asked the Minister of Labour what steps he takes to ensure that men discharged from the Forces on medical grounds are directed to work of national importance in civilian life?

My Department is notified by the appropriate Service Department of every man discharged from the Forces on medical grounds, and his particulars are referred to the local office nearest his last known address. If the man has not already attended the local office and is not being dealt with under the interim scheme for the training and resettlement of disabled persons, he is requested and, if necessary, directed to attend for interview, in order that the local office may consider how he can best be employed in the national interest.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of man-hours lost through strikes during the past 12 months; the number of successful prosecutions for absenteeism and the number of sentences remitted in whole or in part?

Statistics relating to the numbers of man-days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes are published regularly in the monthly issues of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette." The May issue of the Gazette, which will be published in the course of a few days, will contain statistics for the year 1942 and for the period from the beginning of January to the end of April, 1943. The available information is insufficient to enable me to state the number of man hours represented in the statistics. During the twelve months ending 31st March last there were 5,403 successful prosecutions of persons for absenting themselves from work without reasonable excuse or for being persistently late in presenting themselves for work; I understand that in only three cases was any part of the sentence remitted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what is the position of an owner or occupier who is prosecuted for employers liability for accidents or straying animals owing to the forcible removal of gates or railings by his orders under Defence Regulation B50; and whether he will be responsible for the liability in such cases?

It is not clear in what circumstances the removal of gates and railings which are not essential to the use of the land could give rise to a claim of the nature suggested. But the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware of the latter part of Section (3) of Defence Regulation 50 by which the occupier of land from which railings are removed is relieved of any liability by reason of the removal of the railings. Railings which are essential to the use of land are not, of course, removed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the serious shortage of approved schools, whereby no vacancies are available for several boys committed in county Durham to these institutions; and what steps are being taken to remedy this position?

I have been asked to reply. New schools are being provided as rapidly as is possible under war-time conditions. This additional accommodation includes 350 places at schools in County Durham which it is hoped will relieve the pressure in this as well as neighbouring areas.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of local education authorities in the county of Durham who are providing free meals to children in attendance at the elementary schools in the county; the number of children served; and the number of meals provided during 1942 and 1943, respectively?

The information desired is not available in the precise form in which the hon. Member asks for it. The number of local education authorities in the county of Durham providing free meals is eleven. The number of free meals provided on a single day in February, 1942, and February, 1943, were 2,361 and 4,565 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the deep feeling of resentment felt among the young farmers' clubs of Wales at the failure to place on the Welsh Youth Advisory Committee a representative of agricultural youth; and whether he will take steps to see that the youth of the countryside are represented?

The members of the Welsh Youth Committee were selected, not as representatives of particular organisations or sections of the community, but on the ground of their individual interest in, and close acquaintance with, youth problems in Wales. The Committee includes members who are familiar with conditions in rural Wales and I am satisfied that the Committee as a whole have consistently kept in mind the needs of rural areas and that they fully appreciate the importance of making appropriate provision for the youth of those areas.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take immediate steps to end the exploitation of the present shortage of housing in various parts of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, by landlords who, in order to evade rent control, are now offering houses for public auction, thereby causing serious inflation in values of house property and extreme hardship to those whose incomes only permit the payment of weekly rents and who cannot afford the high prices now being demanded for the sale of vacant houses?

A house does not cease to be subject to the control of the Rent Restrictions Acts by reason of change of ownership on sale. My right hon. Friend is not aware that the practice to which my hon. Friend refers is extensive but his powers of requisitioning to meet the needs of persons required to move in connection with the war effort would enable him to deal with any house required for their needs which is unreasonably kept vacant in order that a high price may be obtained by its sale. As regards the general question of the selling-price of houses, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies recently given to Questions on this subject by my hon. Friends the Members for York and Cheltenham, of which I am sending him copies. I would remind my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend's responsibilities are limited to England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Production whether he will release building materials to permit the building of houses to relieve the housing situation in Belfast, where there are families forced to live in street shelters and overcrowding detrimental to public health; and whether he is aware that Northern Ireland is in a special position due to unemployment in the building industry and the absence of alternative employment?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. An inquiry has been received from the Northern Ireland Government on this matter and is at present being examined.

asked the Minister of Health what means are adopted by medical officers of fever hospitals to establish whether a diphtheria patient is immunised or unimmunised?

I am advised that a medical officer could only inform himself on the point referred to by inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether all medical officers of health keep registers of children in their areas immunised against diphtheria; whether such records include children immunised by private practitioners or by practitioners in other districts; and whether, in sending in particulars of immunisation, the numbers of children previously immunised but then reaching the age of 15 or over are deducted from the totals?

The returns which a local authority is asked to make to my Department, and the records which the medical officer of health therefore needs to keep for this purpose, relate to children immunised in the authority's own area under its own arrangements for free immunisation. The information asked for in the returns is the number of children thus immunised in the period to which the return relates and who were at the time of immunisation under 15 years of age.

asked the Minister of Health what was the average annual number of cases of diphtheria notified in Greater London in the periods 1910–19 and 1920–29; what were the notifications for each of the years 1930–42; what was the average annual number of deaths from diphtheria in Greater London in the periods 1910–19 and 1920–29; and how many of such deaths were recorded in each of the years 1930–42 in Greater London?

The attached table shows the numbers of cases of diphtheria notified in Greater London in each from 1932 and also the annual number of deaths from that disease in the same area from 1920. Greater London was not an area designated for the purpose of these classifications before 1932 and 1920 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health what period his memorandum on Northamptonshire diphtheria and immunisation covers; of the 36,250 children immunised, how many were immunised in 1941 and how many in 1942; of the 8,000 children under five years of age who were immunised, how many were done in 1941 and how many in 1942; how many of the 101 cases of, and 15 deaths from, diphtheria occurred in 1941 and how many in 1942 and, if he has not this information in his records, whether he will obtain it from the county medical officer of health who collected it from the district medical officers; and to what period do the immunisation figures of 46 per cent. under five, and 74 per cent. between five and 15 years apply?

The Press notice referred to related to the period January, 1941, to December, 1942, and the percentages mentioned in the last part of the Question to the estimated position on 31st December, 1942. As regards the remaining parts of the Question I should not be justified in putting the county medical officer to the additional labour of analysing his figures further.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will publish the returns regarding diphtheria immunisation and diphtheria cases which at various dates he called for from local medical officers of health, seeing that the information they contain is of great interest to a large section of the public?

No, Sir. The percentage in the returns are estimates only, which are made for me in order that the progress of the immunisation campaign may be roughly assessed. As indicated in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on 27th May, I do not consider I should be justified in publishing the estimates.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria were recorded in the 145 localities of the Eastern Region; how many deaths from diphtheria; how many of the 145 localities had any diphtheria cases; what period was covered by the return referred to; and how many immunised cases of diphtheria occurred during this period?

My hon. Friend does not state the period for which he desires information, or make clear what return is referred to in the third part of the Question. In any case I do not feel that the heavy task involved in specially extracting statistics on this basis would be justified.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of the remittances to approved societies to meet benefit and administration costs for the years 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1942, respectively, and for the first quarter of 1943?

The amounts issued to approved societies in respect of members resident in England and Wales to met benefit and administration costs for the years 1939 to 1942 inclusive and for the first quarter of 1943 are approximately as follow:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what for the last convenient period was the gross total of soap produced in Scotland; and what, for the same period, was the consumption of soap in Scotland for industrial and domestic purposes?

It is not in the public interest to give precise figures of soap production and consumption, but I think my hon. Friend's purpose will be met if I say that the rate of production of rationed soaps in Scotland at the end of 1942 was equivalent to rather more than 40 percent. of the consumption in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Supply whether the unsatisfactory conditions at certain War Office stores, to which the Comptroller and Auditor-General alluded in his Report on the Unclassified Votes for 1941–42 have now been remedied; and whether all store accounts of the Royal Ordnance factories are now satisfactory?

The stores referred to in the report are certain storage depots, not Royal Ordnance Factories, under the Ministry of Supply. The store accounts of the Royal Ordnance Factories are stated in the report to have been examined with generally satisfactory results. The report will be considered during the present Session by the Public Accounts Committee who will report to the House. My hon. Friend will, I am sure, appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement in advance of the Committee's report.

asked the Minister of Supply who is the present deputy director of medical supplies; what is the nature of his functions; why is he unpaid; what was his previous employment; and whether he is still retained or paid by those employers?

There are two deputy directors of medical supplies, Messrs. H. Wilkinson and A. Mortimer. They are responsible, under the director, for planning the production of all medical supplies. Mr. Wilkinson is a permanent civil Servant. Mr. Mortimer's services were lent to the Ministry of Supply, without charge to public funds, by the Wholesale Drug Trade Association, of which he was and is the paid secretary. On joining the Ministry he ceased active participation in the day-to-day administration of the Association.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that wives of civilians, resident in India, have been waiting for passages from England to rejoin their husbands for nearly three years, although at the same time passages have been given to wives of men going to India for temporary employment only; and whether he will grant the necessary passage facilities required for about 200 women?

In April, 1942, the Government of India decided to impose a ban on the entry of European women and children into India because of the military situation in the East. Prior to that time the numbers who were able to travel to India were small as priority had to be given to persons required in India for the war effort and essential Government purposes. Exceptions had, however, to be made in the case of the families of certain civilian technicians whose services were essential for war production in India and who made this a condition of appointment. The hardships involved in the separation of families are recognised and regretted, but unfortunately hardship is a matter of general experience while the war lasts. The matter is under consideration in the light of present conditions. But Whatever policy is decided upon, I fear that the possibilities will continue to be severely restricted by shortage of accommodation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the demand for prepayment of coke by the Gas Light and Coke Company is recommended by his Department to all similar companies?

The system adopted by this company was not submitted for my approval, but it is a system to whose use in suitable cases I have no objection.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a Pioneer unit, details of which have been given to him, used a quantity of coal on 16th May, as paving material for a piece of ground over 1,000 square feet in an area which was used for the purpose of mounting the guard; how much coal was thus employed; and what steps he will take to deal with the persons responsible?

A preliminary report I have received about this case does not confirm the hon. and learned Member's allegation. I will communicate with him when a full report has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances 1524332 Gunner Charles Herbert Mosley Longden was discharged on 22nd May, 1942?

Gunner Longden was discharged from Army service with effect from 1st June, 1942, on medical grounds in accordance with the regulations then in force.

asked the Secretary of State for War in how many cases during the present war has he refused the release of a serving officer or man whose wife has died, or been killed by enemy action, leaving a young child or children; and in how many such cases has he granted release on compassionate grounds for a definite or indefinite period, respectively?

The available statistics show only how many releases have been authorised and how many have been refused. It would not be possible without undue expenditure of time and labour to ascertain the number of releases authorised or refused on any particular grounds. Compassionate releases are usually granted in these cases to give the officer or soldier an opportunity to make arrangements for the care of his children. Indefinite releases are not granted in these cases but the period of the release may be extended if the compassionate circumstances justify such a course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether arrangements are made for his own inspectors to inspect the canteens of workers who are billeted in camps or requisitioned houses with a view to ensuring that food is not wasted through bad cooking; and to what extent he has received complaints that men in some of these camps cannot eat the food and buy extra quantities of bread as a result?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to canteens operated by or on behalf of industrial undertakings for their workers. Responsibility for supervision of the general meals arrangements in such canteens is in most cases undertaken by the Ministry of Labour. Close contact is maintained with my Department, however, which licenses the canteens, and where necessary joint inspections by officers of the two Departments are made. No specific complaints of the kind mentioned in the last part of my hon. Friend's Question have been received by my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, in view of the absence of standardisation of the national loaf, what provision is made for testing its composition so as to protect the public from unauthorised additions or subtractions of constituents; by what agency are tests carried out; and what prosecutions of offenders have been instituted since April, 1942?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reference which I made to the national loaf in my speech in Committee of Supply on the 13th May. The samples to which I then referred are obtained and examined by officers of my Department. As regards legal proceedings, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to his Question on 6th May last year to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will introduce Regulations requiring preliminary pasteurisation of milk distributed to the public from a pool derived from many sources; and whether, in the case of local supplies unmixed with other samples, he will instruct the public that if they boil the milk when it comes from the dairy they will prevent infection with milk-borne diseases and will not prejudice the quality of the milk?

My hon. Friend's suggestion will receive careful consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to remit the Purchase Tax in respect of wedding rings of the type prescribed in the Wedding Rings Order (S.R. and O., No. 654, of 1943), when the wedding ring is purchased by a member of His Majesty's Forces?

No, Sir. It is an essential principle of the Purchase Tax that there should be no classes of consumers privileged to buy chargeable goods free of tax.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will cause a revision to be made of the cases where Service Departments have refused to grant a release of an only son, so that he could carry on farming or other business concerned with the national war effort, where the widow is unable through ill-health, or is otherwise incapable of carrying on any such business, and avoiding the sale thereof, which would otherwise be available for the man after the war?

Every case which concerns a farm or business of importance to the war effort and which is recommended by the Government Department concerned, is considered by the Service Department in consultation with the Ministry of Labour, and the man may be released for a limited or indefinite period. In cases not so recommended releases on compassionate grounds for a limited period, which may be extended, are often granted to enable the man to make arrangements for the business to be carried on, but it is not considered that releases for an indefinite period would in these cases be justified.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the refusal by Service Departments to grant the release of men whose wives have died, leaving in some cases several young children, giving rise to general dissatisfaction; and whether he will now favourably consider granting releases where it is shown that the home life and upbringing of the children render the release desirable?

Every such case is carefully and sympathetically considered on its merits and the man is usually released for a period in order to make arrangements for the care of his children. This period may be extended but permanent releases cannot be granted in these cases. I regret that the man-power position does not enable a general change to be made in the present policy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered a report from the Dorking and District Chamber of Commerce regarding the inadequacy of the supply of razor blades reaching Dorking; and whether he is taking any steps to improve the allocation to this district?

Yes, Sir. I have considered this report which, however, only covers half the retailers in the town. After further inquiries I am glad to find that Dorking has been receiving its fair share of available supplies of razor blades.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences have been issued in each of the years 1933 to 1942, inclusive, for the export to the United States of America of works of art and articles more than 75 years old?

These articles were first placed under export control on the 21st August, 1940. They include any painting, drawing or sculpture, irrespective of age, and also any article more than 75 years old, irrespective of artistic, historic or other interest. In the years 1940, 1941 and 1942 my Department issued 1,827, 4,407 and 3,166 licences for such exports to the United States of America.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it is difficult in some parts of the country to purchase ladies' shoes except in size five; and will he take steps to remedy this.

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart) last Tuesday, in view of the limited amount of raw material available, I cannot hold out any hopes of an increase in the total supplies of civilian footwear. But I have had little complaint about the matter to which my hon. Friend refers.

(Horsham and Worthing): On a point of Order. I understand that the Motion on the Order Paper dealing with the Consolidated Fund Bill, in the name of the Prime Minister, is not debatable. Before it is agreed to, can we have an explanation of the words "not-withstanding the practice of the House?" So far as I know, there is no Standing Order on this subject.

There are many precedents for this form of Motion. A Motion that allows the Committee stage and Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill on the same day is really contrary to the practice of the House. I agree with my noble Friend that there is no Order; it is a question of practice.Ordered,