asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give, as at the latest known date, the approximate number of persons who in relation to their employment are, or will be in the current year, provided with paid holidays?

It is estimated that approximately 9,000,000 workpeople are now entitled to annual holidays with pay, either under collective agreements, or under other arrangements. I am not in a position to estimate how many more workers may become entitled to such holidays under various arrangements during the present year, but I anticipate that, as the result of the Holidays with Pay Act, 1938, alone, very substantial additional numbers of workpeople will be provided with holidays with pay.

While welcoming this very satisfactory figure, and hoping that this is by no means the end of the Government's efforts in this direction, can my hon. Friend say whether his Department will consider from time to time taking steps to supplement the agreements?

We are always ready to take all possible steps to stimulate this very desirable improvement.

Is it not a fact that the major part of these agreements has been arrived at through the trade unions?

Certainly, but with the good offices of the Department. I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that a considerable number of trade boards and agricultural wage committees have issued orders as a result of the recent Act.

Is it not a fact that in 1930 the Socialist Government of the day threw out the whole thing?

In view of that supplementary question, may I ask the hon. Member if he is aware that the only people who voted against that Bill were the Conservatives?

asked the Minister of Labour whether any of the factories now operating on the Team Valley Trading Estate are producing light castings; and whether it is made a condition on the estate that all light castings for building purposes must be purchased and manufactured within the Special Area?

I am informed that at present there is no firm on the Team Valley Trading Estate engaged in the manufacture of light castings. It is, however, a condition of all contracts placed by the North Eastern Trading Estate Company that locally produced goods shall be used, provided price, quality and time of delivery are as good as are offered by firms elsewhere.

Can the hon. Member state that the same trade union conditions apply to the firms which are being protected by an arrangement of this kind, as are applied by the light castings industry in Scotland, particularly in the Falkirk District?

We have had many discussions on the trading estate, and I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of workpeople at present employed at Glascoed, Monmouthshire, ordnance works; and the number recruited through the adjacent Employment Exchanges?

I am informed that the number of workpeople employed at the Glascoed Ordnance Works on 20th February was 2,139. Since the work started 1,939 placings have been made from the registers of the local Employment Exchanges.

Does that mean that approximately 1,000 people from outside the area have secured employment, and is the hon. Member aware of the fact that in the Glascoed Exchange area, within four or five miles of it, there are approximately 5,000 unemployed people at the present time? How does he account for such a large number being employed from outside?

The hon. Member must have misunderstood or misheard me. I said that the number of workpeople employed at these works was 2,139, and that since the work started 1,939 placings have been made from the registers of the local Employment Exchanges. That does not leave a difference of 1,000 as the hon. Member thought.

The difference is substantial in any case.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can inform the House of the changes that have been made in the method of computing the numbers of unemployed since 1933; and what effect the changes have had on the records of the numbers unemployed?

The only change of this kind made since 1933 is that introduced in September, 1937, by which persons subsequently found to have been in employment on the date of the count of the unemployed are excluded from the figures. The effect of the new procedure at that date was to reduce the numbers on the registers of Employment Exchanges by approximately 49,000. I should add that in the interval between 1933 and the present date various extensions in the scope of unemployment insurance and unemployment assistance have resulted in an increase in the unemployed register considerably larger than the figure I have mentioned.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women, respectively, registered as unemployed at Pontefract Employment Exchange during the last weeks in January, 1937, 1938, and 1939?

As the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has there been an increase of unemployment in this area during the years stated in the question?

As a matter of fact, there has been a decrease, but perhaps the hon. Member will await the answer.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of skilled engineers placed on the unemployed register in Glasgow since January, 1938?

I am sending the hon. Member particulars of the number of wholly unemployed workpeople in the engineering, shipbuilding and metal working industries who were registered for employment in certain specified engineering occupations in respect of which statistical information is available as at December, 1937, and December, 1938.

Is the hon. Member aware that in Glasgow there has been a considerable increase in the number of skilled engineers placed on the register, and does he not think that this calls for serious steps to be taken by his Department, because if skilled workers are unemployed the position of unskilled workers is made much worse?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the answer before he places too much reliance on information which comes to him.

Is the hon. Member aware that my information comes from engineering sources?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims for benefit under the Agricultural Workers' Insurance Act in Glamorgan for the last complete year?

I am having the available statistics extracted, and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that unemployed men from Bressay are being compelled to accept work on a scheme in the Orkney Islands under the threat that their unemployment benefit will be disallowed if they refuse such employment; that men, who after working on this scheme have returned to Ashby-de-la-Zouch complain of working ankle deep in mud without suitable boots being provided; that sleeping quarters were overcrowded contrary to regulations; and whether he will make inquiry into these complaints, the conditions ruling at the scheme, and into the hardship imposed upon people in Shetland in having to go to such schemes in Caithness and the Orkney Islands, where, owing to weather conditions in midwinter, it is difficult to earn a reasonable weekly wage?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of men and women, respectively, registered as unemployed at Goole Employment Exchange, who are normally employed in agriculture, during the last weeks in January, 1937, 1938 and 1939;

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Do the figures show an increase in the number of unemployed?

Some do, some do not.

asked the Prime Minister, with a view to reducing the unemployment figures, whether he will set up a Royal Commission to examine the question of reducing the hours of work in all industries and the elimination of overtime?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the immediate setting up of a Select Committee to inquire into the serious condition of unemployment, with special reference to younger adults, and to make recommendations for the solution of this problem?

All aspects of the unemployment problem are constantly under the Government's consideration. In particular, the special problem of the young men who have been unemployed for a long time—for whom training facilities are already available—is at present under fresh examination, and I hope it will be found possible to provide employment for them on some of the necessary civil defence works. I do not think that the appointment of a Royal Commission or a Select Committee would at this stage help forward the end which we all have in view.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the two recent discussions on unemployment, last week and this week, proved the utter futility of the present method? Surely the time has come when something should be adopted, and as what I have suggested

I suppose it does seem to the hon. Member a good way, or he would not have put it down, but I am obliged to tell him that I did not think it was.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that only a comparatively small number of the young unemployed will be affected by the present plans of the Government, and would it not be extremely useful to have new constructive proposals by an all-party Committee to deal with this very urgent problem?

I think that new constructive proposals would always be important and valuable, but it is not necessary to set up a Select Committee to get them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can supply any estimate or indicate the existence of any published estimate of the loss in unemployment benefit, Poor Law relief, national taxation, and local rating which this country has to find in indirect subsidy as a result of the loss in wages upon every £1,000,000 worth of shipping orders sent by British owners to foreign shipbuilding yards?

No, Sir.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary inquire what has happened to the figures that were in existence in his Department in 1931, and why they cannot be brought down to date?

I spent a large part of this morning making inquiries, and nobody had heard of the figures mentioned by the hon. Member. I would, however, refer him to a statement made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in reply to a question which the right hon. Gentleman put one day last week.

Is the hon. Member not aware that the figures were used very frequently in Debates in this House in 1931?

They must have been inaccurate. I think that it would be impossible to arrive at accurate figures.

asked the Minister of Labour particulars of any steps he proposes to take for a fresh inquiry to be made on the subject of family budgets, in order that information previously obtained through investigation may be brought up to date?

No further inquiry on this subject is at present under consideration.

Can the hon. Member say when the last inquiry was completed?

Some months ago, and the information, which is very useful, is being collated. It is impossible, however, to collate 150,000 returns of weekly expenditure and 50,000 budgets within a short time.

Will they be published?

Yes, the results will be published in due course.

Can my hon. Friend say whether a summary will be published at an early date?

I will bear the suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour the name of the representative appointed to the International Labour Office Committee on Public Works; and what is the nature of his instructions?

A meeting of the International Public Works Committee has not yet been called and, accordingly, the questions referred to by the hon. Member do not yet arise.

Has the name of the representative been decided upon, in view of the fact that the hon. Member and the Minister of Labour have continued to use this new committee in answering for unemployment?

We have every intention to collaborate in every possible way, but a meeting has not been called, nor a date fixed. It is not intended to have any permanent representative, but an ad hoc representative will be appointed for each session.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the labourers employed in the mains department of the Fife Electric Power Company are paid only is per hour, from which deductions are made for superannuation and other purposes; that on several occasions increased wages have been promised but have not materialised; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to seeing that fair wages conditions are observed?

In the autumn of last year my Department was requested by the trade unions concerned to intervene in regard to differences that existed between this company and its employés and action was taken which led to negotiations and an arrangement between the parties. My right hon. Friend has not been informed that this arrangement has not been carried out.

In view of the fact that there are many complaints on the part of the labourers employed by the company, will the hon. Member make inquiries into the actual conditions under which they are employed and the wages being paid?

I think that the trade unions with whom we are in touch can be relied upon to look after the welfare of their own members, and they know that the good offices of the Department are always at their disposal if desired.

asked the Minister of Labour why local Employment Exchanges have not been instructed as to where applications should be addressed by persons wishing to enrol in the special register detailed on page 46 of the National Service Guide; and to what address should persons residing in Pitlochry and district apply for enrolment?

Local offices of the Ministry of Labour have been instructed to forward such applications for enrolments on the central register of persons with scientific, technical, professional and higher administrative qualifications, referred to on page 46 of the National Service Guide, to the Ministry's headquarters where they are dealt with in consultation with the advisory council which the Lord Privy Seal and my right hon. Friend have appointed to advise on the utilisation of specialised personnel in the event of war. Persons residing in the areas named may apply either to the nearest local office of the Ministry of Labour or may write direct to the National Service Department at the Ministry's Headquarters.

asked the Lord Privy Seal to what extent negotiations have been carried on between his Department and the British Legion with a view to stimulating response to the call for national service?

In September, the President of the British Legion conveyed to the Prime Minister an expression of the readiness of the Legion to place the whole of its resources, energies and influence unreservedly at the disposal of the Government, in the event of an emergency. The spirit which prompted this offer is greatly appreciated. I have myself recently received a communication from the British Legion, offering to make available the resources of their benevolent organisation in time of war, and this offer is now being considered by the Service Departments which are primarily concerned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what services he expects the British Legion to perform now? That is what they want to know.

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what sections of the labour, trade union, or co-operative movement were consulted with regard to the appointment of regional directors under the National Service scheme;

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the Regional Commissioners to be designated under the scheme for the regional organisation of civil defence. No appointments have yet been made, and before this is done the Government will make such inquiries as it considers appropriate. Local authorities in Scotland, as in England, were informed of the general arrangements proposed by the circular letter, dated 2nd February. These arrangements do not in themselves in any way affect the position of local authorities, and it has yet to be decided how the machinery of local government will be linked with the regional organisation. I have undertaken that local authorities will be consulted as regards this matter through their associations, and this will be done in the case of Scotland and England alike.

In view of the contemplated appointments, which have received much publicity, will the Lord Privy Seal's Department consult with the trade unions, the Labour party, and the co-operative movement before those appointments are made?

Will my right hon. Friend also consult with the Conservative party and the Liberal party?

Does not the Government represent the Conservative party?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will consider the desirability of providing steel shelters free to all who have undertaken obligations for National Service?

My hon. Friend's suggestion would involve complete departure from the basis of distribution already announced, and I am afraid I cannot entertain it.

Does not my right hon. Friend consider that special consideration ought to be given to those who have undertaken obligations for national service, and will he not at least consider whether he cannot raise the income limit of those who have undertaken such obligations?

I do not think any special consideration that may be due to these people ought to take this particular form.

Would it not be much better if everybody were to undertake some national service?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the Government Advisory Committee of Architects and Engineers on structural precautions in buildings against air-raid attack has for two years asked for tests to be made of the destructive power of various bomb types when used against various building structures; whether a large number of tests for air-raid precautions purposes still remain to be done; and what steps he is taking to expedite these tests?

I am aware of the fact that the tests to which my hon. Friend refers have not yet been completed. In order that this matter, among others, may be expedited I have recently made arrangements with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under which the resources of the building research station and the services of the director of building research are available for research and advice in connection with air-raid precautions.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many local authorities have prepared the following statistical and graphical data concerning their administrative areas: the day- and night-time populations; the number of persons whom it would be advisable to evacuate in an emergency; large scale plans showing the distribution and position of all forms of public service, and mains and conduits; large scale plans showing the distribution of open spaces, framed buildings, well-built unframed buildings, and other buildings; large scale plans showing the proposed distribution of all forms of fire-fighting and rescue stations, and all types of shelters; and estimates of the amount of material which would be needed for the construction of shelters, its cost, and the labour which would be available to erect the shelters?

The particulars asked for do not correspond to any advice or instructions hitherto issued to local authorities, and I regret that I am, therefore, not in possession of any returns which would enable me to give my hon. Friend the rather elaborate details desired.

Am I to infer that the information asked for in my question is considered not to be desirable?

No, Sir, that is not to be inferred. What is to be inferred is that responsible local authorities are allowed, and properly allowed, a certain measure of discretion in carrying out their duties.

Having regard to the fact that this information is vital to the consideration of the provision of adequate shelters, does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that his Department has some responsibility for the issue of some guidance to local authorities as to the collection of such information?

I know that the Department has some responsibility for giving guidance, but that is rather a different matter from demanding from local authorities particular detailed information, a good deal of which covers ground which is already covered in the course of their normal duties.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to issue some guidance to local authorities who ask him that information on the lines suggested in the question should be collected?

I should be glad to answer such a question if it were put on the Order Paper.

Are not all these points of very necessary information? Is it not necessary to ginger up some local authorities?

Is it not very important that local authorities in preparing plans for shelters should have this information co-ordinated in the way suggested in the question?

I think it may be co-ordinated by local authorities, but the question is whether I have on record particulars in the exact form necessary to reply to the details of the question.

Are not some local authorities trying to ginger up the Government?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the great difficulty in practising the population of our cities and towns in black-outs after the beginning of summer time, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to instruct all local authorities to undertake such practices before summer time begins on 16th April?

No, Sir, I do not consider that any such instruction is necessary. I have no doubt that local authorities are fully alive to the need of arranging practice black-outs, where they have not already done so; and that they also realise the desirability of avoiding the shorter nights during the summer. But I see no practical value in attempting to fix any date after which such black-outs should not take place.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that continental countries attach great importance to this question and that numerous practices are necessary to secure efficiency? Is it not a fact that no large industrial town in this country has yet practised a complete black-out?

I do not think that is true, but as regards the importance of black-outs, I think my answer fairly indicates that its importance is realised, and it is for that reason, among others, that I do not see my way to adopt the suggestion of a close season.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the number of, volunteers so far enlisted in the Auxiliary Fire Service, and the total number required?

I have arranged for full returns to be furnished of the total numbers enrolled up to 18th February in all the various services included under the National Service campaign. The collation of these returns will, I hope, be completed by 28th February, and perhaps my hon. Friend will renew his question after that date.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has considered the cost and efficacy of under ground tubular shelters of similar construction to that now being employed by the London Passenger Transport Board for the underground railways, with a view to providing a quick standardised method of deep shelter, applicable alike to the protection of the public and to the needs of industrial works, factories, shops, and offices?

All practical suggestions for providing public shelters are at present under examination, and my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is now in a position to give the names of the 12 Regional Com missioners appointed to supervise air-raid precautions activities?

I hope to be in a position before long to announce the names of the Regional Commissioners to be appointed under the scheme for civil defence.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of his decision to pay a flat rate for whole-time service in war for all air-raid precautions volunteers and for auxiliary firemen of 60s. a week for men and 40s. a week for women, teachers and others whose wages or salaries are paid from public funds and who are accepted as whole-time service volunteers in a capacity other than their normal occupation are to have their wages increased or reduced from their normal scale to those flat rates; and what is to be paid to teachers in charge of children who are evacuated from their home towns?

The variety of cases that might be covered by the terms of the hon. Member's question is so great that I am afraid I cannot give an answer which would necessarily have a general application. In so far as concerns teachers who may accompany school children evacuated from their home towns, they will be regarded as continuing in their employment as teachers and will continue to receive their salaries accordingly.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider his suggestion for a flat rate which discriminates very severely against women doing exactly the same work as men air-raid precautions volunteers? Will he reconsider it, as it is going to make trouble for him if he does not?

I have received no form of representations on this subject so far.

Will the right hon. Gentleman receive them? Will he receive a deputation on the subject?

I should be glad to receive representations on any subject.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether persons in receipt of State pensions will be permitted to volunteer for whole-time civil defence services; and can he give an assurance that such persons will be paid the full flat rate of pay fixed by his Department without deductions from their pensions during a war period?

I assume the hon. Member has in mind civil servants who have retired on pension. Such persons would normally be at least 60 years of age and would not, in general, be eligible for whole-time civil defence service. The second part of the question would not, therefore, appear to arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the time of the Great War civil servants who had only just retired were asked to return to their posts or similar posts in the Civil Service, and they were told they could do so only on condition that they dropped their pension and received the ordinary wage, and having earned their pension, they considered they were entitled to it?

The practice to which the hon. Member refers is a well-established general practice.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has considered the terms of a resolution carried unanimously at a meeting of 140 head wardens, senior wardens, and their deputies, held on 19th February, to consider the proposed re organisation of the air-raid warden service in the Solihull Urban District; that, contrary to his desire expressed in Circular 9 of 1939, the Warwickshire County Council has removed the wardens in the Solihull Urban District from the control of the chief constable; and whether, in view of the desire of these wardens to remain under the control of the chief constable, he will make appropriate representations to the Warwickshire County Council?

I am aware of the difficulties which have arisen in Warwickshire over the organisation of air-raid wardens, though I have not received any resolution from the Solihull area. If the county council wish to adopt a system of control otherwise than under the chief constable, which is the arrangement at present approved, it is open to them, under the Circular referred to, to make representations to me, and I shall consider the position fully in the light of their representations.

Would my right hon. Friend be prepared to receive a deputation from these wardens in order that he might more fully appreciate the facts and the strength of feeling on this subject?

I think I had better first have representations in writing. So far I have had none.

asked the Lord Privy Seal at what period will the persons who are not receiving steel shelters free of charge be able to place orders to purchase; and will the price charged be the same as that paid by the Government?

Until the local authorities have completed the survey for the free distribution of the Government steel shelters, I cannot indicate when supplies will be available for sale. As regards the second part of the question, the Government do not propose to seek any profit from the sale of these shelters.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that they can make shelters to-day with material other than steel, and that no real encouragement is being given to the production of that particular type of shelter?

I do not know about that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a fortnight ago I sent him a communication and that a week ago I saw him personally, and that up to the moment I have received no confirmation and no action has been taken by him?

I think the hon. Gentleman knows quite well that the matter about which he communicated with me involves technical considerations, and I assured him that what he had put before me would at once be subjected to the necessary technical examination. I have not failed to keep my promise.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is prepared to encourage local authorities in certain crowded areas in the potential danger zones to construct forthwith underground air-raid shelters which could be used in peace time as underground car-parks?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave on 2nd February to the hon. Member for Central Bradford (Mr. Leach).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this would have a great effect on the unemployment situation, and is he aware that this is the one form of Air-Raid Precautions which might yield an economic return to the community?

As I made clear in the answer to which I have referred, these matters are under consideration, but I think I ought to add that proposals for shelters must be considered primarily from the point of view of their value as shelters.

Why is it that the Government are so long in arriving at a decision about this matter?

There will be an opportunity for a Debate on the matter next week.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he hopes to be able to give an answer to those councils which have sent in plans for shelters?

I cannot say at the moment, but I shall be prepared to deal with the matter fully next week.

In considering these matters, is the right hon. Gentleman making endeavours to obtain reliable information as to the experiences in Spain?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the vacancies in the Air-Raid Precautions inspectorate are to be filled by nomination from the ranks of Civil Service clerical officers, or whether the vacancies will be thrown open for application by all qualified clerical officers?

As regards appointments to these posts from within the Government Service, a number of Departments were invited to nominate suitably qualified candidates, and their recommendations have included a number of clerical officers. Most of the vacancies have now been filled.

Does this mean that qualified clerical officers outside those ranks will not be allowed an opportunity of applying for such posts as are open?

The number of posts open is comparatively small, but the large Departments were invited to submit recommendations, and the fact that these appointments were to be made was certainly generally known in the Civil Service. I think we may be quite sure that no one has been prevented from applying through a failure to make known what was being done.

In view of the fact that many very highly qualified clerical workers are outside employment altogether, would it not be desirable, when there is an opportunity, to give them a chance of applying for such posts?

The hon. Member's question relates to Civil Service clerical officers.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention to the fact that I wrote down this question several days ago, and that the Minister has not read the question, and says that the question refers to clerks in the Civil Service, whereas it reads: "whether the vacancies in the air-raid precautions inspectorate are to be filled by nomination from the ranks of the Civil Service clerical officers, or whether——

The question is on the Paper, and every hon. Member can read it.

Further to my point of Order. If everybody can read it, why is it that the Minister says my question refers to clerks employed in the Civil Service, when it refers to clerks outside the Civil Service?

I cannot be responsible for what the Minister answers.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will grant allowances for each child as regards the provision of air-raid precautions shelters, in view of the fact that a family earning £260 with one or two children is substantially worse off financially than a couple earning £240 with no children?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hertford (Sir M. Sueter) on 16th February. For the reasons which I indicated then, I cannot undertake that the standard of income will be reconsidered.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the present regulations actually penalise a family with one or two children, and, in view of that, will he reconsider his decision?

Will not my right hon. Friend consider also the cases where children are sent into an area from an evacuated area, and may be lodging with people who are above this income rate, and who would have to take a great many more children?

I do not think the distribution of shelter extends, at any rate at present, to areas which will serve as reception areas in the event of evacuation. As regards the first supplementary question, I am afraid I can only say that wherever the line is drawn, there must be some hard cases, and the criterion now adopted was not arrived at without the fullest consideration.

Cannot my right hon. Friend draw the line so that it does not penalise the children?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the fact that civilian respirators are intended only for use during the time necessary to get to a gas-proof room, and that the standard new shelters are not gas-proof, he proposes to make any alterations to the standard civilian respirators?

It is not the case that the civilian respirator is intended for use only during the time necessary to get to a gas-proof room. It gives full protection for much longer periods against all war gases.

Is it not understood that it is for a very temporary period that it gives protection, and as it may be that people will be in a shelter quite a long time before gas comes to them, will the right hon. Gentleman not consider some further and better method of dealing with the question of gas?

I think the period for which protection is given is a good deal longer than the hon. Member supposes, but I might say that experiment is continually going on in regard to the development of types of respirators.

Has the right hon. Gentleman given any guidance to householders with regard to the gas-proofing of the new steel shelters?

No, Sir. It is not at present contemplated that such steel shelters, which will probably be occupied for a relatively short time, should be gas-proof.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the Government's policy with regard to the erection of the steel air-raid shelters now being delivered, and whether local authorities have permission to under take erection and to engage unemployed labour for this purpose?

The policy of the Government in this matter is set out in the circular which has been issued to the local authorities concerned. I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The local authorities are empowered to erect and sink the shelters and to engage any labour required for this purpose through the Employment Exchanges.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has considered the petition sent him by a body describing itself as The United Ratepayers' Advisory Association on the question of billeting in connection with evacuation; and whether he can give any information to the House as to the reply he made?

I have not received such a petition, but I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has received, from various sources, a number of forms of petition issued over the name of this body. The scheme for compulsory and indiscriminate billeting against which the document protests bears no resemblance to the evacuation plans on which the Government are at present working, the primary aim of which is to provide for the reception of children and mothers as far as practicable under voluntary arrangements. The information which is being given to householders by the local authorities who are conducting the survey will, I hope, remove any misapprehension which may have been produced by the circulation of this document.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this kind of effort is causing great dislike of the methods which are sometimes being used against those who are doing everything in their power to make it safe for our children in time of war wherever they come from?

Yes, Sir, but I regret that it is not possible for the Government to put a stop to every form of mischievous activity.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is now in a position to answer the communication referred to him by the Minister of Labour on 16th February with reference to air-raid shelters, and which was later on presented to him in a communication from the hon. Member for Rotherham on 13th February, and why that communication was not acknowledged?

I take it that the hon. Member refers to a request which he made to my right hon. Friend that he should receive a deputation to discuss certain proposals of the Rotherham Borough Council in regard to air-raid shelters, and to a similar request which he made directly to me in a further letter dated the 13th February. The receipt of that further letter was not acknowledged because the hon. Member had already had an acknowledgment from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour indicating that his request was already under my consideration. I shall be glad to arrange for a deputation to be received; but I may point out to the hon. Member that, since he first approached my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, a responsible official of the borough has had an interview with officials of the Air-Raid Precautions Department at which these proposals were discussed generally at some length and more specific plans are now awaited.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it advisable that the Cabinet should come to a decision about these shelters at the earliest opportunity?

No time is being lost in completing the examination of what is a very difficult and complicated problem.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that no work-is proceeding in the completion of air-raid trenches in several parks and commons in South London; and why the work is being held up?

If the hon. Member will inform me which open spaces he has in mind I will ascertain what is causing the delay. So far as my Department is concerned, local bodies were given full authority to proceed as long ago as the middle of November.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman inform me last week that the work was in progress; and is he aware that on Wandsworth Common, Tooting Common and Clapham Common the work is still incomplete and that nothing is being done?

I understood that the hon. Gentleman's question last week related to the position generally, and not to any particular area. It is true that work is in progress in many places. If the hon. Member will give me particulars privately I will be glad to look into them.

Are we to understand from that answer that all the details are not in possession of the right hon. Gentleman and that work is incomplete without the right hon. Gentleman being informed?

What the hon. Gentleman is to understand is that in a matter which under the law is in the discretion of the local authorities, it has not hitherto been the policy of the Department to keep badgering local authorities as to whether they are discharging their duties.

May not then the interests of the general public in this matter fall between two stools—the right hon. Gentleman's Department and the local authorities?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it an absolute waste of labour to work on these trenches until the Cabinet come to a decision on the matter?

As far as the trenches are concerned, a decision was arrived at before the middle of November.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the importance of the prosperity of shipping, shipbuilding, and marine engineering, to the nation, he will consider the desirability of appointing a Minister of Shipping?

I am in agreement with my hon. Friend regarding the importance to the nation of prosperous shipping, shipbuilding, and marine engineering industries, but I do not consider that their prosperity would be secured by the appointment of a Minister of Shipping.

May I ask whether that is a final decision, in view of the fact that there seems to be some support for the appointment of a Minister of Shipping?

Is it not the case that we hive 2,000,000 unemployed under the Minister of Labour?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has given consideration to the Motion on the Order Paper by the hon. and learned Member for Withington (Mr. Fleming) and others relative to old age pensions; if so, can he make a statement on the question, and give time for a Debate?

I regret that I can hold out no hope of special facilities being given for the discussion of this Motion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider that decision? Is he aware that owing to a change that was made in 1928, old people of 65 are no longer eligible to qualify for unemployment benefit, and in view of the serious position that they are now in, will he have inquiries made in various parts of the country?

I do not think any inquiry is necessary. The facts are very well known.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not appoint a Select Committee of this House to go into the question?

asked the Prime Minister whether it remains the policy of His Majesty's Government that there is no need for the enlistment of large numbers of infantrymen with a view to service on the Continent?

The policy of His Majesty's Government is to recruit to the establishment of the Army as it will appear in the Army Estimates for 1939. That establishment is fixed with regard to the calls which may be made upon the Army in any part of the world.

How can the statement contained in my question, which was made by the Home Secretary last year, be reconciled with the Prime Minister's statement that in the event of an attack on France we should have to co-operate immediately?

I do not think that that is a question which can be very well debated in present circumstances.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think he could find some substitute for the army that he threw away in Czecho-Slovakia?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will find time for a discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) relating to milling combines?