asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many children of school age are still in London; whether arrangements are being made for some kind of education for them in the schools; and whether it is proposed to give parents another opportunity to agree to the evacuation of their children at an early date?

I am not yet able to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. As regards the education of children remaining in London, the present position is that all schools in London and other evacuation areas remain closed for the time being. The question of making further arrangements for the evacuation of children is under consideration. It would be premature to give a more detailed answer at this moment, but hon. Members can rest assured that the whole matter is being actively considered.

Does the Board realise how serious the position is in many parts of London with many children running about the streets with nothing to do at a time like this? Is it not important that something should be done quickly in the matter?

I have said that the matter is under active consideration at the moment, and I can assure the hon. Member that we are very much aware of the position.

Could not something be done in the way of an appeal to volun- tary committees in the villages to keep the children amused during the day? Simply nothing is being done, and they are running about the roads, which is most dangerous at the moment.

If the hon. Lady is referring to the reception areas I hope that by to-day or to-morrow, or, at any rate, by Monday, all the schools will be open.

Is anything being done to evacuate those between the ages of 14 and 15?

I should like to have notice of that question. Generally speaking all school children attending elementary and secondary schools came within the scope of the evacuation scheme.

The point is that the school age is due to be raised to 15 to-morrow, I think. What is to happen to those between the ages of 14 and 15?

Each of the cases must be treated on its merits.

Is it not the case that in most rural areas a committee to look after the welfare and amusement of the children has already been set up and is working satisfactorily?

I am aware that in the reception areas much good will is being shown towards the children.

Is the Minister aware that only a day or two ago in about a quarter of a mile I saw three picnic parties of children who were superintended by local people?

asked the Minister of Health whether any plans have been worked out for the evacuation from overcrowded areas of infirm and aged people who are not able to evacuate at their own expense; and, if so, when the scheme will come into operation?

The infirm and aged are not among the priority groups hitherto included in the Government's evacuation plans. Any extension of those plans that may be deemed necessary will have to be considered with regard to the needs of the situation generally.

Does the Minister realise that in the overcrowded areas there are many old people between 70 and 80 years of age who really are not able to look after themselves? Could not something be done to enable them to be taken away from the danger zone as soon as possible?

At the moment we have to concentrate on the problem of the school children and children under five. I hope it will be possible to consider further plans to deal with those who have not been evacuated.

Will the Government come to the help of local authorities in some way or another in order to enable them to get away a large number of absolutely helpless people between 70 and 80 years of age?

As I say, our first consideration must be the children, and, secondly, we must consider, also, the reception areas which are at the moment hardly pressed.

As soon as the evacuation programme has been completed will the Minister be prepared to consider these old people as having special priority?

As I say, I must give my mind to completing the task upon which we have started. After that I am willing to review the general position.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that there are many old people who have places to go to in the country but have not enough money to get there? Could he not undertake the evacuation of these old people and be prepared to give them facilities for getting to their own places in the country districts?

As soon as the evacuation is completed a certain number of trains will begin to run again, and I think it is by no means undesirable and unpatriotic that those people who are in the crowded areas and have places to go to in the country should begin to make their way out of the congested areas.

Will the Minister consider making a statement after the people have been evacuated under the Government scheme—I am speaking of mothers and children under the school age and expectant mothers—making it clear that it is unpatriotic for them now to flock back, as a great many of them are doing?

Yes, Sir. I was discussing that question with an important deputation only this morning, and I think it is desirable on both sides that consideration should be exercised. It is quite true that difficulties will arise in the early stages, but I think that on both sides forbearance and patience should be exercised and that they should not—to use a rather slang phrase, chuck up the sponge and come back to the towns. It is desirable that the scheme having been started should be retained, and I have been discussing with the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a broadcast should not be made on this matter this evening.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make a report upon the evacuation of children and other classes in Scotland?

The Government's scheme for the evacuation of school children and younger children with their mothers was carried out in Scotland between 1st and 3rd September. After the children had gone expectant mothers and blind persons were evacuated, and in all about 175,000 persons have been transferred to the reception areas. I am glad to say that the scheme in general has worked smoothly and I should like to pay a tribute to the local authorities of both the sending and receiving areas, the transport authorities and all the voluntary workers and individual householders to whom is due the success of the arrangements for the assembly, transport and reception of the evacuated persons.

Is the Secretary of State satisfied on two important points: first, that all householders in the reception areas are doing their duty and playing fair by their neighbours in this matter; and, secondly, that all the necessary public services in the reception areas are, in fact, available?

Generally, I am glad to say that the scheme is working smoothly. There are, of course, local difficulties which I am investigating and dealing with, but I may say without qualification that the general effect of the scheme has been good.

Can the Secretary of State say whether any local authority committees have been set up whereby representations can be made by the children in the schools or their parents in regard to conditions?

Obviously that would be to the locality and not to the centre, and work of that sort is going on in many localities.

Will any such representations be made to the local authorities in the area in which the children are resident?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are now being taken by His Majesty's Government to deal with organisation such as the Link and the Anglo-German Fellowship?

I understand that the Link has gone into voluntary liquidation and the Anglo-German Fellowship has entirely suspended its activities.

May I ask whether it is the case that some members of the Link, British members, are being detained?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the members of these two organisations are as equally determined to defeat Hitlerism as anybody?

asked the Minister of Supply the number of Government contracts that have been placed on the cost plus system; and whether he will discontinue this system in future and put all contracts out to public tender?

On the assumption that by the cost plus system my hon. Friend means contracts by which the purchaser undertakes to pay the actual manufacturing cost of an article, whatever that cost may be, plus a profit calculated on a percentage of that cost, the answer to the first part of the question so far as this Ministry is concerned is" None." It is not, however, practicable to put all contracts out to competitive tender since many technical military stores are outside the sphere of normal commercial production and in a number of cases the demand of the Government equals the whole manufacturing capacity so that competition is excluded.

Does the hon. and gallant Member realise that the cost plus system is being abused and that it requires constant and serious attention?

May I ask under which Department the construction of these camps comes? I have received many complaints from my constituency that the whole thing is a complete ramp.

Each Service Department building camps is building them for itself; it is not a matter for the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a British vessel has recently fired upon a boat or ship containing refugees when trying to land in Palestine; and will he now allow refugees to land, in view of the fact that the younger ones are willing to enrol either in His Majesty's or the Palestinian forces?

Yes, Sir. The ship in question attempted deliberately to ram and sink a Government patrol launch, which was therefore obliged to fire on the ship in self-defence. To authorise the indiscriminate landing of refugees in Palestine would worsen rather than improve the security position there, which is at present satisfactory, and for that reason, in addition to others, the answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

May I ask whether any of these floating human cargoes, which will now be considerably minimised, on the High Seas at the moment, will be permitted to land?

I think the House appreciates that the situation between the Arab and Jewish population in Palestine is very delicate and requires careful handling.

May I ask whether we cannot now stop trying to please Hitler?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he pro poses to open his emergency Budget?

I expect to be able to make an announcement on this subject shortly.

May I take it that the right hon. Gentleman realises that the time to impose additional taxation and make a pronouncement on the budgetary programme is now, when restrictions upon expenditure are affecting the general community and the budgetary position?

I think the right hon. Gentleman may take it that those consideration are very fully in my mind. That is why I said I hoped to make an announcement shortly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the statement made by the Prime Minister some months ago that he thought in war time some measure of capital levy should be considered?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any official information in connection with the German air raiders in Poland using gas balloons filled with yperite or yellow cross gas?

I have been asked to reply. This information is not confirmed by any of the reports received up to date by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make available to Members of this House a translation of the note to the German people of which the Ministry of Information state more than 6,000,000 copies were dropped by British aircraft on the night of 3rd September?

I have been asked to reply. I shall be happy to comply with my hon. Friend's request, and I am accordingly circulating in the Official Report a translation of the leaflet to which he refers.

Without prejudice to anything that may happen hereafter, could the right hon. Gentleman make that general? As far as those of us who know something about Germany are concerned, from what we see in the papers, we think the leaflets are very good, but whether they are good or bad, the public ought to see them.

Did my right hon. Friend say that he would send a translation to all hon. Members?

I said I would circulate it in the Official Report, and I see no reason why a similar practice should not be adopted continuously, although I will make the reservation that there might be exceptional cases, but I have not got them in mind.

May I ask whether the document that is to be published is the one which appeared in the newspapers two days ago?

Yes, Sir.

In view of the fact that part of that document said that there was no objection in this country either to the Anschluss or to the linking up of Sudetenland with Germany, may I ask whether we are to understand that these bulletins do not contain tendentious Conservative propaganda?

I cannot accept any of the assumptions that underly the hon. Lady's question.

asked the Prime Minister why the Ministry of Information refused permission for the publication in this country of the leaflet distributed by aeroplanes in Germany?

I think that there is some misunderstanding. I am informed that the leaflet in question has been passed for publication by the Ministry of Information, and that a translation of it has, in fact, already appeared in the Press.

Is the Lord Privy Seal aware that the first information received in this country about the leaflets was telegraphed from Amsterdam, and will he be good enough in future to arrange for earlier publication in this country?

I am not aware that that happened.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether it is not a fact that the Press asked for this leaflet, that they were refused, and that publication was then made of a translation of the leaflet which came from Dutch sources?

I understand that the misunderstanding which arose was owing to the fact that application was made to one of the sections of the Ministry which was not the section responsible for this class of work. I think I can give an assurance that that is not likely to happen again.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with reference to the general position in the Far East and with regard to the four Chinese subjects at Tientsin, in connection with whom proceedings for a writ of habeas corpus have taken place?

Actual hostilities in the Far East during recent months have been on a very restricted scale, though operations of some importance appear to have been in progress since the beginning of May between Soviet-Mongolian and Japanese-Manchurian troops on the north-west frontier of Manchuria. In an aide-mémoire addressed on 5th September to the representatives in Tokyo of Great Britain, France, Poland and Germany, the Japanese Government have stated that they intend to concentrate their efforts on the settlement of their dispute with China. This communication goes on to say that the Japanese Government will be prepared to do their utmost to protect the lives and property of the nationals of belligerent Powers, should the latter decide to withdraw the armed forces, naval and military, which they at present maintain in those parts of China in Japanese occupation.

The conversations which His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo has been conducting on the subject of Tientsin are for the moment in suspense. His Majesty's Government have, however, made it clear that they are not only willing but anxious to continue the conversations in the hope that agreement may yet be reached on all outstanding points. Meanwhile the situation at Tientsin is unchanged except in so far that it has been more complicated by floods. As regards the four Chinese nationals accused in connection with the murder of a Chinese official at Tientsin last April, His Majesty's Government have decided that, having regard to the decision of the High Court in London and to the notification previously made to the Chinese and Japanese Governments, these men could no longer be detained by the British authorities at Tientsin. Appropriate instructions were accordingly sent some days ago to His Majesty's Consul-General and the men have been handed over to the officials of the local Chinese court.

In view of the fact that there is an appeal pending in respect of the four Chinese persons in the court at Tientsin and the wider court at Shanghai, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that they should not have been surrendered until the court had given a decision?

I cannot accept the position as stated by the hon. Member, but I would draw his attention to the High Court's decision, to which I directed attention in my answer, which proceeded on the basis that a writ of habeas corpus cannot be issued in respect of foreigners detained in a foreign country.

May I ask whether any consideration has been given to the alleged confessions of two Chinese in respect of these events?

I think every relevant fact has been taken into consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not it is a fact that notice of appeal has been lodged?

I understand that is not so.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that new proceedings for habeas corpus can not only be lodged, but were returnable for hearing either yesterday or to-day, and, if that be so, is it not very improper to surrender the men when legal proceedings with regard to them are pending?

The hon. and learned Gentleman may rest assured that in this matter, in which many technical legal considerations are involved, His Majesty's Government have taken the best legal advice available. They have been advised that the decision of the High Court is the one by which they should be guided.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the decision of the High Court here could not possibly bar or affect in any way proceedings in a court out there? Ought not the Government to look into the matter again?

I can only give the House the decision taken by the Government, which is in the light of the highest legal advice given to them and based on the original decision of the High Court here.

Can this be the Government's price for Japanese friendship?

the Prime Minister which Member of the Government will reply in the House of Commons to questions about the work of the Ministry of Information?

My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal will reply and, without taking any share in the executive responsibility for the Ministry, will keep in close touch with its work in order to represent its point of view both in this House and at the War Cabinet.

Can the Lord Privy Seal inform us whether Lord Macmillan or Admiral Osborne is the actual Censor?

That question should be put on the Paper.

(by Private Notice): asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Ministry of Information is now in full operation, how it is organised, what are the names of the chief officials, both at headquarters and in any regional organisation, and of the members of any Advisory Council which may have been formed to assist the Minister.

Except for a few posts the Ministry is now fully staffed, and all its divisions are in operation; but it has been in existence for less than a week, and I trust that neither the House nor the public will expect it to be in full working order in so short a time. It is organised in 14 divisions, gathered into four groups, the first dealing with news and Press relations and the censorship; the second with the application of publicity on a geographical basis, covering home, the Empire, U.S.A. and other foreign countries respectively; the third with the production of publicity in the form of films; wireless; literature and art; posters, advertisements, periodicals and pamphlets, etc., respectively, and the fourth with administration and co-ordination. Each division is under a Director, one with the rank of Deputy-Director-General; and the Directors, with the Director-General and Deputy-Director-General, who rank as the Permanent Secretary and Second Secretary respectively of a first-class Government Department, form the Executive Council of the Minister. The Minister is also responsible for publicity in enemy countries, which is dealt with in a separate branch of the Ministry. The Minister is also assisted by an Advisory Council, consisting of representatives of the several political parties, of the newspaper world and broadcasting, of business, of the Trades Union Congress and the cooperative movement, and other general or particular interests. The work of the Ministry at home is organised in a system of regions, corresponding with the regions under the Home Security Scheme, each under a Chief Regional Information Officer. I will circulate in the Official Report the names of the members of the Advisory Council; the members of the Executive Council and their chief divisional assistants; and the Chief Regional Information Officers.

Are we to take it for granted that this is the Ministry which was responsible for the information broadcast concerning the air-raid warning yesterday? [Laughter.] It is not a laughing matter. A number of people have come to my house whose children are evacuated so far away that they did not know whether the children were affected or not, and it was not possible to find out whether children were in the area where the raid was supposed to have happened. I think information of that kind should be given to the public, so that the mothers of children may be assured that there are no bombs flying about in the places where their children are.

I assure the hon. Member that my Noble Friend will look carefully and sympathetically into questions of that kind, but it will be understood that the problem is a very difficult one. Aeroplanes move very swiftly, and there is the danger of giving news to the enemy and so on, but I can assure the hon. Member that it is the general desire of the Minister of Information to give the country as much information as he can, as quickly as he can.

It is not suggested that the Germans do not know where they are, when they are flying over?

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the department of propaganda in enemy countries is a separate department or is under one of the four main divisions which he mentioned at the beginning? I do not think that was made clear.

It comes, as far as I remember, directly under the Minister.

Would my right hon. Friend ask the Ministry of Information to issue public statements without delay after attempted air raids such as we had yesterday, when there were rumours which caused misunderstanding and confusion?

In a matter of this kind we have to take into account our experience. I agree with my hon. Friend and we are at the moment looking into this question; but again let me point out that the matter is not as simple as it seems at first sight. We are aware of the fact that the country wants information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman realise the importance of winning the battle for the headlines all over the world against General Goering?

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister for Home Security whether he will take into immediate consideration the issue of an order with regard to the hours of shop closing, so as to ensure uniformity of practice in relation to "black-out" precautions, and to provide the maximum of safety for employés and customers?

There must, of course, in any event be observance of the Lighting Order, and adequate measures must be taken to obscure lights in shops which are open after dark. If the right hon. Gentleman has in mind the closing of all shops at dusk, account must, I suggest, be taken of the difficulties which would be caused in the winter months, especially to the industrial population: but I shall be ready to consider any suggestions which the right hon. Gentleman may wish to make to me on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some areas shopkeepers have already begun to deal with the matter on those lines themselves, while in other areas they cannot at present obtain local agreement? Until the Government are prepared to make a general order, I am afraid these differences will be maintained. I think if the right hon. Gentleman will go into the matter—which is all I ask—immediately, it will be found that a proper adjustment can be arrived at in relation to this matter now.

I am looking into it. It may be that an order could be made allowing for an element of local discretion, but I will look into it in all its aspects.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many towns the vast majority of retail traders are very anxious to close earlier, but are unable to do so because a few are standing out against the proposal; and will he either give a lead to the country about it, or, in the final resort, use some compulsory powers in the interests of the community as a whole, and particularly shop-workers who find it difficult to get home at night under present conditions?

I have already indicated that I will look into the matter in all its aspects, but the point which I tried to make in my original answer was that I must have regard, not only to the interests of the shopkeepers and their assistants, but also to the interests of the general population.

When the right hon. Gentleman is looking into this matter, will he also look into the question raised by yesterday's occurrence when work people on their way to work were held up by the signal—

That does not arise on this question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in innumerable cases, shop assistants are being kept, and, in the absence of some order, will be kept working abominable hours?

There is in force a provision based upon the restrictions that were applied in the last War. That is already in general operation.

But does that deal with hours of labour?

When the right hon. Gentleman is considering this matter, will he also take into immediate consideration the question of reopening cinemas and theatres in reception areas in the country?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with local authorities on this matter; and will he see that the interests of small individual shopkeepers are considered as well as those of the large multiple stores and the shop assistants? There are others who want to be considered as well as the multiple shops.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the general situation, as he promised yesterday?

The House will, I am sure, realise that it is impossible for me to give more than a general indication of the present situation and of the state of our defences. There is necessarily a number of matters to which, in the public interest, it is impossible for me to refer.

With that necessary preamble I will give the House a resumé of the position. In the East the Poles are fighting hard against a strong and ruthless enemy, who is relying on the weight of numbers and material to crush all opposition. The Polish soldier has ever shown himself to be a courageous and determined fighter; and, to-day, he is worthily maintaining this tradition. Against overwhelming superiority in the air, outnumbered and outgunned, he is contesting every yard of the German advance.

The Germans have often stressed the need for a short war and a quick decision. In pursuance of this idea the German plan appears to be to concentrate their first main effort against Poland, and as the House is aware, that country was invaded just over a week ago without any formal declaration of war. In spite of the human and material losses which they have already suffered, the morale and courage of the Polish people remain unaffected. His Majesty's Government and the French Government have to-day signed an agreement with the Polish Government for the provision of further financial assistance to Poland to enable her to replenish her resources.

In the West, France has, like ourselves, mobilised her forces with complete efficiency and smoothness, and they are now in contact with the enemy on their common frontier. Certain information has been published of what has taken place, but, for obvious reasons, no details can yet be disclosed. The outbreak of war has found the same spirit, determination, and solidarity among the French people as is evident here. The understanding between the two countries is complete, and the arrangements, which have now been put into force, for co-operation in all the activities concerned with the prosecution of the war are working smoothly and well.

In this country the defensive military dispositions of our Army, which cover a very wide field, were made in good time, owing to the precautionary measures which it was decided to adopt during the period of tension.

The manning of the Anti-Aircraft and Coast Defences was efficiently carried out. Within a short time of calling out the units, guns and searchlights were fully manned. Since a large number of the A.A. units were in camp and away from their home stations, this reflects great credit on their organisation.

The guarding of vulnerable points has been taken over by the National Defence companies supplemented by personnel of the Territorial Army. The personnel reached their posts with the minimum of delay and under trying weather conditions.

The mobilisation of the remainder of the Army has been carried out with the greatest smoothness. The morale of all ranks is high. In particular, the spirit of the reservists recalled from civil life, some of whom have already this year been called up for training, is excellent.

I should like to make special mention of the women of the Auxiliary Territorial Services, who are performing many tasks under arduous conditions and thereby relieving soldiers for fighting duties.

Turning to the naval side, the most important feature up to the present has been the development of German U-boat attacks on our shipping. The sinking of the "Athenia," with its scenes of death and terror, virtually opened the war, and no denials or inventions on the part of Germany will convince the public of German innocence of this crime which has profoundly shocked and horrified the world.

Apart from the case of the "Athenia," there have been attacks on other British merchant ships by German U-boats, and three or four ships have been sunk.

On our side, the Admiralty have taken immediate counter measures. British destroyers and other anti-submarine craft have been very active, and large reinforcements of anti-submarine and escort vessels are rapidly becoming available.

As my right hon. Friend the First Lord has already informed the House, steps are being taken to establish a convoy system at the earliest possible moment. This method of protection can obviously only be instituted after the outbreak of war, and it takes time to bring it fully into operation, but the House can be satisfied that it is being applied with the utmost possible speed and vigour. Most of the ships which have been attacked hitherto are vessels which commenced their voyages before war had broken out, and naturally, for them the full scope of our defensive organisation could not immediately provide.

While a certain proportion of weekly losses must be expected—and I do not minimise the threat to our shipping—I think the House and the country may rest assured that the Navy, with all their war-time experience of handling this problem, and with the added advantage of the methods of submarine detection and destruction which have since been developed, will increasingly bring the problem under control.

I should next like to pay my tribute to the very gallant attack which was made by units of the Royal Air Force on certain German warships off Wilhelmshaven, during which at least two hits were secured on one of the so-called pocket battleships.

It will be realised that the objectives attacked, namely, the German Fleet bases at Wilhelmshaven and at the entrance to the Kiel Canal, are probably among the most strongly defended points in Germany. The manner in which the Royal Air Force attacks were pressed home, despite the strength of the defences, is worthy of the highest praise.

I should also mention the weather conditions prevailing on the afternoon of the attack. Visibility was extremely poor, and the final stages of the attack are stated to have been carried out in a blinding rainstorm. A high degree of navigational skill was thus necessary to enable the attack to reach its objective at all, and the fact that hits were registered demonstrates the ability of the Royal Air Force to carry out its attacks under conditions of great difficulty.

Finally, I think it right to stress the fact that a high proportion of the officers and men in the squadrons concerned have entered the Royal Air Force and received their training since expansion began. The House may also be interested to learn that those who took part in the attack included a number who came from the Dominions.

As the House knows, extensive reconnaissance flights have been carried out over Germany on three successive nights during the last week by units of the Bomber Command. More than 10,000,000 copies of Notes to the German people have been distributed over a wide area of Northern and Western Germany, including the Ruhr. Although on each occasion the enemy defences were set fully in motion, no contact was secured by enemy fighters and all our aircraft returned safely.

The activity of the Fighter and Coastal Commands, if less conspicuous, has been no less intense. From the early stages of the emergency all squadrons of the Fighter Command have been at their war stations and in a state of instant readiness.

The Coastal Command has also been busily engaged in extensive reconnaissance over the surrounding seas in order to locate and destroy enemy submarines.

I now wish to say something of the organisation of the Home Defence Services, which is being rapidly completed.

The Regional organisation is functioning well. There is still some shortage of whole-time personnel, but this is chiefly now to be found in country districts.

The enforcement of the blackout is proceeding satisfactorily. With the help of the Air Force Reconnaissance every night, it has been possible to discover lights irregularly showing, and action is at once taken to deal with the offenders.

The Government decided last Thursday that the plans for evacuation, mainly in respect of school children, young children, and their mothers, should be put into operation.

Evacuation started on Friday morning; in a number of towns it was completed by Saturday; in London, where the problem is exceptionally large, it was completed by Monday. The operation has now been substantially completed and has covered, not only those towns for which plans had been worked out beforehand, but also a number of other vulnerable areas. So far approximately 1,475,000 children and mothers have been evacuated in the country as a whole.

The arrangements for evacuation and transport were carried out without a hitch, and those responsible for reception in the receiving areas have displayed remarkable enterprise, efficiency, and good will.

The process of assimilating this large increase of population in the receiving areas will take time and calls for tolerance and mutual understanding. Schools are to be reopened in the receiving areas as quickly as possible, and both public authorities and voluntary effort will be busily occupied with measures for the welfare of the children and for the assistance of the householders who are so generously providing homes for the mothers and children.

Over 200,000 hospital beds are to-day ready for air-raid casualties. Of those, 56,500 are in the London region, 15,500 inside the county and 41,000 outside the county. The beds in any region would, of course, be available to meet the needs of any other hard-pressed area.

Over 11,000 trained nurses, 4,000 assistant nurses, and over 50,000 auxiliary nurses have joined the Civil Nursing Reserve for service in hospitals and first-aid posts; but more of both trained nurses and auxiliaries are needed, especially women who can give whole-time service in any part of the country.

Nearly 2,500 doctors have accepted enrolment in the Emergency Medical Service, and acceptances are being received daily.

The Auxiliary Fire Service was mobilised, quickly and, on the whole, smoothly, and, in the main, the available fire-fighting units are being kept permanently manned and ready for action.

In London, for example, there are over 1,800 fire pumps ready for action, as against about 125 in peace time.

I hope that the statement I have made will show the House and the country that our war effort in its many aspects is rapidly gaining momentum. I know that it has behind it the full weight of all the people of this country, who are united in their conviction that no nation ever went to war in a higher cause.

We are greatly heartened by the knowledge that, in the straggle for the defence of liberty and free institutions and the preservation of all that makes life worth living, we can count on the support of the oversea members of the British Commonwealth.

Of their own free will and under no form of compulsion, save the moral com- pelling force of right and justice, these self-governing nations have declared their intention of co-operating in a cause which is no less precious to them than it is to the people of the Homeland.

May I first, on behalf of Members of the House, thank the right hon. Gentleman for his statement. May I thank him also for his statement yesterday that it is his intention at regular and, I hope, frequent intervals to keep the House fully informed of the war situation. May I, however, express my regret that the circumstances of his statement to-day make it impossible for anybody to speak upon it, and express the hope that next week the statement will be of a character which may enable something, perhaps a little wider than supplementary questions to be put. I would like to put one or two questions to the Prime Minister which I should have preferred to put as statements, and if they are a little complicated I hope that Mr. Speaker will forgive me.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware of the state of the Press last evening; whether he is aware of the growing uneasiness in this House and outside it regarding the lack of information concerning the war; whether he is aware that yesterday we had a situation on a much smaller scale then, but very similar in principle to, that of last Saturday in this House; whether he is aware that wild rumours of a most fantastic kind were flying round this House; whether, in order to avoid that kind of situation and to maintain the spirit of the people, who are as brave and as keen as he and his Government, he will give us here and now a specific pledge that he on his part, without in any way making statements which ought not to be made in the public interest, which would be a crime, he will unbosom himself to the full when he speaks to us and the country in future; and that, whether things be good or bad, he will tell the country early; whether he is not aware that, had that magnificent statement he made about the Keil incident been published on the day of that achievement, it would have heartened our people; whether he is aware that if he tells them of a situation which appears like a temporary reverse it will not dishearten them but will make them more resolute? I put this very complicated question because I feel that now, before things go far, the people of our land should know that nothing is to be withheld from them and that they are to be trusted with the truth, however distasteful it may be.

I think I can give a fairly simple answer to the right hon. Gentleman's complicated question. I am sure that he, and the House generally, will recognise that when we are bringing into instant operation a somewhat complicated machine there is apt to be a little creaking at first, but I can tell him that we fully appreciate the considerations he has put before the House, and that we had that very subject under discussion this morning at a meeting of the War Cabinet. He can take it from me that we will endeavour to deal with it in exactly the spirit which he expressed in his questions. We do not want to keep the public in the dark. On the other hand, we do not want to give them inaccurate information. Very frequently it is not possible immediately to be certain what the facts are. Of course, that does not necessarily exclude our saying something which, without giving all the facts, might give some of the facts about which there is no dispute whatever. We do not defend on its merits what has happened. We say that we agree that it might have been better done, but that these things have got to be found out by experience and that we hope to do better in future.

May I ask whether, in view of the fact that the German invasion of Poland is a clear breach of the League Covenant, it is the policy of the Government to bring the matter before a meeting of the League Council as soon as it can be conveniently arranged in order that public opinion throughout the world may have an opportunity of expressing itself?

I understand that we have suggested to the League of Nations that they should postpone their meeting for the time being to see how things develop, so that, without giving a final answer to the question, I think that at the immediate moment there is nothing further to be said.

The Prime Minister told us that the work of the National Defence Companies in guarding points of importance was being supplemented by units of the Territorial Army. Does that not mean that young men are being deprived of the military training which they ought now to be having, and are not the Government considering calling upon ex-service men, who are so anxious to work at the present time, and organising them for the purpose of such duties?

I think that the present arrangement must be considered a temporary one.

I would like to ask a question, but I do not know whether the Prime Minister will find it possible to answer it in the public interest. It is whether he thinks it will soon be possible for the Allies in the West to undertake such military operations as may relieve pressure on Poland, which is now fighting for its life?

I could not possibly answer that question.

In view of the Prime Minister's statement about what happened yesterday, may I ask whether the Government will take any steps to prevent workpeople losing wages if they are prevented from getting to their work when a raid is in progress?

rose —

On a point of Order. Surely I am entitled to ask the Prime Minister that question?

It should be put as a separate question.

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is a strong public opinion that, in the contractual obligation to Poland of ourselves and France to go to her immediate assistance if she is hard-pressed, time is of the essence of the contract?

In regard to the latter part of the Prime Minister's statement about evacuation, may I ask whether he proposes to take any steps to have evacuated from the danger areas cripples, people who are bedridden and others who are quite unable to look after themselves.

rose—

On a point of Order. Surely my question arises out of the statement made by the Prime Minister regarding the evacuation of mothers, babies and school children. I want to know whether it is proposed to extend the evacuation.

The hon. Member should have asked his question as a supplementary to the one on the Paper.

Will the Prime Minister include in his next survey references to the food situation of a reassuring kind; and would it also be possible to include the tonnage of vessels that make port, seeing that we get reports of the sinking of vessels? If we had the tonnage of those which have arrived home it would give us a feeling of assurance.

Having regard to the statement that it is to be expected, until we have completed the deployment of our sea forces, that a number of vessels will be lost, may I ask whether the Prime Minister is seeing to it that the whole of the services of our shippers are being made available, so that not only may this country be provided with all its necessities but our Allies served with the troops and material they want?

I do not think that is a question which should be addressed to me on a statement of this kind. It is rather a Departmental question.