asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will alter his decision to make Princes Golf Course, Sandwich, into a rifle range and adopt instead, for this purpose, an open site opposite the Royal Marine Signal School. near Martin Mill.

The proposal by the Admiralty to provide a rifle range on Princes Golf Course, Sandwich, is at present under examination by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Services Land Requirements and no decision has yet been taken in this matter. The hon. and gallant Member's suggestion of an alternative site will be brought to the notice of the Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why such poor supplies are only available in the N.A.A.F.I. for naval personnel in Greece; what steps he is taking to improve the position; and, in view of the representations that have been made, why action has not been taken sooner.

The N.A.A.F.I. facilities used by officers and men of the Royal Navy in Greece are those provided for the common use of all three Services. I would, therefore, refer the hon. Member to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on this matter

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into the position of the temporary postmen dismissed in Glasgow and elsewhere, to discover the average age of those dismissed and what recruitment of part-time female staff has been necessary to implement the rearranged postal services; and if he will make a statement on the results of the inquiry.

I have had inquiry made at Glasgow. Ninety-nine full-time temporary postmen were discharged at that office following the restriction of postal services, of whom 38 were 56 years of age or over. In addition, 26 full-time and 63 part-time temporary women employed on indoor postal duties were discharged. One hundred and seventy-eight part-time postwomen were recruited to implement the revised postal services. I have no information at present as to the position in the country as a whole.

asked the Postmaster General if he will make a statement upon the protest received from the Cleethorpes Borough Council against the curtailment of the afternoon delivery of mail; and how soon this service will be restored.

I have received a letter from the Cleethorpes Borough Council about the recent changes in postal services in that town. I am looking into the matter and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he has any figures indicating the average cost of looking after R.A.F. stores, specifying various types of equipment; and what is considered to be a reasonable price for £1 million worth of equipment.

More than half a million different items of equipment are held in the stores of the R.A.F. Stocks of more than 250,000 items are sometimes held by a single unit. The stocks include goods which vary widely in character: for example, gardening tools, snow ploughs. W.A.A.F.s' clothing, timber, furniture, paints, and aero-engines. For some stores, such as clothing, the initial cost is relatively low, but the maintenance costs are heavy; for others, such as navigational instruments, the initial cost is high, but the maintenance cost is very low. If the hon. and gallant Member is clear that a useful public purpose would be served by the mathematical abstractions for which he asks, perhaps he would be good enough to suggest the basis of calculation on which the cost-accountants of my Ministry should proceed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that the goods stored at No. 70 Maintenance Unit, Goring Heath, are only worth £2 million and the annual cost of maintenance is at least £130,000, he will consider selling up.

No. 70 Maintenance Unit at Goring Heath is a Ground Equipment Depot. It supplies tools, instruments, mechanical transport, spare parts for mechanical transport, and many other kinds of general stores, to all the R.A.F. units in twenty-two counties in Southern England and South Wales, and to all the R.A.F. units in Gibraltar and Germany. The number of different items of equipment held in stock is 70,900. Every month about 20,000 voucher transactions of stores received and despatched are carried through. As a rule, several items of equipment are recorded on each voucher. The value of the stores held at Goring Heath on any one day is about £2 million; the annual turnover is many times that sum, and in view of the facts which I have given I think the administrative cost is not unduly high.

asked the Minister of Food whether the recent alterations in the price of boiled sweets and chocolate have resulted in the reduction of the percentage of profit allowed to retail confectioners; and what are the old and the new rates in respect of, both categories.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr. Haire) on 4th June. The lowest percentage rate of profit earned by retailers, under the old schedules, varied from 20.83 per cent. on chocolate bars and sugar confectionery sold by the piece to 33.3 per cent. on the cheaper types of sugar confectionery sold by weight. Under the new schedules these rates have been reduced to 16.6 per cent. and 26.6 per cent. respectively.

asked the Minister of Food whether he proposes to lay a White Paper embodying a survey of the world food situation before the House before the end of the present Session.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Oxford University (Sir A. Salter) on 12th May.

asked the Minister of Food what number of fat cattle received in the collecting centres in Norfolk during May, 1947, were sent to places outside the county for slaughter; and what percentage these formed of the total cattle received during May.

13,608 fat cattle were purchased at collecting centres in Norfolk during May, 1947, and 10,101 of these, about 74 per cent. of the total, were sent to places outside the county for slaughter —nearly all to London.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that although cheese is obtainable in canteens and restaurants in Somerset, the agricultural and horticultural workers who are unable to take meals in such canteens and restaurants are experiencing difficulty in obtaining their full cheese ration; and whether he will cause the necessary steps to be taken to remedy this.

I am not aware that consumers in Somerset have had any difficulty in obtaining their full cheese ration, and I should be grateful if the hon. Member would send me details.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the present ban on the private import of U.S. cigarettes to Germany has been effective in checking the widespread use of cigarettes as currency; and approximately how many cigarettes were imported duty-free by or on behalf of U.S. troops before this ban was imposed.

The ban on the private importation into Germany of American cigarettes has been in operation only since 1st June, and it is not yet possible to estimate its effect on the use of cigarettes as currency. As regards the second part of the Question, I regret that no information is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the present terms of employment of Control Commission personnel, under which 28 days' notice can be given by either party, has resulted, and is resulting, in a lower standard of personnel in the Control Commission for Germany than would be the case if greater security were given, he will now reconsider these terms of employment with a view to giving greater security in future.

There is already in force a scheme of engagements for fixed periods coupled with a promise of compensation if a person is discharged before the end of his contract on grounds of redundancy. My right hon. Friend is considering the possibility of extending these arrangements. The size of the staff in Germany is, however, diminishing and there is necessarily a limit to what can be done in this direction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, of 141 officials of the Hamburg Senate Chancellory, 101 are politically discredited persons; that of 359 employees in the legal department, 342 were Nazis; that of 4,843 employees in the education department 3,690 were Nazis; that of 177 employees in the youth department, 131 were Nazis; whether he is satisfied that an administration staffed in this way will help in the democratisation of Germany; and if he will inquire into the matter and make a statement.

I am aware that similar figures have been publicised by the Hamburg Senate and accepted without comment in the Hamburg City Assembly, but public officials in Hamburg, as elsewhere, have been subjected to the ordinary denazification procedure and over 2,500 Germans have, since the end of hostilities, been dismissed from the departments mentioned for Nazi activities. Those who remain were purely nominal Nazis, and I have no reason to suppose that they are not co-operating in our policy of democratisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that ex-Nazi police generals, Retclaff and Abraham, having been released from the Paderborn internment camp and returned to Hamburg, the German authorities were ordered by Milgov not to summon these one-time Nazi officials before the de-Nazification Commission but, on the contrary, to consider their claims for pension; and what is the reason for these actions.

No such orders were issued.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what new steps he proposes to take to allow British cultural, educational and commercial interests and other unofficial bodies to obtain free access to Japan.

We hope shortly to appoint an education expert to our Liaison Mission in Japan, and arrangements arc being made for representatives of British publishing firms, and the British Film Producers' Association to go there shortly. British missionaries are free to go if they can show that they can be fed and lodged from private resources, and I hope teachers will return as soon as obstacles of payment, food and lodging can be overcome. Limited private trade is to be resumed on 15th August, and as a start 400 business representatives will be admitted. Division of these 400 places between the various countries is under consideration. In addition the immediate entry of representatives of shipping, banking and insurance interests has been agreed in principle.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the hon. Member for Ipswich may expect a reply to his letter of 12th June regarding forcible repatriation of Russians from Italy and the alleged incident at Bologna.

The War Office have asked the military authorities in Italy to investigate the accuracy of the reports enclosed in my hon. Friend's letter of 12th June, and a reply will be sent as soon as the results of this investigaton are received. I regret that owing to the large number of issues raised it may be some time before the investigation is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the danger of hostilities developing in Indonesia as a result of the breakdown of negotiations, he will bring the matter to the notice of the Security Council of U.N.O., in accordance with Article 35 of the United Nations Charter.

Since negotiations have not broken down, the second part of the Question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many members of the Secretary of State's services in India between 32 and 45 years of age have been approved for service in his Department by his interviewing representative; and of these how many have accepted the terms and conditions of service offered; and what are the terms and conditions of service in his Department applicable to such men.

Members of the Secretary of State's services in India and Burma between 32 and 45 years of age who have applied for transfer to the Foreign Service are brought home as and when available for interview by a Civil Service Commission Board. Of those seen by the Board up to 28th June, 11 have been recommended for the Foreign Service. Of these four have accepted the offer made to them, two have withdrawn and the rest have not yet replied. The financial terms offered vary in accordance with their age and qualifications. Once admitted to the Foreign Service they are covered by the regulations for that Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that Monsieur Tarnawski, a member of the Polish National Democratic Party and Professor of English at the Cracow University, was arrested last January, immediately after his visit to the British Ambassador; and whether he will make inquiries as to the reasons for his detention, in violation of the Potsdam and Yalta Agreements;

I was aware that sentence had been passed on Mr. Baginski, but I have received no information about the other two cases. I know of nothing in the Potsdam or Yalta Agreements relevant to such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the representations of the Polish Government regarding the assumption by M. Auguste Zaleski, resident in this country, of the title of President of Poland; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. His Majesty's Government do not recognise Monsieur Zaleski's claim to be regarded as President of Poland, nor has his self-styled Government any existence in their eyes. Monsieur Zaleski continues to reside here as a private citizen subject to our laws.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to get a reply from the Malayan Government regarding any increase in pensions to Colonial servants; and if he is aware of the hardship now being caused to many Colonial pensioners in view of the increasing cost of living.

Particulars of the increases introduced in this country by the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1947, and an invitation to review the schemes of increase applicable to pensioners of their Governments in the light of the United Kingdom increases were sent to the Governors of the Malayan Union and Singapore on the 26th April. I cannot say when the Governors will be in a position to reply, but it is to be expected that the Governments concerned will require some little time yet to consider the matter. I appreciate, of course, that the increased cost of living imposes hardship on many Colonial pensioners as on other people with fixed incomes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that despite the requirements of labour and machinery involved by the new schemes for Colonial development, nothing will be done to diminish the priority at present being given to the production and dispatch of the machinery urgently required for the increased production of tin in Malaya.

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that His Majesty's Government will continue to do all they can to promote the production and early despatch to Malaya of the machinery needed there for the tin-mining industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the rehabilitation of the tin industry in Malaya and the increased production of tin from that Colony is being seriously delayed because of the insufficient priority given to the supply of the required mining machinery; what communications have been addressed to him by the Malayan Union Government on that matter; and whether he anticipates that it will be possible to achieve a satisfactory solution to this matter in the near future.

I am aware that the time taken to deliver equipment from this country is delaying the rehabilitation of the industry. All possible measures are being taken to expedite delivery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has replied to the representations made to him by the Jamaica. Special Constables Association; and what action he proposes to take regarding their complaint that their terms of recruitment have not been fulfilled.

This petition was referred to the Governor for examination and report. I am keeping the matter in view and will deal with it when I have the Governor's reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why a franchise for broadcasting was recently granted to private firms in Jamaica and Trinidad.

While I think it desirable in principle that broadcasting services in the Colonies should be provided by the Colonial Governments, the Governments mentioned feel unable to meet the heavy capital and recurrent costs involved in operating a broadcasting service. The Government of Trinidad has, therefore, recently given a concession for broadcasting with suitable public safeguards to a private company. The Government of Jamaica has not, in fact, yet granted a concession, but has announced the conditions on which it will consider applications for one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many nurses at the Jamaica Mental Hospital who participated in the strike of 1946 have not yet been reinstated; and whether he is satisfied that their places have been filled by fully-qualified nurses.

The information for which my hon. Friend asks is not at present available; but I am consulting the Governor and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of the Governor's reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what official or department controls the finances of Barbados; and whether he is satisfied that the present system is an efficient one.

The ultimate control of the finances of Barbados rests with the Legislature of the Colony. So far as official machinery is concerned, the Governor has recently indicated that he does not regard the existing staff as adequate to present day needs, and the Economic Adviser to the Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies has recommended that early steps should be taken to appoint a Financial Secretary. I understand from the Governor that he proposes to seek the authority of the Legislature for the creation of this office, but I am awaiting his despatch which is on its way home

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies with a view to increasing the possibility of meat exports from Eastern Africa, what is the position in regard to the prevalence of rinderpest there; and what is the possibility of the complete eradication of this disease from Eastern Africa.

The Governments are pushing ahead with a policy of immunisation and this is showing very successful results. There has been no large outbreak since 1940. The objective is that all cattle should eventually be immunised. Thereafter, the disease would still exist amongst wild game and it would, therefore, be necessary to continue to inoculate young and susceptible animals. It is accordingly not yet possible to say that complete eradication is practicable, but stock can certainly be protected against it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a chairman for the Cost of Living Commission in Northern Rhodesia has been appointed; and when it is anticipated that the Commission will start its work.

Mr. H. R. Burrows, Professor of Economics at Natal University College, has been appointed chairman; and the Commission started its work on 16th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to develop the export of hardwood from British West Africa.

I know well how desirable it is to increase exports of hardwoods from West Africa. Some increase may be possible from Nigeria but the greatest possibilities lie in the Gold Coast. The limiting factors there at the moment are shortage of railway engines and wagons and of harbour facilities. Delivery of new engines and wagons cannot, I fear, be expected until next year while the harbour improvements required are extensive and must inevitably take time to complete. But there is good hope that in two or three years' time exports will be running at considerably more than double the present figure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount of the contributions voted by West African Colonial Governments towards helping sufferers from the flood devastation in Britain.

The Governments of Nigeria and the Gold Coast have contributed £15,000 and £10,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what resolution he received from the U.N.O. Commission now sitting in Palestine, regarding the trial in the Palestinian courts of certain terrorists on a capital charge while the subject of the resolution was sub judice; and what action was taken by the Palestinian Government in this matter.

The resolution to which my hon. Friend refers was passed by the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine on 22nd June in Jerusalem in the following terms:

"In view of the fact that the majority of the members of the Committee have expressed concern as to the possible unfavourable repercussions that execution of three death sentences pronounced by the Military Court of Jerusalem on 16th June, the day on which the Committee held its first meeting in Jerusalem, might have upon the fulfilment of the task which the General Assembly has entrusted the Committee; and considering the opinion of such members as to the scope of the resolution on the Palestine question adopted on 15th May, 1947, by the General Assembly: the Committee resolves that the Chairman communicate to the Secretary-General of the United Nations a copy of this resolution and of the letter received from the relatives of the condemned persons for transmission to the Mandatory Power."

The Committee's resolution was communicated to His Majesty's Government by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The reply of His Majesty's Government, which was communicated to the Secretary-General by Sir Alexander Cadogan on 30th June, is as follows:

"His Majesty's Government have received and taken note of the resolution passed by the United Nations Special Committtee on Palestine on 22nd June in regard to the three death sentences pronounced by the Military Court in Jerusalem on 16th June.

(2) As the Committee have already been informed by the Palestine Authorities, the death sentences in question have not yet been confirmed by the General Officer Commanding under Regulations 47 and 48 of Palestine Defence (Emergency) Regulations, 1945, and are, therefore, still sub judice. If the sentences are confirmed by the General Officer Commanding, it will then be open to the High Commissioner for Palestine to exercise, if he thinks fit, the Royal Prerogative of Pardon delegated to him by His Majesty. It is the invariable practice of His Majesty's Government not to interfere with the High Commissioner's discretion whether or not to exercise this prerogative.

(3) As regards the resolution on the Palestine question adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 15th May, to which the Committee refers, His Majesty's Government interpret this resolution as applying to action calculated to disturb the peace in Palestine; they cannot admit its relevance to the normal processes of the administration of justice there.

(4) Ins Majesty's Government have informed the High Commissioner for Palestine of the contents of the Secretary-Generals communication of the 23rd June to His Majesty's Government and of the terms of their reply."

As the resolution was not addressed to the Government of Palestine the action of that Government was confined to a letter from the Chief Secretary to the Principal Secretary of the Committee which pointed out that the death sentences in question have not yet been confirmed and that the matter was therefore still

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a full statement on the arrest of Major Farran, Palestine Police, and the events which preceded and followed it, including the circumstances of the death of Alexander Rubowitz.

A Jewish youth named Alexander Rubowitz, who is believed to have been found distributing Stern Group literature in Jerusalem, disappeared on the evening of 6th May. He was not brought to any police station or military installation and no trace of him has since been found. While investigations into the disappearance of Rubowitz were taking place, Major R. A. Farran, an Army officer seconded to the Palestine Police, left the country and took refuge in Syria. Arrangements were made by the Palestine Government to present a request for his extradition to the Government of Syria, but before this request was presented Major Farran returned voluntarily to Palestine on 17th June. On his return he was arrested and formally charged in connection with the disappearance of Rubowitz. While in custody he submitted his resignation from the Palestine Police and this was accepted by the High Commissioner. On 19th June, Major Farran escaped from custody. He surrendered himself voluntarily to the military authorities on 29th June. He is now in military custody on a holding charge of being absent without leave, pending the taking of a summary of sworn evidence on which a decision will be taken whether further charges are to be preferred against him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the name and qualifications of the geological adviser to the Government of Palestine, who, in 1923, reported on the production of minerals from the waters of the Dead Sea.

The late Mr. G. S. Blake, who was a Bachelor of Science, Associate of Royal School of Mines, Fellow of Geological Society, and Member of Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the quantities of sodium chloride estimated to be available in the waters of the Dead Sea by the geological adviser to the Palestinian Government in 1923; and at what value he would estimate these quantities in sterling today.

11,900 million metric tons. It is impossible to put a value upon Dead Sea common salt as, owing to the heavy freight charges, it cannot compete with salt from other sources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he anticipates that it will be possible to make a full statement about the new plans for increased production in the Colonies.

I have nothing to add at present to my statement of 25th June regarding the proposed Colonial Development Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many prosecutions for sedition have taken place in the Colonies during the past five years; how many in Nigeria and Uganda during the past year; and if he will state the nature of the charges and the sentences during the past year in Nigeria and Uganda.

I regret I have not the information asked for but I will make inquiries and write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have been made by the Government of Kenya to initiate a system of State schools which will ultimately provide for children of all communities to be educated together.

I understand that in view of the present educational provision and other social arrangements no plans of the kind suggested have been contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what allocation it is intended to make from the Kenya Development Fund for European, African, Indian and Arab education; how much per head of these different communities these figures represent; and what amounts it is proposed to devote to education for these communities from other sources.

I understand that the allocations are at present under further examination locally. I am asking the Acting Governor for information and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the immediate cause of the recent disturbances in Ceylon; and what action is being taken to deal with the alleged grievances.

The recent strikes in Ceylon arose from a demand by the General Clerical Services Union for what has been described as full trade union rights. The Union were already aware of the Ceylon Ministers' decision that those important issues must lye held over for consideration by the new Ceylon Parliament. The strikes have now come to an end unconditionally, and I understand that no immediate action is being taken by the present Ceylon Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what demands were made by the strikers during the recent strike of bauxite workers in British Guiana; in what circumstances a proclamation was issued banning assemblies; and what action has been taken by the Government to assist in settling this dispute.

The bulk of the workers employed by the Demarara Bauxite Company went on strike at midnight on 12th April following disagreement with the management on the interpretation of procedure for the avoidance and settlement of disputes. The workers had previously submitted demands for a substantial increase in wages and improved conditions of employment. A Committee of Inquiry was appointed by the Government at the end of May, after other means of settling the dispute had failed and the Governor reported on 17th June that the strike was over. The Committee of Inquiry has completed its investigation into the causes of the dispute and fuller information will be available when its report is received. I have received no information regarding the issue of a proclamation banning assemblies, but the Governor reported on 21St May that in view of certain serious acts of violence which had occurred, he had felt bound to declare the area of the works to be a Proclaimed District under Title 10 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Ordinance, which prescribes penalties for assembling in a disorderly manner and refusing to disperse

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the practice of some shopkeepers and stallholders of marking their goods for sale at so much per halt pound while giving the customers the impression that the cost per pound weight is intended; and whether, in view of the wide practice of showing the price in this misleading way and in order to protect the shoppers, he will take steps to insist on all prices being clearly marked and easily read

The Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act, 1926, already makes it an offence to commit any act calculated to mislead a prospective purchaser as to the weight or measure of any article of food sold or offered for sale The enforcement of the Act is in the hands of the local Inspectors of Weights and Measures, to whom cases of alleged infringement should be reported

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value and quantity of textile machinery exported to Japan in the last six months of 1946, and each month of 1947 to date.

There were no exports of textile machinery to Japan between July, 1946, and May, 1947.

asked the Minister of Labour who is responsible for relating the output of science graduates and research scientists with the demands of Government Departments, industry, industrial research and teaching; whether the Technical Personnel Committee is still in existence; on what basis one-third of science graduates are allocated to industry; whether his Department realises the grave shortage of science masters in secondary schools; and what immediate action is contemplated to remedy this situation

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to science graduates who leave the Universities before discharging their obligations under the National Service Acts. It is the responsibility of my Department, acting on the advice of the Technical Personnel Committee, to allocate these young men according to the needs of the Armed Forces and essential civilian employment, including research and teaching at Universities and similar institutions. These young men are not permitted to take school-teaching posts instead of being called up, and in this I have the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education, to whom the last part of the Question should be addressed

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many persons are employed in his Department in connection with the production of coal; and what are their functions.

Apart from a small staff engaged on liaison duties with National Coal Board no persons are employed by my Department in connection with the production of deep-mined coal

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will give a list of names and qualifications of men appointed as operations officers under Air Ministry Order A 360, followed by the Civil Service Commissioners' Press advertisement.

No appointments have yet been made from among the applicants who responded to the advertisement referred to. The report of the Selection Board has not yet been received

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation at what hour each day the booking offices and inquiry offices close at the Scottish airports.

The provision of booking and inquiry offices at aerodromes, including the hours at which they are open, is entirely a matter for the individual operators.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that teachers holding posts of special responsibility are experiencing delay in receiving their proper allowances, as in a case submitted, of a London graduate; that the education officer concerned ascribes this delay to the action of the local authority; that in many cases payments due in March are not made until December; and why teachers do not receive their proper salary until the latter part of any financial year.

I am aware that in the case of the local education authority concerned there has been delay in the allocation for the year 1946–47 of posts carrying allowances. Their general scheme for the distribution of such posts for that year has not yet been submitted, but recent correspondence with the authority shows that it has been considered and they hope to forward it to my Department in the near future. The method of making payments to the teachers is a matter primarily for the local education authority concerned.

asked the Minister of Education what precautions are taken by his Department to ensure that the free milk now supplied in increased measure in the national schools is safeguarded against the possibility of carrying milk-borne infections to which younger children are especially prone; and what instructions are given to teachers distributing this milk that they should be satisfied that it is adequately pasteurised or otherwise heat-treated before being consumed.

It would not be appropriate to place on teachers the responsibility for the freedom of school milk from milk-borne infection. Under the Provision of Milk and Meals Regulations the source and quality of the milk supplied to schools must be approved by the Medical Officer of Health. In accordance with the policy laid down in the White Paper, Measures to Improve the Quality of the Nation's Milk Supply (Command 6454, 1943, paragraph 34), the Ministry of Food, in co-operation with the medical officers of health and the local education authorities, is endeavouring to arrange for schools to be supplied with heat treated or tuberculin tested milk where neither of these types is at present supplied, and at the end of last year 93.8 per cent. of the school milk for grant-aided schools was heat treated or tuberculin tested.

asked the Minister of Works whether a decision has yet been reached in the case of metal railings and gates requisitioned for war purposes, either to replace them where desired, or to compensate their owners for their removal.

The policy of the Government in this matter remains as stated by my predecessor in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 13th November, 1945. The Government cannot accept responsibility for the replacement of such railings nor can any payment be made over and above the compensation legally payable.

asked the Minister of Health how many doctors undertaking service under the National Health Insurance Act have approximately the maximum number on their lists; and how many within 500 of this maximum.

I regret that the desired information is not available.