asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has taken to see that proper economies have been, and are being, effected in the consumption of light and fuel in all establishments and formations under his control; and whether he will consider the appointment of a qualified officer to ensure that all such considerations are effectuated as time and opportunity permit?

The following are among the measures taken to secure economy of fuel and light throughout the Army: The fuel scales of a large number of units have been reduced. Board of Trade technical experts throughout the country are concerting with the military authorities the most economical use both of solid fuel and of gas and electricity. Close touch is being maintained with the Coal Utilisation Joint Council engineers. The War Department coal inspector is continuously visiting military stations to ensure economy of solid fuel. Soldiers and civilians engaged in stoking at War Department installations are attending courses of instruction arranged by the Mines Department for boilermen. A fuel economy campaign designed to bring home to all ranks the importance of this matter has been launched. In view of these steps I do not think the appointment of an additional officer, as suggested in the last part of the Question, is called for.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers in the Army Education Corps who have reached the retiring age of 60 in the last six months are being retained in the Service; and how many of those who will reach retiring age before the 31st December, 1942, it is proposed to retain in the Service?

In the last six months 10 Army Education Corps officers reached the age of 60 and the services of 8 of these have been retained. No more will reach the age of 60 before 31st December, 1942.

asked the Secretary of State for War, approximately, how many copies of Army Form B 160 are used every day; whether he is aware that the form measures roughly 12 inches by 20 inches when spread out; that in general a piece of paper one-tenth of the size would be sufficient; and, as in most cases the use of this form is unnecessary, whether he will consider reducing its size and restricting its use.

The figures are not available and I do not think the time and labour it would take to get them would be justified. The form originally measured 17 by 11 inches, but a smaller alternative size, 13 by 8 inches, was introduced last year. When the form is next reprinted a still smaller size, 9½ by 7½ inches will be introduced. This form is only used where it is necessary and it would not be practicable to restrict its use any further.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will abolish the practice of compulsory church parades in the Services?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 24th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will set up a small Departmental Committee to travel round the commands at home and to submit early recommendations for a drastic revision of the present Army penal system to include the financial aspect, the formation of specially located and staffed penal units and the segregation of hardened offenders in detention barracks, with a view to allowing those detained for the less serious offences to undergo intensive training for battle out of doors instead of being incarcerated in cells alongside the more criminal type?

As was stated in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Basset-law (Mr. Bellenger) on 10th March, a Departmental investigation into the whole system and conditions of detention has recently been completed. As a result of this several changes were put into operation including more advanced training for certain categories of soldiers under sentence, and the segregation of hardened offenders. Men detained, in all except two detention barracks reserved for sentences of military imprisonment and longer sentences of detention, are now to undergo field training out of doors. Steps are also being taken to enable men, by their good behaviour, to secure remission in part of debts which would otherwise accumulate on their accounts.Special training units have been established for young soldiers who have difficulty in adapting themselves to Army life and are used, where possible, as an alternative to detention. These are not penal camps and soldiers at them lose no pay, and have the normal privileges such as leave, but are trained under the special supervision of selected officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether permission can be granted to serving Channel Islanders to wear nomenclature on the shoulder in order that contact here can be made with fellow-countrymen?

I regret that it would not be practicable to adopt this proposal, since, as explained in answer to a similar Question on 21st May by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Londonderry (Sir R. Ross), of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, it would cut across the existing system of badges for units from all parts of the United Kingdom. Permission has, however, been given for the nth Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment, in which many Channel Islanders are serving, to wear the cap badge and buttons of the Jersey Militia.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will supply the Minister of Information with the names of officers, serving and retired, who have special knowledge of foreign languages; and, so that their qualifications may be used to the best advantage, make arrangements to second those that are wanted for service with the Ministry of Information?

Since such a list would run into thousands of names and would contain those of many senior officers holding important appointments in the Army and those of many young active officers, who are better placed in the Field Army, I do not think its compilation would be useful. The War Office, however, is and has always been in close touch with the Ministry of Information on the subject of linguists and has sent periodically to the Ministry the names of officers who, it was thought, might be of use to them.

asked the Secretary of State for War why a man going on leave draws two week's pay and ration allowance, or alternatively, draws his other week's pay on his return to barracks from leave?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Attercliffe (Mr. Wilson) on 3rd February, 1942, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War why all sergeants and lance-corporals are concentrated in one barrack block instead of being dispersed in various places, in view of the danger in case of enemy action?

There is no such general practice as my hon. Friend suggests, nor any set procedure in the matter. As he will realise, arrangements are largely governed by the lay-out of existing buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for War why senior ranks have to report into barracks at 23.59 hours; and whether the King's Regulations are confirmed by A.C.I., 1941, that senior ranks may leave barracks after duty each day until next required for duty?

The Army Council Instruction to which I think my hon. Friend refers modifies King's Regulations to the extent that no non-commissioned officers may now leave the garrison area at the end of the day's duty without a pass.

asked the Secretary of State for War why passes of even less than 36 hours are counted as 48 hours thereby disqualifying a man from claiming nine days when privilege have is due?

My hon. Friend is, I think, referring to the provision that, where a man has not taken leave on short pass since his last privilege leave, his commanding officer may at his discretion, and subject to certain conditions, add 48 hours to his next privilege leave. There is no entitlement to such addition. Forty-eight hours is the normal period for leave on short pass, but it is not a right and the exigencies of the service may sometimes curtail it. If, however, my hon. Friend believes that it has in particular cases been curtailed unnecessarily and will give me details, I will make inquiries.

asked the Prime Minister whether, when the removal of civil servants from office on alleged security grounds is proposed, he will instruct Departments, including M.I.5, that they should disclose the grounds for the proposed action, if not to the officer concerned, then to his association, and receive such representations from the association as it may think fit to make?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the procedure to be followed when charges on security grounds are made against civil servants was discussed on the National Whitley Council of the Civil Service, and that certain arrangements were made which the staff side regarded as acceptable. If these arrangements are not now regarded as satisfactory I suggest that the matter should be raised on the National Whitley Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the names of directors or employees of chain or multiple stores who are acting in consultative or advisory capacities in his Department; and what their respective positions are?

No person acting in a consultative or advisory capacity in my Department is a director or employee of a chain or multiple store.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the increased Entertainments Duty imposed by the Finance Bill is being used as an excuse for rearranging the seating accommodation at many cinemas and other places of entertainment, with the result that the number of lower-priced seats is considerably reduced; and will he take such steps as are available to him to prevent this practice?

I have no information on this point, but the decision as to the admission prices to be charged and the amount of accommodation to be provided at each price rests, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, with the entertainment proprietors.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum what rebates off the authorised prices are allowed by the combination of commercial firms, known as the Petroleum Board, on Government purchases of motor spirit, aviation spirit and oils?

I regret I am not able to depart from the established rule not to publish the terms on which the Government purchases goods from suppliers.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum what was the rate of profit provided for on the capital employed in distribution of the products of the Petroleum Board, as an element of the price structure, when permission was given for the recent increase in the price of motor spirit?

As I informed the hon. Member on 12th May, discussions are at present in progress and I regret therefore that I am unable to publish the provisional allowances for profit. So soon as a permanent basis has been reached adjustment will be made in the provisional allowances, if necessary with retrospective effect.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that there are large dumps of slack in existence at pitheads in certain parts of the country; and whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements exist at the present time for the utilisation of all available supplies of coal slack, either for industrial purposes, or by forming it into bricks for domestic consumption?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. All slack available from current production is already going into consumption. Certain of the existing dumps, to which the hon. Member refers, are being drawn upon, and a survey is being made of the remainder to determine the extent to which they contain usable fuel.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement regarding the unequal assessment of claims for war damage and give an assurance that replacement costs will be the criterion in final settlement?

In accordance with the provisions of the War Damage Act and the regulations made thereunder, claims under Part II of the Act are assessed on the basis of values at the time of the damage and not on the cost of replacement at the time when the payments may be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of war damage claims in respect of cost of furniture removal, which have been refused wholly or in part, because of the non-production of receipts for such removal; in how many such cases there was long delay in settlement, thus increasing the difficulty of obtaining receipts from small furniture removers who may have joined the Army; and whether, in such cases, since only a small amount of money is involved, he will give applicants the benefit of the doubt and enable them to receive full payment?

I have been asked to reply. I am advised that claims in respect of the cost of removing furniture consequent upon enemy action are not admissible under the War Damage Act, 1941. Local authorities have, however, been authorised to repay to householders such expenses reasonably incurred within a limit of £s necessary for each authority to satisfy itself by the production of receipts or otherwise that the amount claimed was actually spent, and that the expenditure was reasonable. I am not able to say in how many cases failure to produce satisfactory evidence has led to the rejection of claims, but I have no reason to think that local authorities have not dealt expeditiously with claims and exercised their discretion sympathetically.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the production of a four-gallon standardised receptacle, in view of the shortage of galvanised buckets, in order that householders may comply with the emergency order which requires every householder to have at least four gallons of water kept handy in a place easy of access, preferably in a porch.CAPTAIN WATERHOUSE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the various youth organisations, such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, may be allowed to purchase uniforms without coupons?

No, Sir. The articles of uniform worn by Boy Scouts and Girl Guides can be worn in substitution for ordinary clothes. I could not, therefore, justify coupon-free supply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of applications which have been made to the respective local price regulation committees for licences under the Location of Retail Businesses Orders, 1941, the number of licences granted, and the number refused?

Up to 31st March, the latest date to which statistics are available, 1,980 applications had been received and 760 licences had been granted. As some of these applications were still under review at that date, I cannot at present give a figure for licences refused. The figure for licences granted includes removals of existing businesses to new premises.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a number of trust and insurance companies who are interested in the company's finances have arranged that no burden will fall on the Houndsditch Warehouse Company as a result of the recent imposition of heavy fines for offences under the Limitation of Supplies Order; and whether, in view of the unfairness to other traders who are fined heavy sums for similar offences and are forced into bankruptcy, he will take action to ensure that the operation of the Order will be as effective in the case of large businesses as in the case of small private traders?

I am informed that Mr. P. Halperin and Mr. I. J. Burstein, directors of the Houndsditch Warehouse Company, Limited, and its subsidiaries, propose to pay the fines and costs ordered to be paid by these companies. If my hon. Friend has any evidence that, in fact, other interested parties are making themselves responsible for these payments, I shall be much obliged if he will let me have it.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that the shortage of accommodation on the railways is seriously interfering with production due to delays and inconveniences to officials who have to visit Government headquarters; and whether he proposes to take any steps to improve the situation?

The unavoidable reduction of passenger services necessarily entails some discomfort and inconvenience, but I am not aware that any serious interference with production is resulting. If my hon. Friend has evidence to the contrary, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production (1) in how many cases up to the latest date for which information is available proceedings have been brought against employees for breaches of provisions relating to literature, notices, or assemblies, contained in any by-laws or directions in force at any time after 31st December, 1941, and made in pursuance of Regulations 12 and 14 of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, in respect of protected places; in how many such cases there have been convictions; what terms of imprisonment have been imposed, and what fines; and the like information in relation to proceedings against employers?

I have had no report of any such case.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women who have been prosecuted for refusing to carry out his orders and directions; how many have been imprisoned; how many women have appeared before tribunals as conscientious objectors; and how many of those have been sentenced to imprisonment?

Up to 30th April, 1942, 142 women were prosecuted, and of these 16 were sentenced to imprisonment for refusing to carry out the orders or directions of the Minister or a National Service officer. Up to the same date 16 women had appeared before tribunals as conscientious objectors; none of these had been prosecuted by my Department.

asked the Postmaster-General what records of the General Post Office have recently been destroyed as waste-paper?

The release of records of the Post Office for pulping is a continuous process and is carried on, as opportunity and staff permit, within the limits of the sixth and seventh schedules of classes of documents which are not considered to be of sufficient public value to justify their preservation. These schedules were approved by the Master of the Rolls on 9th December, 1924, and 25th October, 1940.

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent records of the General Post Office, covering the period 1760 to, approximately, 1890, have been destroyed as wastepaper; could he give details of the records so destroyed and say whether agreement was given, prior to their destruction, by the Master of the Rolls?

The records to which the hon. Member refers are in the category of documents which under the standing authority of the Master of the Rolls may be destroyed after 30 years. They are miscellaneous in character and I could not give details.

asked the President of the Board of Education the amounts of grants given in support of adult education for the last complete year for which statistics are available; the names of the organisations receiving such grants, the amount received in each case; and the figures for each year since 1936, respectively?

The total grants paid to responsible bodies under the Adult Education regulations in the financial years 1936–37 to 1941–42 were as follow:

Financial year.				£
1936–37	…	…	…	84,118
1937–38	…	…	…	89,095
1938–39	…	…	…	94,975
1939–40	…	…	…	96,344
1940–41	…	…	…	85,818
1941–42	…	…	…	75,264

The detailed grants paid to the several bodies concerned constitute a long schedule, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member. It should be noted that the figures given do not include the grants payable on the expenditure of local education authorities on promoting similar educational activities for adults, of which particulars are not available.

asked the Minister of Information the name of the official at the British Broadcasting Corporation in charge of the Turkish section; whether he can speak Turkish or has any Turkish contacts; what length of residence in Turkey has he had; and what are his qualifications for this post?

The choice of B.B.C. officials and the qualifications required of them are matters for the Corporation. I am informed that the official in charge of Turkish broadcasts has the necessary knowledge of both language and country, in addition to journalistic and broadcasting experience.

asked the Home Secretary whether the ban on the publication of the "Daily Worker" is to continue to the end of the war; and, if not, under what conditions the ban will be removed?

I cannot undertake to predict what decision may be reached at some future date in circumstances which it is at present impossible to foresee.

asked the Home Secretary whether, under the Workmen's Compensation Act, any allowance is made to a widow or deserted wife for any children dependent upon her if she is injured during the hours of employment?

The only additional allowances in respect of children granted by the Workmen's Compensation Acts in disablement cases are those provided for under the Workmen's Compensation (Supplementary Allowances) Act, 1940, which would not apply in the cases mentioned. I am writing to my hon. Friend to explain the position more fully.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in the administrative county of Durham in receipt of workmen's compensation during 1936 to 1942 who had to apply for Poor Law relief; and the total amount paid to them from the local rates each year up to date?

I regret that the information asked for is not available and that it could not be obtained without the expenditure of an undue amount of time and labour by the staff of the county council. The council have, however, supplied me with the following statement relating to a typical week in each of the years 1937, 1938 and 1939.

asked the Home Secretary how many probation officers are carrying a case load of over 60 cases, the number laid down as sufficient by the Departmental Committee on Social Services Report?

The standard of 60 cases suggested by the Social Services Committee was qualified by the nature of the duties other than supervision falling to a probation officer and the size of his area. Any judgment based on numbers alone would be misleading. At present about 270 probation officers are believed to have more than 60 cases under supervision. It must be borne in mind that under war conditions case loads are bound to be higher than normal, but even allowing for these conditions the necessity of adequate staffing does not seem to be fully realised in all areas. In the joint memorandum on juvenile offences issued by the Home Office and Board of Education last June justices were particularly asked to satisfy themselves that their probation officers are not overburdened, and this representation is being followed up by the Home Office in connection with the visits of inspectors.

asked the Home Secretary how many probation officers have been called up; how many have resigned or transferred to other work; and the number of this total which have been replaced?

Since the beginning of the war 71 full-time probation officers have been called up. Their places have been mostly filled by temporary appointments, but in some instances a substitute has not been found necessary. During the same period 57 probation officers have left the service, having reached in most cases the age of retirement. These posts have been filled and in addition 64 new full-time appointments have been made, so that the total number of full-time probation officers is now 578, as compared with 514 in 1939

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the town council of Cove and Kilcreggan refuse the public admission to their meetings; that the only public reports are those prepared by the town clerk; that this is one of the few town councils in Scotland that hold their meetings in secret; and whether he intends taking any action to remove the ban and allow public admission?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, while the Press have, subject to certain limitations, a statutory right of admission to meetings of local authorities, I am informed that they have not availed themselves of it in Cove and Kilcreggan, and that the town clerk has from time to time communicated reports to the local Press. I am informed that a number of local authorities in Scotland do not admit the general public to their meetings, which are in many cases held in very small rooms. While my right hon. Friend has no power to give directions in the matter, he thinks it will generally be regarded as desirable that meetings of local authorities should be held in public so far as accommodation and circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will issue an up-to-date list of Members of Parliament at present serving on the active list of the Royal Air Force?

The particulars are as follow:HOUSE OF LORDS.Flight Lieutenant (Acting Squadron Leader) Lord Allerton.Squadron Leader Lord Ashburton.Squadron Leader Lord Chesham, M.C.Flight Lieutenant (Acting Wing Commander) Lord Cunliffe.Flight Lieutenant Lord Dudley.Flight Lieutenant The Earl of Eldon.Flight Lieutenant Lord Gisborough, T.D.Pilot Officer (Acting Wing Commander) The Earl of Haddington, M.C., T.D.Group Captain The Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, A.F.C.Flying Officer (Acting Squadron Leader) Lord Kinross.Flight Lieutenant Lord Marchamley.Flight Lieutenant (Acting Squadron Leader) Lord Morris.Pilot Officer The Duke of Richmond and Gordon.Flight Lieutenant (Acting Air Commodore) The Viscount Stansgate, D.S.O., D.F.C.Flying Officer (Acting Flight Lieutenant) TheEarl of Tankerville.Flight Lieutenant (Acting Squadron Leader) Lord Waleran.Flying Officer (Acting Squadron Leader) The Marquess of Willingdon.Wing Commander (Acting Group Captain) Lord Willoughby de Broke, M.C., A.F.C.HOUSE OK COMMONS.Flying Officer (Acting Squadron Leader) Sir Alfred Beit, BtPilot Officer (Acting Flight Lieutenant) R. J. G. Boothby.Flying Officer (Acting Flight Lieutenant) C. Challen.Flight Lieutenant (Acting Squadron Leader) E. Errington.Flying Officer (Acting Flight Lieutenant) R. H. Etherton.Flight Lieutenant (Acting Squadron Leader) E. L. Fleming, K.C.Flying Officer (Acting Flight Lieutenant) Sir Gifford Fox, Bt.Squadron Leader (Acting Wing Commander) R. G. Grant-Ferris.Wing Commander T. L. E. B. Guinness, O.B.E.Squadron Leader (Acting Wing Commander) N. J. Hulbert.Flight Lieutenant (Acting Squadron Leader) E. H. Keeling, M.C.Flying Officer W. R. D. Perkins.Flying Officer J. R. Robinson.Wing Commander J. A. C. Wright, A.F.C., T.D.

asked the Secretary of State for Air who are the members of the Targets Committee for bombing; and who has authority over them regarding targets which they have decided should be bombed?

It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of their post-war employment, recruits, whenever practicable, are receiving periods of training at Government training centres?

It would be impracticable, while hostilities are in progress, to spare airmen from their normal duties to attend training courses at the centres referred to by the hon. Member. Much of the instruction which they receive as recruits at Royal Air Force training establishments will, however, be of use to them in obtaining employment after the war.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of male employees of Harrods, Limited, London, S.W.1, who have been granted deferment of military service, their ages and the posts they hold?

I am not prepared to publish information of this kind with respect to individual firms.