asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the need for placing coal hauliers and employés of coal distributors in a reserved occupation so as to avert the shortage of coal to the households of the country?

This matter is being examined in consultation with the Chamber of Coal Traders, and I hope that a decision will be reached at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether His Majesty's Government are contemplating taking the necessary steps to conscript refugees in this country from Germany, Austria, Czecho-Slovakia, and Poland, who are not considered to be enemy aliens, for non-combatant duties at the appropriate rates of pay?

No such proposal is at present under consideration.

Will the Minister bear in mind the unfortunate feeling that may be aroused if English nationals are conscripted and refugees from Germany and Czecho-Slovakia doing similar work are not conscripted?

That is not my responsibility. The National Service (Armed Forces) Act applies to British subjects.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the great majority of these refugees are only too anxious to take any work and that the chief obstacle is the slow working and complicatedness of the Ministry of Labour and Home Office regulations?

I would not agree with that. There are a great many other difficulties.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any steps are taken to verify the accuracy of statements made by men appearing before tribunals claiming exemption from service on conscientious grounds; and whether the applicants for exemption are required to take any oath or make any solemn affirmation of the truth of their statements to the tribunal?

It is for the tribunals to determine what evidence they require in support of statements made before them. It is a punishable offence to make false statements in giving any information for the purposes of the Act, and a warning to this effect is printed on the official forms. Applicants may be required by tribunals to give their evidence on oath; the practice of the different tribunals in this matter varies.

I did not catch the first part of the reply. Do I understand that, if necessary, tribunals do make investigations into the statements of applicants?

It is open to them to make what investigations they think desirable.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the practice of the tribunals to make investigations?

I have said that the practice of various tribunals differs and the law lays the responsibility on them.

Does not the large number of rejections support the desire of the hon. Member in this respect?

Has my right hon. Friend any information as to what tribunals do in Germany with regard to conscientious objectors?

The Minister cannot answer for what happens in Germany.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the resentment felt at the fact that a large number of conscientious objectors are better off financially than their contemporaries in the fighting services; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing a scheme under which no conscientious objector should receive more money in respect of his civil employment than the equivalent pay and allowances of a militiaman, the balance to be paid by the employer to the Exchequer?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Ralph Etherton) and the hon. Member for Walton (Mr. Purbrick) on 4th April, a copy of which I am sending him.

May I, without criticising in any way the opinions of the conscientious objectors, ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he really considers that a man should benefit by refusing to fight for his country; and is he aware of the rising tide of indignation of men in the Services and the vast majority of civilians?

These are, of course, matters of opinion, but I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to do one thing for me. If he will help me to break down the prejudice which farmers have to using conscientious objectors who are assigned to land work, he will help me greatly.

I have not heard of the information the right hon. Gentleman has, but if he will give it to me I will be glad to help him.

I should be most happy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that many privates in the Army are much worse off financially than brigadiers and are doing more work?

And better looking men?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of difficulties arising through Indians resident in this country who, on conscientious political grounds will refuse to obey their calling-up notices, and that existing arrangements respecting conscientious objectors do not cover this type of Indian political objector; and whether he will take special action to deal with this difficulty, and also to cover the cases of those Indians who volunteered to serve in the British Army and were refused because of their colour and will refuse to be conscripted on the ground that they were deemed unworthy of voluntary service?

Indian British subjects ordinarily resident in this country are liable to be called up for service under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act. They have the same rights under the Act to apply for registration as conscientious objectors as all other British subjects, and I have no power to make special provision for them. As regards the last part of the Question, any Indian British subject who wishes to volunteer for service in the British Army may do so on the same footing as European British subjects.

Is the Minister not aware that citizens of Eire in this country are allowed to stay here two years before they are made responsible for military service, and could he not at least place Indian subjects in the same position? May I ask, further, whether facilities will be given to Indians who are resident here to go back to India if they so desire?

That, of course, is another issue, and I should like to see that specific point on paper. The hon. Member did call my attention to a difficult case where it was refused before this present rule was operating.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that an appeal by Mr. P. Shriebman, of 61, Brick Lane, E.1, was dealt with by the hardship court in his absence while suffering from influenza, and that he was also refused permission to appeal to the umpire; and will he give instructions that hardship courts should not decide cases while the applicant is prevented from attendance through illness, and the reason of such absence is authenticated by the production of a medical certificate?

It is the practice of Military Service (Hardship) Committees to defer the hearing of cases in which the absence of the applicant is authenticated by medical evidence, unless a duly authorised representative appears in his case. I understand that in Mr. Shriebman's absence his sister, Mrs. Gold, appeared and informed the committee that she had been authorised by him to represent him and have the case disposed of that day. The committee accordingly proceeded with the case and after considering the written application of Mr. Shriebman and the oral evidence of his sister, unanimously refused the application for postponement as they were not satisfied that exceptional hardship would ensue; they did not give leave to appeal to the umpire.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that in such cases as that to which I have drawn his attention an applicant shall have the opportunity of personal representation on every occasion?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Labour under what authority and by whom, instructions have been issued to hardship tribunals, under the Military Service Act, that in no circumstances is postponement to be granted for periods exceeding, in the aggregate, 12 months?

The Armed Forces (Postponement Certificates) Regulations, 1939, provide that no certificate granted on the ground of business responsibilities and interests should be allowed to remain in force for longer than 12 months in all.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it just and fair to limit the tribunals in cases where they think that a further postponement beyond 12 months is justified?

I have no evidence of that at the moment, but the House will agree with me that, seeing we have to hold the balance between the interests of the Armed Forces on the one hand and hardship to the applicants on the other, a period of 12 months to make arrangements is not ungenerous.

Does that apply to skilled agricultural workers?

It is a question of businesses.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, having regard to the large number of representations which Members of this House have received, he will now take steps to remove the restriction which prohibits applicants before hardship tribunals being represented by lawyers or barristers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. J. Morgan) on 18th January, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, as the classes soon to be called up contain an increasing number of professional and commercial men carrying on one-man businesses involving heavy commitments and, in the case of abrupt stoppage, acute disorganisation, he proposes to issue regulations dealing with one-man business men; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 21st March, a copy of which I am sending him.

Apart from the question of regulations would the right hon. Gentleman consider making recommendations, and would he include a recommendation that these young men might enter into partnership with old men wherever possible?

I shall be glad always to look at practical suggestions, and perhaps the hon. and learned Member will communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Labour where the exact location of the new Unemployment Assistance Board's office will be which is to serve Barking, Dagenham and Ilford?

I am informed by the Assistance Board that it is in contemplation to open two new offices, one to serve Barking and Dagenham, and the other Ilford. The exact location cannot at present be indicated.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons coming within the purview of the Swansea Employment Exchange; and the industries at which they are engaged?

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the Official Report.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registering at the Swansea Employment Exchange for unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance benefit, respectively, for the years 1934 to date?

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the Official Report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that considerable delay is taking place in Dagenham in the grant of assistance through the Unemployment Assistance Board to parents in the clothing of evacuated children; and whether steps can be taken to rectify this unsatisfactory state of affairs?

I am informed by the Assistance Board that, in all, some six applications for assistance in the provision of clothing or footwear for children evacuated from the Dagenham district have been received since the beginning of the year. Where the need for clothing has been vouched by some responsible person in the locality, payment has been made within two or three days. In other cases, investigation in the area where the child resides is necessary; the Board are, however, fully alive to the necessity of dealing with such applications expeditiously and take all possible steps to avoid delay.

Will the right hon. Gentleman investigate any complaints I bring before him?

I will, certainly. There is one case I notice where the fault did not lie with the Board but with the applicant.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many young townsmen of 18 years or so of age would gladly work on the land in the period before entering military service; and whether he will direct Employment Exchanges in London and other urban centres to offer land work to these young townsmen and put them into touch with the National Farmers' Union?

I am in close consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, on the measures necessary to secure the additional workers needed for the land. Every effort will be made to secure that men registered at local offices in urban areas who are prepared to undertake such work, shall be offered the opportunity, including young men of the class referred to by my hon. Friend. My hon. Friend will appreciate that in order that the young men to whom he refers may obtain work on the land some farmer must be willing to engage them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman alternatively take steps to prevent older men who are not land workers going on to the land in order to evade military service?

If my hon. and gallant Friend has any information of that kind I shall be glad to have it. I am not aware of any such cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Commissioner for the Special Areas is still functioning; and whether new applications for assistance are given consideration by the Commissioner?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on this subject on 7th March.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the last part of my Question? Are new applications considered?

The reply is in the reference I have given. It is quite clear that only small applications could be considered.

Is it not true that no applications are considered by the Commissioners at all?

If the hon. Member would like to put that on the Paper I will give him a considered answer.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed on the Unemployment Fund, and also the cost of administration?

Approximately 700,000 payments of unemployment benefit were made in the week ended 9th March, 1940, the latest week for which figures are available. The cost of administration of unemployment insurance during the current financial year is estimated at £4,448,000.

I have not heard a single word. Can we have that answer read again?

The hon. Member will realise that it was not because the Minister did not speak up that he did not hear.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed receiving assistance from the Unemployment Assistance Board; and the cost of administration of the Unemployment Assistance Board?

In the week ended 9th March, 1940, the number of persons in receipt of unemployment allowances (including payments in supplementation of unemployment benefit and under the emergency schemes for the relief of distress due to the war) was approximately 390,000. The cost of administration of the Assistance Board during the current financial year (inclusive of the cost of services rendered to and by other Departments and of the liability in respect of superannuation) is estimated at £4,950,000.

Does the Minister consider that it is worth while to spend £4,000,000 on the administration of 190,000 cases just for the sake of the means test?

I consider that it is certainly not a sound process to take a particular week only and to judge upon that.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the men employed immediately before the war in the railway works at Dukinfield have been retained; how many have found alternative employment; and how many are now unemployed?

Complete information is not available but it would appear that the number of men employed at these works has fallen by about 700 since the outbreak of the war and is now about 300. I have been able to trace 10 cases of men discharged from their works who are at present unemployed and the total is not likely to be much in excess of this number.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of prisoners of war on the "Altmark," including Ian F. Hunter, 5th engineer on the steamship "Tairoa," who had not previously had occasion to apply for unemployment benefit, were told by Government officials at Leith that the Ministry of Labour had been informed that all their papers and books had been lost; that unemployment benefit has been refused from 17th February, 1940, to 14th March, 1940; and whether he will take steps to ensure that payment will be made?

The information I have been able to obtain in the short time available is confined to the case of Ian F. Hunter. I am assured that no statement was made to him by any officer of my Department that his papers and books had been lost. He made a claim to unemployment benefit on 14th March and payment has been made to him since that date. On the 14th March he also asked for his claim to be ante-dated to the 17th February, the date at which he landed at Leith. When this was not allowed by the local Court of Referees, he appealed to the Umpire. I will inform the hon. Member of the Umpire's decision as soon as it is given. The hon. Member will observe that the point at issue has to do, not with any loss of papers, but with the rule that claims to benefit ordinarily take effect from the date on which they are made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that I have had a personal interview with this man and that this was his personal statement to me; and will he do his best to expedite matters so that, if necessary, this House can see that justice is done to these heroes of the "Altmark"?

Perhaps the hon. and learned Member will communicate with me. He has not done so up to the present.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled ex-service men are at present registering as unemployed; and what was the number at the last convenient date before the outbreak of war?

A special count of the number of disabled ex-service men registered as unemployed was made on 8th April. I will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible, and will circulate a statement in the Official Report. On 3rd July last, the number was 26,220.

Can the Minister say whether any particular steps are being taken to find work?

Certainly. Regular, specific, definite and local steps.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there is any Department at the Ministry engaged in examining the industrial situation likely to prevail after the termination of the war; and the measures that may be required to meet the same?

The general subject mentioned by the hon. Member involves many financial, economic and commercial factors which could not appropriately be dealt with by a branch of my Department. The aspects of post-war problems which particularly concern my Department are constantly borne in mind but it would be premature for me to attempt to formulate definite lines of action with regard to this at the present time.

Could not the Minister out of his omniscience give a general notion of what the situation will be at the end of the war?

This is a case in which I am not omniscient.

If it is correct that many Departments are interested, are the various Departments concerned formulating some examination of this matter?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will read the Prime Minister's answer to a Question on that point. I will send him the reference.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the British Sailors' Society is paying 12s. 6d. per week as a temporary grant to the father, an ex-serviceman, and the mother in order to meet their pecuniary need because a pension has been refused them for the loss of their son, a young county Down Man, who was serving in the Royal Navy, and who allowed them £1 per month to assist in meeting the expenses of the home for themselves and their two children; and whether he is prepared to free the British Sailors' Society from making payment in this case, of which particulars have been sent to him, by granting a pension to these bereaved parents?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend is looking into this case and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions what steps he is taking to ensure prompt and proper attention to the needs of soldiers'dependants by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee; and, as worries due to the negligence of this committee are causing in creasing anxiety to serving men and jeopardising their mental and physical efficiency, will he expedite the procedure of this committee?

My hon. Friend is satisfied that applications to this committee are promptly and properly dealt with when they reach the committee or the staff working for them, but there have in the past been delays in bringing applications to the knowledge of the committee, which it is hoped are now obviated, or through omission by the applicant of information required for decision. My hon. Friend fears that some disappointments are caused by misunderstanding of the function of the committee, which is empowered only to assist cases of hardship resulting from the man's war service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the fines imposed by courts of summary jurisdiction in cases of drunkenness were fixed in 1872 when the value of real wages was 122 against the present value of 220; that in many cases the amount of the fine bears no relation to the present police and administrative costs incurred, and that consequently both the local and national exchequers are bearing a burden which should be imposed upon the offender; and what steps he proposes to take to relieve the two exchequers of this expense?

There are many offences in respect of which the fine imposed does not cover the police and administrative costs incurred in dealing with the offender, and the amount of such costs ought not, in my view, to be the governing consideration in determining the penalty appropriate to any particular offence. I have no reason to think that the penalties provided by the Act of1872 and subsequent Acts for offences of drunkenness are not adequate, and I do not think that there is ground for any action on my part.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the conditions under which annual leave or portions thereof may be taken by members of the First Police Reserve and War Reserve; and if he will state the reason why any distinction is made between the First Police Reserve and the War Reserve?

The general rule for full-time workers in the Civil Defence Services—including the Police War Reserve—is that one day's leave may be granted for each completed month of continuous service up to a maximum of 12 days. In the case of the First Police Reserve, which is mainly composed of retired police officers who have come back to duty, the general practice is to give them leave in accordance with the Regulations which apply to the regular police, that is, for a constable 12 days a year.

asked the Home Secretary what is the gross estimated cost of air-raid precautions on maintenance account incurred by the London County Council and each individual Metropolitan borough for the years 1939–40 and 1940–41;how much of this expenditure will be met from grants and from rates; what is the gross capital expenditure incurred by the London County Council and Metropolitan boroughs on air-raid precautions account for the year ended March, 1940, and the estimate of capital expenditure for the year 1940–41;and what is the capital expenditure incurred from Government sources for the provision of appliances, etc., to the London County Council and Metropolitan boroughs during the year ended March,1940, and the estimated amount required for the present financial year?

I am having this statistical information compiled and will let my hon. Friend know when it is ready.

Will this be published in the Official Report when it is ready?

Yes, Sir. Perhaps my hon. Friend would like to put down a further Question. It will take some little time to get the information ready.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Metropolitan Police rate has been increased by nearly 4d. in the £ for the coming year; that the increase is causing grave concern to the local authorities who have to collect the rate; and whether he will consider giving local authorities the right to see the estimate on which the precept is based, and be allowed to make representations to the Home Office if they think fit?

The increase, which is 3d. in the £, is to meet Civil Defence expenditure in the two years, 1939–40 and 1940–41. The estimates of the Metropolitan Police Fund are included among the Civil Estimates, Class III, and will be found on pages 29–30 of the current volume. These Estimates are revised before the amount of the police rate is settled at the end of February. Details of the revision made in February last have been furnished to all local authorities who have asked for the information. It is open to local authorities to make any representations they think fit with regard to Metropolitan Police expenditure, but it would not be practicable to consult the different rating authorities, numbering 101, in the Metropolitan Police District before the Estimates are settled.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that local authorities think that this extra burden for special police ought to be borne by the Government and not by them?

To a very large extent it is already borne by the Government.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it was not necessary to increase the pay of the police during the Great War?

The conditions are entirely different this time.

asked the Home Secretary when a Bill to amend the Workmen's Compensation Act will be introduced?

The Bill is in an advanced stage of preparation and I hope to introduce it at an early date.

Does the reference to an early date mean that there is a possibility of getting it before the Whitsuntide Recess?

Perhaps the hon. Member would put down a Question this day week.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that the Metropolitan police are trying to time motor cars by tailing motor-car drivers in the darkness, reading their own illuminated speedometers, and then accusing the drivers of the motor cars in front of travelling at the same speed as the following motor car; and whether he will consider the difficulty of drivers refuting this charge as their speedometers are unilluminated, and devise a fairer test;

(2) whether he is aware of the difficulty of the police attempting to gauge the speed of a motor car in front when tailing it in the black-out with the Government head-lamp mask so designed as only to throw a dim light close to the ground at about 19 paces in front, making it impossible to gauge whether the two motor cars are travelling at the same speed or not, a gain by the rear car of 3⅔ yards in a second on the motor car in front meaning an addition of about 7½miles on the recorded speed in the motor car behind; and whether he will consult with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan police with a view to arriving at a better system?

The instructions issued by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis with regard to the enforcement of the speed limits in built-up areas both by day and by night lay special stress on the necessity for keeping, as far as possible, at an even distance behind a vehicle which is being followed, and in calculating the speed of the vehicle due allowance is made for possible variations in that distance. At night, the distance is naturally rather less than it is by day. The police keep well within the range of their headlight, which has been found to be adequate for this purpose, and, in keeping an even distance, they are also assisted by the light showing from the red rear lamp of the vehicle they are following. The only other method employed is that of fixed controls, and experience does not suggest that any more satisfactory or fairer method of enforcing the speed limits can be devised. If, however, my hon. and gallant Friend can put forward some alternative suggestion, I shall be very glad to consider it.

Would my right hon. Friend answer the first Question, in which I asked how it was possible for drivers to refute police evidence, considering that the speedometers of their cars were unilluminated?

A driver who cannot judge at night whether his vehicle is travelling at a higher speed than 20 miles an hour is at liberty to switch the dashboard light on momentarily, in order to reassure himself.

Has my right hon. Friend ever driven at night, and is it not a fact that if a driver leaves the dashboard light on he cannot see anything else at all?

That was not my experience.

Is there anybody in the traffic department at Scotland Yard who knows anything about this matter?

Will the right hon. Gentleman set his mind against any relaxation of the regulations intended to prevent speeding at night?

Are these speedometers expected to be kept illuminated at night or not; will my right hon. Friend make a ruling?

I think the instructions are clear that they are not expected to be kept illuminated.

How then can they be seen?

The driver is expected to be illuminated.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the heavy penalties being imposed on drivers accused of exceeding 20 miles per hour in the black-out owing to the fact that this regulation was imposed under the Defence of the Realm Acts instead of under one of the Traffic Acts; and whether he will circularise magistrates to the effect that the reason for this was not that it was considered a more serious offence than exceeding the 30-mile-per-hour limit in daylight but because of certain restrictions in the present Traffic Acts, as explained, by the Minister of Transport on its introduction?

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport explained, in announcing the decision to impose a speed limit of 20 miles per hour in built-up areas after the hours of darkness, it was not possible to do this by means of a regulation under the Road Traffic Acts, and it was accordingly decided to impose the new speed limit by means of an order made under the Defence Regulations. In consequence, the maximum penalties which may be imposed for this offence are those generally applicable to offences against the Defence Regulations. In view of the element of danger to other road users which may be involved, offences against the order may be of a serious character, but, like other offences, they vary in the degree of their seriousness, and the question of the appropriate penalty in any individual case is one for the court to determine, in the light of the particular circumstances of that case. I have no reason to think that the position is not fully understood by magistrates, but if any misapprehension exists, no doubt the publicity given to the matter by this Question will be sufficient to remove it.

Is my right hon. Friend communicating with the magistrates to the effect that this offence is not considered a more serious one at night than in respect of the 30-mile-an-hour speed limit in the daytime, and is a purely technical offence?

I could not for one moment accept the contention that these offences are to be regarded normally as purely technical. I have been in communication with chief constables on the matter.

Will my right hon. Friend ask the police to prosecute only for dangerous driving and not for purely technical offences?

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the action of a magistrate who is steadily fining people £20 for each offence, irrespective of their means?

My attention has been called to the case and I have been in communication with the magistrate in question.

Are you doing anything about it?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the application for naturalisation on behalf of Captain von Rintelen; whether this gentleman is now in Government employment; and whether, in view of Captain von Rintelen's activities in the last war, he is satisfied as to the bona fides of his allegiance to this country?

There is no question of naturalising this gentleman, and while I understand that he would be glad to help this country if his services were required, I know of no ground for the suggestion that he is in Government employment.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered a resolution from the city of Stoke-on-Trent Education Committee, in which they direct attention to the facts brought to light by the evacuation scheme of school-children, and suggesting the provision of clothing and footwear for children who are unable to be suitably provided through the economic position of the parents; and whether it is intended to take any action?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 4th April to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr, Groves), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education what proportions of the children of Northumberland and Durham, respectively, are now receiving from education authorities milk and school meals, medical inspection and treatment, and whole-time education, respectively?

In the administrative county of Northumberland 6·4 per cent. of the public elementary school-children are receiving free milk, but there is practically no provision of free solid meals. All the children receive medical inspection and, where necessary, treatment, and about 76 per cent. are receiving full-time education. In the administrative county of Durham, 26·8 per cent. of the children receive free milk and 0·17 per cent. free meals. All the children receive medical inspection and, where necessary, treatment, and about 93 per cent. are receiving whole-time education.

When is it anticipated that these services will be fully restored?

They are being rapidly restored.

asked the President of the Board of Education, why instructions have been issued to His Majesty's inspectors of elementary schools that written reports on the schools they inspect are not, under present conditions, to be furnished to local education authorities?

No such instructions have been issued. While it will be appreciated that the difficulties under which many schools have been working in recent months would have made it unfair to the schools, and of little value to local education authorities to furnish the usual written reports upon the work, such reporting has not been abandoned and will be fully resumed with the general return to normal conditions in the schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education what opportunities are granted to school-children to listen-in to broadcasts on various Empire subjects and countries; what opportunities are given for seeing the Empire films belonging to the Imperial Institute; and whether full use is being made of the films available?

I understand that nearly 10,000 schools are now registered with the Central Council for School Broadcasting, and it is known that a very large number of classes in schools listen to the broadcast talks on Empire subjects and countries. I am glad to say that the programme of the Central Council recently published for the summer term included a series of talks on "Peoples of the Empire." Films dealing with Empire subjects may be obtained by schools, free of charge except for carriage, from the Imperial Institute, and I am informed that full use is being made of this service.

What is the purpose and the effect of registration by the schools?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can now state the result of his conversations with the Secretary of State for the Colonies with reference to the teaching schoolchildren something of the way all parts of the Empire have rallied to this country, both in materials and manpower; and also of the responsibility which devolves on us to develop and help the Empire; and the way in which we are doing it?

A number of the Board's inspectors have been busy for some weeks on a detailed scheme whereby the teaching in the schools may best contribute to a real understanding of the problems of the Empire. As soon as their work is completed, my right hon. Friend will seek the co-operation of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies to secure the objects outlined in the Question.

asked the President of the Board of Education why, in Circular 1506, dated 19th March, on food education, giving particulars as to the intention of the Board, in conjunction with the Ministry of Food, to conduct a public campaign on nutrition and the wider use of home-produced foods, there is no mention of milk or as to its importance as a fundamental item in a healthy diet; and whether he will see that this omission is rectified in future circulars and publications on the subject?

The intention of Circular 1506 was to acquaint local education authorities with the purpose and organisation of the public campaign; the circular does not therefore deal with particular items of food. The value of milk, particularly for children, has been strongly emphasised in a leaflet issued in connection with the campaign, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. Copies have been sent in bulk to local education authorities for distribution to their domestic subjects staff, and for use by them in connection with courses and demonstrations.

Is the Minister aware that the circular contained references to sugar, meat and other rationed foods, together with suggestions for cooking and so forth, and that no reference whatever to milk was made from beginning to end?

I have the leaflet in my hand, and I see the word "milk" several times on it.

In view of the fact that the drink trade are always telling people that drink is good for them, is it not important that we should advertise in order to make it clear that milk is better?

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the fact that all lions and tigers were brought up on milk?

Is it not a fact that milk is not mentioned in the circular in any way?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has given further consideration to the economic problems that arise in modern war which call for super-national organisation; and whether it is now proposed to mobilise the whole economic resources of the nation and to ask for the economic co-operation of all nations allied and sympathetic towards the Allies, and to set up an economic general staff of a Ministry of Economic Planning or some suitable machinery that will work efficiently and meet the needs of the time?

I think that the hon. Member is overlooking completely the machinery that has been set up for the co-ordination of the economic war efforts of the Allies. The general nature of these arrangements was announced after the meeting of the Supreme War Council on 17th November last: they have since been extended and improved in many directions. All this machinery is functioning with great success and I cannot see how any better super-national organisation could be devised. As regards economic co-operation with the Empire, close liaison is constantly maintained through the regular established channels, as well as by special missions where desirable. There is also a direct contact between the Economic Departments of the British and French Colonial Offices, and matters of common interest are under constant discussion between them. I would add that His Majesty's Government make it their constant endeavour to cultivate the closest possible economic relations with all friendly nations. As regards the last part of the Question, I am not in a position to add to statements made on behalf of His Majesty's Government in recent Debates in this House.

asked the Prime Minister whether there is any committee or body set up to advise the Government on all matters concerning the proper nutrition of the population in time of war on lines similar to the Food Council established during the last war, which largely determined the nature and volume of home-produced as well as imported foods and raw materials required for the proper and sufficient nourishment of the civilian as well as the service population of the country?

I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the Food Survey Board appointed in March, 1918. Under present conditions major questions of food policy would normally be referred to the Ministerial Food Policy Committee.

Do the Government intend to accept any recommendations which are made by this committee?

That depends on what the recommendations are.

asked the Prime Minister whether the First Lord of the Admiralty is now to carry out the essential part of the functions for which the office of Minister for Co-ordination of Defence was created?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 1st February to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bournemouth (Sir H. Croft). From this it will be seen that the office of Minister for Co-ordination of Defence was created primarily for peace time duties in connection with the work of the Committee of Imperial Defence, and that the changes which have been made, since the outbreak of war, in the machinery for the supreme direction of the war have necessarily resulted in an alteration of the functions for which that office was created. As announced on 4th April, arrangements have been made whereby the First Lord of the Admiralty, as senior Service Minister will normally preside over the Ministerial Committee on Military Co-ordination, the Chairmanship of which was previously included among the duties of my Noble Friend Lord Chatfield. More recently I have agreed, at the request of my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty to take the chair myself at meetings of this Committee when matters of exceptional importance, relating to the general conduct of the war, are under discussion. In addition, arrangements have been made for the re-allocation of the other functions previously performed by my Noble Friend.

Am I understand from the reply that the office originally created for the Minister of Co-ordination of Defence has now been abolished?

It has lapsed for the time being.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to ensure that advantage is not being taken or confusion of thought created in certain cases where members of the Government Agricultural Publicity and Intelligence Committee are also editors of so-called independent news sheets?

There is no ground for the suggestion that advantage of the kind indicated is or could be taken. Nor do I see how confusion of thought could arise in the minds of anyone who understands the purpose and functions of the Publicity Committee, which advises me as to the best way in which to communicate information and advice in regard to the food production campaign to the agricultural community.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend appreciate the importance of separating the true from the false and the real from the unreal? Perhaps my right hon. Friend will be good enough to confer with me afterwards.

I shall be glad to do so.

What is the secretary of the Farmers' Union to do when his duty as a member of this committee requires him to extol the Government's policy and his duty to the farmers requires him to criticise it?

His duty does not require him to extol it at all. He can take his own line on any given subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state, in connection with the Publicity Committee of his Department, the exact relationship between this committee and the news sheet which is issued twice weekly by the National Farmers' Union?

My advisory committee on publicity has no responsibility for, or connection with, the news sheet issued by the National Farmers' Union. I understand that this news sheet has been issued for nearly 20 years.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the matter cannot be so lightly dismissed? Perhaps he will kindly confer with me afterwards?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the total amount paid in subsidies to farmers in the last recorded year; and the number of individual recipients?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give up-to-date figures relating to subsidies under the following heads: complete derating of agricultural land, sugar subsidy and remission of excise, subsidy in respect of milk and milk products, land fertility improvement payments, cattle and sheep

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether that amount is likely to be exceeded in the current year?

No, Sir, not at present.

Is the Minister aware that the farmers are dissatisfied with the amount that they are now receiving?

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see to it that the landowners are not allowed to increase rents during the war and for five years afterwards?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the representations from the Gloucestershire War Agricultural Executive Committee about the damage caused by withdrawing the grants for heavy-horse breeding; whether any final decision has been arrived at in the matter; and whether he will arrange for further consultation with the interests concerned?

I have considered representations from the Gloucestershire War Agricultural Executive Committee urging the resumption of the grants for heavy horse breeding, but, as indicated in replies to other recent Questions on this subject, I regret that I cannot see my way to rescind the decision to suspend the grants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many additional allotments have been provided

I am expecting to receive returns within the next week or so. The number of allotments made available by the London County Council in their parks and open spaces is 6,630. Full information as to the number of allotments provided by the metropolitan borough councils is not yet available.