asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the medical examination given to young girls when they are called to the Forces and whether any attention is paid to information supplied by the family doctor when there has been a long illness of the recruit prior to the call up; and whether he will have an inquiry into the circumstances of the death of Private J. Baldwin, Army Pay Corps, W/163813, and the cause of her death within a short period of her being passed for service in spite of the note from the family doctor which drew attention to her bad state of health?

The answer to the first two parts of the Question is "Yes, Sir." The particular case to which my hon. Friend refers has been investigated. I understand that the medical certificate submitted by Private Baldwin's family practitioner was considered by the medical board. As a result of the examination she was considered to have a second class constitution, and she was graded accordingly. After she had been in the A.T.S. for two months she came under medical observation from time to time, and at the end of September she was admitted to hospital for investigation. An exhaustive examination then showed that she was suffering from cancer of the lung. I understand that this disease may be insidious in its early stages and in a young person may develop very quickly. The disability referred to in the medical certificate submitted by Private Baldwin's family practitioner was unconnected with the cause of her death.

Is it not about time that we had a medical board to examine the medical boards?

The hon. Member had better address that question to the Minister of Labour, because he runs the medical boards.

asked the Secretary of State for War what period of service overseas entitles a member of His Majesty's Forces to a period of leave or home service; and will he give consideration to the case presented to him by the hon. Member for Rotherham for leave for a member of His Majesty's Forces whose term of service overseas approaches five years, details of which have been forwarded to the Minister?

An officer or soldier serving overseas has no entitlement to be brought home. There is a considerable number of men who have been abroad for six years or longer. In so far as there is shipping available and the military situation permits, they are being transferred to the Home establishment, priority being given to those who have served abroad for the longest period. It may later be possible to reduce the qualifying period, but I regret that I can hold out no early hope of being able to do so. The case referred to by my hon. Friend has been sympathetically considered. There seem to be no compassionate grounds of an exceptional nature in this case which would justify the man being brought home specially, and I regret therefore that he cannot be recommended for a transfer to this country.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Air Force and the Navy get men home on compassionate grounds after a far shorter period of service, and will he take steps to get similar treatment for all three Services serving in the Middle East?

Certainly I will take steps to get a shorter period as soon as shipping is available, but similar treatment can only be obtained at the present time by lengthening the period of the other two Services.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement about the proposal to expropriate a large agricultural area, the particulars of which have been communicated to him, for training purposes?

The advanced training of large formations in realistic conditions can no longer be carried out successfully in the existing training areas, and it has become necessary to make available an additional area of considerable size. Many possible areas were considered in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, and every endeavour was made to avoid good agricultural land. The area must however have certain characteristics if it is to be of real value for military training, and the Government have decided that the area referred to by my hon. Friend which is in the East Riding of Yorkshire is the only suitable one from the military point of view. I much regret the inevitable interference with agriculture in the district, and I sympathize with the farmers whose crops and property will suffer damage. Special claims offices are being set up in the area to deal with this. Moreover every effort consistent with military needs will be made to safeguard the production of food as far as possible, and any question of expropriation—that is, requisition—has been deferred until after this year's harvest.

Is not this land absolutely essential for the training of troops, and was it not asked for as long ago as last September?

That is so, and the fact that it has taken a considerable time to arrive at a conclusion is a measure of the precautions we have taken to make certain that there is no alternative place.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that he, in conjunction with the Minister of Agriculture, is giving careful consideration to all the alternative sites?

That has been done in every case, and in this instance we have taken months considering every possible alternative site.

Am I to understand that all battles take place on flat land?

No, Sir, but tanks do not operate on mountain tops.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Service men and women receiving treatment for venereal diseases, in Service hospitals, are made to pay hospital charges, whereas the Ministry of Health insist on free treatment for civilians; and whether he will consider removing this discrimination?

If a soldier needs hospital treatment for sickness due to his own fault, he is required to make a contribution of 1s. 6d. a day towards the cost of his treatment. As at present advised I am not convinced that the change suggested by my hon. Friend is desirable.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the dissatisfaction caused by this rule and that certainly the rule does not discourage the spread of the disease?

The second part of the question is an assertion which I am not prepared to accept. I am keeping in touch with other quarters where the opposite rule is in force, and I shall benefit from their experience if my opinion is wrong and that of the hon. Member is right.

Is not Treasury opposition the real reason why the change is not made?

Not in the slightest.

Is it not a fact that as such men also lose their proficiency pay it discourages them from notifying the disease?

Proficiency pay is paid to secure that the soldier shall be proficient, and if in any way he makes himself less proficient, he will have to suffer for his own action.

Does not this encourage the men to conceal the disease instead of going for treatment?

There is no evidence of that.

There is no evidence to the contrary.

Yes, there is.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make inquiries as to the adequacy of the instructions being given to men in the Army on the subject of venereal disease; whether he is aware that there is still a general lack of knowledge on this matter in the Forces; whether any additional action was taken following upon the adoption of the Defence Regulation; and whether he will consider the desirability of showing the films dealing with this subject and issuing further literature by the British Council for Social Hygiene to the troops?

All officers in medical charge of units have been instructed to give periodical lectures to troops on the subject of venereal disease. Education of any kind is a slow process, but I am satisfied with the progress being made. Notice Board Information No. 28 explained the purpose of Defence Regulation 33B and the action soldiers should take as a result of it. The possibility of issuing films and literature on this subject has not been overlooked, but it is not thought that any at present available would prove effective.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the feeling of grievance still existent in Home Guard units at the unnecessary and expensive journeys made in the carrying out of musketry courses; that, on a recent Sunday, approximately 120 men from a Winchmore Hill company travelled to Rainham, with an absence from home of 12 hours, and were unable to fire owing to insufficient ammunition; and whether he will prevent such waste of time in future?

Inquiries have been made, and I think my hon. Friend is probably referring to 147 members of the Home Guard from Winchmore Hill who travelled to Rainham on Sunday, 28th March. One hundred and forty-one of them fired on the average over 17 rounds each. When they were not firing they were given other instruction. Six non-commissioned officers were throughout employed as firing point instructors and did not fire themselves. On the general question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 15th December last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are several Home Guard units which have had no musketry exercises at all?

I am not aware of that. I am aware that there has been a shortage of practice ammunition in the past, but I hope that shortage is now being repaired.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether female medical officers are appointed to units of the field Forces serving at home; and what is the position in relation to the static units?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." Women medical officers are usually posted to units or localities where A.T.S. are largely employed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers who object to a complete medical examination by a female medical officer are entitled to ask for a male medical officer to carry out the examination if one be available?

The answer is "No, Sir," but if a male medical officer is, in fact, available, he will normally carry out the inspection.

Would it be in order for a male medical officer to order a man or an N.C.O. to undergo complete medical inspection by a female medical officer if he is there himself to do it?

If the hon. Member is referring to the legal position, the answer is undoubtedly "Yes," but I am now considering whether any limitation of the inspections to be conducted by women medical officers is required.

Then I beg to give notice that I shall bring this matter before the House on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to report the result of the scrutiny made during recent weeks by the Army authorities into the amount of iron and steel material utilised formerly for anti-tank devices in defence schemes now obsolete and therefore available for scrap?

The scrutiny referred to has now been practically completed, and it is already clear that a considerable quantity of this material can be made available for other war purposes.

Could my right hon. Friend give any indication of the quantity of metal secured as a result of this scrutiny and say when the scrutiny will be completed?

I have not any figures as to the weight of scrap secured. The scrutiny has already been practically completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether minesweeping tanks have been used in the recent operations in Tunisia?

Devices of many kinds were used to deal with mines, but I am sure my hon. Friend will not wish me to go into details.

I do not want the right hon. Gentleman to give any information which would be against the public interest, but I should like to ask whether he does not consider that the use of this weapon would have the effect of saving a considerable number of lives, and is this matter well in mind, particularly at the time when we are to open a second front?

I think the hon. Member can assume that we shall think of that just as quickly as he.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the A. 27 tank has yet passed all its acceptance tests and whether he is yet able to say when it will be available in quantities for use in the field?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Ness Edwards) on 26th January.

Is not this the tank to which my right hon. Friend was referring in September last? Surely he ought to be able to give an answer by now.

An answer was given, if the hon. Member will do me the courtesy of reading it.

It was unsatisfactory.

Everything is unsatisfactory to the hon. Member. Everybody is out of step but he.

Is my hon. Friend aware that all his answers are unsatisfactory?

asked the Secretary of State for War the date on which a tank mounting a six-pounder gun first went into action in Libya?

The first opportunity to use these tanks in battle in any numbers was at El Alamein.

asked the Secretary of State for War the date on which his Department was first informed of the intention of the Germans to produce the Tiger tank, carrying an 88-millimetre gun of effective range of over 4,500 yards?

It is not in the public interest to disclose the date on which information about the Tiger tank was first received.

In view of the fact that experts from the Ministry of Production went to the desert to study these tanks on the spot, is the right hon. Gentleman able to give us an assurance that when we invade Europe we shall have tanks as good as this or better?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the report of the tests made at Farnborough in the autumn of 1941 on the A.22 tank can be made available to hon. Members?

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether the report on the performance of the A.22 tanks at El Alamein sent in by the officer commanding the armoured fighting vehicles can be made available to Members;

The answer is "No, Sir."

Most unsatisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the A.22 tank was designed with five gears to give a speed of 20 miles per hour; how many gears it now has and which of its former gears have been cut out; and what its present speed is?

I am aware that the Churchill was designed with a gearbox of five forward gears and one reverse. This gearbox was fitted to approximately the first hundred vehicles but was found unsatisfactory and was replaced by a gearbox with four forward gears and one reverse. The latter gearbox gives the same speeds as the original one. It is not in the public interest to give detailed information of the speed of tanks.

Is it not a fact that the latest tests of this tank show that it is quite in accordance with the expectations of the Army?

The latest and best test of all, in battle, shows that the tank is giving very good service.

Does it not show that these tanks go too fast for the Germans?

Is it not a fact that men have lost their lives endeavouring to obtain information with regard to German tanks, and, therefore, is it advisable that we should give the Germans information about our tanks?

asked the Secretary of State for War in what respects the A.22 tank is a development from the A.20; what was its originally designed weight; and what is its present weight?

All tanks embody components from earlier types. The A.22, while being similar to the A.20 in outward appearance, differs considerably in overall dimensions, type of hull construction and in the great majority of components. The present weight is not significantly different from the originally designed weight.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the A. 22 was not produced in six months from the drawing board?

The hon. Gentleman has developed that case at great length, and it has been discussed at great length. I am not going to be drawn into agreeing with him on any subject under the sun, if I can help it.

Has it not been shown that the hon. Gentleman who put the Question has been right more often than he has been wrong?

That may be the hon. Gentleman's opinion; it is certainly not mine.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the difficult position in which he will put himself, because I am practically invariably right?

I am prepared to take that risk.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that military bands accompanying troops have a much more stimulating effect on the civilian community than the same bands playing in a fixed location without troops; and will he direct his policy regarding this matter accordingly?

I am fully aware of the good effect of military bands, but, as I explained to my hon. and gallant Friend last week, the present needs of training do not as a rule enable bands to accompany units.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he intends to present the Report of the Committee on Voluntary Aid Detachments?

I have received the Report and am having it examined. In accordance with the promise I made to the House, I will consider, as soon as the examination is complete, in what way it can best be brought before the House before action is taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War, how many educational establishments in Nigeria have been taken over by the military authorities; and whether, in view of the changed military situation in West Africa, he proposes to derequisition any of these?

I am informed that eight educational establishments in Nigeria have been taken over by the military authorities, but it is hoped that some of them may be released in the course of the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many officers and soldiers sentenced to terms of imprisonment or penal servitude for offences involving desertion or cowardice in the face of the enemy have been repatriated to the United Kingdom to serve the remainder of then-sentence there;

Thirteen officers sentenced to imprisonment or penal servitude have been sent back to this country from the Middle East to serve the rest of their sentences here. Three of these were sentenced for offences involving cowardice or desertion. I regret that the number of other ranks is not readily available.

In view of the difficulty of shipping, which the right hon. Gentleman mentioned earlier, will he reconsider his policy of sending these men who have not been successful in action back to this country? Ought not those who have strong compassionate grounds for getting leave and who have been abroad for a long time to come back before these men?

I will certainly consider that point, but I can see a good many powerful arguments against it, and I do not believe that the numbers involved would make any material contribution to this terribly difficult problem of leave.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that troops fighting in the desert think a very great deal about this and are worried about it?

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the 8,000 and 6,000 prisoners captured in the recent successful operations in Tunisia were German?

It has not so far been possible to examine more than a proportion of the prisoners taken. Most of those so far examined are Italians.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the fighting in Burma; and whether he is aware of the concern felt in India over developments there?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statements made from time to time in the Press. At the moment I have nothing to add.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement in the Press to the effect that the Japanese claim to have annihilated a British brigade and captured a British general? Is there any truth in that statement?

I believe that the statement about the annihilation of the brigade is untrue.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it was because there have been disturbing statements that I put my Question and that I wanted to obtain from him an authoritative answer in order to dispel some of the anxiety which is felt?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his intention to commence an official newspaper or periodical for British troops in North Africa?

A newspaper with the title of "Union Jack" has been produced and circulated in North Africa since 22nd March.

Is it still the policy of the right hon. Gentleman's Department to continue to give support to the "United Services Review"?

That is not the Question on the Paper. The hon. Gentleman had better put the question down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any statement has been compiled, as at the latest convenient date, of the operations of what has become known as Lend-Lease in reverse; whether returns will be prepared for presentation to Parliament of the volume and value of supplies of all kinds related to war operations provided by His Majesty's Government for the naval, Army and air organisation of the United States of America in the European theatre of war; and whether the expenditure incurred is included in the day to day estimates of the cost of the war?

I referred yesterday in my Budget speech to the magnitude of the supplies provided by His Majesty's Government to the Forces of the U.S.A. by way of reciprocal aid, and I explained the reasons for which detailed accounting is not possible or desirable. Accordingly the answer to the first two parts of the Question is in the negative. The answer to the last part is in the affirmative.

Will the Chancellor take measures to make this statement made in the Budget speech known throughout the United States, in view of the misunderstanding there is that this country is not making its full reciprocal contribution to the Lend-Lease Agreement?

Is the Chancellor aware that the United States Government have made a very wide and detailed statement of the amount of Lend-Lease by America to the United Nations, so why does he consider it not desirable to make it clear to the world what we are doing?

I did refer to that matter.

But very unsatisfactorily.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that the Press relations officers are partly controlled by the Treasury and partly by the Ministry of Information., he will confer with the Minister of Information with a view to seeing what reduction in personnel is possible, having regard to the recent Report which has been made by the Select Committee on National Expenditure regarding Press relations officers?

The need for economy in man-power is fully realised and is kept under constant review, and I see no reason at the present time for a general inquiry, such as is suggested by my hon. Friend. The Report of the Select Committee to which my hon. Friend refers was concerned with the particular question of the Public Relations Branches of the Service Departments. Its recommendations are under consideration by the Departments concerned.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me how long that consideration will take? Is it not another case of gradual consideration which leads nowhere?

Is it not undesirable that we should continue to spend large sums of public money on what are merely publicity offices for politicians, because these men are that?

I cannot accept that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will endeavour to arrange for the issue, as a White Paper, of the proposals of the Treasury of the United States of America for international exchange regulation after the war or, alternatively, for a copy to be placed in the Library in order that hon. Members may have an opportunity of comparing these proposals with those set out in Command Paper 6437?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that the Report of the Treasury on Post-War International Monetary Policy is not being put forward as a rival to a scheme with similar objectives published by the Treasury of the United States of America; and whether he will make arrangements for the American proposal to be made available to hon. Members?

Of course I give the assurance for which my hon. Friend the Member for South-East St. Pancras (Sir A. Beit) asks. As the White Paper states, it is hoped that these proposals will afford a basis for discussion, together with similar plans, having similar objectives, which may be prepared by experts of other Governments. The proposal which has been produced by the United States Treasury is one of the plans with similar objectives to which this statement refers. In regard to the last part of the Question, through the courtesy of the United States Government I am arranging for copies of the plan to be made available to hon. Members very shortly.

Will my right hon. Friend make representations to the effect that no debate be held on this subject until there has been ample opportunity to study the American plan in greater detail than has yet been possible?

Yes, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of having his own White Paper rewritten, as it is so ambiguous?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me some assistance.

I shall be delighted. I would have been ashamed to have written such a document as this White Paper.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that it was never intended that the White Paper should be anything but ambiguous?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will exempt from Income Tax the £10 per month danger money paid to merchant seamen?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 9th February last.

Could the right hon. Gentleman at least consider treating this tax in full as a post-war credit? Would that not be a solid tribute to these men who are being specially honoured this week?

The difficulty is this. As I said in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs, I am sure my hon. Friend will appreciate the difficulty, at a time when many classes of the community are subject to many and varied risks, of attempting to graduate taxation according to the danger attendant upon the earning of income.

Would it not be equally reasonable to exempt from Income Tax the family allowances of officers and men who are at present fighting with the Eighth Army?

Why pay any taxes?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that weather statistics show that the South-West of England needs as much coal as the North-West; and whether, in view of this fact, he will be prepared to amend Statutory Rule and Order, No. 450, so that the South-West may have a fairer allocation of coal?

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's statement. The South Western Region as a whole is appreciably warmer than the North Western, and the humidity is the same. Moreover, the restrictions on coal supplies to controlled premises are based on a number of considerations, of which climate is only one, and I regret that I could not amend the Direction in the manner suggested.

Is it not a fact that the Western coast of Wales, owing to the influence of the Gulf Stream, is far warmer than many parts of Devonshire, and certainly drier? Should not the coal allocation, therefore, be fairly equalised?

No, Sir; the South West, to which my hon. Friend's Question refers, is considerably warmer than the North West. There are other considerations, of course, besides climate. The average consumption of coal in the North West is 80 per cent. greater than in the South West, and many other considerations have to be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the effect on the aggregate coal output for 1942 of the operations of the Essential Work Order; and whether he can give an estimate in tons by way of reduction or increase?

It is not possible to measure in tonnage the effect on production of the operation of the Essential Work (Coalmining Industry) Order, but I am satisfied that it has been of assistance to the production of coal by helping to maintain the numbers employed in the industry.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when it is proposed to publish the Report on the investigations into the environmental factors related to the problem of chronic pulmonary diseases among coalminers?

I have been asked to reply. The volume is in the printers' hands.