asked the Secretary of State for War when the new scales of pay for deck and engineer officers of the R.A.S.C. fleet are to come into force; whether the officers concerned have been informed; and from what retrospective date the new scales will operate.

New scales are being negotiated with the appropriate staff association. I hope it will be possible to reach agreement before long. Until the negotiations are complete it is not possible to give the information asked for. Arrangements have, however, already been announced for making some advance payments on account of arrears of pay which will eventually become due.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the average estimated cost of training one National Service man for 18 months.

In the Army the average cost of the pay and maintenance of National Service men during 18 months' service is estimated to be in the region of £400 each. In addition there are substantial overhead costs in respect, for example, of training and administrative staff and equipment which cannot usefully be expressed in terms of the cost of an individual National Service man.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the position regarding the Pier Field, Berwick-on-Tweed, at present requisitioned by his Department; and when he proposes to derequisition this land.

Berwick-on-Tweed Town Council have offered to lease Pier Field to the War Department for a period of five years from the date of derequisitioning. It is not possible at present to say when the land will be derequisitioned. The town council's offer is now being considered by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers are now serving sentences in military prisons.

Approximately 1,400 soldiers are undergoing detention or imprisonment.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is proposing to take further steps to ensure that all disabled pensioners in whom his Department is interested are kept informed of all the allowances and services to which they are entitled.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Mr. Symonds).

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there is dissatisfaction over the provision in the Royal Warrant which prevents married officers under 25 years of age from drawing the full marriage allowance; and if he will recommend an alteration to the Warrant to overcome this difficulty.

No. The remuneration of officers under 25 does not compare unfavourably with that of civilians of similar age and qualifications. Their marriage allowance, which is equivalent to the highest rate of marriage allowance paid to other ranks, has recently been increased from 45s. to 56s. a week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the deduction from gross income in respect of upkeep of uniform for Territorial officers is now being disallowed.

Because some items of uniform are now provided free and a cash allowance will be given for upkeep of the rest. Details will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present average rate of Purchase Tax upon veterinary supplies; and will he consider a reduction or abolition of such tax as a contribution to the home production of foodstuffs.

The average rate cannot be estimated, but the bulk are not chargeable. On the second part of the Question, I would remind the hon. Member of the substantial concessions made in the last budget which affected both human beings and animals. Medical and veterinary supplies must obviously keep in step as regards taxation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider reducing or abolishing the present high rate of Purchase Tax charged on heavy and agricultural rubber Wellingtons.

I explained in the Debate on the Finance Bill that special tax relief for footwear worn by agricultural workers is not practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the high rate of Purchase Tax on cloth used for essential clothing such as Merchant Navy uniforms; and whether he will consider abolishing the tax on this commodity.

I am aware of the rate of tax on cloth. But apart from the difficulty of deciding what is "essential clothing" it would not be practicable to exempt the cloth used in its manufacture. Many articles of essential clothing, including Merchant Navy uniforms, can be made from Utility cloth, in which case Purchase Tax need not be paid either on the cloth or on the finished clothing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make some pronouncement regarding the proposals for higher personal tourists' allowances for British travellers in some countries next year.

The new tourist year does not start till 1st May next and I shall not be able to make any statement till a few weeks before that date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the procedure for the payment of post-war credits accrued due for payment to a person who has failed to draw his cash value before decease; and what are the arrangements for payments to be made in such cases to the executors or next of kin of those entitled to payment at the date of their death.

Post-war credits are payable at present, under Section 26 of the Finance Act, 1946, and Section 16 of the Finance Act, 1947, only in the case of men over 65 and women over 60 who have claimed payment from the Revenue in accordance with those Sections. Executors cannot claim payment, but beneficiaries who are entitled to the deceased person's credits can claim payment when they themselves reach the qualifying age.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardship caused in the case of the death a short time before the due date for repayment of the holder of post-war credit certificates when the person to whom they pass is considerably younger, so that the certificates cannot be realised for many years; and will he consider measures to ensure fairer conditions for the repayment of these certificates.

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many district valuers working on behalf of his Department have had less than five years' experience since qualifying professionally; and how many have had more than five years' working experience.

All district valuers have had more than five years' working experience since qualifying professionally.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Capital Issues Committee approved the application of Messrs. Hoover, Limited, for permission to issue further capital in the form of 540,000 ordinary shares of 5s. each, in view of the fact that this company has made a net profit during the past three years of over £1,750,000, most of which has been distributed as dividends and bonuses, which were at the rate of 25 per cent. dividend plus 5 per cent. bonus in 1945, and 30 per cent. dividend plus 10 per cent. bonus in 1946 and 1947.

The Committee were satisfied that this company needed to raise over £800,000 of new capital.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that no part of the gold reserves of this country will be handed over to countries leaving the sterling area.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer since no meeting of the National Investment Council has been held since October, 1947, what function this Council now performs.

During the past year there have been important changes in the organisation of the scrutiny and control of the investment programme, including the institution of the Planning Board. Thus the main purpose for which this Advisory Council was set up is being achieved in other ways. I have accordingly come to the conclusion that it is no longer necessary to summon this Council and I have written to each of the members suggesting that it should be discontinued.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the total number of the political organisations in Europe to which he has already allowed money to be sent.

As far as I am aware, the only remittances to political organisations in Europe, other than normal fees and subscriptions by affiliated bodies to International Organisations, are those given in reply to the hon. Member's Question of 2nd December, 1948.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Stamp Duty on the conveyance of properties purchased in Eire by a British citizen is 25 per cent. of the purchase money whilst Stamp Duty in the case of an Eire citizen is only 1 per cent.; and whether he will enter into negotiations with the Government of Eire with a view to seeing that equality of treatment is given.

The Stamp Duty on the conveyance of properties in Eire is, in general, at the rate of 5 per cent. for citizens of Eire and 25 per cent. for others. I do not think this is a matter on which representations could usefully be made to the Government of Eire.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now allow a sum not exceeding £500, exclusive of the cost of making, to be sent to France to cover the despatch and erection of the War Memorial of the 15th Scottish Division.

I am anxious to do all that is possible to assist in these cases and have in consequence re-examined the matter. Where such memorials are to be erected in a country whose currency is soft, as in the case of France, I am prepared, so long as the currency remains soft, to allow the transfer of a sum not exceeding £5,000 to cover the total expenditure, whether in cash or in goods, on the erection of a divisional memorial. This will not be possible in regard to hard currency countries, such as Belgium, where it would entail the payment of gold.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish Treasury Direction No. 11 to the War Damage Commission, in view of the desirability of making it more widely known that thereby the War Damage Commission is authorised to admit a cost of work claim for clearing a site in certain cases falling to be dealt with on a value payment basis.

The direction was published by the War Damage Commission in a notice issued to the Press on 26th May, 1945. The information is also given with the Commission's form of determination issued to claimants in value payment cases. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of these documents.

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury if he has any statement to make on the representations made to him by the hon. Member for East Fife regarding an extension of the Income Tax allowance to Scottish fishermen.

I have written to the hon. Member about this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Income Tax, Surtax and the amount of Special Contribution, payable on the investment income of married couples of £3,000, £4,000, £5,000, £6,000, £7,000, £8,000, £9,000, £10,000, £12,000, £15,000 and £20,000 per annum, showing the net amount of income which remains.

The hon. Member will find the information he requires in Tables XII and XIII of the Financial Statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that in exercising the powers granted to him under Regulation 8 of the Defence (Trading with the Enemy) Regulations, any information supplied to him on Form ABX, or in any other way connected with these regulations will be treated as confidential, and not divulged to any foreign Government or individual without the beneficial owner's consent.

Declaration ABX is furnished to the United Kingdom bankers and not the Board of Trade. The first part of the Question therefore does not arise. Information which is disclosed to the Board of Trade under Regulation 8 will, so far as possible, be treated as confidential, though I cannot give a categorical assurance that in no case will the information be divulged.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the lack of suitable houses in Rhondda and to consequent difficulties facing manufacturers in taking over factories allotted to them will he, without delay, operate the powers vested in his Department and have houses built for key workers.

The Board of Trade are already taking steps to provide sufficient key-workers' houses of the managerial type to meet known approved requirements. As my hon. Friend is aware, non-managerial type houses are made available by local authorities from their current programme and good numbers have already been allocated and occupied in the Rhondda. We consider it is in the best interests of all concerned that this arrangement should continue, and hope that action now being taken to extend the local housing programme will result in the outstanding needs for key-workers' houses being met without undue delay.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to give the date when the general payment of agreed claims of the Business Scheme under the War Damage Act, 1943, Part II, will be made.

I regret that it is not yet possible to announce the date of the general payment of claims under the Business Scheme, but it is open to claimants to apply for early payment on the ground that the replacement or repair of the goods is expedient in the public interest or to avoid undue hardship and such applications are sympathetically dealt with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for the figures relating to tractor vapourising oil and burning oil to be shown separately in the monthly Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation.

I regret that for security reasons I am unable to comply with the hon. Member's request.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the timber has been received in this country from Soviet Russia since the signing of the agreement; how much this represents; and how much remains to be delivered.

The Anglo-Soviet Trade Agreement signed 27th December, 1947, did not make specific mention of timber, but in 1948 timber contracts have been made covering some 27,000 standards of softwood and 9,000 cubic fathoms of pitprops from Soviet Russia. Some 15,000 standards of softwood and all the pitprops have been received in this country. Eleven thousand standards of softwood remain to be delivered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what main types of timber are intended to be imported into this country under the new £82 million agreement with five Eastern European countries; and how the price delivered to this country compares with the present maximum prices fixed for similar home-grown timber.

Discussions between the countries concerned on a scheme for increasing timber exports from Eastern Europe are in progress, but no agreement has yet been reached.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what number or value of typewriters have been imported in the last six months from the different zones of Germany; in what currency have payments been made; and how do they compare in price to similar machines exported from this country.

Two hundred and fifty-three typewriters valued at £6,600 were imported from all zones of Germany between May and October; the import returns do not distinguish between the different zones. Payment was made in sterling. The average value of these imports was £26 as compared with an average value of £21 for exports from United Kingdom to all countries and of £32 for re-exports; the classification of typewriters in the trade returns is, however, on the basis of weight of the machines and it is not possible to say to what extent the typewriters imported compare in quality with those exported.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what additional coupons are made available to members of the Boy Scouts' Association and similar youth movements to purchase uniforms, in view of the fact that the present allowance is inadequate and leaves them worse off than members of Cadet Corps.

I am glad to say that it was found possible in October last to make coupon grants to youth organisations affiliated to the Standing Conference of National Voluntary Youth Organisations whose members wear a recognised uniform. The allocations are made according to the size and needs of the organisation concerned. The Boy Scouts Association was, of course, eligible for and received such a grant. This assistance takes the form of block grants to the eligible organisations and the method of distribution is a matter for the headquarters of the particular organisation concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to alleviate the shortage of cups, plates and domestic crockery in the Spilsbury, Horncastle, and Skegness areas.

Stocks of crockery in these districts are not good. The Board of Trade regional distribution officers are finding out whether deliveries of cups, saucers and plates to these areas have been up to average; if they have not, suppliers to the local shops will be informed, and invited to co-operate in making up the deficiency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take into account when discussing the wage claim which has been submitted by the Civil Service Union, the fact that women office cleaners employed by Government Departments in the provinces receive a maximum of only 1s. 5⅞d. per hour; and if he will give an undertaking to improve substantially this inadequate rate of pay.

The hourly rate for Women Cleaners in Class II and Class III Post Offices (that is, in the smaller provincial towns) was agreed in November, 1947, at 1s. 6d. on entry and 1s. 6½d. after two years. This rate was, with the agreement of the staff representatives, applied in March, 1948, to Women Cleaners in all non-industrial Government offices in those towns. The rates are at present under discussion and the union is at liberty, in default of agreement, to submit the issue to arbitration.

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury how many civil servants have, since the announcement on 15th March, 1948, been either dismissed or transferred on account of Communist or Fascist connections.

None have been dismissed, two have resigned and six have been transferred to other work. Arrangements are in hand for the transfer, if suitable employment can be found, of a further nine.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if, in view of the serious traffic congestion and delays caused by the operation of Covent Garden market, he is putting forward proposals for the removal of the market outside the centre of London.

In addition to traffic congestion, many other considerations of physical and economic planning govern the future of Covent Garden market. Various suggestions have been made for improving the organisation and location of the market, and these are under consideration by the appropriate authorities. Any replanning of the Covent Garden area will of necessity be a long-term project.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when he expects to announce his decision regarding the development of Basildon New Town.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Southeast Essex (Mr. Gunter) on 30th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning by how many acres have the open spaces in the central area been increased since the recommendations embodied in the Abercrombie Plan for Greater London were accepted in principle.

While exact information is not available, the actual increase in open space in the central area of London since March, 1946, has been very small. Progress in this matter has necessarily been affected by the current instructions for restriction of capital expenditure. I have, however, authorised the acquisition of some 23 acres, and am at present examining proposals for the purchase of another 30 acres. This latter represents the first stage of the short-term programme prepared by the London County Council for the acquisition of 300 acres in the areas of greatest deficiency. Proposals for comprehensive redevelopment of areas covered by Declaratory Orders will make provision for large increases of open space, for which a precise figure is not, however, available. A satisfactory standard of open space in the congested areas can of course only be attained as and when extensive demolition and redevelopment becomes possible.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why Mr. L. E. Anscomb, of Sunny Acres, Clappers Lane, Fulking, Sussex, who wrote to him last August with regard to obtaining a certificate for exemption from payment of development charge for the erection of a bungalow, has not yet received an answer.

I regret the delay in dealing with this case. It presents unusual features, as a result of which a decision cannot be given as quickly as would otherwise be possible. The difficulties have been explained to Mr. Anscomb, and he will be informed as soon as they have been resolved.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) why it was necessary to regrade the permanent staff of the Assistance Board on a Treasury grade basis, in view of the fact that no increase in their duties was involved but only an increase of salary and further promotion possibilities;(2) what is the number, grade for grade, of assistant district officers, area officers, assistance officers and assistance clerks employed by the Assistance Board who have been promoted to Treasury grades.

The change from Departmental to Treasury gradings took place on 1st January, 1947. The object was manpower economy by enabling heavier responsibilities to be assigned to officers in the new gradings at each level. It also brought the staffing structure into line with that of most other Government Departments, and so made easier interchanges of staff. In the process of assimilation the number of up-gradings to the grades mentioned was 41, 320, 561 and 2,962 respectively.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what inquiries his inspectors are instructed to make in their investigations to ensure that the public pay their contributions; and if he will give an assurance that inquiries are only made from third parties after refusal of information by the insured person.

The instructions are that inquiries regarding the payment of contributions should be made of the person liable to pay them; that is to say, the employer where there is one, otherwise the insured person. I have no reason to think that these instructions are not being observed.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why it is necessary for an applicant for sickness or other benefit, to produce a court order in support of an increase of benefit, on account of an adopted child.

Where increase of benefit is claimed on the ground of adoption the claimant must prove that the child has been legally adopted; the simplest way of establishing this is to produce the adoption order. Other methods are not excluded, but require ascertainment of a number of particulars before the claim can be admitted.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many widow pensioners under the old scheme have had their pensions increased to 26s. a week on the ground that on 5th July, 1948, they were suffering from an infirmity likely to render them incapable of self-support for a prolonged period; and whether such claims can still be made.

The number of pensions which had been increased on this ground by the end of November was about 50,000. Some belated claims are still being received. The increase can only be given to existing widow pensioners on the basis of the widow's condition at the date on which the new scheme began, and the regulations accordingly require that claims must be made within the period of six months from 5th July, 1948, that is, not later than 5th January, 1949.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the average number of applications received weekly from members of the public who had not yet joined up under the National Insurance Act since it came into force; and how many persons he estimates have still to join.

In the middle of November, the latest date for which figures are available, the weekly rate was about 46,000. including applications from those then, becoming insurable for the first time. I regret that I am not in a position to give the figures asked for in the last part of my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish a list of the principal railway extensions at present being undertaken, surveyed or contemplated by his Department or Colonial Governments in Africa; and what are the approximate route mileages of these schemes and capital costs.

Following is the reply:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish a list of the development schemes, including railway extensions, on which the U.S. geologists and geodetic engineers, now being recruited by his Department, are to be employed.

Approval in principle has been given by the United States Economic Co-operation Administration to three proposals involving assistance from E.R.P. funds These are:First, a proposal to employ 25 American geologists on a temporary basis to fill vacancies in the Colonial Geological Survey.Secondly, a proposal to employ 24 to 30 American geodetic engineers to assist the Directorate of Colonial Surveys on ground control work in areas where air photography has been completed or is now in progress.Thirdly, a proposal to employ under the auspices of the East African High Commission, some 20 engineers and seven consultants to survey, from the engineering and economic viewpoint, proposed routes for a rail link joining the Rhodesian and Tanganyikan railway systems, and possible routes between Broken Hill and the new port of Mikindani.Further consideration is now being given by the United States authorities to the legal, financial and administrative implications of these proposals.

asked the Minister of Supply the quantities of galvanised iron piping suitable for agricultural purposes that have been manufactured in 1948.

I regret that separate production figures are not available for this type of piping but a rough estimate would be 100,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that there is a shortage of hay knives, and that these are now totally out of supply; and whether he will arrange to put them back into production.

I am not aware of any general shortage of hay knives, which are still being produced. If the hon. Member has evidence of a shortage in a particular area, and will let me have details, I will draw the manufacturers' attention to it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what consultations are proceeding between the National Farmers' Union and the Government on a proposal to add wool to the list of commodities for which prices are guaranteed under the First Schedule to the Agriculture Act, 1947.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a Press notice on the subject issued on 2nd November last, to which I have nothing at present to add. As stated therein, the discussions about adding wool to the First Schedule are linked up with proposals for a scheme for the marketing of wool under the Agricultural Marketing Acts, and may not be completed for some time.

asked the Minister of Defence what is the approximate estimate of the numbers in each of the Armed Forces on 1st January, 1949, showing separately those on Regular engagements; and what are the corresponding figures for 1st January, 1950, based on 12 months and 18 months' service, respectively, of men called up under the National Service Act, 1948.

Estimated strengths of the Armed Forces on 1st January, 1949. are as follow:

(Thousands)
—	Regulars	N/S Men	Women	Total
Royal Navy	118	19	7·5	144·5
Army	180	237	12	429
R.A.F.	112	111	14	237
All Services	410	367	33·5	810·5

I cannot yet give an estimate of strengths on 1st January. 1950.

asked the Minister of Defence what is the estimated net reduction in the size of the Armed Forces during 1948.

About 310,000.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give details of the Remploy factories now operating in the West Riding of Yorkshire, showing the

FACTORIES OPERATING
—	Product	No. of Workers at 18th October, 1948	Capacity
Halifax	Book Repairing	34	40 places
	Stump Socks
Pontefract	Woodworking, including utility furniture and farm gates.	58	75 places
Sheffield (Recently opened)	Light engineering	18	150 places

FACTORIES PROPOSED FOR 1949
				Products	Capacity
Leeds (two factories)	…	…	…	Products have not been decided for all factories but will include leatherwork, woodwork, light engineering and engraving.	75 and 100 places
Barnsley	…	…	…		150 places
Wakefield	…	…	…		50 places
Huddersfield	…	…	…		100 places
Rotherham	…	…	…		50 places
Sheffield	…	…	…		75 places

asked the Minister of Labour how many registered disabled persons who are classified as requiring sheltered employment are now unemployed in the West Riding of Yorkshire; what was the corresponding figure a year ago; and how many additional places in Remploy factories in this area will be provided during 1949.

The number of registered disabled persons classified as requiring sheltered employment by local offices of the Ministry in the West Riding of Yorkshire at 18th October, 1948, was 844. The corresponding figure at 20th October, 1947, was 848. It is hoped that 600 places in Remploy factories in this area will be provided during 1949 in addition to about 150 places still available in factories already opened.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many justices of the Peace there are for the village of Dunure, Ayrshire; and if he will increase them.

The information is as follows:

There are seven Justices of the Peace resident in the parish of Maybole which includes Dunure, but there has been no Justice of the Peace in the village of Dunure since October, 1948. The Royal Commission on Justices of the Peace recently recommended that the Lord Chancellor, by whom appointments of Justices are made, should have the assistance of a Central Advisory Committee in Scotland and it is not expected that any fresh appointments of Justices will be made until the Committee has been set up.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the request to receive a deputation from the Stowupland Parish Council to discuss the lack of sewerage facilities in that village; whether he intends to accede to this request; and if he intends to consult the urban district council for that area on this matter.

I have considered this request, and have been in communication with the Gipping R.D.C., who are the sewerage authority for this area. I am informed that a new sewerage scheme for the parish of Stowupland is in preparation and will be submitted to me for approval shortly. In these circumstances it did not appear that any useful purpose would be served by receiving the proposed deputation, and the parish council has been informed accordingly.

asked the Minister of Health if, in order to secure the maximum labour force for agriculture, he will review the position regarding the building of agricultural workers' cottages by rural authorities, including the formation

(1) Acute Rheumatism.
Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital. Taplow, Maidenhead, Berks.	Clinical and laboratory investigation of Rheumatic Fever.
Sheffield, Bristol, and parts of Lincolnshire	Social investigation of notified cases of acute rheumatism in children.
University College Hospital, London	Experimental study of changes in the blood and tissues in rheumatic fever.
(2) Chronic Rheumatism (Arthritis, etc.).
Manchester University Rheumatism Research Centre.	Clinical and Laboratory Investigation of chronic arthritic disorders. Special investigation of rheumatic disease in miners.
(Manchester Royal Infirmary and allied hospitals, Miners Rheumatism clinic at Walkden, Lancs.) and Machester University Institute of Bone Pathology.
Leeds University Rheumatism Research Unit.	Clinical and laboratory investigation of chronic rheumatic diseases.
(Leeds General Infirmary, Royal Bath Hospital, Harrogate, and allied hospitals).
Royal Free Hospital Rheumatism Unit, Lawns Road, Hampstead, London.	Clinical and laboratory investigation of chronic rheumatic diseases.
Hospitals in London, Bristol, Leeds and elsewhere.	Special statistical inquiry into the Clinical and social aspects of rheumatoid arthritis.
Maclean Laboratory, Hospital of St. John and St. Elizabeth, London.	Investigation into immunology of patients with arthritis, etc.

In addition investigation is taking place at a number of hospitals where treatment is carried out, such as Liverpool Royal Infirmary; Bristol Royal Hospital, and the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath; St. Stephen's Hospital, London; and West London Hospital.

asked the Minister of Health if he intends to secure an urgent priority for the pumping and other equipment required to alleviate the

Rural authorities are already building all the houses possible within the resources available. It is, open to a local authority to include arrangements made by their authority, rural or urban, with a housing association under Section 94 of the Housing. Act, 1936.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give particulars of the extensive research now being done into the causes, cure and prevention of rheumatism and its allied diseases.

Special research is being carried out as follows:pollution of the River Gipping before 1950.

I am prepared to do all I can to ensure that the alleviation of pollution in the River Gipping is not delayed through lack of the essential machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to make a comprehensive statement on the provisions for the compensation of members of the administrative staff of the defunct National Fire Service.

I have decided after consultation with the Treasury to make a compensatory payment to certain former members of the National Fire Service for whom it was not possible to and pensionable employment in the service of the local authorities.During the war and for some months after the conclusion of hostilities resignatons from the National Fire Service were prohibited. It was decided towards the end of 1945 that this prohibition should be removed in the following year, and the actual date of "unfreezing" was 30th April, 1946. During the period preceding that date certain measures were taken to ensure that, when resignations became possible, a sufficient number of men would remain in the Service to provide an efficient fire-fighting organisation. As regards the operational side of the Service, as many of the existing temporary members of the Service as desired continued employment as firemen and were of the necessary standard as regards age and physique were accepted for permanent service, and new recruits were also enrolled. These men were assured that they would become members of the local authority fire brigades in due course.Similar continuity of employment for persons on the administrative side of the Service was a more difficult problem. The administrative and clerical work was performed by approximately 3,500 members of the Service most of whom were employed at the 11 Regional Headquarters in England and Wales. After the transfer of the Service to local control the necessary administrative and clerical work would naturally be undertaken by civilian staffs of the local authorities, although some additions to the existing staffs would no doubt be required. As a result of inquiries made early in 1946, it became clear that a large proportion of the National Fire Service staff engaged on the administrative and clerical work, including the majority of those in senior and key posts, would resign as soon as they were free to look for permanent employment in which event there would be a breakdown in the administration of the Service. Accordingly I consulted the County Councils Association and the Association of Municipal Corporations and, with their concurrence, a scheme was prepared under which 584 members of the administrative and clerical staff were assured that they could rely on obtaining pensionable employment in local government service when the National Fire Service came to an end, provided they remained in the Service until that dale. In due course the individual fire authorities were informed of these arrangements and asked to consider these persons for appointments on their staffs, and actually 431 obtained pensionable employment commencing on 1st April, 1948—the date of the transfer of the National Fire Service to local control—leaving 153 persons who had not been placed. Throughout the period preceding the 1st April, 1948, and subsequently, every possible effort has been made by the Home Office, in collaboration with the County Councils Association and the Association of Municipal Corporations' to find pensionable employment for these persons, but I am sorry to say that there are over 100 who have not yet found such posts.In March, 1948, a number of the persons concerned, who had not yet obtained posts, took legal advice and as a result I received a claim for damages for breach of contract for continued employment. Negotiations have since proceeded between the Home Office and the solicitors representing these persons, on the basis that there is no admission of legal liability for breach of contract, but that since their hopes of obtaining pensionable employment were disappointed the Home Office was prepared to make compensatory payments. Agreement has now been reached that this compensation should take the form of a lump sum payment equal to three years salary and supplementary allowance.This offer of compensation is being made to all the persons concerned who did not take up pensionable employment on 1st April, 1948, whether or not they are represented by the firm of solicitors with whom the negotiations have been conducted, and whether or not they have since obtained employment, with the exception however that the offer is not made to persons who before that date refused an offer of a pensionable local government post. It would have been difficult to differentiate equitably between one person and another according to whether he has obtained employment at some date since 1st April or is not now employed but may obtain employment in the near future. Moreover those who took up pensionable employment on 1st April were able to count part of their past service in the National Fire Service as pen- sionable service for the purpose of the new employment, but this was not possible in the cases of any persons who obtained employment at some date subsequent to 1st April. The offer will of course be dependent upon a specific abandonment of any other claim in respect of the failure to secure pensionable employment with a local authority.