asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to enable local authorities, in areas where the housing problem is acute, to enforce the vacation of housing accommodation occupied for business and storage purposes prior to 1943.

It is hardly practicable to take general action of this kind, but if my hon. Friend will let me have details of any particular cases he has in mind, I will look into them.

Is the Minister aware that many vacant residential properties were used in the early stages of the war by business firms for office and other accommodation, and that if they were so used before 1943 local authorities, in many cases, have no power to compel their vacation?

If my hon. Friend will give me instances, I will have them examined.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in an English language broadcast from Moscow, on Monday, 18th November, it was claimed that hundreds of thousands of low-priced modern houses for collective farmers, to be paid for by the owners in easy instalments over a period of five or six years, have been built in the Ukraine since the end of the war in spite of transport and production difficulties; and if he will take immediate steps to send a delegation to the U.S.S.R. to study the methods by which this programme has been achieved.

No, Sir. I am, however, having inquiries made and will communicate further with the hon. and gallant Member.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember the wholly unmerited suggestion which he made during the war that some of our great commanders in the field should be replaced by foreigners and does he not think it is about time he applied his own medicine?

I am delighted to see the enthusiasm of the party opposite for the Soviet Union.

While welcoming the unusual interest in Russia from a Member of the Opposition party, is my right hon. Friend aware that one result of a delegation from this country to Russia would be that the members of the delegation would return full of praise for the superior progress which is being made here?

They would all be shot.

asked the Minister of Health if, owing to the shortage of steel for other purposes, he will prohibit the installation of steel sinks in houses.

No, Sir. Pressed steel sinks are required in order to supplement the supply of fireclay ware. The production is however comparatively small.

Is the Minister aware that there are plenty of substitutes for even the small quantity of steel used in the manufacture of these sinks when other industries are crying out for steel?

I am very well aware of that. On the other hand, I am accused by hon. Members opposite of not providing substitutes, and when I do they complain.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the disquieting features revealed at the recent meeting of the Building Industries Congress in London, what proposals are being considered for ending black-market building practices and augmenting the building labour force engaged on permanent housing construction in the London and Greater London areas.

Steps have already been taken by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works to deal with black market activities within the London region. In addition, I am discussing with local authorities the delegation to them of power to institute proceedings under Defence Regulation 56A. Conferences with local authorities have recently been held in London with the object of securing drastic cuts in the volume of licensing and the consequent transfer of as many building workers as possible to work on permanent housing.

Is it not a fact that black market practices are increasing owing to the action of the Minister of Works in not allowing builders to pay their men a bonus under Defence Regulation 56A?

I do not see the relevance of that.

asked the Minister of Health what is the proposed cost of each of the permanent houses to be built at Wroughton, near Swindon.

The proposed cost of these houses cannot be stated as an acceptable tender has not yet been obtained.

Is it intended to proceed quickly with these badly needed houses?

I am not prepared to accept tenders which are too high.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many people who were forced to move from their home towns during the war are now finding it impossible to obtain accommodation in the towns to which they have been evacuated and that local councils are refusing to include them in their priority waiting lists for houses, so that many are separated from their families with no prospect of reunion; and whether he has any proposals for meeting this situation.

The attention of local authorities has already been directed to the need for reviewing the conditions of any residential qualification laid down for their district in the light of circumstances such as those described by my hon. Friend. If she will let me have particulars of any specific cases she has in mind, I will be glad to look into them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have already sent his Department a case of this kind where a man has to be separated because he has been evacuated and, although sympathy is expressed by the Department, it is said there can be no solution to this problem? Will my right hon. Friend make more stringent representation on the matter?

In this matter the local authorities are self-governing bodies and I cannot accept, all the while, suggestions made by the House that I should give instructions to local authorities on matters that lie within their own purview. However, I am asking them to be a little more elastic in the interpretation of their powers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue a table showing the number of permanent houses, including those to be prefabricated, separately, that each local authority is hoping to build during 1947.

I hope to be able to announce shortly a national housing programme for 1947. It will, however, be some time before each local authority's share can be estimated and it will in any event be necessary to leave some elasticity.

How is it that the right hon. Gentleman is not able to announce a national housing programme for 1946?

The fact is that we are now able to predict with a much greater certainty the supply of labour and material and, as soon as we are able to do so, I will place before the House a programme which they will be able to examine and, I am sure, applaud.

Does that apply to the programme for the completion of houses by the end of this year announced by the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Works?

I am able to announce with complete certitude that the 1947 programme will not be retrospective to 1946.

Does that mean that many local authorities have already got their plans made for 1947?

It is the fact, as was not anticipated by hon. Members opposite, that local authorities already have got more houses under contract than the building industry can build in 1947.

Can the Minister say whether it is intended to publish this statement before the end of the year?

I hope to be able to let the House know what the proposals are before the Christmas Recess, but there may be some difficulty.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider raising the figure of £1,200 which private individuals are now permitted to spend on the construction of a new house.

This, along with other relevant matters, will be considered in connection with the housing programme for 1947.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, in view' of the very considerable rise in the cost of building materials during the last nine months, and in view of the fact that, as far as local authorities are concerned, he is prepared to raise his own ceiling figures, it is an injustice, and that something should be done as soon as possible to enable private builders to build?

In the case of houses for sale in 1946, private builders have already had a disproportionate share of the houses completed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind the possibility and desirability of reducing building costs by eliminating bad distribution of materials and returning, as far as possible, to the 1938 standards of output?

I should like to have examples of bad distribution. I would remind hon. Members that distribution is now in the hands of private enterprise.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the average number of men engaged on the conversion and adaptation of existing premises during the periods October, 1945, to March, 1946, and April, 1946, to September, 1946, respectively; and the number of man-hours per new unit of family accommodation provided by this means during the same periods.

I regret that sufficiently accurate information is not available on which a reliable estimate can be based.

I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will investigate the matter. I would ask him to satisfy himself that we are getting a sufficient result from the building labour employed on this particular form of work and, having investigated it, to give an assurance that he will take the necessary action.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I are not satisfied that the existing classifications are giving us accurate returns, and we are having them amended.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the recent eviction of a family from a tied cottage in Swanmore, Hampshire, under conditions of extreme distress; and whether he proposes to take any action to bring security of tenure to rural workers.

Yes, Sir, and inquiries have been made. The general question of security for rural workers must depend on the forthcoming review of the Rent Restrictions Acts. As I have already stated, there is no prospect of early legislation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this question of tied cottages in rural areas is becoming a greater scandal month by month, with a greater number of evictions, and cannot he do something to expedite action?

I am aware that there is very great resentment at a practice which arouses general indignation, but, at the moment, we have no opportunity for further legislation.

Is the Minister aware that the absence of sufficient cottages in rural areas is a far bigger scandal?

I accept that entirely: it is a scandal of very long duration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the biggest scandal of all is his failure to build new cottages?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are more rural authorities building houses at the present time than for the last 30 years?

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has to ease the lot of those who are being refused a house by local authorities on the ground that they have not lived long enough in the district; to what office these men should apply; and if he is aware that men who have done long service in the Armed Forces are being penalised for that reason because, on account of their service, they could have had no fixed place of residence.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the general statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary of my Department on the Motion for the Adjournment on 21st November, and to Circulars 109/45 and 176/45 issued to local authorities, copies of which I am sending to him.

Is not the present position that we must all go and live where we lived in 1939? Would the Minister not agree that, in order to ease our economic problem, the correct answer is that a man must live where he works, and would the Minister draw the attention of local authorities to that fact?

I have already answered that by saying that I have called the attention of local authorities to it, but, obviously, local authorities are able to provide houses in accordance with need in these circumstances, far better than if there were only houses for sale.

If details of hardship are sent to the right hon. Gentleman, will he bring a little pressure to bear on local authorities to try and remedy such hardships?

Certainly, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend look at this question, again because it is a matter of many people going back to areas—such as West Ham —and upsetting the whole planning of the areas because they cannot get houses where they want to get them?

I realise that there are difficulties. Attempts are being made to bring about cooperation with the London authorities in order to reduce them, and discussions are now proceeding.

asked the Minister of Health when he will be able to supply the 52 aluminium houses for delivery to the Seaton Valley Urban District Council for their Park Estate site, promised originally for October, then subsequently deferred.

I anticipate that delivery will begin on or about 14th December.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will appoint a committee to inquire whether any alteration should be made in the form of birth certificate, to conceal the fact that the holder may be illegitimate or a foundling.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take action to provide an abbreviated birth certificate to establish identity and certify age without the necessity of disclosing illegitimacy and the consequent handicap through life as at present.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to make arrangements for the issue of a simplified form of birth certificate.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give consideration to the amendment of Clause 11 of the Adoption of Children Act, 1926, to provide for the issue of a short form of certificate from the Adopted Children Register, which would give only the name, sex and date of birth and contain no reference to adoption.

asked the Minister of Health if he will look into the case of adopted children who, on leaving school and applying for work, have to produce their birth certificates, which is, in most cases, the first intimation that they are not the children of those who had brought them up and had been looked upon as their parents; and whether, as this disturbs the relationship which up to then existed and that only proof of age is required, he will consider adopting some method forgoing this which will leave the relationship as heretofore.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the advisability of an alteration to the present form of birth certificate which is the cause of much unnecessary pain to young and old who happen to be illegitimately born.

I hope to introduce this Session a short Bill making it possible, as in Scotland, to issue, at a reduced fee, shortened birth certificates and also shortened extracts from the Adopted Children Register which will contain no reference to parentage or adoption.

Would not there be a tendency for someone who is legitimate to get the complete certificate to show that he is legitimate, and would not the purpose of the shortened certificate then be defeated?

I think the hon. Member, and, I hope, the whole House, will agree, when they see the nature of the Bill, that we have got round most, of those difficulties.

Will it be a United Kingdom Bill?

As I have said, this is already in operation in Scotland. It is therefore, not necessary for the Bill to apply to Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health at what date were the schemes, prepared by the Oundle and Thrapston Rural District Council for piped water supplies for 24 parishes, approved; and what progress has been made towards the completion of these schemes.

No schemes have been approved since the war. A decision on Service requirements has just been reached and I am now awaiting the submission of a detailed scheme for supplies in 13 parishes.

Is the Minister aware that 12 months ago he informed me that a scheme had been prepared; and what assistance is he prepared to give in order to see that the scheme is operated?

We always give technical assistance in these matters but my hon. Friend will realise that these are very complicated schemes and they have to be fitted in with general schemes in the area.

asked the Minister of Health what number of parishes in the area covered by the Oundle and Thrapston Rural District Council are without an efficient sewage disposal plant; and what steps are being taken to remedy the present unhealthy situation.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 34; schemes will have to proceed by instalments. I understand that a scheme for Kings Cliffe will be submitted to me shortly and that one for Warmington will follow.

Is the Minister aware that the lack of sewage disposal plant is holding up the housing programme at Kings Cliffe?

I am aware that in very many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas, there is acute need for both a piped water supply and sewerage schemes and we are doing our utmost to improve the position.

Is there any chance of the right hon. Gentleman issuing a return showing what progress is being made? He will be aware that all local authorities were asked to prepare schemes two years ago.

Yes, Sir. I certainly will consider presenting a return of the schemes that are in hand. I think they will be shown to be rather more advanced than they have been for about 20 years.

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to prevent the breakdown in hospital services threatened as a result of the action of the Willesden Council in directing that all nurses of that hospital who do not join a trade union will be dismissed.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take now to make good the deficiencies of doctors, nurses and other staff who refuse to comply with the demand of local authorities that such persons should join a trade union on pain of dismissal and to prevent a breakdown of health services.

I hope that there will be no such breakdown. I am sending a circular to local authorities pointing out that their primary duty as health authorities is to maintain the efficiency and smooth running of their health services and to ensure the welfare of the patients for whom they are responsible. All other considerations must be regarded as secondary. While I am anxious that doctors, nurses and members of similar professions should join a trade union or appropriate professional association, this is a matter which should not be determined by unilateral action of local authorities.

May I ask the Minister if we can take that as an assurance that the Government deprecate the action—which can only be described as irresponsible— of local authorities in these matters at a time when the nursing and medical professions are so short staffed?

I think that the answer I have given is sufficiently clear and we do not now want to exacerbate feelings. I certainly hope that there will not be a repetition of the incident.

Is the Minister aware that his reply will be received with immense satisfaction by everybody who has both the welfare of the health services and the welfare of the trade unions at heart, and may I ask him to do his best to see that a similar lead is given whenever the necessity arises?

In view of his last remarks, will the Minister now "debunk" for ever the arguments put forward at the last municipal elections?

That is another question altogether.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will appoint a committee to consider means whereby fully-trained midwives who have not the full nursing qualification as a State Registered Nurse can rise to the top of their profession as matrons of maternity hospitals, provided they show that they have full experience and capabilities to justify their appointment.

I propose, in agreement with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Labour, to appoint a committee to inquire into the future of the midwifery profession generally.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on his decision to allow work to be put in hand in connection with the Ennerdale Lake Water Scheme.

I am satisfied that, subject to certain safeguards, the scheme can be carried out without serious injury to agriculture or to the beauties of the scenery.

Can the Minister say whether there is any chance of the local authorities employing a landscape architect in this case, in order to safeguard, as far as possible, the amenities of this very beautiful lake?

I am not able, within the limits of a reply to a supplementary question, to inform the House of the safeguards that have been laid down in my decision, but when they are published I think my hon. Friend will find they are adequate.

Is the Minister aware that his decision to approve the Ennerdale scheme will be warmly welcomed by the people of Cumberland, and that that work is more important to the people of Cumberland than the idiosyncracies of the Friends of the Lake District?

I have had to balance the claims of the area for work with what I consider to be legitimate jealousy for the preservation of rural England.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to introduce legislation to modify the disability under Section 76 (1) of the Local Government Act, 1933, whereby members of local authorities are prohibited from discussing or voting on any questions such as housing, education or the like by reason only of being a council tenant or having a child at a council school, which affects the general interests of the ratepayers or inhabitants of the area, so as to give such members the same rights as the Section confers in the case of any service within the meaning of the Act of 1933.

I am advised that the prohibition is not so wide as is suggested by my hon. and learned Friend, and I would refer him to the proviso to Section 76 (1) of the Act. Where a disability does arise, I am empowered in certain circumstances set out in the section to remove it.

Is it not a fact that a large number of local government electors are constantly being disfranchised by preventing their representatives speaking and voting on the very matters on which they were elected?

But it is also very desirable that members of local authorities in voting upon certain matters should, be entirely above suspicion.

Has the Minister examined this matter from the point of view of its effect upon Co-operative members?

Yes, Sir. I have already examined that. I have certain powers but I also have judicial obligations, and I must carry out the intention of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Health what measures he proposes to take to increase the inspectorate of children's homes described in paragraphs 170 and 171 of the Curtis Report.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 144 of the Curtis Report and to the implied criticism of the system of inspection carried out by his Department; and what action he proposes to take to bring about an improvement.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated in his reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. S. Marshall) on 28th November, I have already strengthened the inspectorate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the extraordinarily grave criticism of his Ministry which is implied in Paragraph 144, and other paragraphs, and what steps is he taking to see that an inquiry is made into the complete failure of his Department to pay the slightest attention to the Curtis Report?

I really must suggest that the hon. Member's statement is a frivolous exaggeration of the facts.

Has the right hon. Gentleman condescended to read Paragraph 144, and if so, how can he make such a ridiculous reply?

The answer is that everybody knows that there have been instances of grave neglect of children. At the same time, there is very considerable resentment among many devoted workers that they have been smeared by the general charges made.

Is my right hon. Friend prepared to say what steps he is taking with regard to the voluntary homes, because, as I understand it, no instructions have gone out to them as yet?

That is another- issue.

asked the Minister of Health what measures he proposes to take to remove mentally defective children from the society of normal children under the care of public assistance authorities and to place them in institutions where they can receive the care and training they require.

All that is possible is being done to remove mentally defective chil- dren from mixed wards in Public Assistance institutions. The hon. Member will appreciate, however, that there are great difficulties due to shortages of staff and accommodation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are a number of uncertified children who ought to be removed to mental homes?

:

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that there is sufficient liaison between his Department and other Departments in regard to child welfare, and, if he is not so satisfied, what steps does he propose to take to establish such liaison?

I think that there is effective liaison at the present time, but the whole matter falls to be discussed soon under another head.

asked the Minister of Health what instructions he proposes to issue to the public assistance committees to ensure that children in their orphanages are not worked in the house.

I do not think that it would be in the children's interest that they should be prohibited from helping in the house, as other children do in their own homes. Their share should be light, and be undertaken at suitable times. A memorandum of advice to local authorities on this and similar matters is in preparation.

asked the Minister of Health what measures he proposes to take to ensure that all children in the care of public assistance authorities come inside the scope of the juvenile employment officers and are not placed in employment of which they disapprove.

This matter is already included in instructions issued to my inspectors, and it will be dealt with further in a memorandum which I hope shortly to issue to local authorities, jointly with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to publish his proposals for the reform of local government.

I do not think that the time is ripe for a major reform of local government.

is the Minister aware that his Parliamentary Secretary made an excellent week-end statement; does the Minister agree with that statement, and that reform is urgent; and will he consider sympathetically the need for a Royal Commission to investigate local government in all its aspects?

I always have the utmost admiration for the wisdom of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, and I do not disagree with him in this instance

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the need for reform of the rating and valuation law, and for some guidance to local authorities, he will state the intentions of the Government in the matter.

As local authorities are entitled to have some guidance in this matter, so as to know whether or not to build up the necessary technical staff, I wish to give some indication at this stage of the intentions of the Government The Government intend to introduce, as soon as Parliamentary time permits, a Bill with the object of securing greater uniformity of valuation for rating purposes. The two main proposals are to create central machinery for the valuation of property for rating purposes, and to provide a new basis of valuation of small dwelling houses by reference to prewar values.

Could my right hon. Friend give further guidance to local authorities by indicating when the Bill is likely to be published?

The question of when Bills are likely to be introduced in the House is one for the Prime Minister or the Leader of the House.

Will what the right hon. Gentleman has said apply also to Scotland?

I am not quite sure about that.

Will my right hon. Friend give favourable consideration to the abolition of the present de-rating system, which is operating so unjustly throughout the whole country?

I am afraid my hon. Friend must await the text of the Bill.

Is it intended to introduce this Bill this Session?

No, Sir, it is not.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is satisfied with the response to her circular urging the schools to make a special study of U.N.E.S.C.O. and its problems during the holding of the U.N.E.S.CO. Conference in Paris.

Yes, Sir. Such inquiries as I have been able to make show that there has been an encouraging interest on the part of local education authorities and teachers.

in view of the views expressed by Mr. Léon Blum on marriage, does the right hon. Lady think he is a fit and proper person to be President of U.N.E.S.C.O?

I can assure the hon. Member that the U.N.E.S.CO. membership is exceedingly proud to have Mr. Léon Blum.

Is he one of the right hon. Lady's boy friends?

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that no school meals have been served at Shipton Gorge School, Dorset, since 27th July, 1945; why they have been discontinued; and when they are to be served again.

The sending of dinners to this school from Bridport Grammar School had to be discontinued owing to the increased demand at the latter school. A proposal to equip the Women's Institute Hall at Burton Bradstock to supply dinners to three schools, including Shipton Gorge School, was submitted in May of this year and approved in June. There has been unfortunate delay in securing delivery of the necessary equipment, but urgent measures have been taken to deal with this.

Is it not a fact that a cooker has been on order from the Ministry of Supply for the last year and a half, and has never been delivered?

I cannot say. There is a great demand for all this kind of equipment, and for all the reasons which are known to hon. Members there is delay.

asked the Minister of Education what is the incidence of bovine tuberculosis among children under 15 years of age in the latest year for which figures are available; and what steps have been taken by her Department to secure a safe type of milk supply to schools.

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that the incidence of bovine tuberculosis among children in this country is not exactly known but is estimated to be about 2,000 new cases a year. Measures are taken by the Ministry of Food to supply schools wherever possible with heat treated or tuberculin tested milk which now constitute 92.6 per cent. of the milk drunk in grant aided and independent schools. In the 18 months ended in June, 1946, 1,420 schools had their milk supply changed over to one of these types.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the figures she has given of the incidence of bovine tuberculosis would be considered very low by the majority of authorities?

asked the Minister of Education if she is satisfied that the instructions laid down by her for the disposal of milk rendered surplus in schools owing to children being absent from school or for any other reason, are, in fact, observed.

On the information so far received, I have; no reason to doubt that the instructions are generally well observed, but a close watch is being kept by my Department in cooperation with the Ministry of Food.

Have schools to make a return to the local food officer showing what happens to surplus milk?

Yes, full records have to be kept.

asked the Minister of Education what instructions she has issued to ensure that milk not drunk by children in schools is not wasted.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to the hon. and gallant Member for Ludlow (Lieut.-Colonel Corbett) on 9th October. I am sending him a copy of the Circular referred to.

Has the right hon. Lady seen the reports in the Press about what is happening in certain schools in Wales, where milk not drunk on Monday is kept until Friday and then poured down the sink, and has she investigated these complaints?

I would ask the hon. Gentleman not to believe everything he reads in the Press.

But has the right hon. Lady investigated the complaints, and has she issued a categorical denial to the Press if they are unfounded?

If my Department or any other spent its time investigating general allegations, often made without either evidence, dates or places, they would have little time to do their ordinary work.

asked the Minister of Education why travelling expenses are not being paid for children from Southwold, Darsham, Yarmouth and Bungay, whose parents wish them to attend St. Benet's Catholic School, Beccles.

The duty of making arrangements for the provision of transport for school children is primarily one for the local education authority. I have been approached with regard to a child living at Bungay and attending St. Benet's R.C. School, Beccles, and this case is at present under investigation. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any other cases which he has in mind I will look into them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this case has been delayed for months, that many more children than one are involved, and that the Amendment which I myself put down to the Education Bill, which the then Minister accepted, was intended to provide for these cases? Is she further aware that there is interminable delay on the part of her Department?

I am sorry, but in this particular case the delay is not the fault of my Department.

It is.

There has been delay in considering the matter locally. I can give the hon. Member the facts.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the chairman of the local education authority assured me himself that it was my right hon. Friend's fault?

asked the Minister of Education if she is satisfied that the special grant of £75 made to teachers who are now in the U.S.A. is adequate to cover the rise in cost of living and other expenses to which they have been put; and what representations she has received from the teachers on this subject.

Yes, Sir. Representations were received, mainly through hon. Members, on behalf of rather more than a dozen of the teachers as to the difficulty of meeting unforeseen expenses, but my present information is that the new special grant is generally regarded as adequate.

Would not the right hon. Lady agree that it is perfectly useless to send our teachers over to America unless, while they are there, they can maintain a decent standard of living, and will she assure herself, in view of the rising costs of living in America at the present time, that this amount is sufficient?

The hon. Member must realise that every one of the teachers selected for interchange was informed beforehand that about £600 would be needed for the whole year, including the cost of return fare. The whole question was gone into very carefully with them, and they all agreed. Then they were suddenly faced with an entirely new situation; we were asked to meet it, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer very generously did meet it.

If new arrangements have been made, will the right hon. Lady tell the House what they are, because I know there is very great feeling about it?

Then the hon. Gentleman is not quite up to date. We have given a grant to meet the increased expenditure.

How much?

Seventy-five pounds.

asked the Minister of Education how many intending teachers awaiting entrance to emergency colleges are now being employed by local education authorities as temporary teachers, clerical assistants or in youth service activities.

About 4,400 emergency training candidates, who have been accepted but not yet allocated to colleges, are being employed by local education authorities in various capacities.

asked the Minister of Education whether she has in mind any revised arrangements for the administration of the training of teachers and for their allocation, when trained, to different authorities.

It is my intention to set up a central council for teachers as soon as circumstances permit. It will not, however, be practicable to settle its constitution and functions until the area organisation contemplated by the McNair Report is in being, and consideration of certain other matters, as, for example, the future of the Royal Society of Teachers, is further advanced. In the meantime, there are important questions relating to the supply, recruitment and distribution of teachers which call for very early consideration. I am accordingly proposing to assemble as soon as possible an interim committee under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, composed of persons drawn from the principal associations of local education authorities, teachers and training institutions.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that I raised this question on the Estimates, and that I confidently expected some steps would be taken? Is she aware that this apparent delay in taking steps, even to set up an interim committee under the Parliamentary Secretary, will be very disappointing to the world of education, which is expecting some drive in the conduct of its affairs?

I think that in fairness the right hon. Gentleman, who has had some experience in this matter, will know that it really has not been possible to proceed with the organisation under the McNair Report and set up a committee, until negotiations have taken place with the universities. These negotiations have taken longer than they or we expected. The universities have, of course, been overburdened with the very difficult situation they have had to meet with the return of troops and so on.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that these negotiations were started with the universities a long time ago when I was Minister and that the tempo of the discussions with the universities is far too slow if we are to implement all the Education Act? Is she also aware that there are various problems, such as the allocation of teachers to authorities and the choosing of authorities, which want a great deal of sorting out at the present time, and that a committee is wanted for that matter alone?

I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will agree that in the less unfortunate time when he was at the Ministry of Education, the universities with which he had to deal were not overwhelmed, as they have been during the time following demobilisation. It has, therefore, not been possible, nor would it have been fair, to ask the universities to set aside that work in order to get on with this job.

Have not some universities already taken steps on their own to get on with the recommendations of the McNair Report? Have not Bristol and London done something?

Certain universities have been able to do it, of course, but others have not been able to do it. These negotiations are national. The whole of the McNair Report will have to be dealt with but as a first step this committee will deal with the urgent problems which have been raised.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to retain a British Occupation Force in Japan.

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir; but it may be reduced. His Majesty's Government are anxious to reduce their military commitments throughout the world and, in view of the degree of stability already achieved in Japan under Allied occupation, they have been considering the possibility of reducing the United Kingdom element in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. As other Commonwealth Forces are involved, and the command is held by an Australian, we are at present discussing this possibility with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and India. The United States Government and General MacArthur have been informed of our proposal. I would emphasise that all that is contemplated is a partial reduction of the United Kingdom Forces, and the strength of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force elements will not be affected.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that such British troops as are left in Japan will be enabled to represent British interests properly, and also that life will be made bearable for them?