asked the Secretary of State for War why 5392930 Private H. Johnson was given no opportunity to attend or give evidence at the court of inquiry held into the loss of his brief case whilst in military custody in the neighbourhood of Bombay, in which he asserts that he could have given most material evidence; why the inquiry was confined to a short period at Byculla and not extended to cover the period at Kalyan; and whether he will now direct that a proper inquiry be held.

A statement made by Private Johnson regarding his conviction by court martial has been treated as an appeal to the Army Council and is about to be considered. This statement deals among other things with the loss of the brief case, and I should therefore prefer not to make any comment on the matter until the appeal has been considered. When this has been done I will write to the hon. and learned Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith may expect to receive an answer to his letters of 10th and 29th March, 1947, relating to the revision of a court martial sentence.

The hon. and learned Member will by now have received a letter about this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has anything to add to his answer of 2nd July, 1946, concerning the case of 6391871 Sapper H. Blaker, R.E., who was posted as a deserter when he disappeared whilst on active service on 10th November, 1944; and whether he is aware that this man's family is still existing on public assistance, although circumstances point to the probability of death by misadventure.

This case was carefully reviewed earlier this year, but unfortunately no grounds could be found for interfering with the declaration of the court of inquiry. I regret that the hon. Member was not informed of the result of this review.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of Captain R. E. J. Lishmund, who had in his possession the sum of £35 6s. 8d, when he was captured by the Italians, who impounded the money and gave him a receipt for this amount, but on applying to his Department for compensation he has received only a part payment of £20 and was informed that the question of paying sums over £20 was under consideration; and if he will take immediate steps to authorise payment in full of this claim.

In the special circumstances of this case payment in full has now been made. I regret the delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the disposal of captured enemy weapons consigned to the Ordnance depot, Colchester, further to that which he made in a written reply to the hon. Member for Colchester, on 29th October, 1946

As my hon. Friend has been informed, further investigations have been made since I replied to his previous Question on 29th October, 1946, as a result of which I find that during the latter half of 1945 some quantities of surrendered arms were received in Colchester Ordnance Depot. They comprised pistols, revolvers, swords and bayonets, and were despatched to the Ordnance Depot at Weedon. The serviceable items have been brought into use. Those which are unserviceable have been scrapped, and the remainder are still held on charge at Weedon.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for the road through Wrottesley Park, Staffordshire, to be reopened for public use.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) when the the independent member of the Army Manpower Economy Committee will be appointed, so that the committee can begin its work; how much time each of the members of the committee has undertaken to give to the work; how far the committee will be competent to investigate administrative methods; and whether the committee will have available the services of expert professional staff in administrative and technical, as well as military, matters;(2) whether, in view of the fact that the Army Manpower Economy Committee of six persons includes three officers of his Department and one ex-officer, he will add to the committee further independent members, particularly those qualified in organisation and administrative methods;(3) what estimate he has formed of the number of hours or days or work required by the Army Manpower Economy Committee to conclude its work.

The independent member has now been appointed. He is Mr. John Scott Fulton, Jowett Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford. No specific undertakings have been given by members of the committee, but it is expected that they will be able to give to the work such time as it requires. I think that the membership of the committee is sufficient evidence that it will be fully competent to investigate administrative methods. It will have available the services of expert professional staff in administrative and technical matters from within the Department and, if necessary, outside it. I do not propose at present to make any change in the constitution of the committee, as already announced. It is too early yet to estimate how soon the committee's work will be completed. It has a large field to cover. It held its first meeting yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Regular soldiers who have completed their service are unable to join T.A. Regiments; and if he will now permit these soldiers to join T.A. Regiments and give these units the benefit of their training and experience.

There is no ban on Regular soldiers who have completed their Army service joining the Territorial Army. The ban is on those who have not completed their contract and still have a reserve liability.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that all reasonable financial provision will be made to ensure the successful re-establishment of the T.A.

My right hon. Friend will certainly endeavour to do so. He regards the successful re-establishment of the Territorial Army as of the first importance.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the transit of mail from No. 1 British Transit Camp, Nee Soon, Singapore, is so frequently held up or lost; and whether he is satisfied that it is properly organised, in view of the information sent him by the honourable Member for Brighton.

I am looking into the arrangements for forwarding mail from this camp and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British troops are stationed in the Colonies.

It would be contrary to practice to give these figures.

asked the Secretary of State for War why no notification was given to the relatives of personnel killed in Holland in respect of the ceremonial opening of the British military cemetery at Nijmegen on 3rd May, 1947; and whether he is aware that many people would have liked to go, if necessary, at their own expense.

I presume the hon. and gallant Member is referring to one of the ceremonies held in honour of the Dutch National Day of Remembrance. These were organised by local Dutch committees who were responsible for all the arrangements. Ceremonial openings of British military cemeteries are not held.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the present N.A.A.F.I. ration of cigarettes in B.A.O.R. is the same for both the men's and women's services, and whether he will give an assurance that the future ration will be equal for all services.

There is no N.A.A.F.I. ration of cigarettes. The free R.A.S.C. ration issue of cigarettes, recently withdrawn in B.A.O.R., allowed women's services half the number issued to men. Before the withdrawal of the R.A.S.C. free issue, the N.A.A.F.I. allocation to unit institutes was the same in respect of both men and women. Now, the cigarettes which were formerly a free R.A.S.C. issue are added to the N.A.A.F.I. allocation to ensure that the total number of cigarettes available to service men and women in the Rhine Army is not reduced. Unless further supplies of cigarettes can be made avail-

asked the Minister of Labour what special shortages there are of certain grades of workers in the building industry, steel and tinplate industry and agriculture in Wales.

In Wales there is a considerable shortage of bricklayers, a shortage of plasterers and some shortage of carpenters. In the steel and tinplate industry the principal grades of scarce labour are behinders, scrap cutters, scalers,

asked the Minister of Labour the number unemployed in Wales on the last convenient date; whether he will declare the classification of the mass of these unemployed according to their trades and the number registered as unemployed and who are incapacitated through disability or industrial disease.

The following table gives an industrial analysis of the insured persons registered as unemployed in Wales and Monmouthshire at 14th April. It includes 13,850 registered disabled persons suitable for ordinary employment, but excludes 2,219 disabled persons who require employment under sheltered conditions.doublers, and learners to train for these operations. So far as agriculture is concerned, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture that there is a general shortage of all types of skilled workers.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers are engaged in Wales in each of the following industries: mining, agriculture, foundries, steel and tinplate, building, transport and the building materials industry; and how many workers could be absorbed immediately by these industries.

Statistics of employment in Wales are not available for any date later than June, 1946. The following table shows the estimated numbers of insured persons employed in the specified indus-

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

One thousand and sixty males and 416 females at 12th May.

asked the Prime Minister how many talks by Ministers have been given to workers in industry for the purpose of speeding up production; how many have been delivered to Government Departments; and with what results.

My hon. Friend perhaps has in mind the regional production conferences addressed by Ministers in the last year. There have been about 30 of these, each attended by employers, trade unionists, and representatives of Government Departments. Ministers gave

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the bound volume of HANSARD, No. 429, has not yet been printed and circulated; and when this will be made available.

Copies will be available on 9th June.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what commercial credits to Hungary have been guaranteed by the Government and what commercial debts on which payment is due from Hungary have not been honoured.

Prewar credits guaranteed by His Majesty's Government amount to £4,332. Since the war the Export Credits Guarantee Department have given guarantees in respect of credits amounting to about £520,000. Outstanding commercial debts from Hungary, including bankers' credits, are about £4 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a list of foreign governments who have made financial claims on this country for services rendered by them in our task of rescuing them from German aggression; and the amounts of such claims.

I think that my hon. Friend is referring to the sterling balances. I would refer to my reply on 13th May to the hon. Members for the New Forest and Christchurch (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre) and Bodmin (Mr. D. Marshall).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total catch of herring for 1938 and 1946, respectively; and how the catches in these years were divided as between the English and the Scottish herring fleets.

The total quantity of herring landed by British vessels in Great Britain was about 5½ million cwts. in 1938 and about 4 million cwts. in 1946. Of these quantities the proportions landed by Scottish and English vessels were 57 and 43 per cent. respectively in 1938 and 69 and 31 per cent. in 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is anticipated that the Return of Electors for Parliamentary constituencies and for local government areas in Scotland required in respect of the enumeration data laid down in Subsection (4) of Section 1 of the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act, 1947, will be available in the Vote Office.

The Return is being presented today and it is expected that copies will be available in the Vote Office On Thursday evening.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement concerning his decision on the question of granting a pension to Mrs. Straiton, Edinburgh Road, Carntyne, Glasgow, whose husband was shot when arresting burglars near his home, in view of the decision of the Home Secretary to grant a pension to Mrs. de Antiquis whose husband was shot in similar circumstances.

The awards made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary have been made from a fund established under an Act of 1897 which does not extend to Scotland. I am in communication with the Glasgow Police Authority, from whom Mrs. Straiton is now receiving a police widow's pension on the possibility of their making a supplementary ex gratia award, and I am indicating that I would be prepared to pay police grant on such an award including any retrospective instalment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether further assistance will be available in future legislation to enable the Easter Ross scheme for water supply and drainage to be executed, not only in the local, but in the national interest.

The question of increasing the grant authorised by the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944, which would require new legislation, is at present under consideration. The claims of Easter Ross are being kept in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to revise legislation so that it may be possible to provide the people in crofting areas with good houses.

I have under consideration a recommendation on this subject made by the Highlands Advisory Panel but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the statement made by him on 22nd May, 1946, to the effect that the ultimate reunion between the men of the Polish Armed Forces and their Polish dependants now in the U.S.A., Africa, India, Germany, the Middle East and elsewhere overseas is receiving the attention of His Majesty's Government, how many families of the members of the Polish Resettlement Corps have been reunited during the period of one year which has elapsed since the statement in question was made; and how many are still separated.

About 10,000 Polish dependants have been brought to the United Kingdom and about 4,000 Polish Servicemen have been reunited with their families by repatriation to various countries in Europe and South America.The following numbers of dependants of Polish Resettlement Corps men are still awaiting reunions: in Germany 1,800, in India 1,263, in the Middle East 958, in East Africa 3,750. No exact figures are available for those dependants who have come to this country under the scheme announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 13th November, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the congestion of the courts of justice in Singapore and Malaya generally; how many persons are at present in custody awaiting trial for criminal offences there; the average time which elapses between the person being charged and the actual trial; the longest period of confinement of any person at present in custody and still awaiting trial; and what action he is taking in the matter.

I am aware that there is congestion. This is largely the consequence of the high incidence of crime due to the aftermath of war and conditions following the Japanese occupation. Another contributing factor is the difficulty of finding sufficient judicial staff to dispose of the business of the courts; but every effort is being made to fill the existing vacancies. I regret that information is not available in this country to enable me to give details concerning persons at present awaiting trial. I am asking the Governors for a report, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as I receive it.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that people travelling on night trains between Euston and Manchester are unable to have their names put on the waiting lists for first-class sleeper accommodation, as most of the sleepers are reserved for Government officials, until the day before the train leaves; and if he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.

The right hon. Member is misinformed. The railway company holds on average 57 per cent. of the first-class sleeping berths on this route and allots them to passengers in order of application. Any remaining applicants are put on a waiting list and are offered, again in order of application, any unused berths in the allocation held by my Department for priority passengers, but demands on this route are so far in excess of the priority berths held that these can only rarely be returned to the company. Of priority berths generally only one-tenth are taken by Government officials.

asked the Minister of Transport if any estimate can be formed as to how many ships sailed from the United Kingdom without cargo during 1946; and what is the actual unused space available for export goods.

According to returns prepared by the Board of Trade 17,012 ships left this country during 1946 for ports abroad without loading any commercial cargo; of these, 6,898 were British and the rest foreign. No estimate can be given of the unused space available for export goods since many ships leaving in ballast are unsuitable for export cargo of certain types, or bound for areas to which only limited quantities of cargo are being exported. In general, sufficient shipping is available for all the cargo which is offering for export.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when it is proposed to issue to Mrs. Lilian Gertrude Kerr, 11, Webster Avenue, Mariners Park, Seabank Road, Wallasey, Cheshire, the old age pension of 16s. per week which was due on 7th November, 1946, which has been the subject of correspondence between Mrs. Kerr and his Department since August, 1946, under the reference number 0952595.

The hon. Member will be glad to know that Mrs. Kerr's claim to an old age pension at the rate of 16s. with effect from November last has been admitted. The necessary papers to enable her to obtain payment of her pension and of the arrears due were issued on 20th May.

asked the Minister of Food (1) what are the regulations of his Department concerning the slaughter of horses and ponies for human consumption; what shops are permitted to retail horseflesh; and how many of these animals are being slaughtered on the average each month; (2) whether he accepts responsibility for the examination of horses and ponies prior to slaughter if the carcases are to be sold for human food; what are the arrangements made for collecting these animals and consigning them by road or rail to approved slaughter-houses; whether his Department has licensed these premises specially; and what is the total number throughout the country.

I have made no regulations about the slaughter of horses and ponies for human food, their examination before slaughter, or the licensing of premises where they are killed. Under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, however, all slaughterhouses must be licensed by the local authorities. Shops which sell horseflesh for human consumption must be licensed by my Department, and may not sell horseflesh unfit for human consumption, or any other meat. Slaughterers make their own arrangements for collection and transport. I do not know the number of slaughter houses used, as they are not specially licensed for this purpose, nor the average number of horses slaughtered.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, since barley pudding mixture was put on points, sales of this commodity have been negligible, thus leaving large stocks in grocers' shops since August, 1946; and whether, in order to avoid these stocks being made useless by the development of mite, he will take this commodity off points until existing retail stocks are cleared.

I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that as from Sunday, 25th May, all unsweetened cake and pudding mixtures, including barley pudding mixture, have been taken off points

asked the Minister of Health how many mental cases who ought to have been admitted to hospital in 1946 were refused admission because of lack of accommodation; and how many hospitals are at present granting admission only to those cases certified as suicidal.

I regret that the information is not available. I am, however, aware that some mental hospitals have been compelled to restrict admissions, though this has been due to shortage of nursing staff rather than to lack of actual accommodation. So far as my information goes, where restrictions have been imposed admissions have been limited to acute cases and not to suicidal cases only.

asked the Minister of Health what is regarded as the average rent in rural districts for the purposes of Section 3 (2) of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1946, for the years 1943–44, 1945–46; and the average general rate for rural districts for those years.

The average rent for these purposes, exclusive of rates, in rural districts in England and Wales is in the neighbourhood of 5s. for each of the years 1943–44 to 1945–46. The averages of the poundages of the general rate levied by rural district councils for those years are 12S. 2d., 12S. 4½d., and 14S. 14¼d., respectively.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state, in tabular form, the total numbers of admissions of the casual poor during the quarters ended June, September, December, 1946, and March, 1947, as shown in the northern and southern registers, giving separately the number of women and men admissions, the numbers of admissions in the respective counties and the comparative age groups of those admitted, and the actual number of persons the admissions represent.

The information required by my hon. Friend is contained in the reports which are compiled from the National Register of Casuals for England and Wales by the Chief Officer of Social Welfare of the London County Council. The Northern and Southern registers are amalgamated in this National Register. I am arranging for copies of the reports for the quarters ended June, September, and December, 1946, to be forwarded to my hon. Friend. The next report will be for the half year to June, 1947, and I will see that a copy is sent to him as soon as it is available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the necessity for overtime labour during haymaking and harvesting which has been increased by the operation of double summer time, he will take steps to arrange for prisoners-of-war labour to be available for overtime work; and whether prisoners who do work overtime will be paid in accordance with the statutory agricultural wage.

The answer to the first part of the Question is that prisoners will be available for overtime work. As regards the second part, prisoners are paid by the military authorities in accordance with the scales of pay fixed for them.

asked the Minister of Health whether the responsibility for licensing knackers for the humane slaughter of horses and ponies no longer fit for work rests with local authorities; whether such licences permit of the disposal of the flesh for human food; and what steps are taken to inspect the premises and pass the meat as fit to eat.

Yes, Sir, local authorities are responsible for both licensing and in spection. No part of an animal slaughtered in a knacker's yard may be sold for human consumption.

asked the Minister of Works the amount of building which has taken place in the last 12 months at the National Stud stables at Sandley, near Gillingham, Dorset; how many men have been employed; and what is the approximate cost.

The building at the National Stud during the last 12 months has consisted of the completion of three stallion boxes, a cattle shed, Dutch barn and implement shed; work on the erection of four foaling boxes and ten other boxes; and the commencement of the building of ten more boxes. The average number of men employed is estimated to have been four skilled and four unskilled, with the assistance of three prisoners of war. The approximate cost of the work done during the period is £7,500.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were the provisions as to duration and date of expiry of the agreement on wages between employers and employed in the coal industry in force at the date of the vesting of the coal industry in public ownership.

with reference to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 22nd May, 1947; Vol. 437, C. 2528], made the following correction: The National Wages Agreement of 1944 provided that not less than six months' notice of termination should be given by either party, and that such notice should not be given before the beginning of 1948.