asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the complications caused in the Ministry of Supply, and other Departments, by the introduction of military ranks and etiquette into the affairs of civilian administration; and whether he is prepared to arrange that officers carrying out duties in civil administrative positions will conform to the civilian dress, manners and customs common to such duties?

I am not aware of the complications to which the hon. Member refers. Officers serving with the Forces but employed in Government Departments occupy military and not civil posts, though a number of officers on the reserve are employed on civil duties, in which case they conform to the ordinary conditions of civil employment.

Is the Minister not aware that certain of the civilian offices, like the Ministry of Supply, do introduce invidious distinctions by some people acting in a military capacity and others acting in a civil capacity, and would he not agree that in such cases it would be advisable that the whole office should be worked on a homogeneous pattern?

I cannot agree with that. It is usual in any Service Department, such as the War Office, that a large proportion of those engaged are officers and the rest civilians.

Does the right hon. Gentleman take the view that there is any administrative advantage in military officers, as such, functioning in civilian posts in a civilian Department? If so, what is the administrative advantage?

There are civilian Departments with sections intimately connected with the War Office, as in the Ministry of Supply, and who deal with military matters. There are thus advantages in a certain number of posts being filled by officers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will modify his recent decision that he could not agree that a case had been made out for the appointment of a Joint Whitley Committee for the purpose of negotiating cost-of-living increases of pay for civil servants to the extent of agreeing to the appointment of such committee to deal exclusively with the case of civil servants who are in receipt of wages of less than, say, £3 9s. per week?

I see no reason to modify my recent decision about this matter, but it is one which is kept in the closest review in the light of the prevailing circumstances.

But does not my right hon. Friend recognise that a rise in the cost of living can be borne with comparative ease by somebody who has 70s. or 80s. a week, whereas it bears very heavily on lower-paid wage earners who receive in the neighbourhood of 60s. a week?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at a Scottish camp of which particulars have been sent him by the hon. Member for West Fife, soldiers have been paraded and instructed that in all outgoing letters they must refrain from criticism of the camp conditions; that some soldiers at this camp complain that they have also been threatened with punishment if they receive any letters containing what was described as offensive matter; and whether he will make it clear to all officers and non-commissioned officers that they are exceeding their rights in issuing such instructions and threats?

I am informed that at no time have all or part of the troops at the camp referred to been paraded and instructed that in outgoing letters they must refrain from criticisms of the camp conditions and that there has been no threat of punishment or any other measure of restraint in the event of their receiving letters containing offensive matter. Everything possible has been done for the comfort and contentment of the troops, and no complaints have come to light.

Has the Minister made definite inquiries following the material I sent him?

I have made inquiries and have given the result.

May I ask whether this Question was drafted by the Ministry of Information at Moscow?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give further consideration to the case of Sapper A. McCardle, No. 1891532, who was, before being called up, an apprentice press tool-maker within a short time of completing his apprenticeship; and whether, in view of the fact that McCardle has not been employed at his own trade in the Army, but has acted as a waiter in the officers' mess, he will consider releasing this man from service as he is needed in the important trade from which he was taken?

No application has been received for the release of Sapper McCardle. All men must undergo normal military training and take their share of ordinary duties, and Sapper McCardle has accordingly carried out preliminary military training and has been employed for a short period as a telephone orderly and then as a mess waiter. He is resuming military training in Royal Engineer field works, after which he will be employed as a toolmaker.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have here a letter from the Secretary of the Killowie Branch of the Amalgamated Engineering Union stating definitely that not only they, but their executive council, pleaded for this man's release because he is a highly technical man, and that it was refused? I have here a handful of records from several engineering industries in Britain along the same lines. Is not the Secretary of State prepared to do something in order to relieve the discontent in the engineering industry at the moment?

This man will be employed as a toolmaker in the Army and if I release him the only result will be that I shall have to take another tool-maker to carry out the work that is necessary.

What about the letters I have here from other engineering centres in Britain?

The hon. Member can send them to the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of cases from the Army of chronic suppurative middle-ear disease and deafness treated at military hospitals in France; what reports have been received from Army specialists on this subject; and whether the number of cases to date is such as to justify an instruction to refuse to pass personnel with this ear disease for service overseas?

The number of cases of this disease treated in military hospitals in France bears a proportion to the strength of the British Expeditionary Force only very slightly higher than that which prevailed in the Army as a whole during the three years before the outbreak of war. No reports have been received from Army specialists in this connection, and the suggested instruction is not considered necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he proposes to take to deal with the problem facing Scottish local authorities as the result of inability on the part of men serving with His Majesty's forces to meet their arrears of rent?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. Kennedy) on 14th March last.

asked the Secretary of State for War on whose recommendation quantity surveyors were appointed to supervise the construction of Militia camps; and whether he is aware of their unsuitability for work of this nature?

Owing to the very large volume of work already being carried out, there were no Royal Engineer officers available to supervise the construction of the Militia camps. It was therefore decided to appoint firms of surveyors to supervise the execution of the contracts. The firms of surveyors appointed were selected from a panel submitted by the Chartered Surveyors' Institution. It was realised that in certain cases persons in the firm might not have the engineering or architectural knowledge required to control the actual detail of construction, though fully qualified in such matters as measurement and costing. The firms were therefore empowered to engage such assistance as was found to be necessary, and to employ specialist consultants where required. The Department relied on frequent inspection by highly qualified senior officers to ensure that the quality of construction reached the required standard. The procedure has not been found unsatisfactory.

Is the Minister not aware that quantity surveyors were totally unsuitable for work of this kind and that it would have been far more satisfactory if people with the qualifications of civil engineers had been appointed for the work?

I think the difficulty at the time was that there were no individuals fully qualified to deal with all the details that arose. It was recognised that surveyors themselves might not be in a position to supervise fully and for that reason arrangements were made so that in those circumstances they could employ specialists to advise them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why quantity surveyors were selected for this work and why application was not made for civil engineers, who are far more suitable for work of this nature?

The reason was that the major part of the work would fall within the compass of surveyors.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office specifications for hutted and other camps and buildings generally, have now been altered to allow of the use of concrete spun pipes for sewage work, and Fletton hard bricks for hutments or foundations?

In buildings both of a temporary and a permanent nature concrete spun pipes nine inches in diameter ant above are authorised. Fletton hard bricks are authorised for the foundations of temporary war-time hutments, provided that they are of approved pattern and samples are passed by the competent military authority. These bricks are not however, authorised for permanent buildings below damp proof course.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it would have been an immense saving to the nation if this stipulation had been made much earlier in the war?

I could not admit that. Difficulties in regard to materials have forced us to accept lower standards, but the acceptance of lower standards does not always mean economy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received a report on the cost of the construction of the Militia camp at Cove; and, if not, when he expects to do so?

I have not yet received final figures of the cost of construction of the militia camp at Cove, and, while everything possible will be done to, expedite matters, I regret that I am not in a position to state when the accounts will be finally completed.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is taking time over this matter in the hope that it may die a natural death? Does he not recognise that the cost of this camp is exorbitant and double and treble what it should have been?

Exactly the opposite. The circumstances connected with this camp are such that I thought a report on the costs should be an absolutely exhaustive report, and it is for that reason that I am not prepared to hurry at the expense of not getting perhaps the fullest knowledge on every possible detail.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to say when he will be able to make a statement to the House on the matter?

I hope I shall be able to receive these accounts within four or five weeks, but what I am certain about is that I am not prepared to have these accounts closed until every single detail has been thoroughly investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether as regards allowances to the children of a woman whom a soldier has married and whose children he has maintained in family, it has now been decided to dispense with the expensive requirement of an adoption order being obtained by the soldier and his wife, and to accept the certificate of some responsible person, namely, a justice of the peace, councillor, or minister of religion, that the children have been so maintained by the soldier?

No, Sir. But as I promised in the Debates on Army Estimates, I am looking into the matter again. It is, as I explained, a difficult problem and it affects a number of Departments besides the War Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this requirement in the case of these children is a very serious grievance, and that it is not made in the case of the unmarried woman living with a soldier? Will he keep this in view, and also remember that this matter is considered a very serious grievance on both sides of the Border?

It is because the hon. and learned Member made these points on the Estimates that I said I was prepared to reconsider the matter, and I am considering it in connection with other Departments concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some stepfathers cannot get any allowance for children for whom they receive allowance from the Unemployment Assistance Board?

In his consideration of the matter will the right hon. Gentleman take counsel with my hon. and learned Friend?

I have already had a lot of information from him.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the interdict on all other fishing in the upper Forth estuary, at the instance of the Salmon Fishery Board, for certain periods of the year, is causing hardship and resentment among fishermen thus prevented or hampered in their calling; and whether the whole fishing question of the Forth can be re-examined with full cognisance of the fishermen's point of view?

I understand that the interdicts referred to in the Question applied only to certain specified methods of fishing but I am making inquiries into the matter and shall communicate with the hon. Member as soon as these are completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that residents in the Tollcross, Carmyle and Cambuslang districts are adversely affected by the clouds of sulphurous dust and vapour caused by spraying the coke as it leaves the ovens with water; and whether, in view of the damage to health caused by this practice, he will send his inspectors to those districts to see what can be done to mitigate the nuisance?

An officer of the Department of Health has visited the works in question on several recent occasions and is co-operating with the management in an endeavour to find a remedy for the conditions complained of.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether local authorities are to be regarded as the agents of the Government in their administration of the evacuation scheme; whether the Government accept financial liability for errors made by the authority in carrying out the scheme which involve financial loss to individuals; and whether it is the Government or the local authority who will pay damages awarded by the courts for loss sustained by parents owing to negligence in connection with the care of their children while they are away from home in a reception area?

In taking part in the administration of the evacuation scheme, local authorities are carrying out a duty imposed on them under the authority of the Civil Defence Act, 1939, which provides that the total amount of the approved expenses incurred by them in their exercise of this responsibility shall be repaid by the Exchequer. I am not prepared to make a general statement upon the effect of this provision in hypothetical cases, but if the hon. Member will send me particulars of any specific case which he has in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

Is the Secretary of State not aware of the general question which has to be decided because of the difficulties of people not knowing against whom their action lies?

I do not know if I can go further than the general statement I have made in my answer.

Does the answer mean that the Government are not prepared to accept responsibility?

Perhaps the hon. Member will read my answer, in which I state that a. statutory duty lies on local authorities and that as far as expenditure is approved it will be met.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among Scottish printers regarding the small proportion of Government printing allotted to them; that, for large orders, Scottish printers are asked to quote on a basis of delivery in London, whereas distribution of the printed matter, namely coupon books, takes place in Scotland; and whether, in the interests both of Scottish printers and the nation's finances, he will arrange for alternative quotations for delivery either in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen?

As the answer is rather long I will, with the hon. and learned Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, although it was known, on or about 7th March, that many cases sent to hospital proved to be paratyphoid B infections, and that consequently the sources of infection must have been operative from about 17th February, no notice was received by medical practitioners from the Public Health Department of Glasgow until 16th March; and whether he will investigate the reason for the delay and endeavour to arrange that notification should be given to practitioners with the utmost promptitude?

The final diagnosis of paratyphoid B on 7th March related to three cases only. It was some days later before there was evidence pointing to an epidemic outbreak and the warning to medical practitioners followed on the receipt of this evidence. Immediate steps were taken to trace the source of infection.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the problem of the threat to the health of, and the inconvenience to, the people of Banavie, near Fort William, caused by the unsuitable water supply, of which he was made aware by the hon. Member for the Western Isles, and others, several months ago, has become even more urgent; and what early action he proposes to take?

I understand that the county council of Inverness are actively considering the extension of the Corpach water supply to both Lower and Upper Banavie. I shall keep the hon. Member in touch with developments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the conditions in Banavie are a scandal, and that the people have to rely on the Caledonian Canal for drinking water?

I hope that, arising out of what has happened just now, the existing conditions will be remedied.

Will the Minister see that this matter is taken in hand at once in order that something may be done quickly to remedy these conditions?

The local authorities whose responsibility this is, are attempting to find the best way of dealing with it and I have done my best to expedite matters.

Is my right hon. Friend prepared to authorise the loan for which the county council of Inverness have asked, of £375 to meet the circumstances of this case?

That is part of what is under consideration at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has fully considered the complaints of the Glasgow and Edinburgh branches of the National Union of Journalists regarding Press censorship in Scotland; and has he any statement to make?

Yes, Sir. The complaints in question were discussed recently by the Director-General of the Press and Censorship Bureau with Press representatives in Scotland, and in so far as they concern censorship of news the Director-General is taking all possible steps to remove the difficulties which have been experienced. It appears that the main difficulty concerns the collection of news by local reporters, and I understand that this question is being considered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information in consultation with the other Departments concerned with a view to the co-ordination of action.

Will the hon. Gentleman communicate with the Service Departments and make known to them that these journalists, in collecting information for the public, are doing their service in connection with the war just as the military people are doing theirs, and should receive that courtesy to which they are entitled from the military people when in pursuit of their work?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give the approxi- mate area and depth of the peat beds in Weardale and Teesdale; whether he has any results of any survey as to the quality of the peat; and whether he will take steps to consider the use of such peat to produce oils and manure of great value to the nation and, at the same time, giving employment to hundreds of unemployed in the two dales?

I have been asked to reply. The Secretary for Mines understands that peat occurs over the greater part of the approximately 100 square miles of upland heather moor in the neighbourhood of Weardale and Teesdale. The deposits are estimated to have an average depth of not more than 5 to 10 feet. Detailed information as to the quality of this peat is not available. The question of the possible utilisation of peat in time of war has already been referred to the Committee under the Chairmanship of Lord Henley, the appointment of which was announced by the Secretary for Mines in answer to a Question by the right hon. Member for Lime house (Mr. Attlee) on 20th March.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will encourage corporations and public bodies to lay in large supplies of coal during the summer to be held as a reserve in case of emergency only; and whether he will now arrange for credits to merchants or firms who will do this themselves in view of the stocks in the places where they will eventually be wanted being preferable to stocks at the pithead and in view of the possibility of enemy action?

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which the Secretary for Mines gave to the hon. Member for Leyton, West (Mr. Sorensen) on 19th March. As regards the latter part of the Question, my hon. Friend agrees that the most valuable sites for stocks are at or near places where the coal is actually to be consumed; but he is not contemplating that the Government will afford credits for merchants' stocks.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that at Richmond and Barnes only yesterday an emergency train load of coal arrived and that no one would accept delivery because they had to pay cash for it, and that if credit was given this sort of case would not arise?

I will convey the hon. and gallant Member's remarks to my hon. Friend.

Will he also convey to his hon. Friend the fact that coal delivery in London is entirely unsatisfactory?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can now give an approximate date when the order which provides that individuals shall only be supplied with 2 cwt. of coke or coal at one time will be relaxed, in view of the continuing drain on national resources which such an uneconomic method of delivery entails?

The Secretary for Mines hopes that it will be possible for the restriction to be modified at an early date.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that it is now over nine weeks since the severe weather which aggravated the coal shortage, and can he do nothing but express vague hopes?

I will convey the hon. Member's remarks to the Secretary for Mines.

Will the hon. and gallant Member take into consideration that it is not a question of getting 2 cwt. of coal per week but that in Liverpool we are not able to get any supplies at all?

I will certainly convey the observations of the hon. Member to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is proposed to reopen any of the closed coal mines with a view to meeting the increasing demand for coal from overseas; and what plans he has for doing this?

As the hon. Member knows the question of reopening pits is one of the subjects under consideration by the Mining Association and the Mine-workers' Federation. It must not, however, be assumed that the re-opening of pits is in all cases the most effective way of utilising the man-power available.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of colliery workers who have been registered under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act and the number whose calling up has been deferred; and whether he is in constant consultation with the Secretary for Mines and the three Defence Ministers as to the need for retaining sufficient miners in the industry to secure the output of coal required to meet the nation's needs, and with what result?

It would not be in the national interest to give the figures for which the hon. Member asks. I can assure him however that I am in constant touch with my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines and other Ministers, including the three Defence Ministers, as to the need for retaining a sufficient number of miners in the coalmining industry to secure the output of coal required and as to the steps that should be taken to this end.

Have consultations been carried on with both sides in the industry?

That is a matter for my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that bunker coal is being sold at Milford at 35s. 6d. a ton, whereas the fishing-boats at Newlyn have to pay 55s. a ton to the detriment of their capacity to compete with Belgian diesel trawlers landing fish at Newlyn; and whether he proposes to take any steps to enable the British boats fishing from Newlyn to obtain coal at reasonable prices?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that the cost of sending coal to Newlyn must inevitably be considerably higher than to Milford. In view, however, of the large difference in price to which he has drawn attention, the Secretary for Mines has had the matter investigated by an officer of his Department. The report which he has now received indicates that specially heavy costs are involved in the handling of this coal, but he is not as yet satisfied that the full extent of the difference is accounted for by this fact, and he is having further inquiries made into the matter. Perhaps the Secretary for Mines might communicate with my hon. Friend when these are completed.

In view of the fact that the Minister's attention was called to this question some weeks ago and that it is a very serious matter for this port, will my hon. and gallant Friend ask his hon. Friend to take steps to hurry up measures for dealing with it?

I will certainly do so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the restriction on motor car sales for the home market is not jeopardising our export sales of cars?

The export group formed under the auspices of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in consultation with the Board of Trade have formulated plans for promoting export sales. While it has been necessary, owing to the many claims on our steel resources, to limit the amount of steel available for the production of private cars for the home market, the group are hopeful of success in the execution of their plans which are based on the maintenance of exports at a high level.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether the Forestry Commission are likely to complete their normal planting programme this year; and what area they propose to plant next year?

The Forestry Commission expect to complete their normal planting programme for this season; the programme for next season has not yet been arranged.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what steps are being taken to replant woodlands felled during the war?

The Forestry Commissioners cannot usefully add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 8th February last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make a statement on the progress of the Government's scheme for comprehensive credits for agriculture?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Agricultural Requisites Assistance Scheme, but I would remind him that that scheme is designed to supplement existing credit supplies and is not comprehensive in the sense of covering all the credit requirements of agriculture. At 31st March, 1940, the scheme had been in operation about a month, and I have not yet received from County War Agricultural Executive Committees their reports on this initial period, so I am as yet unable to say how many applications have been approved.

Is not my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that I am not alluding to that scheme? Is he not further aware that he has had over a year in which to go into this matter, and that what is urgently required at the present time is both capital and credit in order to obtain the maximum output from the farms? Why is it that no single man has been given this job with power to put it through? Is not my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that it is absolutely vital, and yet nothing is done? The position gets worse and worse.

asked the Minister of Transport what complaints he has had from industrial concerns that their traders are being restricted from carrying out their essential work in the war effort through lack of petrol allowance; and what he intends to do in the matter?

Complaints are received from time to time from firms as to the effect on their businesses of the fuel rationing of goods vehicles. Every complaint is fully investigated through the regional organisation and I have no reason to believe that fuel rations are refused if it can be shown that other reasonable traffic facilities are not available.

Does the Minister mean that even a firm having lorries of its own has to set them aside and leave its men idle, and pay for other facilities, because petrol is not supplied to firms owning vehicles?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put to me the detailed case which he has in mind.

Is the Minister aware that there is in Middlesbrough a concern which has built up stocks of coal—the only one in the district which has stocks of coal, which were brought in entirely by road transport—and that it has been told at a few days' notice that it will have no more petrol?

asked the Minister of Food whether it is now obligatory to indent on the tin of all canned goods the country of packing; and whether, in view of the large quantity of canned goods now being stored in this country as food reserves, he will take steps to make it obligatory to indent upon the tin, in a manner easily read by the public, the date of packing, so as to protect the public from dangerously old goods and also similarly to indent the packer's name?

The answer to both parts of the Question is in the negative.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that the date of packing and the nature of the goods are already marked on the can in a secret code, and is there any reason why the public should not have this information for its protection?

I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the Merchandise Marks Act, in which the obligations upon importers are clearly denned, and to which any change would require legislation.

Will the Minister see that the standards of margarine are clearly marked?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the War Service Grants Advisory Committee take into account voluntary contributions from an employer to an employé when assessing the amount of a grant to the latter or his dependant?

As the basis of all grants recommended by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee is serious hardship due to the man's war service, it is clear that all continuing items of income must be taken into account.

Does not my hon. Friend think that as, even with special grants, the household income is reduced very much below its pre-war income, it is unfair to take into account any additional grant which a man's employer may make?

I do not agree with that. If my hon. Friend will see me after Question Time, I will explain the whole position to him, and then I think he will not agree with it either.

Does not the Minister think that the taking into account of a voluntary contribution made by generous employers to their employés serving in the Army is a deterrent to that generosity, and is likely to result in those payments from employers being stopped?

If that is a deterrent, I should not think it is generous of them.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that many newspapers, particularly the London evening papers, seek to obtain sales by inserting the word "official" after their posters and headings, without any authority; and whether steps will be taken to limit such use of the word "official," to properly authorised statements by Government Departments?

No, Sir, I have not myself observed the use of the word "official" when in fact no official statement is referred to, and I cannot think there are many cases of the sort. If the hon. Member cares to provide an instance I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Information what reorganisation has taken place in the work of the Ministry since he took office; to what extent, and in what way, its scope has either been increased or decreased; and whether any alteration in the number of the staff has taken place?

Various changes in organisation have been made, but the scope of the Ministry is still under consideration and I regret I am unable to give a definite answer yet. Meantime there has been a continual expansion of the Ministry's activities abroad and at home, to meet which additions to the staff have been made as the work demands. Staff at headquarters and in regional offices number 674.

Can the Minister say how soon it will be possible to make a statement about reorganisation, in view of the many rumours that are floating about at the present time?

No, Sir. I am sorry I cannot, but certainly it will be as soon as possible.

Will the Minister circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement as to what information the Minister of Information is responsible for and what information he is not responsible for?

I would suggest that Question might be answered when I make the other statement to which the Question of the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) referred.

Can the Minister say how the figure of 674 is divided between headquarters staff and regional staffs?

Yes, Sir. There are 62 in the regions.

asked the Prime Minister what is the number of square miles of land and lakes that have been annexed by Russia from Finland under the peace settlement?

It is impossible to give exact figures until the frontiers have been delimited, but I understand that approximately 41,900 square kilometres of land and lakes have been ceded by Finland to the Soviet Union.

Does that answer mean that Russia has annexed more land and lakes than the square mileage of Scotland?

I should want to verify that statement, but it is exactly the size I have described.

Is it not larger than the square mileage of Scotland?

Is it not extremely disgraceful?

asked the Prime Minister to what extent Russia is co-operating with Germany under the terms of the recently concluded agreements made between them?

The degree of co-operation between the Soviet and German Governments appears to be most marked in the economic sphere.

Is it a fact that the Russian Government have indicated their willingness to enter into trade negotiations with His Majesty's Government?

I should require notice of that Question.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to publish the report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the loss of His Majesty's Submarine "Thetis"?

Yes, Sir. The report will be presented to Parliament and copies will be available in the Vote Office on 4th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now prepared to lift the ban on the conversions of local authorities?

I will, of course, continue to give careful consideration to this question, but I am afraid that the time has not yet come at which any general statement can be made on the question when issues for fresh money or conversion of trustee securities can be safely authorised.

May I take it from the answer that the Chancellor will give consideration to special cases on their merits with a view to relieving the ratepayers of a wholly unnecessary burden?

I should like, of course, to relieve any burden which the ratepayers have to suffer in this matter, but the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that, generally speaking, there is not at present an opportunity for any issues except for absolutely essential purposes.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that if the terms of conversion are properly arranged then; need be no question of issues of fresh money, and that in such cases the whole of the money would be taken up by the existing holders?

If there is no need for fresh money, there is no objection at all to local authorities, out of the resources they have, paying off their loans, but, of course, nobody can guarantee that there is no need for fresh money because in conversion operations the holders are given a choice between converting and taking cash.

May I ask whether the local authorities have to make application to the Chancellor to get this permission?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that he will safeguard the balances at the credit of the Unemployment Fund, in view of the probable need therefor for the purpose for which they are appropriated and, in particular, will not encroach on that fund for the purpose of liquidating in part the National Debt?

The balances at the credit of the Unemployment Fund (General and Agricultural Accounts) can only be utilised for the purposes laid down by Statute, and there is no question of the fund being encroached upon for other purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Defence expenditure between 1st April, 1939, and 31st August, 1939, or to the nearest available date, and the war expenditure between that date and 31st March, 1940?

Expenditure on Defence, including Civil Defence, from the 1st April to the 2nd September, 1939, amounted to approximately £237,000,000. As regards the remainder of the financial year, it is not the practice in current Exchequer returns which relate to the period of the war to give details of the expenditure on Supply Services.

Is there any truth in the rumour—at any rate it was in the "Daily Herald"—that you were going to make an attack in your Budget on the people who are in between £5 and £12 per week?

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to any statements in newspapers as to Budget proposals, he may take it that there is no sort of authority for any sort of statement in any newspaper on the subject at all.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information as to the subjects of the recent discussions between Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini?

I have no statement to make on this subject.