asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in the accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom for September, the official returns for petroleum imports and exports no longer shows aviation spirit separately from other motor spirit; and when separate returns will be shown again.

The monthly publication of imports and exports of aviation spirit was discontinued in September on security grounds. Figures for annual totals will, however, be published in the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom with British and Foreign Countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated number of persons employed in all manufacturing industries on export orders in the years 1937 and 1938.

No information was collected before the war about the number employed on export orders, and it is, therefore, impossible to prepare any close estimate. The figure of 930,000, which has been published for mid-1939, may be taken as roughly applicable to the other years as well.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Bradford top-makers are being forced to bid for Merino wools at higher prices, in the international market, instead of being supplied at old prices from the huge Government stocks; and what effect this will have upon utility clothing prices and the cost-of-living index.

The stocks are now jointly owned by His Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, under an agreement which provides for their orderly disposal by public auction, alongside the current Dominion clips. As regards the latter part of the Question, there is not at present any reason to fear that production of utility cloth within the ceiling prices is being jeopardised by the prevailing prices for wool, but the position is being kept under constant observation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much British wool has been made into piecegoods in Italian mills on a commission basis during the last year; how much cloth has been returned to this country; how much has been re-exported as British-made cloth; and if he will bring the scheme to an end in order to prevent abuse and in view of the threat to our export market.

Some 55,000 bales of wool were sold from the United Kingdom stock-pile during the first six months of this year for processing in Italy, but I regret that information is not available about the precise quantity which was processed into piecegoods. I understand, however, that the great bulk of this wool was processed into yarns and not piecegoods. With regard to the second and third parts of the Question, 656,000 lbs. of piecegoods have been licensed during 1946 for import from Italy; 320,000 lbs. were for re-export and the remainder was specially licensed for the home trade to meet urgent needs. I have no information that any of these piecegoods have been marketed as British made. With regard to the last pan of the Question, I consider that this trade is advantageous to this country, and, accordingly, I am not prepared to place a ban on these processing schemes.

asked the President of the President of the Board of Trade whether a decision has yet been taken on the proposal that the non-governmental organisation for the fostering and development of tourism should be established; and whether, in view of the urgency of making arrangements to receive tourists in 1947, he will make an early announcement about this matter.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made in another place by my noble Friend, the First Lord of the Admiralty on 10th December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that furniture manufacturers have ward- robes and tallboys in store which are not disposed of by reason of there not being sufficient dockets in circulation to purchase them; and whether he will increase the number of dockets to cover the amount of furniture available.

I am aware that from time to time stocks of some articles of utility furniture accumulate in the hands of manufacturers, but, in considering the number of units to be issued, I have to take into account not only the immediate situation but the prospects of future production in relation to demand. The supply of, and demand for, utility furniture is kept constantly under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware how difficult it is to obtain teasets for everyday use; and what prospect there is of increased supplies in the near future;

(2) if he is aware of the difficulty in obtaining ordinary teapots; and whether he will take steps to improve the supplies of these utensils.

I am aware that domestic pottery, including teasets and teapots, is still in short supply on the home market, but production is improving, and I am confident that in a few months' time the position will show a marked improvement.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give figures showing by districts the approximate amounts of free coal issued annually to miners individually and collectively; and to what extent there has been any reduction in such distribution during the years of rationing.

I am sending the hon. Member the detailed figures asked for. As regard's the second part of the Question, the total consumption of miners' free and, concessionary coal between 1942 and 1945 fell from 4.7 to 4.6 million tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of absentees from duty in figures and per- centage during the month of November, giving each day of the week separately.

The absenteeism percentage both voluntary and involuntary in the four weeks ended 23rd November, 1946, was 14.8. Separate figures for each day of the week are not normally collected, and are not available for November.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will bring the regulations regarding publication of the total emoluments of the National Coal Board into line with the recommendations of the Cohen Committee now proposed to be enacted in the Companies Bill.

I have already given fuller information about the total emoluments of the members of the National Coal Board than is recommended in the Cohen report.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the allocation of coal in the Lowestoft area has been drastically restricted in the present rationing period; and, in view of the severe cold experienced on the East coast at this time, if he will arrange for all arrears in delivery to be made good as soon as possible.

During the summer period receipts of house coal generally fell somewhat below allocation but the four Lowestoft depots received 84 per cent., 86 per cent., 89 per cent. and 89 per cent. respectively of the allocation against an average for the Eastern Region of 86 per cent. Deliveries to consumers in Lowestoft have also been in line with those in other urban areas in the Region and substantial stocks are available at merchants' depots. I regret that the supply position does not permit of shortages on allocation during the summer being made good during the winter. The position at Lowestoft will however be kept under constant review.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what instructions have been issued by his Department to coal merchants to cut down household supplies for the period November to January.

No instructions to merchants to cut down household coal supplies have been issued by my Department. I am aware, however, that in some areas the distributive trade are limiting deliveries for the time being to something less than the maximum permitted allowances in order to spread supplies equitably among their customers. Since supplies are subject to fluctuation that is a reason able course to take.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if it is intended to continue the publication of the statistics of the coalmining industry in all districts after the vesting date.

Statistics for districts will continue to be published by this Department after the vesting, date but it is possible that, in agreement with the National Coal Board, the areas comprised in the districts may later be modified to fit the Board's divisional organisation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in connection with the Christmas holidays for coalminers, any conditions have been attached as to working full time for the rest of the week as was done for the August bank holiday.

By agreement between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers, no conditions have been imposed on the grant to miners of pay for the statutory holidays at Christmas. However, the leaders of the National Union of Mineworkers have given an assurance that they will impress their members with the importance of putting in a full attendance for the remaining days of the week

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has considered the recommendation of the Fuel and Power Advisory Council that legislation should be passed to enable smokeless zones to be established and that a few such zones should, for experimental purposes, be declared; and whether legislation will be introduced.

Yes, Sir, the recommendation of the Fuel and Power Advisory Council that legislation should be passed to enable smokeless zones to be established has been considered. It is not, however, proposed to take steps to introduce general legislation in this matter at the present time, but I would point out that one local authority already has powers under which it can establish a smokeless zone.

asked the Prime Minister, whether the Chief of the Imperial General Staff discussed American-Canadian Polar strategy on his recent visits to the U.S.A. and Canada.

No, Sir. If any reference to this matter was made in informal private conversations, it formed no part of the official purposes of the recent visit of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff to the United States and Canada.

asked the Prime Minister on what date the overtures for peace were made by Japan before the offer of peace to Japan by the Potsdam Declaration of 26th July or whether any overtures were received before the first atomic bomb was dropped on 6th August.

No overtures for peace were made by Japan to the countries with which she was at war, prior to her acceptance of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, which she did not communicate to us until 10th August, 1945, 15 days after the Declaration had been made and four days after the dropping of the first atomic bomb. It was known, however, that the Japanese leaders had previously been considering means of reaching a settlement more favourable to themselves than unconditional surrender. At Potsdam, on 28th July, 1945, Generalissimo Stalin informed President Truman and me in strict confidence that the Soviet Government, who had not at that time joined in the Far Eastern war, had received from the Japanese Government a proposal that they should act as mediators between the Japanese Government and the British and United States Governments. According to Generalissimo Stalin, the Soviet Government interpreted this move as an attempt to obtain the collaboration of the Soviet Government in the furtherance of Japanese policy and they had, therefore, returned an unhesitating negative. The information thus furnished by Generalissimo Stalin offered no new opportunity for hastening the conclusion of the war, since the Japanese Government had already, by the Potsdam Declaration of 26th July, been invited in the most formal manner to surrender.

asked the Minister of Labour, why an applicant under the Forces scheme, of whose name and address he has been informed, asking for assistance in order to qualify to be an incorporated accountant was awarded the sum of 9s. 8d.; and whether he will take steps to see that in future awards will be substantial and not derisory.

The applicant in this case is undergoing training whilst in paid employment and the grant in question was in respect of books.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take on the withdrawal of the Essential Work Orders from the shipbuilding industry to prevent a flight of labour from the ship-finishing trades; and if he is aware of the danger that this will leave uncompleted in Aberdeen and elsewhere many ships now needed for trade purposes.

The Essential Work Order for the shipbuilding industry is being withdrawn on the advice of the Shipbuilding Advisory Committee, on which both sides of the industry are represented. Industries cannot give up labour controls and at the same time retain the benefits given by those controls.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to make any alteration in hostel charges to meet the change in the circumstances of workers conditioned to a five-day week.

Yes, Sir. Such workers, who are accommodated in hostels run by the National Service Hostels Corporation, are being given the option of entering into period contracts to take accommodation in the hostels for four nights a week at a charge of 25s. 6d. for men and 21s. for women. It is hoped to start these new arrangements as from Monday, 6th January, 1947.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, at the earliest opportunity, he will arrange for the length of service of those men called up under the war emergency to correspond to the length of service of those conscripted.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper on Call Up to the Forces in 1947 and 1948 (Cmd. 6831) and the Prime Minister's statement on demobilisation (HANSARD, 26th November, 1946, column 1417), to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, from the year 1939, the total amount saved annually through the Scottish Trustee Savings Banks.

I have been asked to reply. The information is included in the statement which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT in reply to a question by the hon. Member the day before yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the owners of residential property requisitioned under the Compensation Defence Act, 1939, and subsequently adapted by the Service authorities for warlike purposes are unable, under present conditions, to obtain compensation to an amount greater than the value of the land at the time when possession was taken, despite the fact that the cost of re-adapting the premises to their original residential purpose may be substantially in excess of that amount; and if arrangements will be made to provide fair treatment for small residential property owners in such cases.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," but I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Section 52 of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act, 1945, under which, if reinstatement is in the public interest, the whole cost may be borne by public funds notwithstanding the ceiling imposed by the Act of 1939.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake that no further addition to the fiduciary issue will be made without the prior consent of this House.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of the urgency to secure food imports, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to refuse to allow Danish holdings of sterling balances to increase.

The hon. and gallant Member has misunderstood the position. The Danes are short of sterling and we should like to increase our purchases of food if it can be obtained at reasonable sterling prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what currencies His Majesty's Government consider over-valued in terms of sterling in relation to their purchasing power parities; and what action is contemplated, or has been taken, to ensure correct revaluation, so that the cost of imports into the United Kingdom should not be unduly excessive.

I do not think it would be advisable to make any statement on this subject at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations His Majesty's Government have made to the International Monetary Fund, through the executive board, to prevent the recognition of exchange parities which place this country at a disadvantage owing to the revaluation of the currencies concerned in terms of sterling.

None, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the present scales of reproduction fees for Crown copyright photographs published by His Majesty's Stationery Office.

They vary with the use to which the reproductions are to be put, and they range from what is commonly known as the Fleet Street scale for reproductions in the Press to complete waiver of fee in certain cases of reproduction for non-profit making purposes. But the normal charge for reproduction in a book is 10s. 6d. per photograph.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of Local Loans Stock is held by official bodies; and what proportion of the applications to convert into 2½ per cent. Treasury Stock is from such bodies.

As I have previously stated, it is contrary both to long-established precedent and to the national interest to make such particulars public.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement in regard to the progress of the nationalisation of Cable and Wireless, Limited.

Yes, Sir. I have fixed the Appointed Day under the Cable and Wireless Act, 1946, at 1st January, 1947, when the balance of the shares of the Company will pass into Government hands. A new Board of Directors is being appointed to operate from the same date, with Sir Stanley Angwin as Chairman and Mr. John Innes as Managing Director. The other members are Major-General L. B. Nicholls, Mr. A. Black and Mr. C. N. Gallic The two last-named are part-time. One further part-time member may be appointed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish as a White Paper, thé results of the Report and recommendations of the inter Departmental committee appointed for the purpose of inquiry into the work and numbers of Government staffs.

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 10th December, His Majesty's Government are keeping the numbers of non-industrial Civil Service staffs under continuous review. But there will be no report such as the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the shortage of manpower, he will arrange to modify the present rules whereby no new technical staff can be engaged by Government Departments for permanent employment if they are over the age of 50 years.

This question is now being examined by the Civil Service National Whitley Council, and I hope shortly to be able to announce a modification of the present rules.

asked the Secretary 0r State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that local food offices normally insist upon a declaration of change of address from persons wishing to register for milk only away from their homes, what steps he is taking to ensure that such persons are not struck off the electoral register in the place where they live.

As the hon. Member was informed by the Minister of Food yesterday, food offices are not required to insist on a change of address from persons wishing to register for milk only, accordingly the second part of the Question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the large profits shown in the last Return of the State Management public-houses in Carlisle, he will favourably reconsider the application of the managers, manageress and staff for wage increases.

My right hon. Friend has now received a request from the Civil Service Union, which represents the managers of the public houses in the Carlisle State Management District, for the resumption of negotiations on their claim for an adjustment of the basic rates of pay, and arrangements are being made for an interview with them for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into the present arrangements for jury service.

I am looking into a number of questions connected with jury service, and am not at present in a position to say whether a formal inquiry would be advantageous.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether inspectors appointed by him under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, are required to have training and experience in respect of scientific method and animal husbandry.

Year in which discharged. Boys. Girls Total discharges. Reconvicted up to and including 26th September, 1946. Total discharges Reconvicted up to 31st December, 1943. 1935 … … 808 294 64 * 1936 … … 818 279 60 * 1937 … … 822 422 67 36 1938 … … 919 394 71 39 3,367 1,389 * Figures not available. For 1939 the figures were: 1939 … … 2,817 1,419 208 118

These abnormal figures are due to the emergency arrangements made on the outbreak of war when, in order to remove or reduce the prison populations

From candidates with the medical and scientific qualifications requisite for this work no difficulty has been experienced in selecting inspectors who are fully competent to supervise the care of animals used for experiments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys and girls, respectively, are now in Borstal institutions.

On 10th December there were 2,392 boys and 205 girls in Borstal training institutions, and 467 boys and 25 girls in Borstal reception centres.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates of Borstal institutions between 1935–39 have been convicted of crimes subsequent to their release from Borstal; and what proportion does that figure bear to the total number of inmates during that period.

The available figures relate to inmates discharged during the years 1935 to 1939. Figures relating to recon-victions of girls are for reconvictions up to 31st December, 1943. The figures for reconvictions of boys include a small number who were not reconvicted but whose licences were revoked for failure to observe the conditions of the licences.

in areas thought to be specially liable to attack, there was a total or partial clearance of selected establishments, and all prisoners with less than three months to serve were discharged, and all Borstal inmates who had served not less than six months of their term. Many of the lads so released had not completed their training and would not have been licensed so early but for the necessity of reducing so far as possible the risk to persons in custody.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the system of punishments in Borstal institutions for breaches of regulations.

I would refer my hon. Friend to Regulations 53 to 63 of the Borstal Regulations, S.R. & 0. 1936 No. 191 and 1938 No. 678. of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the request made by the Lytham St. Annes Corporation in a letter to him dated 4th December to the effect that sites eight and nine of the former U.S.A.A.F. camp at Warton should be allocated to the corporation for temporary housing purposes; and if, in view of the urgent housing needs of Lytham St. Annes, he will approve this request.

I am informed that these sites are required by the R.A.F. and I am therefore unable to meet the corporation's request.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the national housing programme for 1947, including the total number of permanent and prefabricated houses that each local authority is hoping to build during the coming year.

It is my intention to publish a full statement of the national programme and the facts on which it is based with the monthly report for December which will be available for the House at the end of January. As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 5th December, it will be some little time before each local authority's share can be estimated.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now give the average amount paid for permanent houses which have been completed and where the final account has been settled.

I regret that no such information is yet available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a shortage of materials for carrying out of house repairs under Statutory Orders in Birmingham; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

Yes, Sir I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the relevant Circular.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have not yet applied for tribunals to be set up under the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1946; and whether he will advise those who have not done so to make the appropriate application especially so as to prevent the possibility of exorbitant rents being charged in their districts.

769 local authorities, principally urban and rural districts councils, had not by 13th December made application for a tribunal to be established in their district. Of these 679 are in England and 90 in Wales. I do not think it is necessary at present to advise local authorities generally to make such application, though whenever I receive representations of the need for a tribunal I consult the local authority concerned.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state, to the nearest convenient date, in respect of each tribunal appointed under the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1946, the number of cases submitted to that tribunal by lessees and by local authorities, respectively; in how many of these cases has the tribunal reduced the rental payable by the lessees: and by what approximate percentages.

Following is the information required by my hon. Friend:

Tribunal Number of Cases (including cases found incompetent or withdrawn) referred by:— Number of cases in which the rent has been reduced Average Percentage of reduction. Lessee. Local Authorities per cent. Hammersmith … 374 5 127 27 Westminster … 240 Nil 98 32 Paddington … 606 2 167 36 Hampstead … 228 Nil 97 29 Wimbledon … 76 Nil 28 33 Southwark … 77 Nil 41 35 Lewisham … 71 Nil 20 38 Islington … 130 Nil 58 40 Stepney … 35 Nil 11 50 Twickenham … 78 Nil 41 32 Ealing … 132 Nil 40 30 Walthamstow … 17 Nil 3 56 Kingston-on-Thames … 107 Nil 34 30 Willesden … 117 Nil 52 44 Tottenham … 77 1 28 38 East and West Ham … 13 Nil 4 33 Croydon … 79 Nil 47 26 Newcastle … 43 Nil 14 40 Gateshead … 5 Nil 3 27 Lake District … 3 Nil Nil Nil Middlesbrough … 5 Nil Nil Nil Sheffield … 50 Nil 26 32 Huddersfield … 7 Nil Nil Nil Leeds … 56 Nil 13 34 Bradford … 7 Nil Nil Nil Oxford … 27 Nil 9 33 Slough … 14 Nil 2 45 Bournemouth … 51 Nil 3 22 Reading … 34 Nil 12 25 Aldershot … 20 Nil 9 26 Portsmouth … Nil Nil Nil Nil Bristol … 67 Nil 30 28 Plymouth … 7 Nil Nil Nil Weston-super-Mare … 16 Nil 4 34 Cheltenham … 9 Nil Nil Nil Exeter … 17 Nil Nil Nil Bath … 7 1 Nil Nil Birmingham (East) … 35 Nil 1 31 Birmingham (West) … 38 Nil Nil Nil Wolverhampton … 10 Nil Nil Nil Walsall … 3 Nil Nil Nil Coventry … 22 2 1 25 Manchester … 146 Nil 46 36 Salford … 25 Nil 9 31 Rochdale … 2 Nil Nil Nil Chester … 8 15 11 23 Brighton … 83 Nil Nil Nil Guildford … 8 1 Nil Nil Maidstone … 14 Nil Nil Nil Leicester … 52 Nil 13 24 Watford … 12 Nil Nil Nil Bedford … 7 Nil 2 27 East Glamorgan … 5 Nil 2 18 Swansea and West Wales … 18 Nil 2 61 Newport and Monmouthshire … 7 Nil 1 20 North Wales … 14 Nil 2 44 Total … 3,421 27 1,113 33

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to secure sufficient lodging accommodation for the large numbers of men working in London and requiring lodging at night and finding themselves unable to get accommodation in any lodging house.

Some hostels are available, and I am considering further provision in consultation with the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of new houses is now being equipped with the improved solid-fuel-burning appliances recommended for fuel economy and smoke abatement by the Fuel and Power Advisory Council; and at what date he anticipates that it will be possible to insist on all new houses being so equipped.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. On the second part I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 3 of Circular 112/46 to local authorities, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the houses built during the war for agricultural workers are unoccupied; how many are let to non-agricultural workers; and how many are occupied by agricultural workers.

I regret that this information is not available. These houses now form part of the general body of houses provided by local authorities for agricultural workers Local authorities are required to reserve a number of houses for agricultural workers equal to the number for which agricultural subsidy is paid but are not required to reserve particular houses for such workers.

asked the Minister of Health the amounts and descriptions of the loans to the London County Council written off by his Department; by what authority he has written them off; and what loans to other local authorities has he likewise written off.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the scheme under which financial assistance was given to local authorities whose rate increase had been seriously depleted by wartime conditions. No loans have been made to the London County Council under this scheme. As to writing off loans made to other authorities I would refer to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Epping (Mrs. Manning) on 6th November 1945. I cannot yet give the exact total of the loan portion of the advances made to other authorities which will be written off, but the amount will be about £3 million.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that considerable numbers of temporary local government officers between 50 and 60 years of age are now being dismissed from local government service because they are unable to complete 20 years' service before the age of 65; and whether, in these circumstances, consideration will be given to an amendment of the Local Government Superannuation Acts to reduce the qualifying period for pensioners.

The qualifying period under the Local Government Superannuation Act, 1937, at age 65 is ten years, and an officer may not enter the scheme over the age of 55 if he cannot complete ten years by age 65. A ten-year qualifying period seems reasonable and I do not think any reduction would be justified. I am not aware that officers are being dismissed on account of this provision.

asked the Minister of Health whether a letter sent to him by the chairman of the Rating and Valuation Committee of the Golborne Urban District Council has been brought to his notice; and what was his decision regarding the matter of borrowing, with his sanction, for war damage insurance purposes, the deprivation of voting powers imposed on five members of the council and the clerks' intimation that the five members of the council were not entitled to speak on the motion then under consideration on 6th December, 1946.

Yes, Sir. I have no power to give a ruling whether the five members of the council were debarred from taking part in the discussion on 6th December, but I am prepared, if an application is made to me, to consider whether I can properly remove any disability that exists in order to enable them to put their views before the council at any subsequent discussion of the matter; I understand from a further letter I have received that such an application may be made. I have reached no decision on borrowing for war damage insurance purposes as no application on the subject has been made to me.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the serious financial position of the 127 small district nursing associations in Lincolnshire, many of which have not enough funds to pay the midwife's salary; and if he will make a block grant immediately to the county association and so save the district nursing service from the danger of breaking up

It is the statutory duty of the local authority to provide a domiciliary midwifery service towards the expenses of which grant is provided for by the Mid-wives Act. Where the authority arranges for midwifery service to be provided through the agency of a nursing association they make agreed payments to that association. Accordingly if these payments are found to be insufficient the association should approach the local authority

asked the Minister of Health when he intends to name the appointed day on which the Food and Drugs (Milk and Dairies) Act, 1944, shall come into operation.

I would call the hon. Member's attention to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale (Mr. Walker) on this point on 12th December.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will publish the results of investigations into the nature of the recent outbreaks at Leicester and Cowley Road Hospital, Oxford.

Both were outbreaks of gastro-enteritis and not—as far as can be seen—of any new disease. Gastro-enteritis can take many forms, the causes of some of which (as here) are still unknown. Both places have been temporarily closed, and I trust this will prove effective

asked the Minister of Health if any cause of the present epidemic of boils has been found; and if his medical officers are giving precautionary advice to the public.

I am not aware of any undue prevalence of this complaint, and I do not think the second part of the Question arises.

asked the Minister of Health if the unsatisfactory conditions in which midwives have to live and work in rural areas will be investigated by the committee which is to inquire into the future of the midwifery profession.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware of the difficulty experienced by qualified male teachers of 50 years of age and over in obtaining employment; and whether she is satisfied that the Appointments Board, conducted jointly by the Association of Education Committees and the National Union of Teachers, is making the fullest use of the services of these teachers.

I am aware that some teachers of 50 and over are experiencing difficulty in securing appointments. I am satisfied that the Appointments Board make every effort to secure employment for any such teachers of whom they have particulars.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that there are less than the equivalent of two dentists for a child population of 35,000 in North Lincolnshire; and how long will it be before the medical provisions of the Education Act, 1944, can be fully implemented.

In the Lindsey area there are four dentists giving 80 per cent. of their time to the school dental service, and the authority plan, in due course, to appoint six further dentists to the staff. The full implementation of the medical provisions of the Education Act, 1944, must depend on the progress of the health services generally.

asked the Minister of Education if she will give a list of the schools and educational establishments still requisitioned by Government Departments and not available for normal educational purposes; and state for what purpose they are now used and the approximate number of places made available in each case if used for their original purpose.

Such requisitions were not necessarily notified to my Department and no comprehensive list of them has been compiled. Outstanding cases, which have been reduced to a mere handful, are however being pursued.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that in a transfer under Administrative Memorandum No. 101 of Speech Therapists, from the Education to the Medical Service, the superannuation rights are affected; and what action she proposes to take.

A few cases have been brought to my right hon. Friend's notice in which the superannuation position of speech therapists who were formerly teachers is adversely affected by Administrative Memorandum No. 101. She is looking into these cases and is in touch with the College of Speech Therapists on the matter.

asked the Minister of Education if she will now hasten the fulfilment of the undertaking made under Further Education, and Training Scheme regulations, in as much as a large number of ex-Service students at London University Colleges, details of which have been submitted to her, have suffered a delay of many months in the award of the grants, and have not received a satisfactory settlement despite further representations.

I would invite the attention of the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 12th December, I cannot agree that delays of many months have occurred, except in those cases where the application was made and the award announced long before the student entered upon his course of study. It has been made clear that in any case payments cannot be made until a certificate is received from the institution that the student is actually in attendance.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the long delay in her Department in awarding further education training grants, thus causing hardship to those concerned, she will consider the payment forthwith to each accepted student of an allowance within the amount of the grant and subsequently to be taken into consideration when the actual amount of the grant has been decided.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Sharp).

asked the Minister of Education if she will state the number of teachers and the amount of school accommodation necessary, under reasonable conditions, when the school-leaving age is raised to 16 years; and what are the figures at the latest available date.

No, Sir. Until all local education authorities' development plans have been received and approved, it is not practicable to estimate the amount of school accommodation which will be needed when the compulsory age is raised to 16. Neither is it possible to state with any precision the number of teachers needed by that time. I am at present concentrating on getting the age raised to 15.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is now in a position to make an announcement on the question of equal pay for teachers.

No, Sir. The question of equal pay for teachers must be considered in relation to the wider field covered by the Report of the Royal Commission and no announcement can yet be made.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to increase the supplies of boxes and barrels to Aberdeen for fish.

There is an acute shortage of both timber and steel, but in collaboration with the Board of Trade Timber Control we are doing our best to meet the demand for fish barrels and boxes.

asked the Minister of Food the tonnage, as at 30th November, 1946, of stocks of English barley of malting quality which was then available over and above the amount allowed for consumption by the maltsters and distillers; whether he is aware that there is difficulty in disposing of this surplus; and how he proposes to utilize these large quantities of grain.

I regret that no information is available as to the quantity of threshed barley that may be held by farmers or merchants, but I do not accept the suggestion that there is difficulty in disposing of barley not taken up by maltsters and distillers. My Department is prepared to buy all the millable or potentially millable barley that is surplus to the requirements of other users.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will announce the composition of the committee set up to review the working of the Agriculture Marketing Acts.

Yes, Sir. I am glad to announce that Lord Lucas has consented to serve as Chairman of this Committee. The other members will be: Mr. E. A. Bell, Sir Basil Mayhew, my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton (Mr. Paget), and Mr. John Ryan.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the increasing number of foxes in the Stanford Battle Training Area, making it impossible for fanners in the neighbourhood to keep all classes of poultry at a profit; and if he will take steps to reduce the number of foxes in this district.

I understand there is a heavy infestation of foxes in the Stanford Battle Training Area. The Norfolk war agricultural executive committee has organised some fox drives, and earths, where they can be found, have been gassed. I am instructing the committee to increase their efforts to deal with this problem.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that a plot of land, slightly less than one acre, occupied by a tenant of the Cricheley estate, was cropped entirely with birdseed for the benefit of the labour officer in the employ of the local A.E.C.; why this was allowed when the land, which consists of loamy soil, could have been used for more essential purposes; and whether he will make inquiries into this case and prevent such activities in future.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that all students duly completing the Government training courses in forestry will obtain employment on the conclusion of their training; and how many of the 776 at present undergoing training he anticipates will be absorbed in State schemes at home and in the Colonies, respectively.

The Forest Workers Training Scheme was instituted to provide trained forestry workers for State forests and for private estates. Employment can be found on State schemes for the 776 men now under training but it is expected that private estates will wish to take a fair proportion of these. Training is for the home service only, but if any of the men desire to emigrate to the Colonies no obstacles will be placed in their way.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why his Department is adhering to its decision to take over Stracathro aerodrome, Angus, for the purpose of establishing a land settlement there, in view of the fact that there is not an adequate supply of water and that the land is in any case of poor arable quality and a considerable distance from any civilised amenities.

No decision has been taken to use Stracathro airfield for land settlement purposes. The greater part of the airfield is owned by the Air Ministry and pending a decision as to its disposal the local agricultural executive committee have been making temporary arrangements for its use.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the possibility of increasing the rate for children under the Tuberculosis Allowances Scheme.

I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of a circular which I have issued to local authorities authorising them to pay higher rates for children under this scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies from which Colonies His Majesty's Government have undertaken to purchase the entire export surplus of any particular commodity; what are the commodities involved; and for what period does the undertaking hold good in each case.

I would refer the hon. Member to the ample answer I gave to the hon. Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 25th November, of which I am sending him a copy. Except where otherwise stated the contracts entered into by the respective Departments of His Majesty's Government are concluded on an annual basis. In the case of tin, no definite expiry date has been agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the representatives of the Dominion Governments are taken into consultation on the subject of the economic and social planning of the Colonial territories.

It is not the normal practice of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to consult representatives of the Dominion Governments regarding economic and social planning in particular Colonial territories. In matters of general policy affecting the Colonial Empire, however, His Majesty's Government do normally consult Dominion Governments as may be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to make available for the information of Parliament copies of Development Plans published in the Colonies.

Yes, Sir. I have caused to be placed in the Library copies of the plans published in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Zanzibar, Cyprus, Mauritius and Tanganyika. I have arranged for copies of further plans for other territories to be placed in the Library when they are published and received here. Members will, of course, appreciate that publication of a plan does not necessarily mean that it has been finally approved, and, furthermore, that these plans even when approved must not be regarded as blueprints to be followed in all details, but as programmes indicating the targets which it will be endeavoured to attain in the various fields of development expenditure. The details will be determined by the actual schemes of development made by me under the Development and Welfare Acts, or provided for by monies voted by the local legislatures from their own resources. The general programmes must be susceptible to review from time to time both centrally and on the spot in association with local opinion and in accordance with the principles laid down by my predecessor in his circular despatch of 12th November, 1945, which was published as Cmd 6713.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which Colonies have expressed approval at the suggestion that the system of Imperial Preference shall be discarded; and which Colonies have declared in favour of elimination of the preferences in which they are individually interested.

The suggestion that the system of Imperial Preference should be discarded has not been put to the Colonial Governments, and accordingly they have had no opportunity of expressing approval or disapproval. Nor has the time yet arrived when those Governments can usefully be asked whether they are agreeable to individual preferences being reduced or eliminated. As has been frequently pointed out, this will be dependent on the negotiation of international agreements which will effectively increase world trade and so give wider markets to Colonial producers than they at present enjoy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to improve the equipment and training of the Palestine Police to enable them to cope more effectively with terrorist attacks.

Further measures for improving the training of the Palestine Police are now under consideration as a result of a visit to Palestine by Sir Charles Wickham, until recently Inspector-General of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, to advise on police matters. The Inspector-General of the Palestine Police has also recently paid a visit to London to discuss recruitment, equipment and training of the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been made for the reconstitution of the local forces in British Malaya and Sarawak, both regular and volunteer; how many recruits have been obtained for these forces; of what nationalities, and on what rates of pay and conditions of service.

It has been decided as regards Malaya, that the Malay Regiment should be re-established. In the first instance the regiment will consist of a depot, headquarters, and two battalions. Rates of pay and other conditions of service are still under consideration, as are also the questions of the final strength of the regiment and the establishment of other local forces, whether regular or volunteer. In the case of Sarawak, the question of establishing local forces is being considered by the Governor-General in consultation with the local administrations and service authorities.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that a large amount of fuel is being wasted by the heating of offices on Saturdays when they are in use for only a few hours in the mornings; and if he will give, in the case of Government Departments other than at the centre an approximate estimate of the fuel economy which would result from the rearrangement of their working hours inside a five-day week.

Approximately 280,000 tons of fuel are used yearly for heating all except headquarters Government offices, and it is estimated that a five-day week would save 6 per cent. or 17,000 tons of fuel yearly. The rearrangement of working hours must take account of factors other than fuel consumption and I cannot accept the inference that fuel is necessarily wasted by the heating of offices on Saturdays.

asked the Minister of Works what up-to-date scientific arrangements have been made to ensure the maximum efficiency in the burning of coal at the Ministry of Fuel and Power; and whether arrangements will be made for those interested in fuel efficiency to inspect these arrangements.

The boilers at the principal office of the Ministry of Fuel and Power are of simple design and small capacity, and economic combustion of fuel is obtained by efficient stoking and careful supervision. If those who wish to inspect the apparatus will communicate with me, I will make the necessary arrangements with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power.

asked the Minister of Works in how many parts of the Palace of Westminster, normally used by Members of Parliament after dark, does the standard of electric lighting fall below the standard acceptable to His Majesty's inspectors of factories for industrial establishments; and what steps does he propose to take to improve the present low standard prevailing.

I am advised that in general the lighting of all parts of the Palace used by hon. Members after dark does not fall at present below the standards prescribed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. All lighting has been restored to prewar standards or above, excepting in St. Stephen's, the Central and Westminster Halls, the Library Corridor, the Committee Corridor and the Lower Waiting Hall, where with the agreement of the authorities of the House, a reduction continues to be made in the interests of fuel economy. In the first two of these places, an improvement in the lighting has recently been made.

asked the Minister of Works why the electric lighting in the Central Hall of the Palace of Westminster is of so low a standard; and when it will be raised to the standard prevailing in the London underground railways.

With the agreement of the authorities of the House, the lighting of the Central Hall has been reduced in order to save fuel. I am advised that it is not at present inferior to that provided on the Underground railway stations, but restoration to the full prewar standard is prevented for the time being not only by the need to save current, but by the shortage of certain special equipment destroyed during the war.

asked the Minister of Works how many former Service camps were held by his Department on 30th June and 30th September, 1946, or at some other convenient date; how many of these have since been taken over by other Government Departments or local authorities; and what action, including maintenance or dismantling, he proposes taking with those. remaining on the charge of his Department.

The number of former Services camps held by my Department on 30th June and 30th September, 1946, were 690 and 781 respectively. Since 30th September, 35 camps have been handed over to other Departments including the Ministry of Health who take over on behalf of local authorities. The remaining camps in the charge of this Ministry are being used for various purposes and will be maintained by this Department so long as they are required for official use. When they become surplus to official requirements they will be disposed of or demolished according to the circumstances of each case.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the pay and allowances of married officers stationed in Austria are quite inadequate to meet necessary expenses for living accommodation, mess bills, food, etc.; and if he will increase the allowances to a more appropriate amount.

I am aware that there have been complaints and the whole matter is at present being investigated. I cannot, however, say what the results of this investigation will be.

asked the Secretary of State for War why officers stationed in Austria are charged twice as much as other ranks for the same food rations; and if he will arrange for this variation to cease.

The hon. Member is misinformed. When officers and other ranks draw rations on repayment the charge is the same. At present, however, other ranks' families receive free a half ration for a wife and a quarter ration for each child, but this privilege, which has been continued temporarily as a special concession after the introduction of the new pay code, will be withdraw at the end of the month.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, when a married officer, stationed abroad, is ordered to this country to attend a course, he will agree to pay the travelling expenses of his wife and children to enable them to accompany him.

No, Sir. I do not consider that the additional expense to Army funds would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement about the use of land for training during the winter months in the Ripon area; and why no prior consultations were held with the local authority or local farmers.

The Ripon training area is at present being used by the School of Military Engineering. Their training consists of minor training, bridging, and field training. The major portion of this area is used under Defence Regulation 52. Notice of renewal has been issued for the current six months as for previous periods. In August, 1942, the principal landowners and the agricultural authorities were consulted about the use of this land and raised no objection to the War Department proposals. Since this time no representations have been received from these authorities in respect of any part of this training area.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now expedite the settlement of the claims of the D.C. Engineering Company, Limited, and W. H. Soper, Limited, which are being considered by the D.D. of Army contracts, in view of the long delay which has already taken place in this matter.

My Department has no claims from the D.C. Engineering Company, Limited, awaiting settlement. Most of the claims on behalf of W. H. Soper, Limited, have yet to be submitted on lines discussed with parties representing the firm and my Department cannot make any progress towards settlement until this has been done.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Mrs. Halliday, wife of a soldier, has been refused Army allowance because her husband is under 21 years of age; that she has been refused further help from the Assistance Board; and what action he proposes to take to assist Mrs. Halliday in maintaining her two young children.

I cannot trace cases relating to soldiers' allowances in the absence of the soldier's military particulars, but I understand that the Mrs. Halliday who wrote to my hon. Friend is in fact continuing to receive payments from the Assistance Board until some grant is made. A soldier who is not eligible for marriage allowance may apply for a War Service Grant from the Ministry of Pensions, through his Commanding Officer. I would refer my hon. Friend for details to the reply I gave on 19th November to several hon. Members of which I am sending him a copy

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is ware that Mr. Robert Langham, 49 Higher House Close, Chadderton, has been refused a service pension although he has completed over 19 years embodied Regular service with the Colours; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Langham is ineligible for service retired pay. He was not serving on a Regular engagement when he was commissioned, and therefore is not eligible for the special retired pay terms designed for Regular other ranks granted Emergency Commissions. His total service is, of course, less than that normally expected even of a permanent Regular officer in return for retired pay, or of a Regular soldier in return for a life pension.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his inquiries into the complaints made by Sergeant D. K. Parker, Gurnard Hotel, Gurnard, near Cowes, Isle of Wight, the details of which were sent to him on 29th October by the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight, arc yet complete; whether he will take steps to have Sergeant Parker's clothing and food ration books returned to him by Records Office of the Pioneer Corps; and whether he will give an assurance that the conditions prevailing at the camp in question are such as will not discourage voluntary recruits from enlisting.

Mr. Parker's clothing and food ration books had been returned to the Ministry of Food so that they could not be reissued to him, but he has the documents necessary to obtain new ones. With regard to his other complaints, he was refused breakfast in the Sergeant's Mess on the morning he left only because none is served after 8.30 a.m. and he came in for it only just before 9 o'clock. The charge against him was quashed as soon as it was realised that he was not yet subject to military law, but he did not explain this point either to his Company Commander or to his Commanding Officer I have called for certain information about this matter and I will take any action that may be required.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the voyage of H.M. troopship "Esperance bay," by repatriated troops from Trinidad, there was discrimination in treatment between R.A.F. and Army N.C.Os.; and whether he will take steps to see that such discrimination does not recur.

There was no discrimination between Army and R.A.F. passengers on this ship. Permanent ship's staff, in this case including some Royal Air Force N.C.Os., serve aboard the ship for many voyages and are always, and rightly, given somewhat better accommodation than that available for passengers of equivalent rank.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers repatriated from Trinidad in H.M. troopship "Esperance Bay" travelled under conditions in which no heating was provided although the weather was severely cold; that the food was inadequate and poorly cooked, preferential treatment was given to German internees and men travelling with their wives were not permitted to dine with them; and whether he will take steps to ensure that there is no recurrence of such conditions.

I was not aware that there was trouble with the heating on the. "Esperance Bay" but I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend. Only one complaint was received about the food and this related to the amount of meat served on one troopdeck: the matter was put right at once. I can assure my hon. Friend that no preferential treatment was given to German internees. The-five wives and six children of Servicemen on board were travelling "Cabin Class" and arrangements could not be made for soldiers travelling on troopdecks to dine with them.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is ware of the police raid on the Polish camp at Watton, East Yorkshire, when 80 girls, many between 14–18 years of age, were discovered; if he has made an investigation into the facts of this case; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent any recurrence.

I am aware of the reports of this incident and I am arranging for the discipline and administration of the camp to be investigated with a view to the prevention of similar occurrences. I would urge parents to exercise their responsibility in cases of this nature to avoid such incidents. I can give the hon. Member an assurance that I am keeping a close watch on the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the prospects for an early lifting of the ban against Germans travelling from Germany for temporary visits to this country.

It is too early to contemplate any general removal of restrictions on travel of Germans but there is no longer a complete ban and several visits to this country have already been made by German political and religious leaders and by a few compassionate cases. I look forward to a progressive relaxation of the present restrictions.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether Poland is among the countries to which gift parcels of food may be sent from this country; and if he will arrange for parcels containing not only food, but clothes and medical supplies, to be carried by aeroplane to Poland so as to arrive in time for Christmas.