Written Answers of 10 May 1946

BRITISH ARMY

  Brockham Park, Dorking (Occupation)
  Captain Noel-Baker
  asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the release of Brockham Park, near Dorking, by his Department, would make available to residents of Brentford, accommodation in Boston Manor Road and Boston Park Road, which they urgently need, but which is, at present, occupied by Messrs. Macleans Limited; and when he proposes to release Brockham Park.

  Mr. Lawson:
  Alternative accommodation has now been found for the unit at present in occupation of Brockham Park. Certain work on the new site has had to be undertaken, but I hope that it will be possible to release Brockham Park within a month, provided it is not required by any other Government Department.

  Surrendered Japanese Troops (Re-education Scheme)
  Mr. John Freeman
  asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any scheme in existence for re-educating Japanese prisoners of war comparable with the Wilton Park scheme for Germans; and whether he will make a statement on this subject.

  Mr. Lawson:
  I understand that the Supreme Allied Commander, South-East Asia, has put into operation a scheme for the re-education of surrendered Japanese troops which includes the publication of newspapers, wireless broadcasts, photographic displays and lectures. I am taking steps to obtain further information on the subject. In view, however, of the large numbers of Japanese involved and various other difficulties I doubt whether it will be practicable to undertake any large scale scheme of this nature.

PUBLIC HEALTH

  Private Street Works (Restrictions)
  Sir R. Glyn
  asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to remove the wartime restrictions on work under the Private Street Works Act, 1892.
  128
  Mr. Bevan:
  I am aware that arrears of private street works have accumulated during the war period, but owing to the need for concentrating the supplies of labour and materials on works which carry the highest priority on a national basis, I regret that I am still unable to give any general authorisation under Defence Regulation 56A for private street works to proceed. Cases which are urgent on grounds of danger to public health or to life and limb will continue to be considered on their merits.

  Vaccine Lymph
  Mr. Viant
  asked the Minister of Health why the change has been made from the Government Lymph Establishment to the Lister Institute in regard to the supply of vaccine lymph for the Army.

  Mr. Bevan:
  The change is consequential on arrangements for the closing of the Government Lymph Establishment in the near future, and for the supply of lymph for public vaccination by the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine. This will place the manufacture of vaccine lymph on a comparable basis with the manufacture of other immunising agents by a body with long experience in biological products generally and in related medical research.

  Public Water Boards
  Mr. Kenyon
  asked the Minister of Health (1) the number of public water boards which permit the grazing of sheep and cattle on their catchment areas; how many permit sheep only; and the area under forestry;

  (2) the area of land in the possession of, or under the control of, public water boards in England and Wales.

  Mr. Bevan:
  I regret that the information is not available.

  ELECTRICITY SUPPLY, GLOUCESTER
  Flight-Lieutenant Parkin
  asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many consumers were supplied by the City of Gloucester Electricity Department and the West Gloucestershire Power Company, Limited, respectively, in 1926 and at the latest convenient date.
  129
  Mr. Shinwell:
  The information is as follows:

  Undertaking

  Number of Consumers

  1926

  March, 1946

  City of Gloucester Electricity Dept.

  2,491

  18,000 approx

  West Gloucestershire Power Company Ltd.

  737

  23,548

  Flight-Lieutenant Parkin
  asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many parishes in the territory of the West Gloucestershire Power Company, Limited, undeveloped in 1926, have now been fully supplied; and what parishes still remain without supply.

  Mr. Shinwell:
  The number of parishes in the area of this company without electricity supply in 1926 was 128, of which 66 were fully developed and 17 partially developed at March, 1946, leaving 45 parishes without any supply at the latter date.

  Flight-Lieutenant Parkin:
  asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many parishes in the territory of the City of Gloucester Electricity Department, undeveloped in 1926, have now been fully supplied; and what parishes still remain without supply.

  Mr. Shinwell:
  In 1926, there were 22 parishes without an electricity supply in respect of which the City of Gloucester did not obtain the necessary powers until 1927. At March, 1946, 20 of these parishes had a supply, leaving the parishes of Norton and Elmore without a supply. Work is in hand in these two parishes and the Gloucester Corporation intends to have them fully developed in 12 months.

  CANADIAN SERVICEMEN (MAINTENANCE ORDERS)
  Mr. Mitchison
  asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is yet able to make any further statement as to arrangements for the enforcement in Canada of maintenance orders obtained in this country.

  Mr. Parker:
  I am not able to add to the reply which I gave to the Question by the hon. Member for Tonbridge (Mr. Gerald Williams) on 6th May.

  MILK DISTRIBUTION (EX-SERVICEMEN)
  Mr. Goronwy Roberts
  asked the Minister of Food why milk vendors who surrendered their round on being called up for service in His Majesty's Forces are refused permission to restart business on demobilisation; and if he will immediately remedy the position.

  Sir B. Smith:
  Ex-Servicemen who were milk distributors prior to joining His Majesty's Forces are one of the priority classes for reinstatement and their applications for licences to resume in retail business are considered without regard to consumer need. Reinstatement in areas in which milk distribution has been rationalised is carried out, in consultation with the local dairymen's wartime association, within the framework of the scheme of rationalisation so far as this is possible. If my hon. Friend knows of any particular case of difficulty and he will send me particulars I will have inquiries made forthwith.

  UNEMPLOYED FEMALES, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
  Mr. S. Shephard
  asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered females unemployed at the Nottingham, Worksop and Newark unemployment exchanges respectively, on 1st April, 1946.

  Mr. Isaacs:
  At 8th April, 1946, the numbers of unemployed insured females suitable for ordinary employment on the registers of the employment exchanges in question were: Nottingham (including Nottingham Juvenile Employment Bureau) 85; Worksop 61; Newark 13.

  GALLOWHILL HOSPITAL, MORPETH
  Sir E. Graham-Little
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that it is proposed to close Gallowhill Hospital, Morpeth, Northumberland, for Polish servicemen suffering from tuberculosis, and to transfer the patients to an unsuitable temporary hospital composed of hutments in a distant part of the country; and if he will reconsider this decision.

  Mr. Dalton:
  There is no immediate intention of closing down this hospital.

  WAR DAMAGE CLAIM. WALWORTH
  Mr. Naylor
  asked the President of Board of Trade why no reply has been sent to the hon. Member for South-East Southwark concerning the war damage claim of T. A. Baxter, of 12, Ash Street Walworth, S.E., particulars of which were acknowledged on 18th February, 1946, in
  132
  spite of two reminders sent on 4th April and 16th April.

  Mr. Belcher:
  My hon. Friend was informed by letter on 12th April that the matter was being treated as expeditiously as possible, and that a reply would be sent to him as soon as the necessary inquiries had been completed. The case presents special features and the inquiries have not yet been completed.