asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to ensure that painters in Dundee, at present unemployed, are fully utilised in the house-building programme.

Unfortunately, there are at present no vacancies for painters either in housing or in other building work in the Dundee area. The local office is doing everything possible to submit these men to suitable alternative employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of young men who registered a conscientious objection to fulfilling their National Service and the total number who were granted complete exemption by the conscientious objectors' tribunal during each of the years 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953.

The numbers registering provisionally as conscientious objectors during these years were 619, 732,945 and 758, and the numbers granted unconditional registration by tribunals were 21, 16,21 and 25 respectively.

asked the Prime Minister what are the main qualifications considered for the post of chairman of the National Assistance Board.

The appointment of the Chairman of the National Assistance Board is made on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of the day. It is not usual to prescribe the many excellent qualifications desirable in the holders of public offices, as tastes may change among the choosers.

asked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken to deal with the recommendations of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries, the last Report of the Committee having been published in July, 1953: and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House informs me that he hopes to find time for a debate on this subject in the near future.