asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there is a long line of empty coal trucks on the Armley-Wortley-Bramley railway line; how many years they have been there; and why they are not in use.

I am making inquiries and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent the large accumulations of full coal wagons in railway sidings in January were due to shortage of shunters; to what extent other factors contributed; and what action he is taking to ensure that coal is dispatched and delivered promptly to where it is required.

The main cause of railway operating difficulties is shortage of locomotives; this was aggravated during January by bad weather. Shortage of experienced railway staff, including shunters, particularly in London and the Midlands, is a contributory factor. The movement of coal is accorded priority on the railways and large numbers of passenger trains have been withdrawn in order further to facilitate this movement. I am glad to say that the clearance and delivery of coal by the railways has been proceeding most satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent arrears of coal traffic have been overcome on the railways; and what is the present position.

At 6 a.m. on 7th February, after the first impact of the blizzard, the number of loaded coal wagons in transit on the railways or awaiting clearance from the collieries was 95,593. At 6 a.m. on 21st February this had been reduced to 67,158, which is less than the normal winter number. At the same time during the week ended 20th February more coal was cleared from collieries than in any week since June last.

asked the Minister of Transport how many dwelling houses are owned by the four main tine railway companies in England, Scotland and Wales; how many of those houses are at present let for rent; and how many of the houses have no bathrooms or hot water provided.

I am having inquiries made and I will circulate the available information in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now received the report of the investigation by the railway company into the case brought to his attention, by the hon. Member for Mile End, of a train consisting of 75 mineral wagons which stood with steam up for 11 hour 10 minutes on 5th-6th December; and it he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. The railway company advise me after investigation that in the conditions of congestion which prevailed on the day in question, to have taken any other course would have resulted in greater interference with traffic movement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange for a display in the Members Tea Room of photographs showing the railway difficulties in the recent heavy falls of snow.

Yes, Sir, I have arranged for a selection of photographs to be displayed accordingly.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the high percentage of railway workers who have left the railway industry since the lifting of the Essential Work Order, he will say in which departments the shortage of staff is most acute; and what steps are being taken to build up a staff adequate to the proper manning of the railways.

Railway operations are most affected by shortage of experienced footplate staff and shunters. In addition to the normal machinery of recruit- ment through the Ministry of Labour, an advertising campaign in the Press and on railway premises has been undertaken and information about employment on the railways is given to service personnel on demobilisation.

asked the Minister of Transport the total number of men employed

Year.					Male		Female		Total
					Adult	Juvenile.	Adult.	Juvenile.
1926	…	…	…	…	597,571	39,351	20,567	1,417	658,906
1936	…	…	…	…	503,359	33,666	20,702	1,629	559,356
1946	…	…	…	…	524,565	32,109	64,041	4,877	625,592

asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for the night train from Aberdeen to King's Cross to stop, by request, at Stonehaven, as was possible before the war.

A stop at Stonehaven would mean that this train would have either to leave Aberdeen earlier or arrive in London later. I am advised that both these alternatives are undesirable, the first because the train already leaves Aberdeen 5o minutes earlier than before the war, and the second because it would involve the train with the morning suburban business services at King's Cross.

asked the Minister of Transport the cost of altering the bollards at the corner of Brompton Road and Beauchamp Place, to reduce them to standard height; who was responsible for the erection of these bollards in the first place; and what steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence.

The cost of altering the bollards was £617s. 8d. and the responsible authority is the Kensington Borough Council. In March last year my right hon. Friend advised highway authorities of the action they should take in relation to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs which, on this point, is that bollards

The numbers of staff employed by the four main line railway companies in March, 1926, 1936 and 1946 are shown in the following table. Figures for December of those years are not available.should be modified as and when replacement becomes necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is still satisfied with the altered plans to the temporary improvement of Otley bridge; whether he is aware that nothing has been done for two months to this partially altered bridge; if he will state the reasons for the months of delay; what has been the cost of maintaining two men night and day working the traffic lights by hand; and when will the temporary safety plans be completed.

I have every hope that the revised scheme will prove satisfactory. The delay in bringing it into operation is due partly to the difficulties of the manufacturers in providing the special controlling apparatus required and partly to the severe weather. The alterations to the carriageways have been completed; the traffic control signals and part of the mechanism have been erected and, subject to the weather being suitable, the rest of the controlling apparatus will be installed and in operation by the end of March. The cost of working the traffic lights by hand is approximately £35 a week.

asked the Minister of Transport the rate of freight applying to grain imported into this country before and during the war; and the rate now being paid by the Government since shipping was decontrolled.

The following table shows the freight rates at different periods during the past To years for heavy grain from Canada and the River Plate. The

RATES OF FREIGHT ON HEAVY GRAIN INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM

Date of Period.

From Canada East Coast.

From River Plate.

s.

d.

s.

d.

Average 1938

…

…

…

…

…

2

11

per quarter

25

0

Per ton

Early 1940

…

…

…

…

…

10

0

" "

60

0

Per ton

September, 1940

…

…

…

…

12

6

" "

82

6

Per ton

December, 1945

…

…

…

…

10

3

" "

82

6

Per ton

s.

d.

Present day

…

…

…

…

…

St. John

…

10

3 (a)

81

Per ton

(b)

Halifax

…

9

9 (a)

(a) For ships over 9,000 tons d.w.

(b) For ships over 7,000 tons d.w.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement as to the position of the bye-laws governing the River Thames pilots' licences.

I am making inquiries of the Corporation of Trinity House as to the present position and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport how many British-owned merchant ships are on loan to the Soviet Government; and whether any charter hire is due on them.

No British-owned ships are at present on loan to the Soviet Government and the second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Transport how many masters of colliers have refused to take their ships out during the recent bad weather.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is able to give any indication as to the future of Barrow Steel Works.

So far as can be tore-seen, the plant will continue to be-operated as at present.

asked the Minister of Supply when a decision is likely to be reached regarding the appeal made by his Department to the Distribution of Industry Panel for permission for the Long Eaton Cable Company, Limited, to extend their factory at Dorking to make electric cables urgently required by Government Departments; and the reason for the delay of many months in dealing with this matter.

The application was ejected on 31st August last, and the company was advised to consider finding an alternative site in an easier labour area. A meeting was held with the firm on 21st February and a final decision will be taken within the next ten days.

asked the Minister of Supply if there is still a shortage of iron and steel to supply the nation's need for home and export; and if he will arrange with the Service Ministers to have the various dumps of metal such as barbed wire, tubular scaffolding and old iron still existing about the country, collected by members of the Defence Services.

The surplus material held by the Service Departments is being made available as rapidly as possible to help to meet the shortage if iron and steel. It is chiefly of value as scrap, of which there is not at present a shortage, and emergency methods of collection are not considered necessary.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that bismuth, glycerine of pepsin and medicine bottles are unobtainable in Yorkshire; and whether he will take steps to obtain supplies for doctors.

These items are in short supply, but I have no evidence to suggest that Yorkshire is not receiving its fair share. If, however, the hon. Member knows of any particular case and will let me have details, I will do my best to help.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has been able to make arrangements with the Secretary of State for War so that the whole of the land suitable for cultivation in the safety belt surrounding the Stanford battle training area can be brought into cultivation this year; and whether land uncultivated in neighbouring villages and used for tank training during the war can also be cultivated for food production this year.

The War Department has given permission for about 2,000 acres, or practically the whole of the cultivable land within the safety belt of the Stanford battle training area, to be cultivated this year. As to the second part of the Question, about half the total area at Thetford used for tank training during the war has been released by the War Department. There are no restrictions on the cultivation of suitable land within some four-fifths of the present area, since the War Department merely exercise training rights over this part of the area under emergency powers. Over 2,000 acres the remaining area, which is held on requisition under Defence Regulation 51, have been made available for food production this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the approximate number of attested cattle in each of the following counties: Essex, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey and Hertford; and how many of these are owned by the L.C.C.

The following are the figures:

	Approximate number of Attested Cattle.	Number owned by the London County Council.
Essex	12,950	230
Kent	9,150	125
Middlesex	450	206
Surrey	8,100	1,235
Hertford	8,250	64

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) how many permits to set traps for rabbits elsewhere than in rabbit holes, contrary to the Prevention of Damage my Rabbits Act, 1939, have been granted during the current trapping season, and how many have been refused;(2) how many permits for using steel-toothed traps, other than in rabbit holes, have been granted in instances where rabbit burrows are accessible.

I am making inquiries of the county war agricultural executive committees, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture under what conditions are all other methods of taking or killing rabbits, except that of trapping by steel traps, considered to be inapplicable.

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the setting of steel traps in the open, that is, outside the burrows. I am advised that this is regarded as the only effective method of destroying rabbits in for example dense shrubland or woodland areas, thick over-grown hedges, or areas adjacent to cliffs, where the burrows are mainly in the cliff face.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that harm is being done in country districts by disused water mills which are causing neighbouring land to be flooded; and if he will make provisions whereby the rights of millowners can be compulsorily extinguished and the cost of any compensation payable recovered from the landowners within the area who would benefit.

I have received very few complaints on this matter, but if my hon. Friend has any specific cases in mind and will send me particulars I will have inquiries made. With regard to the second part of the Question, drainage boards already have statutory powers to deal with this matter in appropriate cases.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to arrange for the immediate restoration of the Kent A.E.C.'s hostel for landworkers at Appledore, which was half destroyed by a flying bomb, in order to provide accommodation for some of the many extra workers who will be required for the 1947 harvest in the Romney Marsh and district.

This property was so badly damaged that complete rebuilding will be necessary. This cannot be done in time for this year's harvest. My Department and the Kent War Agricultural Executive Committee are making other provision for harvest labour in the Romney Marsh district.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what immediate steps he is taking in view of the national position disclosed in the statement on the economic considerations affecting relations between employers and workers, Cmd. 7018, to enhance agricultural production in 1947.

The main opportunity to enhance agricultural production in this country is by the revival of livestock and particularly pigs and poultry. The Government's plans in this respect were set out in my reply to my hon. Friend' the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeffington-Lodge) on 17th February. The cropping programme for the 1947 harvest was settled and communicated to county war agricultural executive committees and to farmers last year. Some crops are now sown and farmers have already made arrangements for spring sowings. Measures for promoting improvements in the efficiency and productivity of the agricultural industry are embodied in the Agriculture Bill, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture who paid the £300 freightage charged for the free gift of beans sent to this country from New Zealand; and why these beans were sent to Germany.

A consignment of dwarf bean seed was sent to this country from New Zealand as a gift; it was subsequently found that freightage of approximately £300 had to be paid, and the society to which the seed was offered for distribution was not prepared to accept the gift on the terms that their members should jointly pay the freightage. I, therefore, decided, in order to avoid a charge upon public funds, that the seed should be diverted to the British zone in Germany, where they will be put to good use. I am advised that all costs incurred in the transport of the seed from New Zealand to the British zone will rank for recovery out of the proceeds of exports from the zone.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many prosecutions have taken place since September, 1946, under the Waste of Agricultural Foodstuffs Order, 1942, in the county of Devon and. particularly, in the southern half of the county.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Works what quantity of timber was licensed to be used on housing during 1946; and the estimated quantity that will be required during 1947 for housing and other purposes, respectively.

The timber licensed to be used on housing during 1946 was approximately 550,000 standards of softwood, 2,000,000 cubic feet of hardwood and 120,000,000 square feet of plywood; the minimum requirements for housing in 1947 will be of much the same order. The amount of timber available for building purposes will be limited by the volume of imports and I cannot yet say how much will be available for non-housing purposes.

asked the Minister of Works how many provincial museums and art galleries were occupied by different Government Departments during the war: and how many are still so occupied.

Ten Provincial Museums and Art Galleries are occupied either wholly or in part by Government Departments; five by the Ministry of Food and one each by the Home Office, Ministry of Transport, Admiralty, H.M. General Register House, Edinburgh and the Department of Health for Scotland. Complete information about such occupations during the war is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Works when it is proposed to erect the prefabricated structures needed for the new school buildings at Horley; and if he is aware that the wood for the window frames and the plaster boards to be used in these buildings have suffered considerable damage owing to their exposure to the weather since they were delivered on the site in July and August.

Work will start as soon as the weather permits. I am informed that the precautions taken in the matter of storage have prevented any serious damage to the material on the site.

asked the Minister of Works (1) what considerations will govern the choice by him of the four small hotels and three large hotels which he expects to retain under requisition in North Blackpool in 1948:(2) for how many civil servants he provides living accommodation in North Blackpool in buildings under his control;(3) for how many persons he provides office space in North Blackpool in buildings under his control.

My Department at present provides in North Blackpool office space for about 10,000 civil servants and living accommodation for about 500. The choice of hotels to be retained must be governed in the main by the requirements of efficient administration and the suitability of the premises for the purpose for which they are being retained but I shall also have regard, as far as possible, to hotel requirements and the degree of hardship suffered by hotel owners as a result of requisitioning.

asked the Minister of Works how many buildings in London, held by his Department on requisition, are at present empty; for whom they are being retained; and what is the annual cost to the taxpayer.

The number of requisitioned buildings at present empty is 270 of which 19 are being surrendered. These buildings are required to meet demands made upon my Department, mainly for office and hostel accommodation and are in various stages of allocation and adaptation for this purpose. The compensation rent is approximately £130,000 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken by the British representatives to expedite the work of the Military Staff Committee of U.N.O.; on how many occasions the committee has met during the past 12 months; and what progress he has to report.

The United Kingdom Representatives on the Military Staff Committee have throughout played a leading part in trying to expedite the work of the committee, and His Majesty's Government much regret the lack of progress made by the committee so far. The main committee has met 28 times in the last 12 months. There have also been numerous meetings of sub-committees. The Security Council have called upon the Military Staff Committee to make a report not later than 30th April on the basic principles which should govern the organisation of the United Nations force.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider putting dried eggs on the ration in view of the difficulties of obtaining a supply.

I am afraid that our present and prospective supplies of dried egg are insufficient to provide a regular ration for everybody. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of any districts where dried egg has not been available against points, I will gladly investigate.

asked the Minister of Food what allocation of fat is made to canteens for deep frying.

The allocation of fat to canteens for use in deep frying equipment is at the rate of 24½ lb. per thousand main meals served.

asked the Minister of Food why he is giving extra milk to catering establishments throughout Sussex; whether he is aware that some of these establishments do not want to take delivery of this; and whether he will arrange for this extra ration to be shared out amongst the retail public, many of whom are getting too little milk.

The milk allowance to catering establishments was not increased when the domestic allowance was raised on 22nd December last, though I am glad to say that the supply position now permits us to make the normal increase to bring them into line with the domestic consumer. Caterers are not compelled to buy more milk than they need and milk retailers may distribute among their domestic customers any surplus they have within their total milk authorisation.

asked the Minister of Food at what price potatoes have been purchased from the Danish Government this season.

No potatoes have yet been purchased from Denmark.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give some estimate of the amount of wheat saved to date as a consequence of the adoption of his scheme of bread rationing.

The saving in wheat as a consequence of bread rationing for the 28 weeks to the end of January is provisionally estimated to be about 290,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that residents in Upton, West Ham, have been short of potatoes since 13th February and now, in many parts of West Ham, potatoes are unobtainable; and what action he proposes to take to alleviate this shortage.

West Ham had its fair share of the potatoes arriving in London during the week which began on 13th February. We are doing all we can to increase deliveries to consuming areas, and to ensure even distribution, but any improvement will depend largely on the weather.

asked the Minister of Food the average percentage of frequency of the visits of inspectors to cattle markets and slaughterhouses in relation to the occasions of opening of the same.

Thirty per cent. in the case of fat stock collecting centres. I regret that visits to slaughterhouses cannot be expressed in the form of an average percentage. The frequency of inspection varies from one or more visits a week to one visit in three weeks.

asked the Minister of Food if he will place a copy of the minutes of recent meetings of the I.E.F.C. and its commodity committees in the Library and arrange for much minutes to be made available to hon. Members in the future.

No, Sir. It is the policy of the I.E.F.C. that the minutes of these meetings should not be published. Any change in this policy would need to be decided by the Council itself in agreement with the member Governments. Frequent Press releases are made, giving particulars of decisions reached and allocations agreed

asked the Minister of Food what allocations of oils, fats and oil-seed have been made available to Britain for the crop year 1946–47 by the I.E.F.C.

The I.E.F.C. allocates oils and fats on a calendar year basis, and the allocations for 1947 have not yet been settled.

asked the Minister of Food what allocations of wheat, flour, oats, barley, maize, grain offals and animals foodstuffs, including meals and oil-cake, have been made to Britain by the I.E.F.C. for the present crop year.

The I.E.F.C. has announced no specific allocations of wheat, flour, oats, barley or maize for the present crop year. The Cereals Sub-Committee of the I.E.F.C. made recommendations on 4th November last, but these have not been finalised. Exporting countries have each decided for themselves the quantities and distribution of their exports of cereals. The United Kingdom received no allocation of meals and oilcake for the second half of 1946 because we had already obtained 67,000 tons from home production, which was in excess of our entitlement. Certain other countries, however, did not take up their allocation for that period, and the United Kingdom has accepted a total of 238,000 tons. No final allocation has yet been made for the first six months of 1947. Grain offals do not come within the purview of the I.E.F.C.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of, the difficult position arising in the County of Durham regarding the purchase of points goods: that shopkeepers in these mining areas are unable to purchase these necessary goods through depointing by his Department and that the public, and miners in particular, are penalised by these shortages; and what does he propose to do to meet this situation regarding tinned goods.

My information is that, with the exception at present of isolated areas, consumers in the county of Durham are able to purchase points foods freely and that traders in the area have adequate stocks of points foods. In the event of traders suffering through down pointing, there is a procedure by which they can recoup their losses.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in his instructions to local food offices regarding extra rations for agricultural workers, he will add a category to include workers in cowsheds.

Workers employed in cowsheds, like other farm workers, receive extra rations of cheese and bread, and can obtain allowances of tea, sugar and milk to provide hot drinks at their work. In consultation with the T.U.C., special allowances of rationed foods are also granted for certain specified seasonal occupations involving long hours of work in the fields, but the work described by the hon. Member would not appear to be of this character

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of total imports of food during 1946 came from hard currency sources; and whether he anticipates any appreciable change in this proportion during 1947 and 1948.

Slightly under half of the expenditure on food imports in 1946 was in respect of supplies from hard currency sources. I am unable to answer the second half of the Question because of the many uncertainties as to the supplies likely to be available from each source, as to the prices which will be asked for them and as to any restrictions which may have to be imposed on food imports by reason of our Balance of Payments position

asked the Minister of Food at what places in Lincolnshire centralised slaughtering takes place; and what was the percentage of meat condemned at each of these centres over the last convenient period.

The information asked for is as follows:

Slaughterhouse and percentage of meat condemned in the three months ended 27th September,1946.
Barton	3.64
Boston	1.59
Bourne	4.13
Gainsborough	1.38
Grantham	1.34
Grimsby	3.66
Horncastle	2.48
Lincoln	1.06
Louth	1.29
Scunthorpe	1.34
Skegness	1.25
Sleaford	2.63
Spalding	1.95

asked the Minister of Food the number of calves slaughtered in this country in October, November and December, 1945, and October November and December, 1946, respectively.

The numbers of calves slaughtered in slaughterhouses in Great Britain during these months were as follow:

	1945.	1946.
October	192,093	231,850
November	131,733	156,083
December	100,729	97,878

asked the Minister of Food if he will discontinue the purchase of grapefruit and other fruits from the U.S.A. and other dollar areas, in view of the necessity of conserving dollar exchange.

In pursuance of the policy to improve the variety of the diet, my Department has bought in the U.S.A. a quantity of citrus and other fruits. The hon. Member may, however, rest assured that we are certainly looking at our import policy in the light of all relevant factors, including our balance of payments position

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will appoint a commission to inquire into the adequacy of the salaries paid to Government servants in Hong Kong; and how such salaries compare to remuneration received by persons employed by professional and commercial firms in the Colony.

I have agreed to the appointment of a Salaries Commission and will announce its composition as soon as possible

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will appoint a trade union adviser to the Government of Hong Kong.

The appointment to the Hong Kong service of an officer with trade union experience in this country has been approved and I hope that a suitable candidate will be selected shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the composition of the Convention of Associations of Nyasaland; and whether this body is consulted when Government nominations are made to Government Boards or to the Legislative Council.

This Convention includes most of the European organisations in Nyasaland, and bodies such as Planters Associations in various areas, the Nyasaland Tea Association, and the Nyasaland Council of Women. In the circumstances of Nyasaland the Convention has been used by the Government as a means of securing candidates, and through it five of the six unofficial members on the Legislative Council have in fact, been nominated.

asked the Secretary of St-ate for the Colonies whether the African Representative Council in Northern Rhodesia will be asked to submit its views on the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia; and whether any council has been established to investigate subjects of common interest to the two territories and with what powers.

The African Representative Council in Northern Rhodesia expressed views on the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia at its first meeting on 14th November, 1946, and I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the record of the meeting. On the second point, the Central African Council was set up in 1945 with the object of establishing the closer contact and cooperation between the Governments of Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The Council is consultative in character, with a permanent inter-territorial Secretariat, and has made excellent progress in promoting effective co-ordination of policy and action in many matters of common interest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has sent to a communication he has received from the Alumni Association of King Edward VII College of Medicine, Singapore, complaining that local medical and dental officers have been discouraged from staying in the public service, and that no effort has been made to bring about an equality of status, privileges and opportunity for the local people as compared to medical and dental officers recruited in Europe.

I am deterring a full reply to these representations until the return from Malaya of my Medical Adviser who has recently had full discussions with the Association and with other interested parties. A Committee was set up locally last July to examine this question and certain of its recommendations, including the establishment of a single Medical Service with equal status of all officers of the Service, irrespective of race or domicile have already been accepted in principle.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will expedite the issue of the increased retirement pension to Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Linnett, St. Peter's-ad-Murum, Bradwell-juxta-Mare, near Southminster, Essex, pension books 23484991 and 14427993, respectively, on whose behalf repeated applications have been made in vain to Blackpool, and the former of whom completed the form Certifying retirement some five months ago.

Inquiries into this case are in hand and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as they are completed.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken by his Department to get the required machinery necessary for deep-mine coal production, such as coal cutters, long wall and heading machines, conveyors and conveyor belting, etc.. the spare parts for the machines now out of commission due to lack of supplies in many parts of the coalfields; and if he will see to it that when priority certificates are issued those certificates are honoured by his Department.

There is the fullest cooperation between my Department and the manufacturers in making available the increased capacity to meet demands for mining machinery and equipment. I am not aware that any machines are out of commission due to lack of spare parts. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply that it has not been necessary to issue priority certificates to manufacturers in this field but should it prove necessary to do so he would ensure that they were honoured.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the numbers of vacant crofter holdings in the island of Skye on State-owned land; and what is the total acreage of arable land so unoccupied.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 46. The total area of arable and enclosed individual pasture is 902 acres, of which approximately 250 are arable. All but three of the vacant holdings are being cultivated or grazed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantity of spirit distilled from pot stills and spirit from patent stills, respectively, for the year ended 30th September, 1946, in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

The particulars which I think the hon. Member requires of the quantities of spirits produced in the year ended 30th September, 1946, are as follow:

	Proof gallons.
Distilleries using malt only	5,847,462
Distilleries using malt and other materials	8,503,238
Distilleries using molasses only	36,044,693

asked the Minister of Education if he will examine the position of non-graduate teachers in the former secondary schools who have not been placed on the new Burnham salary scales and, in particular, consider the case, details of which have been placed before him, of a non-graduate art master who, after 21 years' service, finds he is not eligible for the new Burnham salary scales; and if he will rectify this position.

It is the case that some non-graduate teachers who were serving in secondary schools in the period before 1st April, 1945, have not the requisite qualifications for approval as qualified teachers under regulations which came into force on that date. The salary scale applicable to such teachers on the scales laid down in the Burnham Report now in operation is lower than that prescribed for qualified teachers, but the Report specifically provides that no teacher in service on 31st March, 1945, shall receive by reason of the operation of the new scales a smaller rate of salary than he would have been eligible to receive under the Report in force before that date. The teachers in this position are. therefore, receiving salary in accordance with the current Report and any proposal to modify the conditions of the scales would, in the first instance, be a matter for the consideration of the Burnham Committee.

asked the Minister of Education what percentage of students doing four years' training courses at the universities and in training departments at the present time hold training grants; and what are the conditions upon which grant-aided students are allowed by special permission to take posts in independent schools.

Of the students in the professional year of training at university training departments in the present academic year, 51 per cent, are receiving grants under the Ministry's regulations for the training of teachers. Many of the remainder are receiving grants under the Further Education and Training Scheme for ex-Service students, to which no special conditions are attached. Applications to take posts in independent schools from students receiving grants under the Ministry's regulations for the training of teachers are considered on their individual merits, in relation to the circumstances of the independent school concerned, and the needs of State-aided schools.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of a shortage of infant teachers; and what steps he is taking to stimulate recruitment.

I am aware that the schools need an increased intake of teachers prepared for the teaching of infants. A considerable proportion of the teachers now being trained in both permanent and emergency colleges are being prepared for this work and the attention of the college authorities has recently been drawn to its increasing importance. Proposals of a more long-term nature for expansion of recruitment in this field are also being considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the total of displaced persons from the Baltic States; how many are agricultural workers and how many are forestry workers; and if the latter are not categorised, if he will classify them and publish the total.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the numbers in the British zones of Germany and Austria. These are:

	Number Recorded	Agricultural Workers.	Forestry Workers.
British zone of Germany.	82,000	23,800	290
British zone of Austria	1,025	55	5
	83,025	32,855	295

asked the Secretary of State for War how many prisoners of war ate now housed in the prisoners-of-war

Murders known to police.

Numbers for trial.

Total

Not tried.

Acquitted.

Guilty but insane.

Convicted and sentenced to death

No prosecution.

Insane on arraignment.

M.

F.

M.

F.

M.

F.

M.

F.

M.

F.

M.

F.

164

52

12

1

—

8

4

3

11

11

7

29

—

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for the year 1946, for England and Wales, the names and ages of all persons condemned to death for murder; the names, dates and prisons of execution of all persons executed for murder; and the names of those reprieved.

Thirty persons were condemned to death on conviction of murder in 1946. Nineteen have been executed, TO, including one person certified as insane subsequently to conviction, were reprieved, and one case is still under consideration. I am sending my hon. Friend the other particulars for which he asks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the num-

Three hundred and sixty-four, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give, for England and Wales for the year 1946, the number of crimes of murder known to the police; the numbers of males and females, respectively, who were the victims; the numbers of males and females, respectively, who were charged with murder; and the numbers of males and females, respectively, who were acquitted.

The following are the available figures, which are provisional only:ber of Irish republican prisoners still held in British prisons and give their names, the sentences imposed in each case and the dates of expected release in each case.

The number of Irish prisoners at present serving sentences imposed in connection with the I.R.A. outrages in this country in 1939 is 36. I am sending my hon. Friend the further particulars for which he asks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state, for the period 1936–46, the percentages and total numbers of recidivists in the two categories of juvenile and adult offenders; and the percentage and total number of juveniles who have eventually found themselves in the adult group of offenders over the same period of years.

Year.		Convicted Prisoners.					Persons known to have been in prison before.			Per cent.
		Under 17		Over 17.
		Male.	Female.	Male.	Female.	Total.	Male.	Female.	Total.
1936	…	112	2	27,380	3,867	31,361	14,173	2,427	16,600	52·9
1937	…	105	16	27,615	3,53o	31,266	14,333	2,133	16,466	52·7
1938	…	98	12	28,605	3,510	32,225	14,866	2,049	16,915	52·5
1939	…	136	20	26,345	3,164	29,661	13,209	1,773	14,982	50·5
1940	…	178	38	21,506	3,406	25,128	9,835	1.585	11,420	45·5
1941	…	258	61	25,576	3,838	29,733	10,009	1,578	11,587	38·9
1942	…	281	42	27,700	4.742	32,765	10,358	1,629	11,987	36·6
1943	…	258	66	25,923	5,224	31,471	10,875	1.755	12,630	40·1
1944	…	26o	96	24,610	5,715	30,681	10,847	1,846	12,693	41·4

Reference may also be made to the figures given in Appendix No 10 to the Report of the Prison Commissioners for the years 1942–1944 (Cmd. 7010 of 1947)

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will investigate the administration of A.T.S., Arncall Camp, C.O.D. Bicester, Oxfordshire, and if he has considered the complaints of Servicewomen contained in a letter sent to his Department on 7th February, 1947.

I am already investigating the various detailed points raised in my hon. Friend's letter and will write to him when my inquiries are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for War in view of the danger and inconvenience to pedestrians and motor traffic owing to snow and icy roads during the hours of darkness, if he will arrange for searchlight sections on the outskirts of towns and cities to operate between the hours of darkness to midnight.

There are no suitably equipped searchlight units now scattered over the country; they are concentrated in a few areas. The only searchlight equipment suitable for lighting depends for power either on the main electricity supply or on mobile generators which are at present so far as possible being lent to industry. Moreover, this type of searchlight is not designed to be used for long periods and the equipment would suffer if it were so used.

I regret that it is not possible to furnish all the information requested The available information is a follows:

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Mr. O. T. Rich, 19, Pound Lane, Canterbury, Army No. 14195310, a Danish subject who joined the British Army as a volunteer through the recruiting office at the Vesterport, Copenhagen, has been discharged in this country on medical grounds after service in the Royal East Kent Regiment and the R.A.M.C.; that the military authorities have refused to allow him to return to Denmark with his wife in accordance with the term of his engagement; that his career as a medical student is thereby being jeopardised: and if he will ensure that immediate steps are taken to repatriate Mr. Rich and his wife.

The hon. Member has been misinformed. Mr. Rich has not been refused repatriation. His application to return reached the War Office on 24th January. On 9th February he was asked to forward his Danish visa and his wife's passport so that his passage could be arranged. As they had not been received, a second request for them was sent on 19th February.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to reply to the inquiry of the hon. Member for Putney, of 29th November, concerning 6921136 Fusilier R. Fisher, at that time in Trieste.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to let the hon. Member have a final reply, but I am taking steps to expedite this.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the garrison gymnasium at Shoeburyness, no longer being used by military personnel, is to be declared surplus to establishment.

No, Sir. The garrison gymnasium, Shoeburyness, though not used by military personnel at the present time, is being considered for use by a military unit in the near future, and there is no intention of releasing this accommodation which is owned by the War Department

asked the Secretary of State for War what losses of military stores, the property of His Majesty's Government, have occurred at Lusaka in Northern Rhodesia; what is the amount of such losses; how much has been recovered by the prosecutions; and what inquiries he is instituting into the circumstances of the theft.

The only loss that I have been able to trace is theft of kit in June, 1946, valued at 216 shillings. The thief has not been traced and none of the kit has been recovered. If the hon. Member has additional particulars I will make further inquiries.