asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps His Majesty's Government are taking to keep the public in this country informed about the work of U.N.O.

The United Nations itself has a Department of Public Information, which bears the main responsibility for publicity throughout the world about the activities of the United Nations, and maintains a Public Information Service in London, which releases authoritative material about the work of the United Nations. His Majesty's Government are at present considering what further steps might be taken to supplement this service.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what conditions were attached when the 15,000 prisoners of war captured by British troops were transferred to the Belgian authorities; and, in particular, whether it was laid down that they should not be used as slave labour.

The transfer of enemy prisoners of war to Belgian custody was made between Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force and the Belgian Provisional Government under conditions, the full text of which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. It will be seen from this text that the first condition was that the Belgian Government should in all respects observe the provisions of the Geneva Convention. The answer to the second part of the Question is that adequate safeguard against the use of prisoners of war as slave labour is provided by the condition to which I have just referred.

Following are the conditions: ( a ) That in the treatment of prisoners of war transferred to its custody, the Belgian Government will observe in all respects the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war. ( b ) That the Belgian Government will extend to the representatives of the International Red Cross the rights of visitation, 379 access, and interview identical with those provided for representatives of the protecting Power in Article 86 of the Geneva Convention. ( c ) That the Belgian Government, upon the request of the United States Government or of the British Government, or of this headquarters, will give every facility to United States or British representatives to interrogate any of the transferred personnel who may be wanted in connexion with war crimes or atrocities, either as witnesses or accused. ( d ) That the Belgian Government shall, in accordance with the terms of the Geneva Convention and at the earliest possible date, render the necessary notifications of the prisoners of war transferred to its custody. ( e ) That the Belgian Government, upon request of the United States Government, the British Government or of this headquarters will return to British or United States custody, those prisoners of war whose last competent recruiting office lies within the Russian zone of occupation. ( f ) In cases where any prisoners of war or members of German disarmed forces, who fall within the category of War Criminals or other categories of wanted German personnel, or whose retention is desired on security grounds, have been released or transferred to Belgian custody they shall be returned upon demand.

asked the Minister of Food why local food offices insist upon a declaration of change of address from persons wishing to register for milk only away from their homes; and why the date of birth is required in such cases.

People who receive permission to register for milk only away from their homes need not declare a change of address nor give their date of birth. I am afraid the hon. Member was misinformed by one of my officers and I apologise.

asked the Minister of Food why, in announcements in the Press by his Department concerning the transfer of milk registration, the cooperative society are specifically mentioned and not other milk distributors.

It is necessary to mention cooperative societies as well as private traders in the advertisements issued when a retail dairy changes hands, in order to tell consumers how registrations may be transferred.

asked the Minister of Food why the application of the Hoddesdon Evening Townswomen's Guild for a catering licence has been disallowed by the divisional food office.

Unfortunately, we cannot give catering licences without limit. This Guild, which meets for 2¼ hours once a month, does not qualify for a licence.

asked the Minister of Food what is the average price per ton given for English and Argentine wheat, respectively; and what are the average weekly agricultural wages in both cases.

The grower's fixed price for United Kingdom millable wheat will average about £14 18s. per ton this season. The acreage payment works out at another £2 6s. 8d. per ton. The price to be paid to the grower in Argentina represents about £12 15s. per ton. The national minimum wage for male agricultural workers in England and Wales is 80s. per week; I have no, information about agricultural wages in Argentina.

asked the Minister of Food what weight of fresh fish per month is at present being allocated to deep freeze plants; what quantity of frozen fish is in store on his Department's account; and what quantity is being held by private firms.

During October and November, about 100 tons of white fish per month and about 400 tons of herrings were allocated to quick freezing plants. I am not prepared to give information about stocks.

asked the Minister of Food how much milk and other food has deteriorated or has been wasted in a storage warehouse in Newport recently, of which details have been sent him by the Monmouthshire Housewives' League.

One hundred and four and a half cases of imported canned milk were found to be damaged on arrival at a Newport store, probably through overheating on the voyage. The contents of 90 of the cases have been used in various ways and only 14½ destroyed.

asked the Minister of Food in regard to the scheme for sending gift parcels of food to individuals in foreign countries, if he is aware that, by reason of the regulation that such gift parcels before being accepted by the Post Office must be stamped by the local food office, country dwellers have to travel as much as 30 miles to the nearest food office each time they wish to send such a gift parcel; and what measures he proposes to take to remove this hardship.

I sympathise with the country dwellers, but this procedure is necessary to make sure that the goods in gift parcels are in fact rationed foods.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the closing of schools and industrial canteens during Christmas week, he will authorise an in-creased supply of milk to general consumers for that week.

This is one of the things which has made it possible to increase the non-priority milk allowance to 2½ pints a week on 22nd December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the recent increase in the traffic in worn-out horses from Malta to Tunis, ostensibly for slaughter; and what steps are taken to ensure that these animals are humanely killed and not subsequently used for bull-fighting at Algeciras, or other places in Spain or Spanish Morocco.

I have no information on this subject but am making inquiries. I will communicate further with the hon. and gallant Member when I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Arabs have been found guilty of carrying arms in Palestine this year, sentenced to death and actually hanged; how many Jews have been found guilty for the same offence during the same period and how many have been actually hanged; and what are the comparable figures for 1936–39.

I am asking the High Commissioner for Palestine to let me have the figures required and I shall communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any funds have been granted to employes from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund for the housing of employees; and whether he is aware that the Inter-Colonial Labour Conference, held in British Guiana in June, 1946, resolved that assistance of this nature should be granted directly to householders.

Yes, Sir, a grant of £100,000 was made to the Government of Jamaica for an island-wide scheme of housing development under which it would be possible to give subsidies to employers desiring to improve housing for their labour. I am aware of the recommendations of the conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to deal with the housing shortage in urban areas of British Malaya.

Adequate building is hindered by lack of materials and high costs, but a Committee has been appointed in the Malayan Union to examine and report as soon as possible on the nature and extent of the housing problem and, among other measures for its solution, will consider urgently a scheme for a model housing estate in Kuala Lumpur. In addition, the Public Works Department have already made considerable progress in building several hundred houses for Government officers of all ranks and races. For reasons of finance and labour supply the Government of Singapore cannot immediately resume the large scale prewar housing programme, but some minor works are planned for the coming financial year. The programme of releasing houses from requisition is being expedited as alternative temporary accommodation is provided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when he anticipates that it will be possible to make arrangements for the improvement of the scale of naval pensions so as to bring it into line with the increased cost of living in recent years.

A new code of pensions was introduced with effect from 19th December, 1945. This new Code takes into account factors such as the current cost of living. Naval pensioners not entitled to new Code terms may receive substantial increases of pension under conditions similar to those of the Pensions Increase Act, and any improvements made in the new Pensions Increase Bill will apply also to Naval pensioners.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that only 20 per cent. of the artificer apprentices recommended for promotion to cadet (E) by M.T.Es. and local boards have been accepted this year; what were the reasons for this small number; and whether he will take steps to increase the numbers promoted in the future.

Yes, Sir. The reason for the small number accepted this year was that the remaining candidates were not considered at the time to possess sufficiently outstanding qualities. An artificer apprentice, however, who fails to be selected for a cadetship may still attain commissioned rank at a later age, either through the "Upper Yardmen" scheme of promotion or through warrant rank. The percentage for this year is lower than it has been for some time, and my noble Friend will pay close attention to this feature when the next selections are made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many landings and takings-off of aircraft have there been from Ford aerodrome between the hours of 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. between 1st November and 10th December; and for what purposes were the aircraft being flown.

There were 220 take offs and 220 landings by Service aircraft engaged on night flying and night landing training at this air station between these dates, and four by aircraft of a civil company. With the exception, however, of two take-offs and two landings by the latter, these were all before midnight.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will authorise British suppliers of goods and equipment to H.M.S. "Vanguard" for Their Majesties' visit to South Africa to advertise that fact.

I am willing to consider any applications which firms who have supplied goods and equipment to H.M.S. "Vanguard" may make to the Admiralty on this subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the eligibility of R.N.R. and R.N.V.R. officers to civil and other appointments such as area officers of Sea Cadet Corps for which R.N. officers only are eligible at the moment.

Area officers of the Sea Cadet Corps hold normal naval appointments and are on full pay and allowances. The area officers are at present serving R.N.V.R. officers but only R.N. officers will be appointed as reliefs since they are full-time appointments and it is consequently essential to have officers serving in them who can continue to serve after the end of the Emergency when all R.N.R. and R.N.V.R. officers will have been demobilised.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that at Millbrook Lake, in the cove adjoining the South Down Social Club, there have been beached seven or more rat-infested barges; that these barges spoil the amenities, since rats are operating on shore; and if he will either remove the barges to a ship-breaking yard or sink them.

Millbrook locality has been used as a dump for various small condemned and unseaworthy naval craft for just over three years. The present group of craft were deposited there in December, 1944, and are securely moored below high water mark. Most of them are sunk deep in the mud, and all except two are covered at high water. The craft are visited weekly by dockyard representatives to ensure there is no risk of them breaking adrift. No rats have been seen during these visits, and no complaints of rats have been received. The craft are completely derelict, and it would not be economical to have them broken up.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many W.R.N.S. are at present stationed in London and for what duties; and when he expects to derequisition 7, Embankment Gardens, Chelsea.

At present 265 W.R.N.S. are retained in London. They consist of general administrative and clerical staff at the W.R.N.S. headquarters, in certain departments of the Admiralty, and in the Combined Operations Headquarters, together with the domestic staffs at the necessary living quarters. Substantial reductions are, of course, in progress. All W.R.N.S. personnel have now been removed from No. 7, Embankment Gardens, and the property will be derequisitioned by 31st December, 1946.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many citizens of Eire who are not in possession of residence permits are employed in a civilian capacity by the naval authorities in Northern Ireland.

Fifty-six, Sir.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what is the estimated size of the public listening to the Third Programme; and what steps have been taken to enable it to be heard throughout Britain.

The B.B.C. estimate that the average audience for the Third Programme is about two thirds of a million; on peak occasions it may reach two million. The B.B.C. are considering what steps can be taken to improve the coverage.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what reports have been submitted to him during this year by the Television Advisory Committee.

The first report of the Television Advisory Committee was rendered in February last to the Minister of Information, who was at that time responsible for Broadcasting matters. My noble Friend has since received two further reports from the Committee, in July and in December.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when the next television station is to be opened and in what town.

As announced by my noble Friend in opening the London television service in June of this year and as recommended by the Hankey Committee, it is proposed that the next Television Station should be opened in Birmingham. I regret that no forecast of the date of opening can be made as yet, but it is unlikely to be earlier than two years hence.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what technical progress he has to report on the television services; and how often the Technical Sub-Committee has met since 1st January, 1946.

Before public transmissions recommenced, improvements in the apparatus were introduced to give a better quality of picture. The Post Office Engineering Department is developing means of relaying transmissions to the provinces by coaxial cable and radio links. The Television Advisory Committee investigates proposals for technical improvements put forward by the radio industry. The Sub-Committee has met twice since 1st January, but technical questions are also considered by the full Committee, which has met 16 times this year.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why tiny pieces of wedding cake sent abroad by newly-married couples have been confiscated; and by whom.

Pieces of wedding cake addressed to those countries which require tin boxes to be used are withdrawn by my Department if tin boxes are not used and the senders are unknown.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will reinstate, during 1947, the evening letterbox attached to omnibuses from districts adjoining large provincial towns, in view of their usefulness in enabling people to answer correspondence after the day's work in time to catch the night mail.

If the hon. Member will furnish particulars of any cases he has in mind, I will look into them but, generally speaking, the facility is open to a number of objections and is only used if a satisfactory service cannot be provided in other ways.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he has taken to provide for the training of the R.A.F. Regiment in training areas now used by the War Department.

My Department and the War Office have been trying to make arrangements for the joint use of training areas by the Army and the R.A.F. Regiment. We have found it possible to arrange for the Regiment to use an Army anti-aircraft range in Somerset. Unfortunately, however, there are at present no other Army training areas in this country that could be used for the Regiment. My Department has, therefore, to take over from the War Office the training area at Spaunton Moor, which is, I think, the district in which the hon. Member is particularly interested.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what protests he has received from the Blyth Town Council and Whitley Bay Urban Council concerning the proposed use of part of Blyth Bay, opposite Marine View, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland; and whether he will review the matter with a view to the selection of a place less frequented by the general public.

Both councils have protested against out proposal to use this part of Blyth Bay as a range for practice bombing on the grounds that the amenities of the district will suffer and that people will be inconvenienced. I am bringing these protests to the notice of the Service Land Requirements Committee who will shortly be considering our proposal. I should add that a careful survey showed no alternative to the site in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in the interests of general efficiency and economy, he will give facilities to former R.A.F. men now employed on civil air lines to attend R.A.F. technical training institutions.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his suggestion, which I am considering in consultation with my noble Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation. I am in favour of pooling where-ever it is possible, but among the difficulties in this case are the shortage of instructors in the R.A.F., and the fact that the training is not the same in both cases. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I have reached a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the importance of making the best possible use of grass for feeding purposes, he will consider granting licences for the installation of grass-drying plants on land under his control and also provide facilities for the leasing of empty sheds for storage purposes.

We have already granted about 30 licences for grass drying and are willing to consider further applications. Storage space is arranged wherever possible. I hope that the acreage for which licences are granted will be greatly extended during 1947.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many wives of airmen are still waiting to join their husbands in East and Central Africa; and what steps he is taking to make additional suitable accommodation available there for airmen's families.

Ninety-nine airmen's families are waiting to go out to Southern Rhodesia and 36 to East Africa. About 30 families should be going out in the next six weeks. We hope to build married quarters next year. In Southern Rhodesia we are also looking for suitable accommodation which can be leased.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that no groups are being released in the meteorological assistance trade in the W.A.A.F. during November and December; that their release rate compares unfavourably with that of the W.A.A.F. as a whole; and whether the Meteorological Office is going to continue to be worked by the W.A.A.F., or whether it is going to become a civilian establishment as in prewar days.

The general level of release for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force was Group 50 in November and Group 51 in December. Airwomen meteorologists in Group 50 were released in November and this trade was, therefore, up to the general level in that month. In December the trade will be one group behind the general level, since no airwomen meteorologists can be released this month. As for the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield on 3rd April, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied with the living conditions in Unit No. 2, R.S. and B.U., S.E.A.A.F., in the Singapore area; and if he is aware that the best house on the camp, hitherto used for living accommodation for the men, has been taken over as a workshop and the men transferred to a rat-ridden outhouse.

As a result of the Japanese occupation, living conditions at many stations in Singapore are not up to the standard we should like, and improvements are being carried out as quickly as possible. Thirty men were temporarily housed in a workshop but had to be moved to barracks when the building was needed for its original purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that an order has been issued by No. 4 Group of the R.A.F. to the effect that Sunday flying for A.T.C. cadets is to be discontinued until further notice; and, since Sunday is the only day available for working cadets, what action does he propose to take in the matter.

I am unaware of an order having been issued by No. 4 Group to this effect. I am afraid, however, that Transport Command may have to issue such an order in the near future in order to avoid ground airmen having to work seven days a week. In the meantime, I understand that No. 4 Group stations are giving A.T.C. cadets the maximum amount of flying of which the stations are capable.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many British aircraft were diverted from British or Irish air landing grounds to Prestwick during the week ended 14th December.

Twenty-one, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is. now the stage of progress with regard to consideration of the recommendations of the Pakenham Committee to develop Langstone Harbour as a flying-boat base; and when he expects to make an announcement on the final decision, to enable the preliminary work of development to commence.

The report of the Pakenham Committee is still under examination in consultation with the Government Departments concerned and until that examination is completed, I regret that I cannot add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 27th November last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the reason for the grounding of the Vickers Viking by B.E.A.C; whether these aircraft conform to the regulations of airworthiness in all countries; and when it is expected that they will fly again.

The building up of ice in certain forms on the tail surfaces resulted in an unusual adverse effect on the aerodynamic stability of the machine. On the advice of the Air Registration Board, therefore, the Certificate of Airworthiness has been restricted to operation in non-icing conditions. As the British European Airways Corporation consider it impossible to operate under this restriction in European weather conditions with sufficient regularity they have suspended the use of the Viking on regular services until the reported defect has been fully investigated and remedial action taken. Foreign countries accept or validate British Certificates of Airworthiness, and all those concerned have been informed of the temporary restriction imposed in this case. Urgent action is being taken but pending the outcome of the aerodynamic investigation now proceeding, it is not possible to forecast when the Viking will go back on service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation which airfields in the United Kingdom are of sufficient size to allow for a safe landing and take off for the Brabazon I; which airfields in the U.S.A. meet these requirements; and whether there are any other airfields between the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. available for an emergency landing of an aircraft of this size.

The precise performance characteristics of the Brabazon I cannot be determined until the aircraft has flown, but the aerodrome facilities that it will require on the North Atlantic route are being examined in the light of the estimated performance figures at present available. In the United Kingdom, however, London Airport and Filton aerodrome will be of sufficient size and strength, and others may be available by the time the aircraft operates. In the United States my information is that the new airfield, Idlewild, at New York will be adequate, and others may be available. The general question of the size and strength of airfields in the North Atlantic area is being studied by the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organisation in the light of future types of aircraft and their performance characteristics and I hope these deliberations will result in a comprehensive plan for the area covering all types of aircraft operating the route.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when it is anticipated a civil airport will be in operation in North-East England.

It is hoped that the necessary ground facilities and radio aids will be available to enable scheduled services to operate to North-East England by the middle of 1947.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when the installation of F.I.D.O. at Heathrow was abandoned; how many runways had at that time been fitted out with F.I.D.O.; and what, up to then, had been the cost of the installation.

The decision to cease work on the F.I.D.O. installation at Heathrow was made on 1st November, 1945. The plans then provided for its operation on No. 1 runway only. As to the last part of the Question about £250,000 had been spent up to the time of abandonment, but after satisfying outstanding contractors claims, a total expenditure of about £400,000 was involved

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many passengers have been carried to and from this country during 1946 to date in British-owned aircraft.

Between 1st January and 30th November, 1946, the number of passengers carried between the United Kingdom and places abroad, on aircraft registered in the United Kingdom, was about 163,000. of which total, 83,000 were inward and 80,000 were outward passengers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what land air service is to operate from the United Kingdom to East and South Africa and Portuguese East Africa in place of the flying boat service; and whether he will consider arranging for the flying boat bases to be available for flying boat services which may wish to operate from British countries on the routes previously flown by Imperial Airways.

A landplane service from the United Kingdom to East and South Africa has been in operation since November, 1945. It is at present flown four times a weak with York aircraft by British Overseas Airways Corporation and South African Airways in partnership. South African Airways supplement the service with a Skymaster flight every ten days. The frequency of the York service will shortly be increased to six times a week. Portuguese East Africa and places in British East Africa hitherto served by the "C" class flying boats will be linked up with the landplane service by appropriate feeder services. As regards the second part of the Question, this matter is being considered in connection with the possibility now under consideration of establishing a new service on the South Africa route in due course with improved flying boats. On the other routes previously operated by Imperial Airways, the hon. Member is no doubt aware that British Overseas Airways Corporation are operating regular flying boat services along the routes to Egypt, India, Burma, Malaya, Hong Kong and Australia and for these the existing flying boat bases continue to be available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why his Department has permitted such a deterioration in the navigational aids at many of the aerodromes in Great Britain compared with the position at the end of the war, and in particular why, at Renfrew, the S.B.A. System, promised within two months by his Department on 29th May, is still not in operation.

My noble Friend is satisfied that far from there having been deterioration in the navigational aids available on civil airfields in Great Britain, British airfields are on the whole already equipped in this respect to a higher standard than obtains elsewhere; further progress will be practicable as soon as Provisional International Civil Aviation Organisation standardisation is agreed. As regards the installation of the Standard Beam Approach System at Renfrew, delay has been experienced in siting this equipment in a position in which the beam would be unaffected by surrounding obstructions, but this has recently been achieved and the system will be made available when negotiations for the necessary land have been completed.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, in view of the fact that provisions for U.S. and British forces in Germany are paid for and imported into Germany by the U.S. and British Governments, he will press for an arrangement whereby this burden on the two Governments could be greatly decreased by all occupation forces being similarly provided for, leaving local food supplies available for the German people.

I should welcome such an arrangement; but unless it were accompanied by an agreement to pool the food resources of Germany as a whole, the cost of occupation of the British and United States zones would not be reduced.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many men and how many women are employed in the postal censorship of private correspondence in the British zone in Germany.

There are 979 men and 1,021 women employed on this work.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with regard to the Hamburg project, how many of the daily average, from 20th October to 19th November, 1946, of 2,500 workers engaged on rehousing for Germans and of the 1,400 employed in providing alternative office accommodation for Germans, were engaged in making good accommodation demolished or taken over for the Hamburg project.

None of these workers was engaged on making good accommodation for the Hamburg Project. All were employed, outside the Project area, in providing alternative housing and office accommodation for the German population.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what date the Hamburg project was decided upon; when work was first commenced; and on what date did the first consultations take place on the suitability of the project between military government and responsible leading residents of Hamburg.

Approval in principle was" conveyed to the British Commander-in-Chief in Germany on 3rd May this year; work on clearing the site began on 1st July. Informal discussions were held with the Burgomaster of Hamburg and 'other German officials on 26th April, detailed discussions on 22nd and 24th May.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the name and qualifications of the editor of the "Intelligence Review" of the Control Commission for Germany, British Element; his remuneration and the instructions under which he works; and if he will make arrangements for a copy of this publication to be placed regularly in the Library of the House of Commons for the scrutiny of Members.

The "Intelligence Review" is prepared under the direction of the Chief of the Intelligence Division for the use of the Intelligence Staff and of certain other members of the Control Commission for Germany, British Element. The "Review" is a confidential document and cannot be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he approved the preface to an article headed Auschwitz, in the November issue of the "Intelligence Review," circulated in the British zone of Germany, in view of the expression of racial hatred contained therein.

No, Sir. I certainly disapprove of the opinion expressed in the passage to which my hon. Friend refers and suitable action is in hand.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures of currency reform he proposes to introduce in the British zone of Germany.

The treatment of German currency is a question which affects Germany as a whole and not merely the British zone. It is now being considered by the Quadripartite Authorities in Berlin, and I cannot make any statement at the present stage.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will revise the system of taxation in the British zone of Germany, in order that the burden of taxation may be more equitably distributed.

Taxation is imposed by quadripartite agreement in Berlin, and the same rates of tax, both direct and indirect, are in force in all zones. The tax reforms introduced earlier this year include a considerable steepening of the graduation of income tax and I can assure my hon. Friend that the importance of equity in these rates was very fully considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will, in view of the manpower shortage in this country, arrange to recall all those British drivers in Germany whose duties could be undertaken by the employment of local labour

Yes, Sir; in pursuance of this principle the number of British drivers has already been reduced to 15 per cent. of the total and I am hopeful of reducing this still further. A reliable nucleus of British drivers will, however, still be required, for security reasons, for the conveyance of senior officers and the transport of food and equipment.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at what price is the Volkswagen motorcar sold to German nationals and foreign countries.

The Volkswagen is sold to Germans at a price of R.M.5,000 It is not at present being sold for export to foreign countries, but can be bought by Allied missions for use in Germany at a price of £160.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken to implement the announcement, made by the commander-in-chief, of an amnesty for youth.

Instructions to implement this decision had been issued to all Denazification Panels before the Commander-in-Chief made his public announcement on 9th August and they since have been incorporated in executive instructions issued to all regions in the British zone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what instructions have been issued by the Manpower Division of the Control Commission for the return of property belonging to trade unions before 1933.

No instructions can yet be issued as the procedure to be followed in returning this property is still under Quadripartite discussion. Pending agreement on procedure the trade unions are going ahead with the preparation of their claims; in many cases they are already enjoying use of the properties they are claiming on a nominal rent basis.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about the status of displaced persons in the British zone of Germany, indicating what are their present food rations; whether they are being put to work under German supervision; and whether it is intended to confer German or Austrian nationality on any unclaimed children.

The status of these displaced persons is still that of civilians for whose care special arrangements were made by the Control authorities and by U.N.R.R.A. Their ration scales are now the same as those of the Germans, being based on a 1,550 calory scale for the normal consumer with appropriate differences for other categories In addition to the large numbers employed on work for the Control Commission, including timber work, a number are already working in German factories. I know of no proposals to confer German or Austrian nationality on unclaimed children in the British zone of Germany. Our intention is that such children should not be treated as German unless it proves impossible to establish claim to some other nationality.

asked the Chancellor of 16th Duchy of Lancaster when the hon. and gallant Member for Pudsey and Otley can expect a reply to his letter of 16th April, 1946, which was acknowledged by his Department on 20th April, 1946.

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the papers in this particular case have been mislaid. An intensive search has been made in London and one is at present proceeding, at my request, in Germany I hope to be in a position to clear the matter within the course of a week or two.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many executions of Germans have taken place in the British zone since the Allied Control Commission was set up.

The total number is 131, of which 47 resulted from sentences by Military Government courts, 75 by military courts for war crimes, and nine by German courts.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether experts in his Department were consulted before B.I.O.S. Report No. 829 was compiled; and why, if the large number of spare parts for agricultural machinery stored in the factory reported on in Report No. 13 were required in the British zone, steps had not already been taken to make these spare parts available to German farmers in the British zone.

Yes Sir, my Department was consulted. At the time of the B.I.O.S. visit the spares were being held temporarily in stock while a co-ordinated plan for distribution was being prepared.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many recruits for the Control Commission in Germany and Austria are at present in receipt of pay whilst awaiting passage from the United Kingdom to their destinations; and how many of these recruits have been waiting for passage for more than one month.

At the end of last week the number was just over 2,130; about 1,530 had been on pay for more than one month. By the end of this week some 700 of the 2,130 should have proceeded overseas.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement on granting facilities for visits by Members of Parliament and other persons of standing to the British zone of Germany.

Yes, Sir. Facilities are now available which will enable Members of both Houses and persons of like standing in public life to visit Germany for legitimate public purposes. These facilities include travel to and from Germany, the reservation of hotel accommodation in Berlin, Hamburg and Düsseldorf and the provision of transport in Germany. The visitors will be expected to pay travel costs, plus a standard charge for accommodation and for local travel in Germany. It will be appreciated that the facilities are limited and the number of visitors who can be accommodated at any one time will be governed by that fact. The new arrangements will supersede those in force last Session under which organised parties from both Houses and certain individual members visited Germany. Applications from hon. Members desiring to avail themselves of this scheme should be addressed to the Central Secretariat, Control Office for Germany and Austria, Norfolk House, St. James's Square, London, S.W.I. Visits will normally be arranged in order of application and in the light of the accommodation and transport facilities available although there may be occasions on which priority should be given to hon. Members with special responsibilities. In the case of persons not Members of either House, these facilities will be provided only where there are substantial reasons on the interest of the Occupation why the proposed visits should take place. I hope that similar arrangements will soon be possible in the case of Austria.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many houses there are in the Culenannstrasse in Bielefeld; how many of them have been taken over for British occupation; how many German persons have been displaced and how many British personnel accommodated; and whether he will give similar information regarding the Paderbornerweg in the same town.

There are six houses in the Culenannstrasse in Bielefeld. None of them has been taken over for British occupation. There are 23 houses in the Paderborner Weg in Bielefeld of which seven have been requisitioned. Forty-two Germans have been displaced and 19 British and two Americans have been accommodated.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many pairs of shoes per week are produced from Steinhoff factory at Ahlen in Westphalia; and how many of these pairs are suitable for children.

This factory produces some 4,000 pairs of shoes per week, including good pairs suitable for children.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give an assurance that the names of PWX, now in the British zone of Germany, and who have not volunteered to return to their country of origin have not been disclosed and will not be disclosed to representatives of the Governments of their own countries.

These names are not divulged, except where it is decided to repatriate an individual compulsorily as a war criminal, traitor or collaborator. I have no present intention of changing the practice.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations have been made to the Soviet Government with regard to the forcible deportation and kidnapping of children from Berlin by Soviet personnel.

Though reports of such incidents have appeared in certain newspapers, no evidence has been produced which would justify formal representations to our Allies.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of the German enterprises, scheduled to be dismantled, are in the British zone.

I have no official information about plants to be dismantled in Eastern Germany. Of those at present due for dismantling in the Western Zones, 40 per cent., by number, are in the British Zone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many enterprises in the British zone of Germany are scheduled to be dismantled; and with what industries they are concerned.

There are at present 00 such plants, 46 concerned with armaments, six with machine tools, two with metallurgy, three with chemicals, and three with engineering and shipbuilding.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the factories in the British zone of Germany which have been destroyed or dismantled or which are scheduled for destruction or dismantling, under the Potsdam Agreement, indicating in each case the name of the factory, the approximate number of employees, the type of product produced before and during the war and the destination of those factories so dismantled.

As the answer involves a long tabular statement I am, with the hon. Member's permission sending him a copy. I am also arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what detailed statistical analysis of the Austrian economic position has been prepared by the British authorities in Austria; and if this will be printed and published.

There are various studies of this kind, the most comprehensive of which is the Monthly Statistical Bulletin prepared by the Economic Division of the Allied Commission for Austria (British Element). I am considering whether I can make this available for display in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in how many prisons in the British zone of Austria there is no segregation of political detainees from convicted criminals.

None, Sir, so tar as I am aware.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why it is necessary for quadripartite agreement to be obtained in each case before an Austrian girl or a displaced person may leave Austria in order to come to this country to take up a situation as a domestic servant.

Quadripartite agreement is not necessary in such cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what practice he follows in relation to addresses on political subjects to German prisoners of war in this country; who presides at such meetings; what steps are taken to prevent political attacks at such meetings on Allied Governments or administrations; and whether, and on what conditions, the Press is allowed to attend and report such meetings.

These addresses are given by lecturers employed part-time by the Control Office for Germany and Austria and by specialists and well-known individuals invited to address particular groups of prisoners. In all cases the prisoners understand that the lecturer is representing his own point of view as a private individual. The addresses given by part-time lecturers form part of a curriculum and a synopsis is approved in each case. Wherever possible a member of the British staff acts as chairman.

No prior approval is given to the text of lectures by specialists or well-known individuals but they are asked to treat their subject objectively. In these cases a member of the British staff always acts as chairman and if anything were said which could be construed as a political attack on Allied Governments or administrations the chairman would intervene. The Press are allowed to attend and report all such meetings.

asked the Minister of Supply how many more Service vehicles which cannot be made to conform to the statutory dimensional limitations for vehicles engaged on the carriage of goods in Britain he intends to sell through public auctions or by other means to the British public.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 16th December. I cannot say how many of these vehicles will be offered for sale in the future.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the sale to members of the public of a number of Service vehicles which do not conform to the statutory dimensional limitations for public-service vehicles has taken place; and whether he will modify the regulations in respect of these vehicles.

The conditions of sale of these vehicles remind prospective purchasers that the vehicles sold may not be immediately road worthy, and they are required to give a signed undertaking not to use any vehicle purchased by them or to permit it to be used on any road in Great Britain until it complies in every respect with the requirements of the Acts and Regulations relating to its construction, equipment and use. The answer to the second, part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Supply what arrangements have been made for the importation of steel from Australia during the coming year; and how much can be expected from this source.

Purchases will be made through the agency of the British Iron and Steel Corporation. It is expected that imports during the year will amount to about 200,000 tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of U.S. activities in connection with the International Conference on Trade and Employment, he will draw up and have submitted on behalf of the British Government, a set of proposals for consideration at the next meeting of the Preparatory Committee at Geneva in April next.

I do not think that any good purpose would be served by the hon. Member's proposal. The agenda for the next session of the Preparatory Committee, so far as it will not be concerned with actual tariff rates, will be primarily the report of the first session recently held in London. This, it is hoped, will in the meantime have received the favourable consideration of the Governments of. the countries represented. At the first session, the whole field of general questions appropriate to an International Conference on Trade and Employment was surveyed in the light of the views expressed by the various Delegations. The representatives of the United Kingdom made a very full contribution to the discussions, which will have been duly taken into account in the report. At the second session the United Kingdom Delegation, in common with other delegations, will be in a position to make known the views of their Government on the various points to be discussed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether further steps will be taken to expedite the adaptation of the Rhigos trading estate buildings for factory purposes.

Every effort is being made to proceed as quickly as possible with adaptations to buildings on the Rhigos trading estate at Hirwaun to make them suitable for industrial use, and 332 building operatives are at present employed on this task.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the British policy towards the Japanese level of industry; how far we wish the Japanese textile industry to be developed; whether any directive has been given on this subject to General Mac Arthur; and how far have British views been accepted in such a directive.

As regards the first and second parts of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which my right hon. and learned Friend made in the House after Questions on 28th October. As regards the rest of the Question, directives setting final levels for Japanese industry have not yet been issued to General MacArthur. The matter is still under discussion by the Far Eastern Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quanti- ties of potash were expected in the six months commencing 18th November last from Palestine; what effect the recent terrorism in Palestine is estimated to have on this figure; and what steps he is taking to make good this deficiency.

We expect to receive some 20,000 tons of potash from Palestine between 1st November, 1946, and 30th April, 1947, which compares with 19,000 tons over the same period in 1945–46 It is not possible to estimate what effect terrorist activities may have, but they severely curtailed transport to port during November. We have, however, already shipped this month the total quantity scheduled, together with a portion of the November shortfall. All supplies of potash have now been allocated for this season by the International Emergency Food Council, and there is thus no material available to us elsewhere to make up for any deficiency there may be in shipments from Palestine

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that civilian internees returning to the Far East from this country are, urged by the Colonial Office to bring bed linen, etc., with them, but that his Department refuse dockets for this purpose; and whether he will take immediate action in the matter.

My Department give dockets to enable people, who do not possess sheets and mattresses and who are returning to the Far East, to buy a small quantity to take with them. If the hon Member will let me have particulars of any cases in which dockets have been refused in these circumstances, I will look into them and write to him

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to make a statement on the future of the Fyling-dale training area in accordance with the promise made on 7th May; and if he is aware of the interference with the amenities of holidaymakers that is entailed in the destruction of a part of this famous moor.

The future of the Fyling-dales area is now under consideration by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Service Land Requirements. Until the results of the committee's consideration have been examined I cannot say when a statement will be made on the future of this area. I can assure the hon. Member that the effect on the amenities of holiday-makers will be fully considered before a decision is taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War why all piecework prices are being reduced at R.E.M.E. dep6t, Ashford, previously R.A.S.C., Feltham, without previous negotiations with the respective trade unions.

The War Office has never had any intention of reducing piecework prices at Ashford without prior consultations with the trade unions. In fact early in December the Commanding Officer of the Depôt, acting on instructions from the War Office, asked the local trade union officials to meet him for the purpose of discussing possible reductions in piecework rates, and a meeting on the subject has been arranged for today. It is possible that misunderstanding may have been caused in the Depôt by the fact that the Commanding Officer notified the men of possible changes in piecework rates by placing an appropriate notice on the notice-board. This may have been misinterpreted as indicating that consultations would not be held with the trade unions.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Stage Door Canteen, which provides free entertainment seven nights a week for about 10,000 Servicemen a week, is to be closed within the next 10 days because the owners of the premises have let them to the B.B.C.; and what steps he is taking, in the interest of the welfare of Servicemen on leave or stationed in London, to provide a comparable alternative place of entertainment.

I am aware that the Stage Door Canteen is to be closed, but this is not a matter in which I have any jurisdiction. Alternative facilities for Servicemen are provided at the Nuffield Centre in Wardour Street.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government will now adopt the principle of equal pay for equal work and carry this into effect for all employment over which they have direct responsibility and where they have responsibility for the fixing of salary scales.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 18th November to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leicester (Mr. Janner).

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the delays experienced by students under the Government's Further Education and Training Scheme in the payment of agreed instalments of grant; and if she will take steps to accelerate these payments.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 12th December. I am at present considering what further steps can be taken to accelerate payments.

asked the Minister of Education when an award under the Further Education and Training Scheme will be made to Mr. J. Andrews, 1, Powell Street, Heckmondwicke, who, after an interview with her Department, submitted full details of his financial circumstances on 2nd November.

Full information required for deciding the terms of Mr. Andrews' award was not received in my Department until 3rd December. Particulars of the award and the first instalment of his maintenance allowance will be sent to him within the next day or two,

asked the Minister of Education why Mr. N. C. Adams, 11, Bowden Road, Northampton, and Mr. K. A. Grey, 47, Hood Street, Northampton, have not yet received any payment of the award granted to them under the Further Education and Training Scheme to enable them to take art teachers' diplomas at the Northampton School of Art, in view of the fact that both have been attending at the school since September

Mr. Adams' application required a good deal of investigation, as he did not hold the school certificate and had applied for an award for a five years' course leading to the Art Teachers' Diploma. Mr. Grey's application did not reach my Department until 1st October the day after he had begun his course. At that time there were over 11,000 previous applications under consideration. Both students have now been sent the first instalments of their grants

I am unable to trace Minister of Works the total of contracts, expressed in square yards and value, allocated to Granitex (Scotland) Limited, for breeze blocks; whether he is aware that these contracts cannot be fulfilled under two years, unless sufficient pallets are available; that the Timber Control has refused to issue the necessary licence to secure wood for pallets; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.

I am unable to trace this firm, nor have the headquarters of the Timber Control any record of such an application.

asked the Minister of Works whether the breeze blocks made by Messrs. Park and Smith, 166, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, 5, are suitable for building; and what help he is prepared to give and the orders he is prepared to place with this firm.

If the breeze blocks manufactured by Messrs. Park and Smith conform to B.S. Specification No. 492, they will be suitable for building. My Ministry does not usually place direct contracts for breeze or other building blocks, for which sub-contracts are normally placed by main contractors. Messrs. Park and Smith would therefore be well advised to keep in touch with the main building contractors with a view to securing orders. They will find details of contracts placed by my Department published in the technical press.

asked the Minister of Health why the Batley Corporation has still not received permission to develop land at Fieldhouse Lane, Birstall, for housing, for which purpose it was purchased some years ago; and whether, in view of the absence of other suitable sites and the need of Birstall people for more houses, he will ensure that the required authority is now given.

Objections have been raised on agricultural and planning grounds. Further discussions are now proceeding with a view to an early settlement.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases of contracts for furnished lettings, referred under the provisions of the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1946, to the tribunals of Leicester, the county of Leicester and the county of London, respectively, have those tribunals reduced the rentals pay able by the tenants; and by what approximate percentages.

Up to the end of November the tribunal for the city and county of Leicester has reduced rents in 12 cases in the city and one in the county, the average reduction being 24 per cent. The corresponding figures for the county of London are 647 cases and 34 per cent.