asked the Secretary of State for War on what basis he has decided that a further three groups may be demobilised by next July.

Programmes announced far in advance, such as that issued in November last year, must always be subject to revision in the light of events. The progress of releases is regularly reviewed and it recently became clear that we would be justified in making the acceleration referred to in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many additional men will be released as a result of the decision to demobilise up to Group 53 by July.

The number in the three additional groups to be released was, when the last check was made, of the order of 50,000. The exact numbers will depend on the number of men in these groups who may enlist, remain in the Army on bounty engagements, or defer their release voluntarily.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in making representations to the G.O.C. the Rhine Army as to expenditure of money and materials on entertainment, he will make it clear that it is not intended in any way to discourage the provision of reasonable and appropriate amenities for the troops especially those amenities which formations and units seek to provide by their own efforts and initiative.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a further statement with regard to the riot and shooting of African native troops on 2nd January at Gilgil, Kenya.

The trial of the 14 ringleaders to whom my right hon. Friend referred in his reply to the hon. Member on 28th January was due to take place this month. He has not yet received details. The 24 Askaris who opened fire have been released from arrest. They had, in fact, been released at the time of my right hon. Friend's previous answer, but owing to a corrupt passage in a signal, he was under the impression that they were still under arrest.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that five dwellings which the Ministry of Health has made available to the Strood Rural District Council for domestic housing cannot be so used because the approach to these houses is within the danger area of the Milton rifle range; how often this range has been used during the past 18 months; and whether he considers retention sufficiently important as to render five houses uninhabitable.

Five dwelling houses, which were built in 1817, are in the danger area of this range. These houses are the property of the War Department. They were offered to the local authority but were rejected as not suitable for civilian occupation because of their location. The range has been in use six days a week up to the beginning of this year. It is not in use at the moment, as it is being repaired, but will be required in the near future. The possibility of moving the range to an alternative site is already being investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War approximately the proportion of men employed in technical and non-technical arms in January, 1945, and the latest available date.

There is no strict line of demarcation between the technical and non-technical arms. Today all arms and Corps in the Army require a proportion of technicians. If, however, arms other than Royal Artillery, Royal Armoured Corps and Infantry are regarded as technical, the proportion of men employed in technical and non-technical arms both in January, 1945, and at the end of last year was about one to one.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet able to announce whether 19114754 Private R. D. Wallace, R.A.M.C., D Company, Boyce barracks, Crookham, Hampshire, whose two young children are at home in the sole care of a sister. 16 years of age, has been yet granted compassionate long leave.

Private Wallace is still on compassionate leave which has been extended to 1st March, while his case is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date in early 1946 was the rate of exchange of lire to the £for British troops in C.M.F. devalued from 400 lire to 900 lire to the £what were the conditions under which Servicemen holding lire at that time could receive compensation; and whether the alteration in the £to lire exchange rate came into operation at the same time.

The British military rate of exchange in Italy was altered from 400 lire to 900 lire to the £ with effect from 3oth January, 1946. British troops were compensated for the loss on the lire they held at the time by being given five additional lire for every four held, up to the level of their total pay drawings since 1st January, 1946. The change brought the military rate approximately into line with the rate obtained by Italian exporters.

asked the Secretary of War whether he is aware that coast areas, particularly in the neighbourhood of Brighton, are still much encumbered with wire placed there by his Department; why he has ignored repeated requests for its removal; when he anticipates action being taken; and whether, if it is removed by the local authority, his Department will defray the cost.

Defence works on sea fronts in the South-East Coast Areas have been and are being removed by the local authorities under schemes agreed between them and the War Office, the cost being defrayed by the War Office. Defence works other than those on sea fronts where re- moval is necessary in the public interests, are dealt with under arrangements described by my predecessor in reply to the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) on 20th December, 1945, of which I am sending the hon. and learned Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to make an announcement regarding the release of the military training camp at Harlech, Merioneth.

I would ask the hon Member to await the statement to be made today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary or State for War what proposals are entertained by his Department for making a permanent training area of the Burbage Valley, near Sheffield.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 18th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Watkins), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to establish Army training centres in Germany, with a view to relieving pressure on training areas in this country.

No steps have been taken to establish Army training centres in Germany specifically for the purpose of relieving pressure on training areas in this country. The maximum use is made of training areas in Germany for the training of the Rhine Army. Owing to the very large expenditure which would be involved, it is not practicable to move the long established instructional schools from the United Kingdom to Germany for the temporary period of our occupation of that country. Training areas are, therefore, required in the United Kingdom for War Office schools, for the Territorial Army and for the basic recruit training of the Army intake, apart from provision that has to be made for the training of the Regular Army in this country as and when our commitments overseas decrease.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether it is the intention to hold a local public inquiry regarding the future of the Stanford battle training area; and where such an inquiry will be held.

The proposal referred to is to be considered by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Services Land Requirements. If, on examination, it is desired to adhere to the proposal, a public local inquiry will be held at a convenient place in the locality.

asked the Secretary of State for War why repatriation of prisoners of war, at the rate of 5,000 a month from the Middle East, cannot start until July; and whether he will give an assurance that the undertaking that repatriation from the Middle East would be completed no later than repatriation from this country is still valid.

The programme of repatriation from the Middle East has been arranged to conform generally to that from this country. The increase of the rate to 5,000 from July will ensure that repatriation from the Middle East is completed no later than that from the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether prisoners of war who were captured by the U.S. Army and subsequently handed over for work in Great Britain are, in accordance with the request made to the French Government for the return of similar prisoners to Germany, to be repatriated at the same time.

The prisoners of war who were transferred from the U.S.A. to Great Britain had been held on our behalf in the United States under a pooling arrangement; the United States Government ceased to have any responsibility for them from the date of transfer. They will, therefore, be repatriated under the same terms as all others in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether representations concerning the prisoners of war at Dunkirk have been made to the French Government, in view of the fact that these men surrendered to the British Army by special armistice in May, 1945, and were promised early repatriation.

I am making inquiries into the case of these prisoners. Perhaps my hon. Friend will send me any information he has.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in deciding priority for the repatriation of prisoners of war, due regard is being taken of the circumstances of the dependants of the men awaiting their return in Germany.

The circumstances of dependants of German prisoners of war are taken into account in selecting prisoners of war for inclusion in the quota of 500 compassionate cases a month, but not in other cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War why those wishing to visit prisoner-of-war camps in the United Kingdom have to sign an agreement promising that, should their application be not granted, they will not again make application privately or publicly.

This is purely a private arrangement between the Y.M.C.A. and those people who visit prisoner-of-war camps as official Y.M.C.A. visitors and nothing to do with me.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what German newspapers are available to German prisoners in this country; and if he will consider increasing the proportion of German, as compared with English, newspapers available to them.

Last month about 10,500 copies of 130 different German newspapers were distributed. It is hoped to increase this number, but my ability to do so is limited by the acute paper shortage in Germany.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered a letter from the Town Clerk of Salford protesting, on behalf of the Salford City Council, against the Purchase Tax on dustbins; and if he will take that protest into consideration when considering his new Budget proposals.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1), whether he will consider, when framing his next Budget, abolishing the i6 per cent. Purchase Tax on all drugs used for the treatment of disease;(2) whether he will consider, when framing his next Budget, abolishing the 33⅓ per cent. Purchase Tax on toothpaste and other preparations used in the prevention of disease.

The hon. and gallant Member will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue is derived annually from the Land Tax; and what is the estimated cost of collection.

£501,000 in 1945–46. The cost of collection cannot be distinguished from the total Inland Revenue cost.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value in sterling of the ladies' dresses recently imported from the U.S.A. and now on sale in this country.

No separate figures are available in respect of women's and girls' dresses, but the value of women's and girls' dresses and skirts imported from the United States during the last quarter of 1946 was £57495.

asked the President 01 the Board of Trade how and where tyres 9.00 by 16, of which plentiful stocks were held by the Government last year, can now be obtained.

Supplies of this size of tyre are likely to be irregular as it is not in common use. The Director of Disposals, Ministry of Supply, Great Westminster House, London, disposes of any surplus Government tyres which may arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of exports of tractors and agricultural machinery during 1946 and also during January, 1947; and what proportion of total output do these figures represent.

The value of agricultural machinery (including tractors) exported from the United Kingdom was £6,800,000 in 1946 and £504,000 in January, 1947. Production figures are not available for these periods, but in the first nine months of 1946 production for export represented 24 per cent. of the total.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what instructions he has given with regard to the use of sites for housing in small rural parishes.

General principles on the choice of housing sites in rural areas are stated in paragraph 21 of the Housing Manual, 1944, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Gentleman. More specific guidance can only be given in the light of particular local circumstances

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many applications for approval of housing sites were received by his Department from the Downham Market Rural District Council during 1946; how many received approval; how many were rejected; and what was the number of proposed houses involved.

During 1946, 17 housing sites, involving 462, houses were submitted to my Department by the Down-ham Rural District Council. Twelve of these sites, providing for 238 houses, gave rise to no objections, while one site for 32 houses was later withdrawn by the council. In the case of the four remaining sites, involving 192 houses, the council were asked to consider the possibility of more suitable alternative sites, and this matter is shortly to be further discussed with my Regional Office.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether any decision has yet been reached by him with regard to the advisability, or otherwise, of approving the scheme to site a new town in the Micklc field-Sherburn area.

Representatives of the Leeds City Council and West Riding County Council discussed this proposal with me and I indicated that, apart from other objections, a site in this area would be too close to Leeds to permit the new town becoming a self-contained and balanced community.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will undertake an exhaustive survey of all existing camps and hutments in preparation for sponsored immigration of foreign workers; and if he will publish a report as soon as it has been completed.

Such a survey is now in progress. As regards publication my right hon. Friend does not think this would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he has taken to secure the agreement of the representatives of organised labour to the employment of foreign workers to make good the shortage of manpower in this country; and what progress has been made.

As I informed the House on 11th February, agreement to the employment of Poles has been reached with a number of industries where there is a shortage of labour and consultations are in progress with others. Agreements have also been reached for the employment of other foreign workers in certain cases and I have in hand arrangements for expanding recruitment. I propose to continue my discussions on the question of the employment of foreign labour with the Joint Consultative Committee of the National Joint Advisory Council later this week.

asked the Minister of Labour if lodging allowances will be paid to workers temporarily unemployed owing to the fuel shortage, whose places of employment are not in the towns where their homes are situated, and who have to pay for their lodgings during the stoppage.

Yes, Sir, provided the workers were in receipt of lodging allowances from my Department before the stoppage, and remain in the area of transfer.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made by the Disabled Persons Employment Corporation in the provision of special factories in Scotland for the severely disabled.

Sites have been approved in seven areas—Motherwell, where building is in progress; Govan and Springburn, Glasgow; Cowdenbeath; Dundee; Edinburgh; Coatbridge. The Corporation is negotiating for the acquisition of a voluntary undertaking already employing severely disabled persons at Edinburgh. Search continues for suitable sites in a number of other areas.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of people registered as unemployed in Wallasey on 14th February, or the nearest convenient date.

Three thousand two hundred and fifty at i9th February.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of female labour in the manufacture of herring nets and trawls, he will consider taking steps to bring to the notice of employers the possibility of employing disabled men.

Every opportunity is taken of drawing the attention of employers, in areas where there is a shortage of female labour, to the possibility of engaging suitable disabled men for work previously undertaken by women. I am obliged to my hon. Friend for her suggestion and will see that it is followed up.

asked the Minister of Labour for particulars of applications for craftsmen that have been made from the housing contractors in the Ennerdale Rural District Council area, covering the districts of Cleator Moor and Egremont; how many applications have been complied with; how many applications are outstanding; what he intends to do to meet the serious shortage of craftsmen that has been existent for many months; if he is aware that contractors are refusing to tender in this area; and what steps will be taken to overcome the difficulty.

The demands outstanding on local authority housing contracts in this area are for six bricklayers and two hod carriers. Since the contracts started three joiners, 24 bricklayers (including three trainees) and six other craftsmen have been supplied. The main method of overcoming the shortage of craftsmen is to increase the supply by means of the Government Training Scheme which is steadily improving the position.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Servicemen have already been trained under the Government Vocational Training Scheme.

21,571 ex-Servicemen had completed training under the Government Vocational Training Scheme on 13th January, 1947

asked the Minister of Labour he is aware that there are approximately 900,000 able-bodied men of working age in Great Britain who are employed in private domestic service or are not gainfully occupied in addition to those registered as unemployed; and what steps he is taking to attract these men into industrial employment.

No, Sir, the number of men employed in indoor private domestic service is relatively small. The men not gainfully occupied, numbering about 1½million, consist mainly of students, those unfit for employment, men who have retired from employment and those with independent means. I would refer the Member to what is said in the White Paper entitled "Economic Survey for 1947" as regards the distribution of workers. The majority of the outstanding demands for male labour are, however, for heavy work or work requiring certain types of skill and experience which these men in general would not be able to undertake.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware of the hardship that is caused to women land workers in Huntingdonshire who have been informed by the local employment exchange that when they are temporarily out of work they must either work at a fruit-canning factory at Huntingdon. which frequently involves journeys up to eight miles by bicycle, or be disqualified from unemployment benefit to which they are contributors; and if he will take steps to put an end to this treatment.

Claims for unemployment benefit are decided by the independent statutory authorities in the light of the circumstances of the individual case. In all the cases under reference the Insurance Officer disallowed benefit because good cause had not been shown for refusal of the employment. Appeals were lodged against his decision in a number of cases and in each case his decision was confirmed by the local court of referees. I am informed that the longest bicycle journey involved in these cases was two miles each way.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the hardship being caused to young men through there being no Class B release to enable them to start or complete training for the law or chartered accountancy; and what steps he is taking to remedy this anomaly.

I regret that it is not possible to extend to these young men the special arrangements for the release of students which I announced on 4th February.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any further announcement to make in respect of the release of students serving in the Forces, so that they may be free to resume their studies in October, 1947.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 4th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will appoint some person experienced in Scottish Library legislative matters to serve on the Advisory Council on Education.

No, Sir. There are no vacancies on the council, the size of which is fixed by the Education (Scotland) Advisory Council Order, 1942.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will make known the amounts of grants to local authorities in connection with water schemes.

On 31st December last, I notified 14 local authorities that certain water supply schemes or parts of schemes submitted by them had been selected for further consideration with a view to an offer of grant under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944, and I asked those authorities for the further information which would enable me to determine the grant to be offered. Three local authorities have now submitted information relating to eight schemes, and, as soon as the particulars have been examined, I shall inform the local authorities of the position as regards grant

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has been able to make arrangements for the normal communications with the island of Soay, in view of the fact that the islanders have not recently received rations or mails and of their desire that it these normal communications cannot be resumed they wish to be removed from the island to some suitable place on the mainland.

The normal weekly steamer service between Mallaig and Soay which carries rations and mails has been regularly maintained with the exception of one call when special arrangements were made for another vessel to call two days later. The Soay motor boat which also gave a weekly service between Soay and Mallaig has recently been lost. The islanders were consulted on a proposal to replace this service by a similar motor boat based on Mallaig, but did not regard it as adequate. They asked for an additional call by the mail boat but I am informed that time is not available for this call if necessary connections are to be maintained. I am looking into the situation urgently, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. The islanders will no doubt consider whether they wish to pursue the suggestion of evacuation in the light of such arrangements as may be found practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Forth Road Bridge Provisional Order will be presented to Parliament.

The final adjustments to this order are now being discussed with the promoters and I hope it will be possible to introduce the confirming Bill before the Easter Recess.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-Servicemen of the 1914-18 and 1939-45 wars, who are in receipt of 100 per cent. disability pension of 45s. a week, are receiving that sum only, without any of the permitted additional allowances.

At 30th September last there were in payment to ex-Servicemen of the 1914 and 1939 wars about 715,000 disablement pensions, of which about 47,000 were at the 100 per cent rate. In about 13,750 of these latter cases the pensioner was receiving 45s. a week.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of outstanding cases before the appeals tribunal relating to the R.A.F. at the last convenient date.

The form in which the records of appeals to the tribunal are kept by my Department does not enable me to give information with regard to one particular Service without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any of the 10,000 U.S. petrol engines ordered for agricultural purposes have arrived; and what proportion of the machines fitted with these engines will be made available for British farms.

Twenty-five thousand petrol engines are on order from the U.S.A. for fitting into British-made tractors. Some of these have arrived and others are on the way. It is expected that at least 75 per cent. of the tractors will be available for British farmers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the heavy losses of sheep in the Yorkshire Dales, both on the moors and at the steadings, owing to insufficient feedingstuffs; and what action he is taking to meet this situation.

I am aware of the difficulties with which sheep farmers in Yorkshire and elsewhere are faced owing to the present weather and transport conditions. County war agricultural executive committees are assisting with issues of rationed feedingstuffs to the extent that the limited resources which could be placed at their disposal this winter permit, having regard to the needs of other stock, but I regret that there are no additional supplies of such feedingstuffs available from which those resources could be augmented.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what replies were received from the Jewish Agency and the Arab Delegations to the proposals of the British Delegation published in Cmd. 7044; and if he will publish them as a White Paper.

As the House has already been informed, the latest British proposals were not accepted as a basis for negotiations by either the Arab delegations or the Jewish Agency. My right hon. Friend will consider the suggestion that the Arab and Jewish statements on these proposals should be published as a White Paper

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government will take action, as authorised under Article 20 of the United Nations Charter, and request that the Security Council shall agree to convene through the Secretary General a meeting of the Assembly at the earliest convenient date in order to consider the question of Palestine and to make their recommendation for the interim policing and administration of this country until the Assembly makes its decision known

My right hon. Friend is still considering the method of our approach to the General Assembly. It is not his present intention to ask the United Nations to make any recommendation concerning interim policy in Palestine

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the international organisations of which His Majesty's Government are formally members; and what are the financial commitments in each case.

The main international organisations of which His Majesty's Government are formally members, together with the financial commitments in each case, are as follow:

United Nations: United States dollars 3,184.522 (for 1947).

International Labour Organisation: About £129,000 (payable in Swiss francs) (for 1947).

United Nations Educational and Cultural Organisation: £100,000; the definite scale for the United Kingdom contribution has not yet been fixed, but will probably work out at about 13.5 per cent. of the total annual United Nations Educational and Cultural Organisation Budget.

Food and Agriculture Organisation: United States dollars 1,125,000 (for the financial veal 1946–7).

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development: The authorised capital Stock is United States dollars 20,000,000,000 of which the United Kingdom has subscribed 1,300 shares of dollars 100,000 each. This subscription is payable as follows: 2 per cent. in gold or United States dollars; 18 per cent. in currency of the subscriber; 8o per cent. either in gold or United States dollars or in currency required to discharge the obligations of the Bank for the purpose for which the call is made, at the convenience of the subscriber.

International Monetary Fund: The United Kingdom's quota of the Fund is dollars 1,300,000,000 (i.e. £325,000,000). Of this quota the United Kingdom have to pay in gold, as a minimum, whichever sum is the smalle of; (a) 25 per cent. of our quota, or (b) 10 per cent. of oar own reserves of gold and United States dollars at 12th September, 1946. The balance of our quota is payable in sterling.

Provisional International Civil Aviation Organisation: Canadian dollars 196,000 (for the financial year 1946–7)

Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees: £800,000 for the year 1947–8.

European Central Inland Transport Organisation: Approximately £62,000 for the current year.

International Telecommunications Union: Approximately £500, payable in Swiss francs

Universal Postal Union: Approximately £775, payable in Swiss francs

European Coal Organisation Contribution: for 1947: £11,350.

Emergency Economic Committee fin Europe: This organisation has as yet no budget of its own but the Secretariat is provided by member Governments and the small administrative and accommodation expenses are at present provided by His Majesty's Government.

The World Health Organisation, the constitution of which has been signed by His Majesty's Government, has not yet been formally established, nor has the International Refugee Organisation.

asked the Minister of Health if he will detail the necessary differences in design between agricultural and other houses built by local authorities in such areas as the Dengie Hundred of Essex.

There would be no essential difference of design in an area like this which is entirely rural in character.

asked the Minister of Supply whether in view of the industrial importance of iron castings and the interdependence of industry in the North and South of England, he will consider an immediate reopening of foundries in southern England.

The majority of the foundries closed during the war have reopened, and permission to do so will be given to any others who seek it.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to improve the supply of alarm clocks; and how the present production of alarm clocks compares with that in 1938.

We have actively encouraged a British alarm clock industry and two factories are already making alarm clocks on a considerable and rising scale; a further two factories will start this year. Supplies from these sources are being augmented by imports. There was no British production in 1938.

asked the Minister of Supply how many railway locomotives were produced in 1946.

The number of steam railway locomotives produced in 1946 was 791.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now make some statement indicating in what way the Government propose to expedite delayed construction programme in connection with the electrical generating plants; and whether it is the Govern- ment's intention to make the 6,000,000 kilowatts of new capacity available before the winter of 1949.

The manufacture of heavy electrical plant already enjoys a high priority and the Government are considering in consultation with the industry what further steps can be taken to expedite deliveries for home use. As regards the last part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Pollok (Commander Galbraith) on 29th January, to which I have at the moment, nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received the Report of the Consultative Committee appointed by him to advise as to the method of adjusting the charges made by the controlled main line railway companies for the year 1947; whether, in view of the fact that the inquiry held by the Consultative Committee in September and October, 1946, was a public inquiry, it is his intention to publish the Report of the committee; and, if so, when.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Proctor) yesterday, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary or State for India what prospects of admission were held out to Indian Army cadets who joined at Caterham last summer; how long they have been doing elementary infantry training at Caterham and how long it is proposed they should continue to do so; what prospects they now have of a W.O.S.B.; what is the maximum length of time any one cadet whose efficiency is unquestioned has remained a cadet at Caterham; and whether he is satisfied that hopes held out to these cadets have been fulfilled.

No cadets admitted to the Indian Army Cadet Wing last summer were promised that they would be commissioned into the Indian Army. The period of training at Caterham lasts five to six months, with a maximum period of training of six months except in those cases where cadets have been held back for military or physical inefficiency. All candidates have a prospect of going before a War Office Selection Board, and any delay which occurs after passing the War Office Selection Board is due to the difficulty of finding room for them in 0.C.T.Us. None of the cadets had grounds for thinking that they would be commissioned into the Indian Army. The decision that they could not be sent 'o India for O.C.T.U. training before being commissioned in the British Service was due to a change in the policy of the Government of India, regarding 0.C.T.0 training generally

asked the Ministet of Food if he is aware that the costing machinery of his Department is functioning so slowly that small businesses, faced with substantial rises in prices, cannot maintain their businesses on a sound footing; and what action he is taking to expedite it.

The costings division is working under pressure, but we have had no specific complaints from the trade. If the hon. Member knows of any cases of difficulty and will let me have particulars, I shall, of course, willingly look into them

asked the Minister of Food, in view of the fact that a large percentage of oranges delivered to retailers recently were bad, whether he will compensate shopkeepers or replace the bad deliveries

All the oranges we import are classified at the first hand sale into eight categories, according to the percentage of bad fruit in the packages, and wholesalers are permitted to claim reclassification if the condition of the fruit so warrants. The prices charged by the wholesaler to the retailer are correspondingly graduated and claims for compensation or replacement do not, therefore, arise against the Ministry at that stage.