asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a report on the Works Council Production Committees, &c., set up since 1939; and on the committees recently set up in Royal Ordnance factories?

I am not in possession of a specific report such as my hon. Friend desires: as I have indicated in reply to previous Questions of this character, this subject is not one which lends itself to formal reports. I am aware, however, that many of the committees set up since the war, as well as those in existence prior to the war, are doing excellent work. As to the committees set up in Royal Ordnance factories, I am advised that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply is gratified that these committees, although so recently formed, have already achieved useful results and are proving of great value.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that if a more sympathetic attitude were adopted by women interviewing girls for National Service at the employment exchanges better results would be achieved and less friction caused; and what steps is he proposing to take so that girls may be encouraged instead of disheartened at their interviews?

I do not accept my hon. Friend's statement that girls are disheartened because of their interviews at employment exchanges. The instructions issued for the guidance of the interviewing officers have made it clear that the aim of the interviewers should be to establish an atmosphere of mutual confidence and that doubts and difficulties should be listehed to patiently and given full consideration. I have every reason to believe that in the difficult duties which the women officers are called upon to undertake, these instructions are being followed. The Women's Consultative Committee which advises me on women's questions have recently expressed their appreciation of the work of the women officers who have been so largely responsible for the smoothness with which the call-up of women is being made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether all fitters released from the Royal Air Force are employed in the work for which they have been trained?

The training received by these men in the Royal Air Force is mainly for maintenance purposes in operational conditions, and it was not always possible to place them in industrial vacancies in which this training would be completely utilised. I am always prepared, however, to investigate any case in which it is suggested that proper use is not being made of a man's skill and if my hon. Friend will let me have details of any case he has in mind I will have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will give an assurance that he intends to make full use of alien scientists in this country, and particularly of Professor Weisenberger, who are anxious to place their knowledge at the disposal of the Government to intensify the war effort?

Certain friendly alien scientists are already employed by the Ministry of Supply. In view, however, of the highly secret nature of most of the work, it has not been thought desirable, as a general rule, to employ enemy alien scientists in the Ministry's research establishments, although exceptions are made in special circumstances. Perhaps my hon. Friend will kindly send me full particulars of Professor Weisenberger.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will enlist the active assistance of the professional organisations of medical herbalists and the Institute of Botano-Therapy, with special knowledge and experience in gathering medicinal herbs, in connection with the campaign by his Ministry recently announced by the British Broadcasting Corporation, of collecting medicinal herbs by the Women's Voluntary Service and women's institutes?

I have been asked to reply. The organisation of the collection of medicinal plants is being undertaken in each county by a county herb committee, and I have no doubt that these committees will welcome the active assistance suggested in the Question. I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the existing committees, showing the addresses of the secretaries.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of unemployed men there are in the county of Glamorgan unfit to work underground or on very laborious work in heavy industries but who could do useful work as watchmen, timekeepers, or supervising in factories or other Government work in Glamorgan; is there any machinery in existence to ascertain what number are available so as to release able-bodied men for more important services; and will he take steps to find out?

The machinery of the interviewing panels has for one of its objects the identification of wholly unemployed men who are fit for light work only, par- ticularly with a view to utilising their services for such work, and, so far as possible, releasing able-bodied men for more important services as my hon. Friend suggests. The number in the Glamorgan county who have been so classified is 2,698.

asked the Minister of Health why his Department has refused permission to the Mexborough Urban District Council to make a grant of £25 to the Mayor of Barnsley's fund for the dependants of those who lost their lives in the recent Barnsley Main Colliery explosion; and will he reconsider this decision?

The decision carries out settled Government policy which applies not only in cases similar to this, but to other charitable objects, even when they are concerned with war victims. The general decision is based on the principle that rates represent a compulsory levy. I need hardly say that I fully sympathise with the motives of the council, but I do not feel that I could authorise a departure from settled policy in this case.

asked the Home Secretary when he expects to be able to make a statement on the decision taken upon the recommendation of the Departmental committee on police widows' pensions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 14th May to his previous Question on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether, owing to the difficulties of travel and the serious loss of time thereby by professional people when carrying out their duties under the Industrial Diseases Section of the Workmen's Compensation Act, particularly in the large county of Lincoln, he will consider the appointment of more certifying surgeons under the Factories Acts and giving lists of them to approved societies and other interested parties?

I appreciate that travelling facilities are restricted at the present time, but no complaints have been received from examining surgeons as to the difficulty of carrying out their duties under the Workmen's Compensation Act on this account. If my hon. Friend cares to send me particulars of the instances which have been brought to his notice I shall be glad to consider whether anything further can be done. I may point out, however, that there are already 37 examining surgeons for the county of Lincoln and that, owing to shortage of medical practitioners and consequent pressure of other duties, it is not easy to find suitable candidates even to fill vacancies which arise from time to time. Circulation of the list, as my hon. Friend suggests, is undesirable, especially in war-time, since it soon becomes out of date, but the name and address of the examining surgeon for any district can be obtained from the district Inspector of Factories, whose address can be found in the telephone directory.

asked the Home Secretary the number of experienced uniformed police and detective officers called to the Armed Forces during the past six months, giving particular figures for the whole London area; and whether this calling up has resulted in any increase of crime in London suburban districts?

I do not think it would be in the public interest to disclose how many policemen are released for Army service from particular areas. As regards the second part of the Question, I am informed that crime has not increased in London during the last six months. In the Metropolitan Police District there has in fact been a reduction of 9.1 per cent. as compared with the corresponding period in 1940–41 and 10.2 per cent. as compared with the corresponding period in 1938–39.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes any further steps to secure the release of man-power from financial undertakings?

A great deal has already been done by private initiative under general Government guidance, but I think that a further review of the situation is now called for, and in consultation with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Labour and National Service I have appointed a Committee under the Chairmanship of Lord Kennet to ascertain and report what practical measures, whether by way of some form of concentration or otherwise, can still be taken to secure the greatest possible release of man-power in the sphere of banking, including investment trusts, finance and discount houses and stock exchange businesses, in ordinary insurance business and in industrial assurance. I contemplate that the Committee will act in three panels, one looking at banking and allied businesses, the second at ordinary insurance and the third at industrial assurance. I hope that the Committee after completing its survey will remain in being in case it can continue to be of further assistance to the Government in the same sphere. The following have been good enough to agree to serve on this Committee:Lord Kennet (Chairman), Mr. F. H. E. Branson, Mr. J. C. Burleigh, Mr. G. Cunliffe, Mr. T. G. Davies, Mr. D. T. Garrett, Mr. E. H. Lever, Sir Felix Pole, Sir Robert Witt, C.B.E., Sir William Wood.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) whether he has now decided to take additional measures to restrict the use of certain essential drugs and chemicals for specified surgical, medical and war purposes, or otherwise to stop the depletion of valuable medical stocks;(2) whether he has made any examination, and with what result, to ascertain to what extent the ready sale of prepacked drugs by chain stores, bazaars and the like, causes any shortage in supply for essential purposes of any of the ingredients therein utilised?

I have no evidence that there is any shortage of essential materials which can be ascribed to the use of such materials in pre-packed drugs on sale by chain stores, etc., and I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 16th April. Measures to conserve the use of certain essential materials which have already been taken have resulted in the discontinuance of their use in many pre-packed preparations, as well as in other directions. The supply position of those materials is constantly under review in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Supply the reasons for selling the following goods: 4,000 pairs repaired Army boots, 13,687 canvas capes, 67 cwt. D.R. clothing, 12,000 pairs oilskin gloves, 12,000 respirator cases, 18,000 pairs slippers and plimsols, 2,455 dozen thin leather skins, 814 asbestos sheets, 53 rolls cable, etc., advertised for sale by auction, without reserve, on 20th May?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the large number of bound copies of serial magazines, and similar publications, still being retained in the public libraries; and whether any effort is to be made to induce local authorities to allow them to be collected as paper salvage?

I am informed that most public libraries regularly dispose of large quantities of books and magazines for salvage, but I understand that a considerable number of bound copies of serial magazines and other publications are still retained. Plans for a national collection of books and magazines have for some time been under active consideration with the Library Association, who have promised the co-operation of the libraries.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of persons in all Government Departments, respectively, as public relations officers and Press officers; the total number of persons in their respective Departments; and the total annual cost?

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th May, 1942; col. 1893, Vol. 379], supplied the following statement:The following table gives for all Departments, other than the Ministry of Information, the particulars to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend on the 14th May. It is not possible to give separately the numbers of public relations officers and Press officers or of their respective staffs, since the duties of

asked the Paymaster-General what official staff he has at his disposal in connection with reconstruction; and what are the private research institutions to which the Government has delegated specific inquiries and tasks?

The staff at my disposal wholly engaged on reconstruction problems consists of nine officers of the administrative grade with clerical, etc.,

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to report to the House improvements in the administration of, and economic use of, man-power in the Civil Service arising out of the recent investigation initiated by the Government?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the work of the Organisation and Methods Division of the Treasury which is supervised by an advisory panel of outside business men. This work is of a continuing character and is not of a kind suitable for any formal report. I am, however, satisfied that it is most valuable and helpful.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether arrangements similar to those for the supply of clothes for Army officers' uniform can be made for the supply of standard clothes for naval officers' uniform?

Arrangements for the supply of standard cloths for making up into naval officers' uniforms are at present under consideration and a trial is in progress.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men have been invalided from the Navy since the outbreak of war on account of digestive disorders; and, inasmuch as these disorders are principally caused by dietetic faults, whether he will inquire into the dietary of the Navy with a view to avoiding these results?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give the hon. Member the exact figures he asks for, but the number of men finally invalided from the Royal Navy for diseases of the digestive system represents 13.79 per cent. of the total number of men discharged from the Navy on account of all diseases. Other factors besides diet, such as nervous strain and so forth, have to be taken into account in any explanation of these disorders. The naval diet is under constant review and it is not considered necessary to hold a special investigation at the present time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that his Ministry is taking all possible steps to expedite and conclude the wage negotiations relating to many grades of workers, particularly tool-shop operatives, in a factory privately identified to him?

Yes, Sir. These negotiations are conducted on the shipbuilding trades joint council and I understand that an announcement about tool-shop operatives will be made at the meeting of the council on Friday, 22nd May.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has investigated criticisms of workmen in certain shipyards, and of Admiralty officers, to which his attention has been drawn; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement thereon?

My right hon. Friend has arranged for an inquiry to be held locally at which the allegations will be fully dealt with. Until the investigations are completed I regret that no further statement can be made.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Paper Controller has intimated to the contractor of the education authorities that only 30 per cent. of prewar supplies of stationery and other goods of which paper formed a basis is to be supplied; that the Federation of Education Authorities for Wales registered a protest at so heavy a cut for educational purposes, which must seriously impede the work of the schools and the education of the pupils; and will he take steps to prevent such action?

I am aware that the unavoidable limitations of supplies is causing some embarrassment to local education authorities as to other users of paper. Stocks in hand at the outbreak of war have helped to ease authorities' difficultes and I have no general evidence that the work of the schools has up to the present been seriously impeded by the present restrictions, but I am watching the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Ethiopian Government has been in communication with His Majesty's Government with regard to the abolition of the status of slavery and the gabar system in Ethiopia; whether steps have been taken to communicate the knowledge of this to the slaves and gabars, as well as to the people of Ethiopia; and whether the decree of the Italian Government abolishing the status of slavery and forced labour in Ethiopia is still legally in force in Ethiopia?

My right hon. Friend has received no communication from the Emperor on this question, but I think the Emperor's intention to abolish slavery is well known and His Majesty's Government have no doubt of his determination to carry out this policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the courts in Ethiopia, which will deal with slavery offences and with cases concerned with the liberation of slaves, are comprised among the courts which are to contain judges of British nationality?

My right hon. Friend has received no report on this subject and I should doubt whether matters have advanced to a stage where this point can be decided. As regards the general position, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give particulars of the appointments of British subjects, under Article II of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement, as advisers to the Emperor of Ethiopia and his administration, as commissioners of police, police officers and inspectors, and as judges or magistrates?

The Emperor has appointed, or will shortly appoint, British subjects as advisers to his Ministries of Finance, Justice, Interior, Commerce, Communications, Posts and Telegraphs, and Education; two as judges and two others as advisers on municipal and medical services respectively. I have as yet received no detailed information regarding appointments of police officials by His Majesty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action it is proposed to take to help those pensioners from the Shanghai Municipal Police who are British subjects and now reside in the United Kingdom and whose pensions are not now being paid?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply returned to my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon) on 6th May and to my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr. Touche) on 13th May.

asked the Secretary of State for War why schoolmasters, teachers and others, who have volunteered for service as officers in the Home Guard Cadets, are not issued, free of cost, with greatcoats, boots, shirts, collars, ties and badges of rank; and whether, as these articles are a necessary part of the uniform, and most of them when purchased necessitate the use of clothing coupons, he will arrange for a free issue?

For supply reasons, the articles of clothing referred to are not issued to members of the Army Cadet Force, whether officers or other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for War has it yet been decided whether the King's Commission is to be granted to cadet force officers?

King's Commissions in the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers will be granted to officers of the Army Cadet Force. Details of the conditions will be announced shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information in connection with an explosion during an exercise in Richmond Park when four members of the Home Guard were killed and others injured; how many were killed and injured when a smoke bomb exploded at Chelmsford on 5th May; and why smoke bombs are used in Home Guard exercises?

An inquiry is in progress into the cause of the explosions in Richmond Park and at Chelmsford. The latter resulted in ten members of the Home Guard and ten civilians being killed, and one seriously injured. Smoke is used by the British Army as by other armies for concealment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give an assurance that the training and exercises carried out on the Downs are being, and will be, confined, so far as active operations are concerned, to the areas agreed upon; and that agricultural interests and private property is being, and will be, protected if and when operations extend beyond the agreed areas?

While land in this, as in any other part of the country, may be temporarily occupied for the purpose of large scale exercises, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that it is not intended to requisition any further training areas on the South Downs, and that all possible steps are being taken to protect private property and agricultural interests.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the conditions governing the payment of the post-war credit of £9 recently granted to soldiers; and whether this credit is inalienable?

I hope to be in a position to announce the conditions governing the grant of post-war credits to soldiers very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men have been invalided from the Army since the outbreak of war on account of digestive disorders; and, inasmuch as these disorders are principally caused by dietetic faults, if he will inquire into the dietary of the Army, with a view to avoiding these results?

Although I do not think it is in the public interest to give the precise figures, I can inform the hon. Member that the proportion of men invalided from the Army on account of digestive disorders is about 17 per cent. of the number invalided on account of all diseases. There is no general evidence that digestive disorders are aggravated by faults in Army dietary, which is under constant expert supervision. The more active and open-air Army life will normally tend to lessen rather than increase the incidence of serious digestive disorders.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the assurance given on 16th May, 1939, that no pressure with regard to vaccination would be put on militiamen by medical officers, and to paragraph 81 of the regulations for militia notified in Army Orders for June, 1939, that vaccination will not normally be carried out for militiamen and no pressure brought to bear on them; and, as no cases of smallpox have been recorded amongst soldiers during this war, he will give orders that vaccination is only to be carried out at the request of individual militiamen?

Vaccination and inoculation in the Army are not compulsory, and there is no distinction in this respect between men who originally joined the militia and others. A number of un-vaccinated soldiers in certain theatres of war have died from smallpox, and I do not therefore propose to issue instructions restricting vaccination.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider, in accordance with the procedure laid down by the League of Nations, the despatch of a neutral observer to the spot to ascertain which, if any, of the belligerent Powers may be using poison gas in the present conflict?

His Majesty's Government are satisfied that the conditions of the conflict make any such procedure quite impracticable in present circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make on the allegations made by the late deputy chief constable of the Isle of Wight Constabulary reflecting on the administration of discipline by the chief constable and on the state of efficiency and discipline of that force?

Yes, Sir. In view of the publicity which was given to criticisms of the chief constable during the course of the proceedings at the inquest on the late deputy chief constable, I decided to hold an inquiry locally into the allegations which had been made by the late deputy chief constable, and certain further allegations which had been made to the standing joint committee by serving members of the Isle of Wight Constabulary and the administrative staff, in so far as they reflected on the administration of discipline and the efficiency of the Isle of Wight Constabulary, and generally into the state of efficiency and discipline of that police force. For this purpose I appointed a committee of inquiry, consisting of three officers who were experienced in the administration of discipline in a civilian organisation, and the examination of witnesses. The committee held an exhaustive inquiry into these allegations and heard evidence from all the witnesses who expressed their willingness to give information on matters coming within the scope of the inquiry, including the evidence of the chief constable himself and of witnesses who wished to give evidence on his behalf. The standing joint committee were present throughout the inquiry and had an opportunity of bringing to the notice of the committee any points or considerations which they considered to be relevant.The committee came to the conclusion that, of the specific allegations made against the chief constable, there was legitimate cause for complaint only in respect of two incidents, namely, the procedure followed by him in a disciplinary case in December, 1938, and the unauthorised use by him of a police patrol car. As regards the disciplinary case, that had been investigated at the time by the proper authorities, who were satisfied that no injustice had been done. As regards the second incident, the chief constable had obtained permission to use the car under certain definite conditions, from which he departed without obtaining the necessary authority. Apart from the irregularity in the disciplinary case, the committee found that there had been no cause for complaint with regard to the administration of discipline by the chief constable, that the Isle of Wight Constabulary is efficient, and that its efficiency has been much increased during the tenure of office of the chief constable. The committee also found no evidence that the chief constable himself is inefficient or unfit for his post, and ample evidence to the contrary, and that he is well qualified by character and experience for his present position and for any emergency he may have to meet. I have discussed the findings of the committee with the representatives of the standing joint committee who, although they differ in certain matters from the conclusions of the committee of inquiry, do not challenge the findings of the committee on the specific allegations made against the chief constable.In my view, the two irregularities referred to by the committee of inquiry are of minor importance and are not of such a character as to require any disciplinary action against the chief constable. After considering the whole circumstances in the light of the representations made by the standing joint committee, I have come to the conclusion that the findings of the committee of inquiry ought to be accepted and that there are no grounds on which I should be justified in holding that Mr. Spicer is unfit for his post as chief constable, and I have informed the standing joint committee to this effect.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that in many cases the allowances available to a serviceman undergoing treatment for a service disability are better if he comes under the 1919 Royal Warrant than if he comes under the 1940 Royal Warrant; whether he can provide a table setting out precisely the effect of the difference between the two scales in practice; and whether he will consider an amendment of the scales to bring them into line?

The treatment allowance rates for the present war bear broadly the same ratio to those payable under the 1919 Royal Warrant as applies in the case of pensions. Rates of pensions and allowances for the present war have recently been raised and there is no ground at present for a further increase. I append a table showing the treatment

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the report of the Medical Research Committee who have examined the men who dig and handle coal is now available or when will it be available; and whether the findings will secure to the men affected compensation during disablement and to their dependants in case of death?

The report by a committee of the Medical Research Council, dealing with the medical aspects of silicosis and other forms of chronic pulmonary disease among coalminers, was published by His Majesty's Stationery Office on the 16th May. The recommendations include one to the effect that the present definition of the disability for which compensation can be claimed should be widened. Any administrative action to be taken on the basis of this recommendation is a matter for the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

asked the Secretary for Mines the approximate quantity of coal consumed in Government offices and establishments during the year 1941, and the approximate quantity of coal consumed by private domestic users during the same period?

The approximate quantity of coal consumed in Government offices and establishments during the year 1941 was 240,000 tons. Consumption by private domestic users is not known, but has been estimated to be in the neighbourhood of 40,000,000 tons.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he will take powers to amend the regulation under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, so as to ensure that payments made by the Government for railings, etc., taken from houses for scrap, shall go to the people who erected and paid for them, and not to the freeholders as at present?

The regulation provides that payment shall be made to the person or persons in whom, in fact the legal ownership of the fixture is vested; and I feel that it would raise most difficult questions to divert the payment elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will encourage economy in the use of electric light and power by arranging with electricity companies for the reduction of minimum quarterly charges to domestic consumers?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Spearman), a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of enemy aliens resident in this country who have acquired directorships in British private companies since the outbreak of war; and what steps he proposes to take to limit the increasing proclivity of enemy aliens to bay up or obtain financial control of British businesses, particularly dormant concerns that still remain on the register of companies?

The information required by the first part of the Question could not be compiled without an undue expenditure of labour. I am not aware of any tendency such as the hon. and gallant Member suggests. The activities and movements of enemy aliens are subject to control by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now make a statement regarding contributions to local authorities in lieu of rates, in respect of properties and camps now occupied by the Army and Royal Air Force, with particular reference to East Sussex rural and urban districts?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to land and other properties which have been requisitioned for war purposes and to temporary camps which have been erected for the accommodation of troops and Royal Air Force personnel. It is recognised that it would be unfair that local authorities should suffer a diminution in rate income in consequence of the requisitioning of properties for war purposes, and it is the general practice in such cases to grant contributions in lieu of rates based on the assessments existing at the time the property is requisitioned. On the other hand, the construction of temporary camps and other establishments for the accommodation and training of troops during the war emergency should not have the effect of augmenting the rate income of the local authorities for those areas in which the camps, etc., may happen to be situated and no contributions in lieu of rates are, accordingly, granted in respect of such temporary structures. I may add for the information of my hon. and gallant Friend that where any services are rendered by local authorities to these temporary camps or establishments reasonable payments for the services are made on application. These arrangements apply to East Sussex rural and urban districts equally with the country as a whole.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether agricultural committees are instructed, in deciding whether a farmer should be ejected, to take into account the state of the farm when he took it over and the limitations of his capital; and whether he will see to it that farmers who have done their best within the limits of their time and finance are not dispossessed of their farms?

All the circumstances of the case, including the previous condition of the farm, so far as it is known, and the occupier's financial limitations, are taken into account before it is decided that he must be dispossessed. In suitable cases financial assistance may be and is given.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the hill-sheep subsidy is to be paid to hill farmers in Cumberland; and whether, in spite of the dispute as to the eligibility of certain classes of farmers for the subsidy, the sums due to those farmers who are clearly entitled to it can now be paid?

Applications for hill sheep subsidy have in the first instance to be investigated by county war agricultural executive committees before they can be certified and forwarded to my Department for payment. A substantial number of certified claims from Cumberland has now been received, and these claims are being examined. Payment of subsidy has already been made to 121 applicants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, from and until which date schoolchildren are to be released for work on farms; and what rate of pay it is proposed shall be given them?

The periods when schoolchildren are released for work on farms will be fixed locally according to local needs. The children will be paid not less that the appropriate minimum wage as fixed by the local agricultural wages committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many persons were authorised, during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1942, to set spring traps for rabbits elsewhere than in rabbit holes under paragraph 5B of Defence of the Realm Regulation 63, as amended 15th January, 1941, and contrary to the Prevention of Damage by Rabbits Act, 1939?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food under what arrangements are mobile canteens of various organisations supplied with food for distribution to men in the Army and Royal Air Force; how many vehicles are so supplied; why it is considered necessary to provide this extra service and are the rations issued inadequate?

Under arrangements made by the Ministry of Food and the War Office acting on behalf of the military and Air Force authorities the responsibility for deciding what canteen provision is necessary for the welfare of troops and the form this should take rests with the Service authorities. Any canteens notified to the Ministry on behalf of the Service authorities as being necessary are licensed as catering establishments by local food control committees and as such are entitled to an approved scale of allowances. The records of my Department do not show mobile canteens separately from static canteens serving members of His Majesty's Forces. The canteen provision for troops is an integral part of the arrangements made for their welfare. The purpose of mobile canteens is to provide small isolated units with light refreshments. They are, therefore, an amenity and not means of supplementing the Service rations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has any observations to make upon the communication received from the South Wales Food Division giving particulars of the difficulties experienced in the trade by the calling up of shop assistants to the Services?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to-day to a Question on this matter by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bedwellty (Sir C. Edwards).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Lambeth Borough Council has protested against the issuing by his Ministry of secret instructions as to the composition of national bread, which prevent the effective discharge by the council of its duties under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938; that samples of flour and bread sold as national wheatmeal were found by the public analyst of the borough not to be of 85 per cent. extraction; why such secret instructions were issued; and will he place in the Library copies of all secret instructions and statutory orders immediately on their issue?

I am aware of the protest of the Lambeth Borough Council. The Lambeth Borough Council's protest concerned the technical and operative instructions issued to flour millers, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 18th December last. These instructions have since been included in the definition of National Wheatmeal in S.R. & 0. No.451, 1942. I have also seen statements by the medical officer of health for the borough of Lambeth to the effect that samples of National Wheatmeal and National Wheatmeal bread were not of the required standard. My Department on 8th February last asked that official for detailed information of any such cases so that investigations could be made, but is unable to trace any reply to this request. Regarding the last part of the Question, as statutory orders are available to all Members, free of cost on application, there would not appear to be any occasion to place copies in the Library nor would there seem to be any occasion to place in the Library copies of technical instructions issued from time to time by my Department as part of the normal process of administration.

asked the Home Secretary how many hours per week are spent on the average by a fire service unit on marching drill; and whether more useful forms of training or service will be found for men employed in this force?

No general rules have been laid down as to the amount of time to be devoted to squad drill by units of the National Fire Service and it would not be possible without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour to obtain data to show the time spent on squad drill over the Service as a whole. I may mention, however, that provision is made in the standard course of training for recruits and the standard refresher course for firemen for half an hour and a quarter of an hour per day respectively to be devoted to squad drill. As regards the second part of the Question, some squad drill is essential to a fireman's training for the purpose of developing smartness and accustoming the men to move as disciplined bodies.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will inquire into the case, details of which have been sent to him, of a Hungarian student of London University who has been interned since 10th December, 1941, and whose teachers, at one of the largest schools in the university, are prepared to vouch for him?

I am making inquiries into the case to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Home Secretary whether equal compensation is payable to men or women injured in air-raids?

I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the negative. The respective rates are set out in the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to prevent altogether the consumption of intoxicating beverages by the young girls impressed into the service of the nation?

The Government are fully alive to the importance of safeuarding young people who are engaged in various forms of national service, and attention is given in particular to the prevention of any abuse of canteen facilities; but if my hon. Friend by the use of the phrase "impressed into the service of the nation" refers to the women aged 20, 21, and 22 who have been called up for service under the National Service Acts, he will recognise the objection to any discriminating measure subjecting such women to restrictions which are not applicable to other persons over the age of 18.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, under the Undesirable Publications Ordinance, 1939, the Governor of Sierra Leone has banned the importation into the Colony of six newspapers; will he state the names of these newspapers and the grounds for their suppression; and whether they are also prohibited in this country?

On 31st January last the Governor of Sierra Leone made an order prohibiting the importation of the following publications: "Labor Action," "The New International," "Fourth International," "International News," "The Fighting Worker," "The Militant." This action was taken in view of the propaganda contained in these publications against the successful prosecution of the war.

asked the Minister of Production whether he has any evidence that workpeople have restricted production as a result of the suspension of the "Daily Worker"; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

I have made inquiries, but I can find no evidence to support the suggestion that the suppression of this newspaper has had any restrictive effect on production.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will inquire into a case, details of which have been sent to him, of a university medical graduate who qualified as a specialist on the assurance that consideration would be given to that qualification in making appointments in the East African medical service, but this assurance has not been implemented, and the case has been the subject of a protest by the local branch of the British Medical Association?

My Noble Friend has made careful inquiries into this case. He is not aware of any special assurance having been given to the officer in question which there has been a failure to implement.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many men have been invalided from the Air Force since the outbreak of war on account of digestive disorders; and, inasmuch as these disorders are principally caused by dietetic faults, if he will inquire into the dietary of the Air Force with a view to avoiding these results?

It would not be in the public interest to state the actual figure, but the number of men invalided from the Royal Air Force since the outbreak of war on account of digestive disorders is about 17 per cent. of all those discharged for all diseases. As I explained in the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) on 15th July, 1941, the dietary of the Force is under constant and expert investigation. Laboratory and field tests of the vitamin content of foodstuffs both before and after cooking, and of their digestibility and nutritive value, have been undertaken and improvements made in the light of the knowledge gained. In general the diet of the R.A.F. is well balanced and there is no deficiency of any essential ingredient.

asked the Postmaster-General when airgraph letters may be sent from this country to India?

The airgraph service is now available for messages to members of H.M. Forces and to civilians in India, Ceylon, and Seychelles. In addition, airgraphs may now be sent to civilians as well as to members of the Forces in Egypt, Palestine, Transjordan, Cyprus, the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Aden and British Somaliland. The charge for airgraphs addressed to civil addressees is 8d.; for airgraphs addressed to the Forces the existing rate of 3d. remains unchanged. The 3d. rate will apply also to messages for the personnel of merchant ships, including those on ordinary commercial service, calling at ports in the countries concerned.