asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that the divisional road engineer of the Ministry of Transport at Edinburgh has refused to grant the application of the Fife County Council for approval to the erection of a halt sign on the WindygatesLeven road at Scoonie roundabout; that the black-out and the great extent to which military traffic has increased make it essential in the interests of public safety that the halt sign should be erected; and whether he can now take steps towards the approval of the county council's desire?

This roundabout was constructed in 1938 to facilitate free movement of traffic. Halt signs are intended for use at junctions where the view from a minor road of traffic on a major road is very restricted and the volume of traffic is considerable. They are not intended for use at roundabouts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that the Great Western Railway Company are charging members of His Majesty's Forces at Oxford 4d. each for sandwiches consisting of one slice of white bread with a thin scraping of margarine and meat paste; and whether he will take steps to terminate this exploitation?

The sandwiches sold at Oxford station, price 4d., are "meat roll" sandwiches. The prices are the same for service personnel as for other travellers. There is a service canteen for troops using Oxford station.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will cause inquiries to be made concerning the allegations of delay in transit of foodstuffs, and other goods, at the central station, Doncaster, of which he has been informed; also, will he urge all responsible railway officials to expedite the immediate transfer or movement of all perishable goods or foodstuffs to their destination.

I am making inquiries into the cases of which my hon. Friend refers and will communicate the result to him as soon as possible. All railway officials concerned have instructions to treat perishable foodstuffs as urgent and accord them priority.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether it is proposed to return the provincial omnibuses now in London to their owners; how many have already been returned; and what scales of payment have been made for their use?

All but 149 of the buses have been returned and the remainder will be sent back next month. In most cases, the hire agreed was £25 a month, but in a few cases agreement has yet to be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the restricted and congested omnibus service in the East of Fife, and the desire of the Road Board that the passenger stations at Boarhills, Stravithie, Kingsbarns and Kelty should be reopened, especially for the benefit of workers going to and from their work; and whether he is aware that several trains pass these stations daily, and that their reopening has become a matter of essential public interest.

I have been asked to reply. As I informed the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) yesterday, I am making inquiries into this matter, and I will communicate also with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the difficulties created by the abolition of travellers' ration cards for people who move about the country on State or commercial business, the waste of time incurred in searching for and visiting food offices and the time occupied by the food officers in dealing with each case, he will consider either reviving the emergency ration cards or evolving some other scheme which may work more smoothly than the one now in existence?

:The travellers ration book was abolished as it was very desirable to reduce to a minimum the number of unregistered consumers, and many people were known to have had this book who did not need it. Emergency documents are of courses till in existence and available for people who occasionally need to buy their rations away from their home. With regard to my hon. Friend's second proposal the existing scheme was decided on only after a thorough consideration of all the implications and I think that it will be found to work smoothly and without much inconvenience to anyone.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, before deciding to import fresh lemons in cases for crushing and conversion into soft drinks in this country, he satisfied himself that the amount of shipping space thus used could not have been employed to better advantage?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is satisfied with the distribution of jam in view of the fact that some retailers are still unable to fulfil the requirements of their registered customers for the May and June supply while other retailers in the same district have enough stocks for many months to come; and if he will take steps to remedy this anomaly?

Very few complaints of the nature to which my hon. Friend refers have been received in the past few weeks. All retailers have been advised that if they experience any difficulty in obtaining sufficient supplies to meet the requirements of their registered customers they should write to my Department. If they do this it is usually possible to ensure that supplies are made available to them without delay.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether, in view of the Consumer Rationing Order, 1941, S.R.O. 701, and the necessity for conserving clothing, he will consider allowing dry-cleaners supplies of trichlorethylene cleaning solvent in excess of the present quota of 40 per cent. of pre-war usings so as to enable the dry-cleaning industry adequately to fulfil the demands of the public for dry-cleaning?

Arrangements have already been made which provide that, as from 1st July, dry-cleaners will be able to secure supplies of trichlorethylene equivalent to 60 per cent. of their normal consumption.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many non-commissioned officers who would make excellent officers feel unable to apply for a commission because a junior officer under 30 years of age cannot give his wife as much as a sergeant gives his wife; and whether, in order to obtain the best officers for the Army, he will increase the separation allowance for wives of officers?

I would refer the Noble Lady to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley (Mr. Crowder) and other hon. Members on 15th July.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now make any further statement as to the progress which has been made with the more efficient guarding of aerodromes in this country?

The defences of aerodromes are being continuously strengthened. This question has recently been thoroughly re-examined in conjunction with the Air Ministry. A number of important measures have been decided upon. These are being put into effect with all speed.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the War Office undertakings with regard to the inside and outside repair of houses requisitioned by his Department?

The liabilities of the War Office and of other Departments in respect of requisitioned houses are defined in Section 2 (1) (a) and (b) of the Compensation (Defence) Act. 1939.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will invite Miss Dorothy Thompson, the American journalist and publicist, to make a Sunday night postcript broadcast, with the same wave-length facilities as recently given to the broadcast talk by Mr. Quentin Reynolds?

Miss Thompson arrived in England on 22nd July. A recorded interview with her was broadcast in the 9 p.m. Home Service news bulletin on that day. She will broadcast a talk in the Home Service after the 9 p.m. news bulletin on Saturday next, 26th July. The possibility of arranging for further broadcasts is being examined.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with reference to the recent speech by General Franco, in which he showed marked hostility to this country?

Yes, Sir. Since the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War, His Majesty's Government have been anxious to do everything in their power to promote the economic recovery of Spain, and to assist the Spanish people in their work of reconstruction. They considered that they could best contribute to this object by encouraging the revival of Anglo-Spanish commercial relations. Accordingly on the 18th March, 1940, they signed with the Spanish Government the Anglo-Spanish Trade and Payments Agreement and the Anglo - Spanish Loan Agreement providing for the advance of £2,000,000 to be spent in liquidating arrears in the Anglo-Spanish clearing dating from before the Civil War and of a further £2,000,000 for the purchase of foodstuffs and raw materials necessary for Spanish reconstruction.On 30th July, 1940, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Economic Warfare stated that it was not our policy to extend the blockade to neutral countries so long as supplies could reach those countries without the risk of falling into the hands of the enemy, that we were prepared to grant navicerts on such a scale as to allow imports adequate for domestic consumption, and further that it was the policy of His Majesty's Government not merely to allow such supplies to pass through our controls, but also to assist neutral countries to obtain them. On 7th April last, His Majesty's Government concluded with the Spanish Government at their request a supplementary Loan Agreement, providing for an additional loan of £2,500,000. This money was also required for the purchase of essential raw materials and foodstuffs, and His Majesty's Government had hoped to be able to arrange for certain facilities to be made available for purchases in the sterling area and in other parts of the world.His Majesty's Government have now noted that General Franco, in his speech to the Falange National Council on 17th July, displayed complete misunderstanding not only of the general war situation but also of British economic policy towards Spain. If economic arrangements are to succeed there must be good will on both sides, and General Franco's speech shows little evidence of such good will. His statement makes it appear that he does not desire further economic assistance for his country. If that is so, His Majesty's Government will be unable to proceed with their plans, and their future policy will depend on the actions and attitude of the Spanish Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the names of those appointed by his Department to advise the British Broad-casting Corporation on propaganda to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?

The British Broadcasting Corporation are not conducting any propaganda to the Soviet Union.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to French Somaliland?

The policy of His Majesty's Government is to ensure that the resources and "territory of French Somali-land are not placed at the disposal of our enemies. Appropriate steps are being taken to achieve this object. His Majesty's Government have no territorial ambitions in French Somaliland.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has reconsidered the case of Mrs. Bones following further discussions on the case?

I would refer the hon. Member to the letter which was addressed to him on 22nd July on this case.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have arranged for the midwives in their employ to be given instruction in the use of gas and oxygen for painless childbirth; how many local authorities have supplied the apparatus for the giving of gas and oxygen by midwives at confinements; and how does this number compare with last year's returns?

According to the returns made to me by local supervising authorities up to 31st December, 1940, 49 of the 188 authorities concerned had made arrangements approved by the Central Midwives Board for instructing midwives in the administration of analgesics. Apparatus for administering analgesics was supplied by 33 authorities during 1940 as compared with 21 during 1939. Under special arrangements made by my Department with the National Birthday Trust, 43 machines have been supplied to emergency maternity homes in which the staffs are adequately trained in the administration of gas and oxygen.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increased number of married women taking up full-time employment in industry and transport, and in many cases working long hours, he intends any further measures for securing the health of them and their children in the months immediately before and after childbirth?

In addition to the provision made under the National Health Insurance Scheme a wide range of services for the benefit of expectant and nursing mothers and their young children are authorised under the Maternity and Child Welfare Schemes. In view of war-time needs the provision of day nurseries for the children of women in employment is being specially developed and it has been agreed that the approved expenditure of authorities on this provision will be repaid by the Ministry. Provision is also made in the National Milk Scheme for a supply of cheap or free milk for expectant and nursing mothers, and for children up to five years of age.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by many persons who have been bombed out of their homes, and billeted by the local authority, at the demands subsequently made on them for payment of billeting money, and for back payment, often going back many weeks; and whether he will consider making all such payments date only from the time when the amount of payment is fixed;(2)whether he is aware that, in assessing the amount which a person who has been bombed out of his home should pay for his billet, no account is taken of such extra expenses as meals purchased out side, extra travelling, replacement of lost clothing, etc.; and whether, as many persons feel so aggrieved at these assessments that they are returning to their broken homes rather than continue in their billets, he will reconsider the basis on which they are arrived at;(3)whether he is aware that many per sons who have lost everything in the course of an air bombardment are billeted on householders who are only bound to provide shelter and access to water and sanitary accommodation for which the householder receives from the Government 5s. for an adult and 3s. per child; that his Department then assesses how much the the billetee is to pay; and whether, as many billetees feel that they could make better bargains for themselves, he will consider revising the whole system of billeting?

I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction with the conditions governing the payment of billeting allowances by local authorities. These are paid in respect of persons who have lost their homes by enemy action and are intended to be a temporary measure, operating only until such persons are able to find their own accommodation. Recovery of the billeting allowances is not made for the first fortnight or until a damaged house has been made habitable. No recovery is asked for in cases where the wage-earner is not living with the family nor for any periods before the persons billeted are made aware of their obligations. In making the assessment account is taken of such extra expenses as meals purchased outside and of additional travelling, but not the replacement of lost clothing, which is, of course, a matter for the Assistance Board. I think the principles thus applied are equitable and no cases have been brought to my notice where the persons billeted feel that they would be able to make better bargains for themselves. If my hon. Friend knows of any cases of this kind, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the joint circular issued by the Ministry of Health and Board of Education dealing with the placing and after-care of evacuees who have reached the school-leaving age, whether he is satisfied that local authorities and local education authorities are providing suitable employment, recreational facilities and friendly supervision for them while away from their own homes; and what proportion of these school leavers have obtained employment in the reception areas?

The joint circular to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, was issued as recently as the middle of May and it is too soon to attempt to assess its effect. I have however no reason to doubt that both my own welfare officers and H.M. Inspectors responsible for the Youth Service under the Board of Education, together with the juvenile employment officers and local authorities and local education authorities are taking close interest in the placing and after-care of evacuees who have reached school-leaving age and whose parents desire them to remain in reception areas. I have no statistical information regarding the last part of the Question, which is a matter, rather for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the unnecessary inconvenience caused to people in the reception areas in Denbighshire through evacuee children who have been billeted with them for two or three weeks being fetched back by their parents; whether this has any relation to a demand from the State for the parents' contribution towards the children's upkeep; and, in view of this occurrence having been more than once repeated by the same parents, whether he will take steps to protect people in the reception areas from the dislocation to the household caused by these proceedings?

I am aware of the inconvenience caused to householders in reception areas by the tendency of evacuated children and other to return to danger areas during any temporary lull in enemy raiding. I do not, however, think that this tendency is appreciably affected by the requirement that parents who can afford to do so should contribute towards the cost of their children's maintenance. I am taking such steps as are practicable to dissuade parents from bringing their children back to danger areas, and I will send by hon. Friend a copy of a letter which I have recently addressed to the parents of all evacuated children urging them to leave the children in reception areas.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing some modification of the peacetime practice of water concerns to cut off water on non-payment of rates, in view of the danger from enemy incendiary bombs?

I have no evidence of unreasonable use by water undertakers of their powers in this regard at the present time and I am not satisfied that intervention on my part on the lines suggested is either necessary or desirable.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in many cases the cost of making wardens' posts habitable with paint, furnishing, etc., has been defrayed out of the wardens' own pockets; and will he authorise grants to be made refunding to such wardens reasonable amounts so expended?

Authorities generally are authorised to provide suitable furnishings and equipment with reasonable amenities for wardens' posts and no question should arise of individual wardens having to incur expenditure on reasonable amenities.

asked the Home Secretary from what sources he has assessed the value of the bloodstock exported from this country at £600,000; and what is the average annual value of such exports over the past 15 years or convenient period?

As my hon. Friend was informed in answer to his Question of 9th April, separate figures for the value of bloodstock exports are not available. The Board of Trade returns however show that, excluding re-exports, the declared value of mares and stallions exported during the past 15 years averaged £621,000 per annum. These were the figures I had in mind during the Debate on 2nd July when I gave the rough estimate to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities in the Isle of Wight have applied for financial assistance to enable them to meet their liabilities in war-time; and what reply has been given in each case?

Three local authorities have applied for financial assistance. Assistance has been given to two of these authorities and in the remaining case the application, which has recently been received, is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to permit the influx of Southern Irish labourers for the harvest; and to what extent and upon what conditions of return to their own country?

Permits are being granted again this year as was done last year for men who have been offered employment by a specified employer in this country to come over from Eire to assist with the harvest and other seasonal agricultural work. The permits are valid only for three months, unless extended by the chief constable concerned, and the men are then required to return to Eire.