I have also received the following letter:

I have sent suitable replies to these messages.

asked the Secretary of State for War why and under what authority the Under-Secretary of State is using notepaper headed "Under-Secretary of State for War".

This writing-paper was produced at the request of the late Under-Secretary of State in August, 1951: similar papers are used by other members of the Army Council.

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept my congratulations once more on adopting ideas produced on this side of the House? Will he now remember that there is a very real danger, which concerns all of us, that the Prime Minister may meet some other noble Lord on his travels and may create a new Ministry to co-ordinate the Departments of the Secretary of State for War and of the Under-Secretary of State.

Is not the correct title "The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State?"

The correct title is "Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Financial Secretary of the War Office," but I am afraid that some hon. Gentlemen cannot always read as fast as the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Hale) can speak.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a full statement as to the grounds upon which exemption from the Z call-up may be granted.

There are two broad categories which merit exemption, those in which the reservists's physical condition makes him unfit for training and those in which his absence from his home or place of business will cause extreme hardship to the reservist or to his dependants. Within these categories there is a very wide variety of cases, each of which must be considered on its merits. For this reason, I do not think that it would be practicable to give a detailed statement to cover the whole of this field.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that while there may be a very wide variety of exemption categories there may also be a very wide variation in the interpretation of the words "extreme hardship"? Should not some indication be given of the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to one man businesses and people who are employed in departments where the people concerned go away for a fortnight and other people are employed?

I shall be pleased to discuss this matter with the hon. Gentleman after Questions to see whether we can get to anything satisfactory. At the present moment every case is considered on its merits, I think always sympathetically, but it is very hard to define an exact set of rules for considering cases of individual hardship.

Would my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of exempting former prisoners of war who, by reason of being 10 years older now, might suffer great harm from sudden periods of intensive training?

There is a Question on the Order Paper on that subject, so perhaps my hon. Friend will await my reply.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the official statements made by Colonel Ambrose Keevil, Commander. Mid and East Surrey Home Guard Sector, to the effect that there would be a very severe screening of all men who apply to join the Home Guard, were made with his knowledge and consent; and how the checking and screening will be carried out.

There is no intention of carrying out any special procedure in respect of candidates for enrolment in the Home Guard. The records of certain Home Guard officers and men who may in the course of their duties have access to secret documents or plans will be checked: this conforms with the present procedure in the Services. I had no prior knowledge of Colonel Keevil's statement.

Can the Minister explain how it was that Colonel Keevil came to call this Press conference and that such wide publicity was given to it, particularly bearing in mind that the conference covered the right hon. Gentleman's own constituency?

As a matter of detail, it was not held in my constituency—

Covered.

I cannot, of course, in any way prevent, nor would I wish to, local commanders from discussing matters with the Press. At the same time, obviously I cannot be responsible for everything that such officers may say.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the country will be relieved to hear that severe screening is not taking place as it is in the case of the National Union of Railwaymen?

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that he disclaims responsibility for the calling of Press conferences on matters affecting the War Office and organisations pertaining to the War Office by officers in the Home Guard?

I in no way disclaimed responsibility. What I said was that I cannot possibly know on every occasion when such conferences are called. In my opinion it is a good thing if officers responsible for organisations of this type keep in touch with the Press, but I cannot possibly have pre-knowledge of what they will say.

Is it not encouraging to find that someone at least realises the danger of Communist infiltration and is prepared to fight it?

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that when Colonel Keevil called this conference he was calling it in his capacity as a Home Guard commander and not in his capacity as President of the East Surrey Conservative Association?

Cheap.

If the hon. Gentleman is insinuating that this is some Tory appointment, let me say that in actual fact Colonel Keevil was earmarked for this post on 3rd September last. I am satisfied that he called the conference entirely in his capacity as Sector Commander of the Home Guard.

Can my right hon. Friend say if there is any objection to officers taking steps to see that they do not serve with disloyal people under their command?

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of registrations for the Home Guard, men and women being shown separately, received by 21st January, 1952; and on the latest day for which the figures are available.

Home Guard registration cards received by my Department numbered 3,354 by 21st January, 1952, and 28,120 by 18th February, 1952. These were all sent in by men.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the extent of the shortage in the Army of tradesmen and potential tradesmen; and what action he is taking to remedy this situation.

I am well aware that there are not enough tradesmen, especially those capable of filling the senior non-commissioned appointments and of reaching the highest degree of trade skill. It is hoped that certain changes in the terms of service, already made or shortly to be announced, will help in this problem and we are considering further steps to increase the number of Army apprentices. This is a serious and difficult problem in which all three Services are competing with industry, and I shall continue to give it close attention.

Would the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education to his reply and point out to her that the shortage of tradesmen and potential tradesmen in the Army is due to the shortage of technical colleges throughout the country?

I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education has heard the remarks of the hon. Member and will take note of them.

In taking steps to remedy this deficiency, will the right hon. Gentleman kindly see that no building operatives are taken away from the housing programme, because otherwise that 300,000 housing programme will fall further behind.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the Government's decision to secure the utmost possible production of grain for this year's harvest, he will give general instructions that all land held by the War Office which can be spared for cropping shall be offered to local farmers.

I well know the importance of this matter, and my existing instructions require the fullest possible use of War Department land in this way.

How many acres of War Office land does my right hon. Friend expect will be released for cropping in this year's harvest?

I could not answer that question without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the unsatisfactory conditions at the Connaught Military Hospital for tubercular patients at Hind-head, Surrey; and if he will make a statement.

The accommodation at this hospital is not all that I should wish. If, however, it were not used, tubercular patients would have to wait for a bed in the limited general hospital accommodation elsewhere and would not have the advantage of early specialist treatment. Further improvements in the structure and amenities are in hand and I am satisfied that recent allegations about the conditions were much exaggerated. I would, should my hon. Friend wish it, gladly arrange for him to visit the Connaught Hospital.

Will by right hon. Friend take immediate steps to ensure that this hospital is cleaned up, in order not only that men there suffering from tuberculosis receive proper food and treatment, but that the cleansing of the verminous state of the place can be completed?

Steps were in hand, and had been approved, before the allegations concerning this hospital were made. If my hon. Friend cares to go there now, I think he will find that conditions are nothing like those which have been portrayed rather sensationally.

Can the Minister give an assurance that the rats, mice and cockroaches which have infested the kitchens and other parts of this hospital have now been suitably disposed of?

It would be wrong for me to go into the question of rats in too much detail but, even if rats are destroyed locally in a hospital, others will return if neighbours do not do the same thing. We are now attempting to have a large area of rat killing round this hospital.

Will my right hon. Friend take steps to make sure that all military hospitals in the country are thoroughly looked at, because there is a very adverse effect on recruiting if the idea is about the country that these places are in a bad condition, even though it may not be as bad as people think?

There is undoubtedly a good deal of work which remains to be done in Army hospitals. My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that this conflicts with the building and other works programmes and with the re-armament programme. It is not easy to do all that we should like to do, although a good deal of it is being done.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reason the practice of granting compassionate postings has now been abandoned.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke Newington and Hackney, North (Mr. Weitzman), on 5th February.

What was the nature of that reply?

If the hon. Member would like to know and the House will bear with me, it was briefly this: that the entire Army, almost without exception, is now overseas and therefore compassionate postings, which are, without exception, to enable a man to be near his home, are extremely difficult to make, because there is nowhere to post the individual concerned.

Is the Secretary of State for War aware that I have been refused consideration of compassionate postings for people in this country on the ground that the whole system has now been altered? Was any prior announcement made to the House of Commons about this, or is this just another under-the-counter social cut?

Compassionate postings were abolished in January, 1947. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I will say it again. The system of compassionate posting was abolished in January, 1947. I cannot remember the exact terms of the announcement, but I assure the hon. Member that now, in place of compassionate posting, very serious consideration is given to the grounds on which a man may be either exempted or released for the very reasons for which, in the old days, compassionate postings were given.

Surely the Minister is aware, whatever the terminology might have been, that men were posted near to their homes on compassionate grounds right up to the date of the Election, and that we are now getting them refused on the ground that it cannot be done?

The hon. Member's allegations are quite unworthy of him. [HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."] There is no question of any change of policy whatever. The position is, and since January, 1947, has been, that the old method of compassionate posting was utterly impracticable because with all these men overseas—

indicated assent.

I see the former Minister of Defence nodding his head. With all these men overseas, if they ask for a compassionate posting, where are we to post them? There is no unit in England to which they can be posted. Therefore, a different system, equally sympathetic to hard cases, has been introduced.

Withdraw.

As I am being assailed by cries of "Withdraw," may I say, Mr. Speaker, that I will send to the Secretary of State tonight the letter from his Under-Secretary, which I received a few days ago, in which this statement is specifically made, and that I have nothing to withdraw?

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the high cost of living in Cyprus; and, in view of the inadequacy of the allowances to the Forces in this station, if he will increase them.

The rates of local overseas allowance for the Forces in Cyprus have recently been reviewed and substantial increases have now been authorised, which are to be effective from 1st April of last year.

May I thank the Minister for that answer? Until a very recent date, Cyprus has lagged behind the rest of the overseas stations.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the findings of the British court of inquiry into the shooting of Sister Anthony of the Convent of St. Vincent de Paul, Ismailia.

The reports of courts of inquiry are, by their nature, confidential and privileged documents, and it is not the practice to disclose them. After studying the proceedings of the court of inquiry on this most regrettable incident, however, I am in full agreement with the opinions of Lieut.-General Erskine and the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East Land Forces, that no responsibility in the matter can be attributed to the British Military Authorities.

Does not the Minister think that it would at least relieve the tension in that quarter of the world if the truth were told about this? Secondly, in view of the Egyptian communiqué of 22nd January that this nun was shot by British bullets, can the House at least be informed whether that allegation is true?

With regard to the latter part of that Question, General Erskine issued a statement on 21st January in which Sister Anthony's death was attributed to terrorists. I am convinced that the findings of the court support General Erskine's statement, but, as I have said, to produce concrete proof of this matter would be a question of publishing the contents of a court of inquiry —[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]— which is against all past precedent and procedure.

No.

Whilst thanking the Minister for that answer, I should like him to tell us whether or not British bullets were found in the body of the nun. That would help, and even if it were an accident—we understand from Middle East reports that she was running to greet the tanks because she had telephoned for them, and it might have been a pure accident—the truth is the best. Were they British bullets?

I can assure the hon. Member that both of the points or allegations he has raised are untrue. There is no doubt whatever in my mind that the British troops in this case were not responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it has been decided to close down the base at Mackinnon Road; and what was the cost to date of opening and closing this base.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by the then Under-Secretary of State for War on 22nd November, 1950, in which the decision not to proceed with the store-holding organisation at Mackinnon Road was explained. The expenditure figure given in that reply still stands.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that a considerable sum of money has been spent on this base, and will he make quite certain that we shall not eventually require it once more and have to spend the same amount of money on it again?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War who gave the orders for the collective punishment from which arose the incidents at Catterick Camp resulting in one non-commissioned officer and six privates receiving periods of detention.

No order can be given for collective punishment. Powers of summary punishment for minor offences are reserved to commanding officers or any officer to whom they have been delegated. Before any punishment can be awarded, every offender must be charged individually before an officer and an award of confinement to barracks cannot exceed 14 days at any one time. In this case, the non-commissioned officer concerned made an improper threat in order to intimidate the men concerned.

As it is clear that very often junior N.C.Os. in training units tend to exceed their authority—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—and that the only real safeguard is to have better officers, will my right hon. Friend say what steps he is taking to improve the quality of officers in these regiments?

In this case, which was at Catterick, there has been something of a shortage of officers in the Royal Corp of Signals, but I think that this is improving. With regard to what non-commissioned officers threaten, it has been known for them to threaten to boil men alive, but it never happens, and I do not think that it ever will.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of ex-Japanese prisoners of war recalled for reserve training, the fullest investigation will be made at the time of their medical examination into the delayed effects of privations undergone while in Japanese hands; and whether he will issue special instructions to examining officers to this effect.

Reservists selected for recall are asked, when examined by a National Service medical board, to give full details of their personal history. I am assured by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, who is responsible for these medical examinations, that his medical boards should therefore be in a position to make the fullest investigation of those who have been prisoners in Japanese hands. He will, however, arrange for this Question and answer to be circulated to all medical board chairmen.

Will my right hon. Friend consult with his right hon. Friend with a view to issuing a report as to whether in fact any deterioration in physical or mental conditions has taken place since 1945 as a result of ill-treatment in these Japanese camps?

Yes, Sir, I will certainly bring that forward.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of consulting local organisations responsible for the welfare of these men when any of them is likely to be called up, as those organisations keep a close watch on these men and should know them?

Yes. I will certainly consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long the Service houses have been in the course of construction at Deysbrook Lane, Liverpool Depot; when they are likely to be completed; and how much they will have cost.

The houses at Deysbrook Lane, Liverpool, have been under construction since April, 1950. It is expected that they will be completed in March this year. The houses will have cost £13,782 and £4,611 will have been spent on roads, drainage, etc.

Can the Minister say whether this tender was given to private enterprise and whether there are any reasons why the building of these houses has taken so long?

I am informed that the long time which it took to build these houses was due to labour difficulties in the area. The order was put out to tender and was given to the lowest bidder and received Treasury approval.

Can the Minister tell the House the name of the person who received the tender?

No, I could not tell the hon. Lady that without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the use of the United States C-82A type of aeroplane, or the C-119, for the transportation of parcels to our troops in Korea.

The decision as to the type of plane to be used for carrying parcels to our Forces in Korea does not lie within my sphere, and is a matter for the British Overseas Airways Corporation who are, I understand, satisfied with the present arrangements.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman two questions arising out of that reply? Is he aware that the Question in the first place was put down to the Minister of Defence because in the last Parliament the Minister of Defence answered such queries, and it was transferred to him? Secondly, may I ask him if it is possible to get a definite answer to this question from B.O.A.C., because it was stated by the Ministers in the last Parliament that the present transport arrangements for taking parcels to Korea would not permit of larger numbers to go there?

In answer to the first question, the transference of the Question to myself was made by the Ministry of Defence and I attempted to give the hon. Lady the best answer of which I was capable. It would be wrong for me to commit the Minister responsible for Civil Aviation to giving a satisfactory answer, but I am quite certain in my own mind that a decision on this matter rests with him and not with myself.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that, taking the present postal rate for air parcels to Germany as a basis, the additional cost per annum of each man in Her Majesty's Forces overseas receiving one 2-lb. parcel per month would be approximately £1½ million; and if he will make arrangements for this rate to apply outside Germany for at least such a limited concession.

For the reasons my hon. Friend gave in the Adjournment debate on 15th November last, I cannot in present circumstances contemplate adding £l½ million to the cost of the present postal concessions to the Forces, which already amounts to over £1½ million a year.

I should like to take this opportunity to point out that some complaints about the high cost of parcels sent to the Far East concern the despatch of such things as soap, writing paper, chocolate, etc. These, and many of the goods now being sent, can be bought from the N.A.A.F.I. or unit canteens: and those who wish to make gifts of this kind could do so under the scheme for sending out postal orders.

There are also complaints about the cost of sending newspapers by air, which may be made without knowledge of the arrangements by which the War Office sends out large numbers of the Sunday national newspapers to these theatres. In spite of the publicity that has been given to these and other facilities, I think that there is still some ignorance of them and it would be a great help if hon. Members who are approached on these subjects would do what they can to make these arrangements more widely known.

I know the right hon. Gentleman wishes to help, but is he aware that these very long answers, which really are not on the point I have raised, get us no further? May I ask him if he does not feel that, as we shall not reach the target set for defence expenditure this year, it would be possible to include this £1½ million for these postal services? Lastly, does he believe it is right that the men who are serving in Korea should have their families paying so much more for parcels than those who are serving in Germany or Egypt?

I thank the hon. Lady for her long supplementary question, but I do not think it is right at this time of national economic difficulty to pay a subsidy of £1½ million. The number of parcels sent is not at the moment immense, and as I have said, although it may be irrelevant, a great many of them comprise goods which could be bought locally, which I believe would be a sensible method to adopt. I do not believe there is any prospect whatever of getting the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give the £1½ million.

Would the Secretary of State for War consider an arrangement whereby parents and relatives could send money to the N.A.A.F.I. for delivering to the troops the goods which he mentioned? It is not the same thing to send a postal order to a man in a trench.

I thank the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his constructive suggestion and will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in the provision of further amenities for Her Majesty's Forces in Korea.

As I have already stated in the House, all the major units now have their own cinema projectors and mobile shows are arranged for the smaller units. From next month eight concert parties from this country and Australia are being sent to Korea at monthly intervals. In addition, there has been an improvement of N.A.A.F.I. facilities, including new arrangements for the supply and printing of films for cameras, better stocks of books, and a higher standard of catering in the canteens. The N.A.A.F.I. gift scheme is working well and now incorporates the insurance without extra expense to the sender of parcels sent home. Six members of the Women's Voluntary Services are now in Korea and working at the Divisional Rest Centre and canteens.

Would the right hon. Gentleman see that as much publicity as possible is given to this reply? Is he aware that there is real feeling in the country that the men in Korea are not getting the amenities which they should have?

Yes, I am well aware of that, and I shall welcome any publicity that is given to it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the prospects for increased supplies of timber, cement and bricks for housing in 1952.

I am working closely with my noble Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works and have every reason to believe that these materials will be available for housing in increasing quantities.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the information he has measures up to the optimism expressed in the Election?

I do not know what the hon. Member means by "measures up" I feel we shall make progress and am not so much concerned with this part of the problem as with many other sides of it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the widespread feeling that brick production is far too low in brickyards inherited by the National Coal Board, due to the fact that no one in the National Coal Board knows anything about brick production? Will he consider having an independent examination of this question by one of the well known producers of bricks in private industry?

I am working closely with the Minister of Works, who is primarily concerned, and I feel hopeful that brick production will rise.

When the Minister says that he has reason to hope that conditions will improve, can he give facts and figures to support that view?

I do not understand the purpose of the hon. Member's question. Does he hope that the housing policy will fail?

Am I entitled to answer the Minister's question? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] May I ask another question?

Mr. Storey.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will circularise local authorities, advising them to relax their residence qualification for houses in favour of long-service members of Her Majesty's Forces who have taken up permanent employment in their area.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular I addressed to all local housing authorities on this subject on 31st January last.

Whilst appreciating that the Minister is taking action in this matter, may I ask if he will keep it under review to see that those local authorities which up to now have ignored the advice the Minister has given do take action to help the long-service men?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will authorise a special additional allocation of building licences to local authorities to meet the needs of self-help building groups registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893, and who are affiliated to the National Federation of Housing Societies.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether his attention has been called to a widespread movement among housing associations to encourage self-help groups of amateurs to build their own houses with their own spare-time labour; and whether he will encourage local authorities to issue licences in such cases;

(2) whether he will make housing allocations available to local authorities irrespective of the rate of completions where this would enable them to issue licences to self-help spare-time builders; and

(3) if he has considered the claims made to him that individuals using their own spare-time labour can build houses for themselves for less than £1,000; and what steps he proposes to make the fullest use of this source of labour.

I should like to show my appreciation of the initiative of any self-help group which could satisfy the local authority that its members had the will and the resources to complete the building of a small number of houses quickly. It would be for the local authority to decide how many houses could suitably be authorised at any one time. Local authorities know that in general the more houses that are built in their area the more will be authorised.

Will my right hon. Friend consider circularising local authorities urging them to give every encouragement and assistance to these building groups?

Yes, Sir; I hope my hon. Friend's Question will help to give that publicity.

Will my right hon. Friend take every possible step to make known the desirability of creating these housing associations in all parts of the country in order to advance the work my right hon. Friend has welcomed.

Yes, Sir.

How does the Minister propose to ensure that any houses which may be built under these schemes are at least up to the standards suggested by the Housing Registration Council, and what machinery does the right hon. Gentleman propose to use to ensure that?

I see the importance of that, but I think that local authorities and my regional officers will be able to look after the matter.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the Bristol Corporation is obliged to construct nine-storey flats to house its people, many of whom were rendered homeless as a result of bombing during the war; that these flats require steel which cannot be obtained; and what steps he is taking to see that an adequate supply of steel is made available to the city for this purpose.

Because of the need for the utmost economy in the use of steel I asked local authorities in my Circular No. 9/52 to build flats with load-bearing walls and not in frame construction. I regret that I cannot at present approve schemes which involve the use of a large quantity of steel.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is just as essential to provide steel for the building of houses as it is to provide steel for the protection of houses after they are built? Will he see that progress in house building is not retarded in blitzed areas where these houses are required?

This is a question of building these nine-storeyed flats. In my view, at the present time it is right to build them either with load-bearing walls or by other forms of construction which make the minimum demand on steel.

Will the right hon. Gentleman provide the steel required for the revised form of housing?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what alterations have been made in the allocation of capital to each of the heavily war-damaged cities for the current as compared with last year.

The progress of reconstruction in the blitzed cities will depend upon the amount of steel which can be provided for this purpose. I hope to be able to allocate sufficient capital for all work for which steel can be made available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the allocation of capital to the blitzed sites will be given in proportion to the damage done by bombing?

What seems to me more important than allocation of capital is the allocation of actual physical things with which this work can be done, and I think that a sounder basis on which to work than to stick rigidly to the capital investment system.

When the right hon. Gentleman says that steel is the only factor affecting progress of rebuilding on blitzed sites, how does he make that conform with the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer which referred to capital investment as the main factor causing the hold-up in building?

The Question asked me about providing necessary steel, and I said that I was prepared to allocate capital to meet the steel that is available. I am happy to say that in case of Bristol, if the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery), has that city in mind, there has now been allocated all the steel necessary for the 11 works in progress.

Will my right hon. Friend give wide publicity to the possibility of using pre-stressed concrete in place of steel in many cases?

Yes, of course the development of the building programme depends upon the economical use of steel.

On a point of order. I was asking Question No. 27, which refers to the allocation of capital. Question No. 26 referred to the allocation of steel.

I hope there was no misunderstanding. I said that I hoped to be able to allocate sufficient capital for all the work for which steel can be made available.

Will the Minister ensure that where local authorities do change their plans and provide for load-bearing walls, there will be sufficient steel made available for them to complete the erection of that type of flat?

We will certainly do our best.

Can the Minister tell the House whether or not there is a reduction in the provision for the rebuilding of blitzed cities this year as compared with last year?

I cannot tell the right hon. Gentleman until we come to the end of the year.

Is it then not without significance that the term "planning" has disappeared from the right hon. Gentleman's title?

It appears to me to be much more sensible to make capital and material continually available as conditions improve, rather than to fix a figure for the whole year and never under any conditions to alter it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he intends to satisfy the needs of Batley Corporation in respect of an allocation of steel necessary for the construction of a reservoir, without which additional water supply the building of houses in Birstall cannot be resumed.

The town council's requirements are being considered along with other urgent requirements, but, as there are large outstanding demands, I cannot give an immediate decision.

Does the Minister agree that the concession which he has granted since this Question appeared on the Order Paper is really no more than a vague half-promise? Does the Minister understand that there is an urgent need for houses in Birstall, and that house building is at a standstill until the water supply can be improved?

Yes, we are very conscious of the importance of that.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what reduction has recently been made in the allocation of steel to his Department for housing and ancillary work; and what complaints he is receiving of shortages.

Steel for these purposes is being made available, subject to the exercise of proper economies in its use.

But that is not an answer to the Question on the Paper, which asks what reduction is being made by his Department so that the many works, including provision against subsidence and work for the blitzed cities, can be dealt with. Will the Minister tell us whether a lower allocation is being given to his Department as compared with last year?

No, Sir. But it is clear that what we are doing is the sensible thing to do. We hope to get a greater use out of the steel that we have available by the adoption over a wide field of steel economising methods.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement about the housing subsidy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the progress of negotiations with local authorities on the revision of housing subsidies; and if he will give an assurance that full regard is being paid to the effect of the further increase in the Public Works Loan Board rate of interest.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in the light of the further increase in the rate of interest for loans from the Public Works Loan Board, and its effect on the rents of council houses, he will make a statement arising out of the discussions on housing subsidies between his Department and the local authorities.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given on 29th January, 1952, to the Member for Gravesend (Sir R. Acland) and others. I hope to meet the representatives of the local authorities on Thursday.

Will the Minister bear in mind that there is grave anxiety among the local authorities lest any increase in the subsidy should not be sufficient to offset the extra cost of borrowing due to the increase in the rate of interest from 3 per cent. to 4½ per cent., which will add 5s. 10d. a week to the cost of houses in Nottingham and elsewhere?

Yes, but if that be their anxiety I can allay it immediately. It will be sufficient for that purpose, but I thought that by tradition it would be discourteous to make any announcement in the House until I have had the normal discussions with representatives of the local authorities, which take place this week.

Are we to understand that the increase in the housing subsidy is guaranteed to be sufficient to cover the whole increased cost to local housing authorities of the new rate of interest?

Yes, Sir.

The Minister has made a very important statement in answer to a supplementary question. Can we be assured that it applies to all housing schemes throughout the country and that it also applies to Scotland?

I have answered perfectly straightforwardly the question put to me. The answer is, "Yes, Sir."

Is the Minister saying that he will take money out of the ratepayers' pockets to put it into the pockets of moneylenders?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how far the former interest rate of 3 per cent. will apply to Nottingham Corporation's housing loans, not yet taken up, but sanctioned before the announcement of the 3¾ per cent. interest rate.

Loans from the Public Works Loan Board bear interest at the rate current at the date of the advance.

Is the Minister aware that the chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee of Nottingham Corporation has been assuring the city council that the increased rate will not take effect in the case of houses which were authorised before the right hon. Gentleman's announcement in this House early in November?

The practice is in accordance with the answer I have given. Loans are charged at the rate of interest current at the date of the advance. This practice was fixed by Treasury minute of 1st August, 1945. I have no doubt that what the official referred to—I have not the facts—was the very common practice of many large local authorities of receiving into a common pool the different loans they make, and when they pay them out, of charging them at the average rate that the loans have cost them. It may be that.

If the right hon. Gentleman really means to cover the whole increase by the subsidy, why could he not have told us that in December and saved all these weeks of uncertainty?

I think the right hon. Gentleman's recollection of the Treasury must be fading from him.

Will the Minister indicate what effective purpose is achieved by the Government first raising the interest on local loans and subsequently, in order to cover such rise, increasing the subsidy on local housing?

This matter will be covered by a Bill. I did not want to go into every detail until I have discussed many details about the different types of subsidy which are the concern of the local authorities. When I have done that, after the usual meetings a full announcement will be made and a full debate will take place upon the Bill.

Is the Minister aware that the Lambeth Borough Council, to quote one example, applied for loan sanction in respect of 103 dwellings on 31st October last and that by reason of the inefficiency and delay in the right hon. Gentleman's Department, this council will, when the sanction is granted, be seriously adversely penalised?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much of the £8½ million required for Nottingham Corporation's Clifton and Bramcote Lane housing estates will be borrowed at 3 per cent. interest; how much at 3¾ per cent.; and how much at 4¼ per cent.

This information is not available. The council operate a consolidated loans fund in which individual loans lose their identity and rates of interest are averaged.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now make a statement about the Regulations under which local authorities can sell council houses to existing tenants.

I am discussing the matter with representatives of the associations of local authorities and hope to make an announcement shortly.

Does my right hon. Friend anticipate being in a position to make a statement before Easter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement upon the division of district 2 of the alkali inspectorate and the appointment of an additional inspector for duty in South-East Lancashire.

I appreciate the needs of the district and am considering an additional appointment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has yet reached a decision on the subject of the redistribution of the boundaries and functions of local authorities.

No, Sir.

Can the Minister not tell the House something about the proposals which he said he would bring forward urgently on this matter of the reform of local Government? Has he not received any recommendations on this matter from the local authority associations?

No, Sir.

Is the Minister not aware that in his party's programme at the General Election there was a promise to bring forward proposals at an early opportunity?

This Parliament will, I hope, last for many years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to make a decision about the use of the Froghall cleansing station, about which the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme wrote to him on 23rd November, 1951.

I am consulting with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs, who is also concerned, and I hope to make a decision shortly.

Could the Minister say how soon this decision will be made? Is he aware that this matter has been going on for a number of months and is causing great difficulties for the medical officer at Newcastle-under-Lyme? Will the Minister give an indication how soon he can take a decision?

The fact is that for some reason this property is so desirable that quite a number of claimants have turned up.