asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the return of civil servants will, without imperilling their work or lives, solve many difficult housing problems in the provinces; and whether, therefore, any modification in the policy of evacuating civil servants from London is under consideration or actually being started?

The position of Government Departments in regard to evacuation is kept under constant review by His Majesty's Government, but no modification of the existing policy is in contemplation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will direct that economies in the use of paper be introduced by Government Departments in the direction of writing on both sides of the paper and using single spacing rather than double spacing as well as in the avoidance of unnecessary margins and florid terms of address?

Yes, Sir. Instructions on economy in printing and stationery including the suggestions made by my hon. Friend have already been issued to Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that messengers attached to the Ministry of Health in Blackpool are being paid only 44s. for a 47-hour week; and, in view of the increased cost of living, will he take steps to increase the wages of these men?

The rates of pay of the un-established messengers employed in my Department at Blackpool are in accord- ance with those agreed for provincial staffs of the Civil Service generally with representatives of the staff associations concerned in February, 1939. As regards the latter part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Rusholme on the 2nd April.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the office of deputy food controller, North-eastern division, is a whole-time one; whether it is remunerated and at what rate; whether he has given consent to the officer in question also to act as deputy county court judge; and whether this second officer is remunerated and at what rate?

The office of Deputy Divisional Food Officer for the North-Eastern Division is a whole-time office carrying a salary of £750. I understand that the officer holding it has on one or two occasions been called upon to sit as deputy county court judge at Leeds, which occupies him for about half a day. I am making inquiries as to the point raised in the last part of the Question.

:asked the Minister of Agriculture which persons, serving as publicity advisers to his Department, are also in receipt of salaries for publicity work; what are those salaries; and if such persons give full-time services?

The only member of the committee advising me on matters affecting publicity and intelligence in connection with the Government's campaign to increase home food production who is in receipt of a salary from my Department for publicity work is Mr. Laurence F. Easterbrook. He receives a salary of £800 per annum and gives full time services.

asked the Prime Minister which Department is charged with foreseeing the problems of unemployment which will arise from end-of-war industrial dislocation, so as to avoid a repetition of the failure of the 1918 Ministry of Reconstruction because the Government was then taken unawares by industrial dislocation following the change from war to peace conditions?

The problems of post-war unemployment concern a number of Departments and no single one of them can be charged with the solution. The material for a co-ordinated study of the whole question is available, but it will not be possible to formulate definite plans before the conditions of the post-war situation become more clear than they are at present.

asked the Attorney-General whether any facilities exist, or will be arranged, whereby a person serving with His Majesty's Forces can execute an affidavit, statutory declaration, etc., without having recourse to a commissioner for oaths?

The question of the provision of facilities for the execution of documents on oath by a member of His Majesty's Forces has been receiving the attention of my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, who desires me to say that he hopes to be in a position to introduce legislation to deal with this matter at a very early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of the deserted wife of a soldier, the legitimate wife and the unmarried wife equally receive a pension; and whether there is any variation in the amount of such pensions?

The Royal Warrant provides that an allowance may be granted to a soldier in receipt of a disability pension, under certain conditions, in respect of a wife or a woman living with him as his wife. An allowance cannot be granted in respect of both. The rate of the allowance is the same in either case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the existing control of imported foodstuffs by licence, what types of cargoes of such commodities have been prohibited as non-essentials?

There is no foodstuff the importation of which from all sources is completely prohibited as a matter of principle; but, in view of the necessity of regulating total imports of foodstuffs in the national interest, it is inevitable that imports of many commodities should be restricted in greater or less degree. Various considerations of which foreign exchange and shipping are the most important are taken into account.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many old age pensioners are concerned because the forms of application for a supplemental pension are not yet available at post offices; and will he state when these forms will be obtainable?

As I have indicated in reply to previous Questions, forms of application and explanatory leaflets, will be available in good time before supplementary pensions first become payable. As I explained to the House while the Bill for the recent Act was under discussion, August next is the earliest possible date at which supplementary pensions can come into effect.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will inquire into the circumstances attending the fact that three months ago Mrs. Sarah J. Lennox, 36, Cullum Street, Stratford, E., applied for a pension and, although her application has been acknowledged and numbered405/1528, no decision has yet been given; and will he expedite matters?

Yes, Sir. I am making immediate inquiries and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as they have been completed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that forms on which application can be made for a supplementary old age pension are not yet available at many post offices; and whether he will see that they are supplied and that an explanatory leaflet be issued explaining clearly the rights of people under the 1940 Pensions Act?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which is being given to-day to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson).

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the opinion, widely held by building trade operatives, that the stagnation in that industry would disappear if the ban on the issue of local housing loans were raised; and will he therefore give consideration to the immediate removal of this restriction?

I am aware that various opinions in this matter have been expressed but I would point out that there is another very important factor, namely, the demand on building materials for other purposes. I regret that it is not possible, at the moment, to contemplate any general relaxation of existing restrictions, but arrangements have already been made which will, I hope, ensure that both finance and materials will be available for the provision of houses urgently required for the accommodation of workers in the war factories and on the land.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in pursuance of Circular No. 1866, of the Ministry of Health, work upon the Baron's Place Housing Scheme of the Southwark Metropolitan Borough Council was suspended after a substantial amount of constructional work had been executed by the building contractors; whether he has now considered representations from the borough council requesting that, for reasons adduced by the borough council, they may now be permitted to complete the scheme; and if, having regard to the fact that building work is being permitted upon new cinemas, licensed premises, and other commercial buildings in London and elsewhere, he will now accede to the council s request and thus enable this housing scheme to be completed.

I have carefully considered the representations made to me by the metropolitan borough council but have regretfully come to the conclusion that I could not treat this scheme, the flats and shops in which were stated by the council to be "at ground and first floor level," differently from other housing schemes of local authorities in a similar position. In this connection, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, which I recently gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Martin). As regards the other buildings mentioned in the Question, certificates for the release of controlled materials are not being issued save in exceptional circumstances, for example, the completion of a building in an advanced stage of construction.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered a petition from tenants of the Gloucester Corporation protesting against the new scheme of rent rebates adopted by the corporation; and whether he proposes to arrange for the holding of the local inquiry for which the petitioners ask?

I have received the petition referred to. As regards the second part of the Question, the management of their housing estates is by statute expressly left to the discretion of the local authority. I, like my predecessors, have therefore no jurisdiction in such a matter, and I cannot properly intervene.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the amendments to the allocation and distribution schemes of the Lancashire Insurance Committee which are to take effect as from the 20th April, 1940, and are to supersede the voluntary scheme for the protection of medical practices in that area, the voluntary scheme is to terminate as on the date mentioned; and if any scheme is to be substituted to protect private practices?

The amendments of the Lancashire allocation and distribution schemes to which the hon. Member refers do not affect that portion of the voluntary scheme for the protection of local practices which relates to private as distinct from insurance practice. There is, accordingly, no reason why this part of the voluntary scheme, over which I have no jurisdiction, should cease to operate, in consequence of the amendments in question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the supplements to forms M.C.2 and M.C.3, being amendments of the allocation and distribution schemes and the terms of service for practitioners, issued by the Insurance Committee for the county of Lancaster; and whether, as these documents are difficult to understand by other than lawyers, he will issue instructions that all official documents, and in particular, those that form the basis of employment as in this case, should be so worded as to be readily understood by the persons who are bound by their terms?

The amendments to which the hon. Member refers are no doubt the amendments which I have recently approved to make provision for the protection of insurance practices. Every effort is made to render the wording of these provisions as easy as possible to understand, consistent with precision and the attainment of the necessary legal effect.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths in this country for each quinquennium period from 1913 onwards and the percentages of those figures to the total population?

The figures for England and Wales for the available quinquennial periods are as follow:

—	Deaths.	Crude rates per 1,000 living.
1911–1915*	2,598,719	14·3
1916–1920*	2,589,333	14·4
1921–1925	2,336,270	12·1
1926–1930	2,386,721	12·1
1931–1935	2,426,602	12·0
1936	495,764	12·1
1937	509,574	12·4
1938	478,829	11·6
1939†	499,191	12·1
* For the years 1915–20 the mortality rates are based upon civilians only, but as in other years, the numbers of deaths include those of non-civilians registered in England and Wales.
†Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for War the name of the organisation which has supplied the personnel for the first unit of the Anglo-French Ambulance Corps now in France?

I understand that the name of the organisation referred to is the Mechanised Transport Corps for Women.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Leslie James Hayley, formerly employed at the War Office as a clerk in the printing and stationery department, who registered as a conscientious objector, and who has been given an Army commission to serve overseas with a new branch of the War Office printing and stationery department; and whether he can make a statement on the case?

Mr. Hayley was appointed last December to a commission for duty in the Army Printing and Stationery Services overseas. He is an established civil servant who was performing duties of the same kind as those which he is now performing in a military capacity, and was selected for that reason. I understand that the tribunal before which he appeared ordered his registration for non-combatant duties in the Army, and his ordinary duties in the Army Printing and Stationery Services are of that character. The question whether officers who have conscientious objections to combatant service should continue to hold commissions is under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can be made to give free travelling vouchers to soldiers given sick leave, in addition to their ordinary quota of free travelling passes?

This concession has been granted in cases where the medical officer has ordered the soldier to go on sick leave and the sickness was not due to the soldier's own fault.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider, with the London Passenger Transport Board, granting reduced fares or free tickets to soldiers on leave from the front travelling to their homes with free vouchers, and who have to cross London and use the underground railways?

The vouchers referred to enable soldiers to cross London by underground railway, in the course of the journeys covered by the vouchers, without expense to themselves; and, if a soldier's final destination is served by an underground station, he should see that the voucher is made out to that station, and not to the terminus at which he arrives in London. I may add that, in order to facilitate journeys between London termini, buses are provided in which soldiers on leave from the British Expeditionary Force can travel free.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers returning from the front with free travel vouchers to their homes have none the less to pay Underground railway fares in London; and whether he will consider widening the scope of the voucher so as to include transit on the Underground railways?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which is being given to-day by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as a result of the recommendations which have been made by the appropriate section of the general headquarters, British Expeditionary Force, it has now been decided to grant war substantive rank to all officers who were offered, in writing, and accepted such rank before taking up particular appointments and commands?

This question is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate time taken to secure a permit card for the banned districts in Scotland?

The time taken is about 10 days from the date of receipt by a permit officer of a completed application form.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the serious position of the hotel industry in the North of Scotland as a result of the restrictions on entry into that district; and whether, in respect of bona-fide British citizens, arrangements can be initiated for exceptions to be made during the summer holiday period?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stirling and Clackmannan (Mr. Woodburn) on 5th March last. I regret that it is not practicable to make exceptions of the kind suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the arrangements made for the allocation of work amongst Army medical officers is frequently unsatisfactory, in that some officers are responsible for comparatively few men, while others have a responsibility beyond reasonable capacity; and whether, in the interests of efficiency, he will make arrangements tending towards an equal allocation of responsibility?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. The allocation of duties among medical officers is regulated according to local conditions from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for War the cause of delay in paying officers' allowances in the Southern Command?

I am not aware of any avoidable delay. There are several thousand officers in the Southern Command, and only five cases are traced which are under correspondence concerning the admissibility of allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether leave is given to a member of the British Expeditionary Force in France on the death of a parent, particularly where he is the only son in the family?

Leave is not given merely for the purpose of attending a funeral, but, if there were other reasons of an exceptional nature for the soldier's presence at home, the case would be considered on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the local Trades Employers' Association, or any local contractor, were not invited to tender for three contracts, the particulars of which have been sent to him, and which they are capable of performing, to the advantage of the locality and the relief of unemployment?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has now considered whether, in the event of a married woman being killed whilst doing duty as a civilian defence volunteer, the husband will be granted compensation provided that he is proved to have been indigent and dependent upon his wife as at the date of her death?

As I indicated in the reply I made to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) on 4th April I am prepared to consider such a case if and when it arises in the light of all the circumstances attending it.

asked the Home Secretary what are the numbers of the steel shelters that have been delivered; for how many people they will afford shelter; and when the distribution of these shelters will be completed, so that the full steel-making resources of the country may be made available for military requirements?

It was originally estimated that 2¼ millions of the standard steel shelters would be required to supply the needs of the more vulnerable areas declared as "specified areas" for the purposes of Part III of the Civil Defence Act. This original estimate was later increased to approximately 2½ millions. Up to the present date, 2,236,000 shelters have been delivered, and delivery instructions are being given for a further 50,000. These numbers include shelters of all the various sizes supplied, and altogether represent shelter capable of accommodating about 11½ million people. In view of the rapid expansion of our war production, it has now become necessary for the Government to review the existing demands for steel for various war purposes; and as a result of this review it has been decided that, after the completion of the deliveries now in prospect, which will bring the number of shelters supplied above the original estimate and up to fully 90 per cent. of the revised estimate, the steel which would have been used for the completion of the remainder of the programme shall be diverted to other urgent war requirements for which no other material can be used in substitution for steel. Local authorities have already been given particulars of a number of alternative designs for domestic shelters in brick and concrete, for which the Government pay the cost of the materials and grant on the cost of construction. I have sent out a circular giving particulars of some further simple types of design in the same materials, and I am arranging for my regional technical officers to get into touch immediately with the small number of local authorities who had been expecting to receive in due course supplies of the standard steel shelter and will now have to forgo these supplies. By these arrangements I hope that no time will be lost in providing in the areas affected the alternative types of brick and concrete shelter to which I have referred.

asked the Home Secretary whether any discussions are taking place with a view to reconsideration of the policy of black-out in the event of the war continuing another winter, or whether investigations are being undertaken with the object of ameliorating the effects of the black-out on loss of life, and on production, morale and health?

I fully recognise the inconvenience which the black-out causes; but its disadvantages must be weighed against its undoubted value as an element in our defences, and hitherto the balance of advantage has clearly lain on the side of maintaining the black-out policy. While there is nothing in the present situation which would justify any change of policy, my hon. Friend may rest assured that the Ministers concerned keep the position constantly under review and will be fully prepared to take into account any changes in the strategical situation which might permit some modification of the existing policy. As regards the second part of the Question, investigations con- tinue to be made into the effects of the black-out, and all practicable steps are being taken to ameliorate conditions within the limits imposed by the existing policy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the latest figures as to the numbers of maternity and child welfare clinics which are wholly, or in part, occupied for service purposes or commandeered for any other uses, with special reference to such clinics in Durham County and Tyneside?

According to the information at my disposal, 316 maternity and child welfare clinics in England and Wales are in use for civil defence purposes. This, of course, does not necessarily imply that they are not available for their normal use. In the area specially referred to in the Question, 10 clinics are in joint occupation for civil defence and maternity and child welfare, purposes. One clinic is used wholly as a first-aid post, and alternative premises have been found for the work of the clinic.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to remedy cases of individual hardship among London consultants of great experience and of senior rank who volunteered for Emergency Medical Service before the outbreak of war, but who still remain on the deferred list unpaid, while at the same time consultants of junior rank who have applied for permission to join one of the fighting services in a medical capacity have been informed that they cannot be released from the Emergency Medical Service?

The hon. Member will, I am sure, appreciate that the decision whether practitioners are to be called up for employment in the Emergency Medical Service or whether members of the service are to be released to the Armed Forces, must dependon the needs of the Emergency Hospital Scheme in relation to other demands on medical personnel, including those of the Armed Forces.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a medical consultant, enrolled for whole-time service in August last, finding, when called up for service, practically nothing to do, accepted through his sector officer payment on a sessional basis in accordance with Clause 4 of his original contract, but, on applying for an appointment on a part-time basis on the terms offered last November to a large number of consultants, was refused on the ground that by taking sessional payment he had forfeited the option of part-time service; and whether he will review this decision?

The practitioner to whom it is understood the hon. Member refers was enrolled on a whole-time basis, but at his own request the enrolment was cancelled in favour of enrolment on a sessional basis, under which payment is made as and when services are required under the scheme. The subsequent offer applied only to those who were employed for whole-time service at the time of the offer.

asked the Minister of Health how it is proposed to deal with a casualty under the scheme for the domiciliary treatment of civilian war casualties when the casualty, after a few weeks' treatment, removes to another part of the country?

Pending further experience of the working of the scheme, I have not thought it necessary to make special provision for this exceptional type of case.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take any additional steps in view of the poor response of parents to the appeal for the further evacuation of their children?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which is being given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Elland (Mr. Levy).

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause the method of disbursement of funds by local emergency committees to be supervised so as to ensure that they are strictly applied for the purposes for which they were intended; and, in particular, not for the maintenance of so-called sick-bays, which are, in effect, empty houses or premises or clinics or first-aid posts used for normal public health cases?

With regard to the first part of the hon. Member's Question, I would refer him to the reply given to him on 12th December last. With regard to the second part, sick bays are intended only for minor ailments which would ordinarily be nursed at home, but which it is not reasonable to expect a housewife to nurse in the case of children billeted on her. The cost of maintenance of sick-bays is a charge on the responsible local authority.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases has the cost of inoculating children against diphtheria been charged against, and paid out of, the funds given to local emergency committees for the treatment of unaccompanied evacuated children; whether he will take steps to have moneys so expended refunded by the local authorities concerned, so that they can be devoted to the purposes for which they were intended; and whether he will consider changing the procedure and instituting a more satisfactory scheme administered by his Department, or by insurance committees, or local authorities?

I am not aware that the cost of inoculation against diphtheria has in any case been charged against the funds available for the medical treatment of unaccompanied evacuated children. Normally the material for inoculation is supplied by the local authority, and in the case of evacuated children the cost may be charged against the evacuation account. With reference to the last part of the Question, I do not consider any change in the present arrangements to be necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the constitution, personnel and functions of the co-ordinating committees which have assumed in whole or in part, the duties of the local medical war committees; how, when and by whom they were appointed; whether they are entirely honorary or are remunerated out of public funds and to whom they are directly responsible; and if he will give an assurance that this House will be informed of any change of procedure or of committees and their functions when he has previously stated what the procedure is and the committees concerned?

As far as I am aware the only co-ordinating committee is that for the County of Kent as to which I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 16th April. The members of the committee do not receive any remuneration from public funds. With regard to the last part of the Question I shall always be pleased to answer any Question as to the functions of committees coming within the purview of my Department.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement with regard to the withdrawal from circulation of the memorandum on the Truck Acts, published by authority of the Home Office in June, 1937; and whether a revised edition is in process of preparation?

I recognise that in the 1937 and earlier editions of this memorandum two passages in Part 13, relating to exceptions to the Truck Act as regards the provision of food and certain other things to the workman, do not accurately describe the law as since interpreted by the House of Lords. Steps have been taken to suspend sales of the 1937 edition, and further action will be considered in relation to the proposals for legislation which I announced to-day.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will obtain a return from each county police authority to state what are classified in each county area of England and Wales as vermin; whether he will then state whether pigeons appear in the list of each county; and, if not, in which counties they are listed as vermin?

I assume that by "classification as vermin," my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the power of the Secretary of State to make orders on the application of the local authority to deprive particular species of birds of the protection conferred by the Wild Birds Protection Acts. In the case of the wood pigeon such action has been taken in seven administrative counties—Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Lincolnshire (Kesteven), West Sussex and Worcestershire. Elsewhere the wood pigeon is protected during the close season by Section 3 of the Wild Birds Protection Act, 1880, but that Section does not prevent the owner or occupier of any land, or any person authorised by him, from killing or taking wood pigeons on such land. The period of protection for all wild birds has been extended in many areas to all Sundays and in 16 county boroughs to the whole of the year, but I am advised that the exception in favour of owners and occupiers still holds good in these cases. If my hon. and gallant Friend will send me particulars of any areas where difficulties are arising, I shall be prepared to communicate with the local authorities concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increase of robberies of all kinds and motor-car thefts at the present time; and whether he is satisfied that existing legislation is adequate to impose the maximum penalties for offences of this nature during the war?

Figures for the whole of the country are not available, but in reply to a Question on 13th March by the hon. Member for Denbigh (Sir H. Morris-Jones) I gave figures for certain offences in the Metropolitan Police district during the first six months of the war. As compared with the corresponding pre-war period, these figures showed that, while there had been some increase in shop breaking and in bag snatching, there had been a decrease in cases of burglary and house breaking and in cases of robbery or attempted robbery with violence. During the same period, as compared with the corresponding period last year, there has been an increase in the number of motor-car thefts (including taking cars without the owner's consent) recorded in the Metropolitan Police district. The maximum penalties for these offences range from penal servitude for life, in the case of burglary, to imprisonment for 12 months and a fine of £100, in the case of taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, and I have no reason to think that the existing penalties are inadequate for dealing with such offences in war-time.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, with a view to avoiding unnecessary consumption of petrol, he will take steps to prohibit taximeter-cabs from cruising for hire on the streets of London?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, loitering by taxi-cabs in certain London streets is prohibited by law. Further the present petrol allowances to London taxi-cabs were granted on the understanding that all practicable steps would be taken by the operators to avoid waste of petrol and in particular that unnecessary "cruising" would be avoided. The matter is under constant survey by the police, and if it came to knowledge that unnecessary cruising were taking place, it would be for consideration what steps should be taken in the matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many tons of coal have been sent to Italy during the past three months; and whether the Government have a contract to supply them with coal?

I regret that it is not in the public interest to give these statistics, which are confidential. The Government are not a party to the contracts which exist between British coal exporters and collieries on the one hand and the Italian Coal Monopoly on the other.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the increase in unemployment among the slate workers, he will give instructions that serious consideration should be given to the use of slate for roofing of some of the hutments and buildings about to be constructed?

I can assure the hon. Member that the use of slate on buildings to be constructed by my Department will be favourably considered where it is suitable and economic. I am bound to point out, however, that in comparison with other roofing materials slate makes greater demands upon those building materials, such as imported timber, which must be conserved for the most essential purposes, and that this must severely limit the extent to which slate can be used.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been drawn to the proposal to erect a chemical works in the Ribble Valley, which is one of the beauty spots of Lancashire; and whether he will take steps to prevent this?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative; the answer to the second part is that the site for the proposed factory is still under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the recent decision to increase the bonus paid to workers in His Majesty's dockyards to enable them to meet the increased cost of living, he will also consider granting a similar increase to women employed in the dockyards?

The increases in the wages of male dockyard workers, referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, were made in pursuance of the Government's undertaking to observe, in the regulation of the wages of industrial employés, the principles of the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons. Claims for increases in the pay of women industrial workers will similarly be dealt with in accordance with the principles of that resolution, and an increase of 2s. per week has already been made since the outbreak of war, to certain women workers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty will consider salving the destroyer "Hardy" which ran ashore at Narvik?

The Admiralty will certainly consider the possibility of salving this vessel when operational requirements permit.

asked the Minister of Information what sums were expended upon publicity for the security loan and for the second evacuation scheme, respectively?

The total cost of publicity for the War Loan is about £37,000, as was stated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in an answer given to the hon. Member for North Lambeth (Mr. G. Strauss) on 20th March. The amount expended on publicity for the second evacuation scheme is £14,750.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make arrangements by which the age limit for applicants for licences to drive tractors and threshing machines could be reduced from 21 to 17?

Under the law as it now stands the age limit of 21 does not apply to drivers of agricultural tractors which are being driven in the course of the internal operations of a farm, or from one farm to another farm.

asked the Minister of Labour what the cost would be to the Unemployment Insurance Fund of abolishing the three days waiting period for 1940 if the level of unemployment remains at the average for the first three months of the year?

The data available do not enable me to make an estimate of the cost of such a change in war-time conditions. In the Debate on 4th April I stated that with an average rate of unemployment of 15 per cent. the cost of abolishing the waiting period while retaining the continuity rule would be £1,750,000 a year, while the corresponding cost, if the continuity rule were abolished, so that payment would be made for all days of unemployment, would be between £5,000,000 and £6,000,000 a year. On the same occasion I also called attention to the danger of making such changes without taking account of their effect over a number of years.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many shipbuilding and ship-repairing workers, distinguishing between skilled and unskilled, were registered at South Shields as unemployed on the last available date;

(2) how many men over 18 years of age are now unemployed in South Shields; what were the corresponding figures six and 12 months before, respectively; and how many of the men now unemployed have been unemployed for a consecutive period of more than six months?

I am having the available figures extracted and will forward them to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the measure of unemployment among fully-trained nurses and where such unemployment mostly exists?

On 4th March there were registered at local offices 237 wholly unemployed men and 993 wholly unemployed women for employment as nurses, of which 54 men and 310 women were in the London area. I am unable to say without special inquiry how many of these were fully trained nurses.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention to continue the Central Register; and whether he will again draw the attention of Departments to the advantage of making use of the Register?

Yes, Sir. I have every intention of continuing the Central Register for war-time purposes. My right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury has already drawn the attention of Departments to the need to make use of the Register.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the cost per head of persons who have gained employment through the medium of the Central Register?

The placing of persons in employment is only one of the functions of the Central Register, and any figure which relates the total cost of the Register to the numbers placed must therefore be misleading. It is not possible to give an exact figure of the cost of placing per head, but an arithmetical calculation shows that the cost per head is approximately 36s. for the three months to 31st March last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered how hard hit architects and surveyors in Scotland are; what steps he has already taken to unsure or encourage their employment; and, where work of a supervisory nature, out with their professions, but suited to their training and qualifications is required, whether he will consider recommending to Government Departments their employment?

I realise that architects and surveyors in Scotland as in other parts of the country have suffered from the decline in civil building in war time. The attention of the Departments responsible for the Government's building programme in Scotland has been drawn to the reserve of architects and surveyors available for employment, and I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 20th February to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander). As regards the last part of the Question, the policy suggested by the hon. Member in respect of architects and surveyors is already in operation through the machinery of the Central Register.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a stoppage of work was caused at a chemical factory in Scotland owing to the introduction by his Department of labour from Belfast at a time when the regular workmen were on short time; that the Belfast men were building-trade and civil-engineering workmen with no previous experience of chemical works; and that it was proposed to include them among the piecework squads and thereby reduce the earnings of the regular pieceworkers; and will he cause inquiries to be made with the object of avoiding a recurrence of similar trouble?

I understand that the firm in question recently notified vacancies to the Employment Exchange for 20 heavy labourers for pick, shovel and barrow work, and that as suitable applicants were not available locally or in other parts of Scotland nine applicants from Northern Ireland were submitted. It appears that in notifying these vacancies the firm anticipated a need for extra labour which had not in fact arisen by the time that the additional workers arrived. There was a stoppage of work among the firm's regular workmen which lasted one day and was ended when it was known that the additional men were not to be started.

asked the Minister of Labour in what age category of liability for military service will those persons be classed who work on farms during the summer months and in woods at timber felling or planting in the winter?

The decision would depend on what should, in the individual circumstances, be regarded as the man's normal occupation. Farm workers are, in general, reserved at the age of 21, and timber fellers and forest workers at 25. Normally a man registered under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act is reserved at the age of reservation appropriate to the occupation he is following at the time of his registration. A man who changes his occupation, unless such change is merely temporary, does not continue to hold the reservation of his former occupation but is afforded the measure of reservation, if any, appropriate to his new occupation.

asked the Minister of Labour why a barrister or solicitor, who is a friend or relative of an applicant before the umpire and hardship committees is entitled to be heard in the applicant's behalf, whereas a lawyer, professionally employed, cannot be heard; whether he is aware that this regulation lays under a disadvantage the great majority of applicants who have no friend or relative in the legal profession; and whether, seeing that professional representation by trade union officials is permitted, he will reconsider this regulation?

In accordance with the current regulations applicants may be represented by counsel or a solicitor at the hearing of appeals before the umpire. With regard to hearings before hardship committees all applicants may be represented by a personal friend or relative. I am satisfied from experience of the way in which the committees work that those applicants whose friend or relative is not a barrister or solicitor do not thereby suffer any disadvantage and no further amendment of the regulations on this point is proposed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the difficulties in arranging land work at this time of year, he will take steps to give the longest possible notice to young men appearing before hardship tribunals and medical boards?

Notices of hearings by hardship committees are posted to the applicants at least five clear days before the hearing. Notices to attend for medical examination, are despatched where possible so as to give the men concerned at least six days' notice, and in no case is less than two days' notice given. I consider that these arrangements are adequate having regard to the need for maintaining the flow of men into the Forces at the proper rate.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the policy of the Government with regard to the maintenance of reasonable hours of work, rest days and annual holidays for the staff of industrial undertakings throughout the country, particularly undertakings engaged on Government contract work; and whether, in view of the approach of the summer, he will indicate that it is the wish of the Government that firms should not take steps to reduce the annual holidays of their employés where these are not normally of more than two or three weeks in duration?

My hon. Friend is no doubt aware of a pamphlet recently published by the Industrial Health Research Board entitled "Industrial Health in Wartime," which, amongst other matters, stresses the desirability of providing for adequate rest periods, including holidays. With the views expressed in that pamphlet, as with similar views expressed in earlier reports of the Board, I am in entire agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Education what will be the proportion of Government grant paid on the expenditure on elementary education for the year ended 31st March, 1940, in the counties of Durham, Glamorgan, Middlesex, Monmouth and Surrey, and the county boroughs of Bournemouth, Croydon, Gateshead, Newcastle-on-Tyne, South Shields and Sunderland, respectively?

The standard rates of grant for elementary education on the net recognisable expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1940, of the authorities named in the Question are:

Counties	Per Cent.
Durham	61·15
Glamorgan	60·71
Middlesex	40·80
Monmouth	61·01
Surrey	37·29
County Boroughs
Bournemouth	19·48
Croydon	44·15
Gateshead	57·48
Newcastle-on-Tyne	48·97
South Shields	59·79
Sunderland	58·12

If the standard rate is less than 50 per cent., a further grant will be paid in order to provide a minimum of 50 per cent. for expenditure on Air Raid Precautions. No material for calculating the effect of this increased grant is available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can make any statement as to the attitude of his Department in regard to the reopening of schools in such areas as Rochester; why Rochester is the exception for the reintroduction of education; and why, so far as possible, education is not being provided for the children who are actually in that town?

The Board's general policy is to secure for all children remaining in evacuation areas the resumption of full-time education at the earliest possible date. In the case of Rochester, its geographical position and the condition of some of its school buildings present special difficulties. As the result, however, of a special investigation by a representative of the Ministry of Home Security in consultation with the Regional Commissioner, proposals have now been made which will enable most of the public elementary schools to reopen as soon as adequate shelter has been provided. Meanwhile I understand that the great majority of children are receiving instruction under a "home-service" scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that serving in the Army at present there are a number of young men who joined the Territorials before the war and who should, in normal circumstances, be sitting for their teachers' examinations this summer; whether, in view of the fact that compulsory service has not been made to apply to similar young men since the war started, he will take special measures to see that the future careers of the young men serving in the war are not in any way prejudiced; and whether, as it is extremely difficult for these men to take the full examinations, he will consider allowing them to do a modified test instead?

I am aware that students in training colleges who joined the Territorials have been called up for military service before completing the course necessary to secure their recognition as certificated teachers. I am not in a position at this stage to say what further period of training, if any, will be required of such students on demobilisation, but the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that every possible step will be taken to prevent their careers being prejudiced. I am afraid it is not practicable to arrange for students who are already in the Forces to be released for the purpose of studying for a modified test.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what attempts have been made in Kenya and Uganda, as distinct from Tanganyika, to encourage among the native population a patriotic attitude to the present war; and what has been the result?

In Kenya and Uganda, the outbreak of war found the African populations united in support of His Majesty's Government in the action they had taken. Ample evidence of this is to be found in the spontaneous messages of loyalty and offers of service received from them. Since the beginning of the war every effort has been made to keep the African populations informed of the reasons for which the Allies entered into the war and of the progress of their cause. In accordance with plans prepared before the outbreak of war, information officers were immediately appointed in each territory, and since then action has been taken by the Colonial Office and the Ministry of Information working in close co-operation to provide a steady supply of material of all kinds for distribution by the information officers by every medium available. As regards the second part of the Question, the periodical reports from the information officers indicate that the African populations generally are taking a keen interest in the course of events. They have, of course, not been involved in actual military operations, but so far as their co-operation has been sought it has been spontaneously forthcoming as is shown by the ready recruitment of considerable numbers of African troops into the local forces.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that an important American corporation has recently been asked by the Japanese authorities at Tsingtao why it had shipped its cargo in a British vessel, and was informed that if further shipments arrived in any other than Japanese vessels they would not be accorded the same favourable importation facilities as applied to cargo in Japanese vessels; and whether he will take up this case with the Japanese Government as a typical example of the Japanese policy of strangling British trade in the Far East?

My noble Friend's attention has been drawn to the report in question, but confirmatory evidence cannot be obtained. There appear, however, to have been a number of instances where shippers have been influenced to ship by other than British vessels and the whole matter is now receiving active consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information as to the composition of the Asia Development Board set up by the Japanese Government in China; and whether the Asia Development Board is responsible for the discrimination against British shipping at Tsingtao and elsewhere?

The Asia Development Board is an organ of the Japanese Government with a number of liaison offices in China. Its president is the Japanese Prime Minister, and the Ministers for Finance, Foreign Affairs, War and the Navy are vice-presidents. I do not think it would serve any useful purpose to assess the responsibility for discrimination against British interests of any particular Japanese agent; wherever such discrimination occurs, representations are made either to the appropriate local Japanese authority or to the Japanese Government itself.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information to what extent British subjects are attending the meeting of the Committee for Economic Peace at the Hague, set up last summer by the International Chamber of Commerce and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and to what extent Germans are present also?

Since no precise information about this meeting is available to my Noble Friend, perhaps the hon. Member would be good enough to send me any particulars he may have.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will assure the House that His Majesty's Government do not intend to leave solely to Japan the maintenance of peace in the waters of the Netherlands East Indies, in the event of the Netherlands themselves becoming a theatre of war?

So far as my Noble Friend is aware, the Japanese Government have made no claim to be solely responsible for the maintenance of peace in the waters of the Netherlands East Indies. In a statement to the Press, the Japanese Foreign Minister said that the Japanese Government could not but be deeply concerned over any development consequent upon the aggravation of the war in Europe which might affect the status quo in the Netherlands East Indies. I need hardly say that upon this question His Majesty's Government hold similar views.

asked the Prime Minister the nature of the communication received from the Japanese Government with respect to the Netherlands East Indies?

No official communication has been received from the Japanese Government, but the Japanese Foreign Minister has made a statement which has appeared in the Press.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, to an increasing extent, the import trade of Hankow is being monopolised by the Japanese, and that no foreign export trade other than Japanese is being recorded, with the exception of isolated shipments on German and American account; and what steps His Majesty's Government are taking to restore and protect British trade in the interior of China?

According to my Noble Friend's latest information, trade at Hankow is practically at a standstill; what little trade remains is in Japanese hands, though a few shipments of wood-oil on American account have taken place. No opportunity is lost of drawing the attention of the Japanese Government to the importance which His Majesty's Government attach to the relaxation of the existing restrictions on British trade.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any recent information relating to the retention of the Rev. S. J. Martindale by the German authorities in Copenhagen; and whether steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government to assure the safety of this gentleman, and to arrange for his return to this country as early as circumstances permit?

The name of the Rev. S. J. Martindale appears on the list received from the United States Legation at Copenhagen of British subjects who are stated to be well; such steps as are possible are being taken to secure the repatriation of this and other British subjects from Denmark.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the case of any further developments in the war affecting the Far East, he will give an assurance that the Government of the United States will be consulted as to whether the adoption of a mutually agreed upon policy is possible?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, it is the practice of His Majesty's Government to keep the United States Government informed on all matters affecting our common interests in the Far East. The question of future American policy in that region is, however, one of which the United States Government must naturally be the sole arbiters.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider allowing American citizens, anxious to serve in the British Forces, to retain their American citizenship while helping in the fight for freedom?

The question of the retention or otherwise of United States citizenship by United States citizens who serve in His Majesty's Forces is a matter entirely within the competence of the United States authorities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department has now arrived at any decision regarding the process which was submitted to them by the Imperial Chemical Industries, whereby it was shown that by treating straw and chaff with weak caustic soda the indigestible parts can be removed, leaving an easily digested nutritious animal food?

No, Sir. I am awaiting the results of further experimental work on this subject to which I referred in my reply to a similar Question put to me on 4th April by my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Howden-shire (Major Carver).

asked the Minister of Agriculture under what authority the Milk Marketing Board refuses to supply statistics of the production and utilisation of milk during war-time even in confidence to responsible trade organisations who are vitally concerned with such information; and whether the same principles apply in connection with the production and utilisation of potatoes, hops, pigs, eggs and sugar-beet, respectively?

The question of the publication of statistics relating to the sale and utilisation of milk under the Milk Marketing Scheme rests with the Milk Marketing Board. I may say, however, that the Board's decision to discontinue the publication of these statistics during the war was taken after consultation with the Government, who fully approve the Board's action. As regards the other agricultural products mentioned, there must inevitably be some restriction on the publication of statistics of production in war-time but it is not possible to lay down any hard-and-fast line, and in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar Question put by him on 25th January last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is intended to continue, after July next, the facilities provided under the Land Fertility Scheme for the purchase by farmers, and others, of lime and basic slag at reduced prices?

Yes, Sir. It is proposed to make an order postponing the prescribed date under Section 1 (3) of the Agriculture Act, 1937, namely 31st July 1940, for the period of one year. The necessary Order will be made and brought before Parliament for confirmation shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when tractor facilities for ploughing will be available in the Rawreth area of Essex?

As I stated in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on 4th April, I have received no report of any deficiency in supplies of tractors in the Rawreth area of Essex. I can only repeat the suggestion I then made that particulars of any alleged shortage might be brought to my notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the shortage in the supply of Scotch whisky; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. There are ample supplies of matured Scotch whisky in bond to meet the demands of the home and export markets. I am advised that the present dislocation of distribution is due to recent endeavours to purchase in excess of requirements for immediate consumption, and I see no reason to apprehend any anxiety when the situation has had time to adjust itself. There is no necessary connection between the present shortage of Scotch whisky and the recent curtailment of the production of new spirit.