asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether

Name of School. Amount of loan sanctioned. Nature of Work. £ Netherlee Public School 3,557 Enlarging the school premises. Barrhead Roman Catholic School 5,967 Enlarging the school premises. Abercorn Public School 3,544 Providing janitors' houses. St. Mirin's Academy St. James' Roman Catholic School Paisley Junior Instruction Centre 10,969 Providing junior instruction centre premises. Greenock Junior Instruction Centre 25,807 Providing junior instruction centre premises. Paisley West Public School 62,216 Providing new school premises. New School at Ralston 52,332 Providing new school premises and playing fields at Ralston. £164,392

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory water supply to Sandwick School; and what early action the Scottish Department of Health is taking, along with the County Council of Ross-shire?

I am aware that at Sandwickhill Public School the water supply is insufficient. I am informed, however, that a scheme for the extension of the

he will make a statement regarding the water supply at Laxdale, Stornoway, and the proposals of the County Council of Ross-shire for its improvement?

I understand that water in the Laxdale district is at present drawn from wells. Ross-shire County Council have investigated the cost of a piped supply but have felt unable to proceed with the scheme owing to the high cost and very low rateable value of the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of what subjects were the loans amounting to £164,392 for capital expenditure by the County Council of Renfrew, with the consent of the Scottish Education Department, from 1st July, 1937, to 30th June, 1938, distributed; and what was the amount of loan in each case?

The following statement gives the required information:

Stornoway water supply to this school is at present under the consideration of the education authority, and that, in the meantime, water is conveyed to the school as required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a milk-producer retailer, who was recently penalised by the Milk Marketing Board for failure to observe the Board's rules, alleged that the information upon which the Board based their case was derived from confidential returns supplied by the farmer concerned to the Ministry; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware of this allegation and he welcomes this opportunity of stating that after exhaustive inquiries he is entirely satisfied that there has been no disclosure to the Milk Marketing Board of information derived from any confidential returns rendered to his Department.

The provisions of the Agricultural Returns Act, 1925, require that no information comprised in returns rendered under that Act shall be disclosed, except with the written consent of the occupier concerned, and this requirement is strictly observed. The statutory annual return made each June under the Agricultural Returns Act and the voluntary returns supplied to the Ministry from time to time are treated as being entirely confidential and are used only for statistical purposes, or for such other purposes as have been authorised by subsequent legislation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the great advantages attaching to the use of producer-gas for agricultural tractors in time of war; and what steps he is taking to encourage its use?

My right hon. Friend is aware that the use of producer-gas as a motive power for agricultural tractors in war-time would economise petrol supplies and I understand that its possibilities are being explored by my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres of land have been taken over in the County of Cumberland for purposes of war or defence by Government Departments in the course of the last three years; and whether, in view of the need for home production of food, he will prevent good productive land being taken as sites for hutments in areas where inferior land is available?

I am informed that 3,060 acres of land in Cumberland have been acquired by the Defence Departments during the last three years. My right hon. Friend will continue to press upon the Departments the urgent necessity of avoiding the acquisition of good agricultural land, but defence requirements sometimes render it necessary for agricultural considerations to be overridden by the Defence Department concerned, with whom the final decision and responsibility must rest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the statement issued by his Department, in which it was suggested that farmers should start ploughing up permanent pastures forthwith, it is his intention to consider the provisions in farm agreements, which in the interests of good husbandry require the consent of the landowners to such ploughing up?

My right hon. Friend is glad to have the opportunity of removing any misapprehensions that may exist in this matter. It is not intended in connection with the proposals for ploughing up permanent grassland during the summer of the present year to seek to set aside any provisions in farm agreements which require the prior consent of the landowner before such land is broken up. The Government are confident, however, that the consent of landowners will be readily granted in all cases where ploughing up and re-seeding would be to the advantage of the land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the number of allotments cultivated in England and Wales during each of the last seven years?

The latest information available for the whole of England and Wales is that returned as at 31st December, 1934, when the estimated total number of allotments was 936,000. No information is available as to the position at 31st December, 1931, but the corresponding figure as at 31st December, 1930, was 965,000. The returns for the years 1932, 1933 and 1935 to 1938, are confined to urban authorities. The figures for 1938 are not yet available: the figures for the other years are as follow:

Urban Areas only. Total number of allotments (excluding railway allotments). Year. Number. 1932 … … … 614,000 1933 … … … 623,000 1934 … … … 623,900 1935 … … … 611,900 1936 … … … 606,000 1937 … … … 592,450

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state approximately the number of pigs that will be sold in England and Wales and the number contracted to be sold to the Pigs Marketing Board during the current year?

I regret that I am unable to make the estimates asked for by my hon. Friend, but the number of pigs contracted to be delivered to registered curers under long contracts during the 12 months ending 30th November next is 1,479,226.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the joint council provided for in the Sea Fish Industry Act has yet been set up; and, if so, what are the names of the members?

The White Fish Industry Joint Council has not yet been set up but letters of invitation to the persons whom it is proposed to appoint will be sent out during the coming week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department has investigated the possibility of introducing a marking or grading order for white fish; and whether he has had, or will call for, a report from the White Fish Commission on this question?

Consideration has been given in the past to the possibility of making a Marking Order in respect of near-water fish, and I understand that the White Fish Commission, who have power to make regulations for the grading and marking of white fish, are now giving the matter their attention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the date of the appointment of the members of the White Fish Commission; the number of meetings they have since held; and whether he has received any report or recommendations from them?

The White Fish Commission were appointed on 11th July, 1938. Up to date they have had 10 formal meetings, and in addition the members of the Commission have held numerous informal meetings and have devoted a great deal of time to consultations with different sections of the industry and to visits to the principal fishing ports and inland markets. While my right hon. Friend has been kept in close touch with their activities and has had the benefit of their preliminary views on various matters, they have not up to the present made any formal recommendations or report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what percentage of their yearly import quota of fish for 1939 was imported from Iceland in the first quarter of the year?

During the first quarter of the year imports from Iceland of fish of the kinds subject to quota amounted to 40 per cent. of the total quota allocated to Iceland for 1939.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the collapse of a stand at the semi-final match of the Rugby League at Rochdale; whether he is prepared to take the necessary steps to see that in future all stands for use by the public at football matches shall be certified as safe for use; and whether he will also take the necessary steps to ensure that an adequate number of police officers are in attendance where large crowds are assembled, so that proper control of large assemblies of people will prevent a recurrence of the distressing scenes at Rochdale?

As a result of inquiries I am informed that the roof of a stand collapsed under the weight of persons who had persisted in climbing on to it in spite of the efforts of the police to prevent them doing so. Under the Public Health Act, 1890, local authorities have powers in respect of the construction of stands for seating the public, but this accident was not due to any defect in the seating accommodation.

The Chief Constable of Rochdale is keeping in touch with the owners of the club so as to ensure that if the use of the ground for matches attracting large crowds is continued, additional precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the public. The whole question of precautions for the safety and control of crowds at sports grounds was the subject of a committee appointed in 1924, and the general position is, from time to time, reviewed by the Home Office in consultation with chief officers of police who are fully aware of the importance of the grounds being adequately policed.

asked the Home Secretary why two boys, named Arthur Henry Parrish and Leonard Albert Wakerley, of Tottenham, aged 14 years and 16 years, respectively, having been granted bail for 10 days at the North London juvenile court on 20th April, were not taken home; whether he is aware that the boys bore excellent characters from school and work; and whether he will remit the costs of £1 imposed, in view of the time they spent in custody?

I have ascertained that these two boys were charged with wilful damage to 20 panes of glass valued £5. They appeared before the Juvenile Court on 20th April and were remanded on bail till 26th April. On that day they pleaded guilty, and were remanded in custody till 4th May. On 4th May, when full information was available to the Court as to the character of the boys, the Court decided to dismiss the charges under the Probation of Offenders Act, ordering each boy to pay compensation of £1 to the prosecutor whose property they had damaged. In these circumstances I see no reason for any action on my part.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that tear-gas bombs have recently been exploded in two Liverpool cinemas, and that several firemen who were called had to be treated in hospital as gassed persons; why such men are not in possession of gas-masks for use when on duty of this character; and whether if these men were in possession of gas-masks why they were not used?

I am informed that on the occasions in question the only fireman to be treated in hospital was the attendant-fireman of one of the cinemas. Several members of the Liverpool Fire Salvage Corps, which is a private concern, also received medical treatment. The Liverpool Fire Brigade attended with smoke helmets and self-contained breathing apparatus, the use of which was not, however, deemed necessary; and all members of the Liverpool Fire Brigade concerned returned to normal duty immediately after the occurrences.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that Justices hearing applications for confirmation of licences are free of any financial interest with regard to such matters and are aware of the provisions dealing with disqualification contained in Section 40 of the Licensing Act of 1910?

It is, of course, of the first importance that in numerous types of cases Justices should not adjudicate who are subject to disqualification because of the risk of bias, but I have no ground for thinking that Justices are not aware of the law on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the recent decision of the London quarter sessions to refuse to confirm a licence granted for the establishment of a large new English restaurant in the West End of London, and in view of the many licences granted in respect of foreign restaurants in the past five years, he will consider introducing legislation to improve the present position?

If the suggestion is that the Licensing Authorities tend to discriminate in favour of foreign restaurants and against English restaurants, I know of no grounds for such a view. On the occasion in question I understand three applications for new licences were refused and one of these was in respect of a foreign restaurant.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Messrs. R. A. Lister and Company, of Dursley, employ a Dr. Bondi; that this firm is anxious for some immediate decision as to his naturalisation in order that he can travel abroad on a British passport on their behalf; and whether some decision can be arrived at this week in order to allow him to travel to Rumania?

My right hon. Friend cannot accept the suggestion that the convenience of having a British passport for purpose of travel is a ground for granting the privilege of British nationality. The case, however, is being considered on its merits and there will be no delay in reaching a decision.

asked the Home Secretary whether Joseph Humphries, aged 88, who was sentenced at Enfield to six months imprisonment for certain offences had a medical examination as to his mental stability before the sentence was imposed?

I have caused inquiry to be made and am informed that the Court had before it information as to Humphries' mental and physical condition.

asked the Home Secretary how many private motorists were convicted for obstruction under the Road Traffic Acts in the city of Birmingham during the year ending December, 1938?

I am informed by the Chief Constable, Birmingham, that the number of private motorists convicted in that city during 1938 of offences of obstruction under the Road Traffic Acts was 4,717.

asked the Home Secretary how many motor cars were stolen in the City of Birmingham during 1938; and in how many cases were the thieves apprehended and convicted?

I am informed by the Chief Constable, Birmingham, that the number of motor cars stolen in that city during 1938 was 18 and that in connection with those offences 11 persons were proceeded against and nine were convicted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any steps have been taken by his Department to carry out any of the recommendations made as a result of the report upon the schools of Wales by the inquiry held by the hon. Member for Montgomery?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Pearson) on 5th April. The Board have asked the local education authorities in Wales to supply them at an early date with their comments on the matters dealt with in Chapter VIII of the Report, and are at the same time continuing to urge authorities and managers to deal with individual defective schools. My Noble Friend has made it quite clear that he is prepared to take the strongest possible action if this is found to be necessary in any particular case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can state the number of schools in the counties of Carmarthen, Cardigan and Pembroke, at which no milk is provided for the children on account of the failure of the education authority to secure delivery of milk at the schools; and what steps he is taking to secure supplies of milk for those schools?

On the 1st October, 1938, the latest date for which complete figures are available, no milk was provided in 79 public elementary schools in Cardiganshire, 21 in Carmarthenshire and 20 in Pembrokeshire. The local education authorities are not directly responsible for the administration of the arrangements though they are often able to assist the head teachers in obtaining a supply of milk. The Board are endeavouring, with the assistance of the Milk Marketing Board, to secure a more extensive operation of the Milk in Schools Scheme in these and other rural areas.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the first appointment of a woman to a professorship of Cambridge University; and whether he will make representations to the university authorities to admit women as members of the university?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would remind the hon. Member that the Board have no jurisdiction over the universities, and that it has always been the policy of the Government to safeguard their autonomy. In these circumstances it would not be proper for me to convey representations to the University of Cambridge on this matter.

Numbers of meals provided to children attending public elementary schools during March, 1939. Local Education Authority. Free solid meals. Free milk meals. Number of meals. Percentage of children fed. Number of meals. Percentage of children fed. Liverpool … … 266,785 8.8 806,343 26.8 Manchester … … 217,074 10.6 272,272 12.8 Leeds … … 50,889 4.6 115,781 8.9 Sheffield … … 67,170 2.2 172,479 14.4 Birmingham … … 109,311 4.0 135,961 5.3

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the complaints of the serious shortage of B-licence pilots at Newcastle municipal airport; and whether it is intended to permit the employment of competent A-licence pilots available at that airport, on Army co-operation flying, or how is it proposed to supply the B-licence pilots required?

I am aware of the considerable demand for B-licence pilots, as I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 26th April, and of the particular representations that have been made by the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Aero Club. My right hon. Friend has taken preliminary steps to consult the commercial pilots' organisations concerned with a view to a temporary relaxation of the present regulations, so as to enable suit-

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many free meals were being issued to the children in Liverpool schools daily during the month of March; and how that figure compares with the figures for Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham?

The returns supplied to the Board show the number of free meals provided during the month, and it is not possible to give comparable daily figures, as the extent to which the provision is continued during the week-ends varies in the five areas in question. I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving the available figures.

Following is the table:

able A-licence pilots to be employed on this work if necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that on 1st May an Imperial Airways air liner of advanced design of the Scylla type landed on Heston Airport before the aerodrome had been extended to its full dimensions; and whether he will take immediate steps to enlarge this airport, in order to make it a suitable airport for this type of advanced aircraft?

The aerodrome at Heston is more than adequate to meet the requirements of the Scylla type of aircraft. Moreover, as the House will be aware, steps have also been taken to enlarge the aerodrome.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the latest figures show that passenger traffic carried by Dutch Air Lines in the West Indies for March this year show an increase of 80 per cent. over the corresponding month of 1938 whilst the increase of mail amounted to 65 per cent.; and whether he is now able to state what steps are being taken to assist the early establishment of adequate British air services in the West Indies?

I am not aware of the figures to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. The position in regard to the inter-island service in the West Indies is that a report recently made after investigation on the spot by a technical officer of my Department has been examined in consultation with the Colonial Office, and a detailed specification of the requirements for such a service has been drawn up. Steps are, I understand, now being taken by the Colonial Office to ascertain from the local authorities the extent to which existing facilities can be used, and the amount of the contributions to the service which they are prepared to make. So soon as this information is available, it will be possible to reach a definite decision in regard to the establishment of the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he proposes to take to remove the present anomalous position whereby an ex-Regular airman, transferred to Reserve and failing to return to the United Kingdom within 12 months from the date of his discharge, has his Reserve pay withheld, although the legal liability to recall remains?

The obligation which a regular airman has to undertake on transfer to the Reserve is that he shall be available for Air Force service in imminent national danger or great emergency. In so far as a Reservist resident abroad is not able to fulfil that obligation, and indeed may not be available for a considerable time after the emergency, his Reserve pay is withheld until he is again in a position to do so. The existing regulations take account of these circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can now announce when lapel badges will be available for issue to members of the Auxiliary Air Force?

Deliveries of the badges are expected to commence at the end of this month and to be completed during June.

asked the Prime Minister whether the terms of the military undertaking given to Poland are such as would oblige this country to go to war in her support if she were resisting some claim that His Majesty's Government held to be not unreasonable?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statements which were made by the Prime Minister on 31st March and 6th April concerning the assurance given by His Majesty's Government to Poland, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Dagenham girl pipers were seriously delayed on arrival at New York to fulfil a contract at the World's Fair; and, as their papers were all in order, will he inquire of the American Government what was the reason for this delay?

His Majesty's Consul-General at New York is being instructed to make inquiries and to furnish a report as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the House any information as to the position of British creditors having claims against Czecho-Slovak debtors?

I cannot at present add anything to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) on 4th April.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give figures showing the number of fatal motor-car accidents and injuries which took place in the parliamentary division of the county of Chester, Stalybridge, during the last 10 years individually, or any other figures which give similar information?

I regret that from the information available it is not possible

County of Cheshire—Road Accidents involving Personal Injury, Years 1929–1938. Police District. 1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938. NUMBER OF PERSONS KILLED. Chester County … … 117 121 125 132 124 124 137 147 108 123 Birkenhead … … 20 11 8 14 15 19 21 12 11 13 Chester … … 5 10 4 2 3 8 6 5 5 7 Congleton … … 1 1 1 1 — 1 1 — 1 1 Hyde … … 6 5 1 2 5 5 3 2 2 3 Macclesfield … … 3 2 3 7 1 2 3 1 3 5 Stalybridge … … — — 2 3 1 1 2 4 1 4 Stockport … … 14 19 13 15 18 14 9 8 15 12 Wallasey … … 8 10 11 1 11 13 6 6 5 8 Total … … 174 179 168 177 178 187 188 185 151 176 NUMBER OF PERSONS INJURED. Chester County … … 2,133 2,286 3,055 3,211 3,377 3,552 3,310 3,143 3,081 2,997 Birkenhead … … 411 469 494 472 473 810 800 696 638 712 Chester … … 200 185 236 247 245 252 209 191 216 194 Congleton … … 31 25 41 51 57 68 45 68 81 51 Hyde … … 34 55 64 87 64 74 60 70 64 66 Macclesfield … … 82 81 94 80 112 89 88 114 123 120 Stalybridge … … 48 58 67 68 49 58 41 40 42 58 Stockport … … 371 313 365 463 431 449 485 522 517 570 Wallasey … … 241 223 307 268 277 285 279 282 268 237 Total … … 3,551 3,695 4,723 4,947 5,085 5,637 5,317 5,126 5,030 5,005

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of toll bridges still in existence; and the number freed during 1938 and then-respective locations?

The number of toll bridges in Great Britain is 63, of which seven are on toll roads and four have been by-passed. The following four toll bridges were freed with the assistance of grants from the Road Fund in 1938–39:

Bridge and location.

Short Ferry, Fiskerton, Lincolnshire. Kirkstead, near Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. Sutton Courtenay, Oxford. Clayhithe, Cambridge.

to distinguish motor-car accidents which occurred in the parliamentary division represented by my hon. Friend. The numbers of persons killed and injured in road accidents in each police district in Cheshire during each of the years 1929 to 1938 were as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to any approach having been made to the Government of Cuba for the 200,000 tons of surplus sugar in Cuba; and, if not, can he arrange to have the matter brought before the International Sugar Council?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that quotas approved by the International Sugar Council are insufficient for the present requirements of the market, he can state what is the present approximate tonnage of raw sugar available in the Empire and foreign countries, respectively, for immediate release; what steps have been taken to accelerate the despatch of raw sugar from Empire countries; and whether, in view of the refusal of Cuba to release additional supplies, despite a large surplus and of the unsatisfactory working of the International Sugar Agreement, he will arrange for the Government representatives on the Sugar Council to advocate amendments to the agreement to meet the situation when the Council meets in London this week?

As the House has already been informed, the executive committee of the International Sugar Council, on which His Majesty's Government is represented, is meeting in London this week to consider the situation. It is clearly necessary to await the results of this meeting before considering what, if any, further action is required.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the growing practice among insurance companies of repudiating policies after the clients' death on the ground that they had been issued without the full knowledge of the medical history of the deceased; and whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to stop this practice?

I am not aware of any growing practice such as the hon. Member suggests and I see no reason for considering the introduction of legislation on the subject. If, however, the hon. Member has evidence of such a practice, I shall be glad to receive it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that local government employés in the Territorial Army no longer enjoy the protection of Section 3 of the Local Government (Emergency Powers) Act, 1916, with the result that periods of duty with the Territorial Army whilst embodied do not count for pension; and what steps it is proposed to take to remedy this handicap?

I have already addressed a circular to local authorities regarding the pay and superannuation position of their employés who are called up for service in the event of an emergency, and I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy. The position of employés who may be called out in peace-time under the provisions of the Kills at present before Parliament is receiving my careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Health how many claims for widow's pensions have been refused during the past three years on the grounds that the deceased husband had not sufficient stamps during the qualifying period as a result of prolonged unemployment?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the rate in the £ levied in Monmouthshire and the average rate levied in England and Wales for public assistance?

The estimated requirements for public assistance of the administrative county of Monmouth for 1939–40 are equivalent to a rate of 9s. 6£d. The corresponding estimated average rate for the whole of England and Wales for that year is not yet available, but the figure for 1938–39 was 2s. 8½d. In the calculation of these rate poundages no allowance has been made for the block grants which are applicable in aid of local government services generally and cannot be apportioned to individual services. The total amounts payable by way of block grants to the local authorities in the administrative county of Monmouth and to all local authorities in England and Wales in respect of the year 1938–39, the latest year for which particulars are available, are estimated to have been equivalent to rates of 14s. 2d. and 3s. 2d. respectively.

asked the Minister of Health what places he visited on the occasion of his recent visit to the county of Pembrokeshire in connection with the report of the Committee on Anti-Tuberculosis Services in Wales?

I visited Milford Haven, Hayerfordwest, Haverfordwest Rural District, Narberth, and Narberth Rural District.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to publish for general information, the number of persons who have been allocated to each receiving area; and, if so, when he proposes to do so?

The local authorities have been notified of the Minister's decision as to the numbers of persons allocated to the district after consideration of the survey made under the evacuation scheme. As I am at present considering whether it is necessary to make any amendment in the details of the scheme in the light of representations received from local authorities I think it would be misleading to publish any general list of the allocations at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in connection with the survey made by local authorities under the Government evacuation scheme, he has carried out his promise and sent instructions to local authorities as to how to keep the information in the register up to date?

The question of keeping the survey of accommodation up to date is not being overlooked, but as it has only just been completed I do not think that a further communication is called for now. For the present local authorities will no doubt make such alterations as come to their notice in their own records, for use in the distribution of the priority classes' according to the numbers which have been notified to them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to make any announcement with regard to conditions of service in the Voluntary Aid Detachments?

It has been decided on the basis of a revised establishment of women members of Voluntary Aid Detachments, provisionally fixed at 11,000 of which not more than 2,000 would be immoble non-nursing members, and on the understanding that members will undertake to come up for service in a national emergency when called upon to do so under the authority of the Army Council, to authorise the following payments, in substitution of those at present approved:

Annual payments to the Voluntary Aid Detachment Council of— £2,000 for central administration expenses. £5,000 towards general expenses of the County Controllers and Voluntary Aid Detachments in the country. £1 a head for members and £2 for officers for the provision of uniform.

In addition to these payments, women personnel of Voluntary Aid Detachments will receive payments for attendance at camp hospitals with the Territorial Army and for training in Military Hospitals, at the rate of £1 for eight days and £2 for 15 days in the case of officers, and 10s. for eight days and £1 for 15 days in the case of members. Apart from these payments, they will continue, as at present, to be given accommodation, rations or allowances, and free conveyance or travelling expenses to and from camp or hospital.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he received the report of the National Service Committee of the retail motor industry making suggestions for the use of their services during war; and whether their proposals are receiving consideration?

Yes, Sir. I have received a copy of this report, which gives a most valuable survey of the resources of the retail motor industry that might be available in time of war. Copies of the report have been sent to other Government Departments directly concerned and the information and the proposals contained in the report are receiving careful consideration.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the quantity of coal produced; the amount per person employed below ground; and the amount per person employed in the mining industry in Great Britain during 1938?

In 1938, the output of saleable coal in Great Britain was 227,015,308 tons; the output of coal per person employed below ground was 369 tons, and per person employed above and below ground 287 tons.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the total production of coal in Yorkshire for the years 1937 and 1938; the amount of such productions sold in the home market; and the amount exported in each of the above years?

The information, so far as it is available, is as follows: — 1937. 1938. Yorkshire: Tons. Tons. Output of Saleable Coal. 45,115,121 42,374,285 Mine consumption and miners' coal. 3,232,362 3,297,037 Coal exported either as cargo or bunkers from Humber Ports.* 6,740,708 5,786,223 * Separate particulars of the quantity of coal exported from Yorkshire are not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of workmen killed; and the number injured in the mining industry in South Wales and Monmouthshire in 1938?

During the year 1938, 154 persons were killed by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, in South Wales and Monmouthshire. Information as to the number of persons injured is not yet available.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of coal-cutting machines in use, the number of conveyors in use at the coal face, the total output of coal obtained by machines; and the percentage of the total output cut by machines in the mining industry in Great Britain in the year 1938?

During 1938, 7,729 coal-cutting machines were in use, and 134–957,553 tons of coal, representing 59 per cent. of the total output, were cut by machinery in Great Britain. The number of conveyors in use at the coalface was 5,623.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to secure that, in future, measures of camouflage as applied to guns, tanks and other objects of military importance, will be carried out under the guidance of someone of recognised standing in the specialised section of biological science concerned?

The War Office has its own camouflage section of experts working under the Royal Engineer and Signals Board, and, in addition, has a Scientific Research Department. Outside scientific advice is obtained when required. The Research Section referred to by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 26th April last is also available for consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of firms that have received contracts for the supply of cloth, and their names; and how many of them have no connection with the actual manufacture and are consequently receiving a commission which might have been avoided?

There are many different kinds of cloth required for the Army, and orders have recently been placed with hundreds of firms. If, however, the hon. Member has any particular cloth in mind and would care to send me details, I shall be pleased to send him a list of the firms with whom orders have been placed.

As regards the second part of the question, the great majority of contracts for cloth are placed with actual manufacturers; in the few cases in the cotton piece goods trade where merchants are invited to tender, this practice is in accordance with the custom of the trade and all tenderings are competitive.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the growing disappointment felt by ex-service men owing to the conditions of joining the National Defence Companies which expects them to bind themselves for four years' service for the sum of 1s. per drill for a maximum number of six drills per annum plus travelling expenses of about 6d. per drill, no uniform or equipment provided, and no provision for any camps; and will he consider the advisability of revising the Regulations on a more equitable basis?

Until very recently, the personnel of National Defence Companies were enrolled subject to an undertaking to serve in emergency, and had no duties or emoluments in peace. They are now to be commissioned or enlisted in peace as part of the Territorial Army Reserve, and are required to perform six drills a year, which is considered sufficient training. Payment for drills and travelling expenses is on the same basis as for the Territorial Army generally.

Officers are required to equip themselves with certain articles of uniform for which they receive a grant. For other ranks, clothing, personal equipment and arms are being provided and fitted, but will not be issued in peace. If called up for service, they will all receive normal pay and allowances.

The National Defence Companies afford to the ex-service man over 45 years of age an opportunity of offering himself for very important duties in emergency, with little disturbance of his normal occupation in peace, and I know of no good cause for disappointment or for a revision of the Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what progress has been made during the past year in making arrangements to ensure that the military forces at home stations are supplied with more home produce as opposed to imported foodstuffs;

(2) whether, in view of the recent increase in the establishments of the military forces at home stations and the proposals for introducing compulsory military training, he will now arrange to ensure that these forces are supplied as far as practicable with home produce, as opposed to imported foodstuffs?

The practice of the War Office is to purchase home-grown supplies in preference to imported foodstuffs, provided the quality is satisfactory and subject to considerations as to price. This practice will apply in respect of additional requirements. During the past year, there have been increased purchases for Army purposes of products from home-grown fruit and vegetables.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many members of the different Officers Training Corps are affected by the decision not to use their services in the capacity of officers; and whether he has considered the effect of such an adverse decision on the Officers Training Corps movement?

The decision is that no one who will be liable for universal military training will be eligible for a commission until he has completed the prescribed six months' course. Those who have served in Officers Training Corps should find such service of considerable assistance in qualifying for a commission subsequently.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement as to the proposals with regard to the recruiting areas for the 5th Gloucesters; and whether any decision has yet been arrived at?

The matter is under consideration with the Territorial Army Association concerned, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as a decision has been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the average deduction on account of stoppages or other compulsory contribution from the 2s. per day drawn by a Regular Army recruit during his first six months' service?

The average deduction on account of compulsory stoppages is 7d. a week, made up as follows:

Contribution in respect of Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions Insurance … 5½d. a week. Barrack damages … 1½d. a week.

In addition, there are voluntary subscriptions to various Sports Clubs, Regimental and Old Comrades Associations, Regimental Journal, etc. Commanding Officers have been instructed that a soldier's total subscription in respect of these is not to exceed 3s. monthly.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made to deal with the problem of commitments in respect of insurance premiums and hire-purchase agreements entered into by members of the Territorial Army in the event of their being called up upon mobilisation for war or during a period of emergency?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Erdington (Wing-Commander Wright) on 27th April and to my hon. Friend the Member for Widnes (Mr. Pilkington) on 4th May.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state what arrangements he proposes to make to give the House an opportunity to discuss the possible pay and allowances, if any, that will be paid to the conscripts under the Military Training Bill?

A Supplementary Estimate will be presented at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information as to the allowances made to the dependants of conscripts in France, Germany and Russia respectively?

In France, no allowances are paid from Army funds, but grants can be made from other sources.

In Germany, a married soldier receives varying rates of lodging allowance and children's allowance. The former varies according to the garrison, and the latter with the number of children.

It is believed that, in Russia, there is some reduction in taxation, an allowance for the birth of a child, and a right to retain civil lodgings and to return to civil employment.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the equivalent in. English money of the daily pay of conscripts in France, Germany and Russia?

I am advised that the present sterling equivalents of the daily rates of pay of conscripts, at the official rates of exchange, in France, Germany and Russia are approximately 1¼d., 10½d. and 2¾d. respectively.

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what grant will be payable to a local education authority for the provision of approved shelters or trenches for school children where such shelters or trenches are available for use of the civilian population out of school hours;

(2) Whether the air-raid precautions committee of a local authority will be in order in providing trenches or shelters for the needs of school children, to be available for the general civilian population out of school hours; what rate of grant will be available in such circumstances; and will the rate of grant vary if they are provided exclusively for the use of school children?

Normally, approved expenditure by a local education authority on air-raid shelters provided for school children would attract grant at the rate appropriate to capital expenditure on educational development. The fact that such shelters might, like other private shelters, be available for the general public when not required for the special classes for which they had been provided would not justify a contribution from the air-raid precautions authorities unless it could be shown that the obligations of those authorities in respect of public shelters had been substantially relieved thereby. This condition would not usually be satisfied, but exceptional cases have been and are being dealt with on their merits. The initiative in regard to school shelters rests in every case with the education authority.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in the publicity campaign in connection with air-raid precautions services, he will consider the desirability of inserting a number of advertisements in weekly newspapers circulating in the provinces?

I will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion in connection with any further national campaign of publicity for the air-raid precautions services. As regards recruiting for these services, local publicity is a matter for the local authorities who are in a position to gauge the value of publicity through the medium suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when a supply of steel shelters will be available for delivery to the air-raid precautions authorities of the borough area of Rowley Regis and the urban district of Brierley Hill?

The distribution of these shelters which is now proceeding will be extended to further areas as supplies become available. I am not yet in a position to say when it will be possible to begin delivery in the two areas to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the chairman and other members of the the co-ordinating committee of the London air-raid precautions forces are to be paid any salary or remuneration?

This Committee consists of the two Regional Commissioners designate and certain officials of Government Departments and of local authorities in the Region. Regional Commissioners will receive no salary or remuneration in peace-time, though in war they may in certain cases be paid on the terms which I explained in answer to a question on the 20th April by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander). The other members of the Committee will receive no payment apart from their official salary.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether boys from vulnerable areas who are at boarding schools are to receive their gas-masks from their home air-raid precautions authority or from the authority in the district where the school is situated?

I propose to deal with the question of the distribution of gasmasks to pupils at boarding schools and students in residence at the universities and other similar places in a circular which I shall shortly be sending to local authorities, and I would ask my hon. Friend to be good enough to await that circular, of which I will send him a copy in due course.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will state the total number of steel air-raid shelters required by the Manchester City Council, the number delivered up to date, why the supply of shelters has ceased; and whether he is aware that the men employed on the erection of these shelters are being discharged?

The total number of steel shelters estimated to be required in Manchester is 45,000. The city council have furnished the Home Office with the delivery particulars required in respect of 15,000 shelters, and up to the present date arrangements have been made for the delivery of about 10,000. Since delivery to Manchester started in February last, regular weekly consignments have been made (with the exception of one week in March, when no delivery particulars were available), and it is hoped that it will be possible to continue to make deliveries weekly. On the point raised in the last part of the question I have no information.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is satisfied at the rate of delivery of steel sheet air-raid shelters from the works in South Wales; if he is aware that the Raven Steel Works, Glanamman, Carmarthenshire, is idle; and will he consider the possibility of allocating a share of the order for those shelters to these works?

I am in consultation with the industry on various means of increasing the rate of production of steel air-raid shelters. The possibility of temporarily bringing into production works like the Raven Steel Works which have not been producing for some years has not been overlooked, but the hon. Member will appreciate that this can be arranged only if production can be restarted within a reasonable time.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that no means of warning in the event of air-raids exists at Watts Naval Training School, Norfolk; and whether any scheme has been devised for giving the alarm at other branches of Dr. Barnardo's Homes?

Yes, Sir. This school is situated in a rural part of Norfolk about two miles from the nearest village and not near the coast; and it is not included in the list of establishments which are to receive special air-raid warnings. I understand that other branches of Dr. Barnardo's Homes are within earshot of the public warning signals in the locality.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has now sufficient gas masks to supply the whole civilian population; and whether these masks are stored in convenient places for distribution?

There are already more civilian respirators in the country than the numbers of the population, excluding the young children for whom special devices are being provided; and the numbers required for distribution have been issued to local authorities responsible for more than 90 per cent. of the total population. I have, however, recently decided that it would be desirable to hold a larger reserve than that originally contemplated to replace war wastage in the areas most liable to be attacked; and pending the fulfilment of orders to complete this reserve the supplies retained in Regional Reserve Stores have been temporarily increased.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether aliens, permanently resident in this country, are accepted as volunteers for air-raid precautions?

Persons other than British subjects are not ordinarily accepted for enrolment as volunteers in air-raid precautions services but if in any particular case there are circumstances which appear to the local authority concerned to justify an exception to this general rule it is open to them to submit the case to the Home Office for guidance. A circular to this effect was sent to local authorities on the 9th May, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that Miss Elsie Page was dismissed by her employers recently because she refused to undertake air-raid precautions practice; that this lady's father died in a military hospital during the last War, and that this fact influenced her conscientious convictions respecting war and air-raid precautions; and whether he will confer with the Minister of Labour with a view to making it clear to employers that, however unjustifiable such refusal may appear, no action should nevertheless be taken to penalise those who refuse on conscientious grounds?

My attention has been draw to the case to which the hon. Member refers. I am informed that Miss Elsie Page was not asked to take any active part in air-raid precautions services at her place of work, but only to conform, in common with other employés to the necessary safety instructions issued by her employers, who are responsible for securing so far as possible the safety of their staff. I do not propose to take any action in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty up to what age pensioners of the Royal Navy may be called up for service at the present time; and whether, in view of the fact that arrangements are now being made to call up such pensioners for service before a real emergency arises, it will be possible to call up in the first place those men who have no employment or only temporary employment, rather than those in one-man businesses and other occupations which would be seriously jeopardised by such calling up?

Although naval pensioners can be called up for service up to any age, it is not the general intention that elderly pensioners should be called up for service at the present time. Naval requirements in certain branches could not be met if calling up were restricted to men not in employment; but the arrangements made for calling up will be such as to avoid hardship wherever possible.