asked the Minister of Food what is the reason for the new order imposing penalties of up to a £500 fine and two years' imprisonment for farmers who fail to apply for seasonal rations for their workers; what evidence he has that farmers as a whole have been failing to apply for the rations; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the rations applied for, particularly those on points, are available in the shops.

My hon. Friend appreciates that most farmers already obtain and distribute seasonal allowances, but some workers were prevented from sharing in the allowances because their employer failed to apply for them. The order is to ensure that all eligible agricultural workers get the benefit of seasonal allowances. With regard to the last part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend gave him on 20th September.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to allow the clearance of large stocks of potatoes now held by Suffolk farmers in order to pre vent deterioration of these crops.

There is, as usual, a guaranteed market for all sound ware potatoes which growers cannot sell in the normal way and, although I am not aware of any deterioration, surplus stocks of early varieties are already being bought.

asked the Minister of Food how many firms provided information for the investigation into the costs of sugar refining during the period 1943–46 of which the results are at present under consideration by his Ministry; and what proportion of the total refining capacity of the country they collectively control.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend on 19th July last.

asked the Minister of Food what is the storage capacity for grain in charge of his Department; how many of the grain stores, or stores capable of accommodating grain, which were built during the war are available for storage now; and what are the tonnages of barley offered by merchants throughout the country which his Department is unable to accept.

Of the total storage capacity available to my Department about half a million tons is, at present, earmarked for grain. Nearly all the stores built during the war are still available and my Department is able to accept all home grown barley offered by merchants which is not disposed of through normal trade channels to other users.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider the possibility of granting extra food points as an encouragement for blood doners.

Blood donors are never asked to give blood sufficiently frequently to impair their nutritional state. They are, of course, given refreshments at the blood transfusion centres and the Ministry of Food makes allowances of tea, sugar, milk and biscuits, to the centres.

asked the Minister of Food how many persons have been convicted of illicitly slaughtering or selling illicitly slaughtered meat during the past 12 months; and how many have been fined, have had their licences revoked, and have been committed to prison, respectively.

During the 12 months ended 31st July, 1948, 1,134 persons were convicted of illegal slaughter and allied offences; 1,089 were fined; 14 were imprisoned. In the case of 46 persons their licences were revoked.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give an assurance to housewives that they will receive supplies of such dried fruit as currants, raisins and sultanas in time for their Christmas cooking.

An allocation of dried fruit designed to meet Christmas requirements will be made on 10th October. It will consist of currants, dates and sultanas. These fruits should reach the shops in good time for Christmas. There are no raisins available for distribution.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider revising the existing rural feeding schemes with special reference to rural bakers cake ingredient permits.

While we are anxious to encourage rural meal schemes my right hon. Friend does not consider it desirable to increase supplies of cake ingredients to particular bakers in country districts.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the resentment felt amongst hotel proprietors and guests in Bridlington by the action of food inspectors who have searched guests' bedrooms during their absence; and if he will instruct his Department to abstain from this practice.

My information is that 11 hotels and boarding houses in Bridlington were visited and in only one instance, and then by invitation of the proprietress, were guests' bedrooms inspected. The inspection of guests' bedrooms is not the normal practice and my right hon. Friend is forbidding it.

asked the Minister of Food how many officers of his Department have powers of search.

The number of officers in my Department at 15th September, 1948, who have been issued with warrants under Regulation 55AA (2) of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, authorising them to enter and carry out an inspection of any food undertaking is 1,989; 982 of them are enforcement officers, and the rest inspectors of food production and storage.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that confusion has been caused among fruit growers by the discrepancy between his statement on 29th July of his intention to remove price control from all home-grown apples as soon as supplies were sufficient, with the encouragement then given to growers to make the necessary preparations for grading, packing, and marketing, and his more recent statement that this control is not yet to be lifted; if he is aware that some 80 per cent. of the apples produced in the county of Essex this year have been graded to a good standard before being sent to market; and if, while retaining all controls necessary in the consumers' interest, he will endeavour to avoid changes of policy which tend to discourage growers from planning their work efficiently.

There has been no change of policy. My right hon. Friend hoped this season to give growers a period of freedom from control as we did last year. But at no time have apples been marketed in sufficiently heavy quantities to justify the lifting of control. We are anxious to give growers every encouragement to maintain good grading standards but we must also ensure that consumers get apples at reasonable prices.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an assurance to sugar producers in the Commonwealth about the purchase of their exportable surpluses.

Yes. His Majesty's Government, for the next five years will guarantee producers of sugar in Australia, South Africa, the British West Indies, British Guiana, Mauritius, Fiji and East Africa, an outlet for their exportable production of sugar, either in the United Kingdom or in other countries within the Commonwealth, by arrangement with those countries. This assurance is effective from 1st January, 1948, and covers the crops to be grown in the years 1948–52 inclusive. Prices will, unless otherwise agreed, be negotiated annually, having regard to world market conditions and all other factors.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent he estimates that the import of Burma rice to British Colonial Territories has been reduced during the last year.

Up to the end of July this year, there had been no reduction in imports of rice from Burma into British Colonial Territories. Recent political disturbances in Burma, however, have caused a reduction in shipments of rice since the beginning of August, and imports from that source into British Colonial Territories have consequently decreased. Exact figures cannot be given but the position is under close examination.

asked the Minister of Food what were the total stocks of the type of jam which has been de-rationed; what was the average age of those stocks; what has been the amount of sugar for jam-making made available on each ration book this season as compared with last; and why it has been necessary to cut the marmalade ration.

Manufacturers' stocks at 15th August of the kinds of jam that were taken off the ration on that date amounted to about 13,000 tons. Their average age was less than three months in most cases. Distributors are not required to make returns of their stocks of jam but, according to reports from the trade, the quantities held at 15th August were normal. The amount of sugar made available on each ration book for jam making, this season has been five lbs., compared with four lbs. last season. As the hon. Member doubtless knows, marmalade is only one of a number of varieties of preserves available on the preserves ration. The effect of the changes made last month was to free from rationing those jams which are in good supply. These varieties account for about half the total production of preserves. We had to retain rationing for certain popular varieties including marmalade not in ample supply and the ration was accordingly reduced by half. More preserves are available in total than before derationing.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that they have to work long hours all the year and are unable to get home for a mid-day meal, he will grant to milk roundsmen on country rounds the same additional rations as farm workers.

I regret that I am unable to allow additional rations for milk roundsmen employed in country areas.

asked the Minister of Food for what purpose butterscotch is being exported from England to Australia to compete with Australian made butterscotch which is not allowed to contain butter, whilst the Australian people are rationed for their butter to enable butter to be exported to England.

Exports of butterscotch to Australia are in keeping with the general policy of food exports as set out in my statement in the House on 21st June, 1948. No butter suitable for rationed distribution is used in their production.

asked the Minister of Food how many local authorities have instituted a mobile canteen service of meals for old people similar to that now about to be operated by the Maldon. Essex, borough council.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Defence how many men who were serving in His Majesty's Forces at 31st December, 1946, will still be serving on 1st January, 1949, excepting those serving under voluntary engagements for fixed periods.

About 50,000.

asked the Minister of Defence whether those in the Forces who have completed two years' service by the beginning of October and who were due to enter educational or training institutions, and whose release to start their courses will now have to be sought under Class B, can be given the eight weeks' pay and allowances which would have been due to them under the normal release terms.

No. These men have the option of serving a further three months with the Forces or of accepting release under Class B with the normal conditions attaching to such releases.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will ascertain and publish the average cost per head of the population for defence purposes for Great Britain, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, respectively.

The average cost of defence per head of population in Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the financial year 1948–1949 will be about £14. It would not be appropriate for me to publish estimated costs in the Commonwealth countries. My hon. Friend can obtain particulars of the populations and defence budgets of those countries for his own information from reference books in the Library.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how far the 25 per cent. bonus was paid to Emergency List officers in lieu of any additional time served during the war counting towards a pension.

Payment of the 25 per cent. bonus to certain Emergency List officers during the 1939–45 war was not made to them in lieu of additional time served counting towards pension. These officers received the bonus because, owing to an unfortunate departmental oversight, the decision to cease payment of bonus to re-employed Emergency List officers had not been brought fully to their notice prior to their re-employment. Emergency List officers do not receive retired pay and cannot qualify for it by subsequent re-employment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been reached on the wearing of plain clothes by ratings leaving shore establishments.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Edinburgh (Mr. Gilzean) on 28th July last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why, in view of the fact that only subjects of British birth and British parentage may hold a commission in the Royal Navy, he has permitted Poles to enter the Royal Navy as officers.

The three Poles in question have been granted Short Service Commissions in the Royal Navy under the terms of Section 8 of the Polish Resettlement Act, 1947, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General how many letters sent from the United Kingdom to foreign countries during 1947 and during the first half of 1948 were insufficiently stamped; and what further measures he contemplates taking to bring this matter to the notice of the public and of the business community, with a view to minimising the inconvenience and annoyance which is being caused to addressees in foreign countries.

Continuous records of the number of insufficiently prepaid letters for foreign destinations are not maintained, but the average weekly number of such letters up to one ounce in weight during the month of June, 1947, was of the order of 50,000. There was no appreciable change in the position in the first half of 1948, but according to more recent tests the average weekly rate of underpayment is now about 35,000. Publicity by Press, broadcast, film, and poster has been employed to bring the correct foreign postage rate, namely, 3d. for the first ounce and 2d. for each additional ounce, to the notice of the public and I propose to continue these measures.

asked the Postmaster-General whether all letters sent abroad now go by air mail; what air mail rates are still in use; and what difference there is between ordinary sea and rail mail and air mail as regards weight of letters.

All letters for countries in Europe, except Germany Poland and Iceland, are sent by air at the ordinary surface rates of postage whenever acceleration in delivery is thereby afforded. The air mail rates to Germany, Poland and Iceland are 4½d. for the first ounce and 3½d. for each additional ounce: the rates to countries outside Europe vary from 6d. to 1/3d. per half ounce. In addition, the air letter is available to most extra-European countries at a flat rate of 6d. Approximately 50 per cent. by weight of the letters sent abroad are carried by air.

asked the Postmaster-General why the post office at Fordwich, near Canterbury, has been closed.

The sub-post office at Fordwich was closed on the 31st December, 1947, because the former sub-postmaster could no longer carry on the service, the lease of his premises having expired. With a post office rather less than half a mile away, the maintenance of a post office at Fordwich is not justified.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give in greater detail than is given in Command Paper No. 7506 the amount of the Government grant to the B.B.C.; and how it was expended.

The amount and basis of the grant to the B.B.C. in the financial year 1947/48 are given in the Broadcasting Vote—Civil Estimates Class IV.12. Considerable details of how the grant was expended are given in pages 20 to 28 of Command Paper No. 7506. The reasons for not showing greater detail are given in Appendix I to the Seventh Report from the Select Committee on Estimates, Session 1946–47.

asked the Postmaster-General if the opening of the new television station at Birmingham will be delayed because of the failure to provide the necessary steel for the mast; and on what date he now anticipates that this station will be opened.

No, Sir. As already announced, the B.B.C. hopes that the station will be in operation in the autumn of 1949.

asked the Postmaster-General what frequency and what wavelength will be used by the Birmingham television station.

The frequencies to be used by the B.B.C. Midland television station at Sutton Coldfield are 61.75 megacycles for vision and 58.25 megacycles for sound. Expressed as wavelengths these are respectively 4.86 metres and 5.15 metres.

asked the Postmaster-General what quantity of steel is required for the provision of the new mast for the television station at Birmingham; if the allocation of steel has already been made; and when it is anticipated that the new mast will be available for erection.

The B.B.C. informs me that 123 tons of steel are required for the mast for the television broadcasting station at Sutton Coldfield. The required allocation has been made and the provisional date for the mast to be ready for erection is March, 1949.

asked the Postmaster-General what changes there will be in the wavelengths available to this country for either Home or Overseas programmes, as a result of the agreement signed on 15th September at the International Conference on radio wavelengths.

One long and 13 medium wavelengths are allocated to this country in the plan signed at Copenhagen on 15th September. The current plan signed at Lucerne in 1933 allocated to us one long and 10 medium wavelengths but the B.B.C. has been using temporarily three additional wavelengths belonging to other countries. The long wave—1500 metres—is the same in both plans but the medium waves are all different. The Copenhagen plan will be introduced in March, 1950, and the wavelengths are sufficient to ensure that the B.B.C. programmes can be carried on substantially as they are at present.

asked the Postmaster-General why the sum of £1,200,000 was provided for Income Tax by the B.B.C. in its accounts for 1947–48.

As is indicated in the report of the B.B.C. this provision is to meet Income Tax on the excess of income over revenue expenditure on the home services for the period of the account.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the sum accruing to the Treasury from the receipts from the issue of broadcast receiving licences and not paid to the B.B.C. and the amount deducted to cover Post Office expenses, respectively, on account of the year 1947–48.

£1,575,417 accrued to the Exchequer and £670,390 was reserved to cover Post Office expenses.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in accordance with Article 17 of the B.B.C. Charter, he has considered the Corporation's accounts for 1947–48; why they were not presented in as great detail as those of other publicly-owned services; and whether he will require them to be made more informative.

Full consideration was given to the detail shown in the B.B.C. accounts in connection with the comments made by the Select Committee on Estimates in their First Report for the Session 1945–46. The conclusion reached was that no way could be seen in which the present degree of detail, which is very considerable, could be amplified with advantage and without involving undue interference with the day-to-day conduct of the Corporation's business, which it is the policy of the Government to avoid. I should add that the present form of the accounts is, except for minor modifications, that recommended by the Ullswater Committee, which gave special consideration to suggestions that current expenditure should be shown in greater detail. I see no reason to dissent from this conclusion.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are now waiting to have a telephone installed; and how many new lines were provided in the 12 months ended 31st August, 1948.

At 31st August, 1948, there were 501,217 applicants waiting for telephone service, including 38,904 for whom a telephone was in course of installation. 366,543 new lines were provided during the preceding 12 months, an increase of 30 per cent. over the figure for the peak pre-war year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the number of applications pending for connection to each of the Middlesex telephone exchanges, showing business and residential applications separately, and stating how soon in each case he expects to meet the demand, and by what means.

I have arranged for publication in the OFFICIAL REPORT of the number of applications pending for connection to each of the 70 telephone exchanges serving the County of Middlesex. I regret that the remainder of the information asked for by the hon. Member is not readily available.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants for telephones have agreed during the last 12 months to share a line with an existing subscriber; what reduction in charges is made to them; and whether he will consider increasing the reduction as an inducement to sharing.

Since 23rd January last, all applicants for telephone service in residential premises are under obligation to share their lines if required. About 33,500 subscribers have been given shared service since that date, making a total of 82,600 up to the end of June—the latest date for which figures are available. Subscribers who share their lines are charged 11 s. 6d. per annum less than the standard charge for an exclusive line. I regret that I cannot reduce the charge under present conditions.

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the telephone switchboard capacity for residential lines in Coventry will be reduced during the next three years in order to satisfy the demands for business lines.

The exchange capacity at Coventry will be increased by about 650 lines this year and a further 1,800 by the end of 1950. These extensions will be available to meet business demands, and I regret that I am unable to say to what extent it will be necessary in addition to use equipment thrown spare by residential subscribers giving up service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what terms accommodation on the former R.A.F. aerodrome at Kinnell, Angus, has been let to the Agricultural Machinery Mobile Repair Unit; and whether he has been approached by the Unit with regard to the possibility of taking over other former R.A.F. premises.

The accommodation at Kinnell is occupied on provisional licence pending the negotiation of a formal lease. I have not been approached by the Unit in regard to any other premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if it is still the policy of the Government to sell by auction surplus war aviation equipment.

Equipment is only declared surplus if it is not required to be held for normal or possible emergency R.A.F. use. The manner of disposal of surpluses is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that six acres of land belonging to Mr. George Rodgers, of Waltham Hill, near Grimsby, which were taken over by his Department in September, 1942, are now in a derelict condition; that all the fittings, doors and windows from the huts have been removed; and if he will give an assurance that this site, details of which have been sent to him, will be returned to the owner immediately for the production of food.

I have called for a report and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how long the visit of goodwill and training of the U.S. bombers in this country is to last.

It has not been decided how long the visit is to last.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the arrangements made by the U.S. authorities for paying for the expenditure caused to this country in the visit of the U.S. bombers to this country.

While the manner in which charges will be made for the supplies and services furnished by the R.A.F. for the U.S. bombers in this country has been provisionally agreed with the U.S.A.F., the detailed arrangements have yet to be concluded. In general payment will be in cash but some stores issued to the U.S.A.F. may be replaced in kind. All arrangements will be on the principle that the U.S.A.F. will meet any additional expense caused to this country by their presence.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when he expects that Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Douglas will produce a report on restrictive practices in civil aviation under the Civil Aviation Act.

My noble Friend hopes to receive the results of the Lord Douglas's inquiries in the near future. I cannot, of course, accept the hon. Member's description of Lord Douglas's terms of reference.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what action he proposes to take against foreign air companies who do not charge for the last hop to Britain; and if he will make a statement.

I can add nothing to the statement I made last Monday in the Debate on the Air Navigation Amendment (No. 2) Order 1948.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what arrangements are being made for the servicing of Constellation aircraft of B.O.A.C. in the future.

The move of British Overseas Airways Corporation's maintenance base from Dorval to Filton begins on 20th October. It is expected that the move will be complete by the end of the year. During the move, Constellations will be maintained for the most part within the United Kingdom, but for some weeks assistance in overhaul and specialised maintenance work will be given by K.L.M. for the North Atlantic 049 fleet, and by Q.E.A. and K.L.M. for the 749 Constellations on the Australian service. It is planned that, when permanent hangar and workshop accommodation is available, the base for all British Overseas Airways Corporation's Constellations will be at London Airport.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what use it is intended to make of the Aldermaston base which is to be vacated by Air Training Limited on 31st October.

My Department will have no further use for Aldermaston Aerodrome when Airways Training Limited have terminated their tenancy. The future of this aerodrome is under consideration in conjunction with the Air Ministry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware that there is still no regular air service to the West of England and Cornwall; and when he proposes to introduce such a service.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. Member on 9th June last, when I said that regular air services to the West of England and Cornwall are not included in the British European Airways programme for the current year 1948/49. I cannot give any indication when they may be started.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what agreements have been entered into concerning B.O.A.C. and the Philippines and how long it now takes to get from this country to Manila by air; what other lines operate from here to Manila; and how long they take.

Under an agreement between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Philippine Republic for the operation of air services, British Overseas Airways Corporation and Hong Kong Airways, with which British Overseas Airways Corporation are associated, are included in the companies which have been designated by His Majesty's Government to operate services from Hong Kong to and through Manila. Cathay Pacific Airways, a company based at Hong Kong, are already operating a service from there to Manila and Hong Kong Airways hope to start on the same route. Philippine Airlines, designated by the Philippine Government under the agreement, have recently begun to operate the only direct service from here to Manila. It takes two and a half days. The journey by air from the United Kingdom to Manila varies according to the route followed and the service used.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the light of recent American announcements of policy, he will make a statement about Ruhr dismantlings.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Monmouth (Mr. P. Thoreycroft) on 20th September.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the fact that many of the machine tools employed in industry in the British and American zones in Germany are manufactured in the Russian zone and cannot now be replaced was taken into consideration when deciding upon the most recent level of industry plan.

When the most recent level of industry plan, which applies to the bizonal area, was prepared, consideration was given to all the factors affecting the economy of this area, including its dependence on foreign countries and on the other zones of Germany. No case is known to the British occupation authorities of machine tools removed for reparations being irreplaceable because they were made in the Soviet zone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what factory in the British zone of Germany under the level of industry plan will be responsible for the production of mechanical conveyors for opencast brown coal mines

The level of industry plan does not specify the factories responsible for the production of mechanical conveyors for opencast brown coal mines. The following factories in the British zone produce these conveyors, and so far as the British authorities know, will continue to do so.Klockner Humboldt Deutz—Cologne.Pohlig—Cologne.Glasen Erkelenz zur Nieden—Essen.Havhinco Sprockmovel—Hamburg.Koerber and Neumann—Hamburg.Lubecke Maschinenbau—Luebeck.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons died either in or as a result of treatment received at Bad Nenndorf Civilian Internment Camp; and how many received bodily damage from their treatment and still survive.

There was one death at Bad Nenndorf and two persons died in hospital shortly after removal from this centre. The number of persons who received bodily damage as a result of internment at Bad Nenndorf is not known, but the investigations into conditions at this centre showed that 19 had suffered illness possibly due to their confinement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the four German generals now awaiting trial are still under military arrest; and what treatment is being accorded them.

As I stated on Monday, my right hon. Friend is making a statement on this subject later this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements he has under consideration for returning to their homeland the 80,000 Polish children stolen by the Germans and now living in the Allied zones of occupation.

The figure of 80,000 is greatly exaggerated and does not take into account the large number of Polish children who returned to Poland, especially in the months following the end of the war, of whose return there is no record. The International Refugee Organisation, with the active help of the zonal authorities, is continuing the work of U.N.R.R.A. in tracing children of non-German origin still remaining in the Western zones. If the nationality of these children can be established beyond doubt, they are returned to their country of origin, always providing that the best interests of the individual child shall be the overriding factor. The present position is that the International Refugee Organisation have in their charge in Western Germany fewer than 1,000 orphan or unaccompanied children who are presumed to be Polish.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has given to the request of the U.S. Secretary of State that, in accordance with Section 115 (f) of the Foreign Assistance Act, 1948, His Majesty's Government should agree to the retention in Germany of capital equipment scheduled for removal as reparations from the Western zones of Germany.

The United States Secretary of State has not requested His Majesty's Government to agree to the retention in Germany of any specific capital equipment scheduled for removal as reparations. He has made certain proposals designed to enable him to ascertain what, if any, equipment in the reparations list might more effectively serve the purpose of the European Recovery Programme by remaining in Germany. These proposals are now under consideration between the Governments immediately concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if he is aware of the hardship caused to German ex-prisoners of war, repatriated to Germany, by delay in paying the money owing to them for work done in Britain during their imprisonment; approximately how many of them are still awaiting such payment; and if he will expedite it;(2) if he is aware that the sum of £29 6s. is owing to Herr Fritz Walter Lange, of Destouchesstrasse 40/0, (13B) Munich 23, U.S. zone of Germany, for work done while a prisoner of war in Britain, that Herr Lange was repatriated and released in June last, and that he was informed by the Landeszentralbank, Munich, on 6th September that the bank had been advised by the Oberfinanzpräsident, Hamburg, that British Military Government had suspended payment of money owing to ex-prisoners of war; and if he will take immediate steps to correct this injustice and to pay the marks owing to this man and to others in like cases.

Currency reform upset the previous arrangements for making these payments in Germany and 7,879 prisoners were discharged before payments at the British Discharge Centre were resumed on 23rd August. Their sterling certificates will shortly be cashed by the German local authorities under a procedure being worked out tripartitely. It was unfortunately impossible to make the necessary arrangements in advance owing to the need for secrecy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Germans were under arrest in the British zone on 1st September or nearest date awaiting extradition to foreign countries or a decision as to whether they should be extradited or not.

On 1st September nine Germans were in custody awaiting extradition and 92 were awaiting decision in their cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Germans extradited from the British zone of Germany for trial on account of alleged war crimes have been awaiting trial for more than six months in Poland, France. Belgium and Holland, respectively.

As was stated in the reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 7th July, the figures are not available. I am, however, pressing the authorities concerned for the information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what settlement has been reached with the U.S. authorities regarding the disposal of German steel scrap.

I have no information that a settlement has been reached with the United States authorities regarding the disposal of German steel scrap.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many nationals of Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and France, known to have aided escaping British Service men during the enemy occupation of their countries, have been awarded British decorations; how many have received them; and from whom and in what manner they were handed over.

A very considerable number of awards have been made, but it would not be in accordance with public policy to give exact details. The awards are normally presented by His Majesty's representatives in the countries concerned. It would not be possible to state precisely how many awards had been presented at any particular date, or to which individuals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent change of administration in the Reserved Area and the Ogaden.

One of the provisions of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement of the 19th December, 1944, was that the Reserved Area and the Ogaden should remain under British Military Administration. This Agreement is still in force. Nevertheless, as a result of discussions between the Ethiopian Government and His Majesty's Government, British Military Administration was withdrawn from the town of Jigjiga and the surrounding area last May. The withdrawal of British Military Administration from the greater part of the Ogaden should be completed within the next few days, and, as in the case of Jigjiga, the territory in question will then have reverted to Ethiopian administration

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action was taken by the British representatives to the Social and Economic Council, meeting at Geneva on 20th August last, in respect of the Charter of Women's Rights.

Neither the Economic and Social Council nor the Commission on the Status of Women have at any time had under consideration a "Charter of Women's Rights," and this question was not raised during the recent meeting at Geneva.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider his refusal to allow Mr. F. D. Lee of 186 Malden Road, New Malden, to use reconditioned timber already in his possession for the purpose of manufacturing beds and other furniture.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state as at the latest convenient date the result of the trading, import and export, consequent upon the operation of the Anglo-Soviet trade agreement.

Up to 31st August imports of coarse grains under the Anglo-Russian trade agreement amounted to 525,627 tons, with a c.i.f. value of £16,735,207. Most of the goods which the United Kingdom will be supplying to the Soviet Union under the agreement are capital goods which take some time to manufacture and the supply of which will not be reflected in the trade returns for some time. Exports of light rails to Russia under the Agreement now total approximately 12,500 tons. In addition, Russia has been able to buy from the United Kingdom and the rest of the sterling area considerable quantities of wool and rubber, cocoa and coffee beans.

asked the Minister of Supply how many aeroplanes have been respectively sold, given or lent to the U.S.S.R. since July, 1945; and if he will give details of the types.

None.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that agricultural machinery firms throughout the country requiring light vans to undertake repairs in the field on farm machinery are not entitled to priority delivery from British motor manufacturing companies, who claim that these vans are earmarked for export; and whether, in view of the importance of agricultural production, he will divert to the home market a sufficient number of these vans to fulfil the orders of agents requiring light vans, etc., ordered by agricultural engineering firms.

I regret that the present economic situation makes it impossible to increase the supply of vans to the home market by reducing exports.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make arrangements so that the members of Group 77 who have not yet been demobilised, and have places in a university, will be released in good time to take up these places on 6th October.

asked the Minister of Labour if steps will be taken to ensure that men who would normally have been due for release under Class A after 14th September but in time to begin studies at a university in October will be able to secure their release before the beginning of term in spite of the general postponement of releases.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Brighton (Mr. Teeling).

asked the Minister of Labour how he classifies the main national activities in the categories of productive and non-productive, respectively.

No such classification is made by my Department.

asked the Minister of Transport when by guard rails or otherwise the road safety of children attending the New Schools, Highworth, Wiltshire, will be secured.

There is no room for guard rails outside the school gates, but I am considering an application from the county council for a speed limit here. An additional "School" sign has been put up and it has been suggested to the council that they should appoint an adult patrol to see children across the road.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the circumstances necessitating the abandonment in the North Atlantic of the freighter "Leicester," former "Samesk," the fourth of this class of ships involved in mishap; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.

I am inquiring into the circumstances of the abandonment of the "Leicester," but am not yet in a position to make any statement about it. I should like to take this opportunity, however, of expressing my deep sympathy with the relatives of the members of the crew who lost their lives.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that large quantities of English-made cigarettes are being exported to Australia to compete with Australian made cigarettes; and what is the estimated loss in dollars and in Inland Excise.

I am aware that there has been a large increase in our exports of cigarettes to Australia. The dollar cost in the six months to 30th June, 1948, was about 1½ million dollars, and the duty payable, if they had been consumed at home, would have been about £7½ million. There is no loss of dollars to the sterling-area pool when Australia imports cigarettes from the United Kingdom instead of tobacco from U.S.A.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make a statement on the amount, the rate of interest and the conditions attaching to U.S. loans under the Marshall Plan.

Negotiations on the terms of these loans are still going on and I cannot yet make any statement.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will introduce a scheme for the issue of receipts to persons surrendering stamped and completed insurance cards.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Tiverton (Mr. Amory) on 9th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that at the International Spiritualists' Congress held recently at Conway Hall, London, two German ex-prisoners of war, Kurt Wagner and Erwin Scholz were responsible for racial and anti-British statements in accordance with former Nazi principles; and, in view of the fact that steps which have been taken to educate them in the ways of democracy in this country have failed, if he will arrange for them to the returned to Germany.

I have seen reports in the newspapers about the statements in question which were attributed to two men describing themselves as former German prisoners of war; my information is that one only of these men is an alien. I am causing further inquiries to be made and will consider whether any further action on my part is called for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fact that the German group named Ostara, though purporting to represent a study group for psychology, astrology, graphology and spiritualism, also includes Nazi-ism in its curriculum, he will arrange for German representatives of this group now in this country to be returned home.

Inquiries are being made into the conduct of the persons claiming to be members of this group.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make inquiries into the delay in the construction of new houses in the parish of Fownhope, Hereford.

I am at present pursuing with the Hereford Rural District Council the question of the development of housing sites in their parishes, including one at Fownhope, which has been selected for housing purposes, but not yet acquired by the council.

asked the Minister of Health what aids for the deaf are available under the National Health Service; and what are the arrangements for obtaining them in the Kettering Division.

The Medresco hearing aid is supplied, without charge, under the National Health Service to any patient for whom it is prescribed. Manufacture is steady, but the number of aids available is still limited. It has not yet been possible to provide them in the Kettering area. I hope, however, to be able to extend the present arrangements for distribution in the near future and steps will be taken to make the facilities known in each area as they become available

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres of land in Hunts were being farmed by the Hunts Agricultural Executive Committee at the latest date for which figures are available.

The Huntingdonshire and Soke of Peterborough Agricultural Executive Committee are at present farming 3,251 acres of land in Huntingdonshire.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the low quality both of opencast and deep-mined coal supplied to merchants in Northampton; and whether he will take steps to improve this quality.

I am aware that Northampton merchants have not been entirely satisfied with the qualities allocated to them, but in July alterations were made in the district's sources of supply to bring the allocations of the various qualities into line with those for the North Midland Region generally. If my hon. and learned Friend cares to let me have details of any complaint he has received I will have further inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will give details of the recent food and trade agreement with Eire and make a statement.

Details of the Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom and Eire Governments, signed in Dublin on 31st July, have been laid before Parliament in Command Paper 7504. I hope that this Agreement will prove mutually advantageous to the trade of both countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is aware that by the North America Act, 1867, Newfoundland cannot be included in the Canadian Union except on an Address from the Newfoundland Legislature which does not now exist; and what action is proposed in these circumstances.

I am aware of the position under the British North America Act, 1867, to which the hon. Member refers. Legislation will at a later stage be required to provide for the entry of Newfoundland into the Canadian Confederation. The precise form which this legislation should take is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is aware that at the recent referendum in Newfoundland, on an 84 per cent. poll, only 52 per cent. voted for confederation with Canada; and whether upon this inconclusive authority it is proposed to proceed with the scheme for confederation.

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom gave close consideration to the result of the recent referendum in Newfoundland as soon as this was known. When the readiness of the Canadian Government to proceed with Confederation was announced in a statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on 30th July, the United Kingdom Government expressed their agreement with this course. I cannot accept the view that the authority for this course expressed by the people of Newfoundland in the referendum was inconclusive.