asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider the desirability of giving less publicity to Nazi leaders, and for that purpose consult with representatives of the Press and the British Broadcasting Corporation, with a view to reducing to a minimum the use of individual names, substituting, wherever possible, such terms as Germans, the German people or the German Government, as circumstances demand?

I am ready to consider any suggestion, but with respect I am afraid I do not consider this one to be practicable.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will take the necessary steps to ensure that a regular service of British newspapers is made available to every reasonable sized hotel in the neutral countries of Europe?

Yes, Sir. Steps to this end are already being taken.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether an advance of pension can be granted to Thomas Goatley, 20, Ty-mawr Street, Swansea, No. 4181763, South Wales Borderers, who has been receiving 5s. 3d. a week, suffering from malaria as the result of war service in the last war, and has a wife and four children; and, as this man joined up this time but was discharged as unfit after a short period in the anti-aircraft section, will he treat this as a case for sympathetic consideration?

It has not been possible in the time available to obtain the papers regarding this case. I will, however, look into it and write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, before a further contract for fire-fighting pumps was given to Sigmunds Pumps (Great Britain), Limited, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, any inquiries were made as to whether this firm, the capital and control of which is entirely in foreign hands, has carried out its previous contracts in a wholly satisfactory and expeditious manner?

In accordance with normal practice, the performance of this firm on previous contracts was fully considered before the recent contract was placed with them.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that another solicitor was struck off the rolls on 19th February for having improperly used for his own purposes money held by him on behalf of clients; and will he now introduce legislation to prevent solicitors handling client's money at all, as the Law Society has thus far failed to protect the public otherwise than by punishing a delinquent?

The suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend does not appear to be practicable. The Law Society, as I have already indicated to the House, have had under consideration the draft of a Bill designed to protect clients against defalcations by solicitors.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the failure of the present practice to safeguard the monies of clients from defalcations by solicitors, he proposes to take steps to compel an annual audit of the accounts of all solicitors by competent persons?

In considering the draft of the Bill to which I have referred in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Rear-Admiral Beamish), the Law Society have given most careful consideration to this proposal, and I am informed that they are proposing to include provisions for a compulsory examination of accounts.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the dissatisfaction with the Law Society's Bill which resulted in it being withdrawn, he will set up an inquiry to examine the functions of the Law Society, and consider a closer definition of the professional activities of solicitors, with special regard to their handling of financial business and possessions of clients and of estates of deceased persons, so that a new Bill may then be formulated, based upon the report of such an inquiry?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The Law Society's Bill was withdrawn in November last, after its consideration by the Joint Committee, when it was found that, owing to lack of Parliamentary time, there was no possibility of it becoming law during that Session. As I have indicated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Rear-Admiral Beamish), the Law Society have under consideration the draft of a new Bill. In these circumstances, no good purpose would be served by setting up an inquiry such as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the rule that normally the Navy, Army and Air Forces Institutes are the only corporation permitted to offer articles for sale to airmen in camp, and that the only exception is that the corporation may nominate one outside contractor for the sale of ices, he will give instructions that, where an outside contractor is nominated, priority shall be given, wherever practicable, to a local tradesman?

Local tradesmen may always apply to tender for the sale of ices at Royal Air Force stations. I could not, however, undertake to interfere with the discretion of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes to accept the most satisfactory tender from whatever source.

asked the Minister of Food whether, as the foodstuffs required for the production of whisky, beer, etc., are vital and necessary at the moment for the life and welfare of the nation, he will make a statement as to the extent of the rationing of cereals to distillers and brewers?

In view of the limited supply of cereals available for animal feeding-stuffs, the Government have decided to make an Order restricting the output of whisky and other potable spirits for the current year to one-third of last year's production. The output of beer will be permitted to continue at a level not exceeding that of last year. To ensure that the Government's intentions are carried into effect with the least inconvenience to the industries concerned, advisory committees representative of distillers, brewers and maltsters are being set up by my Department. Steps will be taken to ensure that purchases of cereals for brewing or distilling are not made in excess of requirements for this year's permitted production. The consumption of sugar for brewing will, in accordance with arrangements made for the reduction of supplies for other industrial purposes, be reduced to 70 per cent. of normal requirements. Supplies of cereals will, if necessary, be available to meet the deficiency. I am glad to be able to state that I have been assured of the co-operation of the industries concerned in giving effect to the Government's wishes.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the price of fish at present, in Glasgow, varies from 1s. 9d. to 3s. 6d. per lb., which is beyond the means of a large number of families, and if he can explain the reason for this profiteering; and what steps he intends to take in order to provide fish at a reasonable price?

According to my information, fish prices in Glasgow although liable to wide variation from day to day according to fluctuations in supply, have on the whole been much below the level stated by the hon. Member. I have no evidence of profiteering, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with any instances, I shall be glad to have further inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that since the full scheme of livestock control came into force on 15th January, 1940, considerable quantities of scraggy sheep have been imported from Northern Ireland at 1s. 2d. per lb. paid by the Ministry of Food; that these cattle have to be sold at 4d. to 5d. per lb. and classified as rejects; that the subsidy will be in the region of £1,000 per week; and what action does he intend taking in order to give the traders and consumers of Glasgow good meat?

I am making inquiries into the matter and I will let the hon. Member have a reply to his Question as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that large quantities of Norwegian fish have been coming into Newcastle, and that largely owing to lack of marketing facilities at the port of landing, a considerable proportion was rendered unfit for human consumption; and whether, in order to avoid a recurrence of such incidents, he will arrange that future supplies are directed to those ports which are in a position to handle them expeditiously?

I am aware that difficulty was experienced in marketing a recent shipment of Norwegian fish, which arrived unexpectedly at Newcastle, some of it in poor condition owing to delay in transport, on a day when large stocks still remained on hand from an abnormally heavy consignment which had arrived during the previous week. I understand that the shippers are endeavouring to spread their shipments more evenly, so as to avoid a recurrence of such an incident.

asked the Minister of Food whether a record is being kept of the number of in-pig and empty sows delivered to the bacon factories and slaughter-houses; and whether the figures indicate that farmers are reducing their pig-breeding stock?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is in the negative. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Food how many persons are receiving wages, salaries and honorariums, at each of the meat-collecting centres in South Yorkshire, excluding those engaged in the slaughter-houses; and how many animals were slaughtered at each centre during each of the last two weeks for which figures are available?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the large increase which has taken place in the retail price of rabbits, and will he control the price which is now almost double that of pre-war days?

I am aware of the recent increase in the retail price of English rabbits. This is to a very large extent due to abnormal weather conditions which did not permit of the usual trappings. The desirability and practicability of controlling the retail price of rabbits are under the active consideration of my Department.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can state in detail the individual items of cost of production upon which he based the selling price of meats of various grades?

The selling prices of home-killed meat under the control scheme are based upon the level of selling prices ruling just prior to control. They do not wholly cover the cost of livestock purchases by the Government from the farmers plus slaughtering and distribution

There are 87 salaried employés of the North-Eastern Area Wholesale Meat Supply Association in South Yorkshire. They are employed in connection with the wholesale distribution of both home-killed and imported meat at Barnsley, Doncaster, Goole, Hemsworth, Rotherham and Sheffield. The wholesale meat trade employed many more than 87 persons in peace-time in these towns. As regards the second part of the question, at the slaughter-houses in the towns referred to the following numbers of animals were slaughtered during the two weeks ended 2nd February and 9th February, respectively:costs. The prices of imported meat were fixed so as to place them in normal relationship with prices of home-killed meat. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a printed leaflet containing particulars of the prices being paid for fat-stock.

asked the Minister of Food whether poultry-keepers can now purchase ordinary supplies of feeding stuffs unmixed in compounded mashes; and whether he can give some indication as to how they can be purchased?

Any person who requires to purchase feeding stuffs should apply to his usual dealer. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of cases where nothing but a compound mash can be purchased, I will have investigation made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company has been compelled during the present winter to cut out a large portion of its pantomime services; has been prohibited from running omnibuses to and from dances, concerts, music halls, dog races, horse races, fishing parties, works outings, and even to entertainments at military barracks; and whether he will take steps, with the regional transport commissioner, to give greater leniency in this matter henceforward?

In consequence of the restricted supplies of liquid fuel, it has been necessary to curtail less essential public vehicle services, including those of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers. I have already given instructions to the regional transport commissioners to grant supplementary rations of fuel to enable operators to meet the reasonable needs of those attending entertainments at military establishments if no alternative travelling facilities exist. I am informed that the regional transport commissioner has not refused supplementary issues of fuel to the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company for this purpose at any time. I have also made certain special arrangements about pantomime traffic. In existing circumstances I do not think that I can properly go further.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the theatrical season of pantomime in Birmingham, which lasts until the end of April, has been seriously affected during the current season by the absence of adequate transport facilities in and out of the city; and whether, in view of the desirability of making it possible for the large number of workers in the vicinity to patronise such entertainments, he can improve transport facilities by train and omnibus at an early opportunity?

My attention has not previously been drawn to any complaint that the present pantomime season in Birmingham has been seriously affected by the absence of adequate transport. As regards road passenger service I was, however, aware that in certain districts those responsible for pantomime entertainments derive considerable support from patrons from outlying districts and, in the interests of all concerned, I came to the conclusion that some relaxation of the restrictions on excursions and on the duplication of services consequent upon fuel rationing was desirable. The regional transport commissioners have been instructed to apply this relaxation to routes on which rail services are not available and where the length of the journey is not more than 25 miles. In general, I should not feel justified in present circumstances in extending these concessions or in asking the railway companies to provide further facilities for such traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make representations to the London Passenger Transport Board that there should be a more drastic revision of their schedules operating in the black-out so as to reduce the strain on the drivers and enable them to keep within a speed that is safe, in view of the restricted front illumination now provided?

The Board are satisfied that revisions already made in their schedules do not impose any greater strain on drivers than is necessarily involved in driving under "black-out" conditions. The staff in any case are not penalised for late running. I am satisfied that the Board are fully alive to their responsibilities in this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the closing of a pathway bridge over the Great Western Railway at St. Thomas, Swansea, which gave quick access to the Prince of Wales Dock, and now that it is closed workmen have to walk a long circuitous route to get to their work; and, as this bridge also affects the businesses of the locality and people do not shop in the area as a result of the closing of the bridge, will he take steps to ensure its opening as it was open during the last war?

It was decided at the outbreak of war that in the interests of national security this footbridge, which crosses a number of railway lines and junctions in the dock area, must be closed to the public. In the circumstances, I regret that I am unable to comply with the hon. Member's request that the bridge should be reopened.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made with the extension of the Central London line from Liverpool Street to Newbury Park; when it is hoped to open the sections to Mile End and Stratford, respectively; and what is the position with regard to the electrification of the London and North Eastern Railway suburban lines from Liverpool Street to Shenfield?

Most of the tunnelling work between Liverpool Street and Newbury Park has been completed. According to present plans it is hoped that the electrified line will be opened to traffic as far as Loughton, including the section between Mile End and Stratford, before the end of this year, and that the section from Leytonstone to Newbury Park and thence round the Fairlop Loop will be opened in the spring of next year. The hon. Member will, however, realise that in the present circumstances these dates cannot be guaranteed. Certain works have been completed in connection with the electrification of the suburban lines from Liverpool Street to Shenfield, but it has been necessary to defer the remainder of the work until after the war.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the position in connection with the shortage of coal?

I have been asked to reply. The movement of coal into the consuming areas has considerably improved, and with the reduction in demand consequent on the milder weather the position is, I am glad to say, now easier.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement on the amount of overtime which women telephonists have had to work in the Metropolitan area since the reintroduction of 1s. telephone calls and the latest hour to which any female telephonist has had to remain on duty?

During the first 10 weekdays from the introduction of the 1s. night call, the total amount of overtime worked in the London area by women telephonists whose normal weekly attendance is 48 hours, inclusive of meal times, was 3,275 hours. This represents an average of 20 minutes a week per operator. Only 150 hours of the total was directly attributable to the cheap night rates. In addition, a number of women telephonists whose normal weekly attendance is only 36 hours have had their attendance increased to the full 48 hours, inclusive of meal times. The latest hour to which any established female telephonist in London has had to remain on duty on account of the 1s. call has been 10 p.m.

asked the Postmaster-General why letters sent from this country to the United States of America by air-mail have recently taken as long as 27 days, whilst those sent by ordinary sea mail routes have taken only 21 days; and whether he will give an undertaking, in the interests of our export trade, that the air-mail service will be speeded up, or failing that, will he consider a revision of the postage rates on air-mail correspondence?

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which the Assistant Postmaster-General gave to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge) on 20th February, and as regards the second part, to the replies which the Secretary of State for Air gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Mr. Roland Robinson) on 21st February.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is yet in a position to make a statement as regards the question of the reduction of the postage rates on letters to French troops serving in France?

I am glad to say that the French Post Office has agreed that the rates of postage on letters and postcards posted in this country for the French forces serving in France should be reduced to those applicable to correspondence for members of the British Expeditionary Force, namely, 1½d. for the first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce; and 1d. for postcards. The reduced rates will come into force on the 1st of March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how he reconciles the fact, recently announced, that all sugar-producing Colonies were advised some months ago to aim at an increase of production next year of 20 per cent., with the recommendations of the West India Royal Commission that Jamaica had the strongest claim to any increase, and that it should be at least 50,000 tons; and whether he will make an exact statement of the Government's policy on this matter?

The advice given to Colonies to increase production by 20 per cent. was given some months before the recommendations of the West India Royal Commission were received. The views of the Commission will of course receive full weight but the particular claims of Jamaica cannot be settled without reference to the interests of other Colonies in the West Indies and elsewhere. A full announcement will, as already promised, be made as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state exactly the functions of the business adviser to the Colonial Office, who is to be appointed under paragraph 12 of the statement of policy on colonial development and welfare?

As was stated in the White Paper, I have already appointed the business adviser referred to. Mr. Clifford Figg, who has great experience in questions of colonial trade, has patriotically agreed to serve in an honorary and unpaid capacity for the period of the war. He maintains a liaison between the Colonial Office, the other Government Departments which are purchasers of Colonial produce, and the business community; and assists Colonial Governments and producers to solve business problems created by the war. As was also stated in the Statement of Policy it will be for consideration at the end of the war whether it will be desirable to continue such an appointment in peace time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the present rates of Income Tax and Surtax in British Guiana and the various West Indian Colonies compared with the pre-war rates of the United Kingdom, basing the comparison on the joint income for man and wife, with one child of under 14 years of age, with a total income of £2,000 per annum?

The following statement contains the information desired by the hon. and gallant Member. For the purposes of comparison, the total income of £2,000 has been taken as earned income, and only earned income relief, married allowance and allowance for one child have been taken into account. The figure for the United Kingdom is taken from the table contained in Command Paper6107. The figures given for the West Indian Colonies take into account the emergency taxation imposed since the outbreak of war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what definite pledge has been given to planters in Africa who are increasing the area of their land under flax, that they will be safeguarded from a heavy fall in the price of flax during the two years following the cessation of hostilities?

No pledge on the lines referred to in my hon. Friend's Question has been given to flax growers in Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that exports and stocks of tin are under the control of an international committee on which countries still at peace have a majority of votes, he will immediately invoke Clause 24 of the agreement, which provides against a signatory country being prejudiced when at war?

No, Sir. I do not think that at present British interests are prejudiced by the continuance of the agreement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the conditions which at present prevail at the passport control office, under which applicants for exit permits are normally kept waiting for many hours, and sometimes for days, thus causing great personal inconvenience and waste of time; and what steps are being taken to provide an efficient passport service?

With the exception of travel to France, with which country there are special arrangements, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government, on security and other grounds of national importance, to restrict overseas travel in time of war, and to grant exit permits only to applicants who can show that the proposed journey is in the public interest. Each application has therefore to be considered on its merits, and some delay is in these circumstances inevitable. Priority of treatment is given to applications for permits for business reasons, and I am satisfied that these cases are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible. The staff of the Permit Office have been working under great pressure since the outbreak of war, and commendation is due to them for the success with which they have dealt with an entirely novel problem. I am aware, however, that complaints of delay have been made in individual cases, and my right hon. Friend has accordingly appointed an inter-departmental committee under my chairmanship to consider in all their aspects the various difficulties both of principle and practice which constanly arise, and to suggest methods for meeting them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many sheepskins have been sent to this country since the war and how many were sent in a comparable period a year before?

Publication of particulars of our trade in individual commodities has been suspended since the outbreak of war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why instructions were issued to insurance companies that no renewal notices need be issued in connection with policies under Part II of the War Risks Insurance Act, 1939; if he is aware that considerable inconvenience has resulted to policy-holders; and whether prompt reminders will in future be sent out in such cases when payments are due?

Most of the policies under the commodity insurance scheme are issued for a period of one month only. Each such policy has attached to it a reminder slip printed in red drawing attention to the expiry of the policy at the end of the month, and is accompanied by a form of application for a new policy. Where three monthly adjustable policies are taken out, the Board's agents are in regular touch with the insured by means of the weekly declarations of value. In these circumstances, the issue of further renewal notices becomes unnecessary, and would involve labour and expense disproportionate to the result.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in the employ of the Unemployment Assistance Board; and the total expenditure on administration, stating the cost of wages and salaries, separately?

The staff of the Unemployment Assistance Board, including staff seconded for duty in other Departments and staff serving in the armed Forces of the Crown, numbered 8,365 in December, 1939. The total cost of administration during the calendar year 1939 amounted to about £4,760,000 and comprised £1,740,000 for salaries and wages of the Board's staff, £225,000 for other administration expenses of the Board, and £2,795,000 for services rendered by other Government Departments and the accruing liability for superannuation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many students in the United Kingdom, Scotland and Greenock, respectively, who had prepared and been accepted for Civil Service examinations accepted his invitation to register at the local Employment Exchanges pending vacancies arising in the Civil Service; how many of these, respectively, have since received vacancies; how many persons of similar age who had not been accepted for Civil Service examinations have received vacancies; and how many of such vacancies would have been filled in the normal course?

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the difficulties created by evacuation, he will waive the rule that temporary civil servants will not receive sick pay until they have been some months in the service; and whether he is aware of the large amount of sickness among civil servants at places like Blackpool?

It has recently been agreed with the staff side of the National Whitley Council, and instructions will shortly be issued, that, where billeted officers receive less than full pay or its equivalent during sick leave, any billeting charge which the officer may normally pay should be waived. I regret that I see no grounds in the case of evacuated staff for modifying the agreed arrangements with regard to the qualifying period of service which has to be rendered by temporary employés in order to become eligible for paid sick leave. There is no evidence that absence due to sickness at Blackpool and other reception towns is greater than in London.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured workers in South Wales, including Monmouthshire, employed in the main industrial categories including local government?

The table below shows, for South Wales and Monmouthshire, the estimated numbers of insured persons, aged 14–64, in the principal industries of that area, at the beginning of July, 1939, the latest date for which such figures are available. The figures include the unemployed as well as persons in employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state, in respect of Great Britain as a whole and of the following districts, the numbers of disabled ex-service men registered as unemployed, at the latest available date, and the percentage this represents of the numbers of adult males unemployed in the same districts, namely: Accrington, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bradford, Burnley, Blackpool, Hull, Huddersfield, Leeds, Manchester, Oldham, Salford, Stockport, Southport and Wigan; and in respect of other districts where the percentage is exceptionally higher than the average for the country as a whole?

I am having the available particulars for the areas mentioned by the hon. Member extracted and will communicate them to him as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the feeling of indignation that has been aroused in Gourock and Greenock over the failure of his Department to make some provision for large numbers of men from the Navy who have recently been on shore leave, who could not get back to their ships at night, had no accommodation, and were compelled to molest and beg lodgings from passers-by in the streets; that many of these men slept out all night; and will he see that some provision is made either to billet the men, or provide sea transport in order to return them to their ships?

I am aware that there have been one or two occasions when a number of men on shore leave were unable to return to their ships owing to thick fog. On those occasions, emergency accommodation was arranged for the men and patrols were sent out to tell men where to go. Consideration is being given to the possibility of providing accommodation arrangements which will avoid a recurrence of the difficulty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that many people at the present time are afraid of travelling to and from the Isle of Wight owing to their fears that there may be danger from mines; whether, before the forthcoming Easter, Whitsun and summer holiday season, he will arrange to make sure that the sea route between the Isle of Wight and the South Coast is as safe as possible from mines; and that a public announcement to this effect is made?

The Admiralty are doing all they can to make this route as safe as possible from mines.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that some of the fishing boats requisitioned from the Ayrshire fishing fleet are not being used for the purpose for which they were requisitioned; and whether he will investigate the matter, with a view to having these boats returned to allow of them being used for food production?

All the vessels now in naval service which were requisitioned from the Ayrshire fishing fleet are fully employed on naval duties.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Ronald Gordon Harvey, Leading Supply Assistant, D/MX 54654; whether he is aware that this rating has recently been invalided from the service, and that apart from £2 paid to him to proceed on a month's invaliding leave, he has received no pay since the 21st August; whether he will explain the reasons for this lengthy delay, and if payment will now be expedited?

Leading Supply Assistant Robert Gordon Harvey was invalided from the service on 31st January, and a final pay settlement was made to him on 23rd February by the naval authorities concerned. The statement that no payment was made to Harvey since 21st August, other than the £2 to which the hon. Member refers, is being investigated, but I would point out that it was always open to Harvey to apply for further advances of pay.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is prepared to consider the advisability of adding after Rule 20, Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act, 1907, words permitting the court, notwithstanding that the defender may have prorogated the jurisdiction of the court where the case is brought, ex proprio motu, or on cause shown, to remit the cause to another sheriffdom, in which case the cause shall proceed in all respects as if it had been originally raised in the original court?

I am not satisfied that the suggested addition is necessary in order to achieve the object which the hon. Member has in view. I have, however, communicated his proposal to the Sheriff Court Rules Council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the delay connected with the appeal for a contributory pension of Mr. S. Hartland, 79, Paul Street, Stratford, E.15, reference No. AS.2/30446459?

I find that in the first instance Mr. Hartland gave incorrect particulars of his insurance, and that when the correct particulars were furnished it was ascertained from his approved society that his insurance had been terminated before his sixty-fifth birthday by reason of the fact that he had failed to surrender evidence of unemployment. Inquiries were thereupon made by the Department with a view to obtaining such evidence. The inquiries were necessarily protracted, but the information which was ultimately obtained has now been forwarded to the approved society for consideration, and I hope that a decision on the claim will be given within a few days.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the danger of decline in standards of purity of food retailed to the public owing to inspectors being transferred to other work; and whether he will take steps to ensure that food inspection is maintained at a high level, with a view to obtaining the best possible results from the available supply?

My right hon. Friend has no information to show that the level of food inspection generally is not being maintained, but if the hon. Member has any evidence of such a decline in standards and would be good enough to submit it to him I can assure him that the matter would receive his careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the unanimous resolution of the recent meeting of the British Social Hygiene Council, regretting the issue of Circular 1956 by the Ministry regarding the maintenance in war-time and, where necessary, the extension or adjustment of the existing arrangements for the treatment of venereal diseases, inasmuch as no provision is made for adequate financial assistance to reimburse local authorities for their activities in this direction; and will he receive a deputation of members to furnish him with the actual circumstances of the situation to date?

I have fully considered the views expressed on this subject, but having regard to the provision already made by way of the block grant to local authorities I am unable to arrange for additional Exchequer assistance. In the circumstances the reception of a deputation would not appear to serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Health how many insurance committees have purported to delegate their authority to an individual, or to a small emergency committee; under what authority this is done; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this action in future?

I am unable to say how many insurance committees have purported to delegate their authority. I do not feel called upon to take any action in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now prepared to reconsider the terms of his letter to the Medical Practitioners' Union, dated 28th October, 1939, relative to the Insurance Acts Committee?

I see no reason for qualifying the terms of the letter to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that no Exchequer contribution has so far been paid to the hospital, Rush Green, Romford, in return for its services as an advance base hospital under the Emergency Medical Services Scheme; and whether a decision as to the grant will be expedited as the hospital's estimates for the coming year are now being drawn up?

The basis of Exchequer contributions towards the expenses of local authorities' hospitals under the emergency hospitals scheme is still under discussion with the representatives of the authorities, but if the Joint Hospital Board concerned in this case will indicate their weekly outgoings under the scheme, I shall be happy to arrange for payments on account.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the great difficulty experienced by the public in obtaining hand-lamps that conform to the specification BS/ARP 3, in accordance with the. Lighting (Restrictions) Order, 1940, and what action does he propose to take to increase the supply of such lamps and to reduce their price to the public; and whether, in view of the unsatisfactory character of the regulations relating to the use of electric torches by the public, he will furnish a suitable specification for electric torches to be available to the public at a low price?

I think that the hon. Member may be under some misapprehension in this matter. The type of hand-lamp or hand-torch specified by the British Standard Specification BS/ARP 3 is a torch for use by air-raid precautions personnel. The Lighting (Restrictions) Order does not require the public to use a torch of that type, but permits any form of hand-lamp or hand-torch to be used provided that it is dimmed by two sheets of tissue paper or the equivalent, that the light is white, is directed downwards, and is extinguished on an air raid warning. The adoption of the hon. Member's suggestion for a specification for all hand-torches would entail the prohibition of the use of all existing torches which did not comply with the specification; and this is not a step which I should feel justified in taking, at any rate in present circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a motor cycle and side-car used and adapted for commercial purposes, and in respect of which a C licence under the Road and Rail Traffic Act is held, is charged the same annual rate of tax as a motor cycle and side-car used for private and pleasure purposes?

Yes, Sir. A motor cycle, or motor cycle and side-car, is chargeable with tax at the rate laid down in paragraph 1 of the taxation schedule, irrespective of the use to which it is put, but if used for commercial purposes in respect of which a C licence under the Road and Rail Traffic Act must be held, the appropriate fee for that licence must be paid in addition to the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the inadequate response of holders of Four-and-a-half per cent. Loan to the recent Two per cent. Conversion offer, was largely due to the widespread belief that the Treasury is unable or unwilling to enforce a thorough-going policy of cheap money; and whether he is in a position to reassure the House that the Government will take timely steps to restore confidence in the cheap-money policy before issuing another big loan?

So far from being regarded as inadequate, the response to the Conversion offer was infact extremely satisfactory having regard to the great reduction made in the interest rate. I do not think that the House needs any further reassurance from me that the policy of His Majesty's Government continues to be one of favouring the lowest possible interest rates.

asked the Prime Minister how many awards of the medal of the Order of the British Empire, for gallantry, have been made to British subjects resident in the United Kingdom, in civil employment, including awards to officers and men of the mercantile marine and those engaged in fisheries since 1st September?

Four awards of the Medal of the Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, for Gallantry, have been made since the outbreak of war to British subjects resident in the United Kingdom. One of these awards was made in the Merchant Navy.

asked the Prime Minister whether any agreement or understanding has been reached between His Majesty's Government and either the French Government or the provisional Polish Government on the minimum conditions to be required by the Allies for the re-constitution of the Polish State?

I have nothing at present to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for North Kensington (Mr. Duncan) on 7th February.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in anticipation of warmer weather, he will arrange for the collection, repair and storage of woollen comforts, with a view to their reissue in the autumn; and is he aware that great waste occurred in the last war owing to lack of such arrangements?

Arrangements for the collection, repair and storage of woollen comforts are under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers and men of the Army are entitled to one week's leave after each three months' service; and whether, in cases in which the exigencies of the service make it impossible for such leave to be granted to a soldier at the end of this period, the leave so earned can he granted at a later period and added to any further leave which the soldier may have earned by reason of service?

Leave is a privilege and not an entitlement, but it is the intention that, subject to military exigencies, officers and men in France should have a period of 10 days' leave in the United Kingdom every six months and that those at home should have either a period of 14 days' leave every six months or a period of seven days' leave every three months. In addition, those at home have opportunities for week-end leave. In view of the difficulties involved, it would be impracticable to permit the accumulation of leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make inquiry into the circumstances under which a shell fired by a naval vessel landed in a factory and house in Leith; and whether he will devise a better way of warning trawlers against danger?

The shell was a plugged shell fired from a coast battery, and this method of warning vessels of danger is not used unless all other means of attracting attention have failed. In this case, a ricochet occurred, and there was an abnormal variation in direction as a result. Experiments are being carried out with a view to lessening the possibilities of ricochets.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information about the use by Italy of the services of blind persons on aircraft sound location work on account of their directional sense of hearing being more acute than that of sighted persons; and whether he will consider giving blind persons in this country the opportunity of undertaking similar work?

I have no authoritative information regarding the use by Italy of the services of blind persons on aircraft sound location work, but tests have been made in this country, as a result of which it was found that blind persons could not be recommended for such duties. In present conditions, listening members of a searchlight detachment are required to perform other duties which necessitate the use of their eyes.

asked the Minister of Supply what provision exists for consultation between the Timber Controller and furniture manufacturers on matters affecting their business; whether a statement of Government policy has been made regarding the availability of timber for furniture manufacturers; and, if so, what consultation took place with them, on that occasion, beforehand?

Arrangements have been made for consultation between the furniture manufacturers and the Timber Controller or his local officers as and when occasion arises. The position regarding the availability of timber for such manufacturers was explained by the Controller to representatives of the furniture trade associations on the 24th January, and the statement was repeated two days later in a conference with the Press. A report regarding the Press Conference appears, among other places, in the Timber Trades Journal of the 3rd February.

asked the Minister of Supply the names and location of the firms engaged in general woodwork that have executed contracts since the war in the Swansea and district area; and the nature of the work engaged upon?

So far as contracts placed by the Ministry of Supply are concerned I have been unable to trace any such firms on the information available. If, however, the hon. Member cares to give me further particulars, I will make further inquiries. I do not know, of course, whether contracts may have been placed by other Departments.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will authorise the employment of persons in all royal ordnance factories who are unemployed and of British nationality, in preference to persons of other nationalities?

The rules governing the engagement of workpeople by the Royal Ordnance Factories provide that

"no person is eligible for entry who is not a natural born British subject and the child of parents also natural born British subjects."

asked the Minister of Supply the number of persons employed in a royal ordnance factory, the name of which he is aware of, who are not of British nationality, giving males and females separately?

Part of this Royal Ordnance Factory is operating and my right hon. Friend is not aware that any of the workpeople employed in that part are not of British nationality. Construction work is proceeding on another part of the factory site, under the Office of Works. The contracts which the Office of Works have made contain a clause which requires contractors to obtain the permission of the First Commissioner before employing workpeople of other than British nationality and no such permission has been sought or granted in respect of any of the workpeople now employed.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will arrange for a national anti-waste and salvage campaign organised through local committees, on lines similar to the war savings movement?

The national salvage campaign of my Department is being organised primarily through the local authorities in all parts of the country. Authorities which are unable to undertake complete salvage schemes have been urged to enlist the assistance of various voluntary organisations and individuals who have offered their help. Many of the Lords Lieutenant of the counties are giving their assistance in stimulating such local efforts in their respective counties.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether, in support of the Government's claim that the seaborne trade of Germany in neutral ships has been strangled, special instructions have been issued to all Government Departments that, in no circumstances, shall any neutral country import contraband goods to re-export to Germany?

I can assure the hon. Member that all Government Departments concerned are taking such action as is required of them in this connection, and that no special instructions need be issued to them.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether the impending Anglo-Norwegian Trade Agreement will enable Norway, in any circumstances, to import from overseas for re-export to Germany; and, in view of the fact that such an agreement would be contrary to the Government's declared blockade policy, will the House be given an opportunity for debating the matter before this agreement is approved?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply to a similar Question asked by the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 20th February in which I indicated that it would not be in the public interest to give any information about individual war trade agreements. I would also refer the right hon. Gentleman to the general statement on war trade agreements which I made to the House yesterday.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he will give information about the quantity and value of Germany's imports of overseas goods in 1938 shipped through ports of Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and the percentage of those figures to Germany's total imports of overseas products during that year?

The detailed German trade and shipping returns for 1938 have not been published, and I regret therefore that it is not possible to give the information relating to that year for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the meeting of the Swanwick and District Fruit Growers' Association in Hampshire, when Government restrictions on fruit growers were discussed; and what are his intentions as to the control of certain fruit and vegetables this summer, in view of the anxiety felt in agricultural circles over the position in the coming year so far as control, transport and the supply of labour are concerned?

I have not received an account of the meeting to which my hon. Friend refers. I am sending him copies of the instructions issued to County War Agricultural Executive Committees in regard to changes in the acreage of fruit and vegetables in the present year. I need hardly add that the question of fruit and vegetable production in this country is kept under close review, and my Department, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Food, is in consultation with the National Farmers' Union in regard to marketing problems of perishable fruit and vegetables during the war period.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres of the 700,000 which have so far been ploughed have been ploughed by steam-ploughing sets; how many Fordson tractors and how many caterpillar tractors the Government have purchased since the beginning of the war, respectively; how many are in use now; and whether he is satisfied that the steam-ploughing sets of the country are being used to their fullest possible organised extent?

Under the Agreement made with the Ford Motor Company in June last, delivery has now been taken of about 1,400 Fordson tractors. Of this total, no have been sent to Scotland and the remainder have been supplied to County War Agricultural Executive Committees in England and Wales. All these tractors will be in use as soon as the state of the land permits. Orders have recently been placed for 50 track-laying tractors, and these machines should be in the hands of Committees in the next few days. In addition 10,000 tractors have been purchased by farmers themselves since the outbreak of war and it is estimated that 60,000 tractors are now available in England and Wales for agricultural work. I have no information as to the acreage ploughed this season by steam ploughing sets, but from such information as is available it seems doubtful whether these sets have been in full use.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Milk Marketing Board continue to distribute a publication known as "The Home Farmer"; whether this is produced at a profit or loss; and why the Milk Marketing Board do not co-operate with the established publications serving the farming community by making announcements through such papers?

I am aware that the Milk Marketing Board distribute free to registered milk producers, the publication known as "The Home Farmer," but I have no information as to the cost of the publication. As regards the last part of the Question, I understand that it is the Board's view that information about the Milk Marketing Scheme and the various aspects of the Board's work, is best supplied to producers through the medium of a regular monthly publication of this kind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the quantity of home-grown oats sold in England and Wales in the years 1937, 1938 and 1939, respectively; what proportions of these oats were sold by merchants; and what proportions were sold direct by farmers?

The quantities of British oats sold during the years 1937, 1938 and 1939 at towns from which returns are required under the Corn Returns Act, 1882, and the Corn Sales Act, 1921, were 2,316,640 cwt., 2,040,112 cwt. and 2,119,447 cwt. respectively. These figures include resales. I regret that the information asked for in the latter part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the difficulty of motorists who wish to obtain petrol for their cars which are laid up at the present time and which they propose to licence as from 21st March, the day before Good Friday; and whether, in such cases, he will relax the present regulation which makes it impossible to obtain petrol coupons without producing the actual licence form?

It has been arranged by the Ministry of Transport that provided applications are made in good time to the local taxation offices these licences will be delivered on the 20th March, and it has been further arranged, in order to obviate the difficulty to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, that the local taxation offices will issue with every such licence basic ration coupons covering the remainder of the rationing period, that is, from 21st March to 30th April.