asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to increase the number of workers in the clothing and textile industries which are now 427,000 less than before the war, in view of the urgent need to increase supplies and end clothes rationing.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Servicemen in Wales have not yet found employment.

At 14th October there were 4,096 ex-Servicemen registered as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Wales and Monmouthshire, who had had no employment since release or discharge from His Majesty's Forces.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the average net sales of National Savings Certificates for September, 1946, was £105,000 per week, or 2 per cent. of the average weekly sales for 1943, and the expenses in salaries and printing were nearly 30,000 per week, or about 30 per cent. of the money raised, if he will consider handing over the savings movement to the Trustee Savings banks and the voluntary associations and, putting the 1,190 paid officials back into productive industry.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, to encourage thrift, he will introduce legislation to amend the means test contained in the First Schedule to the Old Age Pensions Act, 1936, which test, owing to the fall in interest rates and the rise in the cost of living since 1936, no longer accords with the intention of Parliament.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the pension rates payable to disabled ex-members of the Polish forces by the Interim Treasury Committee for Polish Questions.

The same as those paid to British ex-Servicemen.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that many properties damaged by enemy action have suffered from deterioration and looting during wartime to such an extent that they are now beyond repair; and whether he will, in suitable cases, authorise a value payment instead of a cost of works payment.

Where deterioration causes war damaged property to become a total loss a value payment, and not a cost of works payment, will be payable, but may be reduced because of the owner's neglect. Damage caused by looting is not war damage, but if as a result of looting it becomes impossible to make good the war damage a value payment will be payable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what methods of disposal are adopted by His Majesty's Customs and Excise in the case of goods seized as forfeited on the grounds that they have been imported in contravention of the Customs Acts.

They are sold for the benefit of the Exchequer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the special factors governing Government industrial establishment employees whose wages have increased by only 52 per cent. since October, 1938, as against the average increase of 89 per cent. for the whole country; what are the weekly hours worked; and how many people are affected.

The comparison between average earnings (not wages) shown in the October number of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" is influenced partly by the greater measure of overtime, night work and piecework in October, 1938, in Government industrial employment than in other industries, and partly by the other factors referred to in the article in question. The weekly hours of work in October, 1938, were approximately 49, as compared with the present. 48. The number of people affected, on 1st July, 1946, was 414,561.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will introduce legislation to provide for Schedule D taxpayers similar benefits of tax cancellation and remission as were granted by Clause 3 (3) of the Income Tax (Employments) Act, 1943, and by Clause 4 (1), (2) and (8) of the Income Tax (Offices and Employments) Act, 1944, to Schedule E taxpayers in the transition to the Pay As You Earn Tax Deduction Scheme in 1933–44.

These Clauses were to prevent overlapping deductions of tax under Schedule E. There was no such overlap under Schedule D.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that some paratroopers who were concerned in the recent court martial in Malaya, whose sentences were quashed, have against their will been transferred to an infantry regiment, the D.L.I., with a consequent drop in pay; whether this was done as a penalty for their part in this episode; how any paratroopers so concerned were treated in this way; and if he will see that none of these paratroopers are penalised in any way.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Wolverhampton (Mr. H. D. Hughes) on Tuesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War the other ranks strength of 17th Infantry Brigade, B.A.O.R.; and the number of this formation who have made application to marry German girls.

Nine applications have been received from 17th Infantry Brigade Group. It is not customary to disclose the strength of individual formations.

asked the Secretary of State for War what have been the percentage casualties resulting from Jewish terrorist activities among British troops stationed in Palestine.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to disband S.E.A.C.

1st December, Sir; but as recently announced there will remain headquarters of South-East Asia Land Forces, headquarters Air Command, Far East and a coordinating committee consisting of the three Service Commanders-in-Chief.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to remove the ban on the payment of marriage allowances to soldiers under 21 years of age.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider amending the code of pay and allowances so that wives of Servicemen under 21 years of age will be on the same financial basis as wives of Servicemen over 21 years of age.

I would refer hon. Members to the statement I made at the end of the Debate on the Adjournment last night.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Service grants or war service grants paid to married soldiers under 21 years of age give financial assistance equivalent to that allowed by the marriage allowance to soldiers 21 years of age.

Not necessarily, Sir. The maximum Service grants provide for the income of the family to be brought up to 42s. a week, subject to qualifying contributions from the soldier, ranging from 14s. a week, from a Private whose pay is 4s. a day, to 28s. a week from a Corporal.I understand that the Ministry of Pensions assess war service grant by reference to the soldier's earnings and commitments before call-up and the size and income, including his own allotment, of his family. Generally the income of the family, where there are children, if war service grant is payable, will be equivalent to that of a corresponding family of a soldier who is eligible for marriage allowance, but the family's circumstances may be such that this is not the case. Where there are no children the wife of a soldier under 21 may not be entitled to a War Service Grant, but where a grant is payable she usually receives less in war service grant plus allotment than the childless wife of a soldier over 21 would receive in marriage allowance, including allotment.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that delay in demobilisation has created considerable uncertainty with regard to their future careers in the minds of men now overseas, and who have made any provisional arrangements for their postwar employment based on the anticipation of earlier demobilisation; and if he will arrange for bureaux to be set up in the various overseas commands where such cases can be investigated and advice and information given to the men concerned.

I would refer my hon. Friend, on the general question, to the statement made today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. At present in most overseas commands either there are military officers specially trained to advise on resettlement problems, or representatives of the Ministry of Labour tour the command and are available for interviews. Plans are well advanced for more permanent arrangements for resettlement advice to the troops at home and overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make arrangements to ensure that every soldier serving in the Far East will be given a period of leave in this country after 12 months' service there.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the discontent arising from the infrequency of home leave for men serving in the Far East; and whether he will improve arrangements to give fairer treatment compared with men serving in Europe and the Near East.

I regret that I cannot under present conditions of manpower and shipping, forecast any immediate major improvement in the present arrangements, but I hope that the position will improve in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in commands overseas where it is not possible for all ranks to be granted leave during their normal tour of duty, such as India, those men who have not been granted home leave will either have their tour of foreign duty shortened by an appropriate number of weeks or be granted additional leave on release.

No, Sir. While I regret that it is not at present possible for all soldiers serving in India and the Far East to be granted leave during their overseas tour, I could not consider reducing their period of overseas service, which is already down to three years, for this reason. Leave, as a matter of principle, is not cumulative, and I could not therefore agree to add to release or other leave in compensation for leave which a soldier could not be granted while overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, in view of the world wheat shortage, the rations issued to British troops serving abroad still include white bread; in what overseas theatres this practice is now observed; and whether he will direct that the extraction rate of the bread supplied to all British units shall in future be the same as that eaten by civilians in the United Kingdom.

Flour of an extraction rate of 72 per cent. is issued in all overseas theatres, firstly because flour of a higher extraction rate deteriorates rapidly in hot climates, and secondly because the four main Commands are supplied by direct shipment from North America and Australia, where the darker flour is not milled. The answer to the second part of the Question is therefore in the negative so far as troops overseas are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of complaints that dirty blankets are issued to men at the General Service Training Camp, Warwick; how often these blankets are changed; and if he will have the whole question of cleanliness and food at this camp investigated, in view of the fact that young men newly called up are having their first experiences of Service life at this camp.

I am not aware of such complaints. Clean blankets are in fact issued to each recruit as he arrives and are withdrawn and fumigated when he leaves six or eight weeks later. The ration scale is the normal Home Service one plus the special supplement for hard training. I do not feel therefore that a special investigation is called for unless my hon. Friend has details of any more specific complaints.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what purpose it is intended to use the former U.S. hospital and hutted camp in North Mymms Park, Hatfield; and whether it will be released for temporary housing purposes.

The former U.S. Hospital and hutted camp in North Mymms Park, Hatfield, is required for an A.T.S. unit which is in occupation. There is no intention at present of offering this property for release.

asked the Secretary of State for War what instructions are in force regarding the signing of letters of reference given to officers on discharge; and if all such letters can he signed by men.

Testimonials are furnished to officers only on request, as laid down in Army Council instructions. I presume that if an A.T.S. officer has signed a testimonial it is because the officer in question asked her for this document, but if the hon. and gallant Member has any information to the contrary perhaps he would let me have it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the inadequacy and dullness of the diet of the British troops in Austria; and what steps he is taking to improve this state of affairs.

I am not aware of any inadequacy or dullness in the diet of British troops in Austria, but if specific details can be given, I will make inquiries. The scale is certainly fully adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider removing the anomaly whereby a soldier, other ranks, who is already receiving marriage allowance and is commissioned before he reaches the age of 25 years, can only receive marriage allowance of other ranks' rate until he is 25 years of age.

The "anomaly" referred to is a special concession to officers below the age of 25 who are commissioned from the ranks and, because of their age, are not eligible for marriage allowance as officers. It would not be practicable to treat them as married officers for allowance purposes in view of the general rule relating to officers under 25.

asked the Secretary of State for War what financial provision he will make for wives of officers under 25 years of age.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave last week to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East St. Pancras (Dr. Jeger), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the rule preventing, in general, the payment of marriage allowance to officers who are under the age of 25 years creates grave hardship; and whether he will reconsider the present regulation with a view to making the allowance payable in all cases where there has been a legal marriage.

I am not aware of any hardship as special provision for married officers can be made in certain cases as I explained in a reply, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, given on 19th November to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East St. Pancras (Dr. Jeger).

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the exact location and extent of the area of the Clwydian range in the counties of Denbigh and Flint to be taken over for military training purposes.

The area proposed is 16,36o acres in extent and is approximately bounded by the roads BodfariNannerch—Cilcain (Flintshire)—Llanferris—Llanbedr Llangynhafal (Denbighshire)—Bodfari. A reduction of this acreage is now under consideration and I am awaiting a report. The area is included in the War Department proposals which are under consideration by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Service Land Requirements. Until Ministers have decided on the submissions of this committee I cannot say whether the area will be used for military training.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many battle practice areas suitable for field-firing exercises with armoured-fighting vehicles and supporting arms were held by his Department in mid-1944; how many have since been given up; and in which counties those practice areas, or ranges, still held are situated.

In mid-1944, 13 such areas were held. Of these seven have been released or are only still held because clearance of unexploded missiles is not yet complete. Areas are still held for battle practice in Norfolk, Yorkshire, Brecknockshire and Roxburghshire and for other purposes in Devonshire and Wiltshire.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to protect the public from the live ammunition at present being used by Service units on Dartmoor.

It is the policy of the War Department to erect adequate notice boards at reasonable intervals around those areas where firing with live ammunition takes place, warning the public of the danger of entering the areas.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there are a number of public water-gathering grounds in that part of Dartmoor at present under military occupation; and what steps he is taking to protect them from pollution.

The protection of public water-gathering grounds from pollution is fully covered in a War Office pamphlet which is issued to all units which use land for training. The precautions necessary are explicity laid down in this pamphlet.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the mails to and from the troops serving in Greece are most irregular and unsatisfactory; and if he will take action to improve the situation.

There was an interruption in mails during early October due to changes in air services, but the position has now improved. A regular thrice-weekly service now operates in each direction and the average transit time between London and Athens is three days. Time taken for delivery and collection at each end must be added.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make arrangements whereby officers and men serving in B.A.O.R. share accommodation with the German population instead of requisitioning either houses or furniture.

I have called for a report on this matter and will write to my lion Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that young children of officers and other ranks serving in Germany and living in Germany have the same ration of milk as they would have in the United Kingdom or a higher ration and whether supplies of orange juice and codliver oil are now available there; and if he will circulate a table showing the prices in United Kingdom and in N.A.A.F.I. in Germany of milk, orange juice, codliver oil and selected baby foods.

Young children of Service families in Germany receive the same amount of milk as they would in this country. It is mainly in the form of tinned milk, as fresh is not available, and is at the price current in this country, now 9½d. a pound. Orange juice, codliver oil, etc., are available in N.A.A.F.I. family shops. The following is a table of comparative prices:

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that troops in Burma are discontented because men from that command are always demobilised late in their group; and what steps he has taken to ensure that troops demobilised from Burma are not at a disadvantage compared with their comrades from other commands.

I am not aware of discontent among troops in Burma about the time of their arrival in this country for release and I have no reason to think that men from that command have always been released late in their group. Arrivals and forecasts of ships from the Far East carrying men in groups 44 and 45 indicate that they will be here in time to be released well within the period allotted. With regard to the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 5th November to my hon. Friend the Member for the Hartlepools (Mr. D. Jones). I am sending my hon Friend a copy of that reply.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long it is expected that signallers in Burma will have to serve overseas; when Group 61 will be demobilised; and if he will give an assurance that signallers will not be retained in this com- mand beyond the date for the release of their group as has happened in other commands.

Signallers in Burma, like other soldiers, may be required to serve overseas until they have completed their tour of overseas service under the Python scheme, or until they are released. I cannot say when Group 61 will be demobilised and I cannot give an assurance that it will not be necessary for the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief to defer the release of men in the Royal Signals in this or any other group as he has power to do, although I hope that it will not be necessary for him to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has taken to reduce to the lowest possible level the number of men serving in the Far East, particularly in Burma; if it is proposed further to reduce the number of British troops in this area in the near future; and if he will give an assurance that the number of personnel is constantly kept under review with a view to its reduction.

The number of British troops in South-East Asia has been reduced as quickly as possible. As already announced all British troops will have left foreign territory there by the end of the month. In Burma and Malaya local forces are being raised which will, I hope, carry out many of the tasks which now fall to British troops. By the end of the year the number of troops in South-East Asia will have been reduced to a third of what it was at the beginning of the year. Further reductions will take place in the near future as the strength of our forces is kept continually under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to improve the conditions of camps occupied by British troops in Palestine; and what current British newspapers and what entertainments are provided for troops who are confined to camps at night owing to the political situation.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave last week to the hon. and gallant Member for Barnstaple, of which I am sending him a copy. Middle East Land Forces as a whole receive from the War Office British Sunday newspapers on a scale of one for every 10 men. I have called for a report on the provision to troops in Palestine of entertainments and I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men

asked the Secretary of State for War when he intends to grant possession of their Thanksgiving Hall to the Church of the Martyrs, Westcotes Drive, Leicester, in view of their immediate need of this building for the work of the parish and, in particular, for the purpose of their Youth Fellowship.

It would not be appropriate to publish the figures in present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Army personnel are now serving on home establishments and the percentage reduction since August, 1945; and the approximate percentage of total Army personnel now serving overseas.

The reduction of the strengths of Army personnel in this country between August, 1945, and the end of October, 1946, was 69 per cent. It would not be in accordance with practice to publish the other figures requested.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men with release group numbers of 46 and over will have served more than three and four years, respectively, on 1st January, 1947.

An estimate was made at the end of June of the numbers of non-Regular soldiers who would have served 3 and 4 years on 1st January, 1947. The following are the figures, which are the most accurate at present available:

I regret that I am unable to forecast an actual date when the Thanksgiving Hall will be available for de-requisitioning. It accommodates 57 A.T.S. employed at a nearby Depot for whom no alternative is at present available. I hope, however, that forthcoming reductions in other units located in Leicester may allow us to release this hall during the early part of 1947.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what recent cases demobilisation of individuals or categories have been deferred beyond their due date; and for what reason.

At the end of last month 138 officers and 238 other ranks in age and service groups 41 and earlier were held individually under the Military Necessity Clause of the Release Scheme. Such deferments may be authorised by General Officers Commanding-in-Chief overseas and the War Office at home where the military situation demands the individual's retention. Ninety per cent. of the men had been held for less than two months and many will by now have been released

asked the Secretary of State for War in what countries the Imperial War Graves Commission is not allowed to operate; and for what reasons.

In countries where the Army Graves Registration Services are or have been at work, the Imperial War Graves Commission assumes its duties of permanent construction and maintenance as soon as there is a completed cemetery ready to be handed over. In other cowl-tries, it approaches the Government of the country through the Foreign Office and obtains any necessary permission to begin its work.The Commission is at work already in every country where the work of the Graves Registration Services is sufficiently advanced, and it is now dealing with the British graves in the other countries. In no case has the commission been refused permission to begin its work. Some delay, however, occurred in obtaining permission for the Graves Registration Services to enter the Balkan countries and the Russian zone of Germany. This has now been overcome and work is in progress or is nearly completed in the Balkans, with the exception of Yugoslavia, where the work cannot at present be carried throug

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider reducing the period of Python to three years.

The present position is that the Python period is three years for men in India and the Far East and varies from three years and three months to three years and nine months elsewhere. As soon as I can, I shall announce further changes in the direction of reducing the period to three years, but when this will be, I cannot at present say.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will augment the rations provided for troops in Burma so that additional purchases of foodstuffs for other ranks messes, paid for by the private soldier, are no longer necessary.

The ration scale in South East Asia, including Burma, is higher than in any other command, and is adequate. In some out-of-the-way spots units do not receive as much fresh fruit and vegetables as I would wish but canned equivalents are always issued. It is, however, the policy to issue fresh commodities wherever supplies are sufficient to meet the full needs of the unit concerned. I understand that occasionally when small quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables become available at irregular intervals in remote areas purchases of such items are sometimes made from voluntary contributions by the troops.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a summary military court was held at Asmara, on 1st and 2nd August, 1946, to try persons charged with illegal assembly; that nine youths under the age of 18 years were each sentenced to 12 strokes of the whip and that a boy, aged 17 years, charged with incitement to resist orders given under the authority of the occupying power, was sentenced to 12 strokes of the whip; and whether he will take steps to alter the regulations under which these sentences are given.

I am aware of the trial and the punishments awarded to those arrested for their part in the unauthorised demonstrations and the mob violence and looting which followed in Asmara on 28th July. I am awaiting further information about the trial and when it is received I will give the matter full consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Intelligence Corps recruits who have been in the Army more than six months before being posted to regimental duty.

As I explained to my non. Friend on Tuesday last, the average time spent in training before a soldier joins the Intelligence Corps is six months. Since to this are added periods of leave, preparation for overseas and passages overseas, practically all Intelligence Corps recruits serve rather more than six months before being posted to regimental duty.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatisfaction which has been caused in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, by the issue of Station Order 364, in which it is stated that Japanese performing guard duties on the new site for the sub-area headquarters have full authority to refuse admission to unauthorised persons and that all ranks must obey the orders of the Japanese guards implicitly; and if he will have these orders reviewed.

I have called for a report and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many motor-lorries and other motor vehicles, under his control, are standing along the road near the top of River Hill, Sevenoaks; if he is aware that they are deteriorating rapidly; and if he will take immediate steps to sell them at public auction.

I here are over 6,000 vehicles at this Reserve Depot which are being sorted as quickly as possible into those to be retained by the Army and those to be disposed of through the Ministry of Supply. Vehicles in the first category are being moved to permanent Depots but those in the second must remain until sorting is complete, when, I understand, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply will arrange for an auction sale.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the rules for the promotion of Regular officers apply to short-service commissioned Regular officers.

Short service Regular commissions are granted in the substantive rank equivalent to the war substantive rank previously held and officers holding such commissions are not at present eligible for time promotion. They are, however, granted higher paid acting and temporary rank so long as the wartime promotion code is in operation while filling an appointment carrying higher rank.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will reconsider the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of an undergraduate of London University, aged 22, who has served in the Army for three-and-a-quarter years and wishes to return to complete his course for a degree in order to take up teaching; and, as his school has applied for his release, if he will now grant it.

I have reconsidered this case but I regret that I cannot alter the decision already made. We can only agree to the Class B release of members of the Corps in which the soldier in question is serving in the case of individuals required in the national interest to take hp key appointments in civil life.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction caused by the recent announcement of the release programme for 1947; and whether he will make a statement explaining why the rate of release of age and service groups has been reduced from an approximate rate of one group per fort night to one group per month.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as a result of his further investigation into the conditions which gave rise to the mutiny by men of the 13th Parachute Battalion, he will now state who were the officers and N.C.Os concerned; and what action is to be taken against them, in view of the offences involved, notably that of undermining the morale of the Armed Forces.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 22nd October to my hon. Friend the Member for Balham and Tooting (Mr. Adams) I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War what quantities and types of winter equipment for mountain and reconnaissance troops are in store; where such articles are stored; and whether they will be made available to the public.

My Department holds at home and overseas only sufficient stocks of this equipment for our own requirements. Any surplus has been or is being made available for disposal in the normal way through the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the recent representations by the British Legion to enable those granted the Military Medal in the 1914–18 war to receive the £20 gratuity granted to recipients of the same medal in the last war; and what action he proposes to take.

I have considered the suggestion but regret that I have nothing to add to the reply given on 11th December, 1945, to the hon and gallant Member for Central Glasgow (Colonel Hutchison) of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many wrist watches were contained in a consignment received in Hong Kong early in May for distribution to the Forces through N.A.A.F.I./ E.F.I.; what was their value; and what happened to them after they arrived at the Kowloon Docks.

A total of 374 watches were received in Hong Kong during May, valued at 34,160 dollars, that is £12,135. All but nine were sold to units. The nine were stolen from the warehouse.

asked the Secretary of State for War why aperture back sights are being removed from 22 rifles, on loan to H.G. rifle clubs, by official armourers.

No War Office authority has been given for the removal of aperture back sights from these rifles, but if, the hon. Member has any further information perhaps he would send it to me.

asked the Secretary of State for War, how matters affecting pay and demobilisation are brought promptly to the notice of all concerned; and whether his Department issues regularly, and at what periods, to sub-unit level for compulsory publication to all soldiers any notices similar to the "Demobforms" and "Newpay" forms issued by the Air Ministry.

With regard to release I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 26th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) of which I am sending him a copy. The second edition of "Question and Answers on Release" there referred to has since been issued. Information of wide interest about pay and other questions that appears in Army Council Instructions, is summarised in issues of "Notice Board Information" which are posted in all units.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds Prestonfield Camp has been turned down as alternative accommodation for the Army Records Office in Edinburgh.

The accommodation at this camp is unsuitable for the work and staff of a Record Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet published the regulations to abolish compulsory church parades; whether he is aware that on loth November, 1946, there was held a compulsory church parade for some or all of the men attached to the headquarters of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, M.E.L.F.; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the discontinuance of such parades.

Yes, Sir. The amended regulations for church parades have been published. They include provision for a parade of troops at the discretion of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, for a ceremonial occasion of national or local importance which includes a religious service. Armistice Day is clearly such an occasion and I have no intention of discontinuing this practice. No one, however, will be obliged to attend a religious service of a denomination other than his own.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make available in the Library of the House a copy of the survey of public opinion on recruitment recently prepared by Research Services, Limited.

I am placing a copy of this survey in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider reviewing sentences for desertion which involve forfeiture of all previous service, with particular reference to regulars who had nearly completed their engagement at the time of deserting.

All sentences by courts-martial, whatever the offence, are reviewed at least every six months, but I am not prepared to alter the present rules for restoration of forfeited service for Regular soldiers who desert during their original period of colour service. Such men are in a different category from the non-Regular or the Regular who but for the war would normally have been in the Reserve. A Regular soldier who deserts before completing his colour service may be considered for restoration of his forfeited service after three years.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements have now been made whereby prisoners of war in this country may communicate with Members of Parliament without restriction and that letters in return will be delivered without punishment.

Correspondence between prisoners of war and persons in the United Kingdom is restricted to relatives and prewar acquaintances. I regret that I am unable to make an exception for Members of Parliament who cannot be said to represent individual prisoners of war. Any prisoner who has a grievance can represent it through military channels, and has also an unrestricted right to put his case to the International Red Cross. Prisoners of war are well aware that such correspondence is forbidden and disciplinary action is necessarily taken if the rules are broken. I have instructed commandants of prisoner of war camps to return any unauthorised correspondence to the sender.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners of war, captured by the British Army were left in Belgium and under whose charge when the British forces left.

Fifteen thousand prisoners of war captured by British troops were transferred by order of S.H.A.E.F. in the summer of 1945 to the Belgian authorities, under whose charge they remain. No other such prisoners remain in Belgium.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will place in the Library of the House the evidence and findings of the military inquiry held into the fatal accident to prisoner of war Georg, or Kurt Mueller, B 145233, at the Sloy works on Loch Lomondside on 21st August, 1946.

No, Sir. It is not the practice, and would be contrary to the public interest to disclose the proceedings of courts of inquiry, which are privileged documents. I would remind my hon Friend that an inquiry was also held by the local authority under the Fatal Accidents Inquiry (Scotland) Act, 1895, as amended by the Fatal Accident and Sudden Death Inquiry (Scotland) Act of 1906, as a result of which a verdict of accidental death was returned.

asked the Secretary of State for War why No. B 122116 Lothar Habraschka is still in Camp 40 at Ton-bridge, Kent, despite the fact that after, working for nearly three years on an anti-Nazi newspaper in the Sorel centre in Canada which corresponds to Wilton Park, he was promised early repatriation on arrival in this country.

This man is due to be repatriated on 14th December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total U.S. exports to the United Kingdom over the years 1932 to 1938, inclusive.

The total value was 2,914 million dollars, including re-exports amounting to 41 million dollars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total United Kingdom exports to U.S.A. for the years 1932–38 inclusive.

The total value was £208 million, including re-exports amounting to £54 million.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now prepared to make the necessary arrangements for cotton spinners' corded white overalls to be available for the use of persons employed in the cotton spinning industry.

I hope it will be possible to make arrangements for the manufacture of these overalls, but our inquiries into the matter are not yet completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent he intends to permit the importation of Christmas trees this year.

As I informed the hon. Member for Northwich (Mr. J. Foster) on 4th November, I cannot see my way to allow imports of Christmas trees

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the Periodical Newspaper Proprietors' Association with respect to new publications; and if he will make a statement on that subject.

The Periodical Publishers' Association have pointed out that the amount of paper available to them is very limited as compared with their consumption before the war, and, in these circumstances, they feel that it would be unfair to allow new publications to be established indiscriminately. In considering this question, we have naturally taken note of the views expressed by the periodical publishers. The paper supply position, however, is such that it is not at present possible in other than very exceptional circumstances to allow the use of more than 8 cwts. of paper per four months period by any new periodical.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will extend to new publications the same concessions respecting restriction of advertising that has been granted to those published before 6th August, 1940.

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names and qualifications of the members of the National Production Advisory Council for Industry; what are its functions; how often it meets; and what regular publications, or other methods, does it employ to aid in the production and export drive.

The membership of the National Production Advisory Council on Industry is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to give the widest publicity to the system and functions of the regional boards for industry operating under the National Production Advisory Council for Industry; and how is their link with the existing trade union, technical and industrial development organisations being made clear to manufacturers, local authorities and other Government Departments so as to ensure efficient cooperation in all levels and throughout the country.

The scope and functions of the Regional Boards for Industry were widely reported in the national Press when they were reconstituted in October, 1945. Through the National Production Advisory Council on Industry, of which the Chairmen of all the Boards are members, both sides of industry at the national level are kept fully informed of the work of the Boards.In the regions, there is continual direct communication between the boards and large numbers of firms on such matters as the production and export campaign, salvage and recovery, the National Savings movement and fuel saving. Additionally, there are local Press reports, as necessary, on important questions with which the hoards have been concerned and occasional broadcasts of the work of the boards given by the chairmen over the B.B.C. regional network. Both sides of industry are represented on the boards and on the district committees which the boards have set up to assist them to keep in closer touch with industrial problems at district level. Further, there has been a wide circulation by the boards and the district committees of a reprint of an article explaining the work of the boards which appeared in the "Board of Trade Journal," of 6th July last, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he anticipates receiving the recommendations of the subcommittee set up by the British Furniture Manufacturers' Federated Associations to study the problem of woodworm in utility furniture; and when the results of such recommendation will be made available to the trade.

The Board of Trade have had several discussions with the British Furniture Manufacturers' Federated Associations. The conclusion reached was that the only sure remedy was to prohibit the use of sapwood in the manufacture of utility furniture. Further investigation, however, suggests that it may not be necessary to cut out all the sapwood since it may be possible to identify those parts of it which are susceptible to attack and to eliminate those only. We are now examining the possibility, before finally deciding what action should be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the alarm which is felt by manufacturers of utility furniture as a result of the total cut in June allocations of timber by 50 per cent., he will make a full statement on timber supplies for the industry in the future, in order to satisfy the manufacturers and the public that, if the situation has worsened, it is due to causes over which he has no control.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to increase the supply of timber to utility furniture makers.

A full statement on this subject was published in the "Board of Trade Journal" on 23rd November. I would ask the hon. Members to study that statement, which will, I think, give them all the information they require.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken by his Department to improve the supply of suitable timber to the furnishing trades, especially those engaged on the manufacture of utility furniture.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to similar Questions on this subject today.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to open trade discussions with the Indonesian Republic.

We shall be prepared to hold any trade discussions which may prove necessary, when the constitution of the ultimate authority for economic and commercial matters in the area has been finally settled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps are being taken by the tyre and motor-car industry to standardise tyre sizes

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which includes tyre and wheel manufacturers, has for many years given close attention to the question of standardising tyre sizes. There has been substantial progress made in this difficult technical subject and a great reduction in the number of tyre and wheel sizes has been achieved. It is, however, still necessary to provide replacement tyres for the large number of older car models still in service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what measures are contemplated to deal with the unsatisfactory position of the furniture trade; the excessive profits being made by certain sections of the trade; and the inferior design and quality of the work, as revealed by the Report of the Board of Trade working party for the industry.

The report made a number of valuable recommendations designed to increase the general efficiency of the industry and to improve the standard of design and quality of furniture when the utility scheme comes to an end. It contained no charge that excessive profits were being made in the furniture industry, nor did it comment adversely on the design and quality of utility furniture, which is the only furniture at present being manufactured.My right hon. and learned Friend is anxious that action should be taken on this report as quickly as possible but he is not in a position to make any general statement on policy until both sides of the industry have had time to consider the report and discuss it with him. In the meantime, the price, quality and design of furniture continue to be closely controlled under the utility furniture scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will, in future issue comparative figures of the achievements of individual local authorities as far as the question of salvage is concerned.

To collate returns covering 18 items, some of which are subdivided, from some 1,600 local authorities in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend would involve a considerable volume of work. Moreover, the circumstances of local authorities in respect of salvage work vary so materially that any comparison of statistics might easily lead to erroneous conclusions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the comparative figures, indicating the standard of living of British manual workers, between the two great wars, full weight being given to short time and unemployment; and the figures for the present time and any other figures material to the recent statement regarding the higher standard of living in this country than most other places.

A comparison between the average weekly earnings of British workers in October, 1938, and January, 1946, shows a rise of 74 per cent. Since September, 1939, the Ministry of Labour's cost of living index number shows an increase of 31 per cent. The rise in money earnings, therefore, has considerably outstripped the rise in the cost of living and in real terms there has been a substantial improvement in the earnings of British manual workers since prewar years. It is not possible to give figures to show the changes in the consumption of British manual workers, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the figures given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food in his reply on 23rd October, 1946, to my hon. Friend the Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Edward Evans).It was generally recognized before the war that the British wage earner had on the average a standard of living higher than most other countries and comparable with the standard in any country. Since prewar years the standard of living in other countries, with very few exceptions, has not risen appreciably, and the figures which I have just quoted are a sufficient indication of the improvement that has taken place in the position of the British worker. There is no reason to suppose, therefore, that the standard of living in Britain has ceased to be higher than in most other places.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much men's and women's underwear is being exported; and whether, in view of the approach of winter, he will limit these exports in order to retain as much as possible for the public at home.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Clitheroe (Mr. Randall) on 21st November on the limitation of underwear exports for the benefit of the home market. The effect of the restriction on applications for export licences for utility underwear which was imposed on 14th July has been to reduce licences for men's and women's underwear from a rate of approximately 210,000 dozen per month to about 35,000 dozen a month. A further restriction on the approval of export licences for non-utility underwear means that practically all production since July, amounting to some 700,000 dozen per month, will be coming on to the home market. The actual exports of underwear which are still running at the rate of 240,000 dozen a month represent commitments on licences previously granted and are coming almost entirely out of pre-July production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to make a statement on the issue of clothing coupons to members of the Armed Forces to enable them to procure civilian clothing to wear off duty.

The question is still under consideration between the Board of Trade and the Service Departments; and my right hon. and learned Friend is not yet in a position to make a further statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider releasing the 30,000 poles suitable for electricity purposes to those electricity companies who are unable to extend existing supplies owing to shortage of this particular article.

It has already been agreed to release 10,000 of these poles to the Electricity Commission. The remainder is required for Post Office purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the unwarranted increase in rents for office accommodation; and whether he will consider appointing tribunals for the purpose of enforcing fair rent charges.

Our attention has been drawn to the number of cases in which increased rents are being asked for business premises. We are not satisfied by the present evidence that we should be justified in seeking the powers which would enable us to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the increasing unemployment in the linoleum industry, he will allocate an increased tonnage of linseed oil to this industry from the amount made available by the Ministry of Food for industrial purposes.

Linseed oil allocations to using industries are determined by agreement between the Departments responsible for those industries. I regret that, owing to the continuing severe shortage of linseed oil and the many claims on our limited supplies, I see no prospect of any increase being possible, in the early future, in the allocation to the linoleum industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the circulation of the "Board of Trade Journal."