asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether he is aware that unestablished civilian members of the Control Service serving in Germany are entitled, according to their contractual terms of service, to free accommodation and free rations on Army scales up to 30th September, 1948; and why, on the arrival in Germany of his family, the individual concerned is called upon to pay for rations and accommodation not only for his family but also for himself.

Members of the Commission are not called upon to pay for their own rations when joined by their families. They are required to pay rent for married accommodation if they elect to live with their families and this is not contrary their terms of contract.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the wives of personnel in the Military Government in Germany are to receive continued payments of family allowances whilst in Germany; and whether their children receive issues of orange juice, codliver oil and milk as in this country.

Family allowances are not payable in these circumstances to civilian personnel of the Commission but special allowances in lieu are being arranged and will be made in due course. Children between the ages of five and 12 years at school in Germany are already entitled to free milk as in this country. Milk, orange juice and codliver oil are available in N.A.A.F.I. family shops for younger children on terms similar to those in force in this country and the problem of ensuring that adequate supplies are maintained is already receiving my attention. I will inform the hon. Member of the outcome as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements are made in Germany to assist in placing repatriated prisoners in employment.

A representative of the German Labour Office at the discharge centre ensures that all prisoners repatriated to meet priority labour requirements take up the employment for which they have been released and explains to other returning prisoners the general situation of the labour market. The British authorities help to find suitable employment for highly qualified specialists and other skilled workers are allowed 30 days in which to find employment in their own trades. Skilled workers who do not find employment and all unskilled workers report to the German labour offices for employment in the normal way. Experience has shown that these arrangements are working satisfactorily.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what rehabilitation schemes there are in Germany to assist released prisoners of war in readjusting themselves to ordinary life after several years in captivity.

I am not aware of any such schemes, but the German churches concern themselves actively with the problem, which is the responsibility of local German authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many families of Control Commission staff are on the waiting list for transport to Germany; and at what rate the list is being cleared.

There are, at present, 1,775 families of civilian members of the Commission on the waiting list. The average rate of clearance is, at the moment. 46 families a week.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a further statement concerning the future of displaced persons in the British zones of Germany and Austria.

Yes, Sir. I propose to circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Meanwhile my hon. Friend may like to know that His Majesty's Government have decided that the ordinary machinery for direction to work will be applied to displaced persons in Germany in order that they may become, so far as possible, self-supporting. supporting. A similar policy is already in force in Austria.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent arms, equipment or aeroplanes have been supplied, during the past six months, by His Majesty's Government to the French Government for use in Indo-China.

In pursuance of our policy which originated during the war of helping the Armed Forces of our Allies with equipment and training, a part of the French Forces in metropolitan France has been equipped with British material of all kinds. In addition, when British Forces in French Indo-China were replaced by French Forces, a certain amount of war material was handed over to them in order to complete their equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware of the ill-treatment in Hungary of Slovaks who have declared that they wish to be repatriated into Slovakia; if he has any information as to the numbers who have made this declaration according to the treaty of 27th February, 1946, for the fulfilment of which we are responsible; and what steps he is taking to create a better understanding between these two countries;(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the recent refusal of the Prime Minister of Hungary to receive a delegation of Slovaks, who desired to hand over a petition signed by 20,000 of their compatriots, declaring their desire to return to Slovakia; whether he is aware of the frequent assaults made in Hungary upon such Slovaks and the recent resulting death of two of them; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the Hungarian Government fulfils its treaty obligation for which we are responsible;(3) whether he is aware that the Treaty between Czechoslovakia and Hungary concerning exchange of population and signed on 27th February, 1946, has not been carried out; that the relationship between the two countries is deteriorating; and what steps he proposes to take to promote a settlement in these matters.

As my hon. Friend will be aware from the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr. Haire) on 3rd February, His Majesty's Government are considering how best they can assist the friendly settlement of the dispute which has arisen between the Hungarian and Czechoslovak Governments in connection with the exchange of populations between the two countries. His Majesty's Government have no responsibility with regard to the implementation of the Treaty of 27th February, 1946, which was freely negotiated by the Czechoslovak and Hungarian Governments and I have no information on the various points of detail and the allegations to which my hon. Friend refers. His Majesty's Government's only obligation connected with this matter is that under Article 5 of the Treaty of Peace with Hungary the Council of Foreign Ministers, if no settlement is reached by direct negotiation between the two Governments within six months of the coming into force of the Treaty and if the Czechoslovak Government so desire, is to assist in effecting a final solution of the problem of those inhabitants of Magyar ethnic origin residing in Czechoslovakia who have not been settled in Hungary as a result of the agreement of 27th February, 1946. I hope that direct negotiations between the two countries will begin as soon as possible and that these negotiations will result in a satisfactory settlement.

asked the Minister of Defence, in view of the necessity' for the surrender of deserters and the fact that sentences recently passed on the first men to surrender may not be an inducement to others, if he will consider, in place of imprisonment, imposing as punishment the loss of privileges normally given to men on demobilisation.

I am afraid I cannot see my way to adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion which would, in any event, require legislation to amend existing Service disciplinary codes.

asked the Minister of Food what kinds of dried fruits are subsidised and subject to price control; and if he will take steps to bring dates under control, in order to obviate the present black market in them and to bring them within the purchasing power of the working-class housewife.

The dried fruits subject to price control are shown in the Dried Fruits (Control & Maximum Prices) (Amendment No. 4) Order, 1946, of which, with the hon. Member's permission, I will send him a copy as the list is rather long. All purchases of these fruits, which include dates (other than dates of African origin), carry a subsidy. The only dates not subject to price control and which are not subsidised are dates of African origin, which, owing to their lack of keeping qualities, are not suitable for allocation and distribution through Ministry machinery.

asked the Minister of Food what were the total stocks of wheat held by his Department in this country on 1st February as compared with the amount held on 1st February, 1946, taking the latter figure as 100.

As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for North Dorset (Mr. Byers) on 10th July last figures of wheat stocks can only be disclosed in the most exceptional circumstances, and I am afraid that it is not possible for me to give the figures for which the hon. Member is asking.

asked the Minister of Food whether, having regard to the scheme already operated by the Regional Commissioner of the Rhine, Westphalia district, he will make such arrangements as will enable food contributions on a community basis to be made from British cities to distressed areas on the Continent.

I understand that the Regional Commissioner in Rhine-Westphalia did on one occasion handle a bulk consignment of food sent by air through "Save Europe Now." Apart from this isolated case no scheme is operated by him. My right hon. Friend is, however, considering whether arrangements can be made which would allow food collected in. this country for relief abroad to be shipped in bulk.

asked the Minister of Food how many anonymous letters are on average received each month by his Department about rationing offences being committed by named individuals; and what action his Department takes over such anonymous communications.

Anonymous letters are received from time to time and contain allegations of offences other than those against the Rationing Orders. No specific record is kept. Any action taken on a letter would depend on its character and nature. If it was sufficiently categorical to justify examination (and few anonymous letters are of such value), inquiries would be made.

asked the Minister of Food what contracts have been entered into by His Majesty's Government for the importation into this country of eggs, butter and poultry products, the quantities involved, prices and periods applicable.

The Ministry of Food has contracts for eggs with Canada, Australia, Eire, Denmark and other countries. It has contracts for butter with New Zealand, Australia and Denmark. For egg products it has contracts with the United States and Canada. In some instances these contracts are for two or three years and the terms of the contracts are very complex. To give a complete answer to the hon. Member's question could only be done by printing the greater part of some of these contracts, which would occupy a considerable space in the OFFICIAL REPORT. If the hon. Member will let me know what particular details interest him most I will endeavour to provide the information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make the proceedings of the Malayan Union Advisory Council open to the public and the reports of the meetings fully reported, similar to those of parliamentary proceedings in this country.

Proceedings of the Malayan Union Advisory Council are open to the Press and public. The newspapers give verbatim reports of matters of public interest, and copies of papers laid on the Council table are supplied to the Press. A bound volume of the proceedings far 1946 will be ready for sale to the public about June next, and, in the meantime, printed copies of the proceedings and papers are on sale after each meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many governmental officials and employees, other than direct Service personnel, are now employed in the administration in Malaya; and how many were required to handle the same tasks prior to 1942.

The necessary information is not available in this country, and I have, therefore, asked the Governors for a report. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I have received it. It would, however, be quite erroneous to say that the Civil Services in the Malayan Union and Singapore are handling the same tasks as before the war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reports he has received from the Governor of Singapore as to the origin of the recent strikes there; which of the political parties has supported the strikes; and what are the industrial grievances which the strikers desire to remedy.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the recent strike of seven unions, representing sections of municipal employees outside the Government and Municipal Labour Union, to which I referred in reply to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 29th January. I have received further information from the Governor, although I still await a full report. I learn that on the 28th December last these unions, which unlike the Government and Municipal Labour Union were not registered, put forward twenty demands. Sixteen of these demands had already been discussed in joint conferences between the Government Departments concerned and the registered Government and Municipal Labour Union, with whom general agreement upon them had been reached. In view of this agreement on these points the Municipal Commissioners were disinclined to negotiate with the unregistered unions and replied suggesting that they should take steps to regularise their position when discussions would be held. Early in January five of the unions concerned applied for registration. But they went on strike as from the 21st January after ignoring two invitations to meet the President of the Commissioners for discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to develop the hydroelectric potentialities of the Gold Coast, having regard to the need for electric energy in the mining industries there.

An investigation of the hydro-electric potentialities of the Volta River has been proceeding for some months and it is expected that the result will be available in about a year's time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will provide figures showing for each of the East African territories the present relative percentage of contributions to direct and indirect taxation, with particular reference to Income Tax, dividing these figures, so far as possible, over the European, Indian and native communities, respectively.

As a result of a similar Question asked on 13th May, 1946, my predecessor consulted the East African Governments and subsequently informed the hon. and gallant Member that the figures which he requires are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any estimate has been made of the extent of Income Tax evasion by the Indian community in Kenya; and for what reason the present law that books of accounts must be kept in English, in order to reduce the opportunities for evasion, is not at present enforced so far as the Indian community is concerned.

I am consulting the Governor and shall communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as I am in a position to do so

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the cost involved to the British consumer and the African producer by the intervention of the Tripartite Produce Agency between the African producer and the Ministry of Food

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to his Questions Nos. 43 and 44 today in which I have dealt with this point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is being done to develop the petroleum industry of Nigeria.

There is no present production of petroleum in Nigeria but in 1938 the D'Arcy Exploration Company Limited and Shell Overseas Exploration Company Limited were granted jointly licences to prospect for petroleum in Nigeria. The working obligations of their licences were suspended during the war but have been revived at the corn panies' request as from 1st September, 1946, I understand that the companies are now engaged in prospecting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to find alternative accommodation for the families evicted from their dwellings by the Palestine authorities in the cities of Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv.

Alternative accommodation has already been found for the great majority of families evicted and the remainder will be re-settled in the very near future. All of us must regret the inconvenience caused. I will circulate a more detailed statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what ground nearly 30,000 daily paid workers in Government Departments in Ceylon are denied the right to form a trade union.

Daily paid workers m Ceylon may join any of the trade unions at present registered. The question of extending their rights so as to permit of the formation of new unions or their joining unregistered unions is one of the number of issues which have lately assumed considerable local political importance and is within the competence of the Ceylon Government. I have no doubt 'the matter will be determined by the first Parliament under the new Constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many natives of the Ellice Islands are employed by the U.S. Navy on Johnston Island; how the labour is obtained by the British authorities for the U.S. Navy; what payments are made to the British authorities; and what wages are paid to the Ellice Islands natives.

I have found it necessary to refer this matter to the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as I have his reply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why CJX 640841 L. J. P. Hiscock, A.B., who was granted eight weeks temporary release for harvest work last autumn has now had his demobilisation from the R.N. deferred from Group 57 to Group 58.

I have looked into this matter. In accordance with the provisions of the Release Scheme, only whole time service on Service rates of pay is generally reckonable in the assessment of a man's age and Service Group, and the Admiralty have hitherto applied this criterion strictly. It has now been decided, however, that periods of agricultural leave up to 28 days, plus any extension which may be granted awing to inclement weather, within a maximum of a further 28 days, shall not be regarded as a break in service for the purpose of assessing age and Service Groups. Hiscock's age and Service Group will accordingly be restored to number 57.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the demobilisation programme for dental officers; and how the ratio of naval dentists to the men of the R.N. compares with the ratio of civilian dentists to the civil population.

Release of dental officers in the Royal Navy reached age and ser vice Group 52 at the end of January, 1947, and by the end of March, 1947, all temporary dental officers who volunteered to stay until that date will also have been released. It is not possible to announce any further programme of releases until the probable number of entries of dental officers during the current year is known. The present ratio of naval dental officers to total personnel is about 1.2 per thousand. I understand that the ratio for the civilian population is about 1 to 3,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of men with less than four years' service released from the R.N. during 1946.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could only be obtained at the expense of time and labour now being devoted to more urgent work

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the maximum practical output of generated electricity for A- and T-class submarines.

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give this information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that naval personnel serving in the Hong Kong area still complain of considerable delay in the postal services; and whether he proposes to take steps to put this matter right.

No complaints have been received in the Admiralty of delays to mail to or from Hong Kong. The time taken by air mail is dependent on the air services available and averages 10 days from the United Kingdom. Surface and parcel mail necessarily take a long time owing to the distance involved and the shortage of shipping, but steps are being taken to reduce the transit time as much as possible. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I should be glad if he would let me know.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is being done to improve sea communications between the United Kingdom and the West Indies and to ensure continuance of existing air communications between each of the West Indian Colonies.

I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport with a view to the improvement of sea communications between the United Kingdom and the West Indies as soon as this is possible. Meanwhile, arrangements have been made for the Imperial Shipping Committee to survey the shipping needs of the West Indian Colonies, and to consider what services will be required to meet the future needs of that area and how these services can best be provided. Air services are already operating between most of the West Indian Colonies and it is hoped to extend those services to other islands which are not at present served as soon as the necessary landing facilities can be made available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is satisfied with the recruitment in the educational branch of his Department.

I assume that the question refers to recruitment for the Colonial Education Service to which 3ro appointments have been made since June, 1945. The present shortage of qualified teachers has precluded the keen competition which exists in some other branches of the service, but on the whole I am satisfied both with the numbers and quality of candidates coming forward.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why telephone accounts in the London area are only rendered half-yearly; and whether he will make arrangements for these accounts to be rendered quarterly.

Half-yearly accounts were introduced during the war in order to save manpower. I regret that owing to the present manpower situation it is still not possible to return to quarterly accounting..

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will reconsider the terms of the Jubilee and, Tercentenary Concessions which limit the erection of kiosks free of expense to those villages which have a post office, in view of the hardship caused to isolated villages where no telephonic communication exists.

The present terms of the Tercentenary concession are not onerous, but if the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any village where, owing to extreme remoteness or difficulty of access, there is special need for a kiosk, I shall be glad to examine it

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when the mail service to Japan is likely to be resumed.

As announced through the Press on 30th January last, unregistered letters as well as non-illustrated postcards may now be sent by surface route to the four main islands of Japan. Business communications are restricted to fact-finding inquiries and the exchange of information preparatory to the resumption of trade as soon as conditions permit.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory postal service between this country and Miho; and if he will take steps to ensure that there will be a definite and immediate improvement.

Unregistered letters, subject to certain restrictions, and non-illustrated postcards, may now be sent to civilian addresses in the four main islands of Japan. If the hon. and gallant Member has any point in mind which is not met by this answer he will no doubt give me further particulars.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by Post Office workers at the 7 p.m. delivery of letters and 9 p.m. collections; and what action he proposes to take. to remove this hardship on Post Office workers.

I am aware that some dissatisfaction has been expressed by a certain section of the staff about the 7 p.m. delivery and 9 p.m. collections in London which were introduced as recently as the 10th January as part of the postwar improvements in postal services. Having regard to the fact that substantial improvements in postmen's attendances have recently been made my noble Friend does not think there are reasonable grounds for dissatisfaction. As the hon. Member will be aware, the delivery and collections to which he refers have been suspended in connection with the present crisis.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, in view of the profit of £36,191,000 made on the working of the Post Office during 1945–46, he is proposing to make better provision for unestablished Post Office workers, either by way of increased pay or entitlement to superannuation.

The pay of most of the Post Office staff, established and unestablished, was revised less than a year ago in agreement with the staff representatives. As regards the eligibility of unestablished officers for superannuation, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 5th February to the hon. Member for Battersea, South (Mrs. Ganley).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what effect the recent agreement between the Anglo-American Oil Company and the U.S. oil companies will have on British oil supplies.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to the recent agreement between the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and the U.S. oil companies. I believe that this agreement will provide an additional outlet for British oil and will not diminish the amount of Middle East oil available to Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the delay which is occurring in relation to the proposed acquisition of Petersfield House, Horning, Norfolk; and if he will have the matter expedited.

The hon. Member will now be aware that we have been able to make other arrangements and no longer intend to purchase Petersfield House, Horning. Unless, therefore, it is required by another Government Department, which I think unlikely, we should be able to release it within a month.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what use it is proposed to make, in the present emergency. of the 180 new mobile generators, mounted on lorries and working on diesel oil which, during the past 12 months, have stood idle on open runways at Grafton Underwood aerodrome in charge of 236 M.U. R.A.F.; and whether these generators can now be used to make and supply electricity for some of the factories now out of action in Kettering.

The mobile generators at Grafton Underwood, together with 250 other mobile generators, have been put at the disposal of the Board of Trade. The Board, I understand, are lending them to industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory camp conditions existing at Miho; and what steps he has taken, or is taking, to ensure that necessary improvements take place at the earliest possible moment.

I have at present nothing to add to my replies to Questions asked by my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Symonds) on 22nd January, and the hon. Member for Brighton (Mr. Teeling) on 12th February, on conditions at Miho. I have, however, called for regular reports on the progress that is being made in improving this station.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that difficulties are being experienced by airmen in a few units in getting adequate leave to attend examinations for entry to the Civil Service; and, in view of the special facilities made available to Services candidates by the Government, if he will issue precise instructions to commanding officers.

Special instructions are already in force laying down that every facility should be given to officers or airmen to attend Civil Service examinations. I should be grateful if my hon. Friend would give me details of the difficulties he has in mind, so that I can consider the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his Department is now prepared to release the instructional site at Madley R.A.F. station to meet local housing requirements.

The instructional site at the R.A.F. Station, Madley, is surplus to Air Ministry needs, and the accommodation is now on offer to other Government Departments. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is considering whether it should be taken over by the local authority for housing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what arrangements are made for the supply of British beer in messes and canteens for R.A.F. personnel in the province of Bombay; what is the reason for the recent increase in the price of such beer, what is the sterling equivalent of the present price of one pint of bottled; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce the price.

Responsibility for the supply of British beer to messes and canteens of the Royal Air Force in Bombay rests with the Indian Canteens Department. The recent increase in its price is due to an additional excise duty imposed by the Government of Bombay. The matter has been taken up with the Provincial Government by the local military commander, who has been successful iii obtaining reduction of the new additional duty. The present price of one pint of bottled beer is Re. 1 pies 6, or 1s. 6½d.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much of the capital outlay on machinery for opencast coal-mining has been expended through purchases or loans from abroad, and how much of this has been in dollar currency.

All the machinery obtained from abroad for opencast coal mining has been purchased in the U.S.A. Apart from supplies received under Lend-Lease, orders for machinery so far placed by the Ministry amount to approximately £200,000.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the packed-meal service for railwaymen sleeping in railway coaches and hostels, because of the shortage of accommodation, at Old Oak Common, Newbury, Westbury, Wilts., Didcot, Oxford and Gloucester is not equivalent to a main meal; and. in view of the arduous nature of the duties of these men who work varied hours by day and night, if he will take steps to see that they receive something more substantial than jam and cheese sandwiches when unable to take a hot meal in their respective canteens.

Packed meals are for consumption on duty and consist of cheese or jam sandwiches, or, when available, fish or meat sandwiches. Full hot meals are available for the men before and after their turns of duty.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now state the stocks of coal on 14th February; the deliveries of coal during the week ending on that date; and the consumption of coal during the same period at electricity generating stations in England and Wales, at stations in the central England area and at Harris Hall station, respectively.

The following table shows the coal at electricity generating stations, including non-selected stations operating under the direction of the Central Electricity Board and stations owned by railway and transport authorities:

asked the Secretary of State for War what prior warning was given by the Italian authorities to the British authorities of the intention of Maria Pasquinelli to murder a senior British officer in protest against the cession of Pola to Yugoslavia.

As my right hon. Friend explained yesterday in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Windsor (Major Mott-Radclyffe), he is awaiting a full report of local investigations and cannot at present confirm or deny reports that warning was given

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the policy with regard to the release and repatriation of prisoners of war, both in this country and in Germany, has been made clear to the prisoners of war themselves.

An announcement in German, giving full details of the repatriation scheme, was issued to all prisoners of war camps in this country in October of last year. In addition full details were printed in "Wochenpost," a newspaper issued to all camps in this country. Details of the scheme received full publicity in the German Press. In order that prisoners of war may be kept acquainted with the progress of repatriation, periodical statements are issued to all camps. Similar arrangements have been made in the Middle East.

asked the Minister of Supply what progress has been made with the construction of the Saunders-Roe prototype flying boat.

Satisfactory progress is being made in the design and development of this flying boat. The only constructional work at present being undertaken is jigging and tooling, and the manufacture of certain components.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that linen maids and machinists employed on manual work in hotels are excluded from obtaining the Industrial Ten clothing coupons; and what action he proposes to take to rectify this anomaly.

The Industrial Ten supplement is intended for heavy manual workers who have exceptional wear and tear on their clothing or for workers who need special clothing for hygienic reasons. I see no justification for issuing these coupons to the class of persons named.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many plainclothes coupons are available annually to soldiers serving on Regular enlistment.

Apart from officers who receive 21 special coupons a year which may be used to purchase a restricted range of garments, no coupons are available. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Winchester (Mr. G. Jeger) on 13th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will define the scope of the pilot census of distribution; what towns will be covered by it; under what powers it is being taken; when it will be completed; what information collected will be published; and when publication may be expected.

It would be necessary to hold the Pilot Census of Distribution at a very early date if the results are to be collated and studied in time for a full census in respect of 1948. In view, however, of the difficulties of the economic situation, it has been decided that the Pilot Census will be postponed until next year. This will mean that the full census will be taken in respect of the year 1949.