asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the quantity of petrol issued for civilian purposes in each of the years 1939–45, inclusive, showing each year separately and classified between classes of coupons.

As I have indicated on previous occasions, I am not prepared to segregate civilian from military consumption of motor spirit during the war years. The statistics of total consumption have been published in the Statistical Digest, 1945.

Can the Minister say how much petrol was used at Paddington yesterday?

Misused.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider instituting a scheme by which sales representatives will be entitled to a petrol allowance, assessed in accordance with the importance of their trade or industry to the national effort, instead of getting, as at present, the same basic petrol allowance whatever the nature of the business in which they are engaged.

The supplementary petrol allowances granted to sales representatives and commercial travellers are subject to a maximum quantity, which takes into consideration the horse power of the vehicle used. Where, however, a sales representative is engaged on work of special national importance, he may be granted an increased allowance.

Does the Minister regard work in connection with equipment for the rehousing of the people and the maintenance of the cotton industry as of national importance?

Offhand—I should say, "Yes, Sir."

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why, in view of the fact that before the war one month's supply in Britain was considered adequate and that today there is four months' supply, he still maintains petrol rationing.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the reason for the continuance of the rationing of petrol; and, in view of the fact that rationing has been removed in most countries throughout the world, when he hopes to remove this control.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the reasons for the continuance of petrol rationing.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the reasons for the retention of petrol rationing.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the reasons for the rationing of fuel for motor cars being continued.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that there is now more petrol in this country than at any previous time, and in view of war demands having ceased, he will now discontinue the rationing system.

As I have stated on previous occasions, the Government are not prepared to reveal the level of petroleum stocks held in this country. But in any event, as I have frequently explained to the House, it is the fact that a substantial part of the imports necessary to meet current consumption requires to be shipped from dollar sources, which makes it impossible under present circumstances to announce any further relaxations in petrol rationing.

Is not the real reason for the continuation of petrol rationing to create difficulties and hamper the motor industry so as to fabricate arguments for its nationalisation?

The hon. Member has a colourful imagination, but there is no substance in what he says.

Is the Minister aware that the amount of petrol being consumed on the roads today does not coincide with the coupons which are issued? Is he aware that there is a good deal of black marketing taking place in regard to petrol, and that if he removes the control on petrol, it will at least give the people some belief that the Government intend to remove controls as soon as practicable?

If the hon. Member has any information on the alleged disparity between actual consumption and the coupons issued, I shall be very glad to have it.

The Minister has stated on many occasions that he has "reasons." Will he give us more than the one reason why he has to continue rationing?

The hon. Member does not listen to my answers, because I gave one reason.

I stated "reasons" in the plural.

Why are arrangements not made to ship petrol from sterling areas, because there are ample supplies in these areas and dollar expenditure would not be involved?

Sixty per cent. of the petrol used in this country comes from these sources.

Is the Minister aware that there is a Motion on the Order Paper today, signed by 150 Members, representing something like nine million voters in this country, who want this restriction removed? In view of the statement he has made that 60 per cent. of the petrol imported into this country comes from nondollar sources, is it not now possible for him to remove this control?

I always have respect for Motions which appear on the Order Paper, but that is not a matter under my control.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will grant an increased petrol allowance to ex-Service-men who require it for business purposes.

Supplementary petrol allowances are granted to motorists who use their cars for business purposes, but I could not justify the grant of larger allowances to ex-Servicemen than to others engaged in similar businesses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the supplementary allowances are quite inadequate in a very large number of cases, and that his answer will cause a great deal of disappointment to many classes of ex-Servicemen, who sacrificed their businesses to join up, and who now find that they cannot resume owing to restrictions Which they are convinced are unnecessary?

If the hon. Member has any evidence about inadequacy of petrol allowances in the case of ex-Servicemen, I shall be glad to have the information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have sent a large number of cases to his Department, and that invariably there has been a refusal of any extra allowance?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) what substances are contained in pool petrol, and when its delivery is to cease;

I am sending the hon. Member details of the substances contained in the present pool petrol. It is superior to the average grades supplied prewar for commercial vehicles, but is, in certain respects, inferior to prewar No. 1 grades used for the majority of private cars. It must be remembered that the majority of engines are now in poorer mechanical condition than they were before the war, and would give a less satisfactory performance on 1939 fuels than they did at that time. The question of arranging for the provision of two grades of petrol, a commercial grade and a better grade for private motorists, is under consideration, but I cannot yet say when the supply of pool petrol will cease.

The right hon. Gentleman has just said that cars are now in a poorer mechanical condition. Is he not aware that that is largely due to unsatisfactory petrol? Would he tell us what benefit this is to the general public?

As I said, the question of substituting two grades of petrol for one is under consideration.

But could the right hon. Gentleman say what benefit there is to the taxpayers?

There are a great many motor cars and public service vehicles on the road and, so far as I know, no very severe handicap has been imposed on the road traveller.

Mr. Lewis.

My Question was answered earlier, Sir, along with some others.

I must apologise to the hon. Member for not calling him for a supplementary. I think it would be useful if I could be told when a large sequence of Questions were to be answered together, because it is a little difficult to catch all the numbers.

I am sorry, Sir, but I thought you had been informed. I apologise.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether concessions in the supply of petrol for private hire will be made in the case of ex-Servicemen who have invested their gratuities in a motor-car hire service.

A petrol allowance for a new hire car service, or the extension of an existing service, is granted to meet a public need, and applications from ex-Servicemen and others are dealt with on this basis. While petrol rationing continues I could not justify the release of petrol for a new private hire service solely on the ground that a vehicle had been purchased for this purpose. An exception is made, however, in the case of a person who is registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, if work as owner-driver of a hire car offers the only prospect of such a person's satisfactory resettlement.

What is the determination of public need? How is it assessed in the giving of fuel for licensing and rationing purposes?

We consult people on the spot, including the police, who, generally speaking, are able to assess whether there is an adequacy of vehicles in the neighbourhood, or whether more are required.

Would the right hon. Gentleman have a look at this point, because, although no doubt in theory that is the case, in practice it does not work? I know of a case in my constituency where a licence for private hire was applied for by an ex-Serviceman, but which was turned down by the regional commissioners. I am sure that the need is there.

That may be. I have relaxed the regulation considerably in the last few months, and, recently, we have had very few complaints.

Will the right hon. Gentleman instruct his office at Leeds to be as sympathetic as other offices in this matter? There have been many complaints from that quarter, in comparison with other offices.

I cannot imagine any of my offices failing in sympathy.

Will my right hon. Friend arrange for a public warning to be issued to ex-Servicemen in order to protect them from wasting their money in these ventures?

I cannot say whether the police take hat into account in offering guidance to my Department but, naturally, it would be most unwise on the part of ex-Servicemen, or any other men, to engage in this activity if there was formidable competition.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have experience of men who want to start in this business? Surely, they would not start unless they thought there was a living in it. After all, it is their own money they are spending.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case. There are men who are ready to venture into an activity of this kind who may not be altogether suited for it.

Who is the judge?

As I have said, so far as ex-Servicemen are concerned, if they are disabled—and this is an activity suited to them—we always agree.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what the percentage of disability has to be for ex-Servicemen to be given a licence, without taking into account any other factors?

I am sorry that I cannot, because this is a matter under the control of the Ministry of Labour.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a certain town, owing to the indiscriminate issue of licences, many ex-Servicemen are having a very lean time, and are sorry they were let into the cart because of the wrong advice given from above the Gangway?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that Crick-howell, Breconshire, has been without a supply of gas since April, 1945; and if he will make a statement as to future supplies.

I am aware that this small gas works is still closed, but considerable work has been done recently to put it in order. Proposals for renting the works are being put before the owner, and as soon as I receive a report on those discussions, I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will have an examination made at the coal exporting and bunkering harbours of Irvine, Troon, Ayr and Ardrossan, with a view to discover- ing what coal can be salvaged from the beds of those harbours, and take steps to recover it.

I am making inquiries into this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that none of my constituents in these burghs have so far approached me in the matter, and that I have grave doubt whether there is any accuracy in this report?

On the other hand, it may mean a lack of confidence in the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give figures to show the response of Irish workers towards recruitment in the coalmining industry.

Since July last, when such recruitment commenced, 1,865 men have come to this country from Northern Ireland and Eire for employment in the coalmining industry.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that suitable hostel accommodation will be provided for recruits who have to come from Ireland?

We have taken particular care to see that proper facilities are provided for these persons. We might have been able to secure a larger number if we had had the accommodation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiry of the Minister of Supply to see if he can transfer some of the Irish labour at Ministry of Supply depots to the mines, seeing that Irish labour is now being retained at the expense of the employment of ex-Servicemen?

I have no information on that point, but as the hon. and learned Member no doubt has, perhaps he will convey it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, if he will give an estimate of the difference there would be in the annual tonnage of output of coal if the same standards of saleable coal operated today as in 1938.

I regret that information necessary to enable an estimate of the kind suggested to be made is not available.

Surely the Minister has seen some examples of the bad coal which is used and could give an estimate?

It is quite impossible to give such an estimate.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power If he will state the number of miners connected with coalmining who get free coal; the total quantity so supplied for their own use per anuum; what proportion this is of all coal extracted from the mines; why the amount allowed is equal to four times the annual ration for the ordinary household; and what steps will be taken to make the amount of the free coal equal to the quantity rationed to the ordinary consumer.

About 530,000 persons connected with the coal mining industry receive free or concessionary coal. Approximately 420,000 of these men are men directly engaged in coal production, the balance being other employees in coal mining and its ancillary industries. Last year the quantity of coal so supplied was 4,600,000 tons, or about 2½ per cent. of the total quantity of saleable coal produced. The amount of free or concessionary coal supplied to miners is governed by district wage agreements and varies considerably from district to district. The arrangements now in force will clearly fall to be considered by the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mine-workers as part of the general review of wages and conditions of employment which they have agreed to undertake.

How long has the Minister been in favour of a privileged class, whereby miners' households get 10 tons of coal a year, compared with the ordinary ration in my constituency? And not only that but this privileged class black market their surplus coal.

I only take note of what the hon. and gallant Member said about the miners black marketing the coal they receive. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman cares to sustain that allegation, no doubt he will produce the evidence.

May I ask the Minister for an assurance that there is no "closed shop" of entry into this profession in respect of anybody who wants to join it?

I am afraid that the closed shop is an obsession with the hon. Gentleman.

Is the Minister aware that no free coal is supplied to the miners, and that the minimum wage has a deduction made from it for the cash value of the coal supplied?

The hon. Member is correct. It is quite a mistaken idea that miners receive free coal. When the coal is paid for, it is wages in kind.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the provision under which the accounts of the Coal Board must be submitted to the Public Accounts Committee of this House.

Section 31 of the Act requires the submission of the accounts of the National Coal Board to each House of Parliament, and under the Standing Orders of this House examination by the Committee of Public Accounts is thus within the discretion of the Committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will not in any way obstruct the statement of any relevant details?

I do not guide the activities of the Public Accounts Committee.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken to survey the peat areas in Britain regarding quantity and quality; what plans he has for the development of the peat industry; and what research is being undertaken.

It is not possible within the limits of a Parliamentary answer to give the hon. Member all the information he asks for in his Question. I am sending him a note on it.

The right hon. Gentleman underestimates his capacity. What steps are being taken to survey the peat areas? Surely he can answer that question shortly, without writing.

I can tell the hon. Gentleman at once that a great deal has been done and is being done, but I wanted to give him a full answer Captain MacLeod: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that considerable experiments have been made in Ireland for using peat as fuel for generating electricity and has his Department been in touch with the experimental work which has been done there?

I know what is going on there, but I have no control over it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider relaxing the restriction on shop window lighting for one week before Christmas.

I regret that I can see no possibility of any such relaxations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation during the present Session to improve the procedure for enforcing Scottish orders for the payment of alimony in England and vice versa.

I regret not being able to reply in the affirmative.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman remember that on 18th October, 1945, he told the House that legislation was under consideration, and cannot he do something to expedite action in this matter which affects quite a lot of people?

I do not think that the hon. and gallant Gentleman has quite appreciated the full effect of my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the rate of the present increase in juvenile delinquency compared with 1939.

The monthly average number of persons under 17 years of age found guilty in magistrates courts of offences of all kinds, indictable and non-indictable, was 4,606 in 1938, and 4,363 in 1939. The corresponding monthly average figures for 1945 and the first six months of 1946 were 6,078 and 4,855.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a bombed site cannot be cleared for rebuilding purposes at 64 Tadworth Road, Cricklewood, owing to the existence of a static water tank covering the area; that this static water tank can only be removed by a compressor; and, as the contractors working for the local county council have withdrawn their labour on the grounds that the employment of compressors is uneconomic at the rates laid down by his Department, what action he intends to take to deal with this difficulty.

I understand that the site to which my hon. Friend refers, and an adjoining one also occupied by the water tank concerned have been derequisitioned and authority issued for the payment of compensation to the respective owners. Accordingly, it now rests with the owners to arrange for the removal of the tank.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that injustice and loss are frequently inflicted by the imprisonment, pending trial, of accused persons who, later, are found not guilty of the charges preferred against them; and if he will take steps, by legislation, to prevent this injustice and loss.

Of the persons remanded in custody a small proportion are subsequently found not guilty, and the possibility that an accused may subsequently be acquitted is one of the many reasons why remands should be on bail unless there is good reason to the contrary. There are, however, some cases where the prima facie grounds for remanding in custody are so strong in the interests of justice and the protection of the public that this course is unavoidable, and if of the persons so remanded some are subsequently acquitted, it does not follow that the decision of the magistrates to remand them in custody was unjustified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that at present many accused persons are subjected, in effect, to two trials, one in the police court and one before a jury; that publicity given to the first prejudices them in the second by informing potential jurors of the case for the prosecution before the case for the defence is presented; and if he will, by legislation, take steps to obviate this possible source of injustice.

This question has been frequently considered and the conclusion reached that the advantages of publicity outweigh any potential disadvantages. In my view, which was also that of my predecessors in office, justices when conducting a preliminary examination with a view to deciding whether the accused shall be committed for trial on indictment, should not sit in private save in exceptional cases, such as those in which they are satisfied that the publicity given to these preliminary proceedings will prejudice the ends of justice.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is a real problem which, although it has been previously considered, should be reconsidered, and in the case of any further reconsideration, will he take into account the procedure in Scotland?

This is obviously a case of balancing advantages and disadvantages. I think that the greatest advantage of all is that the courts should, in all normal circumstances, be open, so that the public can be assured that justice is being properly administered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the persons convicted by civil courts of criminal offences in Great Britain during the year to 31st December, 1945, and during the period from 1st January, 1946, to 31st October, 1946, were persons previously convicted by courts martial; and how many of these were proved to have been absentees from their forces' units.

I regret that the information requested is not available. According to information supplied by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, of the total number of persons arrested for indictable crimes in 1944 in the Metropolitan Police District, deserters from the Services formed 7 per cent., and in the year 1945, 5.7 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the total number of distressed persons allowed to enter this country during the past 12 months under the scheme which he announced to this House on 13th November, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of displaced persons who have entered this country under the emergency scheme announced in November, 1945.

I am glad to say that facilities for transport from Germany have now improved, and the number of distressed relatives identified at the ports as arriving under this scheme up to the 18th November is 2,525.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement on 13th November, 1945, that this scheme was a first step, is he now prepared to extend the categories under the scheme?

No, Sir, not at the moment, because it took some considerable time for this scheme to get under way, and we are now beginning to reap the fruits of the visit which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary paid to the Continent a short time ago in order to expedite the flow; but as soon as I feel confident that the machine will not be overwhelmed by fresh applications, I shall consider extending the categories.

While congratulating my right hon. Friend on the great improvement in recent months, may I ask if he can say how may applications are still outstanding?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is proposing to take action to improve the rate of pension payable to widows of police officers.

I am at present considering the general question of the effect on the Police Pensions Acts of the new National Insurance scheme and have not excluded from the general review this particular matter.

Does that answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman is considering the case of existing widows, and not merely future widows?

Yes, Sir. I am considering both existing widows and those who will become widows in the future, but I would' point out that the police themselves had the opportunity of having this matter dealt with more generously, and declined to make the small additional contribution that would have been required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to remove the prohibition that precludes members of the police force from forming, should they so desire, a trade union.

The prohibition was imposed by me Police Act of 1919. No proposal for the amendment of the law in this respect has been made to me by the Police Federation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent prohibition now exists that precludes any member of the police forces from making representations to his Member of Parliament on any matter relating to the conditions of his employment; and when he proposes to remove such prohibition.

Under the police discipline code it is an offence against discipline for a member of a police force to divulge any matter which it is his duty to keep secret or, without proper authority to communicate to the public Press or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the force. It would be for the local disciplinary authority to decide whether in any particular case there has been a breach of the code, but I do not regard it as a breach of discipline for a member of a police force like any other member of the public to write to his Member of Parliament about his conditions of service and, so far as my information goes, this is the view generally taken by police authorities and chief officers of police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the comparative figures or the percentage increase or decrease in the number of police and military employed in connection with the State Opening of Parliament for the years 1938 and 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of constables on duty for the opening of Parliament on 12th November and the number of constables on duty for the opening of Parliament on 15th August, 1945.

The numbers of police of all ranks on duty in 1938, 1945, and this year were 2522, 1841, and 1832 respectively. I am not in a position to state the numbers of troops on duty.

In view of what he has stated will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he does not deprecate strongly the sensational publicity which has been given to the precautions which have been taken recently, and may I also ask him whether he is satisfied that the Jewish communities strongly condemn terrorist acts?

The Question merely asked for the numbers of police and nothing more.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, may I ask you to revise your Ruling in this matter because the Question on the Order Paper asks whether more or fewer police were used on this occasion, and—

That is exactly what I pointed out, and it was a simple Question which required a simple answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of escape or attempted escape from prison there have been in each of the last three years for which records are available; in how many of these cases was the offence dealt with and punished by the prison governor; how many by the visiting magistrates; and how many by other methods.

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with permission. circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding another method of summoning the fire brigade in the country than the use of the air-raid siren signal.

No, Sir. I regret that I am not in a position to hold out hopes of finding an effective substitute for a siren, but further experiments in altering its note are in progress.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this noise has a very disturbing effect upon children who have previously been involved in a serious bomb incident?

I really must give consideration to getting the firemen—especially retained men—together when a fire is notified.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that there has been a delay of nearly a year in getting Government approval for building houses at Strood Green, Betchworth, which were approved by the Dorking and Horley Rural District Council in December, 1945, and that this delay is mainly due to a dispute between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Town and Country Planning as to the number of houses which it is desirable to build; and if he will take steps to ensure better coordination between the Departments concerned.

I regret that considerable time has been taken to deal with this case, which raised difficult questions in connection with both local planning and the Greater London plan. In fact, however, the first reference to either of the Departments mentioned was on 16th May, 1946, when the surveyor of the Dorking and Horley Rural District Council submitted tentative proposals to the regional office of the Ministry of Health. After discussion with the council of amendments to reduce the cost and improve the layout, a revised scheme was submitted on 12th July. This was referred on 22nd July to the regional office of the Ministry of Town and Country Planning who, after the necessary consultation with other Departments, decided that a part only of the site should be used for housing. At the request of the Ministry of Health, the matter was then further considered by the Ministry of Town and Country Planning. They were unable, however, to alter their decision and the council were informed accordingly on 9th November.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the result of all these negotiations is that no building will take place in this village this year, and that the whole year has been wasted?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that. Of course, there has been a vast number of schemes approved—more than enough to take up the building labour—but I regret there has been a delay in this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we had a similar experience in the Orpington area, where hundreds of houses were held up for over a year because of the inability of four Ministers to agree?

I have not heard of that one. I am surprised the hon. Gentleman has not sent that case to me, since he sends me so many things. If he will do so, I will look into it.

In view of that answer, I will do so, and I hope I shall get a polite reply.

asked the Prime Minister which Government Department is to accept responsibility for the care of children in residential homes.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now prepared to revise the order of Questions so as to increase the possibility of oral answers by the Minister of Town and Country Planning.

No, Sir. Today is the end of the first week of a revised order of Questions, and I think more time is required before alterations are made in that order. I would remind the hon. Member that the Minister of Town and Country Planning answered Questions first on the Order Paper on 29th October when he was asked to reply to eight Oral Questions, none of which incidentally were by the hon. Member. If, however, he can suggest any revision of the order of Questions which will improve the chances of one Minister's Questions without worsening the chances of others, I shall be ready to consider it. As I am told that 886 Questions appeared on the Notice Paper in the first week of this Session, I am not very hopeful that the hon. Member's ingenuity will be equal to the task.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that my Questions to Ministers are dictated by a desire for the public good and not for my own personal information? Will he bear in mind that, with the new towns legislation and new towns projects, there is a very wide interest in the activities of the Minister of Town and Country Planning, which might be a reason for recasting the order, at any rate, at some future date?

I fully accept the assurance given in the first part of the supplementary question. As to the second part, I will keep the matter under observation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really, think it suitable that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster should answer Questions four times a week and the Minister of Town and Country Planning only once a month?

I am afraid the hon. Gentleman is out of date. The Chancellor of the Duchy has lost the privilege, if it was a privilege, which he had before the beginning of this Session.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that not long ago it was reported that the Minister of Town and Country Planning had said that, before taking office, the nearest approach he had made to the country was a weekend in Windermere?

asked the Prime Minister what undertakings were sought or obtained with a view to safeguarding the future economic and political interests of the people of the Bechuanaland Protectorate before a decision was taken to support the Union of South Africa's application to U.N.O. for the annexation of South West Africa.

As has previously been explained to the House, it is not considered that the interests of the Bechuanaland Protectorate can be regarded as involved in the question of the future status of South West Africa. In the opinion of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom the views of the inhabitants, European and native, of South West Africa itself are the factor to be taken into account, and as I stated in reply to a Question on 23rd October we are satisfied as to the steps taken by the Union Government to ascertain the wishes of the inhabitants.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the need to the Bechuanaland Protectorate for an outlet to the West coast will at any rate be safeguarded?

As I understand it, that matter does not really arise. I understand that is not a feasible proposition. If my hon. Friend has any point to put to me, I will gladly look into it.

Can the House be assured that before Bechuanaland and the other two Protectorates in the same position have either their status or the practical control of their administration altered, there will be a full opportunity for discussion in the House?

Yes, Sir. Of course, that is another question, but it has been answered very often.

asked the Prime Minister by approximately how many the number of those still in the Forces at the end of December will exceed the target figure of 1,100,000.

The target figure in the White Paper on Defence published in February was 1,100,000 plus 100,000 in training—a total of 1,200,000, This target will be exceeded by about 185,000.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this figure, coupled with the very slow group releases forecast for next year, will cause widespread dismay? Is he aware that hon. Members are getting a large number of letters on this subject, and is he satisfied that every step has been taken to secure economy in the use of manpower in the Forces both in home establishments and overseas?

Yes; Sir, certainly. My hon. Friend will realise that the target figure was put forward on the basis that certain commitments would have been got rid of in the course of the year. The long delay in fixing the treaties has meant that our troops have had to be abroad longer than we had expected. There was no target laid down exactly for each individual group. There has necessarily been a certain slowing down, but I have looked into the matter myself, and I am quite sure that there is no waste of manpower.

In view of the statement made by my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) regarding the large postbag of hon. Members on this subject, will the Leader of the House arrange for a Debate at an early date, so as to give reasons for this slowing up, in order that the men may know why they are kept in the Army months longer than they should be?

I cannot answer the question put by the hon. Member in the last part of his supplementary question. That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.

What steps are being taken by the Services concerned to inform the troops and airmen of the reasons for this delay? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that if something of that kind could be done, it might decrease very greatly the postbag of hon. Members?

I will certainly look into the question whether something more can be done to inform the troops on this matter?

Especially about requirements in Palestine?

Will my right hon. Friend consider taking steps, such as were taken in 1915 by Statute, to increase these figures by revising the numbers of those who are at present in gaol for Services offences?

That does not seem to me to have anything to do with the question.

Will my right hon. Friend look into the question, or ask the Service Ministers to look into the question, of the very uneven length of service required from men in the Army compared with men in the other Services, as this is one of the causes of dissatisfaction of men in the Army?

We are trying to keep the three Services exactly in step, but it is quite impossible to keep them absolutely and exactly in step.

Will the Prime Minister request the Service chiefs to reconsider this and to provide a general statement which hon. Members will be able to send to people in the Forces from their Divisions?

I am considering a more convenient time to make a statement covering the three Services.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now make a statement as to the prospects if carrying out the aim of the Government to release, during 1947, all men called up before 1st January, 1944.

The prospects are very good.

Can the Minister tell us why the prospects are very good?

I should have thought that the hon. and learned Gentleman would have been satisfied. He asks what were the prospects of carrying out our aims, and I said the prospects are very good.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will now state what steps are to be taken to implement his undertaking, given on 29th November, 1945, that, at a later date, the Committee on Scientific Manpower would be asked to make recommendations as to the establishment of permanent machinery for carrying out surveys as to the best use of our scientific resources in the national interest; and whether he will make a statement in this connection.

The Government are considering the question of the central Government machinery for dealing with broad scientific questions in the light of advice received from the committee referred to and from others. I hope shortly to be able to make a statement on the subject.

Am I to understand from that reply that while the Barlow Committee is still in existence it is not being used but it may be used in the future?

It has submitted certain recommendations to the Government and is still in existence. Obviously a new situation will be created as and when these new committees for home and defence matters are set up.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will immediately set up an inter-departmental committee to inquire into and report when a verbal directive was issued by the Director-General of the B.B.C, to the effect that Ministers of the Crown were to be discouraged from broadcasting, and its exact terms.

I am informed by the Director-General of the B.B.C. that no directive of the kind mentioned in the Question has been issued in any form.

In view of the seriousness of the accusation made in the House, would my right hon. Friend consider whether an inquiry should be made in order to prove that no directive was issued from any source?

The situation was that an allegation was made. We have transmitted that allegation to the B.B.C, and they have flatly denied it. I do not see how we can proceed further unless prima facie evidence is forthcoming as a result of which further inquiries can be made from the B.B.C.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that broadcasts by Ministers of the Crown are as severely censored as other broadcasts?

I would not say that broadcasts by Ministers need to be quite as severely censored as those of the hon. Member, but the hon. Member may be assured that in that respect Ministers are in a no more privileged position than anybody else.

What about Lady MacRobert?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the revision of the data on which the cost-of-living index is based.

This is a matter on which I am hoping to have the advice of the Cost-of-Living Advisory Committee which has recently been reconstituted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what difference in the cost of living index would result if the food subsidy of £360 million were taken off?

asked the Minister of Labour how many skilled building operatives are still serving in the Armed Forces; and how many of these are likely to be released before April, 1947.

It is estimated that the total is about 25,000, of whom more than 7,000 are likely to be released before April, 1947.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that certain employers are refusing to engage men over 60 years of age in industry; and whether, in view of the labour shortage, he will encourage employers to engage as many such men as are willing and able to work.

I am aware that some employers show a disinclination to accept elderly workers. The local officers of my Department are taking every step to overcome this and are meeting with considerable success. The Government want employers to use the services of older workers to the maximum extent possible. As my hon. Friend may be aware, an appeal to this effect was made by the Prime Minister in his broadcast on the 3rd March last.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the reply he has given will give great satisfaction, particularly to some of the older men who did such good work during the war?

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the local authorities in the South Wales development area that are using trainee labour in the building of houses.

As the reply is somewhat long I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister satisfied that local authorities generally are taking on as many trainees as they ought to do in their building programmes?

Yes, Sir. I have here a list of names, but as a Londoner I am not going to chance reading out the names of these local authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men under the age of 30 years, who have worked in reserved occupations during the war, have been called up for military service since 1st January last; and how many have been excused.

I will circulate the available information in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also take steps to make this information known through his Service colleagues to the troops serving overseas who feel very strongly on this point, especially since their release has been held up?

That is an important matter, and we will bear it in mind.