asked the Minister of Labour why it is necessary to obtain a permit from his Department in order to advertise in an Irish newspaper; why it is necessary to forward a draft of the advertisement in duplicate; and whether he will take steps to withdraw this order.

I presume that the point which the hon. Member wishes to raise is whether an advertisement by a British employer in an Irish newspaper for someone to be employed in this country amounts to seeking to engage a person for employment in this country within the meaning of the Control of Engagement Order. The answer will depend on the exact circumstances of the case, but in any event, an employer desiring to insert such an advertisement would be well advised to apply for a permit in this country, as no person answering such an advertisement can be engaged otherwise than through a local office of my Ministry or an approved employment agency.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of unemployed in the Development Areas.

The numbers of insured persons registered as unemployed in each of the Development Areas at 13th October were as follow:

Development Area.	Numbers* unemployed.
North Eastern	27,453
West Cumberland	1,326
Scottish	38,237
South Wales and Monmouthshire	31,901
South Lancashire	3,686
Wrexham	1,135
Total	103,738
* Males aged 14–64, Females aged 14–59.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consult with farming interests before making arrangements for a supply of West Indian labour to be made available to British farms.

There is no present intention of bringing West Indian labour to this country for employment in agriculture.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of persons registered at Doncaster as engineers, also workers normally employed in the building trades, were unemployed at comparable dates in October, 1945, 1946 and 1947; and if he will indicate the respective categories of such registered unemployed persons.

The following table shows the numbers of wholly unemployed men, aged 18 and over, registered at the Doncaster Employment Exchange for employment in the principal engineering occupations at nearest available dates:

—	17th Sept. 1945.	16th Sept. 1946.	15th Sept. 1947
Toolmakers, Tool-fitters etc.	—	8	6
Erectors, Mill-wrights etc.	3	13	5
Fitters, Motor Mechanics	5	11	2
Metal Machinists, etc.	11	3	4
Other Skilled Engineers	6	11	9

The numbers of insured men in the building industry registered as wholly unemployed at the Doncaster Employment Exchange at the same dates were 14, 32, and 33, respectively, including four and two in skilled building crafts at the first two dates and none at the third date.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons male and female were registered at Doncaster and in the adjoining mining villages under the Disabled Persons Employment Act, on the 4th October, 1947; whether he will furnish information as to the steps taken to provide employment for such persons; and whether the proposals include plans to construct a factory in the area for such eligible workpeople.

The numbers of registered disabled persons recorded as unemployed at Doncaster and the adjacent local offices

—			Classified as capable of ordinary employment.		Classified as severely disabled and needing sheltered employment.		Total
			Males.	Females.	Males.	Females.
Doncaster	…	…	263	10	31	2	306
Mexborough	…	…	101	3	33	—	137
South Kirkby	…	…	46	1	11	—	58
Thorne	…	…	38	3	1	1	43
Askern	…	…	3	—	—	—	3
Goldthorpe	…	…	31	1	6	—	38
Hemsworth	…	…	51	5	6	—	62
TOTAL	…	…	533	23	88	3	647

Every effort is being made both under the quota scheme and otherwise to assist these persons to get suitable employment. The Disabled Persons Employment Corporation proposes to open a Remploy factory in this area.

asked the Minister of Labour why he refused to allow a monetary grant to Mr. R. E. Crowhurst, of 7, Grange Road, Southover, Lewes, to enable this man, during the war a telegraphist in the Royal Navy, to take a course in radio telegraphy or radio telephony; whether he is aware that Mr. Crowhurst's failure to apply for a grant within six months of his demobilisation was a result of the failure of the Uckfield Employment Exchange to inform him of the openings that existed in his chosen profession; and if he will now either reverse his decision or justify it.

Prior to his service in the Royal Navy, Mr. Crowhurst was employed as a boot and shoe repairer. After his demobilisation his resettlement in civilian employment was effected by his resumption of this occupation but after nine months in this occupation he left of his own accord to take employment with the Post Office as a night telephonist and is still so employed. He could not be regarded as qualifying for training as a Radio Officer under the Vocational Training Scheme, since the purpose of this scheme is to assist in the resettlement of persons who cannot obtain suitable employment without training. The Uckfield

asked the Minister of Labour how many Remploy factories are now in operation in South Wales; how many disabled persons are employed in them; and how many factories are in course of construction.

One Remploy factory is in operation in South Wales. This is at Bridgend and 139 severely disabled persons are employed. Six other factories are in course of construction at Blackwood, Brynamman, Merthyr, Tonyrefail, Treorchy, Ystradgynlais.

asked the Minister for Economic Affairs whether the Economic Planning Board has now given consideration to the problem involved by the fact that certain types of plant and equipment required by the tin-producing industry of Malaya are also required for home production and for export outside the Empire; and what decision has been reached regarding this problem, having regard to the dollar-earning capacity of the Malayan tin-mining industry.

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that a certain amount of delay in the production of tin-mining plant and equipment is due to competition with other urgent and essential demands for plant and machinery of a similar kind. It would not be desirable to give special priority to the needs of one of many dollar earning or dollar saving industries. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply regarding the assistance already being given to the Malayan industry in this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether all His Majesty's ships of war, wherever serving, are deemed to be within the sterling area.

Yes, all such ships, except those of the Royal Canadian Navy, are part of the sterling area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether refunds will be made to those who bought motorcars after the revised purchase tax was imposed and who cannot now use their cars because of the abolition of the basic ration.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in regard to his announcement on 3rd July, 1947, that 20 million dollars had been earned by Empire tin producers from the conclusion of Lend-Lease to the end of June, 1947, he can now give an estimate of future earnings from this source for the second half of 1947 and for the years 1948 and 1949, respectively; and what assistance is being given by the Treasury in order to achieve any expansion of dollar earnings from this source.

I cannot give any reliable estimate of future earnings but 16 million dollars were earned during the four months ended October: I have received no request for financial assistance from this industry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount claimed by our Allies from us arising from the war; how many nations are making such claims and the amount in each case; and whether any of the countries concerned have offered to scale down their claims.

If my hon. Friend is thinking of outstanding sterling balances, I would refer her to Cmd. 7099 and to my speech of 7th August last, which contained full details. Apart from the generous gifts by Australia and New Zealand, of £20 million and £10 million, respectively, no offers of scaling down have been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of the unfunded old sterling balances at the 15th July, 1947; and what is the corresponding figure for the latest date available.

Total sterling balances at 30th September were £3,565 million, compared with a revised figure of £3,680 million at 30th June. More than half of these were blocked by agreement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that many of the Bailey Bridges erected by the British Army during the late war, notably in Italy, France and Belgium, are now being used or adapted for use as permanent civil bridges in those countries; and whether Great Britain has received any payment or credit in respect of the same.

The value of these bridges, as of other fixed assets, has been taken into account in financial settlements with these countries.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many persons are now authorised to sign Statutory Rules and Orders on behalf of the Minister in each of the following Departments: the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Fuel and Power, the Ministry of Transport and the Scottish Office.

Board of Trade, 9; Ministry of Health, 13; Ministry of Fuel and Power, 6; Ministry of Transport, 10; and the Departments of the Secretary of State for Scotland, 21.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many certificates for reduced prices for cigarettes and tobacco have been issued to old age pensioners; what proportion of these certificates are for men and for women, respectively; what proportion the total issue of certificates represents to the total number of old age pensioners; what is the cost of this licensing system; and how many civil servants are employed in operating it.

The administration of the relief system is almost entirely carried out by Post Office and Customs staffs in conjunction with their other duties, and it is not possible to give separate figures for the cost or numbers employed. The answer to the first three parts of the Question is not yet available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will withdraw S.R. & O. 1658, entitled the Tobacco Duty (Relief for Pensioners) Regulations, dated 4th August, 1947, so that this Order can be amended to include persons who are in a hospital or institution and who are for that reason disqualified from receiving an old age pension.

No. Even if it were administratively practicable to include such persons in the relief scheme we have no statutory power to do so by regulation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that one of the consequences of banning foreign travel outside the sterling area has been to stimulate a demand for pleasure travel to places within the Empire such as Cyprus, Malta and South Africa; and whether he intends to consider imposing any limitation on such travel or on the amount of money which can be expended for the purpose of petrol to provide the necessary air transport.

There may be some increase in travel to these places, despite the distances involved, but I do not propose to interfere with it at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will render a statement showing a classification of the gross capital values of the principal descriptions of property in respect of which Estate Duty was paid in the year ended 31st March, 1947, or the latest convenient date.

The statistical work necessary for the collection of this information has only recently been re-started. The information for the current year will be included in the Annual Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for the present financial year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the withdrawal of recognition from the Association of ex-Service civil servants was designed to coerce temporary ex-Service civil servants to join the Civil Service Clerical Association; and if he will undertake that the Association of ex-Service Civil Servants is recognised when it contains 40 per cent. of ex-Service civil servants.

No. Ex-Service civil servants remain free to join any staff association they wish. In considering whether an association should be recognised, the percentage of ex-Service civil servants in membership is irrelevant, and the percentage membership in the classes or grades concerned is what matters. Any claim from the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants for renewed recognition on this basis will be considered on its merits

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what action has been taken so far to implement the recommendation of the Select Committee on Estimates on organisation and methods and the staffing of Government Departments.

The important recommendations in this Report cover a lot of ground which I could not survey in answer to a Question. His Majesty's Government will be making a full reply to the Committee in the usual way as early as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the difficulty experienced by ex-officers in the higher age groups in finding suitable employment, he will take steps to open up suitable Civil Service vacancies for such ex-officers, and for this purpose to extend the existing age limits.

The arrangements for recruitment to established posts during the reconstruction period guarantee a generous proportion to ex-Service men; they are designed to restore opportunities of competing for the established Civil Service to those who lost them during the recent war and for that purpose the normal age limits have been raised by the length of the war period. As to the filling of vacancies of a temporary character, Departments select those most suitable from those submitted to them by the Ministry of Labour and give due consideration to ex-Service men thus submitted; there is no age-limit set to the recruitment of temporary Government staffs.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the increase in Government pensions is yet being paid by the Department of Customs and Excise.

Increases are being paid in a number of cases, and those outstanding are being given all practicable priority.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a short statement on the work done by British Export Trade Research Organisation since its foundation.

The British Export Trade Research Organisation is an independent organisation and is, therefore, alone in a position to make a comprehensive statement on its activities. But I understand that there is an increasing use by exporting interests of the services which it offers and that, in particular, it has executed for its members a number of commissions for scientific market research in countries overseas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware there is under-employment and short time in the hosiery trade owing to a shortage of yarn; what steps he is taking to increase the yarn supply; if he is satisfied with the steps so far taken; and if he will make a statement.

While there is not serious under-employment, the hosiery industry is affected by the general shortage of output from the primary textile industries due to lack of labour. The Government are taking all practicable steps to assist the textile industries to increase the total supply of yarn for all purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the technical qualifications of the newly appointed chairman of the Raw Cotton Commission; and what is the salary and expenses of this post.

Mr. H. O. R. Hindley, the Chairman of the Raw Cotton Commission, is, as laid down in the Act, an independent person who has had experience of, and shown capacity in, industrial and commercial matters and in administration. His experience covers service with commercial firms, in Government Departments, and under the National Coal Board. His salary will be £5,000 a year, and he will have an expense allowance of £500 a year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what rights the Timber Control of his Department exercise over the cutting down and disposal of trees and saplings in private gardens.

The felling or disposal of growing trees anywhere is subject to licence, with two exceptions. The first is that orchard trees and trees not more than three inches in diameter over the bark five feet from ground level are exempted. The second is that an owner may himself fell 250 cubic feet of his own timber in any one month without a licence. The disposal of the round timber when felled is also subject to licence, unless its butt diameter without bark does not exceed three inches, or the timber may reasonably be considered fit only for use as fuel or for the manufacture of charcoal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons, giving separate figures for male and female, are employed in the Methods and Organisations Branch of his Department; who is the head; what are his qualifications; what is his salary; and what is the total annual cost of the department to the taxpayer.

Twelve men and 12 women are employed in this Branch. The head is Mr. H. G. Pollard, an assistant secretary on a salary scale of £1,320 to £1,700 a year, who has a comprehensive knowledge of the Department's functions and an aptitude for organisation and methods work. The total cost of the Branch is £12,250 per annum.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied with the output from the pottery industry; is it intended to provide more materials, labour and organise a large increase in output; and what further action is it intended to take.

We are anxious to see a larger output and larger exports, and in co-operation with the industry we are constantly taking such action as we can to help towards this end.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what European countries British cars are at present being exported; and what commodities we are receiving in exchange from these countries.

During the period January to September British cars were exported to practically all European countries, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Portugal and the Netherlands taking two-thirds of the total. Particulars of the major imports from Europe will be found in the Monthly Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds sanction was given to import furs and put the labour time into making £3,000 and £4,000 fur coats; and on what grounds was the art paper allowed to the firms that sell the coats.

The open general licence for the importation of raw furskins was revoked at the end of August, and imports will in future be permitted only for direct re-export or for supply to holders of quotas earned by exporting manufactured fur goods. The procedure is designed to secure a favourable exchange balance in the fur trade. It allows strictly limited sales on the home market which are essential if exports of manufactured fur garments are to be stimulated. As regards the second part of the Question, I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the use of paper for advertising circulars. The gratuitous distribution of advertising circulars is restricted under-the Control of Paper Orders, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with details of the case he has in mind, inquiries will be made to see that the Orders have been complied with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that tobacconists in many parts are withholding supplies of cigarettes in anticipation of recouping a profit if the price is increased in the autumn Budget; and what steps he proposes to take, in view of the extra burden placed upon those tobacconists who are trying to distribute their supplies fairly.

I have no evidence that tobacconists are acting in the way my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that an American cookery book, entitled "The Cookie Book," containing many recipes which cannot be employed in this country, is at present on sale at various bookstalls; and whether, in view of the need to save dollars, he will give an undertaking that imports of such books will no longer be permitted.

No doubt the book referred to by the hon. Member was imported while the Open General Licence for the import of books was in force. This licence was revoked on 12th September, and in its place importers are now licensed to import certain classes of books up to a fixed total value. Learned, scientific and technical books are included, but I doubt whether this particular book would be imported under such a licence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the supplementary payments under the Private Chattels Scheme will be made.

The supplementary payments are being made as rapidly as possible. 240,000 have already been made, and I expect that the bulk of the remaining 110,000 will be made by the end of the year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences for the export of 12-bore shotguns have been issued during the past year; and what is the purpose of maintaining this control.

About 4,000 licences for the export of shotguns have been issued during the past year, but the exact number could not be ascertained without an inordinate expenditure of time and labour. For the same reason, I cannot say how many of these licences were for 12-bore shotguns. The control is part of the general control over the export of firearms and ammunition, and is maintained in order to prevent the unrestricted export of these firearms to areas where they might be misapplied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) why he has accepted the representations of the principal football pool promoters that the war-time Unity Pools organisation should not be re-established; and if he will reconsider this decision;(2) what tests he proposes to apply to ensure that all football pool organisations receiving paper supplies under licence from his Department are properly conducted; and whether he will consider withdrawing such licence in the cases of those football pools unable or unwilling to supply him with a weekly certified list of their successful patrons and the amounts paid out to such patrons in winnings.

Under the recent Order the quantity of paper that may be used by each football pool of any considerable size is being fixed on a scale that will secure a substantial reduction in the total consumption of paper. Small pools are allowed to use up to 2 cwts. in four months for coupons, entry forms, and new envelopes without licence, but are subject to the restrictions imposed on the size of coupons and entry forms and to the prohibition of free distribution. I must make it clear that the concern of the present Order is with paper economy, and for this purpose I should not be justified in requiring the re-establishment of the Unity Pools organisation; nor is it the purpose of the Order to control the conduct of the pools in other respects.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of football pool organisations now receiving paper supplies under licence from his Department; the number of applications for such licences that have been received by his Department; and how many such applications have been rejected.

Licences have so far been issued to 30 firms, three applications have been rejected, and six are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider controlling the supply of drugs, chemicals and other materials furnished to manufacturers of proprietary and quack medicines both in view of the economic situation and of the deleterious effect of the indiscriminate use of these medicines; and whether he will ensure that the materials and the labour so used are put to better use in the national interest.

Drugs, chemicals and other raw materials are allocated for the manufacture of proprietary medicines only when the needs of hospitals, doctors and dispensing chemists have been met. I should hesitate to condemn such medicines generally, and they make in fact a useful contribution to the export effort.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made with the factories for disabled miners in South Wales; how many of them are ready for occupation; and how many have been allocated to industrialists.

The two factories at Llwynypia are nearing completion. The roof is on at the Ponthenry and Aberbargoed factories and internal work is proceeding. Roofing is in progress at Ammanford, Tumble and Garnant and the steel work is nearly finished at Aberdare. At Ferndale steel for one of the factories is on the site and the steel for the other is now available. One factory at Llwynypia has been allocated to a manufacturer and should be occupied in December. Applications for five of the other factories are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the cost of the leather subsidy to the boot and shoe industry per annum; how much does it represent on the average per pair; and will he take it off and allow the domestic price to equal world price; and will maximum utility prices be fixed at higher levels.

The subsidy is at present estimated to amount to £14 million a year which represents on the average about 2s. 6d. a pair on all types of footwear produced. It has been decided that the subsidies on leather shall be removed and this will naturally involve a revision of utility footwear prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Greece has immediately available a large exportable surplus of tobacco, olive oil and dried fruits and needs substantial quantities of textiles, pottery and other British manufactured goods; and whether he will at once open negotiations for a further trade agreement.

United Kingdom stocks of Greek tobacco are at present adequate to meet demand, but if manufacturers wish to purchase further quantities sympathetic consideration will be given to their requests for import licences; on account of its high price, olive oil is at present imported for medicinal use only, and there are adequate stocks for this purpose, but the Greek Government have been informed that if supplies can be offered at reasonable price, His Majesty's Government will consider permitting imports for general consumption; contracts for the purchase of 40,000 tons of dried fruits (30,000 tons of currants and 10,000 tons of sultanas) have recently been concluded, and the Greek Government have been informed that if further quantities can be offered at the same price His Majesty's Government is willing to purchase. With regard to exports to Greece, there is a wide demand for the type of goods Greece requires and His Majesty's Government could not agree in the present financial position of this country to allocate specified quantities of these supplies to that market. In these circumstances I do not think it would be appropriate to open negotiations for a trade agreement at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick may expect a reply to his letter of 18th September about Messrs. W. Wood and Son Limited, of Kelvin Works, Power Road, Chiswick, W.4.

A reply has been sent to my hon. Friend today. I much regret the delay in dealing with this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German doctors are employed in this country to provide medical services for prisoners of war; and whether any instruction is given to such doctors in health administration and the way of life of this country.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 373, and to the second, "Yes."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as farmers have to pay the full current rate for prisoner-of-war labour, he will arrange for the men concerned to receive a substantial increase on the present low payments made to them, in order to give them an incentive to give, of their best.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made in reply to several hon. Members on 24th June last.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners of war were still in this country on the 1st November, 1947.

Approximately 195,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that public opinion in this country does not favour the continued retention of German prisoners of war; and whether he will accordingly arrange for their speedier repatriation.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeffington-Lodge) on Monday, 27th October.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the ratio of chaplains to troops in B.A.O.R.; how this compares with the figures for troops in the United Kingdom; and whether he is satisfied that it is adequate.

The ratio of chaplains to troops varies somewhat in different theatres owing to the operation of the release scheme and other factors and a comparison with the United Kingdom might be misleading, as considerable use is made here of ordinary clergy as officiating chaplains. The ratio in B.A.O.R. is in fact for this reason substantially higher than in the United Kingdom but the numbers are at present slightly below those permissible. I hope that the standard will be reached by 1st April next.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Service patients there are in military hospitals suffering from mental illness as a result of their war service; and what steps are taken to ensure that their treatment is up to the best standards of civilian hospitals.

The number of patients at present in military hospitals suffering from mental illness is 646. It is not possible to say in how many of these cases the condition may be regarded as attributable to war service as a decision on this point is not taken until some time after admission, in many cases not until after discharge. The treatment of Service psychotic patients is well up to the standard of civilian hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he authorised the speech of Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, made at Glasgow on 30th October in which a scheme of permanent conscription was advocated.

No, my right hon. Friend has seen a report of this speech in which Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery pointed out the value of the reserve of trained men in the nation, expected to result in coming years from the National Service Act passed by this House last Session. The speech did not deal with the duration of the National Service Scheme, which is a matter for His Majesty's Government and the Parliament of the day.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will authorise the wearing of full dress uniform by the Household Troops on duty on the occasion of the wedding of the Heiress to the Throne.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the troops of the Household Cavalry in escorts to the Processions to and from the wedding of Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth will wear full dress uniform.

My right hon. Friend is considering the suggestion that the troops of the Household Cavalry furnishing the escorts to the Processions to and from the wedding of Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth should wear full dress uniform.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of officers and other ranks at present employed at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Thatcham, Berks; and what are the duties on which this personnel is engaged.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the Central Ordnance Depot at Thatcham. Twenty-one officers and 169 other ranks are employed at this depot on the receipt, issue and storage of various types of equipment for the maintenance of the Regular and Territorial Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information concerning an incident in the streets of Asmara on 13th June, 1947, when a young Eritrean about 23 years of age, named Tekle Berhan Guba, was ordered by Inspector Cooper of the Mercate Police Station, to remove from his coat a badge concerning Ethiopia, which he was wearing and when this order was refused he was tackled and thrown to the ground and kicked; and as he had to be removed to hospital, whether he has any information about his present condition.

An inquiry has been made into this incident and I will write to my hon. Friend. My present information does not bear out the suggestion that the Eritrean concerned was ordered to remove an Ethiopian badge from his coat, or that on refusing to do so he was thrown to the ground and kicked.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the date on which an order was issued by the military authorities prohibiting the wearing by Eritreans of badges or other indications of their association with Ethiopia; and what was the reason for issuing this order.

My hon. Friend appears to have been misinformed. No such order has been issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will publish the rates of pay and hours of work of teachers employed by the British Administration in Eritrea, and how many persons are so employed.

I am obtaining this information and will send it to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers who were reported as missing or prisoners of war and are believed to have been in Germany or Poland, remain untraced; and what steps are now being taken to search for them.

The number is 12. Every endeavour is still being made to trace through their comrades and through military attachés in the countries concerned nine of these men. In the remaining three cases it appears, unfortunately, that no further steps can usefully be taken as every possible line of inquiry has been followed up without success.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reasons have tenants living in houses owned by the War Department at Zouch Avenue, Tidworth, been given notice to quit, and will alternative accommodation in the vicinity be offered to them.

I will, with permission, circulate a full statement on this matter in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War for how long have Perham Down Barracks been empty; and if these premises are not required by the War Department if he will release them for housing purposes.

None of the barracks at Perham Down are empty. Two are only partly occupied, but although most urgently required for accommodating military personnel, cannot be completely occupied until certain reinstatement work is completed. I regret, therefore, that there is no possibility of releasing these premises for housing purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many members of the Polish Forces now in this country have not yet agreed either to return to Poland or to join the Polish Resettlement Corps.

Approximately 1,500.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any time limit for membership of the Polish Resettlement Corps.

A Pole who joins the Polish Resettlement Corps enrols for a maximum period of two years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that up to August in this year parcels to the value of £737,019 have been sent from Germany to Britain and that a large proportion of these contained food; and in view of the fact that they were a drain on our dollar resources and increased Britain's liability to feed Germany, if he will take steps to stop this practice.

I am aware that the value of parcels despatched from Germany to the United Kingdom in the first eight months of this year was as stated by the hon. Member. No information is available as to how many parcels contained food. Food may not be purchased from German sources, so that these parcels do not entail any increase in our liability to feed Germany. Supplies in official shops are strictly limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the overseas cost of the British Council.

During 1946–47, the last full year for which figures are available, the overseas expenditure of the British Council amounted to £1,257,554 out of a total expenditure of approximately £2,880,300. During the first six months of the current financial year overseas expenditure amounted to £728,285, the total estimated expenditure for the whole year being £3,500,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that one thousand farmers and farm workers in Devonshire require Thermos flasks; and what steps he has taken to remedy the shortage; and when flasks in sufficient quantity will be available.

The distribution of permits to buy Thermos flasks is undertaken by the farmers' and farmworkers' organisations, which consider the needs of each county, but as my Department's allocation is only 14,000 permits a month for the whole of England and Wales, applicants have to wait their turn for flasks as for other scarce goods. I understand that it is not likely that the total allocation can be increased immediately, but I would point out that farmers and farmworkers receive nearly 50 per cent. of the production under the present scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in recruiting staff for the National Agricultural Advisory Service; what is the total strength aimed at, and what qualifications are required of new recruits.

On 1st November, 1947, the staff of the National Agricultural Advisory Service numbered 1,169, and 192 additional candidates are being offered appointment. The total strength aimed at over the next few years is about 1,800. New recruits are, in general, required to possess a university degree or similar qualification in agriculture, dairying or horticulture, or a degree in the appropriate natural sciences or its equivalent; but applications are entertained from candidates with other qualifications, or, exceptionally, without academic qualifications, provided that they have sufficient experience in practical farming or horticulture and experience in advisory work. In subjects for which there are no degree courses, preference is given to candidates with the best available professional qualifications.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, owing to the difficulty of breeding last winter, there is an unusually high proportion of dry cows in dairy herds; and whether he will consider making an allowance of rations to feed them.

No statistics are available of the proportion of dry cows in dairy herds at the present time compared with those at the corresponding dates in previous years. If a dairy farmer is in need of feedingstuffs because the proportion of dry in-calf cows in his dairy herd is abnormally high he may apply to his county war agricultural executive committee for an allowance from the reserve of feedingstuffs available for distribution at the discretion of the committee. I regret that supplies of feedingstuffs are not sufficient to enable me to make any further allowances for cows at present.

asked the Minister of Transport what is, the present approximate force of men engaged on road maintenance in this country and what proportion of that force is represented by the 20,000 men who are now to be dismissed under the economy cuts.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 5th November to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Leicester (Mr. Janner).

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to provide a bus service for the villages of Walesley and Thorseway in North Lincolnshire by diverting some buses on the Market Rasen—Grimsby route through these villages, as desired by petitions which have been sent to him.

No. This suggestion would deprive other villages of an adequate service. The bus operators will try to strengthen the services by other means if possible.

asked the Minister of Transport to state in broad categories the quantity of goods in Great Britain which are awaiting export; what proportion of them are stored in the open air; what is the reason for this accumulation; and if he will make a statement.

No statistics are available of goods awaiting shipment but in general there are sufficient shipping opportunities for our exports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average monthly cost to the Exchequer, over any recent convenient period, of the Women's Voluntary Service.

The average monthly cost of the Women's Voluntary Services falling on the Home Office (War Services) Vote is at present £13,000. To this figure must be added the cost to the Exchequer in respect of rent, rates, repairs, office furniture, stationery, telephones, etc. The separate cost of these services in respect of the Women's Voluntary Services could only be ascertained by an unjustifiable expenditure of time and labour. In addition, certain expenditure incurred by the Women's Voluntary Services on behalf of other Departments is repaid direct by those Departments.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the fact that stars and medals earned by officers who have not lived to receive them will not be made or issued for some considerable time, he will consider issuing the appropriate ribbons to the legatees or next-of-kin entitled to receive them, forthwith, instead of delaying the issue till the stars and medals are available.

Ribbons are issued in advance of the respective Campaign Stars and Medals so that the recipients may always wear a mark of the awards when they are in uniform. That cannot apply to next-of-kin, and I do not think that the expenditure of time and labour which would be required to complete an advance issue to them of the ribbons would be justifiable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many copies of the book entitled Defence of Merchant Shipping Memorandum No. 10, weighing one and a half pounds have been distributed; and whether he will state the cost of production and distribution of this publication.

Approximately 700 copies have been distributed, including: 510 to the Chamber of Shipping for distribution to shipowners in the U.K.; 120 to the Shipbuilding Conference for distribution to shipbuilders in the U.K. The cost of production (of 1,040 copies) was approximately £200: the cost of distribution cannot easily be assessed, but it would be very small in relation to the cost of production.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many civilians are at present employed at the R.N.A.S. Camp at Evanton, and the nature of their employment.

261 civilians are employed at the R.N. air station at Evanton, the main categories being clerks, groundsmen, Admiralty civil police, motor transport drivers, stokers, labourers, building and electrical maintenance personnel.

asked the Minister of Education what is the proportion of women to men now engaged in teaching in the national schools and in training to become teachers in those schools, respectively.

Of the full-time teachers employed in schools maintained and assisted by local education authorities in England and Wales on 1st October, 1947, 34 per cent. were men and 66 per cent. were women. As I informed the hon. Member a fortnight ago, up-to-date information as to students in training for teaching is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has yet reached a decision concerning the complaints made to his Department by the deputation from the Association of Kerosene Distributors on 7th July.

Yes. I have written to the hon. Member in reply to his letter of 26th September drawing my attention to complaints that have been made by the Association of Kerosene Distributors.

asked the Minister of Food what part the Co-operative movement has been asked to play in the newly-created Government vegetable and fruit distributive organisation.

In common with other organisations concerned with the marketing of fruit and vegetables, the Cooperative movement have been invited to supply the Fruit and Vegetable Organisation with any proposals which they consider the new body might usefully consider.

asked the Minister of Food what intake of calories per head per day is shown for the latest available month by his Department's latest food survey; whether he has any comparable figures for the corresponding month of 1932; and whether he will state the present calorie value of all rationed foods, giving separate figures for each commodity.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Aberdeen and Kincardine, Central (Mr. Spence) on Monday, 3rd November. I have no figures for 1932. The calorie values of rationed foods for a normal adult are:

Meat	…	…	…	117
Bacon	…	…	…	15
Cheese	…	…	…	33
Butter	…	…	…	61
Margarine	…	…	…	124
Lard	…	…	…	36
Sugar	…	…	…	123
Bread	…	…	…	648
Milk	…	…	…	102
Preserves	…	…	…	41
				1,300

The above figures are the calories derived from the rations of a normal adult and do not include eggs nor points rationed foods.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that supplies of American cornice pears are being sold in shops in Southern England; and if he will take steps to prevent the frittering away of dollars on such unnecessary luxuries.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 5th November by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food.

asked the Minister of Food when dealers are sent notice of allocations of potatoes; on what basis the allocation is made; and how long a period it is supposed to cover.

The wholesaler is informed by return of post of the proportion of his order that the Ministry itself proposes to supply. This proportion is determined by reference to the wholesaler's past trading and the availability of supplies at the time of ordering. Allotments are not related to specific periods as the time taken by growers to fulfil orders varies.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that a pension of 90 per cent. is awarded for the complete loss of one limb and of 100 per cent. for the loss of a hand and a foot, he will introduce at an early date a special allowance, in addition to a pension of 100 per cent., for pensioners who have lost two or more limbs or who have suffered other forms of extreme disablement.

Provision is already made in the war pensions instruments for special allowances, in addition to the basic pension, to meet the needs of the types of case to which the noble Lord refers. Up to 40s. a week may be paid where attendance is required on account of the disablement and up to 20s. a week where, owing to the disablement, the pensioner is unemployable. The total pension and supplements payable to an unmarried private soldier who is very severely disabled by war service and is unemployable may therefore be £5 5s. a week.

asked the Minister of Health whether there has been any increase in the rents charged to the occupiers of the houses requisitioned in Kendal for workers in the Standard Motor Company's wartime factory; and whether any such increase has been passed on to the owners; what deductions from the gross rent paid are retained for repairs; and whether he is satisfied that all such deductions have been expended on the maintenance of the respective properties.

There has been no increase in the charges made to the occupiers of these houses. The compensation payable to the owners does not vary according to the charges made to the occupiers, but is determined as provided by the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, as amended by the Requisitioned Land and War Workers Act, 1945. The cost of maintenance of these properties, and the compensation payable, are, in so far as they are not met by the charges made, borne by Exchequer funds.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Shaftesbury Rural District Council submitted tenders to his Ministry on 20th August for houses to be erected on the Lodbourne Farm Site, Gillingham; and if he will hasten the decision on this matter.

Yes.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many air mail letters to the R.A.F. serving in Malaya have recently been substantially delayed through being sent by sea; and what revisions have lately been made in the postal rates for air mail letters to the Forces serving in that area.

The wartime arrangement of sending by air ordinary one ounce letters for the Forces overseas prepaid 1½d. ceased on 15th September. Under the revised arrangements then introduced air transmission is accorded only to the special light-weight "Forces Letter," for which the inclusive charge is 2½d., and to ordinary letters prepaid at the appropriate air mail rates, namely, 5d. not exceeding 1 ounce (6d. for 1½ ounces) to the Forces in Europe, and 6d. not exceeding 1½ ounces to the Forces serving outside Europe. The new arrangement was announced well in advance of the change, and a period of grace up to 28th September was allowed before letters prepaid only 1½d. were excluded from air despatch. I am afraid that there would inevitably be considerable delay to Forces letters for Malaya prepaid 1½d. after the expiry of the period of grace.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to state in detail the Scottish projects to be postponed in consequence of the Government's cut of £200,000,000 in annual capital expenditure.

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to await the White Paper which which it is hoped to publish shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what payments are made to members of the Polish Resettlement Corps who attend Glasgow University.

Members of the Polish Resettlement Corps whose attendance at Glasgow University is sponsored by the Committee for the Education of Poles in Great Britain receive payment at the rate of £228 a year. A married man may also receive an allowance of £110 for-his wife, £40 for the first child and £27 for each other child. These amounts are maxima, and the full amount is paid only if the student has been relegated to the Reserve and draws no Army pay or allowances and has no private means. In addition, the University fees are paid direct to the University.