asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the names of the Regional Commissioners and their deputies; the salary paid to each individual; the names of those who are accepting salaries and those offering themselves without salary, and, in the case of those giving voluntary service, the amount of expenses paid per day; and whether Members of Parliament are permitted to serve without resigning their seats?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 18th April to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Epsom (Sir A. Southby). In addition to the names then announced, the following appointments have been made: —

To be Regional Commissioner for Scotland, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Western Division of Stirling and Clackmannan (Mr. Johnston); to be Deputy Regional Commissioner for the Northern Region, the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson); to be Deputy Regional Commissioner in Wales, the hon. Member; for Wrexham (Mr. Richards).

As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the House on 1st September during the Second Reading of the Regional Commissioners Bill, when I gave particulars of the maximum salaries payable to regional commissioners and deputy regional commissioners. I then indicated that, in the Government's view, the wish of any gentleman appointed to receive no remuneration should be respected. The question of the remuneration, if any, to be accepted within the maxima allowed is one which rests with the commissioners or deputy commissioners themselves. In these circumstances, I believe that the House would not wish me to enter into any further particulars. I may, however, state that the Members of this House who have accepted appointment have in each case declined to accept any personal salary. With regard to the expenses to be paid to regional and deputy regional commissioners, these will have regard to the disbursements likely to be incurred by them in the course of their duties. In reply to the final part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Regional Commissioners Act, which enables Members of this House to retain their seats on accepting these appointments.

When discussions take place in this House affecting the Departments or work of hon. Members who are regional or deputy regional commissioners, will they be free to take part in the discussions and defend the work carried out by them and answer any questions, or must the reports come through their chiefs, the Secretary for Scotland or the Home Secretary?

I have made it clear on previous occasions that the responsibility of Ministers of the Crown for the work upon which, or in connection with which, these gentlemen will be employed remains unimpaired.

The question that I have asked has not been answered. Will Members of the House who hold these posts be expected, or free, to defend the work with which they are associated and reply to criticism of it, or must criticism be directed to their chiefs holding Ministerial posts?

Criticisms should certainly be directed, in the ordinary constitutional way, to the Ministers responsible. As regards any contribution which any of the hon. Members in question might wish to make to the Debates in this House, that is a matter which must be left, I suggest, to the discretion and good sense of the Members in question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that these Members will not be compelled to take part in debate from the Government side of the House, but will be free to keep up the illusion of being members of the Opposition?

Is this the green eye of jealousy down there?

asked the Home Secretary whether there is included on the staff of regional commissioners any officer especially appointed to deal with finance and economy and for liaison purposes with the Treasury?

Yes, Sir. There is on the staff of each regional commissioner an officer appointed by the Treasury to represent that Department.

In that case may I ask how it arises that there is so much difference in the ratio of expenditure in different districts?

That is a different question.

asked the Home Secretary the number of salaried personnel employed in civilian defence; what is the cost to the State weekly; and what number of men and women have given, and are giving, their services without remuneration?

In reply to the first and second parts of the question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees on 21st September (Mr. Harold Macmillan). I regret that I am not at present in a position to answer the last part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking steps to effect some economies in his Department by taking on more voluntary workers?

A large number of voluntary workers are engaged in Civil Defence, and I hope that nothing will be said in any quarter to discourage that form of service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a rising feeling of indignation due to the fact that while there is a great volume of unemployment people are being paid wages who, at the same time, are earning large sums of money?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Home Secretary whether householders in vulnerable areas, desiring Anderson steel shelters but not within the classes of persons at present entitled to free distribution, are to be required to wait for them until the free distribution has been completed throughout less vulnerable areas?

No, Sir. As I intimated in reply to a question on this subject on 1st August, I had hoped that sales of these shelters might have begun this month. Owing to difficulties of production due to the outbreak of war the scheme for placing these shelters on sale has not yet been put into operation; but I hope to be able to bring it into effect early next month.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that very few Anderson shelters have been supplied in Nottinghamshire to the urban district councils of Hucknall, Kirkby, Arnold and Eastwood, and to the rural district council of Basford; and when the requisite number of shelters will be provided?

Yes, Sir, but in view of the demand from the more exposed areas to which distribution is now proceeding I am afraid that it will be some time before supplies can be allotted to areas which are regarded as less liable to attack.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that Hucknall is a dangerous area?

I am not in a position to give a direct answer to that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the provision of an inhalor or apparatus designed for the immediate treatment for the lungs of sufferers from a gas attack; whether he is aware that inhalors have been prescribed; and whether he intends to recommend its inclusion in official air-raid precautions outfits?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is arranging for supplying to hospitals inhalor apparatus for those suffering from lung conditions whether caused by gas or otherwise.

Are they to be supplied to institutions other than hospitals?

At present we are supplying these inhalors to hospitals where the treatment would be under these conditions.

Is there merely one type of inhalor?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Order Paper.

asked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to ensure compliance by Government Departments, and the War Office in particular, with the lighting regulations; and why, having regard to the repeated complaints of his officers and the fact that legal proceedings are being generally taken against the public for similar offences no such proceedings have been taken against the responsible authorities of the War Office?

Every possible step has been taken to impress upon the occupants of rooms in Government offices the importance of seeing that the special blinds which have been provided are drawn, before sunset, in such a way as to prevent any light from showing on the outside. As regards prosecutions, it is the practice of the Commissioner of Police to institute proceedings in cases where the Lighting (Restrictions) Order is deliberately or repeatedly infringed after warning has been given; but the infringements which have occurred in Government Departments have not been of this character.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many warnings have been given to the War Office, and why there should be any differentiation as regards Government Departments?

There is no differentiation.

How many warnings have been given by the Metropolitan Police to the War Office?

I do not think it is left to the Metropolitan Police to give warnings to the War Office.

Have any warnings been given to the War Office?

I do not know of any warnings that have been given by the Metropolitan Police.

Will the right hon. Gentleman walk round the Horse Guards Parade and look at the Government offices with a view of ascertaining whether it is not the fact that practically every Government office on the Horse Guards Parade shows lights, which in the case of private individuals would involve a prosecution?

Inquiries and representations have been made to the Departments concerned.