asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has considered the copy of a resolution recently passed by the council of the Portsmouth and District Free Church Council, urging the need for an increase in the number of Free Church chaplains in the Navy; and whether he proposes to take any action to bring about the increase desired?

The resolution to which my hon. Friend refers does not appear to have been received yet in the Admiralty. Any proposals for an increase in the number of Free Church Chaplains which are put forward by the denominational authorities will, of course, be duly considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is in a position to announce the names of the gentlemen invited by the Government to examine the practicability of evolving a scheme for mutual protection against risk of war damage to fixed property in private ownership?

This matter is in hand but I am not yet in a position to announce the names of the members of the proposed conference.

asked the Minister of Health, what precautions are taken to prevent Government Departments from taking over land against the opinions of local planning committees?

Arrangements have for some time been in force for consultation between the Defence Departments and Planning Authorities through my Department. In the case of sites for Territorial Army Associations I recently issued a circular to local authorities and I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Prime Minister, to what missionary body the property that was recently damaged in the Province of Shansi belonged; what was the nature, extent, and amount of the damage; and what arrangements are being taken for its restoration?

According to the reports received by my Noble Friend damage has been done to the premises of the China Inland Mission at Linfen and Hungtung in South Shansi. The English Baptist Mission at Taichow in the north of the same province was broken into but was not looted. Details of the damage done have not yet been reported and pending their receipt I am not able to say what action may be appropriate in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister, whether his attention has been called to the effect on our relations with the German Government of the allegations made in Germany that the distribution of a King-Hall news-letter in German is being undertaken with the support of His Majesty's Government; and whether he will take steps to make the truth about this known in Germany?

Yes, Sir, and I take this opportunity of repeating the categorical denial given in the German Broadcast of the B.B.C. on 14th July that His Majesty's Government are in any way connected with or responsible for these letters. Commander King-Hall himself published a letter in the Press on Wednesday last stating that it was completely untrue that he was in the pay of the Foreign Office or that the Foreign Secretary had assisted him in the composition of his letters.