asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons are still detained in Recklinghausen C.I.C.; and when it is expected to close that camp.

On 29th February 502 persons were detained at Recklinghausen. We expect that this internment camp will be closed on or before 15th April, 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether all locomotive repairs required in Germany are now being carried out in that country; or whether additional repair capacity is being sought in Czechoslovakia and Belgium

It is not possible at present to carry out in Germany all the locomotive repairs required. Some German locomotives are being repaired in Belgium, and it is hoped to place further repair contracts in Belgium and Czechoslovakia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what capacity for the production of stainless steel has been left in Germany under the level of industry plan; and which factories used for this purpose have been declared redundant.

The capacity of the electric furnaces which are to be retained in the bizonal area and which are capable of producing stainless steel is approximately 320,000 tons a year. I regret that I cannot give figures for the French and Soviet zones. Of the steel works in the bizonal area which are to be declared available for reparations only Krupp's of Essen and Deutsche Edelstahlwerke of Krefeld were important producers of stainless steel. All existing capacity for finishing stainless steel will be retained; the cold rolling mills and finishing equipment for stainless steel sheets at the two works I have mentioned will be transferred to other plants which are to be retained.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why houses are still being requisitioned all over the British zone by the British Army of Occupation nearly three years after the termination of hostilities; whether he is aware that in the town of Schleswig a further 90 houses are being requisitioned for occupation purposes despite the fact that the population of the town has increased from 22,000 to about 40,00o since the end of hostilities; that 151 houses have already been requisitioned; that the town is without sewerage and according to the Medical Board any further crowding together of the population will mean acute danger of disease; and whether he will give instructions that this requisitioning is to be stopped.

Some new requisitioning must always be necessary in consequence of re-deployment of the Occupation Forces, but, on balance, de-requisitioning greatly exceeds requisitioning. In the town of Schleswig, 48 married quarters, not 90 houses, are being requisitioned for Service families, but an equivalent number of quarters is being de-requisitioned in the neighbouring town of Plön to accommodate the Germans displaced in Schleswig. The number of houses under requisition in Schleswig is Ho and not 151 as stated. The town is not completely without sewerage and the question of further crowding together of the population will not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that 128 persons are now on trial for their lives in Salonika; that among these are girls of 20 and boys of 14 and 15; and whether, in the light of these arrests and trials, he will now withdraw the British Police and Military Missions from Greece.

The 128 persons on trial were captured in operations following upon the bombardment of Salonika on 10th February. They are charged with complicity in that outrage and include a number of misguided young people. I understand, however, that in Greek law minors, though they are considered responsible for their actions, are normally accorded as lenient treatment as the law allows. No British Mission will be withdrawn from Greece on the ground that persons accused of participation in an outrage have been brought to trial.

asked the Lord President of the Council why the Central Office of Information has discontinued lectures on the United Nations; from what date and on instructions from which Government Department; and whether he will give the number of lectures on this subject so far arranged by the Central Office of Information.

The Lecture Service of the Central Office of Information has recently been reviewed, and it has been decided, as a measure of economy to reduce the range of subjects on which lecturers could be made available. The Government take the view that, as lectures on the United Nations are being provided under the auspices of other bodies, such as the United Nations Association, a service on this subject by the Central Office of Information may be dispensed with. No further bookings for lectures on this subject are therefore being made by the Central Office after 31st March. The total number of lectures given through the Central Office on this subject since they were started in September, 1946, is 1,445.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the Central Office of Information will consider the advisability of publishing a periodical devoted to details of new ideas, inventions and methods which appear in the foreign technical Press.

I am grateful for the suggestion and am having it looked into to see whether there is any part of the field for which some system of official documentation would meet a real need. My impression is, however, that it is already adequately covered by the trade and technical Press.

asked the Minister of Food what steps have been taken or are contemplated by his Department, in consultation with the other Government Departments concerned, to combine the work of food enforcement officers with that of departments of inspectors of weights and measures in those localities where this step is practicable.

A complete combination of functions is not, I am afraid, practicable; but these officers already collaborate closely.

asked the Minister of Food if his attention has been called to the announcement of the Minister of Agriculture for Eire that the discrimination in prices between fat and store cattle seriously affected the development of the livestock industry in Eire as a source of meat supply to Great Britain; and if early adjustment of prices will be reconsidered.

I have seen Press reports of the statement referred to, but I am afraid I cannot comment on the questions at issue at the present time. The hon. Member will recall that we announced a substantial increase in the price of fat cattle from Eire last autumn.

asked the Minister of Food what amounts have been paid during each year since 1939 by the Government to firms or organisations in the fruit and vegetable trade whose functions have or had been partly or completely assumed by the Government; for what commodities, respectively, any such figures apply; and what is his future policy in regard to the continuation of such payments.

The following table shows the amounts paid by the Government in each completed financial year since the outbreak of war to firms or organisations in the fruit or vegetable trade whose functions have been or had been partly or completely assumed by the Government. The table lists separately the fruit

PAYMENTS TO AGENT FIRMS OR ORGANISATIONS IN THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE TRADE WHOSE FUNCTIONS HAVE OR HAD BEEN PARTLY OR WHOLLY ASSUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT YEAR TO 31ST MARCH.
Year ended 31st March.			Carrots.	Citrus Fruit.	Apples.	Onions.	Bananas.	Grapes.	TOTAL.
			£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1940	…	…	582	—	—	—	—	—	582
1941	…	…	7,077	43,126	—	8,806	—	—	59,009
1942	…	…	1,142	39,226	109,258	18	—	—	149,644
1943	…	…	—	155,744	240	—	—	—	155,984
1944	…	…	—	361,012	31,705	15,012	—	—	407,729
1945	…	…	—	639,267	118,103	63,672	—	—	821,042
1946	…	…	—	712,951	77,048	65,441	15,392	—	870,832
1947	…	…	—	831,578	386,076	72,755	151,389	7,500	1,449,298
£			8,801	2,782,904	722,430	225,704	166,781	7,500	3,914,120

In recent months a substantial reduction in the scale of commission payable to first-hand salesmen of citrus fruits and apples has been negotiated. A substantial reduction in the commission payable for services rendered in connection with the handling and distribution of bananas was also effected from 1st January, 1947. The importation of onions and grapes has now reverted to private trade operating under licence.Where imports of fruit and vegetables continue to be made by the Ministry, former importers and brokers will continue to be used as first-hand distributors and their remuneration will, as hitherto, be kept under review.In answer to the last part of the Question, the position is that we have for some months been negotiating a substantial reduction in the scales of commission payable to the first-hand salesmen of citrus fruits and apples. The trade has now accepted our proposals which operate for apples from 1st October, 1947, and for citrus fruits from 1st December, 1947. A reduction of 38.5 per cent. in the rate of payment for bananas was effected as from 1st January, 1947, which is only partially reflected in the figures for the year to 31st March, 1947. The importation of onions and of grapes has now reverted to private firms operating under licence, and accordingly commission is no longer payable by my Department. Where imports of these fruits and vegetables continue to be made by this Ministry we propose to continue to employ the former importers and brokers as first-hand distributors keeping their rates of remuneration under review.

asked the Minister of Food the estimated amount of subsidy that will he paid this year item by item, and where a commodity is rationed the increase in the cost of the ration that would be occasioned by the removal of the subsidy.

This information will take some time to prepare. I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an estimate of the hourly capacity of flour mills in the United Kingdom, on the normal working basis of 126 hours per week for 49 weeks per year, necessary to satisfy the present demand for flour in this country.

On the basis of 126 hours per week for 49 weeks per year the hourly capacity of flour mills in the United Kingdom, necessary to satisfy the present demand for flour in this country, is 7,075 sacks per hour.

asked the Minister of Food the number of English fowls excluding turkeys and geese, which passed through the packing stations during the months of November and December.

There are no licensed or registered packing stations for home-produced poultry, the distribution of which is not controlled in any way. I therefore regret that I am unable to give the number of fowls sold.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the tonnage of scrap existing at Devonport dockyard; by how much this has increased during the course of 1947; and what steps are being taken to reduce the present heavy accumulations of scrap in the interests of national economy and so reduce the temptation to petty pilfering.

The present holdings of scrap at Devonport dockyard are ferrous 260 tons and non-ferrous 120 tons. These quantities compare with 1,323 tons ferrous and 213 tons non-ferrous held at 1st January, 1947. Advance estimates of quantities of scrap expected to become available are given periodically to the Ministry of Supply to facilitate prompt disposal, and no undue delays occur in removal except when contractors have difficulty in arranging adequate transport. Eight thousand two hundred and six tons of ferrous scrap and 716 tons of nonferrous scrap were disposed of during 1947.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what claims are outstanding against the Admiralty for the occupation of Princes Hotel, Hove, during the war; to whom are they payable; what has already been paid; and where they are for damage which must be repaired to make the Princes Hotel habitable, will the fact that the hotel will not now be used for living, but for office purposes, make any difference in the amount to be repaid.

No such claims are now outstanding. Both the periodical rental compensation and the compensation accruing due at the termination of occupation were paid to Princes Hotel Brighton (1920) Ltd. who were the persons statutorily entitled. They received the rental in pursuance of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, as being deprived of possession by the requisition, and the terminal compensation as being the owners at the time when the premises were released. It would be contrary to public policy to disclose the amounts so paid.The answer to the hon. Member's final inquiry is in the negative. The owners were entitled to compensation assessed by reference to the state of the premises at the time of requisition, and the entitlement is not affected by the use to which the buildings may be put on return to them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps have been taken to ascertain the views of the branches concerned about the proposed grouping system of messing for chief and petty officers.

None.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the result of his negotiations with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters regarding increased remuneration for sub-postmasters.

Agreement was reached with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters on 3rd February, 1948.

asked the Postmaster-General if it is with his knowledge and approval that the district postmaster of the Western District Post Office, Wimpole Street, W.I, in a letter of 16th February, 1948, requested the Road Haulage Association to discontinue the use of pink cards for postal purposes on the grounds that pink is a bad colour for sorters.

I am aware that the Road Haulage Association has been asked, and has agreed, not to use a particular shade of pink paper for postal purposes. The Post Office has always discouraged the use, for ordinary purposes, of postcards and envelopes which are made up in bright and vivid colours as they tend to be tiring to the eyes and to slow up the process of sorting, particularly when handled in large numbers and in artificial light.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the hardship suffered by officers in the cable and wireless service overseas who have not had their salary revised since 1929 and whose bonus has now been stopped; and if he will take immediate steps to restore the bonus, pending revision of salary.

I understand that revised scales for the staff overseas recruited in this country have been introduced in agreement with the staff associations concerned. The new scales will have retrospective effect from 1st January, 1947, and the agreement will be implemented this month. Meanwhile the staff have received special interim allowances.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will extend the practice established during the war and accept books handed in at post offices, either to be pulped or for distribution to hospitals, schools and other institutions that would welcome them.

No. Accommodation and staffing problems at Post Office counters make such an arrangement impracticable.

asked the Postmaster-General when the section E-K of the London Telephone Directory is likely to appear.

Unless there is a further deterioration in paper supplies, I expect that sufficient paper will be available for the E-K section of the London Telephone Directory to be issued in June next.

asked the Postmaster-General what were the receipts in 1946–47 from the carriage of air mail letters and what sums were paid in the same year for the carriage of air mail to British air lines and to other Governments.

Receipts in 1946–47 from overseas air mail correspondence, which have to cover Post Office handling costs estimated at £991,000, amounted to £6,097,000. Payments for air-carriage to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Air Ministry, and British Air Corporations direct totalled £4,318,000, and to foreign postal administrations £668,000.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is now able to make any statement regarding an extra hour's broadcasting in the evening by the B.B.C.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give any further information about hours of broadcasting on the internal services of the B.B.C.

I am glad to be able to announce that the Government have agreed to the B.B.C.'s proposal to reintroduce broadcasting until midnight in the Light and Third Programmes as from 11th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Air in view of the public petition he has received as to the misuse of manpower at R.A.F. Maintenance Unit No. II, Chilmark, if he will, in order to allay public anxiety, and in fairness to those employed there, conduct an independent inquiry and make a public statement on its findings.

No. The work of this unit was specially investigated in December, 1946, and a further review was carried out in October, 1947. These inquiries have established that the staff at Chilmark is fully employed and that there is no misuse of manpower. If the hon. Gentleman will, however, send me specific and substantial evidence supporting the allegations referred to, I will gladly consider the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total number of civilian employees of all grades employed at R.A.F. Maintenance Unit No. n, Chilmark; how many of these are barrack wardens; and what was the total cost of wages and salaries for 1947.

On 1st March, 1948, the total number of civilian employees of all grades at Chilmark was 358. No barrack wardens are employed but there are 57 members of the Air Ministry Constabulary. In 1947 the total cost of the wages and salaries of these employees was £104,352.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware that the report last November by the Chief Inspector of Accidents on the disaster at Sywell Aerodrome stated that the plane was airworthy but that the pilot had consumed alcoholic liquor without food before the accident; and what steps he is taking to protect the public against accidents being caused for this reason in future.

Yes; but the report did not state that consumption of alcoholic liquor was the cause of this accident. With regard to the last part of the Question, my noble Friend considers that the existing regulations afford all practicable protection to the public.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that moquette suites consisting of settee and two easy chairs are being advertised in Newport for £119 4s.; that no utility article of a similar variety are obtainable; what is the corresponding price fixed for such utility suites; and when they will be made available.

Articles of non-utility furniture made from materials which are not subject to allocation and which are not suitable for use on utility furniture are widely offered for sale to the general public. There are adequate supplies of utility upholstered furniture available for members of the public who qualify for units. It is not always possible, however, to ensure immediate delivery of articles covered in particular utility cloths such as moquette which, from time to time, are scarce. Alternative coverings are readily available. The maximum retail selling prices of utility, suites covered in moquette range from £42 1s. 9d. to £52 8s. 9d.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a list of the materials now allocated either by, or under the supervision of his Department, indicating those which are only made available to established firms in the trade or industry concerned.

I give below the information for which my hon. Friend asks. Much of it may be found in the Raw Materials Guide, compiled in the Board of Trade, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of factories erected in Scotland from 1930 to 31st December, 1947; the number of workers employed in these factories; the number of factories at present under construction in Scotland; and the potential numbers to be employed in those factories when completed.

Information is not available exactly in the form asked for, but during the seven years from the beginning of 1932 to the end of 1938, 184 factories and extensions, in which 25 or more persons were employed, were opened in Scotland. It is not possible to state how many persons these factories were employing at 31st December, 1947, nor is it possible to give statistics in respect of the factories built during the war years. During the period June, 1945, to 31st December, 1947, 147 new factories and extensions of 5,000 sq. ft. or over had been built in Scotland and were employing about 7,000 persons at the end of 1947. In addition, 286 new factories and extensions of 5,000 sq. ft. and over were in course of construction in Scotland at the end of December, 1947. It is estimated that these will give employment to about 40,000 persons when completed and in full production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total imports of raw materials, other than food, came from dollar countries in 1947; what is the percentage to which he is working for 1948; and what is the volume and cost in dollars of these proportions.

In the Economic Survey for 1948, published yesterday, figures are given of total imports during the first half of 1948, from all sources and from the Western Hemisphere, of "raw materials" (which differ in scope from Class II of the Trade Accounts). Analyses according to other sources of supply are not available. In 1947, 37 per cent. of the total value of imports on an f.o.b. basis came from the Western Hemisphere compared with 32 per cent. given for the first half of 1948. Owing to the present uncertainties of the dollar balance of payments, it is not possible to give corresponding figures for the second half of 1948. For 1947 the estimated cost on an f.o.b. basis is about £200 million and for the first half of 1948 £91 million, or, converting these sums at $4.03 to the £. $806 million and $367 million respectively, Because of the seasonal movement in imports throughout the year it is not possible to compare the volumes in the two periods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government are satisfied with conditions in the Japanese textile industry arising from reforms introduced by the Supreme Commander, Allied Powers, affecting working hours and conditions and rates of pay in that industry.

His Majesty's Government regard the progress so far made as reasonably satisfactory in view of the difficulties involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Ford's Motor Works at Dagenham are able to export the major portion of their production; and if he is aware that there is a large stock of vehicles now stored in the open and deteriorating.

I have been asked to reply. The Ford Motor Company's contribution to exports is highly satisfactory. I am not aware of any abnormal delay in getting completed vehicles away from the factory.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is satisfied with the present condition and administration of the island of Kamaran.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an analysis, classified by principal industries, trades and vocations, of the total issues approved by the Capital Issues Committee since 1st August, 1945, showing, in respect of each category, the number of companies and the total sum involved.

Following is the reply:

CAPITAL ISSUES CONSENTED TO BY THE TREASURY.
(i) During the period 1st June, 1946, to 29th February, 1948, inclusive.
	Approximate Totals
	(£'000s)
Agriculture and Fisheries	3,194
Brewing and Distilling	5,917
Building Materials	5,111
Chemicals, Drugs and Dyes	24,765
Coal, Iron and Steel	68,360
Engineering and Metal Industries	57,379
Entertainments (including Films, Hotels, etc.)	12,587
Food Manufactures	6,363
Oil	110,211
Shipping	16,478
Textiles and Clothing (including Boots and Shoes)	15,438
Financial and Land	16,637
Public Utilities and Institutions	14,111
Others	76,031
Total (for 912 applications)	£432,582

(ii) During the period 1st August, 1945, to 31st May, 1946, inclusive.
	Approximate Totals
	(£'000s)
Agriculture and Fisheries	1,841
Coal, Iron and Steel	3,982
Engineering	16,502
Textiles	137
Financial and Land	9,416
Public Utilities and Institutions	2,254
Others	46,503
Total (for 266 applications)	£80,635
(For this period, fully analysed records are not available.)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the extent to which the horse-breeding industry assisted the export trade in the year 1947.

On the basis of the figures available for the first nine months of 1947, the total exports of British horses to all destinations amounted to about £3 million a year. The actual figure for the calendar year, as published in the Trade and Navigation Accounts for December, 1947, was £2,905,244. This total includes temporary exports, for which separate information is not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many films were taken to Africa by the Paymaster-General for private exhibition; and what are the subjects and titles of such films.

Four: "The Five Towns"—a film on the Potteries, designed to help the sale of British pottery overseas; "Designing Women"—a film on good design of consumer goods; "Precisely Yours"—a film showing the use of scientific instruments to obtain accuracy in engineering; "The Balance"—a film explaining why we have to export more in order to feed and clothe ourselves, and keep our factories going.

asked the Minister of Health if, in issuing his final invitation to individual doctors to join the new Health Service, he will make it clear, especially to general practitioners, that the provision of health centres is indefinitely postponed, and that with that postponement it will be impossible to supply the facilities for carrying out the numerous services detailed in Section 21, with the result that the young doctor commencing medical practice will have to find for himself the equipment necessary, by the appointed day.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his Question on 10th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for 1947 for England and Wales, the number of murders known to the police; the number of suspected murderers who committed suicide; the number of persons charged with murder; and the number of those so charged who were found insane.

According to the provisional returns, there were 175 murders known to the police in England and Wales during 1947; 43 suspected murderers committed suicide; 74 persons were charged at Assize Courts during the year with murder; and 16 persons so charged were found insane on arraignment and unfit to plead and 14 were found guilty but insane.

asked the Minister of Transport how many motor cycles were licensed in 1947; and how many are licensed at the present moment.

Information regarding the number of licences current is supplied to me quarterly by the registration and licensing authorities. The numbers of motor cycles for which licences were current at end of each quarterly period in 1947 were as follows:

	Approx.
At 28th February	347,100
At 31st May	469,300
At 31st August	506,200
At 3oth November	421,100

Particulars of the corresponding number at 29th February, 1948, are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of men employed in Scotland by highway authorities, whom the Government wishes released from their present employment.

Highway authorities in Scotland are being asked to reduce their staffs so that the number will be 1,770 less than they employed in August, 1947.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it was with his authority that the details of rates of removal and estimated dates of clearance of all ammunition and explosives stored in the county of Perth and neighbouring counties were give by the B.B.C. in a news talk broadcast from the Scottish Region on Wednesday, 25th February, 1948; and whether the local authorities in the area have been advised of this accelerated rate of clearance.

I understand that the B.B.C. report referred to was based on information obtained from Scottish Command, which was also given to the Press. No further steps were taken to inform local authorities of the accelerated rate of clearance.

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount of the financial grants made to T.A. areas for the renovation and enlargement of existing drill halls for the first quarter of this year; and what further financial grant for the same purpose is to be made for the remainder of the year.

Figures are not available in the form asked for. Financial grants are made to Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations annually for the maintenance of Territorial Army property, which may be accumulated, to the extent that they are not required for current maintenance, for the building up of a maintenance reserve fund. The grants made during the current financial year total approximately £300,000, but in addition supplementary grants amounting to some £82,000 have been made to Associations whose reserve funds were not adequate to meet exceptionally heavy expenditure on renovations. The amount of expenditure from the reserve funds in excess of the current year's grants will not be known until the Associations' financial returns for the current financial year are received in July next. Provision made in Army Estimates, 1948–49, is sufficient to cover a further grant of not less than £300,000 during the coming financial year. Expenditure upon the enlargement of existing headquarters is not separately recorded, but in present circumstances, additions to accommodation are provided by means of hutting rather than by enlargement of existing buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that conditions at No. 1 British Transit Camp at Singapore are far from satisfactory; that some of the tents are not rainproof, and the food is inferior; and when he proposes to have these conditions improved.

It has not been possible to provide anything but tented accommodation at this transit camp. The very heavy rain during January and February caused some of the tents to leak. All the tents have been renewed and none now in use has been erected longer than three

Pure and Applied Science and Mathematics.	Technical	Trades
Biology; Chemistry; Mathematics; Physics.	Building Technology; Drawing and Tracing; Electrical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering.	Bench Fitting; Bricklaying; Carpentry and Joinery; Electrical Wiring; Indoor Tiling; Metal Machinery; Plastering; Plumbing and Pipefitting; Radio; Sign writing; Vehicle Fitting; Welding

The Middle East College is at Geneifa. Five hundred and six students attended it during January. Scientific and tech-

Pure and Applied Science and Mathematics.	Technical	Trades
Chemistry; Mathematics; Physics.	Automobile Engineering; Building Technology; Electrical Engineering; Mechanical Drawing; Mechanical Engineering.	Bricklaying; Cabinet Making; Carpentry and Joinery; Electrical Wiring; Metal Machinery; Painting and Decorating; Sheet Metal Work; Shoe Repairing: Welding; Wood Machinery

asked the Secretary of State for War how many students are now taking the correspondence courses provided by his Department; what was the corresponding number a year ago; and whether all recruits are made aware of the existence of such facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the location of the two Army Colleges overseas; what was the approximate average number of students attending each during January, 1948; and what technical and scientific instruction is available.

The College of the Rhine Army is at Göttingen. Seven hundred and seventy-eight students attended this college during January. Scientific and technical instruction is available in 'the following subjects:nical instruction is available in the following subjects:

It is not possible to give an up to date total of students actually taking part in courses. The number of enrolments during the last three months was 4,531, compared with 5,192 for the corresponding period a year previously. These figures include enrolments in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, as the War Office scheme covers all three Services. It is the duty of commanders at all levels to ensure that troops are encouraged to take advantage of the facilities provided. In addition the scheme is advertised to the Army by a number of methods.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many recruiting offices are operated by his department; how many civilians and military personnel are employed in them; and how many recruits they have obtained since 1st October, 1947.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 152, including 63 Ministry of Labour and National Service medical board centres at which Army recruiting staff work. The total staff employed at these offices on 1st December was 479, of whom 424 were civilians, including retired military personnel, and 55 serving A.T.S. Twelve thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight voluntary recruits were enlisted between 28th September, 1947, and 28th February, 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give authority for officers of the Royal Army Chaplains Department who are posted to battalions of the Royal Welch Fusiliers to wear the traditional flash of the regiment

It is not the custom to allow personnel of a regiment or corps to wear a distinction which has been specifically awarded to another regiment or corps, and in no instance has such authority been granted. I regret, therefore, that the hon. Member's suggestion cannot be accepted.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what quantity of petrol it is estimated will be saved in the first three months of 1948 in respect of motor cycles which have not been licensed since the withdrawal of basic petrol.

Approximately 22,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what are his reasons for putting a different amenity value on the Brentwood Urban District Council woodlands, Scheduled Nos. 36, 48, 53 and 61, upon which an order will not be confirmed, and Nos. 46, 47, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 65, upon which an order is to be confirmed.

The items in the second block (with the exception of number 65 on which my hon. Friend is misinformed) are closer to the town and to the roads leading from it, and much public access to these woodlands is enjoyed. The items in the first block are not so readily accessible and could probably be dealt with more satisfactorily under the Forestry Commission's Dedication Scheme. No final decision has been taken, however, and if no proposals are made for bringing these woodlands within that scheme, I should be prepared to consider their inclusion in a Tree Preservation Order if they are otherwise suitable.