much coal extracted in the British zone in Germany was exported from Germany in the three months ended 30th September last; to what countries it was consigned; and how much each of the importing countries received.

Exports of coal, coke and brown coal briquettes from the British zone to other countries amounted to 3,268,246 metric tons in the three months ended 30th September last.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many tons of coal were extracted in the British zone in Germany in the three months ended 30th September last; and whether these figures show an increase or a decrease compared with the three months ended 30th June last.

The production of coal, including brown coal briquettes, amounted to some 16,730,000 metric tons. This represents an increase of about 2,050,000 metric tons over the output in the preceding quarter.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in creating a new branch of the public service for staffing the British element in the Inter-Allied Control Commission for Germany.

In view of the impossibility of forecasting the future size and nature of the control service in Germany or the length of time for which it will be required, serious difficulties stand in the way of creating a new branch of the public service more or less integrated with the Civil Service in this country. The problem is being examined by my office in consultation with the Treasury and the Civil Service Commission.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why orders have been issued for all cultural activities to be discontinued in Polish displaced persons' camps in Germany; whether this was done with the approval of His Majesty's Government; and what is the object of the order.

No such orders have been issued in the British zone of Germany by the British authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the discontent existing amongst the staffs of hospitals and institutions in the London area at the failure of the London Provincial Council to function in accordance with the constitution of the National Joint Council for Hospitals, Institutions and Allied Staffs; and if he will take the necessary steps to secure that the council meets without further delay.

I am aware of the difficulties which have unfortunately caused delay in the establishment of a London Provincial Council for the staff of hospitals and allied institutions. Discussions are, however, proceeding, which I hope will result in an early solution of these difficulties.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of absentee boys directed to the mines since the scheme was started who are still absent; what steps have been taken to identify them; and what it is proposed to do with them.

The figure asked for is not available. The men concerned are identified by reports from collieries and by other means such as periodical checks of men of military age who have not been called up. They are then called up to the Forces, deferment in respect of their new employment being refused unless there was good cause for leaving coalmining.

asked the Minister of Labour what facilities are available in rural areas for training ex-Servicemen and others in the trades of thatching, shoeing smith and dry-stone ditching.

Arrangements for training blacksmith-farrier fitters have already been agreed with the industrial interests concerned and 47 men are at present being trained under the scheme. A scheme for the training of thatchers is under discussion with the various Departments concerned and the Rural Industries Bureau and will, I hope, shortly be agreed. No scheme has so far been arranged for dry-stone dyking, but I am making inquiries into the position in this occupation.

asked the Minister of Labour, in order to ease the shortage of hospital nurses and domestic staff, whether further steps will be taken to invite applications both for training in nursing and for domestic work from foreign and colonial sources, including West Africa.

In addition to those coining from overseas under existing schemes, 1,000 women selected from displaced persons now in British zone of Germany, will shortly be arriving in this country for domestic work in T.B. hospitals. The extension of this scheme to include student nurse and also domestic workers for other types of hospital is under consideration. Further extension of recruitment from abroad will be considered in the light of experience of this scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the British staff of the Shanghai Municipal Council, other than police, have been found employment by his Department.

I regret that the information is not available as separate statistics relating to these men have not been maintained. It is not possible to keep records sub-divided into small classes according to the previous residence of applicants.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many farmers who will find it impossible to obtain a sufficient number of British agricultural workers to replace the German prisoners when they return to Germany, are willing to employ selected Italian workers who proved themselves satisfactory while working in this country as prisoners of war; and if he will take steps to enable a limited number of such Italians to return to farm work in this country, subject to such guarantees as may be necessary.

I understand that a number of farmers have stated that they would be prepared to re-employ re-patriated Italian prisoners of war. At present, however, permits are not being issued for agricultural workers of any nationality and it is not proposed to make any exception in respect of such Italians.

asked the Minister of Labour in view of the manpower shortage in this country, what steps are being taken by his Department to encourage the immigration into the United Kingdom of foreign miners, building operatives and other skilled workers who might be of assistance in the production drive.

The question of meeting shortages of skilled manpower by means of the importation of foreign workers is kept constantly in mind. The possibilities are severely limited by such factors as the availability of such workers abroad, the willingness of the Government concerned to release them, their own willingness to come, and their acceptability to employers, workers and Trade Unions in this country. Accommodation difficulties are also serious.

asked the Minister of Labour why the grants under the Further Education and Training Scheme for dental students have been reduced; and why dental students are now being required to pay for the cost of instruments amounting to approximately £50 before they can pursue their training.

I have been asked to reply. There has been no reduction in the rates of award in respect of either dental or other students. On the contrary all categories of student have recently been placed on a higher scale, which, according to circumstances, may amount to 15 per cent. over the previous rate. Under the Further Education and Training Scheme, beneficiaries in full-time attendance at university or college courses are expected to meet the costs of books and apparatus out of their general maintenance grant.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest available unemployment figures for each of the towns in North Staffordshire on a trade and industry basis.

I have had the figures extracted and am sending them to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour how many employed and how many unemployed building operatives there are at present in the area covered by Stroud and Dursley employment exchanges.

It is provisionally estimated that the numbers of insured men and boys in the building industry in the areas of the Stroud and Dursley Employment Exchanges at July, 1946, were about 700 and 140, respectively. The numbers unemployed at 16th September were four at Stroud and one at Dursley.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of building trade operatives signing on at the Southwark employment exchange at the end of September, separated to show the number of bricklayers, carpenters, painters and labourers.

The following table shows the numbers of unemployed insured males, aged 16 and under 65 years, classified as belonging to the building industry on the registers of the borough employment exchange at 16th September, 1946:

Bricklayer	1
Carpenter	7
Painter	4
Other building trade craftsmen	17
Navvies and labourers	104
All other occupations	21
Total	149

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons are registered for employment in North Staffordshire; what percentage are unemployed; and whether he is prepared to take any special action to improve the position in view of the age and gravity of the problem.

The number of persons registered as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, in North Staffordshire at 16th September, 1946, was 9,441. Of this number 2,165 or 22.9 per cent. were unemployed. As registration is voluntary and many disabled persons in employment have not yet registered these figures do not give an accurate indication of the percentage of unemployment amongst those who are in fact disabled. The Disabled Persons Employment Corporation has established a workshop for the severely disabled at Longton, and others will follow as soon as practicable at Burslem, Hanley and Stoke-on-Trent. In addition, steps are being taken in conjunction with the Board of Trade and other Departments, to improve the employment position generally in the area.

asked the Minister of Labour why the farmer, A. A. Evans, Roundhill Farm, Tusmore, Bicester, has been called up for the Army by his Department, just before harvest, although his Department had spent three months discussing with the W.A.E.C. whether to call him up or not; and why he acted against the advice of the local W.A.E.C.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 15th July except that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that this case was discussed for three months with the war agricultural executive committee, and that the action taken was against their advice.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many university students who were born after the 1st October, 1927, and admitted to universities before the end of 1946 have been refused deferment of their call-up to the Forces despite the Government's undertaking given in the White Paper dated May, 1946;(2) why a considerable number of university students who were born after 1st October, 1927, and admitted to universities before the end of 1946 have been refused deferment of their call-up to the Forces.

No student in the class referred to in these Questions who has been actually admitted to a place at a university, has been refused deferment. The question of deferment does not arise in the case of students for whom it has not been possible to find places at universities because of the large number of applications for entrance received from ex-Service students. The number of such cases is not yet known.

asked the Minister of Labour why a conscientious objector who, after duly performing the work of national importance prescribed for him by his tribunal, joins a non-combatant branch of the Army is not granted release till he has completed the full age and service conditions in the Army.

Civilian employment before enlistment in the Forces is not taken into account in assessing war service for the purpose of release from the Forces. There would be no justification for making an exception to this general rule in favour of men who joined the Army after a period of conditional registration as conscientious objectors and to do so would be a grave injustice to thousands of other young men who were compulsorily retained in industry before being allowed to enlist.

asked the Minister of Labour as there is a disparity of release rates between the Army, the R.N. and the R.A.F., for what reasons are boys directed to the mines being released at the Army release rate.

As the very great majority of these young men would, if called up, have gone into the Army, it was considered appropriate that their rate of release should be related to that of the Army.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the admitted inaccuracy of the explanatory notes to S.R. & O. 1946, Nos. 1278 and 1417, he has taken steps for their correction.

I have arranged for any necessary correction to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will allow deductions to be made by officers of the Territorial Army against Income Tax in respect of their obligation to maintain uniforms, in view of the fact that such deductions were permissible before and during the late war and that officers of the Territorial Army are under the same liability for military service as they were in pre-war years.

I am looking into this question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the American Loan will be taken in capital goods; and what in consumer goods.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) on 1st August, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the adverse effect on agriculture in this country of the present rate of duty on tractor vaporising oil, he will consider reducing it.

I will consider this suggestion before my next Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the extension of the Income Tax allowance of £50, at present granted to widowers and bachelors who employ a housekeeper, to spinsters who are in full-time employment and have to employ a housekeeper.

This allowance is already available to a spinster in full-time employment on the same conditions as to a bachelor, namely, that the housekeeper is employed to look after a child in respect of whom the claimant is entitled to the child allowance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now give a revised estimate of the annual cost of food subsidies, taking into account the higher prices to be paid for beef from Argentina and dairy produce from Denmark.

£369 millions in the current financial year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether with the advent of the new coinage, steps will be taken to increase the number of 1s. pieces made available to the public, in view of the inconvenience which is now experienced in obtaining the necessary number of shillings for the slot meters, etc.

There is no general shortage of shilling pieces. Supplies are available to the banks if local shortages arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been received from the U.S. Government concerning the clause in the Anglo-Argentinian Agreement empowering the Argentinian Government to dispose of sterling balances within the sterling area if the balance of payments within the sterling area should in any year be unfavourable to the Argentine.

None, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration to the early removal of the Purchase Tax on dustbins.

As I promised during the Debate on the Finance Bill, I will give careful consideration to this matter before my next Budget.

asked the Minister of Education the number of special schools for defective children in England and Wales; how many such children are on the waiting lists and unable to attend owing to lack of accommodation; in addition to those, how many children have been examined by the medical officers of local authorities and found to be too defective for attendance at school; if she is prepared to consider the appointment of itinerant teachers in order that those children unable to attend school may receive instruction at home; and if she is satisfied that sufficient ambulances are being provided for those attending school to avoid long and exhausting journeys for the children.

There are 576 special schools in England and Wales for handicapped pupils of all categories. I have no information as to the number of children on the waiting lists but it is no doubt substantial, and local education authorities are being pressed to make extended provision. A small number of cases of children who are too much disabled for attendance at school have been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend. She is prepared to consider proposals for the appointment of peripatetic teachers to give such children education in their homes under Section 56 of the Education Act, 1944, but with the present shortage of teachers this expedient cannot be widely adopted. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that in general local education authorities make adequate arrangements for the transport of handicapped children to and from special schools, but she is of course always ready to consider any special cases that members wish to bring to her notice.

asked the Minister of Education what arrangements she proposes to make with the Minister of Works to enable the University of London Institute of Education to use its own buildings at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that difficulties have been occasioned to students at London University owing to the fact that buildings occupied by the former Ministry of Information have not been vacated; and if she will endeavour to secure that this accommodation is made available for educational purposes.

The arrangements proposed are set out in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister or Works to the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 14th October.

asked the Minister of Education if she will consider establishing a modern school in Binbrook, Lincolnshire, capable of serving the needs of the village and of the children from the married quarters of the R.A.F. station.

It is for the local education authority in the first instance to consider how to provide secondary education for these children. The local education authority's proposals will be incorporated in their development plan which is due to be submitted for the consideration of my right hon. Friend under Section 11 of the Education Act, 1944. In the meantime I understand that the transfer of the older children to the nearest secondary school is being discussed locally.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will take steps before students leave the emergency training colleges to assess the salary which they should receive on their first appointment.

No, Sir, I fear it would be impracticable to do so. The salaries of teachers have to be assessed by local education authorities on the basis of detailed information of previous service which they obtain for the purpose. A memorandum has been issued giving general advice as to the types of previous experience which may be approved for increments in these cases, and since the memorandum was issued the number of difficult cases referred to this Department have been negligible.

asked the Minister of Education (1) if she is aware that there is a school at Swansea Street, Cardiff, where 80 children who are four years of age are housed in a building where there is no heating, no lavatory accommodation and no cloakroom; and whether she will give urgent attention to an improvement being effected in the conditions at this school;(2) whether she is aware that there is a school, housed at Einon Chapel, Cardiff, where artificial lighting has to be in use in the classrooms throughout the schoolday and where the seats provided for the children are long benches without back supports; and whether, in view of the danger to the health of the children, she will take immediate steps to remedy the position.

The halls at Ainon Chapel and Swansea Street were rented by the Cardiff local education authority as temporary school premises when the Moorland Road School was partially demolished by enemy action. The authority have made some improvements but they are aware that these halls are not satisfactory, and they are making plans to restore part of the original school buildings. At Ainon Chapel more suitable equipment has now been provided; and there is heating at Swansea Street.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the Prison Commissioners have served one month's notice to quit on the occupiers of nine houses in St. Martin's Terrace, Canterbury, accompanied by a threat of legal proceedings in event of failure to vacate; that many of the tenants have lived in these houses for a long period and were given no previous warning to seek other accommodation; that nearly 2,000 persons are on the waiting list for houses in the city of Canterbury; and whether, in the light of these facts, he will cause the notices to quit to be held in abeyance until the housing situation in the city improves.

The nine houses in question, which are held on weekly tenancies and are not subject to the Rent Restriction Acts, are prison officers' quarters. In consequence of the reopening of Canterbury Prison as a civil prison they are urgently required to accommodate prison staff and the Prison Commissioners therefore felt obliged to give on the 20th September, notice of one month to the occupiers. The Commissioners fully appreciate the seriousness of the housing position in Canterbury, but it is essential that accommodation should be found for the prison staff. They have informed the city council that they would be glad to discuss with representatives of the council the question whether any alternative arrangements can be made which will secure the necessary accommodation for their officers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with recruitment to the Scientific Officer and Experimental Officer classes of the Civil Service, he will provide information as to the number of applications for the Open Reconstruction Competitions; the number of nominations of existing temporary civil servants made to the Civil Service Commission; the respective number of applicants and nominees inter-

OPEN RECONSTRUCTION COMPETITIONS
—		Scientific Officers.	Experimental Officers.	Total Candidates.
Applications received to date	…	2,793	5,121	7,914
Rejected as ineligible before interview	…	383	599	982
Provisional applications	…	217	—	217
Eligible to compete in 1947–48 only	…	113	71	184
Immediately eligible for interview	…	2,080	4,451	6,531
Number Interviewed	…	1,228	1,279	2,507
Number notified of results	…	976	1,157	2,133
Candidates successful	…	378	458	836
On Reserve list	…	473	552	1,025
Unsuccessful	…	377	269	646

It is estimated that all interviews will be completed by the end of April 1947, except for Service candidates, whose last date for applying is six months after their

LIMITED RECONSTRUCTION COMPETITIONS FOR NOMINATED CANDIDATES.
—				Scientific Officers.	Experimental Officers.	Total Candidates.
Total number nominated	…	…	…	538	997	1,535
Candidates withdrawn	…	…	…	31	57	88
Number interviewed	…	…	…	460	883	1,343
Results notified to employing Departments				432	856	1,288
Candidates successful	…	…	…	329	512	841
On reserve list	…	…	…	53*	239	292
Unsuccessful	…	…	…	78*	132	210
* These figures include 100 candidates who have been declared suitable for the experimental officer class.

The outstanding interviews (47 scientific officers and 57 experimental officers) will be completed by 31st October, 1946, provided the candidates are available to attend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) how many civil servants who served in His Majesty's Forces during the war have received two or more steps in rank since the outbreak of the war;(2) how many civil servants who did not serve in any of His Majesty's Forces during the war have, since the outbreak

Following are the figures:demobilisation. Results are now made available to candidates within three weeks after interview.of war, received two or more steps in rank.

I regret that the information is not centrally available.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he has any statement to make regarding the delays in delivery of gift parcels to people in this country from well-wishers overseas.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement in regard to the continued non-delivery of food parcels from abroad.

Owing to the great number of such parcels now being sent mainly by our generous friends in the Dominions, and the consequent necessity of using all available shipping capacity, parcels generally take much longer to reach this country than they did before the war, when they were conveyed by regular sailings of fast mail ships. This is especially noticeable in the case of parcels from Australia and New Zealand. An erroneous impression has thus been created that the parcels in question have failed to reach the addressees. Special arrangements are in force to ensure that food parcels are cleared for delivery as soon as possible after they reach this country.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is now prepared to adjust the cost of posting an inland letter and postcard by reducing the postage on each from 2½d. to 2d. and from 2d. to 1½d. respectively.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he will be able to reduce the cost of letter and postcard post in this country; and when does he expect to be able to reduce the cost of parcel post.

Any reduction in postage rates must be considered not only in the light of the trends of the costs of the services but in relation to the finances of the country as a whole, and I regret that I can give no undertaking about any reduction at the present time.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why subscribers in the Salford area have to meet charges for telephone repairs caused by the recent flood.

In common with other telephone administrations and public utilities, the Post Office has based its charges on the assumption that the user shall be responsible for the safety of hired apparatus on his own premises. While I sympathise with those of my hon. Friend's constituents whose premises were damaged by the recent floods, I regret that I cannot see my way to treat them exceptionally in regard to liability for the cost of repair to their telephones.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for the installation of telephones are still outstanding in the area of the Bexley Heath exchange; at what rate these applications are being dealt with; and what special steps it is proposed to take to expedite the installation of telephones in that area.

On 30th September, there were 2,105 outstanding applications for service on the Bexley Heath exchange. Seventy-two new subscribers were connected in the last three months, but substantial additions are dependent on the completion of underground cable work which is in hand and is expected next spring. Further development will necessitate extension of the exchange equipment as well as the provision of additional cables. The whole work is being pressed forward to the limit of our resources in man-power and materials.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will now arrange for the publication of local telephone directories, in view of their great convenience to local traders and shopkeepers.

Yes, Sir; I am glad to say that arrangements are already in hand to resume publication of these directories as soon as possible.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will give an assurance that the Cable and Wireless Company's office at Electra House, Manchester, with its independent direct lines connecting overseas cables, will not be closed down when the company is taken over.

No, Sir, I think this and similar questions of management must be left to be considered in due course by the new board of the company.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the total sales of postal orders for each of the weeks since that beginning on 19th August, with the corresponding figures for 1939; and the estimate of his Department as to the present weekly value of postal orders purchased for the purposes of football pool betting.

Weekly sales of postal orders are not available but the estimated sales, including poundage for the months of July and August, 1946, and for the corresponding months in 1939 are as follow:

			1939	1946
			£	£
July	…	…	7,243,000	5,589,000
August	…	…	6,389,000	6,755,000

The current weekly value of postal orders purchased for the purpose of football pool betting is estimated at about £750,000.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the lack of postal facilities at Taverham, Norfolk; and if he will make arrangements for the provision of a sub-post office in the village.

Yes, Sir. The office in this village will be re-opened as soon as a suitable candidate is forthcoming. Every effort has been made to find a successor to the late sub-postmistress but so far without success. Meanwhile, I propose to make special arrangements for the payment of pensions and allowances and the sale of stamps and postal orders for about three hours on one day a week as soon as the necessary accommodation can be found.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why, in view of the fact that 32,000 clerks will be needed to work the new insurance Act, permission has been refused to ex-Servicemen now administering Government scheme 266/T or serving on Public Assistance staffs to apply for these positions.

The staff of my Department to work the new National Insurance Scheme will be built up gradually over a considerable period. My first obligation in recruiting from outside the Department is towards the staffs of approved societies whose employment will cease under the new arrangements. The question of providing opportunities in the State service for officers of local authorities must be looked at primarily in relation to measures for the transfer to the State of Poor Law and other functions from local authorities. My right hon. Friends and I have the matter fully in mind, and I can assure hon. Members that the position of these officers will not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is now in a position to offer public assistance staffs who are likely to be redundant in the near future, appointments on his staff; and if he will give details as to the remuneration, conditions, etc., and where applications should be made.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) today.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he has considered the reply by the National Federation of Old Age Pensioners to the letter to the secretary of that federation from the Assistance Board on 26th June, 1946; and if he is satisfied that the cost of living is adequately catered for by the present regulations affecting single persons and married couples who are old age pensioners.

I have seen the statement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer to the reply on this subject given on 20th June to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. William Paling), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that many old age pensioners, on receiving the new scale of pension, find themselves no better off because supplementary pensions are not being provided at the commensurate level of the new standard of pension; and what steps he is taking to remedy this.

A large majority of pensioners are receiving a higher net income as a result of the recent increase in pensions. It has, however, always been recognised that those who were already receiving, by way of basic and supplementary pensions, an amount equal to or greater than the increased pension would continue to receive the same total amount as before, though a larger proportion of it would be paid as of right. Supplementary pensions are granted in accordance with need; in so far as the pensioner's income by way of basic pension is increased, therefore, the needs to be met by way of supplementary pension are correspondingly reduced.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware of the existence of a considerable number of such anomalous cases as that of Mrs. Griffiths, of 7 Back, 4, North Holmes, Birmingham, who, at 65, since her late husband was not an insured person, has no source of income, even public assistance being witheld on the ground that her son has sufficient income at £4 15s. per week; and if he will consider taking action to remedy such cases.

I realise that there are necessarily persons outside the scope of the present contributory pensions scheme. The new scheme under the National Insurance Act applying to all classes of the community is designed in due course to remedy this position. As regards the individual case mentioned, my right hon. Friend has made inquiries but is informed that Mrs. Griffiths has not applied to the public assistance authority for relief.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether Members of Parliament are regarded as employed persons or as self-employed persons for the purposes of the National Insurance Act, 1946.

A formal ruling on this matter can only be given subject to appeal to the High Court. I am, however, advised that Members of this House, are gainfully occupied persons within the meaning of the National Insurance Act, 1946, but are not employed under a contract of service. Subject to any regulations that may be made as to the classification of insured persons, Members of this House will accordingly, in the absence of other employment affecting their status, be insurable as self-employed persons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how it is possible, in view of the withdrawal of Regulation 18B, for him to continue restrictions on the movements of five former detainees under that regulation; what national interest would be threatened by releasing these restrictions; and why no case has been brought against the said individuals.

As I have previously explained, my powers in this matter are derived, not from the former Defence Regulation 18B, but from the Emergency Laws (Transitional Provisions) Act, 1946. As regards the remainder of the Question, I can add nothing to the replies which I gave to Questions on this matter on 1st August.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to consider allowing police pensioners who retired from the service prior to the war and then rejoined for the period of hostilities, to count their period of war service as ranking for additional pension.

Section 27 of the Police Pensions Act, 1921, already provides that a member of the First Police Reserve who rejoins the police for service in an emergency, or his widow, is entitled to a pension in the event of his incapacity or death as a result of an injury received in the execution of duty. I can see no grounds on which I should be justified in introducing legislation to provide that in addition the service which members of the First Police Reserve have performed during the war should count towards their ordinary police pension.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers holding the rank of inspector, chief inspector, superintendent, chief superintendent, assistant chief constable and chief constable are still serving though they have completed their term of service and could retire on pension.

There were in the Metropolitan Police force on nth October, 273 inspectors and higher ranks who were entitled to retire on pension with 25 or more years service. Figures are not available for the county and borough forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the recruitment rate for the police force in the Metropolitan area and in England and Wales, outside London, at the last available dates, as compared with comparable dates pre-war; what is the rate of resignations for the same dates.

—	Recruits.	Others with less than 25 years' service.	Members of forces with 25–30 years' sevice (on pension).	Total.
Metropolitan Police	77	364	1,470	1,911
City of London Police	2	39	120	161
Other forces in England and Wales.	313	1,138	1,346	2,497

Particulars of reasons given for these resignations are as follow:
—	No reason given	Insufficient pay or for other employment.	Other reasons (Including uncongenial duties, housing difficulties and domestic reasons).
Metropolitan Police	1,669	172	70
City of London Police	121	29	11
Other forces in England and Wales.	859	1,171	467

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what powers a local authority can claim that the residence of a police officer is purchasable by the authority on the basis of 1939 prices.

Under statutory powers, the local authority can, in appropriate cases, acquire property compulsorily for accommodation for police officers. Section 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1944, provides that in such cases the amount of compensation shall be ascer-

In the 12 months ended 30th September last, 1,194 recruits joined the Metropolitan and City of London police forces and 4,866 recruits joined the county and borough police forces of England and Wales; practically all these recruits were taken in after 1st January, 1946. During the 12 months ended 30th Sptember, 1939, 1,159 recruits joined the Metropolitan police force, and 3,859 recruits joined the other forces in England and Wales.In the period 1st January to 31st August, 1946, there were the following resignations on other than medical grounds:tained by reference to prices current at the 31st March, 1939.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the dissatisfaction among rural policemen at the abolition of the war-duty allowance, especially since police wages have increased only 26 per cent. on prewar rates against the 50 per cent. increase in industrial wages; and if he will investigate wages, conditions and promotion.

The war duty allowance was granted in recognition of war-time conditions of service that were peculiar to the police, and, in particular, as regards constables and sergeants, in recognition of the suspension of the normal entitlement to time-off or payment in lieu for extended hours of duty. The continued payment of the war duty allowance could not be justified after the end of 1945, and when it was withdrawn the normal entitlement to compensation for extended hours of duty was restored. As regards the second part of the Question, pay and other important features of police conditions of service will be discussed at meetings of the Police Councils before the end of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police authorities can now issue permission for certificates to be given on application to persons who wish to own revolvers for their personal needs; and whether it is intended to return the pistols to those dispossessed of them by the refusal to renew certificates two or three years ago or whether the value of surrendered pistols is to be made good.

Anyone who considers that he has a good reason for possessing a firearm can at any time apply to the appropriate chief officer of police for a firearm certificate and, if a certificate is refused, he can appeal to the Quarter Sessions. The application will fall to be dealt with in the light of the circumstances of the case but, for my part, I could not regard the plea that a revolver is wanted for the protection of an applicant's person or property as necessarily justifying the issue of a firearm certificate. There can be no question of compensation being paid from police funds in any case in which a person is unable to dispose of a firearm for which he is unable to obtain a firearm certificate in accordance with the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment, whether it is his intention to amend the term "Nationality of Origin" on certificates of identity issued to many foreigners and record citizenship at birth and nationality, as an alternative, to avoid the present confusion.

These certificates of identity are issued in an internationally agreed form to facilitate journeys abroad of foreigners in this country who are unable to obtain national passports. In most cases such persons are stateless and there is no present nationality to record.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement to the House on the progress of the German and Austrian Distressed Relatives Scheme.

A simplified procedure is now in operation for dealing with applications by persons in Germany who wish to join relatives in this country. Under this procedure the letter of invitation and any corroborative evidence which may be useful should now be sent by the "host" in this country by post direct to the distressed relative in Germany. A relative in the British zone should then lodge an application for an exit permit and a visa at the nearest police station. When these have been granted, the foreign relations department of the British Red Cross and the Central Office for Refugees at Bloomsbury House are notified. The Central Office for Refugees arrange with the "host" in this country the payment of the cost of transport. The British Red Cross arrange for the relative's journey from Germany and reception in the United Kingdom. Negotiations are in progress for the extension of these arrangements to persons in the United States and French zones. As regards Austria, the arrangements which I announced on 7th March are working satisfactorily.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make available at the Vote Office or in the Library copies of the proposals of the Parliamentary Boundary Commissioners.

Notices of the Boundary Commission's provisional recommendations have appeared in local newspapers circulating in all the constituencies affected, and copies of these notices, together with maps, have been made available for inspection in the offices of the local authorities concerned. The chief party agents have also received copies. In view of the steps which have been taken to secure wide publicity for their proposals and of the fact that, at this stage, their recommendations are provisional and subject to amendment in the light of objections which may be raised, the Boundary Commission have taken the view—in which I concur—that there would be no advantage in placing copies of the newspaper notices or maps in the Library. Moreover, I am confident that hon. Members will recognise that their rights in this matter are no greater than those of their possible prospective opponents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department who were the doctors on whose reports he decided not to recommend a reprieve for Neville Heath; what are their qualifications in psychiatric medicine; and when did they become so qualified.

The two doctors whom I appointed to hold a medical enquiry in this case are Dr. Norwood East, who is the present President of the Psychiatric Section of the Royal Society of Medicine, and lecturer on Crime and Insanity at the Maudsley Hospital (University of London) and Dr. J. S. Hopwood, who is the Superintendent of Broadmoor Asylum.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that boots and shoes will not be exported to countries with which we were recently at war, until adequate supplies are available for the home market.

Exports of footwear are at present kept to a very low level to maintain supplies in this country; but we intend to leave it to exporters to decide upon the markets which they consider to be most advantageous to us in the future. I can assure the hon. Member, however, that no footwear of a kind in demand here will be used for relief or quasi-relief purposes in ex-enemy countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of cotton yarns available for export; and what action he is taking to increase supplies.

Total production of cotton yarn is far below the quantity required to meet the needs of home and overseas markets. In these circumstances, the quantity that can be made available for export is necessarily limited. The low level of production is due primarily to shortage of labour in the spinning mills and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and the Cotton Board are doing all they can to assist the industry in its efforts to attract additional labour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that no play which has been banned by the Lord Chamberlain shall be produced at all, whether by broadcast or otherwise.

No. Sir

asked the Secretary of State for War how many disused vehicles are still parked in the British zone in Germany; and what it is intended to do with them.

Apart from the normal Army reserve holdings, there are at present in this zone about 75,000 vehicles which are not in use. Some 35,000 of these have already been declared as surplus to the appropriate disposal authority; the remainder are in process of being similarly declared, as the necessary work of classification and inspection proceeds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 10579624 Sergeant I. M. Nimmo, R.A.O.C., A.D.O.S. Staff, 46th Division, C.M.F., who has been on service overseas for almost four years without home leave, and who is due to be released under Class A on the 20th October, has had his release deferred until the end of December; and on what grounds has this decision been taken by the area commander-in-chief.

I was not aware of the deferment in this particular case, but it would be within the discretion of the local commander to defer release for not more than three months. I understand that Sergeant Nimmo was granted home leave in 1945 and again in 1946.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the present strength of the Sea Cadets and the number of overcoats issued to them.

The total strength of the Sea Cadets is approximately 33,500. More than this number of overcoats have been issued to Sea Cadet Corps units for cadets now serving, and to provide a reserve for new entries. It is known that there are a few isolated cases of units being without greatcoats owing to distribution difficulties. Steps have been taken to ensure that all such cases are dealt with as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power in view of the memorandum issued by the district heating sub-committee of the Building Research Board emphasising that an appreciable saving in coal and a better standard of heat service can be achieved by the introduction of district heating schemes, what steps it is now proposed to take to ensure that a large number of district heating schemes are introduced in suitable parts of this country at the earliest opportunity and to provide inducements and better facilities for all local authorities who are in a position to participate in such schemes.

The Government are doing all they can to encourage and foster the extension of district heating, and machinery has already been set up for considering schemes prepared by local authorities. Two schemes have been approved, others are under consideration, and many more are known to be coming forward. In addition to the memorandum quoted in the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the recent publication on "District Heating as applied to Small Housing Estates" issued jointly by my Ministry and the Ministry of Works. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this document.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of farm institutes and their total staff at the latest date for which figures are available.

There are 18 farm institutes in England and Wales, of which three are at present being used for other purposes. At 30th September last the number of teachers on the agricultural and horticultural education staffs of the local education authorities responsible for the remaining 15 institutes was 189, including a few employed full-time and others part-time on work outside the institutes. Staffing arrangements have undergone some change in consequence of the establishment of the National Agricultural Advisory Service on 1st October, but I am unable at present to say to what extent the foregoing figure has been affected.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of properties in the Nash terraces, Regent's Park, belonging to the Commissioners for Crown Lands; how many have been handed over to the Minister of Works and what numbers have been leased to private individuals since January, 1946.

The number of properties in the Nash terraces at Regent's Park is 387; of those 152 have been handed over by the Commissioners to the Ministry of Works; eight houses have been leased to private individuals since January, 1946.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Commissioners of Crown Lands are leasing to private individuals any of the houses in the Nash terraces in Regent's Park, whose future is now being considered by the Gorell Committee; and what is the average period of such leases.

Yes, Sir. The average period of the leases granted recently is about 15 years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what instructions regarding the terms of leases of houses in the Nash terraces of Regent's Park have been given to the Crown Commissioners since the setting up of the Gorell Committee.

No general instructions have been given. Leases are granted on terms appropriate to the circumstances in each case.

asked the Minister of Transport how many railway locomotives are to be converted to burn oil; the cost to public funds; the estimated saving in coal; and what is the estimated requirement of imported fuel.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 8th October. As regards the latter part of the Question, it is estimated that when the scheme is in full operation the saving in coal will be 20,000 tons and the consumption of heavy fuel oil 16,000 tons a week.

asked the Minister of Transport when additional shipping is likely to be available for passengers wishing to travel to Australia.

Additional passenger shipping for Australia should be available early in the New Year when the "Orion," with a capacity of about 1,286, is due to complete her reconditioning. Subsequent increase is dependent on the rate at which it is possible to release further ships from trooping and refit them for passenger service.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to assist in lessening the number of preventable road accidents, he will consider the advisability of issuing a regulation that all motor-driven vehicles must carry efficient direction indicators, before and behind, plainly visible during hours of daylight and darkness.

I understand that the Committee on Road Safety will deal with the general question of direction indicators in their next report. I propose to await their views and recommendations

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a further statement concerning an agreement with the U.S. authorities on the maintenance of the children of U.S Servicemen.

My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware from my right hon. Friend's reply to his Question of 2nd August that informal discussions have been in progress with the United States authorities with the object of getting this matter settled on satisfactory lines. It will be appreciated, however, that it presents difficulties for the United States authorities and that it may take some time before their final views are received. His Majesty's Government are giving their earnest and constant attention to this question, to which they attach great importance, and a statement will be made as soon as there are any new developments to report.

asked the Minister of Pensions if any consideration is being given to the possibility of increasing the amount of alternative pensions under the 1914/1918 Royal Warrants.

I see no reason of justification for increasing the amounts of pensions which are already higher than the recently improved standard rates.