asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made since 1st April with the clearing up, repair and reconstruction of bombed houses and business premises in the London area and provincial towns?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the repair of war damage by local authorities. At 1st April all but about 12 per cent, of the repairable houses had received first aid repair in London and the principal provincial towns which had suffered heavy damage. At 17th July, the latest date for which figures are available, there remained about 6 per cent. awaiting repairs. Considerable damage occurred between these dates, and the figures show not only that the arrears had been overtaken but that progress had been made with the repair of the damage occurring during the period. Local authorities are not responsible for the repair of business premises, and I am not aware of any statistics available as to the repair of this class of property by the owners.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask whether he can assure the House that everything is being done during the quiet spell and the fine weather to make the greatest number of houses habitable during the coming winter, both in London and in the provinces?

Certainly, and a number are in certain stages of repair.

Does it not depend upon the energy of the local authorities?

They are doing very well.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange for evacuees to be moved from billets when room is required to enable workers engaged in work of national importance to live in the neighbourhood?

Difficulties arising in the provision of accommodation for war workers are considered by an interdepartmental committee. This committee submits recommendations as to the action to be taken which may include the removal of evacuated persons billeted in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the selection was made of a lady to go to the United States of America to represent the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service; with what object and for what duration the appointment is intended; whether it is at the public expense, if so, on what Vote; and whether the selection was made with the knowledge of the acting officer in charge of the London Ambulance Service?

The suggestion that a delegation of Civil Defence workers should be sent to America is still under consideration, and no final decision has been reached.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this appointment was published in all the newspapers and has caused a great deal of concern among those who were not consulted, but should have been consulted, in the selection of the person to go?

I saw those Press notices. I think they are the result of a misunderstanding, because the matter has not reached the stage of decision.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that no appointment is made without consultation with the appropriate authorities?

In any case I will take care of that, as I shall have to be consulted myself.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the person sent really represents this service?

Yes, I will certainly keep that point in mind, but no final decision has yet been reached.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the activities of the Sydmouth Douglas Social Credit Association, as these are calculated to impair the war effort; and what steps he is taking to deal with this association?

My attention has been drawn to an anti-Semitic circular recently issued by the association referred to. It would, I think, on my present information, be exaggerating the influence of this obscure body to suggest that its activities could have any effect on the war effort, but I shall keep it under observation.

Are not the documents which I sent to the right hon. Gentleman anti-Government and pro-Hitler?

It is not necessarily an offence for a document to be anti-Government. Otherwise, from time to time we should be in trouble with parts of the House of Commons. On the last point, I am not satisfied that it is necessarily so, but I will keep it under observation.

Are not their statements actually libels?

I am not sure that that is a matter for me.

Does not this involve a great waste of paper at a time of paper shortage?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make on Civil Defence despatch riders?

I issued a circular at the end of June authorising the setting up of an outdoor Civil Defence messenger service in place of the less formal system which has hitherto prevailed, and the provision of uniform and equipment in appropriate quantities, materially in excess of those hitherto authorised. Regional Commissioners are at present in consultation with the various authorities in their regions with a view to settling appropriate establishments for the service. In the main, the service will, it is hoped, be recruited on a part-time basis from the younger members of the population, for whom the nature of the work has a special attraction.

Can the Minister give any idea of the number of people who are involved in this matter?

No, Sir, not without notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the number and names of the new Deputy Regional Commissioners who have recently been appointed?

asked the Home Secretary how many additional Deputy Commissioners have been, appointed since nth June; and whether each region now has such a person responsible for all fire prevention and fire-fighting arrangements?

As the answer involves a number of names, I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the information asked for by my hon. Friends.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he has included the names of any women in the list?

I have kept that point steadily in mind, but the list is not yet complete. I still should like to do so, but it is a question of finding suitable persons to do particular jobs, and the solution does not always work out that way. It has not happened yet, but I still go on hoping.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the second part of my Question, whether each region now has a person responsible for all fire prevention and fire-fighting arrangements?

Yes, Sir, that is being taken care of. One of the Regional Commissioners will probably take care of the matter, because they have officers suitable for the purpose.

If the right hon. Gentleman cannot find women who are suitable, will he not let some of us find them for him? Is it not true that unless women had protested against our not having a national fire service, we should not have it to-day? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman consider the women?

I have already informed the House how the matter stands. Any suggestion the Noble Lady would care to make I would gladly consider.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman proud to have a national fire service?

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that one regional commissioner is sufficient for the counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex?

asked the Home Secretary how many letters he has received from persons interned in the Isle of Man, under Regulation 18b, whose detention has recently been cancelled, requesting that their internment in that island should not be terminated during the summer, and expressing appreciation of the conditions and of the kindly treatment they had received?

I have seen one such letter, and I am sure that the conditions of treatment in the Isle of Man camps are appreciated by many of them who are detained there.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some hon. Members have received letters from foreigners interned in the Isle of Man asking that the British Government should be thanked for the wonderful free holiday they have been given?

I gather that one or two such communications have been received, but there are others of an opposite character.

While the internees fully appreciate the admirable conditions under which they are living, is it not the case that they would rather be out of internment, meeting the dangers which face the country, than be interned under the very best conditions?

Generally speaking, that is so.

asked the Home Secretary what is the total number of internees deported from Great Britain to Australia; how many of these were boys and youths between 16 and 19 years of age; how many have since been recommended for release; and how many of these have, in fact, been released from internment?

The number sent to Australia was 2,542. As no statistics dividing these people into age groups are available, I regret I cannot give the particulars asked for in the second part of the Question. The policy is to bring back to this country both those whose prospective release can be definitely authorised on the information already available, and others who appear likely to qualify for release subject to further examination after their arrival here. There is also a number of persons whose prospective release has been authorised with a view to their emigration to other countries. The total number whose future release has been definitely authorised is 480 of whom over 300 are prospective emigrants to other countries. There are on their way back to this country about 200 persons of whom 66 have been definitely promised release, and the remainder are returning with a view to consideration of their release.

Will my right hon. Friend give special consideration to the schoolboys and young fellows under 19 years of age, and particularly to those who are still at school?

They must, of course, be considered in relation to security, and obviously from that point of view they would probably stand a better chance. I will keep the point in mind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has been in communication with His Majesty's Government in Australia with a view to obtaining their consent to the release in Australia of those internees who have been deported to Australia from Great Britain and since recommended as suitable for release from internment, but for whose return to this country no shipping facilities are available?

No, Sir. These internees were accepted by the Australian Government on the specific understanding that those whose release might be authorised would be removed from Australia. Any exception to this principle is a matter entirely within the discretion of the Australian Government.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to state the number of paid wardens between the ages of 30 and 41; and whether they are to be exempt from military service, or are to be called up in September?

There are approximately 5,600 whole-time wardens whose obligations for military service are deferred for varying periods ended 30th September. It is not proposed that there should be any further general deferment of wardens. Individual cases of key wardens will still be considered on their merits.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to make a statement on fire-watching relating to business premises, unoccupied houses and the organisation of fire-watching parties?

The first of these Questions is at present under discussion with representatives of the employers and the Trades Union Congress; the second is being dealt with by an Order which will shortly be issued under an Amendment to the Defence Regulations recently approved; as regards the third, further directions are being issued in the light of the experience which has been gained.

In view of the fact that nothing appears to have happened in this matter since December, could not the right hon. Gentleman speed up the three very important parts of this Service?

The hon. Gentleman has no right to say that nothing has happened since December. It is a misrepresentation and is not fair.

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements are made to coordinate the work of Government Departments, local authorities and other agencies concerned with the welfare of the civil population during and after air raids?

As the answer is rather long, I will, with Mr. Speaker's permission, make a statement at the end of Questions.

I must first point out that the welfare of the civil population during and after an air raid is bound up with the restoration of the life of the community and depends upon a large number of services, extending far beyond the Civil Defence organisation as originally conceived. To give a few examples, let me mention evacuation and rest centres; emergency feeding; relief of distress; first-aid repairs to houses; road and rail transport; restoration of shopping facilities; salvage of furniture; restoration of gas, water and electricity supplies; clearance of sites which are a danger to public safety or public health. All these, and various other activities, directly or indirectly affect the personal welfare of the population. Many Departments are involved, but the examples I have mentioned are particular aspects of the work of five or six Departments, and they could not be dealt with in isolation from the work now carried out by those Departments under normal conditions.

As Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security, I have a general responsibility for seeing that the plans of the various Departments are properly coordinated, and that adjustments are promptly made in the light of experience. At the centre, co-ordination is achieved through the Civil Defence Committee of the War Cabinet and its Executive Sub-Committee, over both of which I preside. Under present conditions, the committee meets weekly and the Executive Sub-Committee meets at least twice a week; meetings are held daily if necessary. The Ministers immediately concerned meet under my chairmanship with their senior officers and advisers. Other Ministers including Ministers of the Service Departments, attend when matters arise affecting the work of their Departments. Oral reports are made by each Department represented, and immediate decisions are given where necessary. The Executive Sub-Committee is also a planning body and calls for reports upon particular problems which need detailed examination. I need hardly say that I meet the Regional Commissioners individually and collectively at frequent intervals for discussion of a wide variety of problems.

So much for planning and the settlement of policy. Then there is action to give effect to the policy in the regions and localities. This is done through regional representatives of Government Departments and local authorities, subject to co-ordination by the Regional Commissioners, who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all the interests concerned, including regional representatives of Government Departments and local authroities, make plans in advance and act quickly and effectively when the emergency arises. They also maintain close contact with industrial organisations and voluntary bodies. Thus the Regional Commissioner is the point at which all plans for dealing with the consequences of enemy attack are focussed. Power; on specific matters have already been delegated to them, and there will be no hesitation in extending such delegation as the need arises.

Experience has shown that after a heavy raid rapid and effective progress can best be made if the Regional Commissioner initiates arrangements for a conference at an early hour, at which the various agencies at work are repre- sented, including, if necessary, the military authorities. These conferences are called to enable the position to be appreciated in perspective and to initiate and co-ordinate remedial action, the general lines of which have been planned in advance. Every Department and agency places its services unreservedly at the disposal of the Regional Commissioner, and the regional representatives work as a team under the leadership of the Regional Commissioner. By the methods I have outlined, policy is quickly settled and plans are co-ordinated nationally, and in the regions lines of action are determined and preparations made in advance under the direction of the Regional Commissioner.

Will my right hon. Friend enlarge that very interesting statement in one respect? Exactly what is the Regional Commissioner expected by him to do if a local authority is not reaching the standard of efficiency in some respect which he expects of it, or if he is not receiving the co-operation which, in his view, he requires from the officers of some other Department, not the Ministry of Home Security?

In the case of the local authorities, the Regional Commissioners, subject to Ministerial authority, have powers of direction, if necessary, but, as the House will agree, it is far better to do these things by discussion and through good will, and very little difficulty is in fact experienced. With regard to other State Departments, if the Regional Commissioner finds he has difficulty with the regional representatives of another Ministry he can make representations to that Ministry through the Minister of Home Security.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is conflict sometimes between the Regional Commissioner and the Controller, and if there is a conflict between these two gentlemen who is the final arbiter?

Finally it would be myself. If I came to the conclusion that the fault was with the Regional Commissioner, I would have to deal with him. If I came to the conclusion that the Controller was hopeless, I would have the power to remove him.

Is there any co-operation with, or assistance from, Members of Parliament in the areas, or are they completely ignored?

As my hon. Friend knows, the Regional Commissioners meet Members of Parliament from time to time.

Very rarely.

I can only say that I think the whole of the Regional Commissioners have invited Members of Parliament—[HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]—and in a number of cases there have been several meetings. If any hon. Members have any feeling about that point in a particular region, I will certainly take it up.

They give two days' notice by telephone.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Do I understand that this policy has always been the policy that has been carried out from the beginning, or is it something new?

In principle, in many respects, it is from the beginning, but, as the noble Lady knows, it is very desirable.

Supposing a Regional Commissioner finds that local authorities are really not up to scratch, is it the duty of the Regional Commissioner to deal with them drastically?

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker—

Notice has already been given that this matter is to be raised in a discussion on the Adjournment.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of recent declarations made by the Communist party in support of the war effort, he is prepared to revoke his Order under the Defence Regulations prohibiting the publication of the "Daily Worker "?

No, Sir. At this critical period of the war, when extra effort is called for from all of us so that everything possible may be done to assist our Russian ally, the Government would not feel justified in relaxing a safeguard against a newspaper which systematically fomented opposition to the war effort. If the British Communist party are now. prepared to aid our Russian ally by giving to the war effort assistance which they previously were not willing to give to their own country, I welcome this change so far as it goes, and I hope it may lead to their accepting the principle that the aims of every party or faction ought to be subordinated to the common purpose of Britain and her Allies to defeat the Hitler regime. In view, however, of the changes in the professions of the leaders of the party, It would be premature and rash to treat the latest of these sudden conversions as proof of a lasting change of heart.

Arising out of that reply, as the paper was suppressed because the right hon. Gentleman held the view that it was damaging the war effort, and in view of the changed conditions and the declared policy of the leaders of the party that they are now anxious to support the war effort and to increase production as much as possible, is it not illogical in such circumstances to continue the ban?

One of the reasons for the suppression of the newspaper was that I came to the conclusion that the party and the newspaper had no fundamental loyalty to the British war effort. I am not yet satisfied that they have such loyalty, and until I am so satisfied, I do not propose to alter this decision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in spite of the objections he has expressed to a Member on the Front Bench regarding misrepresentation, he has himself made a mass of misrepresentations of the Communist party and of the "Daily Worker," and is it not the case that he could not cite one issue on which the "Daily Worker" ever gave him cause for serious action? In view of the fact that the "Daily Worker" has always had the greatest influence on the best type of worker in the factories, is it not desirable that the "Daily Worker" should be allowed re-publication?

I am very sorry, but as I disagree with almost every statement of fact that my hon. Friend has made, I am afraid it would be impossible in the short time at my disposal adequately to cover the ground in answer to that question.

When my right hon. Friend speaks about desiring satisfaction in regard to the loyalty to the war effort of the people concerned, what does he mean—how does he desire them to express their loyalty? Does he want any precise declaration, does he want them to go through a period of probation, or what is in his mind?

What is in my mind is what I have said, and if my hon. Friend is trying to lead me to open up negotiations with the Communist party as to their terms of peace with the British Government, I do not propose to open any such negotiations.

asked the Home Secretary whether the sites of bombed properties are cleared of buildings and debris at the public expense, or whether the ground landlords contribute towards the cost of this demolition and clearance?

Reasonable expenditure; incurred by local authorities in the clearance of sites is reimbursed by the Exchequer. It is no part of the responsibility of local authorities to clear any site merely in the interests of the owner, but sites may have to be cleared in the interests of public safety, public health or salvage of goods or on the general ground of public interest. The question of subsequent financial adjustment with the owner or other interests concerned is a matter for the War Damage Commission.

Is it not a fact that ground landlords are not paying any contribution towards this expenditure, and is it reasonable and just that this generally prosperous section of the community should be permitted to escape such charges, particularly as they do not bear a proper proportion of taxation?

Any question of financial adjustment is a matter for the War Damage Commission, and not for me.

asked the Minister of Health the nature of the arrangement whereby the proprietors of Dartington Hall, Devon, receive or have received a monetary grant out of public funds in respect of attention given to evacuated children; and whether the parents of the children, the Home Office, the Devon constabulary, the Board of Education or the local education authority were consulted before any such arrangement was concluded?

The position is that part of the premises at Dartington Hall have been placed by the trustees at the disposal of the local authority for evacuation purposes. These premises are at present being run as a hostel for evacuated children by local voluntary workers and staff seconded by the L.C.C. The proprietors of Dartington Hall are not in any way concerned in the management of the hostel and no grant is payable to them in respect of attention to the children. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the rise in the cost of living, he will reconsider the existing income limits which govern the contributions to be made by parents for the maintenance of their evacuated children, since the present scale is causing considerable hardship in certain cases?

I am not satisfied on the information before me that a reconsideration of the present scale of assessment is called for. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend would send me or the Secretary of State for Scotland particulars of the cases to which he refers.