FOOD SUPPLIES.
FLOUR.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that applications for sanction to use pure wheaten flour, though duly supported by medical certificate, are being refused on the ground that a general ruling has been given that persons suffering from certain scheduled diseases would not be detrimentally affected by the use of Government regulation flour or the bread made from it; and whether he will give the names of the professional authorities who have approved this method of dealing by way of general ruling on scheduled diseases and en bloc with, such cases instead of either accepting the medical certificate or investigating the merits of each case, and also furnish the schedules of diseases for which. in the opinion of these authorities, pure wheaten flour is regarded as essential, as well as of those for which the use of Government regulation flour is not in their opinion detrimental?
Every application for permission to use wheaten flour is considered and dealt with on its merits. In view, however, of the fact that these applications showed a considerable increase in number and frequently appeared to be based on insufficient grounds, it was determined, after consultation with the War Bread Medical Sub-Committee of the Royal Society, to issue a memorandum for the guidance of medical men asked to furnish certificates. This memorandum was published on 20th October in the "British Medical Journal" and the "Lancet," and I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. Applications are considered in the first instance by the scientific adviser to the Food Controller; doubtful cases are referred to Sir Thomas Barlow and Dr. Robert Hutchison, who have agreed to act as honorary medical referees.
SUGAR.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to what quantity of sugar each person is entitled; whether there is sufficient sugar in or coming into the country to give ¾lb. per head per week; and if he is aware that hundreds of persons failed to obtain supplies this week in Dublin?
The actual and prospective supplies of sugar are insufficient either to justify consumption for domestic purposes in excess of ½lb. per head per week, or to guarantee the supply of even this amount. I am aware that in Dublin, as elsewhere, hardship has been caused by unequal distribution of available supplies, but the Food Control Committee for Ireland are preparing a scheme which will, it is hoped, remedy this defect.
PORT POLICE.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that certain men, classed B 1, in the port police, whose work was understood to be confined to certain ports in this country, were sent to France and were there placed on ordinary police duty for which physically they were unfitted; whether it is in accordance with the regulations to transfer such men to France; and what steps he will take to re-transfer them to duties for which they are better suited?
I understand that at one period there were some twenty port police surplus to establishment. These were sent to France as Military Foot Police, which is the corps to which they belong. They were sent to carry out duties on the lines of communication, for which they were considered physically fit. I am not aware of any agreement to confine such men to the duty of policing ports in this country.
REPATRIATED PRISONERS OF WAR.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether officers and men recently repatriated from Switzerland on account of their condition will be discharged from the Army if they so desire; and, if so, what kind of employment is open to them, and how it is proposed to utilise such services as they are capable of rendering?
Under the agreement with Germany repatriated prisoners of war may not be employed on any front of military operations or on the lines of communication or in occupied territory. Officers, if permanently unfit for further military service, are permitted to leave the Service. If they are fit for further service their services are utilised, either regimentally or otherwise. Any application to leave the Service from an officer not permanently unfit is considered on its merits. Other ranks are medically examined, and if found permanently unfit are discharged. The remainder are given furlough as soon as they are fit for it. At the expiration of the furlough they are sent to a reserve battalion. If they become fit for general service they are not included in numbers available for overseas.
CAPTAIN BOWEN-COLTHURST.
asked the Home Secretary whether any recent inquiry has been made into the mental state of health of Captain Bowen-Colthurst, now in_ Broadmoor Asylum.
The answer is in affirmative.