asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to appeals by football clubs for gifts of clothing coupons; and under what regulation it is permissible for the public to detach and for football clubs to use loose clothing coupons?

The Board of Trade, in response to representations made to them, agreed last autumn to entertain requests by football clubs through their national associations for permission to collect coupons from supporters for the maintenance of playing kit. The loose coupons collected are sent in to the Board and exchanged for negotiable vouchers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why manufacturers are no longer permitted to make extra outsize underwear for men; and, in view of the many persons affected, if he will take steps to remedy this?

There is no prohibition on the manufacture of extra outsize underwear, either utility or non-utility.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his very satisfactory reply, I hope it will be possible to notify all manufacturers of the importance of what he has said as certain retailers are unable to supply this outsize underwear. Is he aware that notwithstanding rationing there will always be the fat kine and the lean kine and that I am glad to know that the policy of his Department is not to cater only for the long and lean kine?

We are very anxious to see that justice is done to all. If the hon. Gentleman has any further trouble, perhaps he will furnish me with some particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now completed his consideration of Sir William McLintock's eight reports on the latter's investigations, under the Companies Act, into the circumstances in which investors have wholly lost approximately £3,000,000 which they were publicly invited to subscribe in the eight West Australian gold-mining companies known as the de Bernales Group; whether he has been advised that the promoters and directors have infringed the provisions of the Companies Act, the Larceny Act, the Forgery Act and the Common Law; and whether he proposes to take any further action?

Sir William McLintock's reports have been fully considered. Civil proceedings have been instituted by certain shareholders against the companies, the directors and other persons, and I am watching very closely the progress of those proceedings.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that these civil proceedings have been taken by shareholders who can afford to take them, and that there are many other shareholders who are not able to take these proceedings? In view of the strong indictment in the Sir William McLintock reports, will the Board of Trade, in the public interest, take some action?

I think we had better wait and see the result of the present proceedings. We are watching the matter very closely, and it may be that the present proceedings will reveal further evidence.

But if these civil proceedings do not end—I do not know whether they will or not—will my right hon. Friend take some action under criminal proceedings?

That is a hypothetical question. We are watching the proceedings very closely.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give consideration to issuing licences to proprietors of small businesses who have closed down in consequence of the war so that they may have priority in reestablishing themselves after the war?

Yes, Sir. I shall be glad to consider my hon. Friend's suggestion in the light of the views of the Retail Trade Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the investigation into the affairs of Gaumont British Picture Corporation, Limited, ordered in January, 1939, was suspended by his Department?

This complicated investigation was suspended in June, 1940, on representations from the inspector that it had become impracticable to proceed with it owing to the shortage of skilled staff and other circumstances arising from the war. The applicants were consulted and offered no objection.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now grant a licence to Strange, The Printer, Limited, of Eastbourne, for the purchase of a new punching machine, as it has been ascertained that a new machine is available and lying idle at the makers and as their present machine is over 30 years old and not sufficiently accurate to carry out corporation contracts on which they are engaged?

No. Sir. I am informed that there is sufficient punching machinery in Eastbourne to undertake the work required by the Corporation, and the machine now in the hands of the makers should, therefore, be used to meet some more urgent need.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider lending this firm this new machine until it is required for more urgent purposes? Otherwise they will not be in a position to carry on their business.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has already been in touch with my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on this matter. There is a good deal of evidence in favour of having the machine used somewhere else where it is more urgently needed, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman cares to speak to me further about the matter, I shall be very glad. The case, however, is not very strong.

Have any of these punching machines been installed in the War Office?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that there are sufficient British films available to ensure that exhibitors are able to fulfil their quota requirements?

Yes, Sir. I am satisfied that there are still sufficient British films available to enable exhibitors in general to satisfy their current quota obligations. The position is, however, becoming more difficult, and I have made an Order, reducing the exhibitors' quotas for both long and short British films by 2½ per cent. as from 1st October, 1942.

May we presume that steps are being taken to stimulate as far as possible production of these films?

We are anxious to do that as far as limited resources due to war conditions allow. Many films produced within the last four years may still be shown within the quota, and many of these are worth showing again.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to specific cases of the misuse of Army motor-vehicles in conveying officers and men to football matches and dances and, in particular, to the use of three motor-coaches and four trucks, on 9th March, to convey soldiers a distance of one mile to the swimming baths on a route served by a frequent omnibus service; and what steps he is taking to prevent such wastage of petrol?

I am investigating the cases of which my hon. and gallant Friend has sent me particulars. I am sending him a copy of an answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle) on 5th May, in which I explained the narrow limits within which the use of Army motor-vehicles for other than purely military purposes has now been restricted.

Has my right hon. Friend seen any reply from the military authorities from whom he has asked for particulars of cases?

I have not yet had a formal report, but I have had an interim reply from which, without committing myself to this being the final fact of the case, it looks as though the incident to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers happened before the restrictions were imposed.

In view of the apparent number of incidents which have occurred, can steps be taken to insist that units should keep a road use book, that is to say, a record of the use to which vehicles are put, which should be open to inspecting officers?

I will send my right hon. Friend an answer on that point, but I have not the slightest doubt that it will be "Yes."

asked the Secretary of State for War what is being done with the British sick in Iran and Iraq; and whether convalescents are being transferred to less trying climates?

British general hospitals and combined British and Indian general hospitals have been established for British sick and wounded in Iraq and Persia. In addition, hospital accommodation is available in the hills in India for patients who are recommended for a change of climate.

asked the Secretary of State for War what minimum of training is required for orderlies who dispense medicines; and what steps are taken to prevent the handling of dangerous drugs by untrained personnel?

As the answer to this Question is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that, in all cases, the kitchen gardens of houses requisitioned by the military are being used for growing the largest possible supply of vegetables?

In an answer of nth February, 1941, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, my predecessor gave an account of the Army Agricultural Scheme, which has particular regard to this matter.

But if instances are given of gardens going to utter waste, will the Government look into them?.

There is one class of case in which difficulties do arise, and I am not sure that anything can be done about it. It is when requisitioned property is temporarily unoccupied. If there are cases beyond those covered by this class of case, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that communications to verify lists of next-of-kin are marked "War Office Casualty Branch" and that the receipt of this communication has caused shock and alarm to relatives; and whether he will have the particular branch renamed or, alternatively, have the returns made to an address free from the inferences of the present practice?

In order to avoid any possibility of such misunderstandings, I have given instructions that on the outside of communications of this nature all reference to the Casualty Branch shall in future be omitted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that members of mobile units of the Voluntary Aid Detachment are greatly assisted in their duties by the respect felt for the uniform of the British Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance; and whether this factor will be taken into consideration before any decision is made to deprive them of such uniform?

Yes, Sir. This factor will certainly be taken into consideration.

In view of the obvious disadvantages of abolishing this uniform, will my right hon. Friend say what are the advantages?

Not in reply to a Parliamentary Question; it would take much longer than that.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the consternation caused by this proposal, and will he receive representations on the subject?

I am well aware that it has aroused a good deal of feeling?

Will my right hon. Friend receive representations on the subject?

The War Office have arranged to receive official representations from the Red Cross and Order of St. John.

Will my right hon. Friend receive a deputation from a number of Members in different parts of the House who are seriously concerned about this matter?

I think that it will be better to wait until we see the result of the discussions between the Red Cross and the War Office. If after that there is a desire for a deputation, I will certainly receive one.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the House any information about members of the Forces reported missing in Malaya and, seeing that many of these must be prisoners in Japanese hands, will he continue present allowances to their dependants till definite information is received?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to continue the payment of allowances to the dependants of men reported missing at Singapore after 31st July, 1942?

I regret that we are still without news about those reported missing in Malaya. We continue to press for lists of prisoners to be provided by the Japanese Government, but none have yet been received. With regard to the continuation of allowances, I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich (Mr. Shakespeare) on 12th May, of which I am sending them copies.

I very much regret the absolute necessity of bringing this question up on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the position of conscientious objectors who renounce their objection in so far as to be willing to join the Royal Army Medical Corps is still that defined on 26th March last?

I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind a specific case of a soldier already serving in the non-combatant corps, who wishes to be transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps without unconditionally renouncing his plea of conscience. Such a man is not eligible for transfer to the Royal Army Medical Corps unless he has special qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider sanctioning an issue of two pairs of socks per annum for the Home Guard?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Forfar (Captain Shaw) on 21st April.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration that the boots issued to the Home Guard are unsuitable to wear with civilian socks? As these men give their time to the country for nothing, surely the country can give them two pairs of socks?

I will be very grateful if my hon. and gallant Friend will look at the answer to which I have referred him.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the leather of which these Service boots are made is so rough inside that socks are worn out even by the mere process of putting on and taking off the boots?

Will the right hon. Gentleman wear a pair of these boots and run up and down in them?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the serious damage to food production and forest roads, gate posts and culverts done by troops in manoeuvre areas, he will authorise commanders to employ repairing squads of troops, or prisoners of war, to reconstruct the damage as far as possible before next winter sets in?

Repair parties of troops to make good damage caused by large scale exercises already exist. They work under the control of claims officers and do their best to repair damage of the kind mentioned within a short time of its occurrence.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that reconstruction of damage is much more important than receiving the value? The parties he talks about are not very apparent in the countryside; could they be moved about more rapidly?

We do the repairs as quickly as we can, but it is not always possible to do them at once. I was under the impression that the arrangements made were, by and large, pretty satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of cases of miners' nystagmus receiving compensation, respectively, in 1933, 1938 and the last year recorded?

In 1933 the number of miners in receipt of compensation for nystagmus was 9,603, including 1,535 new cases and 8,068. cases continued from previous years. In 1938 the new cases numbered 1,019 and the continued cases 4,183, making a total of 5,202. I am informed that figures for the war years are not available.

Can the Minister assure me that the work of research is going on steadily, and that the results are being put into practice?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been called to the conditions which are contained in many contracts between suppliers and consumers of electricity which insists that the consumer must take a minimum amount of electricity per annum; and whether, in view of the vital necessity of reducing consumption, he will take steps to arrange for such contracts to be modified during the war period?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to cases in which the supply undertaking, in view of the capital expenditure involved in providing a supply of electricity, have asked the consumer to guarantee to take or pay for a minimum number of units per annum for a period of years in order to ensure to the supply authority a minimum revenue to meet the capital and other charges involved. If, as a result of economies in consumption owing to present conditions, a consumer does not consume the guaranteed amount, he should get in touch with the supply authority and ask them to consider some revision of the contract. I am informed that the supply authorities are ready to consider particular cases sympathetically on their merits.

Will the Minister lend his influence where that sympathetic consideration is not given?

I should be very happy to look into it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make an early announcement as to whether remaining supplies of basic petrol can be used up during July if still available?

I hope it may be possible to make a statement on this subject on the next Sitting Day or the day after.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the latest increase in the price of petrol was given as a result of an estimated increase in the costs of the Petroleum Board; and whether, in reaching the estimate, any account was taken of losses incurred by the oil companies in Rumania, the Dutch East Indies or other enemy or enemy-occupied territories?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes," and to the second part "No."

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the petrol allowances for church-going and shopping after 30th June will be limited to one journey a week; and whether further steps will be taken to prevent the use of private motorcars for journeys between home and businesses when public transport could reasonably be used?

The petrol allowance for church-going will be limited to one journey a week except in the case of ministers of religion and others whose duties require more frequent attendance. For shopping the limit will be two journeys a week. Allowances for travel between home and place of business are kept under constant review in order to eliminate the use of petrol where public transport facilities are available.

Do we understand from the reply that, in the opinion of the Minister, shopping is quite as important as church-going?

No, Sir, because as a rule there is only one day a week for the latter purpose.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider, when the basic ration of petrol terminates at the end of June, giving a special basic ration for the motor-cars of members of the Fighting Forces and merchant sailors on leave, including men of the searchlight stations and anti-aircraft batteries?

If by a basic ration the hon. Member means an automatic issue to be used at the holder's discretion, the answer is "No." There is already provision for certain controlled allowances to Service personnel and members of the Merchant Marine, and I propose to discuss with the Departments concerned what modifications, if any, are desirable in the changed circumstances.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman when he is considering this matter see that the allowance is given for operational pilots as well as for those in the Army?

All those in the Services are included, whether they be operational pilots, or in the Army, or in the Merchant Service, and there are existing arrangements between the Services which have been in operation for some time.

But when the basic ration was withdrawn no provision was made for further supplies supplementing the ration for the Services.

But provision is already made which has nothing to do with the basic ration, I understand. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that in the consultations the position of the Service he has mentioned will be kept in mind. At the moment provision is made for those he has in mind.

I am not thinking of the moment, but of the time when the basic ration is withdrawn. What is the position of a man on leave who has not got his car licensed now?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for what climatic reasons it is proposed under the Fuel Rationing Scheme to give a higher rationing in Scotland and the North of England than in the Midlands, and a higher ration in the Midlands than in London and the South, having regard to the fact in the winter the isotherms in Great Britain run North and South so that the climate is colder in the East than in the central districts, and colder in the central districts than in the West?

Taking the evidence afforded by the isotherms alone, it is true that the coldest parts of Great Britain in winter are along the East coast. But the ordinary dry bulb thermometer is not an adequate measure of temperature as it affects human beings. The rawness of the air in the North, the humidity in the West, must also be taken into account. Moreover, in summer the temperature does fall steadily from South to North. As a result of all these factors, the consumption of fuel has always increased steadily as one goes Northwards.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that in the rationing system introduced in the last war special provision was made in the case of certain parts of the country which, owing to their height or for other reasons, are colder than other parts; and is he also aware that most of the coal is consumed in the winter and not in the summer, and therefore the fall in the temperature in the summer is hardly relevant?

The point about isolated places is one which I will look into, but with regard to consumption, it is a fact that, taking a number of cases—admittedly as yet not a very large number—it is an extraordinary thing that as one goes northwards the consumption increases steadily.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that before the war, when coal was plentiful, business men argued before the Royal Commission on the distribution of population that light industries would not go North on account of the climate, and can they grumble now if, as a result of their own policy, they are penalised for coal?

Are not these questions hypothetical? Do the Government really intend to put into operation this fuel rationing system?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is very cold down in the East and that we cannot get coal? Is he aware that the hon. Member for Plaistow has not been able to get any coal for the last three months?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the number of claims for silicosis certificates made by South Wales coal-miners to the Medical (Silicosis) Board; and what number of such claims were rejected for each of the years 1939 to 1941?

The number of applications for disablement certificates in 1939 was 658, of which 271 were refused; in 1940, 825, of which 396 were refused, and in 1941, 1,136, of which 662 were refused.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a statement showing the conditions governing the issue of Civil Service rates of pay to those civil servants who have joined one of the Fighting Services.

The basic conditions governing the issue of balance of civil pay to civil servants serving with the Forces are already set out in Treasury Circular 13/39, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give an estimate of the cost to the Exchequer involved in substituting the new limits of Income Tax of £2 for a single taxpayer, £3 for a married couple without children, £4 for a married couple with one child and £5 for a married couple with two children; and, secondly, the cost of the promised concession to widows and widowers?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that these limits involve a loss of revenue to the Exchequer. The limits do not reduce the total tax bills of the taxpayers concerned but defer collection. The purpose of these limits is to prevent the actual amount paid in any week in which the wages earned are lower than usual from falling, by reason of the tax deduction, below the figures stated in the Question. Where in any week the tax deducted is limited in this way the amount under-deducted is carried forward and deducted in the two closing weeks of the six months' period in accordance with the existing Regulations. The same considerations apply to the application of the higher limits to widows and widowers with dependent children.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what powers are invested in local inspectors of taxes to remit or defer the payment of contributions under the provisions of the War Damage Act;

(2) whether he will consider the setting-up of machinery to investigate cases of hardship to owners and occupiers of property which may occur in evacuated areas due to the provisions of the War Damage Act with a view to the remission or part remission of contributions in place of the deferment provided; and

(3) whether, in order to alleviate some of the hardships in evacuated areas he will permit the War Damage contribution to be charged as an expense for Income Tax purposes?

Collection of the War Damage contribution is entrusted to the Collectors of Taxes, and not to the Inspector of Taxes, by whom the contribution is assessed. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, arrangements are already in operation under which the collectors allow payment of the annual contribution to stand over or to be made by suitable instalments, as the circumstances of the individual case may require, where it is shown that the owner is unable to pay the contribution as it falls due. I am satisfied that the difficulties of owners of properties in evacuation areas are adequately met by those arrangements. I fear that I could not contemplate in their case a special remission of the charge or a departure from the general rule, which Parliament has approved, that the contribution is not to be allowed as an expense for Income Tax purposes.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that some of these persons affected have large sums of money piling up as debts which they have very little possibility of meeting?

My hon. and gallant Friend is advised to get in touch with the officers concerned, who will endeavour to to come to some arrangement.

Has anyone any power to give this remission? A deferment can be made, but that is again piling up a large sum of money all the time.

As I said in my answer, I think that the existing arrangements are adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland provide maternity hospitals in their area; and how many free beds are available in these hospitals?

Forty-two of the 55 Scottish local authorities with power to provide maternity beds have done so either in special maternity hospitals, of which there are 22 with 555 beds, or in general hospitals, where there are 400 maternity beds. There are also in Scotland 700 maternity beds in voluntary hospitals, and 300 beds in 10 maternity hospitals provided by the Government for evacuated expectant mothers, but which in practice are also used for other patients. There is, therefore, a total provision of nearly 2,000 maternity beds in the coun- try. Local authorities do not specifically allocate beds as free beds; they charge according to the patients' means, and in necessitous cases no charge is made.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to allocate the responsibility for postwar reconstruction in Scotland to the Ministry of Works and Buildings?

No, Sir. The general responsibility for post-war reconstruction in Scotland lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, acting in close consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Paymaster-General, who is co-ordinating the study of all reconstruction problems. Other Ministers with departmental responsibilities in Scotland, including my Noble Friend the Minister of Works and Buildings, share in the work of Scottish reconstruction. The Secretary of State for Scotland will continue to be responsible for the exercise in Scotland of the functions in regard to planning to be exercised in England and Wales by my Noble Friend the Minister of Works and Planning designate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why he used the phrase "general responsibility," since he has said in the latter part of the reply that the responsibility rests upon the Secretary of State for Scotland Why "general responsibility"? What does the qualification mean?

I think the answer points out that he does act with other Ministers with special responsibilities, but the general, broad responsibility lies on the Secretary of State for Scotland.