asked the Attorney-General what proposals the Government have for making accessible to the ordinary citizen the protection of the law courts in cases of libel and slander, in view of the prohibitive legal costs of such actions that at present prevail.

Legal costs in actions for libel and slander are governed by the same rules as govern legal costs in other types of civil action. To some extent it rests with a party whether he incurs much or little expense in establishing his own case. If he loses, the process of taxing costs protects him from having to pay costs of the winning party in so far as they were extravagantly incurred. With regard to legal costs generally, the Rushcliffe scheme, on which I answered a Question asked by the hon. Member for Oldham (Mr. Hale) on 28th November, is designed to assist persons of small income; and legislation based on the general principles of the Rushcliffe scheme will be introduced when possible, although it will not be possible to do so this session.

Will the Solicitor-General consider the suggestion I have made before, which I think is an important suggestion, that costs should not be awarded against an unsuccessful litigant in civil cases unless the judge certifies that the action should not have been brought?

I can only repeat the answer I gave before, which my hon. Friend can find in HANSARD.

Would not legal costs be substantially reduced if it were possible to fuse the two branches of the legal profession in the way in which it is done in many other countries?

asked the Attorney-General whether he will institute an inquiry into the congestion of the cause lists in county courts and into possible means of alleviating it.

I am not aware of any congestion in the business of the county courts. On the contrary. I am informed that throughout the country as a whole the work of these courts is being discharged without delay, but if the hon. Member has any particular court in mind I shall be glad to hear of it.

Does my hon. and learned Friend realise that it is often a matter of two months before a case is taken in the county courts, and when, the list is reached it very often happens that the case is not taken on the day for which it is set down, and therefore, the witnesses concerned, and sometimes expert witnesses, such as surveyors, for all of whom the client has to pay, are kept hanging around; that it is often quite indefinite at what time the case will ultimately be reached; and that in consequence there is a tremendous waste of time, money and manpower?

Does my hon. and learned Friend take into account the fact that county court judges are now trying divorce cases and that that is bound to slow up the county court lists?

I hope that I take all relevant considerations into account. With regard to the first supplementary question, sometimes, unfortunately, a case cannot be heard on the date for which it is fixed. That is regrettable, but it is unavoidable.

asked the Attorney General whether his attention has been directed to "Jewish Struggle, Jewish Fighting Organ" No. 7, September, 1946, with a cartoon, "Palestine 1921–29–36 Pogroms, incited by the British"; and whether action will be taken against the printers and publishers.

I am aware of the publication to which the hon. Gentleman refers. I am at present giving this matter consideration.

Can the Solicitor-General say whether the allegations attached to this cartoon are being officially investigated?

The whole matter is under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider arranging for a substantial increase by the Colonies of their tobacco production in exchange for a guarantee of purchase by the Government of the United Kingdom or private interests for an appreciable number of years.

We should, of course, be ready to consider any such specific proposal put forward by tobacco producers or importers.

Will not the right hon. and learned Gentleman give encouragement to Colonial and Dominion producers of tobacco in view of the importance of maintaining our foreign currency balances and the fact that they must have markets if they are to grow more tobacco?

. I appreciate that, and it the hon. Member wishes us to undertake a further measure of State trading it is something we must consider carefully.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what percentage of the imports of the British West Indies and Bermuda are supplied by the United Kingdom and the U.S.A., respectively;

(2) what percentage of the exports of the British West Indies and Bermuda are purchased by the United Kingdom and the U.S.A., respectively.

In 1945, which is the latest period for which these figures are available, 14 per cent, of all imports into the British West Indies came from the United Kingdom and 28 per cent, from the United States. Corresponding figures for Bermuda are seven and 66 per cent. In the same year, the United Kingdom took 37 per cent., and the United States 12 per cent, of exports of British West Indian produce. Practically all exports from Bermuda went to the American con-tinent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he has considered the report on the industrial needs and resources of North Wales submitted to him by the North Wales Development Council; and when he proposes to make a statement on the matter;

(2) if he has considered representations made to him by the North Wales Development Council urging that special attention be given to the, industrial problems of the Nantlle Valley; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.

I hope to write to the North Wales Development Council within a few days and will let my hon. Friend have a copy of my reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if it is his intention that ex-Servicemen demobilised since 13th June, 1945, who have lost their clothes ration vouchers through causes other than burglary and fire, shall forfeit their right to the additional allowance of coupons.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which I gave to similar Questions on this matter on Thursday last.

Is it not totally unfair that ex-Servicemen who have inadvertently lost their vouchers should have, no opportunity whatever of proving their bona fide claims for this allowance?

If my hon. Friend will read the answer he will see that that is not the position.

What is the position of ex-Servicemen who have never received their first voucher—and I know there are some?

If they are entitled to it they should apply for it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange that ex-merchant seamen be granted the additional clothing coupons to which ex-Servicemen are entitled.

I am satisfied that the special treatment already given to merchant seamen is fair, both during his time at sea and afterwards, and I am afraid I cannot adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his reply will bring great disappointment to a fine body of men who have given very distinguished service during the war, and would he reconsider it? Should not these ex-merchant seamen be put on a par with other ex-Service-men?

Ex-merchant seamen are in a very much better position that other ex-Servicemen, and I will remind the hon. Member what the advantages are. In addition to an allowance of coupons for an initial outfit, the merchant seaman receives 109 coupons a year for his personal use. On discharge to civil life he has a personal assessment through a needs test by the Customs up to 153 coupons, and his losses at sea may be met up to 300 coupons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange for the supply of half-pint bottles to be increased sufficiently during the next five months to enable milk to be delivered daily during the summer to persons living alone.

I am, at the request of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food arranging for an increased supply of milk, bottles during 1947, and I hope that there will be enough half-pint bottles to satisfy the needs of persons living alone.

If there is no alternative supply of milk bottles, will my right hon. and learned Friend consider supplying cartons, which are very much cheaper and do not entail the same dangers and disadvantages as bottles?

That is not a matter for me, but for the Minister of Food.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he reversed the decision of his two immediate predecessors in office that a factory at Grantham should be allocated to Aveling-Barford, Limited, and allocated it instead to Grantham Productions, Limited; and what steps he took to satisfy himself that the latter company had sufficient capital available for the mass production of motor-cars.

Of the applicants for this factory, Aveling-Barford, Limited, at first put forward the strongest case. Subsequently, however, Grantham Productions, Limited, who were associated with the occupying contractors, supported their claim to retain "the factory for peace time production with evidence of improved financial and production resources. Having regard to all the circumstances, I decided that Grantham Productions ought not to be denied the opportunity they sought and that they should accordingly be allowed to remain.

In view of the lamentable result of the right hon. and learned Gentleman's decision, will he place the files in the Library so that hon. Members may examine what happened for themselves?

No, Sir.

Is it not a claim that State control would prevent the losses which, it is said, used to be incurred under the private system of industry, and is this an example of how State planning would prevent bad investment?

It has no relation to State control whatever.

Was this not directed by the Board of Trade, and is that not State control?

This was a question as to who should have the allocation of a Government factory which became available for private enterprise.

Was that decision not taken by the President of the Hoard of Trade, and was it not, as it turns out now, the wrong decision?

It was taken by myself; whether it was wrong or not anybody can judge.

Will my right hon and learned Friend invite the hon. Gentleman to raise this matter on the Adjournment in order that we can tell the nation the full story, which includes the fact that Prince Ponitoski sold guns to both Germany and Britain?

Mr. Osborne.

If the right hon. and learned Gentleman would be so good as to do what I ask and place the papers—

I thought the hon. Gentleman was about to announce his intention to raise the matter on the Adjournment. I had called the next Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to establish long-term arrangements for expanding imports of British herring into Italy, during the negotiations with the Italian trade delegation now in this country.

The steps necessary to facilitate the resumption and expansion of our traditional exports, including herring, are among the matters now under discussion with the Italian trade delegation.

May I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman to take pilchards into consideration when these discussions are taking place?

We are taking everything into consideration.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman see that wider powers are given to the Herring Industry Board to cover these sales in other countries in Europe as well as Italy?

That is not a matter for me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the production level and general stock position of silk, artificial silk and nylon stockings will now permit a reduction in the number of clothing coupons required for these articles.

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulty which artists and schools of art have in obtaining canvas, brushes and paints; and whether, in their interests and in the interests of British art, he will reduce the proportion of these things which is exporter.

Demand is exceptionally high, and I am aware that there is some shortage, though production is above the level achieved before the war. The industry is making every effort to increase production further, and we are giving them what help we can. The exports of these goods are a valuable source of exchange and we are not prepared to reduce them.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that a British picture exported is much better for British trade and British art than paint and brushes exported, and until the picture is painted how can he know whether it is exportable or not?

Both are valuable exports, but we are certain of the brushes.

May I remind my right hon. and learned Friend that the shortage is felt very keenly in schools other than specialised art schools, and that teachers have to resort to all kinds of measures?

I quite appreciate the difficulties, and that is why we are trying to stimulate production as fast as we can.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of children's shoes, particularly sizes two and three, in Harrogate; and whether he will take steps to relieve this shortage

There has been a steady improvement in supplies of children's shoes since last year, In addition, crêpe rubber for soling is available in increasing quantities, and more Wellingtons and plimsolls are reaching the shops. Except in the more expensive types, for which leather and manufacturing capacity are still considerably behind demand, the position is improving and will continue to improve. I am not aware of any special shortage of particular sizes in the Harrogate area, but, if the hon. Member will give me details of any specific complaints he has received, I will look into them.

Is the President aware that I have been at his Department for the last 18 months particularly pressing his attention to these two sizes, and will he not take steps to see that the production of smaller sizes is increased in the North?

We are taking those steps and I think there has been a satisfactory improvement

asked the President of the Board of Trade why it is necessary for British manufacturers buying bristle in the free market to undertake to purchase 25 per cent, of their requirements from stocks held by his Department; and whether he will state the average difference between the prices from the two sources.

In order to ensure an orderly liquidation of Government stocks, it has been agreed with importers of China bristles that they will take 25 per cent, of the value of their imports from the Board of Trade at prices which are broadly in line with replacement cost.

Is this not another example of the folly of Government purchase? Will the President of the Board of Trade say why the trade should be burdened with the results of the Government's incompetence in this direction?

That is not so. Nor is the trade burdened, because the prices are the same substantially as those at which they are purchasing now.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to amend the rules relating to the issue of dockets for utility furniture so as to make them available for any persons, whether widow, widower or spinster, who desires to furnish a home for himself or herself.

I regret that supplies would not justify the very wide increase in the number of applicants for utility furniture which my hon. Friend's proposal would involve.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that widowers or spinsters who desire to set up a home, having lost their homes in war circumstances, are unable to do so because of this restriction, and will he make this small extension in order to send the junior Member for Oldham happily home for Christmas?

Such a concession would open up such a wide area that it would mean depriving the present people of the furniture they are now able to get.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the importation of furniture from West Africa is limited to types which can be sold at the prices of British-made utility furniture.

While British furniture manufacturers are subject to severe restrictions as to the types of furniture which they are allowed to manufacture and the prices which they are allowed to charge, it would be unfair to permit the importation of more expensive types except in very special cases. It is for this reason that imports from all sources are normally limited to types comparable in quality and price with British-made utility furniture.

But has not the Minister just implied, in answer to a previous Question, that we want more furniture than we can now get? Does not his policy amount to mediocrity for mediocrity's sake?

It amounts to getting the maximum quantity we can, and we find we get that out of utility furniture of good quality.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the estimated weekly tonnage and percentage saving in coal used by gas arid electricity undertakings since his appeal for a 10 per cent, voluntary reduction in gas and electricity consumption.

The normal seasonal increase in consumption, coupled with other factors, makes it impossible to gauge the extent to which consumers have responded to the appeal voluntarily to economise in their consumption of gas and electricity. Owing to the abnormal increases in consumption I have felt bound, after consultation with representatives of industry, to take additional measures. At the same time, I have made a further appeal to domestic consumers to exercise every possible economy.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why, by S.R. &; 0., No. 2087, he has ordered industrial and other undertakings to restrict their rate of electricity and gas consumption during January, February and March, to 97½ per cent, of their rate of consumption during a period preceding 21st December, 1946, thereby penalizing each undertaking in proportion to its economy in the basic period; and if he will give an assurance that undertakings, which reduce consumption below the maximum permitted, will not thereby be prejudiced in subsequent restriction.

The restriction on the consumption of gas and electricity will be so administered as to take full account of fuel efficiency measures already taken by industrial undertakings. Any undertaking engaged on work of national importance which is unable to secure the small additional saving of 2½ per cent, now required will be free to apply for a licence to consume larger supplies. It is my intention throughout to accord the most favourable treatment possible to firms which practice fuel efficiency.

As under the terms of the present order those who have been wasteful gain an advantage over those who have been economical, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to give an assurance that this policy will not be repeated?

I am afraid the hon. Member is placing a wrong construction on the terms of the order. The order is designed to provide that those persons who are wasting in the sense that they do not promote efficient methods will be treated less favourably than others.

Has the right hon. Gentleman effected any economy by calling a cut in supplies "shedding the load"?

The hon. and learned Member is quite mistaken. It is not the Minister of Fuel who calls for the shedding of the load. That is a matter entirely in the hands of the Central Electricity Board.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the Explanatory Note to the Electricity and Gas (Reduction of Consumption) Order, 1946, S.R. & O. 1946 No. 2087, is inaccurate and misleading; and whether he will substitute for the words, by z\ per cent., which, in the context, imply for each period progressive reduction, the words, to 97½ per cent., so as to show that the Order does not require reduction below 97½ per cent, of basic consumption.

The wording used in the Explanatory Note was chosen as being clearer to the general reader than that necessarily employed in the body of the order. I am advised that the wording in the note cannot reasonably be construed in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of this order, I beg to give notice that I shall move its annulment, on Thursday, 23rd January.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he proposes to take to obtain an economy in the coal consumed for domestic heating and lighting so that the risk of further cuts during the winter months for industrial purposes can be avoided.

Every effort has been made to effect economies in the consumption of coal, including an appeal to domestic users to exercise the greatest care in the consumption of gas and electricity.

May I ask the Minister if he would consider the advisability of introducing an increased domestic tariff so as to encourage these economies?

If we increase the domestic tariff, we must do so at the expense of the industrial users.

Will the Minister say to what extent he hopes to save fuel oil by an increased production of smokeless fuel for domestic purposes?

We should be very glad indeed to use smokeless fuel in greater measures, but we have to produce it before we can use it.

Will the Minister consult the Minister of Supply about the installation of closed grates in all the new housing estates rather than the open grates which are supplied at the present time?

These matters are the subject of discussion between the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Health.

Is there any truth in the newspaper report that the Minister proposes to ban the purchase of electric fires in order to save consumption, and, if so, is it not a very sad commentary on the Government's planning?

I see no reason for any sad or any other kind of commentary; I am not aware of that proposal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of staff employed by the Coal Board at the latest convenient date.

I have at present no information as to the number of staff employed or engaged by the National Coal Board. The main part of the staff will of course be taken over on the vesting date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to obtain that information, as he is entitled to do under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, and give it to the House of Commons?

The National Coal Board are in the process of engaging staff, and it will be some time before they complete their arrangements. We can see about this later on.

Is the Minister not aware that in Yorkshire alone there are over 4,000 staff, without any proper offices, already piling up?

That may well be, although I do not commit myself to the figure, but, if so, they are persons ordinarily employed in the coal trade.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action is being taken by his Department to assist in the obtaining of alternative employment by persons working in the coal distribution trade who will cease to be able to continue this work by reason of the Coal Mines Nationalisation Act, 1946.

I have no reason to believe that as a result of nationalisation persons working in the coal distribution trade will find themselves in need of alternative employment.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman a definite case, will he take action to find alternative employment?

If the hon. Gentleman means that somebody has lost his position and is seeking other work, there are of course the ordinary avenues for obtaining employment.

Is the Minister aware that I have already asked the assistance of his Department in this matter and that I have had no assistance whatever?

At any rate, if the hon. Member sends me the case I will naturally look into it.

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his Department has information as to the qualifications and experience of members of divisional coal boards.

No, Sir. These appointments are made by the National Coal Board.

Does that answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman is not aware of the disquiet in many quarters caused by the giving of these appointments to gentlemen with no experience whatever of the coal industry, and does he not consider that these gentlemen constitute a load which might well be shed?

Any feeling of disquiet that there may be as regards certain appointments can be dealt with as between the workers' organisations and the National Coal Board, but so far as I am aware there is very little disquiet.

Does the answer to my supplementary mean that the general public are not to be entitled to express their views on these matters?

The general public can express their views through Members of this House, as I presume the hon. Member is trying to do.

Is the Minister aware that the trouble is caused by the fact that there seems to be a tendency to select Tories for these positions?

As I have said frequently in the House, the appointments are not made by me. As far as the National Coal Board is concerned, it is quite impossible, when selecting persons who are suitable for administrative staffs, to consider their political views.

If the appointments are not made by the Minister, how is it possible for Members of Parliament to get redress when grievances are placed before them as to the qualifications of those chosen?

That is a matter that the Opposition might have considered when they were in controversy with me on this Bill in the Standing Committee upstairs.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider an amending Bill in order to give effect to this question?

If the noble Lord has any views about an amending Bill he can make his submission at the proper time.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much oil is expected to arrive in this country from Palestine during the six months commencing 18th November; what effect the recent terrorism in Palestine is estimated to have on this figure; and what steps are being taken to make good this deficiency.

Owing to the inevitable fluctuations in shipping and supply arrangements and refinery production, it is not possible to give accurate forward estimates of imports from any one source, but arrivals of oil in the United Kingdom from Palestine are expected to average about 34,000 tons per month over the next few months. Recent terrorism has had no effect on exports of oil from Palestine. The third part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how the 34,000 tons compares with the prewar figure?

If the hon. and gallant Member puts that question down, I will give him an answer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much fuel oil is purchased by his Department from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company; what proportion of it is shipped to this country; where the balance goes; and whether he has any information to show what percentage his Department's total purchase bears to the whole production.

My Department does not purchase any fuel oil. Supplies to meet current requirements in this country are all purchased by the Petroleum Board, who in the three months to the end of November purchased about 28 per cent, of the Anglo-Iranian's overseas production of fuel oil in those three months. The balance was shipped to a multiplicity of destinations.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power in connection with the proposed new electricity generating station at Fifoots Point, Newport, when the first part of the plant will be started and the cost; what areas it will serve and what manpower will be involved; and whether he is satisfied that all the necessary material, equipment and labour will be available for it to be completed promptly, in view of the need of increased electricity in this area.

I am informed that the Electricity Commissioners have not yet received any application for consent to the erection of a power station at Newport and I cannot therefore give the information asked by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why a supply of poles and other material necessary to bring electricity to North Kessock, Ross-shire, cannot be supplied when the mains are only two miles away and it was promised a supply before the war.

I understand that, though the Grampian Electric Supply Company have under consideration a scheme for supplying this area, they have not yet applied to the Electricity Commissioners for a licence to acquire the necessary poles.

But I wrote to the President of the Board of Trade some time ago and he assured me that they would have poles last June. Surely they should know something about it by now?

But if the company concerned have not made application it the poles, obviously it is their fault.

asked the Minister of Labour why certain volunteers for service in the coalmines are ' not allowed to count such service for the purposes of Class A release from His Majesty's forces when persons directed to such service are allowed in similar circumstances to do so.

The reasons for confining to ballotees the concession that a period spent in the mines might count towards release from the Forces were explained in my statement to the House on 29th November, 1945, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his statement gives no explanation of the reasons for the different treatment allotted to those who accepted the Government's invitation to volunteer for service in the coal mines when they registered and the treatment given to the Bevin Boys? Is he aware that the optant working in the mine can be called up for service if released, and if he is discharged from the mines on medical grounds and is then called up he cannot count as part of his service the period spent in the mines?

In spite of that information, I still refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given previously.

In view of the fact that the answer referred to in the Minister's reply was given over a year ago, and the Government have now a great deal more knowledge of this matter, would he not look at it again and see if the volunteer cannot be placed at an advantage?

I can say that the matter is being looked at again.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men who, on registering under the National Service Acts, in consequence of the Government's invitation, opted for service in the mines and are now serving in His Majesty's Forces and are unable, by reason of his decision, to count their service in the mines for the purposes of. Class A release.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour why, in view of the fact that deferment of call-up for National Service is-granted to internal students of universities and technical colleges preparing for honours degrees, such deferment is refused to external students preparing for the same degrees.

Students studying for external degrees can be granted deferment equally with internal students, provided they are in attendance at a recognised educational institution and, in the case of technical colleges, are pursuing a course of study approved by the Ministry of Education.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give an estimate of the number of working days lost in 1946 by the promotion of mid-week football matches and other similar entertainments.

I am afraid I have no information on which to base an estimate.

Does the Minister not think, in view of the general need for production, that representations by him to promoters of this sort of enterprise should be made with a view to their being restricted?

Would the Minister also consider covering golf matches, cricket matches, picture houses, racing and theatres in his investigation?

It is because I have no information upon which to estimate what is happening that I hesitate to take any steps at all. I think it is right to say that we ought not unnecessarily to interfere with the pleasures of the people, otherwise, we might interfere with Question time.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the 1,019,000 persons employed in local government service in September, 1946, he will arrange to have circulated in HANSARD the appropriate figures which his Department have prepared showing the numbers employed in regions, county councils, county borough councils, municipal borough councils and urban and rural district councils, respectively.

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I made a very vigorous protest last week about the same matter, and will he in future never, never, never give information without publishing it in HANSARD? We are a democratic body here.

I can never, never, never hope to give the hon. Gentleman a satisfactory answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many former officials of the London Polish Government are being maintained by the British Treasury; and what is the total monthly sum expended in this way.

220 officials and their families are receiving monthly relief allowances, in common with other unemployed Poles in the United Kingdom. The monthly cost is about £3,600.

Will the hon. Gentle man say how the relief paid to these people compares with the relief paid to British subjects?

There are variations. Many of these Poles have not their own homes and have to live in furnished lodgings. That does make a difference.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons are employed by the Interim Treasury Committee for Polish Affairs; how many of them are former officials of the London Polish Government; and out of what funds the organisation is maintained.

410 Poles, of whom 387 were officials of the former London Polish Government. The committee is financed by H.M. Treasury.

Would my hon. Friend say what consultations there have been with the Polish Government with regard to this organisation and the work it is performing?

I do not know whether my hon. and gallant Friend means the present Polish Government—

He means the only Polish Government there is.

I mean the Polish Government to which His Majesty's Ambassador is accredited.

I should want notice of that question. I would add that it is well known that these people are in London and they have to live. The House is well aware of the present position and how it arose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to make Parliamentary Bills available to His Majesty's Stationery Office in Edinburgh at an earlier date and in greater numbers, in view of the difficulty experienced by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce in obtaining copies in good time

I have had no reports of such difficulties, but I will make inquiries.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the unseemly haste of the Government in forcing the Exchange Control Bill through, this body was unable to obtain sufficient copies of the Bill before it reached the Committee stage? Can the Minister do something to prevent this kind of thing occurring?

We are only too anxious to help, but the only quicker way of getting those documents to Glasgow would have been to fly them there. We do send them as quickly as we can, otherwise

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of regular fire officers in the London-region who have served in the Armed Forces and, on return to the Fire Service, have retained their former rank after re-assessment.

These re-assessments are still proceeding. Up till yesterday the number of ex-regular firemen in the London Region who served in the Armed Forces and. have retained their rank on reassessment is 95.

Is my hon. Friend aware that more than one-third of the men who have returned from the Armed Forces have failed to pass this reassessment test and that they are returning to find their jobs filled by men who did not serve in London during the blitz, and that there is considerable dissatisfaction among them?

I know that some men have returned and have failed to retain their rank. I think the number is approximately 26.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that Professor Johan Smertenko, vice-president of the American League for a Free Palestine is openly financing terrorist organisations of Palestine; and whether it is intended to allow this U.S. citizen to remain in this country and carry out his stated intention of forming a branch of his organisation in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that Professor Johan J. Smertento, vice-president of the American League for a Free Palestine, on his own admission is in contact with leaders of terrorist groups in Palestine; that the American League for a Free Palestine financially supports illegal immigration into Palestine and underground resistance to the Palestine Government and that one of the reasons for his visit to Britain is to establish a British League for a free Palestine to collect funds for the same purposes; and what action he is prepared to take to curtail Professor Smertento's stay in this country.

This foreign visitor left this country on 13th December, and steps have been taken to exclude him for the future.

While expressing my satisfaction with that reply, may I ask my hon. Friend whether any other steps have been taken to indicate the view of His Majesty's Government that this was a gross breach of traditional British hospitality and that it must not happen again?

In our view, the fact that steps have been taken to exclude this gentleman makes it clear that we do not regard him as a very desirable visitor.

I apologise, in case I have missed something, but has it been made clear that the allegations made by this visitor against the conduct of British soldiers are quite baseless? Has that been publicly made plain?

That is a question which I cannot answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that a woman in Holloway Prison, serving a sentence of one year, is locked in her cell alone from 4.30 p.m., when the last meal of the day is served, until morning and has no opportunity of attending classes or of doing any creative work during those hours; how many women in Holloway and elsewhere are serving sentences of three months and more; and if he will take steps, pending the provision of a full educational programme in all prisons, to instal wireless sets which will enable all prisoners to listen to B.B.C. broadcasts in their cells and to provide materials for women to employ themselves in various kinds of handicraft in their cells.

There are 333 prisoners in Holloway serving sentences of three months or more. Owing to continued staff shortages it is still necessary at this prison for suppers to be served at 4.30 p.m. but the suggestion that there is no occupation for the women after that hour and no opportunity for attending classes is mistaken. My right hon. Friend fully recognises the importance of providing a full evening education programme and opportunities for handicrafts and other creative work at all prisons. With the collaboration of the local education authorities much has been done in the last 12 months and more will, I hope, be done in the near future both at Holloway and elsewhere. Already at Holloway, in addition to the regular evening association available for certain classes of prisoner, there are a number of classes, lectures and discussion groups. As regards the use of wireless, this is available at all but a few prisons, but there are serious technical difficulties in the way of providing installations giving satisfactory reception in cells.

May I remind my hon. Friend that some inmates of Holloway Prison are unable to attend classes of any sort or have any occupation after supper? Will he tell the House what proportion they bear to the number of prisoners?

I cannot give my hon. Friend the proportion. I can only say that a full programme is provided.