asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the ratio of dentists in the Services per thousand of Service personnel is much greater than the ratio of dentists per thousand of the civil population; and if he will take steps to secure a more equitable distribution of dentists.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir"; but conditions in the Services and civil life are not comparable.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, for the past two months, the population of Penmachno, Caernarvonshire, have been without water supplies, other than supplies obtained from a stream, owing to the failure of the local reservoir, so that school meals for over 100 children, many of them living great distances from school, have had to be discontinued; that sanitation in the district is endangered and that there is likelihood of epidemics during the warm months unless emergency action is taken; and if he will take steps to see that the regional and local authorities concerned take such action.

I am aware that the supply is unsatisfactory and that it was seriously affected by the recent severe weather. The council have been advised as to the temporary measures required to meet the present emergency and to augment supplies until permanent works can be carried out.

asked the Minister of Health under what authority a county council appoints a relieving officer as vaccination officer; and, in particular, under what authority a relieving officer is appointed as vaccination officer for an area extending beyond the boundaries of his relief district.

An authority can appoint any person as vaccination officer for a vaccination district irrespective of any other post he may concurrently hold. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has issued any guidance to local authorities upon the admission of the public to general council meetings and whether he proposes to urge upon local authorities the desirability of permitting ratepayers to be present as visitors at such meetings.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Model Standing Orders issued by my Department for the guidance of local authorities, and would draw his attention to No. 19. Most local authorities are, I am sure, aware of the desirability of granting facilities for the attendance of members of the public at their meetings wherever possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the Yorkshire dales and other districts of amenity interest, he will make such arrangements, in addition to using local stone, as will employ labour and second-hand materials available in the district before calling on outside resources now in short supply.

As with the use of stone, the initiative lies with local authorities. My right hon. Friend is ready to consider all reasonable proposals.

asked the Minister of Health the names of the local authorities which are erecting houses to let to members of their clerical and administrative staffs and if special facilities are granted by his Department for this purpose.

County councils and mental hospitals boards have powers under Section 97 of the Housing Act, 1936, to provide houses for persons employed by them, but so far as I am aware no proposals under these powers have been submitted to the Department to erect houses for their clerical and administrative staffs.

asked the Minister of Health under what powers the local authority requisitioned 19, Hereford Gardens, Lewisham, and evicted the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Waters, from their home; and what action he is prepared to take in this matter.

This house was requisitioned in 1943 on behalf of the Minister of Health under Defence Regulation 51. A possession order against the owners was given by the courts last month. No action by my right hon. Friend is called for.

asked the Minister of of Health, in view of the fact that many bombed-out persons were found temporary accommodation by local authorities on condition that they should return to their original homes when they were reconstructed, whether there is any regulation to protect those who were tenants of residential premises against refusal by the owners to re-let to them.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Acts and the Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Acts.

asked the Minister of Health what is the reason for the delay in completing 250 B.I.S.F. houses at Corby, which, with 250 others, if required, the contractors promised to complete by the end of February, 1947, with a labour force of 320 and none of which is yet completely ready for occupation; and, in view of the proposed expansion of the steelworks at Corby, what step it is proposed to take to obviate similar delay in the future.

The delay is due to the shortage of certain steel components, lack of local building labour, and to the fact that only one of the three sites involved was serviced. The shortage of components has now been overcome, two of the three sites are now serviced and work is in progress on the third. Future progress must depend on the supply of labour, which is still short, but all practicable steps are being taken to remedy the deficiency.

asked the Minister of Health the rate poundage levied by each county district in Middlesex for the year 1947–48 and indicate any increase or decrease by comparison with the year 1946–47; and give the amount by which the rate income has varied in each case.

I regret that the information is not available, and some of it cannot be known for some time.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total number of Government servants employed in the City of Aberdeen in the years 1938 and 1945.

The number of civil servants, including part-time staff, employed in the City of Aberdeen at 1st April, 1938, was 211. I regret that the corresponding figure for 1945 is not available centrally and would take a disproportionate amount of staff time to ascertain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the balance of postwar credits to people over 65 years of age will be paid and completed, in view of the many people who have not yet received such postwar credits.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer of my right hon. Friend of 18th February, to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) and the hon. and gallant Member for West Edinburgh (Lieut.-Commander Hutchison).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to pay the last two postwar credits to persons over 65 years of age.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes that postwar credit certificates for 1945 and 1946 shall be paid to holders who have reached the age of 65 years.

I would refer the hon. Members to my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Derby (Group-Captain Wilcock) on 17th March.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what date His Majesty's Stationery Office ordered from Canada copies of the Royal Commission's Report on the Gouzenko case; how many copies were ordered; on what date these copies were made available to the British public; at what date they were sold out; how many copies were then ordered; and when it is expected that the Report will he again available to the public.

Two thousand copies on 29th August, 1946. They were on sale here on 15th January, 1947, and the supply was exhausted on 17th February, 1947. Further supplies were ordered, totalling in all 750 copies.

asked the Minister of Education when he estimates being in a position to give a decision regarding parents' freedom of choice of school, which matter has been outstanding nearly two years since the Act came into force.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Ministry's Circular No. 83, dated 14th January, 1946, of which I am sending him a copy. I have written to him about the particular case which he has in mind.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will now allow local education authorities to purchase canteen equipment in the open market in view of the failure of his Department's pool to supply requirements.

No, Sir. Canteen equipment is in short supply, and the situation would not be improved by competitive buying in a very restricted market.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that forms FAM 296 and 298, Parts A and B, have thrown much extra non-educational clerical work upon headmasters; and if he will take steps to reduce the number of forms which teachers have to complete to the detriment of their proper work.

It is my constant aim to reduce to a minimum the amount of clerical work falling on teachers, and the forms in question, which are essential for the efficient administration of the Family Allowances Act, were designed with that in mind. It was made clear in the explanatory memorandum sent to the schools that the work could be done by the school secretary.

asked the Minister of Education if he will grant permission for children in rural areas, as instanced by the correspondence from Lincolnshire sent to him, to travel on school omnibuses to attend any school en route, provided accommodation for the longest distance children is not prejudiced.

The transport arrangements for each area are a matter for the local education authority in the first instance, and my permission is not required to enable vacant places in school buses to be filled in the manner suggested. I am writing to the hon. Member about the Lincolnshire case which he brought to my attention.

asked the Minister of Education, as the raising of the school-leaving age to 15 years will not be effective until the beginning of the autumn term this year, if he will consider the advisability of postponing it until April, 1948, in view of the altered economic conditions prevailing and the almost total lack of extra teachers, books and buildings.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Education what is the average cost to the Exchequer of the individual emergency teacher in respect of basic salary on admission to the national schools, increments or other emoluments of war service, maintenance and tuition grants while training; and what is the cost of the graduate teacher on admission to the schools in respect of basic salary, allowance for degree and for fourth-year training.

The basic salary scale for a qualified teacher trained under the Emergency Training Scheme is £300—£15—£525 for men and £270£12—£420 for women. Additions to these scales for new entrant qualified teachers are allowable in respect of war service and other approved previous experience, determined according to the circumstances of the particular case, as provided by the terms of the Burnham Report now in force. Information is not yet available as to the cost to the Exchequer of training students under the Emergency Training Scheme. The basic scales for trained graduate teachers are the same, but for a graduate assistant qualified teacher with four years' approved full-time study or training, three increments at the minimum and four increments at the maximum of the appropriate scale are added.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give, in the form of a table, the numbers of children in the secondary schools of the various education authorities of England and Wales; the average size of the classes now and after the school-leaving age has been raised; and how many of the authorities have been able to provide proper accommodation to the satisfaction of His Majesty's inspectors.

I am unable to give all the information for which the hon. Member asks in tabular form. There were 1,268,531 children in all types of secondary schools in England and Wales in January, 1940. The average number of pupils per class in these schools was 30.3 and since my plans for increasing the number of teachers provide for more than sufficient teachers for the extra age- group, this figure will be progressively reduced in the next few years. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) on 13th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Education how many teachers are still wanted to make up the numbers estimated to be necessary when the school-leaving age is raised on 1st April, 1947.

It is not possible statistically to say how many of the teachers going into the schools in a given period will be employed with the children in the 14 to 15 age group. Between January, 1946, and January, 1947, there was an increase of over 12,000 teachers without any corresponding increase in the number of pupils, and this increase is continuing, so that the increased number of pupils in the schools when the age is raised will be more than matched by the growth in the teaching staff.

asked the Attorney-General if he will now give the names of the committee appointed by the President of the Divorce Division to advise him upon the Denning Report; and when the recommendations of the report may be expected to come into force.

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for North-West Kingston-upon-Hull (Mr. R. Mackay) on 13th February, the President, after consultation with my noble friend the Lord Chancellor, appointed a committee to redraft the whole of the Matrimonial Causes Rules in the light of the recommendations in Part II of the Second Denning Report. This comitittee was composed of Mr. Justice Hodson, Mr. Justice Barnard, Mr. Pereira, a Registrar of the Divorce Division, Mr. Pownall, a District Registrar, and Mr. Skyrme, the Secretary of the Denning Committee. The new Matrimonial Causes Rules have now been drafted, and it is hoped that they will be published by the end of next week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much foreign timber during the last six months was allocated to the Aberdeen box-making industries; and if he will take steps to increase the allocation.

The Aberdeen box-making industry obtain its supplies of timber against consumption licences granted by various Government Departments sponsoring the production of boxes and packing cases. No information is available as to the total of such licences granted to box-making firms in Aberdeen or of the proportion of foreign timber purchases against such licences.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that his officials have informed the British Federation of Elastic Web Manufacturers that their industry, along with other small industries, may have to be sacrificed at the forthcoming conference on tariffs in Geneva, for the benefit of larger industries; and why these smaller industries are so chosen.

The hon. Member appears to be misinformed. In trying to get a satisfactory general agreement on tariff reductions, some concessions will have to be made. In striking the balance, we shall have regard to the national interest as a whole, and there is no policy of calling upon particular industries to bear disproportionate burdens.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he is taking to counteract the effect of the coal allocation on production in the pottery industry, in that constant pressure is being put on the industry for increased production to increase exports acid supplies for the home market while the coal allocation restricts production to a small output.

I regret that, despite the need for increased production of pottery for the home market and for export, it is not possible to increase allocations of coal to the industry at the present time. The allocations will, however, be kept under review, and we shall do our best to arrange for an increase as soon as supplies permit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons the coal allocation to the cotton industry has been cut down from 65 per cent. to 48⅓per cent.; and whether, in view of the effect which it will have upon the production of cotton goods and the disturbance which it will cause to the balance of production between various types of mills and sections of the industry, he will arrange for an early review of the allocation in the closest consultation with representatives of the industry.

Coal allocations to industry are now being reviewed in the light of the latest estimates of the supplies likely to be available for industry in the next few weeks. As a result it has been found possible to maintain the allocation of cotton spinning in Lancashire at the previous rate of 65 per cent., but the allocation for weaving and finishing has, I regret, had to be reduced to 48⅓ per cent. We shall do all we can, as stated in answer to Questions by the hon. Members for Louth (Mr. Osborne) and Oldham (Mr. Fairhurst) on 18th March, consistent with the claims of other essential needs, to help the cotton industry to obtain fuel and to keep its production in balance; and the present allocation will be kept under constant review in the light of the supply situation. I can assure the hon. Member that there is close consultation in this matter between my Regional Controller and representative of the industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what co-ordinating machinery exists to cover the allocation of solid fuel to industry.

The broad principles on which the supplies of coal available for industry are allocated are determined by my Department in agreement with the Ministry of Fuel and Power and the other Production Departments. Supplementary allowances to firms engaged on production of special importance, over and above the basic allocation for industry as a whole, are determined in the regions by the Fuel Allocation Committees of the Regional Boards, on which the Production Departments are represented, acting in accordance with general guidance from headquarters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to avoid the stoppage of leather-dressing works and the consequent increase in the existing shortage of material for the boot and shoe trade, he will reconsider the cut in fuel supplies to leather dressers in Kettering and elsewhere who use most of their fuel for processing.

The question of coal supplies to leather dressers in Kettering and elsewhere in the North Midland Region has been reviewed by the Regional Fuel Allocation Committee following on the recent reduction in the basic allocation. Although there are many claims on the regional pool for increasing the allocations of firms engaged on specially important production, I am glad to say that it has been found possible to arrange some supplementation for leather dressing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the acute shortage of tyres for tractors in Cornwall; that this shortage will have a disastrous effect on food production; and if he will expedite delivery.

Every effort is being made to improve supplies of tractor tyres and there has been a progressive increase in the numbers made available for replacements during the last year. Distribution of available supplies is made as evenly as possible over the country according to need, and I am not aware of any special difficulties in Cornwall.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that exports from this country to certain European countries outside the sterling block are being re-exported to countries within the sterling block; and what steps he is taking to prevent this.

I am not sure what the hon. Member has in mind, but if he will send me particulars I shall be glad to look into the matter further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether precautions have been taken to see that all goods imported from Japan are produced under fair conditions with respect to working hours and rates of pay.

The conditions of current Japanese production are the responsibility of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers. It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to endeavour to eliminate unfair competition caused by low labour standards, not only in Japan but wherever it arises, by international agreement and in any way that offers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state, in terms of volume and value, the destination of our agricultural machinery exports in 1946.

Particulars of exports of agricultural machinery in 1946 to the principal markets are given below.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the decision of the Swedish Government to stop all imports except necessities under licence; and if His Majesty's Government will adopt the same policy for Britain.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." His Majesty's Government have, with certain exceptions, followed a similar policy for a long time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is prepared to issue supplementary clothing coupons to ex-Servicemen disabled to a degree of 50 per cent. and above, to compensate for the excessive wear and tear on their clothing which results from the wearing of artificial limbs and other appliances.

Yes, Sir. It has always been the practice to issue additional clothing coupons to those whose clothing is subjected to extra wear and tear through disablement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Aladdin lamp mantles are practically unobtainable in West Dorset; and what steps he is taking to increase supplies.

I am afraid that there is a general shortage of these mantles, and that increased supplies could not be sent to West Dorset except at the expense of other areas where they are just as scarce.

asked the president of the Board of Trade how many shorthand typists and how many copy typists were employed by his Department at 30th November, 1946, and 28th February, 1947, respectively.

The total numbers of shorthand-typists and copy typists employed in the Board of Trade on 30th November, 1946, were 707 and 627 respectively. The numbers employed on 28th February, 1947 were 697 and 605 respectively.

asked the president of the Board of Trade what was average amount of overtime worked by shorthand typists and copy typists, respectively, in his Department during February.

Approximately five hours by shorthand-typists and four hours by copy typists.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the average length of time which elapsed during December, 1946, January, 1947, and February, 1947, between the receipt of letters from Members of Parliament and the sending of final replies.

The average length of time, as far as can be ascertained in the time available by a sample analysis, was 21 days in December, 17 days in January, 16 days in February.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is considering the possibility of the utilisation of the potential energy in the water supplies to towns in those instances where there is a considerable fall from the reservoir to the point of supply to the public.

The Electricity Commissioners in consultation with the Ministry of Health are investigating cases where a sufficient head of water may be available for generating electricity.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in cities where there is evidence that an overwhelming number of the citizens desire it, he will permit the switch-on hours to be varied from 12 noon to 2 p.m. to 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

I regret that this would not be practicable.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why it is not possible for electric supply companies to hire out electric cookers to farm workers who have recently been put on electricity supply mains.

There is a great shortage of electric cookers, most of which are required for new or converted houses. I regret, therefore, it is not possible for arrangements to be made to hire out electric cookers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will arrange with the Electricity Commissioners for the priority class for allocation of poles to be extended to permit a supply of current to farm workers' cottages.

There are not sufficient poles for the present priority classes, and I regret, therefore, that I cannot adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion and add to these classes. Wherever it is possible without priority, supplies are given to farm workers' cottages.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what progress has been made with the building of the new Poplar electricity power and generating station.

Contracts have been let for demolition, dredging and the construction of culverts on the site, and for the building of turbine and boiler plant.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the relaxation of the restrictions on the opening of cinemas, he is now prepared to make a statement about relaxation of the ban on greyhound racing.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Levy) on 13th March.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what representations he has received about importing coal from South Africa; and what are the possibilities of obtaining supplies from that source.

Representations in regard to the question of importing South African coal have been received from various interests. I would remind my hon. Friend that exports of coal from South Africa are strictly controlled by the Union Government and that a considerable tonnage of South African coal is made available to the London Coal Committee for allocation to important bunker depots and other overseas consumers, thus affording valuable and direct relief to this country. The question whether further assistance can be provided is being considered.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many collieries in South Wales have their own plant for generating electricity supplies; how many colliery generating stations have been closed down; and how many colliery undertakings draw their supplies from the grid.

In the year ended 30th June, 1946, there were 86 mines in South Wales and Monmouth where electricity was generated at the mine, and 33 of these also received supplies from authorised electricity supply undertakings. 129 mines received electricity from authorised supply undertakings alone. Information is not available as to the number of colliery generating stations which have been closed.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that applicants for employment, age 20 years, in some of the West Yorkshire mines, have been rejected by the Coal Board on the grounds that there are no vacancies; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

No, Sir. If my hon. Friend will supply particulars of any cases he has in mind I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister. of Fuel and Power why the Grimsby Fish Meal Company has been granted a.404 allocation of coal of only 195 tons as compared with 330 tons at the same time last year, although supplies of AO for processing are larger than last 3741 and are still increasing.

Owing to the fact that consumption was averaging 200 tons per week and stocks of coal amounted to 929 tons the allocation for the Grimsby Fish Meal Company was reduced last July from 330 tons to 195 tons per week, at which figure it remained when the new allocation arrangements came into operation on 20th January. Under these arrangements, however, provision was made for supplementary allocations being granted by the Regional Fuel Allocation Committee in those cases where this was justified by the importance of the firm's production.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many miners it is intended to transfer to the North Staffordshire area; and if he will give an assurance that housing, transport and other facilities will be provided before the men and their families arrive in the area.

I am informed by the National Coal Board that they are not yet in a position to furnish the information required to answer the first part of the Question. With regard to the second part, I can assure my hon. Friend that the provision of accommodation and other facilities is being carefully borne in mind in connection with any increase in the labour force in the coalmining industry.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why such poor quality coal is being supplied to domestic consumers in North Lincolnshire; and if he will take steps to improve the quality of the small quantity allocated to old age pensioners.

With the exception of a percentage of screened opencast coal now it eluded in the house coal allocation to North Lincolnshire, there has been no change in the supplying collieries, and there, is no evidence to suggest that the quality of supplies from these collieries is below the general standard. With regard to the second part of the Question, I regret it is not possible to arrange for preferential treatment to be given to any class of domestic consumer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give instructions to local fuel overseers so as to ensure that women who are confined in their homes and those who return home after confinement should be allowed sufficient fuel on the production of a doctor's certificate testifying as to their condition.

My instructions to Local Fuel Overseers already provide for the grant of extra coal where necessary in cases of confinement.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what percentage of ponies used in the mines were killed in the 12 months previous to the National Coal Board taking over.

Information for the calendar year 1946 is not available. In the 12 months ended 30th June, 1946, 2.4 per cent. of ponies used underground were killed as a result of accidents.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how do the average figures of output of hard coal in the British zone of occupation in Germany for January, 1947, of hewers 2.33, all underground workers 1.24, and overall workers, excluding office staffs, of o.96, raising a total daily tonnage of 217,158 tons gross clean stein-kohle by 89,419 hewers, compare with similar average figures in the Durham coalfield.

Owing to the great geological and other differences between the mines in Durham and those in the Ruhr any comparison would be quite misleading. Moreover, differences in classification render impracticable any comparison between the output per man-shift of German hewers and that of British face workers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that, in spite of assurances to the contrary, there has been a shortage of supplies of paraffin in rural districts in Dorset; and what steps he is taking to make adequate supplies available, particularly to those who have no other form of lighting or heating.

Because of the severe weather, the Petroleum Board were authorised to make increased supplies of during oil available during February, and deliveries to dealers in their Southern and South Western Regions, in which regions Dorset falls, were substantially above the deliveries made to them in February, 1946. In March, deliveries of burning oil will be 33ℵ per cent. above the quantity delivered to dealers in March, 1946. Domestic consumers who are solely dependent on this fuel for heating, lighting or cooking are assured of specific allocations under the Kerosene (Paraffin Oil) Priority Scheme.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will state the percentage increase in building costs during the last 12 months.

Building costs vary so much according to the type of building and the locality that I do not think I could usefully attempt to give a general figure.

asked the Minister of Works when it is proposed to give up Ardencaple Nursing Home in Middlesbrough, partially occupied by the Man-Power Board; and if he is aware that for two years pressure has been brought to bear upon the local officers and alternative accommodation suggested, in spite of which nothing has been done towards evacuating this nursing home which is used mainly for maternity cases.

I am aware of the circumstances of this case. My officers have made continuous efforts to rehouse this staff, and alternative premises are now in view. If these can be secured and adapted to the requirements of the Ministry of Labour, it will then be possible to release this house.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that a child was knocked down and fatally injured by a motor-car driven by an employee of his Department near Builth, South Wales, on 26th August, 1946; that, at the inquest, the driver was exonerated from blame; and if he will make an ex-gratia payment to the parents of the child to cover funeral and other expenses.

After further consideration of the circumstances of this case, I propose to make an ex-gratia payment to cover certified funeral and other expenses.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that turbo-alternators and other electrical equipment ordered by electricity supply companies are being manufactured at no greater priority than that given to other orders, including export; and if he will ensure that top priority is given to such plant.

These orders have been given the highest priority.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will reconsider the application of Mr. F. V. Walker, inspector-in-charge A.I.D. at the de Havilland engine works at Leavesden, to be established, in view of his qualifications, experience, length of service under the Crown and the responsibility which his present duties as a technical civil servant involve.

The filling of vacancies for established staff in the Aeronautical Inspection Department follows the procedure agreed with the association representing the staff concerned and is normally based oh length of service.Walker is not at present eligible for consideration, and I should not be justified in discriminating in his favour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that recruitment for the R. N. fully meets the needs of the Service and whether he will see to it that entry of British personnel is in no way prejudiced by the admission of Polish naval forces into the Service.

The recruitment to the Royal Navy of young men on regular engagements is, in the present circumstances, reasonably satisfactory. The entry of British personnel will be in no way prejudiced by the admission of Poles on regular engagements in anticipation of naturalisation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give details of pay and allowances enjoyed by the R.M. police; whether this department

asked the Minister of Transport how much fuel it is estimated will be saved by cutting down

I append a table giving the present scales of pay and allowances of the Royal Marine Police; the question of revised scales of pay and allowances is, however, under active consideration. The authorised Royal Marine Police complement is not at present up to full strength; it is hoped to make some reductions in the authorised complement, but these will depend on the number and size of the establishments to be policed by this Force in future.transport by 10 per cent. from 1st June as proposed by the Government.

About 10,000 tons of coal a week from 16th June when the summer time-tables will operate.

asked the Minister of Transport how much fuel will be saved as a result of the stopping, at the Government's request, of the Cornish Riviera express which, until Monday, 17th March, ran continuously from 1902.

About no tons of coal a week.

asked the Secretary of State for War why German prisoners of war in the Golden Valley, Herefordshire, were not allowed to assist in clearing the snowbound roads in that neighbourhood.

I am not aware of any cases in which prisoner of war labour for clearing snow in this area was refused, but if the hon. Member will give me more precise information, I will look into the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for War when S/10467345 Corporal C. Smith, R.A.S.C., who commenced his release leave on 5th October, 1946, will receive the balance of over £14 outstanding on his leave order book and approximately £24 for pay whilst in hospital during his release leave.

I am looking into this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the memorandum of guidance for the release of university students is now available.

The memorandum is now with the printers, and printed copies should be available by the end of this month, when a supply will be placed in the Library. In the meantime advance stencilled copies have been sent to the university authorities and other authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour the principal changes of wage rates and conditions of employment which have taken place since July, 1945, in brick making, cotton spinning, clothing manufacture and foundry work, respectively.

Details of the principal changes in rates of wages and hours of labour, industry by industry, reported to my Department, together with some particulars of important collective agreements between employers and workers, will be found in the monthly issues of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," copies of which are available in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated number of unfilled vacancies for unskilled and semi-skilled workers in the London region at the most recent convenient date; and the distribution of these vacancies between industries.

As soon as I conveniently can, I will have the available figures extracted and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the arrangements made for legal aid for the dependants of U.S. Service and ex-Servicemen.

Arrangements have now been completed for giving legal aid to wives of U.S. Service or ex-Servicemen who are unable to meet the cost of proceedings and who either are cited as defendants in matrimonial proceedings in the United States or who, if resident in the United States, desire in approved cases to initiate matrimonial proceedings there. The test of ability to pay will be substantially that now applied in Service divorce cases under the Poor Persons procedure in England subject to an under- taking to repay so far as means may permit; but, in addition, where a litigant can pay the costs incurred in the United Kingdom but cannot pay the costs incurred in the United States, such latter costs will be dealt with in the same way.In the United States these arrangements will he operated by selected lawyers in each State, in England and Wales by the Law Society, in Scotland by the General Council of Solicitors in Scotland, and in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Law Society.Provision will be made as far as possible to ensure that a wife of a United States Serviceman or ex-Serviceman is notified of the initiation of matrimonial proceedings by her husband in the United States courts in sufficient time to enable her to be represented at the hearing of the case.These arrangements will operate forthwith. Anyone desiring further information should communicate with one of the bodies I have indicated.Owing to the requirement in the majority of American States that a complainant in affiliation proceedings should be personally present in court, it is not possible to apply the arrangements for legal aid to these cases. In a few States, however, it may, it seems, be legally possible for these proceedings to be brought

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to make a further statement with regard to proposals for higher training for the police service in England and Wales.

Yes, Sir. The Government are today issuing a White Paper setting out their proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of proceedings, convictions, and charges proved for drunkenness in the Metropolitan Police district and/or the County of London, and in the City of London, respectively, during the calendar year 1946; and the comparable figures for 1945.

The following table gives the available information:

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will expedite a decision on an application for an old age pension made by Mrs. Mary H. Archer, 13 Sutton Court Road, Chiswick, W.4, who has received no reply to her letter to Blackpool, dated 22nd January.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many Yugoslav troops are stationed in Osnabruck; if they are receiving military training; and what function such troops are performing.

There are no Yugoslav troops in Osnabruck or elsewhere in the British zone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give instructions that Mr. C. B. Dyson, chief of the commerce division, and Mr. G. H. Bonsey, controller of the aluminium, magnesium and light alloy subsection of the metallurgy branch, are in future to be paid by the Control Commission for Germany and are not to receive any payment from private employers.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when a promise was given by the Control Commission authorities to the German miners' trade union that fat bacon would be provided under the points scheme; and whether this has been carried out.

The undertaking was to make bacon available. Fat bacon is supplied wherever possible in view of the miners' preference for it. The first issues against the points scheme have already been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, what aid is given by his Department to the R.A.F. Cadet movement; whether stores and equipment left from the recent war are made use of to this end; and if he is satisfied that all possible steps are being taken to encourage the success of this movement.

I can assure the hon. Member that we are doing all we can to encourage the Air Training Corps and foster its efficiency. The cost of training quarters, training equipment and uniforms for the A.T.C. is met by my Department and grants are made to meet the cost of training. The approved scale of equipment for the Corps is provided from R.A.F. stocks, and in addition, Reserve Command which controls the Air Training Corps, selects at Equipment Disposal Depots stores and equipment that would be useful for the training of cadets and is not needed for Royal Air Force purposes, or for sale. Facilities are also provided for senior cadets to acquire air experience by carrying out flights as passengers in R.A.F. aircraft. Gliding schools have been established to give elementary gliding training for the more experienced cadets, and, as I mentioned in the Debate on Air Estimates, a number of German gliders is being obtained to supplement the equipment in these Schools. In addition, summer camps are arranged for all units of the Corps.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how the release of wireless mechanics now compares with releases in other technical trades; and if he will now say when the shortage will be made good.

The following table shows the release position in March of the main technical trades in the Royal Air Force. I am afraid I cannot at present predict when the shortage of wireless mechanics will be made good.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the reduction in the size of the R.A.F. and the fact that officers of all branches on reaching the rank of flight lieutenant are now on a rate of pay not less than that of the general duties branch, the ranks of officer posts are being reviewed with the object of reducing Service ranks from their wartime scale to their pre-war values; and whether all officers are made to carry the full responsibility of their ranks without undue reference to higher authority.

The ranks of all officer posts in the Royal Air Force are frequently reviewed to ensure that they correspond with the responsibilities of the appointment, and a large number of posts have been reduced in rank since the end of the war. It is the aim of the Air Council that all officers should carry the full responsibility of their ranks without undue reference to higher authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what rent his Department intend to charge squatters in the hutments at Langar airfield, Nottinghamshire; and what steps are being taken to collect the rents.

The rent for each hut is to be 7s. 6d. a week; this will include the supply of water, but not lighting. The necessary instructions for collecting these charges are about to be issued.