asked the Secretary of State for War how long the Countess of Brecknock, Lady Elizabeth Pleydell-Bouverie, the honourable Mrs. Muriel Hornsby and Lady Carolyn Howard, respectively, has served in the ranks of the Auxiliary Territorial Service before being gazetted as officers?

The periods are: Lady Brecknock from 14th November, 1938, to 19th January, 1940.

Lady Elizabeth Pleydell-Bouverie from 9th March, 1939, to 6th January, 1940.

Mrs. Hornsby from 26th January, 1939, to 6th January, 1940.

Lady Carolyn Howard from 12th March, 1939, to 3rd February, 1940.

Lady Elizabeth Pleydell-Bouverie had previously served as a company commander from 10th November, 1938, to 8th March, 1939, but found at that date that she had not the time to spare for the duties entailed by the post she held, and she re-enrolled as a volunteer.

Do I understand that there are no exceptions to the rule that these promotions take place only from the ranks?

Is it a very good plan to have promotions from the ranks in such a new service? Is not what we really need tried and able people, whether they are from the ranks or not, who have some authority over the young people? Is it not true that we do not care whether they are duchesses or kitchenmaids?

The difficulty, of course, is to find out whether the ladies are tried and able people for the task unless they serve for a period in the ranks and go through a training course.

Who nominates this type of lady for commissions? Are they nominated by someone, or do they make application themselves?

The position now is that anybody desiring to obtain a commission has to be recommended by her company commander and has to go through a training course. Only after going through that training course is she commissioned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the Noble Lady the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) how many kitchenmaids have received commissions?

Not many, I am sorry to say.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the desirability of raising the minimum age at which commissions can be granted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, as the granting of commissions to very young and inexperienced women is having serious effects on the welfare of the women under their command?

I am not aware that any ill results have arisen from the appointment of young officers. Such officers do not work independently, and they have all gained experience in the ranks. The average ages of officers appointed from the last two courses at the Auxiliary Territorial Service Cadet Wing were 31 and 29, respectively.

The question of the average age does not enter into my Question. The point is that commissions are being given to girls of 21, and even in certain cases younger, and that they are quite unfitted in most cases for the responsibilities of an officer of such a corps. Can the right hon. Gentleman arrange that 25 is the absolute minimum?

Joan of Arc was 19.

These women have to prove themselves, both in the ranks and during a course of training, that they are fit for a commission, and I do not see why it should be assumed that any woman is not capable of doing a job of this kind until she is 25. It is taken as a matter of course that young men can hold commissions at a much younger age.

asked the Secretary of State for War what hospital arrangements have been made in London and generally in Great Britain for the treatment of women auxiliaries?

Members of the Women's Auxiliary Services serving with the Army may be admitted to any military hospital when accommodationis available, any military families hospital, or any of the emergency medical services hospitals of the Ministry of Health under the same conditions as Army personnel.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman allow that the accommodation for these people in London is insufficient and why do the War Office refuse the offer of the Gordon Hospital in Vauxhall Bridge Road, which is newly built and up-to-date?

I was not aware of that fact and I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any convalescent homes have been arranged for the use of women auxiliaries now employed in London?

No convalescent home has been arranged for the use of Women's Auxiliary Services serving with the Army, but the question of the provision of convalescent depots is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in order to advise the responsible authorities on health and hospital services in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, he will consider appointing a woman doctor in a senior rank to each command?

This matter is under consideration.

In view of the fact that the matter has been under consideration for some considerable period can my right hon. Friend expedite a decision?

I hope to be able to announce a decision soon.

asked the Secretary of State for War what decision has now been reached with regard to officers who have conscientious objections to combatant service continuing to hold commissions?

It has been decided that such officers shall be called upon to resign their commissions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the basis on which permits are granted to the wives of serving officers and men to visit their husbands in the Near East?

Permits are not granted for visits. Families of officers and men may, however, be permitted to rejoin them at these stations if they were resident there before the war and have homes awaiting them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain wives of officers have received permits to go to the Near East, while the wives of certain other officers are not permitted to go there? Is he aware that those who have been permitted to go are largely relatives of some Cabinet Ministers, but not of the right hon. Gentleman?

Permits have been granted by the War Office only in one or two cases of officers exercising high commands where there are social duties attaching to the officer's appointment. In other cases they have got out there without any permission whatsoever from the War Office and all possible steps will be taken to prevent any recurrence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how the wives of certain officers, some of Members of Parliament, were able to get out there without permits and will he make sure that there shall be no discrimination between wives of officers unattached to politics and wives of officers who are?

I fully realise the hon. Gentleman's feelings and I must say that I share them myself. The trouble is that up to now it has not been possible in these particular countries for the War Office to maintain control over all people going into the country. No permission was given by the War Office, but means were found to get into the country elsewhere, and I am now discussing with other Departments the possibility of stopping that sort of practice in future.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many instances there are, in which two sons in a family who are members of the armed Forces are both making an allotment to their parents, and the Government are paying two sets of allowances to the dependants; and what are the circumstances which entitles the dependants to make such claim?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question could not be obtained without an undue expenditure of time and effort. As regards the second part, applications for dependants' allowance may be made in respect of more than one member of the Forces provided that the usual conditions are fulfilled and the income limits will not thereby be exceeded. These conditions, and the income limits referred to, are set out in the White Paper (Cmd. 6186) of March, 1940.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by wives and dependants of members of the armed Forces; the many expressions of disappointment from such sources; the impossibility of meeting their obligations owing to the cost of living; and whether he will now consider raising the allowance granted by the Government to wives and children to a standard in excess of 3s. per week for children and 17s. for a wife?

As I have previously stated, a general review of the scale of Army allowances on the grounds suggested could only be undertaken as part of a general reconsideration of fixed payments of much wider application. As the hon. Member is aware, the standard rate for the first and second children in a family is in excess of 3s.

Is the Minister quite confident that the allowances for soldiers' children are enough? Is he not of the opinion that it is time for a reconsideration of the whole question of both wives' and children's allowances?

The hon. Member will be aware that a recent addition has been made in the case of children.

Is the Minister confident that that reconsideration has given to these women and children a sufficiently high standard of life? Does he not think that allowances should be given to them to obviate the necessity of applying for Form 21?

asked the Secretary of State for War, as regards allowances to the children of a woman whom a soldier has married and whose children he has maintained in family, whether it has now been decided to dispense with the requirement of an adoption order being obtained by the soldier and his wife?

Yes, Sir. It has been decided that, in future, for the duration of the war, claims may be admitted for an allowance in respect of an illegitimate child of the wife or the soldier, born before their marriage, provided it is being brought up in the family at the expense of the soldier or his wife, and that they are not receiving any payment for it from another source, for example, from the putative father under an affiliation order.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, which will give widespread satisfaction, may I ask, first, from what day will this allowance run, and, second, in the case of persons who have got adoption orders in consequence of the requirement of the War Office, will the right hon. Gentleman authorise a refund of the cost of getting them?

I have no power to do that. The concession will run from now on.

When will the right hon. Gentleman make an announcement about payments in respect of children actually adopted de facto but not legally?

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he can give an assurance that all necessary steps are being taken to provide our troops on all fronts with a sufficient number of patrol dogs;

(2) why the offer at the beginning of the war of the British Alsatian Training Club to supply working dogs for patrols was refused; and what societies that specialise in training dogs for war purposes have been consulted?

The employment of patrol dogs is still in the experimental stage. I have not been able to trace an offer from the British Alsatian Training Club, and I am not aware of any societies which specialise in training dogs for war pur- poses, but the police authorities and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association have been consulted.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it is quite wrong for this matter to be still in the experimental stage? Can he give any reason why our arrangements for control dogs are not at least comparable with those made by the enemy?

I do not know what information the hon. Gentleman has about patrol dogs of the enemy. I am not aware that dogs are very largely being used, but where they have been used is I understand to accompany people who happened to be on frontier guard in peace time.

Would my right hon. Friend not at least give an assurance that he will look into this matter further to see that more energetic steps are taken?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers serving in Palestine who spend their leave in Jerusalem are very disappointed to find that they are excluded from hotels and cafés of repute because these are reserved for officers or sergeants, and that disreputable drinking shops are the only places left for them to seek recreation except for the Young Men's Christian Association and the cinemas; and will he have these undesirable restrictions removed?

I am not aware of any such restrictions, but I am having inquiries made.

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that if he finds—and I can provide him with evidence—these restrictions do exist, they will be removed?

I would rather make the inquiry first and come to a decision afterwards.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the undesirability of a too sharp contrast between the spending power of British and French soldiers and also between that of the married and the unmarried, he has considered whether there should be some means of requiring or persuading soldiers who do not need to make allotments for their families to save part of their pay at least while abroad; and whether the merits of war-saving schemes are being systematically brought before such men?

A scheme under the auspices of the Army Savings Association to enable soldiers on active service to save part of their pay was promulgated some years ago, and has been specially brought to the notice of the British Expeditionary Force by a General Routine Order. The soldier who desires to participate in the scheme fills up a form, which is readily available, stating how much of his pay he desires to save, and the amount is then deducted by the paymaster and remitted to the Post Office Savings Bank for credit on the soldier's account. The savings can be invested in National Savings Certificates or any other form of Government stock, as the soldier may direct.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that this difference in spending power is not in fact something of an impediment to good feeling between the British soldiers and the French public and the British soldiers and the French poilus, and could not stronger steps be taken to introduce savings schemes, at any rate among soldiers who go to France?

If the hon. Lady is suggesting that I should apply Professor Keynes' scheme to soldiers in the British Expeditionary Force, I am really unable to do it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the need for a large increase in the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, he has considered requiring the registration under the Military Service Acts of men between the ages of 40 and 50, on the understanding that only those suitable for this Corps will at present be called up and that there will be generous exemptions for hardship?

The National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, does not provide for the registration of men over the age of 41, and, in any case, I am not satisfied that it would be desirable to apply any measure of compulsion to men between 40 and 50 before younger men have been called up. Every effort is being made to stimulate voluntary recruiting for the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, and the numbers coming in are, for the present, satisfactory.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that at a meeting held in Manchester last Friday for the purpose of facilitating recruitment to this Corps, the feeling was strongly expressed in the audience that 50 is too low a limit?

If my hon. Friend means that we should allow training over that age our experience when recruiting was first started for this Corps was that a number of men went to France with this Corps who were not physically fit for it, and a large number had to be returned to England.

Would it not be worth considering drawing in some men between 35 and 41 unless voluntary recruitment is really getting the drafts?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many soldiers, when convalescing in France, receive only 25 francs weekly and so are unable to attend concerts, etc.; and whether he will either raise this pay or allow free entry to these soldiers?

Cash payments to a soldier who is under medical care are made at the discretion of the medical officer in charge, who may issue what he considers suitable within the amount to which the soldier is entitled. There is no reason, therefore, for any special concession as regards entry to concert parties.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of German radio propaganda, he will assure the House that the tinned food supplied to the British troops in Norway is of the highest possible quality?

The tinned food supplied to the troops is accepted only if it conforms in every respect to the recognised specifications which are laid so as to ensure that the best quality is obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the troops taking part in the Norwegian expedition have been adequately supplied with dark glasses for protection against the sun on the snow; and whether any ill-effects have been experienced as the result of the shortage of such equipment?

Snow goggles were provided for the troops that went to Narvik. They were not immediately available for the troops that went elsewhere, but steps were at once taken to supply them. No reports have been received of any ill effects as the result of the absence of goggles.

Would it not have been a reasonable precaution to supply the troops going elsewhere with them?

Immediate supplies had been confined to troops who, under the Finnish scheme, were destined for particular routes, and other supplies were made available as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when British troops were first landed in Norway, the correct code was issued to each landing party or whether any confusion arose in this matter?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to aircraft recognition signals, which are of a very secret nature, and cannot be widely issued days in advance. I am informed that in one case there was a failure to follow the prescribed procedure, and an anti-aircraft unit was, for a time, not in possession of the necessary signal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman making further inquiries into this matter to find out how this state of things arose?

Yes, Sir, but the hon. Member will realise that the circumstances of the troops in the last few days have not been such as to facilitate inquiries.

May I ask whether any casualties occurred as a result of this?

Yes, I fear that one did.

asked the Secretary of State for War the circumstances associated with the death, on Friday, 12th April, 1940, of Signalman Kerr, of the 15th Scottish Division, Royal Corps of Signals, stationed in Glasgow; and whether the parents were summoned and were they allowed to see their dead son?

This soldier was taken ill in his billet on the night of 12th April, and died within a few hours. The parents were immediately informed and came to Glasgow on the morning of 13th April. When they arrived, the body was being moved to the mortuary. They could have seen the body there, but preferred not to do so. At the request of the parents, the body was conveyed to Gretna on 14th April, and a burial party was sent by the unit. After the funeral, the parents sent to the unit a letter of thanks.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that seven days prior to this lad's death he was inoculated three times and vaccinated once and that then sickness intervened; and will he ascertain whether a full investigation into the death took place?

I will certainly look into that. It does not, of course, arise on this Question, nor has it been brought to my notice.

Was it not reasonable to assume that the right hon. Gentleman would have been informed of this important aspect of this man's illness without my telling him?

I did inquire into the case and gathered that a post mortem examination was held, when the cause of death was found to have been associated with pneumonia.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state the result of the consideration which has been given to the recommendation made by the appropriate section of general headquarters, British Expeditionary Force, to grant war substantive rank to all officers who were offered, in writing, and accepted such rank, before taking up particular appointments and commands?

I regret that I am not yet able to announce a decision on this question, but I hope to do so shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arrangements, as was done during the last war, for increasing the number of troops under canvas during the summer months, with a view to releasing as many hotels and similar premises as possible for the use of summer visitors?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War the conditions under which a member of the British Expeditionary Force can have leave in case of a family bereavement?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lambeth, North (Mr. C. G. Strauss) on 18th April last. No attempt has been made to formulate exact rules, which would, I think, be neither desirable nor practicable.

Is it the case that when a soldier receives notice of the bereavement of his family and notifies his commanding officer, the officer then presents the soldier with a form which has to be signed by the doctor, in order to establish the fact of the bereavement before leave can be obtained to attend the funeral?

I should want notice of that question, but I should think that what the hon. Member suggests is unlikely.

According to my information that is what happened in this case, and it would have taken eight days before the fact of the bereavement could have been established in that manner.

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me the facts of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what conditions a member of the Forces serving in Palestine may be granted leave?

In present circumstances, it is not permissible to grant leave home from Palestine, but local leave can be given at the discretion of the local military authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers who served with Militia battalions throughout the South African war and in the Regular Army during the Great War are eligible for special campaign pensions issued to Regulars who served in South Africa?

The soldiers in question are eligible for consideration for special campaign pensions only if they earned a war medal while enlisted in the Regular Army for the ordinary term of service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the national campaign to train golfers to handle rifles to deal with Germans landing by parachute has been inaugurated with his consent?

No, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any substance in the report?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War at what hour the news first reached the War Office of the German invasion of Denmark; and at what hour the information was communicated to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff?

News that German troops had crossed the Danish frontier was received between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on 9th April. The information was conveyed to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff at about 3.30 a.m.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now state the number of houses completed in Scotland from 1st January, 1940, to the last available date; how many houses are still under construction; and what were the comparable figures for a year ago?

:Apart from houses built by private enterprise for which no figures are yet available this year, the number of houses completed between 1st January and 31st March, 1940, was 2,572 as compared with 4,529 in the same quarter last year. The number of houses at various stages of construction was 22,065 as compared with 27,509 at 31st March, 1939.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress which has been made and does he realise the need for special attention being given to housing in the future?

Considering the weather during that quarter and the difficulty of securing an adequate supply of timber I think fairly good progress has been made, but I will bear in mind what the hon. and learned Member has said.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that over 100 working mothers in Glasgow have made representations to the authorities for facilities for their children in day nurseries to ease their worries whilst at work; and whether, in view of the need thus displayed, he will expedite the creation of such institutions?

I am aware of the representations referred to, and I am in communication with the corporation as promised in my reply on 18th April to the hon. Member's previous Question on the subject.

In view of the numbers concerned will the right hon. Gentleman press the corporation to increase the facilities?

I am in touch with the corporation on the matter, but there is difficulty in securing suitable premises.

Would it not be better if the Government had one woman responsible for looking into cases such as this?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the committee on the question of extracting oil from coal has yet reported; and, if not, what steps he is taking to expedite the report, in view of the information already available on the subject and the urgency of arriving at a decision?

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the investigation under the chairmanship of the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. Jowitt). I expect to receive this report in a few days.

Can the Minister say whether, before appointing this Committee, he had personally studied the report upon oil from coal published by his Department?

Yes, Sir.

Could the Minister not find there all the information which he is likely to get from this Committee?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has now considered the report from the Coal Production Council with their recommendations as to the steps to be taken to increase the production of coal, and urging their immediate adoption; and if he can make a statement on the matter?

asked the Secretary for Mines when he expects to be in a position to publish the report of the Committee on the Increase in the Production of Coal?

The functions of the Coal Production Council are of a continuous character and their work is at present far from completed. I am in frequent communication with them through their chairman, both orally and in writing. I do not think it would be appropriate to publish any correspondence, but, when they have been able to proceed further with their work, I will make a statement reporting to the House the progress made.

What are the reasons why the Press can be told and not the House of Commons?

I am not responsible for what appears in the Press.

Does the Minister deny the report appearing in the Press as being the recommendations of the Council?

So far as I know, no authorised statement has been made.

Is it the intention of the Minister to publish any part of the report of this Council, and if it is his intention to do so when does he expect to publish it?

I have said that when their work has made further progress I propose to make a statement in this House.

Is it not right that this Council has completed its work in regard to a certain coalfield, and, if so, why cannot that part of the report be published?

The hon. Member's information is not correct.

May I ask my hon. Friend what steps he is taking to deal with the major and most important part of the researches of this Council, those concerned with the re-employment of unemployed persons?

That is one of the most important parts of the work they are undertaking, and steps have already been taken to find work.

Have the activities of this Committee led to any increase in the production of coal, and if so, to what extent?

There has been an improvement in the means of transportation by rail and sea, and that has led to a marked increase in output.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is consulting with local authorities for the storage of coal reserves; and whether he has any further statement to make on the matter?

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland on this question. I am not yet in a position to make a further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is in a position now to state the result of the trade talks between England and Eire; and whether he proposes to give financial assistance to Eire farmers to enable them to make good our loss of Denmark's dairy produce?

Discussions with the Eire Ministers of Supplies and Agriculture were held from Tuesday to Friday last week and were then adjourned until later this week. In the interval discussions between Eire and United Kingdom officials are continuing. Pending the conclusion of these discussions I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Is it true as reported that a demand was made for favourable treatment as regards the supply of foodstuffs, as against the British farmer?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await any decision that is arrived at. So far nothing has been agreed at all.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Export Council will arrange for its groups to sell in certain foreign countries against irrevocable bank credits, or by barter methods, so as to prevent currency losses, or payments defaults, or repudiation of contracts?

Methods of payment are matters to be settled by exporters with their customers having regard to all the circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to amend Section 26 of the Companies Act, 1929, so that companies such as the Bankers Industrial Development Company, whose authorised capital is £6,000,000, are required to publish their annual accounts?

The statutory provisions relating to private companies will be considered when amendment of the Companies Act is under review, but I cannot hold out any prospect of such review in present circumstances.

In view of the Minister's experience of the steel industry and the association which this particular company is known to have had with regard to its reconstruction, does he not think that the accounts of this company ought to have public ventilation so that everybody knows what is going on?

No, Sir. My experience is to the contrary.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what insurance will be obtainable by British firms from the Export Credit Scheme to cover part of the risk that emerged after the great war of non-receipt of payment for goods owing to Eastern buyers refusing to accept delivery at contract prices, coupled with their demands for price reductions on earlier goods which buyers had accepted but had not sold, but in both cases owing to the fall in prices?

The Comprehensive Guarantee Policy issued by the Export Credits Guarantee Department, which covers the risk of a buyer's insolvency, normally excludes losses in respect of goods which have not been delivered to the buyer. In the case of exports to India and certain countries in the Far East, if the transactions are conducted with buyers on the basis of Documents against Payment, the Department is prepared under certain conditions to cover the risk of loss due to the failure of a buyer in such cases to take up the goods. I am sending the hon. Member fuller details of the cover which can be provided.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons it has been decided to insure all stocks of material held by the Government against fire, contrary to previous policy?

The position at present existing, in which immense quantities of commodities are temporarily owned by the Government, is so widely different from that normally prevailing in peace time that it was considered desirable in the public interest to place the fire insurance of these war-time commodities with the ordinary insurance market.

How can that be? Surely the greater your holding of stocks and the more scattered those holdings are, the less necessary it is to pay insurance companies to carry a risk that you are able to bear?

On the contrary, the greater the withdrawal from the insur- ance market the greater the damage to insurance funds.

Is not that precisely what it is, an effort to bolster up the insurance companies by means of public money?

There is no effort to bolster up insurance companies but there is an effort to maintain the stability of insurance funds, in view of the great importance of our international insurance business.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the first opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister to what extent there exists at the present time, in connection with the allied war effort, a joint Anglo-French secretariat; and whether it is proposed to extend this as necessity may require in the future?

Yes, Sir. Joint Anglo-French Secretariats have been established in connection with various aspects of the Allied war effort. These arrangements are being, and will be, extended as and when necessary. With the hon. Member's permission, I am circulating a statement giving detailed particulars in the Official Report.

Can the Prime Minister say whether consideration has been or will be given to associating with these secretariats other Allies besides the French?

I do not think that there has been any such suggestion up to the present. Obviously, the important thing is to get the closest association between the French and ourselves.

Does the secretariat include military, naval, and air representatives?

Yes, Sir. The hon. Member will see that that is so when he looks at the statement which I am circulating.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the failure of the engineering unions, after prolonged discussion, to reach an agreement about dilution by women workers and about terms of their employment and training, has retarded the war effort; and will he now appoint an all-party committee of this House to confer with the leaders of the unions so that aeroplane and munitions production may be proceeded with?

It is not the case that the trade unions have failed to reach agreement with the employers' organisation on this subject. On the contrary the discussions between them have reached an advanced stage, and I feel sure that the urgency of the matter is fully realised. In these circumstances I do not think that reference to a Committee of this House would be likely to facilitate progress.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that that ought to have been done six months ago?

asked the Prime Minister when an opportunity for Debate in secret Session will be arranged?

I cannot say when secret Sessions will be held. The matter is one for consideration through the usual channels.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in January of this year, certain grave deficiencies affecting the fighting efficiency of the Services were brought to the notice of responsible Ministers but that, since that time, nothing effective has been done: and, as these are matters which cannot be discussed except in Secret Session, may I ask whether I am to understand from my right hon. Friend's reply that he desires them to continue for a further indefinite period of time?

My hon. Friend is not entitled to make any such suggestion. The purpose of a Secret Session, as generally understood, is to discuss in private things which cannot be discussed in public without the danger of giving to the enemy information which ought to be withheld from him. The occasions for such Secret Sessions are generally arranged through the usual channels, and if my hon. Friend has any particular points that he thinks should be discussed in Secret Session he knows where to make application.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have made such application and that it is impossible for a private Member to ventilate these matters except in Secret Session? If a refusal is given to obtain a Secret Session what other remedy is open to him?

It is not for one private Member to decide whether there shall be or shall not be a Secret Session. We have to try to obtain the general feeling of the House on the matter and that can be done through the usual channels.

Are not supporters of the Government in considerable difficulty owing to disinclination to hold a Secret Session, although there are matters affecting the Services which we should all like to discuss but cannot discuss in public?

I hope that my hon. Friend will make representations through the usual channels.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will find time for the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham relating to Agriculture (War Measures):

[That this House regrets the failure of the Government to develop and revitalise agriculture since the outbreak of the war, is of opinion that the half measures introduced under the Agriculture (Miscellaneous War Provisions) Bill are insufficient and inadequate, submits that the war is no excuse for postponing action, both broad and generous, but is a cogent reason for taking it at once and urges on the Government the necessity for full consideration being given to these matters by the chairman of the War Cabinet Committee dealing with agriculture in conference with the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Food, forthwith.]

I can hold out no hope of special opportunity being given for discussion of the Motion standing in the name of my hon. Friend.

Does not my right hon. Friend appreciate that agriculture needs the full aid of the Government in order to obtain the maximum output of production, and does he not realise that Treasury restrictions must be abolished if we are to get this maximum output without further delay?

I think the Government's action shows that they realise the importance of agriculture. We have already had several days' Debate.

Not enough has been done.

asked the Prime Minister how many Ministers who are fit and eligible for military service and who are under 40 years of age are retained in the Government?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the information asked for by the right hon. Gentleman, but information regarding age can be obtained from any reference book.

Would it be true to say that the Front Bench is a reserved occupation for "yes-men"?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will, when rearranging the working of the Income Tax law, include a Clause in the Finance Bill to abolish the right to claim refund of personal allowances in cases where emoluments have been received by directors, managing directors, or servants of a limited liability company tax free or free of tax?

:No, Sir. Income Tax paid by a company in respect of directors' or employés'remuneration is regarded for Income Tax purposes as additional remuneration of the director or employé and is assessed as such. In effect, therefore, the tax is paid out of the director's or employé's income for Income Tax purposes and unless the personal allowances to which the director or employé is entitled have already been taken into account they can properly be claimed by way of repayment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that the profits made by the co-operative factories which are making boots, textiles and other goods for the Government are not included in their mutual trading profits?

Profits made by a co-operative factory are, like the profits of any other manufacturer, chargeable to Income Tax whether arising from sales to the Government or from sales to any other person.

Is it not the case that the profits of co-operative societies were recently recognised as exempt from taxation?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when preparing our post-war monetary policy, he will examine the reasons for the Council of the United States Federal Reserve Board declaring on three separate occasions last year that low rates of interest have done undeniable economic injury to the United States of America, and have failed to achieve the stated aim, so as to avoid cheap money in peace-time injuring the nation as a whole, and to adjust our policy accordingly?

Conditions in the United States and in this country are of course by no means the same, but the matter will be examined when documents are available. The opinions in question were, I gather, expressed by the Federal Advisory Council, not by the Federal Reserve Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average rate of interest, and the total amount paid by way of interest, in respect of Treasury bills issued since 1st September, 1939, and the corresponding figure for the similar period a year before?

For Treasury Bills issued from 1st September, 1939, to 4th May, 1940, as a result of public tender the average rate was £1 9s. 6d. and the total amount of interest paid was £7,225,957. For the period from 1st September, 1938, to 4th May, 1939, the corresponding figures were 15s. 10d. and £2,359,224.

Is the Chancellor aware that there is a growing body of important opinion which regards these rates as unnecessarily high and will he take steps to stop this profiteering by the banks when they are getting higher rates on an increased turnover?

The position alluded to by the hon. Member and that referred to in the Question are not, of course, the same.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in determining the permitted rate of dividend during the war, companies will be allowed to take into account the fact that bonus shares were issued in lieu of dividend in the standard years?

No, Sir; an issue of bonus shares will not count as dividend distribution in respect of the standard year for the purpose of determining the permissible dividend during the war, nor will bonus shares issued after the standard year reckon as an increase of capital for that purpose. Bonus shares issued before the standard year expired will, of course, count as capital.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the proposal to prohibit the issue of bonus shares for the duration of the war will apply also to the issue to shareholders, in virtue of their present holdings, of rights to take up further shares on bonus terms?

In order to make the proposed limitation of dividends fully effective, it will be necessary to ensure that new issues of capital to existing shareholders are made on terms which do not conflict with the principle of prohibition of bonus share issues. The control of the Treasury over new capital issues affords the necessary safeguard.

May I take it that that control will be rigidly exercised?

Yes, Sir. I shall try to exercise it fairly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will state the figures which were supplied to him on which he based his decision that it was not worth while from the revenue point of view to tax cosmetics; and what other reasons there were for his decision;

(2) whether he will state the figures which were supplied to him on which he based his decision that it was not worth while from the revenue point of view to tax bicycles; and what other reasons there were for that decision;

(3) whether he has considered taxing restaurant meals of over 5s. each in price; and why he has decided not to propose a tax on them?

The considerations to be weighed in deciding what new taxes should be proposed are numerous and cannot be adequately set out in answer to a Parliamentary Question. Amongst them are the problems of yield, definition, exceptions and administration. I can hardly argue each case at Question Time, but I would refer my hon. Friend to a passage in my Budget speech which refers to the subject.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider that answer, in view of the general interest taken by many hon. Members in this question and the fact that the answers so far given, although they have stated that there is nothing in it from the point of view of yield, do not give a real reason or figures to show that that is so?

May I ask my right hon. Friend to reconsider the cosmetics tax, not from the point of view of revenue but to limit their use?

Such questions as this often come up for consideration at the Treasury, and these are far from being the only suggestions made. I think that some regard should be paid to the very close and impartial consideration which has been given to a great many suggestions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that some municipal borrowers are now unable to repay earlier debt or to convert it at lower rates of interest owing to their having used their sinking funds for meeting further capital expenditure, instead of for gradual repayment of earlier debt, he will make it a condition of future borrowing by local authorities that sinking funds shall be set up and applied to the repayment of related debt, and to no other purpose?

I am not aware that any local authority has, for the reason stated, been unable to repay debt due for repayment, and I could not agree with the condition which my hon. Friend suggests should be attached to all future borrowings by local authorities. I would remind him that a Select Committee of this House reported in 1909 that the principle of utilising sinking funds for purposes for which local authorities have borrowing powers was, if properly safeguarded, financially unobjectionable. The principle is also authorised by Statutory Regulations which have been approved by both Houses of Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the possibility of arranging that men in the forces and their near relatives should be supplied periodically with a limited number of special envelopes not requiring to be stamped, and only to be used for domestic or official purposes?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 2nd May to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Miss Wilkinson).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will issue an order to all Government Departments to conduct correspondence on both sides of the paper and to make use of incoming envelopes for outgoing correspondence, in order that an example may be set to business houses and private persons?

Instructions have already been given for the use of both sides of the paper, and for the re-use of envelopes interdepartmentally. Special labels to enable ordinary incoming envelopes to be re-used are being printed and will shortly be issued to Departments.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman also consider the question of carbon copies of letters many pages of which only consist of one or two lines but occupy a separate sheet of paper?

Yes, Sir, I will consider that, but that is another question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the incidence of increased taxation and travelling costs to men in the Forces, he will consider issuing to them more free travelling passes?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 23rd April to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Withington (Mr. Fleming), of which I am sending him a copy.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman anything to add to the reply which he gave on that occasion, in view of recent happenings, particularly with regard to serving soldiers?

No, Sir. I have nothing to add to what I said then.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer Company, in addition to charging 70 per cent. of the takings from cinemas exhibiting "Gone with the Wind," are imposing a condition that the minimum charge for seats must be 3s. 6d. in the afternoon and 4s. 6d. in the evening; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this case of profiteering?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the excessive overcharge being made here in the case of the film "Gone with the Wind," he will, by Order-in-Council or otherwise, prohibit the exhibition of this film?

I have no power to prohibit the exhibition of this film or to regulate the prices of seats in cinemas; but I would refer the hon. Members to the replies given to their Questions on this subject on 30th April.

Is the Minister aware that the American profits alone on this film have reached over £3,000,000, even after £30,000 has been paid for the book, and will he stop all this money going out of the country?

asked the Minister of Shipping what steps he is taking to ensure that the freight money paid to Danish owners of shipping now in the hands of the Allies will not benefit Germany?