asked the Minister of Labour how many European voluntary workers will be brought into the United Kingdom in the calendar year 1948; how many will be placed in the industries of coal, agriculture, and textiles, respectively; and how many others will still remain on the Continent after the end of the year.

While no precise figures can be given, it is hoped to bring about 100,000 European volunteer workers to this country this year. Of these, about 35,000 would be for agriculture, about 30,000 for coal, and at least 20,000 for textiles. Factors outside my knowledge make it impossible for me to answer the last part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Labour what nationalities are represented among European voluntary workers permitted to enter this country; and of the total, what is the proportion of each nationality.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his related Questions answered orally today.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that applicants under the Control of Engagement Order were kept waiting at the Walham Green Employment Exchange for periods in excess of two hours on 15th March, 2nd and 5th April; and why this employment exchange takes so much longer to deal with applicants than other employment exchanges in the London area.

It is usual, where employers nominate persons for particular jobs, to make some inquiries to see whether there is more important work which the nominated worker should be expected to take. While these inquiries are undertaken as quickly as possible they frequently take some little time, and it is often more helpful to wait than to be sent away and call again.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of disabled ex-Servicemen employed under the King's Roll National Scheme in Government Departments, local authorities, public utility companies, special undertakings and ordinary employers.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give an assurance that the King's Roll National Scheme will not be wound up until such time as the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act can give equal or better protection to the disabled men of the 1914–18 war.

The position of disabled men of the 1914–18 war is specially recognised in the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, and I do not accept the assumption that the Act gives them less protection than the King's Roll National Scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of disabled persons employed under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act with Government Departments, local authorities, public utility companies, special undertakings and ordinary employers.

In regard to Government Departments, I would refer my hon. Friend to Cmd. Paper 7303 issued in January last. I regret that the information requested for the other groups of employers referred to is not available. It is estimated that the total number of registered disabled persons in employment is about 780,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the requisitioning powers which he intends to exercise where necessary, to prevent the arbitrary eviction of shop tenants, will be applied so as to give similar protection to tenants of other business premises.

I have informed local authorities that I am prepared to consider the requisitioning of shop premises where the eviction of the tenant would interfere with essential supplies and services. The question of other business premises is a matter for the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Works what is the cause of the shortage of hard wall plaster, as a result of which housing development in the north-east of Scotland is being held up; and what steps are being taken to remedy this shortage.

The shortage of hardwall plaster is due to insufficient manufacturing capacity. Steps were taken some time ago to increase capacity as a result of which production is now increasing. Larger supplies of plaster have been arranged for Scotland and deliveries are rising.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether in view of the increased cost of living, he will raise the level of Service pensions generally, and particularly those of elderly widows who are not able to augment their pension by earnings.

There have been substantial improvements in the war pensions provisions since 1939, and the number of improvements announced by my right hon. Friend since October last, together with one I am about to announce in respect of certain widows of the 1914 World War, indicates that he has the provisions under constant review.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will reconsider the position of certain widows of pensioners of the 1914 World War, who are in receipt of modified pensions because their husbands' deaths were only in some measure due to war service.

As from 5th July next, when the National Insurance Act comes into operation, the minimum modified pension for widows of pensioners of the 1914 war will be 26s. a week where the widow is over 40, is incapable of self-support or has children. Existing pensions will be increased without application.

asked the Secretary of State for War in how many cases in the last four years have officers and/or other ranks been kept under arrest for 100 days or over without being brought to trial; and in how many of these cases have the charges been ultimately dropped.

Information in the form asked for in the Question could only be produced, if at all, after a great deal of research, which I do not consider would be justified. I will, however, circulate in the OFFICAL REPORT certain information which is readily available about cases which have occurred from last August onwards.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it is the practice of the War Department when the charge against an officer or other rank has been dropped to admit or to refuse to admit his innocence.

The question whether an officer or other rank charged with an offence under the Army Act has been proved guilty of it is one for the tribunal before whom he is tried. If the evidence fails to establish guilt, the tribunal has no option but to acquit him, as it is a presumption of law that a person charged with crime is innocent until the contrary is proved.If, before trial, the charge is withdrawn the question as to whether the accused is guilty or innocent of the charge remains undecided, and it would be improper for my Department to express any opinion on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War what suitable ground there is in the Aldershot area, already in the hands of his Department, which could be made available as battle area for Eastern Command.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to honour the pledge given by the Coalition Government that the right of entry to the Stanford battle area in Norfolk shall be given back to the former inhabitants.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 48 of the White Paper on Service Land Requirements. As he will be aware, a public inquiry was held about the Stanford battle training area last month. No final decision has yet been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the house at 1 North Road, Egremont, is still standing empty and has been in this position for the last nine months; and is he aware that this is causing serious concern to the inhabitants of the district where there is an extreme shortage of houses.

This house is private property, of which the Cumberland Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association are the trustees. It was expected that a member of the Territorial Army permanent staff would be accommodated in the house, which has been undergoing repairs since November, but it has not prayed necessary to use it for this purpose. I understand that the Association have decided to lease it at once, if possible to a tenant connected with Territorial Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the paper which British troops have to sign on arrival in Germany, containing the statement that they may not communicate anything to the Press in any way; whether this applies to matters concerning military government and duties only, or to everything concerning Germany; and whether the paper also applies to communicating with Members of Parliament.

I have no knowledge of any such document having to be signed by troops on arrival in Germany, but if the hon. Member will let me have more detailed information I will have further inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that units of the Arab Legion, while in Palestine, have been provided with surplus arms and military material left over by the British security Forces now evacuating Palestine; and that members of the Arab Legion are actively assisting the Arab bands who are invading Palestine at present from outside territories; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

All military equipment supplied to the Arab Legion has been supplied under the terms of a contract made last year in accordance with the Anglo-Transjordan Treaty of Alliance. There is no evidence that members of the Arab Legion are assisting Arab bands who have entered Palestine from outside territories. The units of the Arab Legion which remain in Palestine are operating under the orders of the General Officer Commanding, Palestine, in an internal security role.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and other ranks of the Durham Light Infantry serving on regular engagements in all commands have been transferred to other regiments or corps during the last six months.

No Regular officers of the Durham Light Infantry have been transferred to other regiments or corps during the last six months. In the same period 16 Regular other ranks of the Durham Light Infantry have been transferred to other infantry groups or other corps.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reverse the decision of Regimental Paymaster, R.E.M.E., Devizes, not to send a full statement of accounts to 1408910T S./Sgt. A. Pawson, R.E.M.E., of 59, Kitson Hill Road, Mirfield

The balance on a soldier's account is notified to him from time to time throughout his service from which he is able to reconstruct his account, and it is not normally necessary for a statement to be prepared for the whole of a soldier's service. The preparation of such statements takes a considerable time and as pay offices are overburdened with the accelerated release programme and handicapped by a severe shortage of staff the time cannot easily be spared without seriously affecting the normal work of the office. It is for these reasons that soldiers who ask for full statements with a view to disputing their final settlements are usually asked to give details of the grounds on which they base their claims for further credits in order that the paymaster can investigate and satisfy the complainants of the particular points in question. As a special case, however, I have arranged for a full statement of account to be prepared for Staff Sergeant Pawson, and it will be forwarded to him in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, in spite of the inclusion of Austria in the countries open to tourist travel, intending visitors to Austria have been advised by the Military Permit Office that only persons travelling for business reasons or to visit their relatives are granted passes to enter Austria.

As a means of aiding the recovery of the Austrian economy, a tourist scheme has been drawn up by the Austrian authorities and special hotel accommodation has been provided by them for this purpose in the three western zones and the three western sectors of Vienna. This accommodation must be booked in advance and paid for in the United Kingdom in sterling. On proof of such booking, the Military Permit Office will issue a permit to cover the duration of the visit. As sterling is not available for tourist travel from the United Kingdom until 1st May, 1948, no permits have yet been issued under this scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the results of his negotiations with the Ceylon Government on the re-inforcement of the exchange control system in that Dominion.

Negotiations on a variety of subjects are still in progress, on which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will make a statement in due course.

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury what are the steel allocations to individual industries for 1948.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 10th February.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the tonnage of steel allocated to manufacturers of agricultural machinery and spares during the first six months of 1948 will now be as great as the allocations of the whole of 1947; and whether he is now in a position to state the scale of the final allocations for the last six months of 1948.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes," and to the second part, "No." Allocations of steel have not yet been made for the last quarter of 1948.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether His Majesty's Government concurred in the decision of the International Monetary Fund that its resources should not be available to those benefiting under the Marshall Plan.

No. But I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the relevant resolution of the Board of Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund, together with an extract from the Minutes of the Board. From these, the hon. and gallant Member will see that the resolution contains not a definite decision to stop drawings, but a provisional statement of policy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what restrictions are placed on the admission, free of duty, of gift parcels from the U.S.A. and the British Commonwealth.

To qualify for admission duty-free, private gift parcels must be unsolicited, contain foodstuffs only and weigh not more than 22 1bs. gross. Parcels containing well-worn, discarded clothing for the personal use of relatives and friends of the senders are also normally admitted without Customs charge. General gifts of relief goods, such as food and clothing, must be sent to approved organisations for charitable distribution; import licences may sometimes be required for such gifts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the Departmental Claims Branch, Cardiff, is sending demands for arrears of Income Tax to ex-officers of His Majesty's Forces three years after demobilisation.

Because of the delay that has occurred in some cases, which I very much regret. This delay was due to the necessity to collect full details of pay and tax deducted and to the great volume of work falling on a limited staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what weight is given to opencast mining in the Index of Production of Building as Civil Engineering in the Interim Index of Production.

In the Interim Index of Industrial Production, opencast coal mining is given a weight of three out of a total weight for all industries of 1,000. The weight of building and contracting, including opencast coal mining, is 92 out of 1,000 for all industries. These weights are given correct to the nearest whole number.

asked the Financial Secretary, to the Treasury how many persons are employed by the Central Office of Information; and what proportion are devoted to work abroad.

On 1st April, 1948, the Central Office of Information employed 1,636 non-industrial staff, of whom 41 were part-time, and 83 industrial staff, all of whom were full-time. It is not possible to attribute overseas work to any particular proportion of the staff, many of whom are engaged on work for both home and overseas; but it is estimated that work for overseas occupies about 44 per cent of the time of the staff.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of token imports during the year 1947; and what is the estimated cost of these for 1948.

The cost of token imports for the year 1947 was approximately £1,857,000. It is estimated that the cost for 1948 will be slightly less.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the approximate value during 1947 of goods made for export which for some reason were not shipped to the market for which they were destined; and whether such goods are put into stock with a view to selling them in another overseas market.

I regret that it is not possible to provide an estimate of the kind asked for. As was stated in reply to the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Shephard) on 13th November last and to the hon. Member for Brighton (Mr. Teeling) on 2nd March, it is most important that exporters who are unable to dispose of their goods in the overseas market for which they were originally intended should take every possible step to find a buyer for them in some other overseas market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to ensure that the present rate of production in the British film industry will be increased sufficiently to provide employment for those technicians who are now unemployed.

Yes, we shall certainly continue to do all that we can to ensure the highest possible output from British film studios. The most effective means to that end will be to promote a revival of confidence—not only among film producers but also among those responsible for financing them. In addition, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich (Mr. Reeves) on 13th April and to the hon. Member for Bucklow (Mr. Shepherd) on 15th April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much the Government contributed last year to the cost of advertising abroad British goods and Britain as a tourist centre.

In addition to furthering the export trade through the services of its Commercial Diplomatic and Trade Commissioner establishments, for the maintenance of which nearly £600,000 was provided in the year 1947–48, and to a grant of £31,500 towards the expenditure of the British Export Trade Research Organisation, the Government contributed to advertising abroad British goods by its overseas publicity of the British Industries Fair and its participation in overseas trade Exhibitions. For these purposes over £00,000 was spent last year.In the same period approximately £167,000 was contributed through the Tourist Division of the British Tourist and Holidays Board (the Travel Association) to the cost of overseas publicity of Britain as a tourist centre.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if in view of the glut of overcoats, skirts, knit wear, rayon and nylon stockings in Swindon which are sometimes given free or for a nominal sum for coupons, he will facilitate the sale of these stocks by coupons changes or otherwise.

No. The export programme will increasingly affect the volume of supplies for the home market, and I have no reason to believe that these will be more than sufficient to meet the current ration. I am not aware that stocks of the garments mentioned are abnormally high in Swindon, or that traders are willing to dispose of rationed goods, which are in sound condition, free or for nominal sums.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large stocks of women's clothing are accumulating in shops and clothing factories; and whether he will arrange for the reduction of the coupon values of such clothing of which the manufacturers can show ample supplies.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) on 2nd March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Kelston Products, Ltd., of Hitchin Road, E.10, have had their production of Christmas crackers limited; and to what extent this was done by him at the request of established cracker manufacturers.

Christmas crackers have been controlled first under the Limitation of Supplies (Miscellaneous) Order and since 1945 under the Limitation of Supply (Toys and Indoor Games) Order, under the heading of carnival novelties. Last year doubts were raised whether this reference to Christmas crackers was specific enough. Opportunity was therefore taken, to put the matter beyond doubt by an amendment that became operative on the 1st February.Kelston Products Ltd., like all other unregistered manufacturers who come within the scope of the Order, are only allowed to supply £1,800 worth of goods, including Christmas crackers, on the home market within six months. The object of the restriction is to save scarce raw materials, in this case paper. The reply to the second part of the Question is, "Not at all."

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give figures for the last convenient period showing the overall percentage-increase in the volume of industrial production over that for a similar time in 1946; and how this compares with the best pre-war indices.

The volume of output in February, 1948, as estimated for the interim index of industrial production was 31 per cent. greater than in February, 1946, and 24 per cent. greater than the average for 1946. These estimates are provisional. With regard to the comparison with pre-war years, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bucklow (Mr. Shepherd) on 15th April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) who has been appointed chairman of the Board of the South Wales Trading Estate Ltd.; what is his salary; and what are the terms of his appointment;(2) what is the salary and what are the terms of the appointment of Mr. S. A. Sadler Forster as Chairman of the Board of the North-Eastern Trading Estates, Limited.

Mr. E. Brunning, C.B.E., as Chairman of Wales and Monmouthshire Estates Limited, is unpaid; Mr. S. A. Sadler Forster, as full-time Chairman of North-Eastern Trading Estates Limited, will receive a salary of £3,000, per annum. As regards the terms of appointment of these gentlemen, I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the new Articles of Association of Wales and Monmouthshire Estates Limited, and I will send him a copy of the new Articles of Association of North-Eastern Trading Estates Limited as soon as one is available. As was stated on 20th April, in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd), the new Articles of Association of North-Eastern Trading Estates Limited follow closely on those agreed for all the other estate companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he intends to issue a licence for a new formaldehyde plant in the south-west area, in view of the fact that the Royal Ordnance Factory at Bridgwater is now producing only half its potential output of formaldehyde.

I am not aware of any decision to issue a licence for a new formaldehyde plant in the south-west area, but if the hon. Member will let me have details of the project which he has in mind I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what capital goods items will be exported to Poland under the proposed £7,500,000 credit; and for what reasons His Majesty's Government has sanctioned an Exports Credits Department Guarantee.

£6 million of the £7½ million relates to capital goods and £1½ million to raw materials. Capital goods of various types totalling £15 million will be purchased by Poland up to 30th June, 1950, under the trading arrangements concluded in June, 1947, and reviewed last month. Poland will provide cash to the extent of £9 million before the goods are shipped and will finance tile remaining £6 million by means of advances from London Banks. Export credit guarantees on the normal basis were made available to the banks in order to facilitate the conclusion of these trading arrangements, under which the United Kingdom will receive substantial quantities of essential foodstuffs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider blocking such Czechoslovak assets and balances as remain in the United Kingdom, until he is satisfied that the reciprocal conditions of the Money and Property Agreement of 1st November, 1945, have been fulfilled, and questions of compensation in respect of British industries and other property nationalised in Czechoslovakia have been satisfactorily settled.

The question of compensation to British owners of property nationalised in Czechoslovakia is outside the limited terms of the Agreement of 1st November, 1945, with that country. Negotiations in respect of compensation remain open and the circumstances do not justify a suspension of the undertakings entered into in the Agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now reconsider the coupon points value in regard to rayon and woollen goods as the stocks in the shops are moving very slowly.

Although stocks of certain types of cloth and clothing, especially for women, are now fairly plentiful, supplies will tend to diminish as cloth exports rise. The position is being carefully watched, but I am not prepared in general to alter coupon rates to deal with purely temporary stock fluctuations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the recent visit of the American Textile Mission to this country at the invitation of the Cotton Board.

The representatives of the United States and the United Kingdom cotton textile industries have agreed on a joint report, which is at present under consideration. As my right hon. Friend said in the Debate on Export Targets on 19th April, a report such as this, which is the work of two industries in these two countries must carry great weight with any Government that has to consider it, and my right hon. Friend hopes to discuss it in detail with representatives of the United Kingdom cotton industry shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Japanese looms have been imported in this country since the cessation of hostilities; at what cost; and what further numbers it is proposed to import.

One hundred and ninety-two Toyoda automatic looms have been imported from Japan since the surrender at a cost of £102 each f.o.b. Japan. A further 500 looms at the same cost are due for delivery in 1948 to meet orders placed by the textile industries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether consideration has been given by His Majesty's Government to the manufacture in Japan, under licence, of British textile machinery for importation into this country; and what decision has been reached.

His Majesty's Government does not contemplate the manufacture, under licence, of British textile machinery in Japan.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that the beaches at Woolacombe are still not cleared of barbed wire defence works; that many complaints of injuries were received from visitors last summer; and whether he will take some action which will cause the clearance of these beaches before the coming tourist season.

I hope the clearance of wire from the beaches at Woolacombe will start next month, and that the greater part will be cleared before the end of the season.

asked the Minister of Health how many war damaged houses are still awaiting repair.

The number of war damaged houses awaiting repair by local authorities in England and Wales to the standard of reasonable comfort is approximately 12,000 in respect of one half of which contracts for repair have been let. Information is not available regarding the number of houses awaiting repair to this standard other than by local authorities, or the number of houses awaiting further repairs to final reinstatement.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the application of the Newark Rural District Council for a water supply scheme for the southern parishes in their area has been held up pending the result of the West Kesteven bore; and when approval will be given to the scheme.

The reply to the first part of the Question is, "Yes." I shall shortly be in a position to approve the sinking of the borehole referred to, and the Newark scheme will be approved as soon as a sufficient supply from the borehole is proved.

asked the Minister of Health how many new hospitals have been completed in England and Wales since the passage of the National Health Service Act, 1946; and how many existing hospitals which suffered from enemy action have been restored to efficiency since that date.

I have not precise Information on this. But, in view of the general building situation, it is obvious that the total amount of restoration and new building must be relatively small.

asked the Minister of Health what will be the position as regards penalties by fine or otherwise of insurable persons who decline to register under the new Act, and prefer to continue to receive medical attention from independent doctors; what will be the position of persons who; having registered, find that health services specified under the Act are not provided in the area in which they live; and whether such persons will be called upon to pay for services which they cannot, in fact, enjoy.

The new health service is not based on insurability, and anyone can use it or not, as they wish, at any time. What is available in each area at any time will depend on resources, but—as the great part of the cost of the service is from taxes and rates—people cannot be paying for something that is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of successful prosecutions against sellers of Irish Sweepstake tickets during the past twelve months.

I regret the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Education what steps have been taken by his Ministry to implement the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, 1947, on the teaching of the aims, purposes and principles of the United Nations in the schools of member States.

Subject always to the freedom of the teachers to frame their own syllabuses and adopt their own methods, my Department is anxious to collaborate with U.N.E.S.C.O. in making known in schools the aims, purposes and principles of the United Nations and its specialised agencies. For example, United Kingdom representatives are taking part in several international seminars for teachers which are being organised this summer, one of them in England, with the active assistance of my Department. It is hoped to follow up this last-named seminar with a short course for British teachers on the work achieved at the seminar. In addition, I hope shortly to publish a pamphlet on the work and objects of U.N.E.S.C.O., and British school children will take part in an essay competition to be sponsored by U.N.E.S.C.O. this year. The Educational Co-operating Body for U.N.E.S.C.O., which advises my Department in these matters, is actively engaged in suggesting and encouraging co-operation with the schools.

asked the Minister of Food what provision for feeding stuffs for racing pigeon clubs has been made for the current year.

I cannot yet add anything to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Mr. Peter Freeman) on 7th April.