asked the Minister of Health whether agricultural cottages, built by private enterprise, count in the one in four proportion allowed against those built by the local authorities.

Yes, Sir. The one in four proportion, however, is intended as a ceiling and the average over the whole country may be less.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of new houses completed by the Erpingham Rural District Council, Norfolk; the number in course of erection; the number of empty properties requisitioned by this authority; and the number of people thereby found homes.

On the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the Monthly Housing Return. As regards the second part, 17 families have been rehoused in 16 unoccupied premises requisitioned by the Council.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to ensure that, in the provision by rural district councils of new houses for letting in rural districts, the claims of farmworkers are not overlooked in view of the importance of increasing the permanent labour force on the land.

Special subsidy is payable in respect of houses built by rural district councils for agricultural workers. I think that councils generally are alive to the very real needs of such workers.

asked the Minister of Health whether approval has been granted to the application from the L.C.C. for approval for the erection of a doctor's house on a vacant site at St. Helier Estate, Morden, at an estimated cost of £3,000.

The application is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to utilise for the building of houses the land at Coleman Avenue, in the urban district of Wednesfield, where site preparation was completed before the last war; and what has been the reason for the failure to do so until now.

The land is in private ownership. The local authority are negotiating for its acquisition for housing purposes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution, a copy of which has been sent to him, passed by the Leicestershire British Legion Council, on 2nd November, expressing concern at the slow rate of permanent house building in the city and county of Leicester; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

I have considered the resolution. As the hon. Member will see from the published returns the local authorities throughout the county have started substantial numbers of houses and every endeavour is being made to secure the labour and materials required for their completion.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there are upwards of 40 completed Airey type permanent prefabricated houses at the royal ordnance factory at Bridgwater for which delivery orders have not been received; and if he will consider offering these houses to local authorities in Somerset who may be in a position to erect them for early occupation.

My information is that there are now 12 complete sets of components for the Airey rural house in stock at the royal ordnance factory at Bridgwater. These components have been earmarked for the Rural District of Axbridge and will be delivered as soon as the local builder can take them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Report referring to the catering activities of the Crown and of theatre managements, referred to in paragraph 4 on page 6 of the First Annual Report of the Catering Wages Commission, can be made available for the information of employers and employees concerned with such catering.

The report of the Catering Wages Commission on the methods of regulating remuneration in Crown catering undertakings was published by His Majesty's Stationery Office in 1944. The Commission's report on the catering activities of theatre managements was not published, but was made available to the employers' associations and the trade union directly interested. I am arranging for a copy of the latter report to be placed in the Library. If employers and employees concerned with theatre catering desire information regarding the Commission's report they should get into touch with their appropriate organisation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of workers engaged in the catering industry, at the last convenient date, in London, Torquay, Eastbourne, Hastings, Brighton, Bexhill and Folkestone; and the approximate total number throughout the country.

The table below gives the estimated numbers of insured persons employed in the hotel, boarding house, restaurant, club, catering, etc., services at July, 1946, in the areas in question. The figures exclude part-time women who are not insurable.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered as unemployed at employment exchanges in Liverpool and Bootle, respectively, on the last available date.

At 14th October, the numbers of insured persons registered as unemployed at employment exchanges in Liverpool and Bootle were 21,254 and 2,699 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour in view of the fact that of a total working population of 20,102,000 only 6,517,900 are employed in all manufacturing industries, what major steps the Government propose to take to secure the transfer of large numbers of non-producing labour into creative industry as a preliminary step to the elimination of shortages.

I cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion that the manufacturing industries are the only creative industries. While at the end of September there were 6,845,000 persons employed in manufacturing industries—rather more than in 1939—there was over 3½ millions in the vital basic industries of agriculture, mining, public utilities and transport. The numbers employed in manufacturing for export and the home market have increased by over 3¼ millions since the end of the war, and during the last three months the average monthly increase has been about 145,000.

asked the Minister of Labour how many working days have been lost due to unofficial strikes since 1st January, 1946, to the latest available date.

On the basis of reports received in my Department, it is estimated that approximately 1,970,000 working-days were lost through stoppages of work arising out of industrial disputes during the period 1st January to 31st October, 1946. Most of the stoppages have been unofficial, but the information available does not permit a distinction to be made between these and official stoppages.

asked the Minister of Labour what alternative forms of peaceful service to the community are proposed for those who conscientiously object to compulsory military service; and if he will make a statement.

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the Bill.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will investigate the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a student of London University who has been nominated for admission to the school where he has entered upon his university studies to secure B.Sc. degree after having completed five years of work of national importance as a laboratory assistant, but who is still refused deferment; and if he will now grant deferment.

On 30th April I stated in the House that in addition to men released from the Forces young men who had undertaken three years civilian work of national importance after attaining 18 years of age and before 1st September, 1946, would, if accepted by universities as scholars or promising students, be deferred to enable them to complete their education. These arrangements referred to whole-time students at universities. The man to whom the hon. Member refers was a part-time student. After attaining the age of 18 years his calling-up was deferred for nearly four years in accordance with the practice adopted in such cases. Deferment was cancelled because his college was not able in June, 1946, to give a certificate to the effect that he was continuing to make satisfactory progress. He has since been called up and I am not prepared to ask for his release.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the fact that separate figures for each country's contribution to U.N.R.R.A. are not available, he will submit a statement to show what are the contributions made by His Majesty's Government to the various European countries embraced in the operations of U.N.R.R.A.

The United Kingdom contribution to U.N.R.R.A. so far amounts to £155 million. The sub-division of the sum between recipient countries would involve much work for both the Supply Departments and U.N.R.R.A., which would not, in my opinion, be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what alteration is contemplated in the system of Pay as you earn method to direct taxation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my replies on 22nd and 29th October to my hon. Friends the Members for Blackley (Mr. Diamond) and Spen Valley (Mr. Sharp).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount paid up to date out of public funds covering the requisitioning of property by the Fighting Services

I am collecting this in- formation and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that a cheap money policy causes hardship and injustice to persons with fixed incomes, he will state the policy of the Government with regard to this section of the public.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury under what authority private importers of tangerines into this country from the Mediterranean obtain the necessary foreign currency.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made by the President of the Board of Trade on 21st October, of which I am sending him a copy, regarding imports from certain countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many square feet of teaching and research space, respectively, have been provided, either of a temporary or of a permanent character, for all the universities in England and Wales in the 12 months ended on 31st August, 1946.

This information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many men and women, respectively, are entering the

A dear money policy, leading to inflation, would be much worse for those with fixed money incomes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the National Debt in terms per head of the population for the years 1900, 1913, 1939 and at the latest available date, respectively.

The figures are:universities of Great Britain in the academic year now starting to begin to read for a first degree; and whether he will state the comparable figures for the year 1938–39.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ascertain from the University Grants Committee the number of undergraduates entered for each university for October, 1946 and how these numbers compare with the prewar average.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present university population of this country; and how many of the students are science students.Mr. DALTON,

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in obtaining sufficient teachers to give adequate teaching when the school leaving age is raised.

As my right hon. Friend stated a week ago, it is expected that the number of teachers available for employment in primary and secondary schools as a whole will increase from 176,000 in January, 1946, to 190,000 in January, 1948, and 200,000 in January, 1949.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will now give a reply to the hon. Member for Hertford's letter of 30th September, relating to Blind-man's Lane School, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.

The hon. Member will by now have received a reply to his letter of 30th September. I am sorry for the delay.

asked the Minister of Education if facilities are available for students called up for National Service to take their higher school certificate while so engaged.

Boys normally take the higher school certificate examination before leaving school and if this means remaining at school for a few months after the age of 18, their call-up can be postponed for this purpose. Any man who may, nevertheless, wish to take the examination while serving in H.M Forces should apply for leave on personal grounds.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools are still organised as all-standard schools in the following categories: council schools, voluntary schools urban schools and rural schools.

I here were 9,662 all-age schools maintained by local education authorities in January, 1946. Of these, 3,746 were in urban areas, 1,692 being county schools and 2,054 voluntary schools. Of the 5,916 all-age schools in rural areas, 2,386 were county schools, and 3,530 were voluntary schools.

asked the Minister of Education if she will state those direct grant schools which have a junior department or junior forms; and the percentage of entrants to the senior schools last September which came from the junior section of the schools.

I am sending the hon. Member a list of those direct grant grammar schools which have a junior department. The returns made by these schools do not show the exact proportion of entrants admitted from the junior departments, but the percentage of admissions from schools other than grant aided primary schools was 39.8.

asked the Minister of Education whether appointments have been found for all students who have completed their training at the Wrexham Emergency Training College for Teachers.

None of the students at Wrexham Training College has yet completed training.

asked the Minister of Education how many inspectors of schools in Wales are employed by the Central Welsh Board; how many are employed by her Department; and whether there is full collaboration between these two inspectorial staffs.

The Central Welsh Board are concerned with the inspection of 105 grammar schools established under the Welsh Intermediate Education Act, 1889. For this they employ four inspectors, including their chief inspector, who is also chief examinations officer. The Welsh inspectorate of the Ministry of Education now consists of 42 inspectors, including the chief inspector. The two chief inspectors meet regularly and can collaborate in arranging inspection visits.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the financial hardship which has arisen in the case of teachers who have taken up temporary exchange appointments in the U.S.A.; and whether she will indicate what steps been taken to alleviate the position of these teachers.

Yes. Sir. I fully appreciate the difficulties caused to these teachers, mainly owing to the recent rise in the cost of living in the U.S.A., and arrangements have been made for a special grant to be made to each teacher through the Interchange Committee of the English-Speaking Union, which administers the scheme. I understand that similar arrangements are being made by the Secretary of State for Scotland for the Scottish teachers concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the pay and allowances granted to British teachers sent out to the U.S.A. by the British Council; and whether he is satisfied that these emoluments are such as to enable them to carry out their duties satisfactorily.

The British Council has sent no teachers to the United States of America and is in no way responsible for any British teachers who are there. If the hon. Member has in mind the English teachers who have gone to the United States of America under an exchange scheme arranged through the English-Speaking Union, I would refer him to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Deer).

asked the Minister of Education what steps are being taken by her Department to improve the meagre supply of text books to our elementary and secondary schools, which are far below the normal supply required.

I am in constant touch with my colleagues on this problem, which causes me considerable concern. I am glad to say that there has been a marked improvement in the supply of paper, publishers' regular quotas having been increased in the last 18 months from 42½ per cent. to 80 per cent. of prewar usage. From this supply publishers are of course, free to produce what books they choose, but in addition it is open to any publisher who cannot bring out an important text book merely from lack of paper to apply to the Board of Trade for an allocation from the special reserve established for such purposes. This reserve was substantially increased in July last but owing to the time lag between the licensing of paper and the publication of the books, the full effect of the increase has not yet been felt. Unfortunately accumulated arrears owing to wartime depletion of stocks remain to be overcome and further increase of production depends also on other factors such as the supply of labour, which I understand is still 24 per cent. short of prewar strength.

asked the Minister of Education how many students under the Further Education and Training Scheme who commenced their studies in September or October, 1946, have been awarded maintenance grants; how many have not received the first instalment of such awards; why none of the 14 students on electrical engineering at Rotherham Technical College had received such payment by 1st November with resulting financial embarrassment; and why she is unable to arrange for payment at the beginning of the course.

Some 18,000 awards under the Further Education and Training Scheme are current this term. It would entail a quite disproportionate expenditure of time and labour and would cause considerable and avoidable delay in the handling of applications to try to pick out the names of those students who begin their courses this term. The great majority of the instalments of maintenance grant have been paid to the students, and the remainder are very largely cases in which the applications had not been made or settled by the beginning of the term. Payments to the electrical engineering students at Rotherham Technical College have been delayed owing to the need for awaiting the receipt from the college of the notification that the students are in attendance. It is not possible always to make payments at the beginning of the term, partly because quite a lot of applications are not received and determined until after the course has been started, and partly because payments cannot be made until the institution concerned has notified the Department that the students are actually in attendance.

asked the Minister of Education if she will expedite the payment of grants to students at training colleges; and if she is aware that many of these students, because of the delay in making these grants, are experiencing financial difficulties.

I am not sure which grants my hon. Friend has in mind. I can assure him that we are doing everything we can to expedite the very large number of payments which we have to make each term to students at Training Colleges under the Further Education and Training Scheme, the Regulations for the Training of Teachers, and the Emergency Training Scheme.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the importance of knowledge of the Spanish and Portuguese languages in the promotion of British export trade in South America, special instructions will be issued to local education committees to encourage the teaching of those languages in secondary schools.

Inquiries made recently indicate that local education and school authorities are alive to the importance of encouraging a study of these languages. I do not think, therefore, that there is any need for special instructions.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities have so far decided that it shall be a condition of employment for teachers to belong to a trade union or recognised professional association.

Only one such case has come to my notice.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will make a statement on the recent discussions that she has had with the Central Welsh Board and the Federation of Education Committees.

As a result of these discussions, my right hon. Friend has appointed a working party to investigate the desirability and practicability of establishing a new central joint body for Wales and Monmouthshire in the form of a joint education committee under Part II of the First Schedule to the Education Act, 1944. The terms of reference have been indicated in Circular Wales No. 6, dated 26th November, a copy of which I am sending my hon. Friend together with a list of the members of the working party.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that the school in the village of Salcott, Essex, has been closed for a number of years, as a result of which all children are obliged to travel to school at Birch, a distance of some miles; that it is the desire of the overwhelming majority of the parents there that children between the ages of five and 11 years should receive their education in the village; and whether she will give any indication when the school at Salcott will be reopened.

The Salcott and Virley junior and infants school was formally closed with the agreement of the managers in November, 1938, and its pupils conveyed to the Birch Church of England School. Any proposal to reopen the school would require consultation with the local education authority and would involve the publication of notices in accordance with Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944.

asked the Minister of Education if she has considered the information sent, to her relating to a milk-drinking competition at a school in Exeter, which was won by a 15-years-old boy, 5 feet 10 inches in height and 11 stones in weight, who drank 12 full bottles. while several runners-up failed to manage the 12th; and whether a competition of this kind has her approval or what action she is taking against those responsible for organising it.

Careful inquiries have been made into this allegation, which first appeared in a letter to the Press. On the information available in the absence of the name of the school which the writer of the letter is unwilling to give, there is reason to think that the allegation, though exaggerated, has some basis in fact. It clearly relates, however, not to any authorised competition but to a prank which occured without the knowledge of any teacher. I am satisfied from the report I have received that the teachers in all the grant-aided schools in Exeter are fully aware of the instructions contained in a Circular, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, about preventing waste of milk, that the arrangements for milk in these schools are sound and that in fact great care is taken to prevent waste.

asked the Minister of Education whether her attention has been called to a case of corporal punishment inflicted on a little girl aged eight years by a headmaster in Tredegar recently; what was the offence of which this child was guilty; and whether such punishment is in accordance with the regulations given to headmasters.

A Tredegar headmaster was recently summoned before the local magistrates in respect of corporal punishment inflicted on an eight year old girl, and the case was dismissed. I understand that the offence was disorderly behaviour in a classroom during an interval. The local education authority are now investigating the question whether the punishment was in accordance with their regulations.

asked the Minister of Education whether in view of the fact that there are not sufficient schools and teachers and that the teaching of children under the present age limit will be prejudiced, she will consider postponing the raising of the school age.

I do not accept the hon. Member's assumptions and the answer is therefore, "No, Sir."

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of wool underclothing, so that many elderly and delicate people, who are advised to wear these garments by their doctors, are unable to purchase them; and if he will take steps to ensure an adequate supply.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Clitheroe (Mr. Randall) on 21st November and to that given to my hon. Friend the Member for Willesden (Mr. Orbach) on Tuesday last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the plans which have been devised and are about to become operative on the rehabilitation of British trade in China.

I am not clear what the hon. Member has in mind. Before formulating any such plans, I await the report of the trade mission which, as the hon. Member knows, is now in China, and which I have asked to study the question of rehabilitating our commercial enterprises in China as well as the development of our trade with China.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulty experienced by mothers of young babies in finding the number of coupons required to keep them in respectable clothes and slippers; and if he will consider making all clothing and slippers for babies coupon free until they are two years of age.

No, Sir. If infants' clothing were taken off the ration, there would be no means of ensuring fair distribution. An infant under two years is already given a generous ration. The mother receives 70 coupons for a layette, and from the date of its birth the baby receives an adult ration plus 10 supplementary coupons. In addition, infants' clothing is pointed at low rates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the policy of his Department with regard to the licensing of new periodicals; and on what principles are exceptions made to that policy.

Owing to the shortage of paper, old established periodicals are restricted generally to 40 per cent. of their prewar consumption, and new periodicals may be published only if they use not more than eight cwt, of paper in four months. An exception would be allowed to this rule only in very exceptional circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that first-class passengers on the s.s. "Oueen Elizabeth," travelling to and from New York, can purchase with English Treasury notes, shirts, stockings, underwear, etc., at the shops on the ship without having to surrender dockets or coupons; and if he will take steps to prevent this.

The number of Treasury notes British subjects are allowed to take out of the country is limited and those spent on board ship cannot be spent on the other side. I do not think I can prohibit British subjects from buying at these shops, but the major part of the sales from the shops would be for foreign currency.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of crockery ware in the homes of the people; and when more and cheaper household crockery will be on sale in the shops.

Although I am aware that the home supplies of crockery have not yet increased sufficiently to make good the wartime deficits, I am glad to say that supplies have been increasing and rose from just over 43 million pieces in July-September, 1945, to just over 52 million pieces in the same period this year. I hope this increase will be continued. Prices are being kept constantly under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to establish a working party or parties to examine and report on the distribution of consumer goods.,

I do not think this would be a suitable means of examining the many and varied problems in this large field.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the World Conference on Trade and Employment.

In accordance with the statement which my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council made in this Rouse on 15th April last, a meeting of representatives of a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, in preparation for an International Conference on Trade and Employment has recently been held in London. This preparatory meeting had originally been called at the initiative of the Government of the United States but it was subsequently decided that responsibility for it, as far as the full International Conference which was to follow it is concerned, should be assumed by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.This Preparatory Committee assembled on 15th October and its final meeting was, held on 26th November. It was attended by representatives of all the 15 countries named in the original invitation, with the exception of the U.S.S.R., which found itself unable to be represented on this occasion, and in addition by representatives of Norway, Chile and the Lebanon, which countries were added by the relevant resolution of the Economic and Social Council. As foreshadowed in the statement, the meeting of this Preparatory Committee was preceded by a meeting of representatives of the Members of the British Commonwealth. The intention is that the Preparatory Committee should hold a second session at Geneva in the Spring next year, when it is expected that detailed tariff negotiations will take place between the countries forming its members, and further consideration will be given to the recommendations on trade and employment questions which have just been under discussion in London. I should make it clear that there has as yet been no discussion of actual tariffs or preferences.I should also make it clear that, in accordance with the purpose for which it was called, this session of the Preparatory Committee, has been exploratory and educational; no attempt has been made to take decisions committing the Governments represented. In the main, the delegates were on the official or expert level, though the Delegation of the United Kingdom was led by my hon. Friend the Secretary for Overseas Trade. The main topics discussed were provisions relating to the maintenance of full employment, industrial development, commodity policy, restrictive practices; a wide field of general commercial provisions dealing among other things with state trading, quantitative restrictions, exchange control and the reduction of tariff barriers; and finally provision for the establishment of an International Trade Organisation.The recommendations as to these will be found in the full report on the proceedings which will be issued in the near future by the Secretariat of the United Nations, and copies of this report will be made available for hon. Members. I should like to take this opportunity of saying that these discussions have proved most successful in the sense that it has been possible for full consideration to be given to a wide range of subjects and for a very large measure of common thinking to emerge. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will for their part give the report their very early and close attention, and I have every hope that they will be able to approve the bulk of the recommendations as constituting a most valuable step in the task which lies ahead in the field of international employment and trade policy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that since their discharge many ex-Servicemen have inadvertently destroyed their SC/V books, production of which is necessary to enable them to draw their full entitlement of clothing coupons; that the Assistance Board area officers refuse to issue replacement forms to such men; and if he will take steps to ensure that these ex-Servicemen receive the additional clothing coupons to which they are entitled.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. and learned Member for Brighton (Mr. Marlowe) on 21st October. I have no evidence yet that the number of cases in which the "V" form has been destroyed is large. Any automatic replacement of these forms would be open to grave abuse.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that children born since the outbreak of war have been deprived of many pleasures indispensable to a happy childhood; and if he will therefore take steps to ensure an immediate increase in the supply of children's books at prices well below those at present being charged.

The demand for many classes of books at present exceeds the supply, but I am not aware of any special shortage of children's books. Books are not price controlled. While I am as anxious as my hon. Friend that supplies of children's books should be available at reasonable prices, I am not prepared, as at present advised, to extend price control to this new field.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what special schemes he has in mind for the reduction of unemployment in Aberdeen.

In addition to the allocation of a large new factory, originally intended for war production, to a firm of agricultural engineers who are now in production, five new factory extensions have been approved These schemes, when in full production, should provide work for about 1,300 people.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if a decision has been taken about the use of the factory at Swadlincote, which has been the subject of correspondence with the hon. Member for South Derbyshire since 7th January, 1946.

This factory was declared surplus and handed over to the Board of Trade for disposal on 1st November. It will be allocated to a new use as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that while service-bus firms with over 30 vehicles are getting adequate tyre replacements, smaller concerns are only receiving retreads and cast-off tyres; and if he will take steps to see that small service-bus firms get their proper share of new tyres.

I understand from the Tyre Manufacturers' Conference that all available supplies of new giant tyres are distributed as evenly as possible among all users and that no preference is given which is based on the number of vehicles owned by any one firm.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the report of the Central Price Regulation Committee into the price of radio valves will be published; and what action will be taken as a result of the report.

The report is being published today as a non-Parliamentary publication. The findings, as the hon. Member will observe when he sees them. do not disclose a case for special action to control the price of radio valves at the present time. The prices of valves will, however, be kept under review. The question of a further inquiry, which would have regard to the effects and the desirability, from the point of view of the public interest, of the practice of maintaining by agreement higher prices for valves for replacement than for valves sold to set makers will be considered when the conditions affecting the industry become more normal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will recall the locally established Buying Mission in Alexandria when the Alexandria Futures Market reopens.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to him to a similar Question on Tuesday last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will remove the restrictions which prevent Egyptian cotton being shipped under the shippers' individual marks and against their own types, in order to restore the previous responsibility attaching to the classification and preparation of Egyptian cotton for export.

the present system under which purchases and shipments are made under Egyptian Government types has so far been found satisfactory and there is no present intention to make any change. The question of shippers' individual marks will, however, no doubt be considered by the Raw Cotton Commission when established.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage of food and raw materials and their value that Britain must import to maintain the 1938 standard of living.

The increase in imports of materials needed to enable us to produce 75 per cent. more exports than in 1938 is of the same order of magnitude as the decline in food imports resulting from the increase in home agricultural production. Probably, therefore, the same volume of retained imports of food and materials would be required now as in 1938 to maintain the 1938 standard, of living. For goods classed as food, drink and tobacco and raw materials, retained imports in 1938 were valued at £635 million; at present day prices, the value-would be rather more than £1,300 million.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the latest position concerning the export of 44,000 spindles to India from a Hollingwood mill.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to machinery from the Rose Mill, Hollinwood. Two applications for licences to export machinery from this mill are at present under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has refused to allow the reopening of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange, although he has allowed the rubber market to resume free and futures dealings.

The circumstances in which the Government decided to restore private trade in rubber were fully set out in the statement which was made after Questions on 4th November. The reasons for the decision to retain centralised purchase of raw cotton were similarly given in a statement which I made on 18th March, and in the speeches of my right hon. Friends, the Lord President of the Council and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 28th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when permission will be granted to import Italian marble suitable for gravestones; and whether he is aware that lack of this material is giving concern to a considerable number of people.

Imports of limited quantities of Italian marble are now being licensed for monuments and similar purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Government officials will be dispensed with as a result of the freeing of control in the rubber market; and what will be the annual saving resulting therefrom.

The cessation of Government purchase and resale of rubber will in due course release a total of 16 officers with salaries amounting to £9,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why his local fuel officer declined a request for an extra allowance of fuel to the flood victims of the city of Salford when requested to do so by the municipal authority, but agreed to an extra four cwts. of fuel being granted to every house which had been flooded when approached for an extra allowance by a deputation from the Salford Flood Victims Association.

I am informed that no such request was made by the municipal authority and none was necessary owing to the immediate action to meet the situation taken by the local fuel overseer with the full cooperation of the municipal authorities, the coal merchants and my regional officers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what percentage of the allocation of domestic coal was supplied to Hull in the first six months of the coal year; and what percentage of their allocation was supplied to the Hull Co-operative Society, Messrs. Risdale and Walkers and the other merchants, respectively.

During the first six months of the coal year 1946–47 domestic supplies to the Hull district amounted to 93.6 per cent. of its allocation. The corresponding percentages for the Hull Co-operative Society, Messrs. Ridsdale and Walkers, and the other merchants were respectively 96.49 per cent., 94.12 per cent. and 92.89 per cent.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether members of the National Coal Board and the Divisional Coal Boards are permitted to take an active part in party politics.

Except for the disqualification set out in Section 2 (4) of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act which debars a member of the Board from being a member of this House, there is no statutory provision to prevent a member of the National Coal Board, or of its Divisional Boards and other staff from taking an active part in politics. I understand that the Board have not yet considered their general attitude on this subject.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of the coal available to consumers is unwashed; whether this proportion is greater than a year ago; and to what extent the difference represents the increase in coal production.

In 1945 the proportion of mechanically cleaned coal was more not less than in 1944, viz., 47.4 per cent. compared with 45.8 per cent., but this would not affect appreciably the figures for total output for the two years. The 1946 figures are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why increased supplies of petrol are not obtained from sources not involving dollar expenditure.

At the present moment, the only sources from which we can purchase the amount by which the sterling area's requirements of petrol are in excess of what is available from British controlled sources—and which can therefore be bought for sterling—are dollar sources. All other production is absorbed locally.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what instructions have been issued to retailers of petrol concerning the loss by his Department of 189,350 petrol units, representing 752,500 gallons of petrol; and if retailers have been asked to scrutinise units presented.

I presume that the hon. Member is, referring to the recent theft of coupons from the Cardiff Regional Petroleum Office. Full particulars of these coupons have already been circulated to the police and Petroleum Board regional checking offices throughout the country. Retailers are being warned that these coupons are not valid for supplies of petrol, and asked to note the number of any car or vehicle used by the person or persons presenting the coupons and to advise the police immediately. A special check is also being made by the Petroleum Board for any coupons which might he accepted by retailers and surrendered to the Board against replenishment.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the conditions under which certain members of the staff in the Department of the Official Receivers in Companies Liquidation are working at Columbia House, Aldwych, where for two-and-half years the windows have been without glass, two doors blown off and left unrepaired, and where lack of storage space for fuel often means lack of adequate central heating for several days during the winter months and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation which is undermining the health of the staff.

Yes, Sir. This building is held partly on requisition and partly on monthly tenancy and the landlords are responsible for heating and maintenance. After considerable negotiation with the landlords repair of the windows is now in hand and should be completed in about a fortnight. I understand that there are no doors needing attention. The heating installation has been repaired and should now be satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the provision of electricity in a large number of cottages in Norfolk, particularly in the area of the Smallburgh Rural District Council, is being held up owing to the non-availability of works licences from the regional and local authorities; and if he will, in conjunction with the supply Departments, take the steps necessary to put the local authorities in a position to grant the licences referred to.

Yes, Sir. The licences cannot at present be given because the supply of approved electrical fittings is insufficient to provide for the requirements of buildings already occupied. As I informed the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. D. Marshall) on 18th November in reply to a similar Question, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply is doing all he can to increase production so that such demands may be met.

asked the Minister without Portfolio when it is intended to publish a report on the health of the fighting services during the last war.

I have been asked to reply. The health of the three Services will be fully dealt with in the Medical Sections of the Official History of the War, but it will be some considerable time before this appears. As my hon. Friend was informed on 23rd July a report on Army health statistics for the years 1943–1945 is being prepared and will I hope appear shortly, but I cannot give a definite date. Records for the earlier years of the war are, largely as a result of enemy action, too incomplete for publication in this form. The annual health reports for the Royal Air Force for 1940 and 1941 are being printed, that for 1942 is nearly complete and those for 1943, 1944 and 1945 will be ready for printing next summer.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he has under consideration, after consultation with the Service Departments, any scheme having for its object the necessary inducements to encourage men and women of the British and Dominion forces who deserted during the war period to give themselves up and thus become eligible for employment, etc.

The problem of deserters from the Forces is one that is kept continually under review, and suggestions on the lines of that in the Question are among those being examined. There is, however, nothing further than I can say at present. Any action regarding deserters from Dominion Forces is a matter for the Dominion Government concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War why £4,700 was spent on conversion of Lone Palm holiday camp, at Sidi Bishr, in April and May last; how much has been spent in conversion or improvements since that date; and how long it is proposed to maintain this camp.

When we left Lebanon we lost the use of the leave camp at Beyrout. Sidi Bishr was the camp most readily available and suitable and it was therefore converted for the sum mentioned, which was drawn from E.F.I. funds. There has been no further expenditure on construction or conversion. The camp closed on 16th November after about 10,000 men on leave had passed through. I am satisfied that the expenditure was reasonable for the valuable facilities for rest and relaxation which resulted.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will expedite the passage to the United Kingdom of T/7402700 Corporal A. Chitticks, 247, Motor Boat Company, R.A.S.C., C.M.F., who has been serving overseas for more than four years and was due for release last July, together with that of his Italian-horn wife, facilities for whose journey, in company with her husband, have been delayed.

I have called for a report from C.M.F. and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has been reached about the provision of officers for the Territorial Army.

I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind primarily the provision of commanders, commanding officers and staffs. The position is as follows. I hope to make a further statement shortly as to the provision of regimental officers.DIVISIONAL COMMANDERS.Normally, a Territorial division will be commanded by the district commander (major-general) in whose district the headquarters of the Territorial Army division is situated. The district commanders concerned commanded divisions in the war. District commanders, who are also to command Territorial divisions, will in future, as the appointments become vacant, be selected primarily as divisional commanders. Two divisions, with headquarters in London, will be commanded by major-generals who are not also district commanders. These officers have been specially selected for these appointments.BRIGADE AND SIMILAR COMMANDERS.The intention is, whenever suitable officers are available and willing to accept the appointments, to appoint Territorial Army or other non-Regular officers as commanders of Territorial Army Armoured, Infantry and Anti-Aircraft brigades, and as commanders, Royal Artillery, commanders, Army Group Royal Artillery and commanders, Army Group Royal Engineers. A number of officers have been provisionally earmarked as suitable for these appointments. In most cases, these officers held similar commands in the war with success, and are between the ages of 40 and 52. They are now being approached to find out whether they are willing to be appointed. A few rather younger non-Regular officers with particularly distinguished war records may also be approached. It is expected, however, that the total number of non-Regular officers who will be in a position to accept these responsibilities will be very considerably short of the number required and it is intended to fill all remaining appointments with Regular officers. A number have already been earmarked so that they can be appointed without loss of time when the number of vacancies is known. They have been drawn from the same field as are officers for similar appointments in the Regular Army. Many of them held Brigade or similar commands during the war.

asked the Minister of Transport if the Government will assume liability for the guarantee by the main line railway companies of interest on Metropolitan Assented Stock.

As I have previously explained to the hon. Member, this stock is not a security which is being acquired, and no question of a Government guarantee arises. But as the hon. Member will see from the terms of the Bill, the liability of the main line companies in relation to it will be transferred to the British Transport Commission.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield, Park, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, what loss of income the Church Estates Commissioners estimate they will suffer if the nationalisation of the railways is carried out on the basis announced by the Minister of Transport; and how this will affect the income of the clergy.

The Ecclesiastical Commissioners estimate that the loss to their common fund, if their holdings of railway and kindred securities are exchanged on the lines proposed for Government 2½ per cent. Stock issued at par, will be about £105,800 a year. In addition the income from trust holdings will be reduced by £29,300 a year.As Queen Anne's Bounty will also suffer losses estimated at £50,000 and £17,000 per annum to their corporate fund and trust funds respectively, the incomes of the clergy will be affected both in particular cases to an aggregate of over £46,000 per annum by the reduction of income from endowments coupled with the diminished ability of the Commissioners to compensate them and generally by the reduction, aggregating nearly £156,000 a year, in the resources available for grants to raise the incomes of the clergy most in need of assistance.