asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to make a statement as to whether the wartime relaxation of K.Rs. to allow Africans and others to hold the King's Commission will be continued in peacetime; or whether it is intended that the prewar position, which allowed Africans to hold only governor's commissions, is to be restored.

No, Sir. I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he anticipates that the Army huts at Coombe Park, Whitchurch, Oxfordshire, will be removed; under what agreement they were erected; and why no rent has been paid for the use of the ground for these huts.

I regret I am unable to forecast when the huts will be removed. The land on which they are erected was requisitioned by my Department in January, 1943, under Defence Regulation 51. The owners agents were invited to make a claim for rental compensation, under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, on two occasions but no reply or claim has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 14428692 Lance-Corporal P. R. West is being sent back to Palestine before release after 28 days' leave in the United Kingdom as he has only 10 weeks' more service; and whether the requirement of four months' minimum service in such cases has been changed.

This soldier is in Group 56. As announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on 18th March it is the intention to release this group from the Army during August. Lance-Corporal West, has, therefore, over four months to serve. The answer to the last part of the Question is "No, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 4614656 Gunner J. Hanson, No. 6 F.P.D.B., B.A.O.R., who has now served 10 months of 18 months sentence for absence without leave, was a miner before his enlistment in September 1939; if he will now arrange for this sentence to be reviewed; and whether, on the termination of the sentence, Gunner Hanson will be eligible for immediate return to his prewar employment as a coalminer.

This man is still in detention, and I have issued instructions for the immediate review of his sentence. I must point out, however, that the original sentence which was awarded for four charges of absence without leave might well have been suspended by now had not Gunner Hanson again absented himself while serving sentence. It would appear from his industrial category that if he were not in detention he would be eligible for a Class B release to the coal-mining industry. When he is released from detention he will be offered Class B release to coalmining.

asked the Secretary of State for War when 14574803 Rifleman A. Pentland, who was granted compassionate release in a letter from his Department dated 14th February, 1947, is likely to arrive in this country.

I regret that I cannot say when Rifleman Pentland is likely to arrive in this country. Inquiries are, however, being made by cable and I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the troops in all stations except M.E.L.F. have been informed that the release of Group 53 will be completed by 8th July, 1947, whereas the troops in M.E.L.F. have been informed that it will not be completed until 24th July; and whether he will clarify the position.

The decision to release Group 53 by 8th July was notified to all commands including M.E.L.F. and I know of no instruction issued by that command stating that the release of Group 53 will not be completed until 24th July.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men are in each of the demobilisation Groups 47 to 65 inclusive.

I will, with permission, circulate this information in a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British troops are at present employed in guarding illegal Jewish immigrants in Cyprus or in Palestine; and how many are employed on orderly duties in camps in which Jews are housed.

I am obtaining this information and will send it to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether work has finally ceased on collecting unlocated graves at El Alamein: how many are employed in clearing the minefields; and when it is anticipated the weather will have rendered all the mines harmless.

No, Sir, work on un-located graves is continuing as the minefields are cleared. I am obtaining information as to the number of men employed on clearing the minefields and will write to the hon. and gallant Member. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to a Question asked by the hon. and gallant Member on 21st January.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British Servicemen, Indian soldiers and British officers travelled aboard the H.M.T. "Rajula" on her recent voyage from Kure to Singapore; what her normal capacity is; how many washbowls and lavatories were available to the troops; what is the extent of the life-saving equipment; why the troops were not given shore leave but were taken ashore for rifle drill at Hong Kong; and why the troops were confined to the forward well-deck during the voyage.

On leaving Kure this transport was carrying 1,013 British warrant officers and other ranks, 689 Indian officers and other ranks and 30 British officers. From Hong Kong to Singapore 1,014 British warrant officers and other ranks, 776 Indian officers and other ranks, 45 British officers and two nurses were on board. The "Rajula" is an Indian Ocean troopship based on India, and has now been released. Consequently the rest of the information asked for is not available in this country. I am, however, obtaining it and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that ex-Servicemen are having to wait over 4½ months for a pair of trousers on demobilisation; and if he will take steps to expedite the delivery in view of the inconvenience to which they are thus subjected.

The great majority of released Servicemen receive their full civilian clothing entitlement upon the day of release. In a few instances those requiring stock size garments may have to wait about 10 days, the sizes required not being immediately available at the time of release. Those requiring special measure garments are now being supplied within about two months. I am not aware that delays of 4½ months are occurring. If my hon. Friend will send me details of any such cases I will have them investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now make a statement on the future of Army Records, Edinburgh.

This Record Office is to be dispersed. Part will be transferred to Exeter, and part to Hastings in the near future. The remainder will be moved to York at a date not yet fixed. All the staff concerned will be given the opportunity of accompanying the offices to their new locations. There has been full consultation with the staff representatives in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reasons he has abandoned granting temporary release to the Reserve, and what other method of relieving temporary hardship occurring in a soldier's family, when such hardship is caused by business difficulties, etc., has he substituted.

From the beginning of this year men are being called up to the Army for a fixed period of comparatively short duration. To be of any real value their services must neither be broken by long temporary periods of absence nor restricted as to availability for posting, and that is why temporary releases and compassionate postings have been stopped. Deserving compassionate cases, however, can still be met by the grant of compassionate leave or indefinite release or discharge when this is justified.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement giving further details of the arrangements which are to be made to amalgamate the Middle East and East African Commands; and the date when this new organisation will become effective.

These two Commands are not being amalgamated, but East African Command is to come under Middle East. No special arrangements are necessary to implement this decision, which will take effect from 1st April.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that full production will not be reached until prisoners of war are paid the rates of wage applicable to the industry in which they are engaged; and whether he will consider the whole matter of prisoners' wages.

My information is that the work done by prisoners of war is of a high standard and is much appreciated by their employers. The pay of German prisoners of war is appropriate to their status and the conditions under which they are being held and I do not consider that any review of this matter is called for.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many persons are engaged in guarding German prisoners-of-war camps in this country and the Middle East; and how many others are directly or indirectly engaged in the administration of prisoners of war.

The number of persons employed full-time in the United Kingdom are estimated as follows: guards at prisoner of war camps, 2,246; administrative staff at camps, 11,594; other administrative staffs, 254; making a total of 14,094. I am obtaining the figures for the Middle East and will send them to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the camp commandant at a prisoners-of-war camp near Kingston-upon-Thames is refusing to allow prisoners of war to correspond with Members of Parliament and individuals in this country; and if he will give definite instructions to all commandants that such correspondence is to be allowed and notices posted to that effect.

I am not aware that prisoners of war in any camp in the neighbourhood mentioned have been forbidden to write to Members of Parliament or other people in this country, but if my hon. Friend will give me more precise information I will have the matter investigated further. I do not, however, consider that it is necessary to have special notices posted to the effect that prisoners of war may write to Members of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in cases where prisoners of war volunteer to remain in this country to work, and the Minister of Labour is satisfied that it is desirable that such prisoners of war should remain here to work as civilians, he will consider allowing them to discard their identification patches.

When a prisoner of war is allowed to become a civilian alien worker in this country, he ceases to be a prisoner of war and will no longer wear prisoner of war uniform.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners of war from each camp in the counties of Kincardine and Aberdeen have been employed each day, since the beginning of the recent snowstorms, upon agriculture and snow clearance, respectively, for local authorities.

I am sending the hon. Member the particulars he asks for.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the B.B.C. has been directed by the Labour Party, Conservative Party and Liberal Party to exclude other political parties from participating in a series of B.B.C. broadcasts now in process; and if he will take steps to ensure that minority parties are given the same democratic opportunities as is the party in power.

I have been asked to reply. The arrangements which the B.B.C. have made, in agreement with the main political parties, for the resumption of party political broadcasts of a controversial character provide that the broadcasts shall be allocated to the various parties, including the minority parties, in accordance with their polls at the last General Election. The 12 broadcasts proposed for this year have been assigned to the different parties represented in the House in accordance with this formula.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many dollars have been allocated for the purchase of chewing gum during 1947.

Not a cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider introducing a scheme of compensation to families whose furniture and clothing have been destroyed or damaged by the floods, along the lines of the war damage payments granted to families suffering from enemy bombing.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made at the end of Questions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of motor cars in use by Government Departments, excluding the Service Departments, at 1st September, 1939; and the corresponding number today.

The number at present is 7,960 approximately. I regret that the figure for 1st September, 1939, is not available centrally and could not be produced without a disproportionate expenditure of labour.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much the Central Office of Information or other Departments concerned spent in 1946 on the production and display of posters; and whether he will divide the total to show, respectively, the amount spent on the campaigns to increase production and to restrict present-day private expenditure.

The information is being collected and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is willing to follow the lead given by private firms in the matter of allowing leave from the Civil Service for volunteers to attend the Harvard Hospital, Salisbury, for the important purpose of research on the common cold.

I understand that there is at present no lack of volunteers and that these include a number of civil servants.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what date proposals were made by the official side to the staff side of the Civil Service National Whitley Council to withdraw from locally entered staffs abroad the rights previously enjoyed of Whitley Council machinery and arbitration in this country; what reply was made to this proposal by the staff side of the National Whitley Council; and what is the present position in this matter.

On 4th May, 1945. The staff side did not accept them. The official side is considering the matter further, but in the meantime has taken no steps to put the proposals into force.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the surrender of clothing coupons is necessary for the purchase of second-hand clothing and remade articles of clothing sold at village jumble sales and charity bazaars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department has warned the Pangbourne Women's Institute, in connection with their proposed sale of work, that clothing coupons must be surrendered for re-made children's garments such as boys' trousers made out of adults' skirts or trousers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the facts placed before him by the hon. Member for Taunton, in a letter dated 17th March, regarding the obligation to collect clothing coupons when used, remade, home made, or new garments are sold at jumble sales; and if he will make a statement.

Under the Consumer Rationing Order, anyone conducting a bazaar or sale of work is required to take the appropriate number of coupons when rationed goods are supplied. Re-made garments are not exempt from coupons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider sending a delegation from the wool and cotton industries to Europe to look into the possibility of converting raw cotton and wool into yarns and cloths for return to this country.

A delegation from the wool industry has recently visited Germany to arrange for processing on British account. Somewhat similar arrangements have already been made for cotton, and inquiries are being made about the possibility of extending the volume of these transactions in Germany. Cotton and wool are also processed on British account in other European countries, especially Italy and Austria. It is open to any United Kingdom firm to make such arrangements, subject to general approval, of the purpose for which the yarn is to be imported and of the method of payment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the estimated numbers of pairs of ladies' shoes to be imported this year from France, French Morocco, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia; and the estimated value of the imports on the British market;(2) what consultations took place between his Department and the boot and shoe industry on the subject of imports of ladies' shoes from the following countries: France, French Morocco, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia; and if he is satisfied that the home industry is unable to produce the amount of pairs to be imported.

It has been decided to licence imports of women's shoes during 1947 from a number of countries to a total value of £800,000. The estimated number of pairs of shoes will be between 350,000 and 450,000. No specific consultation with the boot and shoe industry has taken place about these imports, which represent rather less than 1 per cent. of the production of women's shoes in this country. The imports from France, French Morocco and Czechoslovakia are in accordance with the policy regarding imports from countries whose economies have been disrupted by the war, described in the statement circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 21st October last. Any imports taken from Switzerland represent a resumption to some degree of our prewar trade with that country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that shoe operatives in this country are not working to full capacity; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure operatives being fully employed.

I have no information of any widespread short time working in the boot and shoe industry at present. There are difficulties about supplies of certain materials and components for footwear production but we are doing everything practicable in present circumstances to see that these are overcome.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, when calculating the solid fuel requirements of industrial undertakings, due regard is paid to the position of undertakings who have, by strict economy in the national interest, reduced their fuel requirements to the absolute minimum required to maintain production and consequent employment.

The regional fuel allocation committees have been asked to consider the reduction of supplementary allowances in the case of firms reported to them by the regional officers of the Ministry of Fuel and Power as having made no effort at fuel economy. The general question of fuel efficiency will be taken into consideration in working out the new scheme for the allocation of coal to industry during the summer months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make available to couples married during the war, preparing to set up house for -the first time, sufficient dockets and units for bedding and furniture that will enable them to assemble their furniture and effects whilst awaiting housing accommodation.

Supplies of utility furniture and household furnishings are in sufficient to allow of the issue of units and dockets until applicants can show reasonable prospects of getting early accommodation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of carpets, linoleum, matting and floor coverings of all descriptions; and, in view of the recent floods which have aggravated the situation, if he will take further steps to increase production.

The present shortage of floor coverings is due to short supplies el certain critical materials required in manufacture, such as linseed oil and grey felt paper for linoleum and felt base floor covering, and wool and cotton yarns for carpets and rugs. The greatest efforts are made to obtain improved supplies of these raw materials; but I cannot hold out any great hope of a substantial increase in the supplies of floor coverings in the immediate future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why large quantities of articles labelled, "Latest style handbags." just arrived from the U.S.A. are on sale in this country; and what dollar expenditure was entailed on this import.

The import of handbags was licensed in October last to enable additional quantities of consumer goods to be available for the Christmas season. A proportion were imported in time, although import of others may have been delayed. The total value of the handbags licensed was approximately £30,000, and for the present no further licences are being issued.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications have been made to his Department for recommendations for the hire or loan of Service generators to the last convenient date; and what number have been approved.

Applications for the loan of engine generator sets have been dealt with by the regional controllers of the production department concerned, who forward approved cases only to the Board of Trade. The number of such approved applications received between 17th February and 10th March is 454, of which 295 have been offered sets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the cost of Subsidies 1 and 2 on wool materials and the estimated cost of the new subsidy put on this year.

I assume that, by subsidies 1 and 2, the hon. Member is referring to the different scales of rebate on utility wool cloth designed to offset the increased costs of the clothing manufacturers. The original scale of rebates came into operation on 1st February, 1945, and payments under this head have since amounted to £3,059,000. The scale of rebates was increased in June, 1946, and payments at the new rate have since amounted to £4,720,000. No figures are yet available in respect of the new subsidy, designed to offset the increase in the cost of the cloth itself but, as I stated during the Debate on the Board of Trade Civil Supplementary Estimates on 7th March the revised estimate of £7¾ million for the current financial year should be sufficient to cover any expenditure under this head.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the shortage of men's suitings, worsted yarns intended for 18-ounce men's suitings have been made up into 15 and 16-ounce cloths and sold in the women's trade.

Considerable latitude is given to cloth manufacturers to produce cloths of the type and weight most in demand, whether for men's or women's clothing, since this is not a matter suitable for detailed regulation. The Wool Control, however, asked cloth manufacturers some time ago to give preference to the delivery of men's cloths, owing to the shortage due to the provision of suits for the Forces on demobilisation, and I do not think that any further action is required.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to complaints made by retail coal merchants regarding short weights received in recent weeks owing to frozen foreign material in the bottom of the railway wagons; and if he will give early consideration to the appointment of a committee of inquiry into weights and measures legislation generally, in order that retailers required to give correct measure to their customers, in turn, receive the quantities for which they pay.

No complaints of this nature have been received by the Board of Trade. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 30th October, 1946, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of crockery, particularly cups, in the south-west area of the country; and if he will take steps to increase the supply at an early date.

I am seriously concerned' by the present shortage of crockery all over the country. Output bears a direct relationship to the amount of fuel available to the industry; and has, I fear, been severely affected by the coal shortage. In this connection, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith) on the 20th March last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that his refusal to supply 64's merino wools to the hosiery industry for H.P. 15 means the debasing in quality of utility garments; and, since Government policy has been to inspire confide in these price-controlled goods, if he will reconsider his decision.

Demands for 64's and finer qualities of merino yarns are substantially in excess of supply. The partial substitution of 58/70's yarn is, therefore, necessary, hut the use of the finer qualities will be permitted where this is essential. The substitution will mainly affect garments where any loss in softness due to the use of coarser yarn is of lesser importance, and will give better wearing qualities

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the reasons for the wool controller refusing to publish details of the industry similar to those published by the cotton controller; and, in view of the repeated demand from the trade for these particulars, if he will direct that they be issued without further delay.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in referring to a refusal by the Wool Controller to publish statistics of the wool industry, since responsibility for the publication of such statistics rests with the President of the Board of Trade. Figures of production and consumption of tops and of deliveries of wool cloth and blankets up to February, 1946, and of deliveries of worsted yarn up to the end of 1945 were published in the "Board of Trade Journal" of 18th May, 1946, and monthly deliveries of utility and non-utility wool cloth are published regularly in the "Monthly Digest of Statistics." The question of publishing more recent figures for tops and yarns was considered during the autumn, but it was decided to defer publication for a time. As a result of a further review it has now been decided to publish such information as is readily available in the near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of goods exported to Italy and Portugal, including the Azores, during 1946.

The Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation for December, 1946, contain information relating to trade with Italy and Portugal in considerable detail. Exports of United Kingdom goods to Italy during 1946 amounted to £6,260,000 and to Portugal, including the Azores, to £9,953,000. I will send my hon. Friend a statement of the principal items exported.

asked the president of the Board of Trade how many day-nurseries had been established during the past 12 months on factory premises or in association with them; how many children were thus cared for; and what percentage of them were in the age group 0–2 years.

I am aware that some day-nurseries have been established on factory premises or in association with them, but I have no information as to the total number or the accommodation provided.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the import of periodicals and certain classes of books from Australia is prohibited; and what is the reason for this restriction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why there is a ban on the import of books from Eire to England; and if he will remove it immediately.

Books, other than fiction and. children's books, can be imported freely from all sources under Open General Licence. Fiction and children's books can be imported freely under individual licence, provided that not less than 50 per cent. by value of the aggregate imports by any individual importer are re-exported. No licences are being issued for import of new periodicals from any source and licences are being issued only for the import of limited numbers of other periodicals from Australia, Eire, or other countries. The restrictions have had to be imposed to safeguard our balance of payments, particularly since the main sources of supply, both of fiction and children's books and of periodicals, are dollar countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the range of goods, imports of which from Empire countries within the sterling area are subject to import restrictions.

The import of all goods on private account from all countries is permitted only under licence. In order to safeguard the balance of payments, licences for imports from Empire countries within the sterling area are, in general, issued only for essential goods, a number of which, mainly raw materials, can be imported freely under Open General Licence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the hardship caused by the recent flooding in Lincoln; and whether he will arrange for priority dockets for immediate replacement of furniture and clothing which have been damaged by these floods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider helping the people in the flood areas of Cambridgeshire to replace goods lost as a result of the floods

I would refer my hon. Friends to the statement made yesterday by the Prime Minister in reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Central Bristol (Mr. Awbery).

asked the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the danger of grave unemployment in the box-making industry of Aberdeen as disclosed in the letters from Messrs. William Fiddes and Son, Limited, of Aberdeen, already sent to him, if he can yet see his way to grant them a licence for timber to keep their box-making and saw-mills in operation.

No, Sir. Licences cannot be granted merely to keep particular mills in operation. The firm will be treated on the same basis as other sawmillers and box-makers and, in this connection, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the replies to his Questions on 13th and 20th March. According to my information, this firm is not out of stock and is not closing down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what priority is being given to the allocation of goods in short supply to the Fife mining areas.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Aston (Mr. Wyatt) on 20th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the total output of mattresses for the home market is now in utility styles; and to what extent a better balance as between supply and demand has been attained by the decision to permit manufacturers to make non-utility bedding.

The manufacture of non-utility mattresses was resumed at the end of November, 1946, and figures of output are not yet available. Though small in relation to the total, this production is additional to supplies planned under the utility programme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to issue the additional clothing coupons to ex-Servicemen demobilised after 1st January, 1946.

This matter is under consideration but we can make no decision until the production position is clearer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a shortage of agricultural corduroy; and whether he will take steps to increase the supply and improve the quality of this corduroy.

I am aware that even before the recent fuel difficulties the supply of agricultural corduroy was not fully equal to the demand, but production was maintained at the highest level possible with the capacity available. The loss of production due to the fuel shortage will, I fear, cause greater difficulties for a time. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction with the quality of corduroy, but if the hon. Member will let me have details of his complaint I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether the Planning Manual, giving advice to local planning authorities on the siting of types of special developments, including animal clinics, referred to on 1st August 1946, has yet been published; and whether copies will be available to the general public.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir;" and to the second part "Yes, Sir."

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what remuneration the members of the Stevenage Development Corporation have received since their appointment.

£1,172 6s. 4d.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will consider introducing amending legislation so that under the Family Allowances Act, claims by parents for family allowances should not be affected by their having children over the age of 14 years who are mentally defective or incapacitated and who are not included in the category of those undergoing full time instruction in a school by virtue of the Family Allowances (Qualifications) Regulations, 1946.

I sympathise with the point my hon. Friend has in mind but a number of anomalies would arise if this particular type of case were picked out for special treatment. The Family Allowance Scheme has been running for only just over six months, and I think we must have more experience of its working before we contemplate further legislation.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will cause payment of pension to be made to 47504929 Mrs. B. A. Jenkinson, who has received no pension since 26th September, 1946, when her pension book was returned for correction from Edge Green, Golborne, Lancashire, when she became a widow.

An order book at the correct rate is now in the hands of the local area officer of the Assistance Board for delivery to Mrs. Jenkinson, who has been informed.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that the pension book of Miss Ruth Francis, Fillebrook, Hawkwell Road, Hockley, Essex, was taken from her for exchange in September, 1946, and despite repeated applications has not been replaced; and if he will take steps to provide the pension book.

A pension order book at the correct rate was sent to the local area officer of the Assistance Board on 22nd March for delivery to Miss Francis.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why the employees of F. Coles, Limited, who reside in Tottenham, were not paid unemployment benefit while other employees of this firm unemployed for the same reason, but residing in other districts, received unemployment benefit.

I assume that my hon. Friend's Question refers to employees of the firm of T. S. Coals, Limited, who were suspended from work on 10th February. While the majority of the employees claimed and were paid unemployment benefit immediately, I understand that four, living in Tottenham, did not make claims until some three weeks later after they had resumed work. In these circumstances benefit cannot be paid on these claims unless it can be shown that there was good cause for the delay in making them. This question is now being considered by the independent statutory authorities appointed for that purpose.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is now in a position to make a statement on the decision of the Umpire with regard to retirement conditions for pensioners, with special reference to earnings.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether any ruling has yet been given as to the meaning of retirement from employment for the purposes of qualifying for the new rate of old age pension.

A number of decisions on individual claims for increased pensions on which important issues as to retirement arose have now been given by the Umpire. These decisions are being printed for publication and they will be available through the Vote Office as a Stationery Office publication in due course. In the meantime I am arranging for a small supply of duplicated copies of these decisions to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he has received the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Assessment of Disablement due to Specified Injuries; and what action he intends to take in the matter

Yes, Sir, I have considered the recommendations of the committee and I am prepared to accept them in principle as a basis for the regulations which I shall have to make regarding the assessment of injuries under the Industrial Injuries Scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the removal of the restriction that applications for release in Class B to return to the mining industry can only be considered for those men whose Army service commenced before the end of the war in Europe, in view of the manpower problem in that industry.

Yes, Sir, the restriction has been removed. Experienced coalminers who are suitable for employment underground are eligible for out-of-turn release from the Forces if they are prepared to work underground and have served six months or more in the Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement regarding the dismissal of workers by Messrs. Gardiners, of Eccles.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the recent victimisation of apprentices and other employees at Messrs. L. Gardiner, Eccles, and its effect on industrial relations in the surrounding area, particularly in Trafford Park.

This dispute originally arose from the firm's decision not to reinstate nine adult workers and three apprentices. Although the disputes machinery of the industry has not been exhausted, the employees of the firm have, since 10th March, been carrying out work upon a time basis only. I understand that the executive council of the union have strongly recommended their district committee that a settlement of the difference should be sought through the industry's constitutional machinery, which I trust will be enabled to operate with the least possible delay. According to my information normal working in other firms in the surrounding area is not affected.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of demobilised officers of the three Services under the age of 50 years who are now unemployed and anxious to obtain early employment.

Statistics relating to the particular age-group to which the hon. Member refers are not available. At 10th March, 4,413 ex-officers under the age at 46 years were registered as unemployed a, appointments offices and 1,333 between the ages of 46 and 55.

asked the Minister of Labour how many members of the Polish Resettlement Corps have now been absorbed in industry.

Five thousand one hundred and eighty nine up to 21st March.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the manpower problem, what steps are taken by his Department to place the many thousands of unemployed persons who have exhausted their unemployment benefit and are in receipt of unemployment allowances.

The aim of local offices is to place all persons who register for employment in suitable jobs as quickly as possible whatever their benefit or allowances position may be. Special attention is, of course, given to eases presenting particular difficulty and special methods of assistance are being developed.

asked the Minister of Labour what courses of training under the vocational training scheme are available to ex-Servicemen in the area of the Hartlepools office of his Department; and how many men have been trained in each of the several schemes since their inception, giving the figures of each course separately.

Training in the main building and civil engineering trades is available at the Aycliffe and Spennymoor Government Training Centres at which 133 Hartlepool ex-Servicemen have been or are now being trained. In addition, individual arrangements for training in technical colleges and employers' establishments have been madeThe courses available and the number of Hartlepool ex-Servicemen who have already completed training at the Aycliffe and Spennymoor Government Training Centre are as follow:

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons from Eire and Northern Ireland, respectively, have been recruited for the coal-mining industry; what are their age groups; in what districts of the coalfield are they employed; and what living arrangements have been provided for them.

In the last 12 months approximately 3,300 men from Eire and 800 men from Northern Ireland in the age-group 18–35 years have come to Great Britain for work in coalmines in all the main coalfields. No figures are available for those who came over at an earlier date. During the period of training they normally live in hostels attached to the Government Training Centres. Subsequently they move to hostels where these exist near their employment or to convenient private lodgings.

asked the Minister of Labour if efforts are still being made to recruit labour for the mines from Eire and Northern Ireland; and what is the estimated number of workers that can be obtained from these sources in 1947.

Yes, Sir. Since 1st January, 1947, a weekly average of 128 men from Ireland have come for work in coalmines in Great Britain. It is hoped to maintain this rate of recruitment for a number of months at least, but it is not practicable to estimate the total number of men likely to be attracted to such work throughout the whole of 1947.

asked the Minister of Labour what terms of employment are being offered to displaced persons who are being recruited to work in this country; and what response to these terms has been forthcoming.

I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the leaflets setting out the terms and conditions on which displaced persons have been recruited for domestic work in hospitals and sanatoria in this country. The terms and conditions for the wider scheme for the recruitment of displaced persons which was recently announced are now being worked out. Under the existing scheme a total of 2,475 workers have been recruited, of whom 1,970 have arrived in this country. Recruitment for the wider scheme will start shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour what facilities are available to overlookers working on Lancashire looms to gain experience of automatic looms without financial loss to themselves.

I am having inquiries made and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that electrical generating sets are still lying idle at a number of aerodromes in the Eastern Counties; and what steps are being taken to make these sets available to industry.

All surplus mobile generating sets have been put at the disposal of the Board of Trade for use by industry. At occupied stations, the standby plant was operated to maintain essential services on R.A.F. Stations during the periods of electricity cuts and also on request from the local electricity undertakings to supply current in relief of the "grid" generally during peak hour. There is standby generating plant at a number of stations which are not at present occupied, but I am afraid it would be impracticable to make this available for industry. The plant is permanently installed and could not readily be removed elsewhere, and in any event would need considerable conversion before it would he suitable for industrial use.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there are airmen who have served more than a year in C M.F. without leave home, and who are now transferred to M.E.F. and find themselves ineligible for leave as they have not been in M.E.F. long enough to qualify under the schemes for leave for Forces in the Middle East; and whether he will ensure that no further airmen are so transferred without first being granted home leave and that those who are now in the Middle East should be granted leave at the earliest opportunity.

The redeployment of the R.A.F. in the Mediterranean area has made it necessary to post men from C.M.F. to the Middle East. I know that some of these men have not had home leave and I appreciate their disappointment. But as home leave is not granted to members of the R.A.F. in the Middle East, it would be unfair to other men already in the command who have perhaps been longer overseas, if any exception were made in favour of men posted from C.M.F. In view of the present manning position in the Middle East, I regret that I cannot give the undertaking asked for in the last part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when it is proposed to repatriate the Jamaican airmen at present stationed at Hibalstow camp, near Gainsborough, as it is understood that they have been promised repatriation for over a year now.

It is hoped that the Jamaican airmen at Hibaldstow camp, and all other West Indian airmen who are awaiting repatriation, will be leaving for home about the middle of April. Nearly two thousand West Indian airmen who have been accepted for resettlement courses will remain in this country after that date.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the shortage of cotton wool in West Ham; that chemists are unable to obtain supplies to meet National Health Insurance prescriptions; and if he will take immediate action to ease the situation.

No, Sir; but if my hon. Friend will let me have details of the retailers affected, I will do what I can to help.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the estimated total saving in annual interest charges through conversion to lower rates of interest during 1946 of British Colonial loans quoted on the London Stock Exchange.

Only two British Colonial loans became callable for conversion in 1946, namely £765,000 of Fiji Government 5 per cent. inscribed stock 1946–53 and £5 million of Kenya Government 6 per cent. inscribed stock 1946–56. The former was wholly repaid out of sinking funds and the proceeds of a local loan. Of the Kenya loan, £3,180,000 was repaid by the use of sinking and other funds and the balance of £1,820,000 was converted into 2¾ per cent. inscribed stock 1971–76. The annual saving in interest charges on the portion converted was £59,150.Arrangements were also made in 1946 in regard to £4,250,000 Nigeria Government 5 per cent. Conversion Stock 1947–57, which was callable for conversion on 1st March, 1947. Of this, £3,000,000 has been repaid out of sinking funds and the balance of £1,250,000 has been replaced by Nigerian Government 2½ per cent. Inscribed Stock 1966–71. The reduction in interest charges on the portion converted was £31,250.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the food crisis in parts of Yugoslavia; and what further relief measures the Government proposes to take in association with other countries in the position to offer relief.

Yes, Sir. But, as was made clear to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey) on 10th March, the ability of His Majesty's Government to assist other countries in meeting food requirements is governed by resources at their disposal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many officers and ratings are now serving sentences both at home and abroad.

Three officers and 460 ratings approximately are undergoing sentences of imprisonment or detention in the United Kingdom. These numbers include officers and ratings sentenced to imprisonment by both naval and civil courts and ratings sentenced to imprisonment or detention by naval courts or summarily by commanding officers. I regret that figures for abroad are not yet available but I will communicate them to the noble Member as soon as possible.