asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that on 2nd September a number of unemployed men in West Fife received telegrams asking them to start work at Longannet depot, where they worked one shift, after which they were informed that their services were no longer required; that as a result they lost one day's money at the Employment Exchange and have received no payment from the Admiralty; whether he will see that payment is made for the time worked and that alternative employment is found for these men who responded so quickly when appealed to?

I am making inquiries into the cases to which the hon. Member refers, and will let him know the result.

Will the Minister make inquiries into the whole conduct of the employment of labour in this area, because there has been a continued series of complaints during the past two or three weeks in connection with the treatment of men who have been sent by the Employment Exchange?

I will consider that matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, after full consideration, he is satisfied that the protection given to the aircraft carrier "Courageous" was sufficient; and, if not, can he give an assurance that in future instructions will be given that aircraft carriers when proceeding throughwaters where submarines may be expected will have the same protecting screen of destroyers as is given to battleships?

I cannot undertake to hamper the judgment of experienced sea officers by any general ruling as to the degree of risk they should accept. This must depend upon the need or opportunity of the moment and the resources available. For the rest I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the remarks which I made yesterday on this subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what recorded opinion there is in his office as to the value of small airships in the last war as escorts for ships carrying food and raw materials to our home ports and if there is any recorded case of a merchant ship being sunk by a submarine when under small airship escort; what was the number of small airships and airship stations built in the late war; and whether the Admiralty now possess any small airships or intend to develop airshipsthat can hover for helping to combat submarines?

During the last war the Admiralty built over 200 airships, including a large fleet of Zeppelins and 10 airship stations. Except for the useful patrolling work of the little Blimps around the harbours they were not otherwise of much military value. To-day the Admiralty possess no airships, but in view of their small offensive value against submarines, and their extreme vulnerability to attacks from enemy aircraft and from the anti-aircraft armament of U-boats, there is no need to deplore our deficiency in this respect.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the written request of the billeting officer for part of the Tarvin Rural District, Cheshire, that the rural district council, as billeting authority, should prosecute J. Jackson, of Newstead House, Tarporley, for refusing to comply with a requirement for billets thrice made on him by a billeting officer, on the third occasion accompanied by a police officer, Jackson having eight habitable rooms and only two persons resident therein; whether he is aware that the council have declined to take action and have thereby caused grave dissatisfaction to many people who, having less accommodation than Jackson, complied with the billeting officer's requirements; and will he ask the council to reconsider their refusal or himself take action to support the billeting officer?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to the matter by the hon. Member himself, and he is having inquiries made. When those inquiries are completed my right hon. Friend will communicate with the hon. Member.

Can the hon. Lady say how long these inquiries are likely to take, as this happened more than 20 days ago?

We are aware of that, and I think the hon. Member will agree that there are some particulars about this case which ought to be looked into. There is the question of age and ofillness, and we feel that these particulars should be looked into before a definite statement is given.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether educational facilities now exist for the teaching of children evacuated to Inverary; and, if so, what are the educational arrangements?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, my right hon. Friend has not in his possession precise details of the arrangements made in Inverary, but he understands that the children transferred to this district under the evacuation scheme began to attend school on Monday, 25th September.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of mothers and children who have returned to Glasgow from the evacuation centres?

On information supplied by the Ministry of Labour, it is estimated that nearly one-third of the mothers have returned to Glasgow. My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not yet in a position to state the number of children who have returned, and the reports which have been received indicate that the tendency to return has been stronger in the case of mothers than inthe case of children.

Is the Minister aware that many of those mothers have taken their children—some of them two or three children—back again into the danger zone because of certain conditions prevailing in the areas into which they were evacuated, and can he assure us that every step is being taken to clear up and better those conditions so that those people can be returned?

There are many reasons which have governed the mothers in returning to the danger zone, and it is a fact, which is greatly regretted by the Government, that so many should have done so.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in the Aberdeen-shire district the farmers treated them as if they were cattle?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the requisitioning officer in the West Riding of York has commandeered a new working men's club in East Ardsley as a first-aid station, and 450 members, railwaymen, miners, and kindred trades have been turned out at an hour's notice without any possibility of suitable alternative accommodation in the locality for social intercourse, and, as there are several suitable halls which might be used as a first-aid station, and in order to avoid any industrial upheaval in the district, will he see that the club is restored to its members?

A proposal to establish a first-aid post in the building referred to was submitted to my right hon. Friend early in the year by the West Riding County Council. As the proposal came from the responsible local authority, and as no objection was made and the building and the situation were both suitable for a first-aid post, my right hon. Friend approved it. My right hon. Friend is, however, making further inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

In view of the fact that this is a most unusual requisition and affects a large number of key men in industry and as there was no opinion from the club in favour of requisition, will the Minister reconsider the first decision and see that there is a change?

The hon. Member will realise that this proposition was put up to the Minister for approval by the West Riding County Council at the beginning of the year and no objection was taken then, but in the light of what the hon. Member has put forward, the matter is being looked into again.

In view of the fact that there are other suitable halls in the neighbourhood and that this is the only "home from home" for a number of miners and others, will the Minister take into consideration the fact that the men affected are key men in industry?

It is because of that fact that the matter is being gone into again.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the noise caused at night and early morning by the grinding of brakes by omnibuses and motor lorries for continuous periods which closely resemble air-raid warnings; and, as these noises can easily be avoided, will he take steps to prevent such inconveniences?

The noise which I think my hon. Friend has in mind is due, not to thebrakes, but to the transmission; and he is mistaken in thinking that it could easily be avoided or rectified. I recognise that this noise might at first be mistaken for the beginning of an air-raid warning, but it could give rise only to a momentary misapprehension for, unlike the air-raid warning, it does not rise and fall and does not last for two minutes.

Are not peculiar noises also produced by a dreamer?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he lived on any of the main trunk roads, he would realise the serious nature of the position in this respect?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability, instead of interning enemy able-bodied alien refugees, of employing them on work on the land and other tasks of a similar nature which are needed in the national emergency?

As I have already stated, tribunals have been appointed to examine the cases of all Germans and Austrians with a view to considering which of them can be exempted from internment on the ground that their sympathies are with this country rather than with the enemy; and it is proposed to make use of the help of friendly aliens in any direction in which their assistance will be advantageous to this country and can be utilised without interfering with the interests of British subjects.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of past experience in the breakdown of voluntary arrangements for early closing of shops, he has yet decided to issue a general closing order in the interests of national economy, the saving of light and fuel, and to enable assistants to reach their homes within reasonable hours by releasing them within 15 minutes after the closing hour?

I have been in consultation with some of the principal trade associations concerned and with some of the larger local authorities. The necessary inquiries are nearly completed and I hope to be able to reach a decision next week.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the numbers and categories of air-raid pre cautions workers who are receiving higher remuneration than members of the Fighting Forces of equivalent status and responsibility; and is he satisfied that none of this work could be done by voluntary effort?

The Government have made it clear to local authorities that the employment of persons on a paid basis should not be allowed to replace the system of using suitable volunteers who are willing to undertake duty without payment. It is not possible to draw any exact comparison between the status and responsibility of civil defence volunteers and those of members of the Fighting Forces, as suggested by my hon. Friend, but the flat rate of allowance for civil defence volunteers undertaking whole-time duty was determined with due regard to Army rates of pay and allowances.

Is it fully realised that those who give voluntary service cannot be asked to give the same amount of time to the work as those who are paid?

That is fully realised and that is one of the reasons why a certain proportion of persons who are under the obligation to give full-time service is required in most areas.

asked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken to examine gas respirators; what is to be the procedure for the future in order to maintain and be sure of their efficiency; what proceedings have been taken against per sons not carrying a respirator; and under what powers have such proceedings been taken?

Local authorities have been advised, since the general distribution of respirators was made, that they should arrange for periodical inspection of respirators in the hands of the public. As regards the last part of the question, there are no such powers.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the concern over the lack of respirators for young children and babies, and a circular issued by a county chief constable advising mothers to take their children to an up stairs room and ensure that every door and window in the house is locked; what steps are being taken to expedite de livery; and on what date is it expected that there will be supplies for all?

These protective helmets are being distributed rapidly, but they cannot be issued to all areas simultaneously and the more vulnerable areas are being supplied in priority. I have seen the circular to which the hon. Member refers, and the precautions which it recommends would in my opinion be appropriate in any contingency in which the special protective device was for any reason not available.

Will the right hon Gentleman take steps to expedite and increase the production of these respirators?

I assure the hon. Member that every possible step is being taken.

What steps are being taken to supply these respirators to hospitals, dealing with children and babies; and how soon may we expect a regular distribution of them?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman would put that question down.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he is satisfied with the methods being adopted by the Department for spreading the truth about the war in neutral countries; and whether he can give the House any indication as to what these methods are?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, my Noble Friend is afraid that the matter is not one in which he feels that he can undertake to go into detail.

Can we have an assurance from my hon. Friend that the fullest possible information as to the development of the war, and our part in it, will be given to neutral countries, and incidentally to ourselves?

Yes, Sir, I think I can give my hon. and gallant Friend the most complete assurance.

Does my hon. Friend realise that if the Department are satisfied, they are about the only people in the world who aresatisfied with the way our war news is brought to neutral countries? It is an absolute disgrace which is enough to make the Government wipe out the whole of them?

Is not one of the great difficulties the lack of telephonic and postal communications with neutral countries, and will the Ministry of Information get into communication with the Post Office to try and improve these communications?

The hon. Member is quite right. There has been some considerable difficulty on the purely mechanical side, but I can assure him that these difficulties are being very rapidly overcome.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether, with a view to impressing, by advertisement, upon the public of this country the need for economy in the use of commodities, he will give full publicity to the recent statement of the Finance Minister of France that waste of consumption goods is a crime; and that the winner is he who produces most and consumes least?

My hon. Friend will be glad to know that arrangements are already well in hand for giving wide publicity to the urgent need for the avoidance of waste. This should not, of course, be taken as implying any desire on the part of the Government to discourage, in any way, the wise and economical buying and selling of goods and services, upon which the trade and general well-being of the community depend.

Will the hon. Member see that this is put across at the B.B.C. by a real live Minister and not by a B.B.C. spokesman?

Is the Minister aware that the old age pensioner will not require this information?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he is aware that on 5th September an English-language newspaper, published in Paris, printed a message as coming from London and as being sent by Havas, the official French news agency, stating that London and the North of England had been bombed; that two days later the Paris "Soir" published a graphic account of an air fight over the River Thames; and whether there is any machinery of liaison between the British and French Ministries of Information which will enable the French authorities to check up the facts with, the British before approving of their publicasion in papers published in France?

My Noble Friend cannot, of course, accept any responsibility for the reports in question. According to hisinformation, however, the report mentioned, as sent by the Havas agency, related only to an air-raid warning. In reply to the last part of the question, a liaison officer of the Ministry was, in fact, sent to Paris on 12th of this month, and arrangements are in contemplation for further strengthening the liaison arrangements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he will request the British Broadcasting Corporation so to arrange the evening programme as to allow the concert or amusement item to follow instead of preceding the nine o'clock news item and subsequent talk?

My Noble Friend is bringing the hon. Member's suggestion to the notice of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he will state, with reference to the work carried out by the British Board of Film Censors for him, what payment is made by the board to the Ministry out of its profits in return for the extra business brought to the board; what reinforcement of staff supplied by the Ministry has been added to the board; and by whom this is paid?

The British Board of Film Censorsis not a commercial undertaking for the purpose of making profits. The agreement between the board and the Ministry by which the board act as agents for the Ministry in the censorship of films, provides that the cost of any additional staff required by the board in that capacity shall be met out of the board's fee-income in so far as surplus funds are available, and, if not, shall be met from public funds. It has so far been found necessary to employ five additional persons, of whom three belong to the manipulative grades. The cost of this additional staff will be allocated on the basis stated above.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information what are the duties of a Press liaison officer in the Ministry; how many of such officers are employed; and what salaries they are paid?

The duties of a Press liaison officer in the News Division of the Ministry of Information are to distribute to the Press the news bulletins, etc., issued by the Division; to amplify these bulletins in talks to the Press representatives and to answer inquiries on them; to arrange interviews with members of the Specialist Sections of the Division when Press representatives desire further elucidation or make inquirieson particular points; and generally to assist Press representatives in all matters affecting the News Division and the Censorship Division. Seven officers of this grade are employed because the service has to be continuous over 24 hours; their salaries are at the rate of £650 per annum.

Is my hon. Friend aware that some of these officers are carrying out duties usually undertaken by office boys? Will he make inquiries into that?

If the hon. Member can give me an example of what he means I shall be very grateful to him. I have not seen that myself.

Are any of these seven men trained journalists or can the hon. Member say what are their particular qualifications for their job?

I cannot answer off-hand with regard to the qualifications of the liaison officers, but practically all the officers employed on these duties in the Ministry have had previous experience of liaison work with the Press.

Can my hon. Friend say by whom they were appointed?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the answer to a later question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information how many persons are employed on the strength of the Ministry; how many were formerly civil servants; how many are officers in the Services; and how many are journalists of repute?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. J. Morgan). The staff at headquarters and in the regional offices of the Ministry includes 388 civil servants, 50 officers of the fighting Services and 43 professional journalists. I should add that nearly half of the total number employed consists of clerical, typing and messenger grades, and that the News and Censorship Divisions, which account for 433 persons in all, are working on a three-shift basis covering the full 24 hours a day. This of course necessitates a proportionately larger staff.

Why does every executive require a typist or a messenger?

I am not aware that they do.

Can my hon. Friend say whether some of the journalists include those connected with the technical Press, especially the medical Press, who would be of immense value to the Ministry of Information?

I must ask for notice of that question.

Are these civil servants men picked for the job, or are they men who have been handed over from other Departments?

I stated yesterday that my Noble Friend is investigating the staff of the Ministry. Until that investigation is completed 1 hope the House will allow me to ask them to wait before I answer further questions on that point.

May I ask what these persons are doing with the information they receive?

I am sure the hon. Member understands that the Ministry of Information can only give out the information which reaches it from the Departments concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he will state the salaries paid to all officers of the Ministry of Information except the permanent Civil Service and clerical staff so employed, in London andthe country; and by what selection board or other means they were respectively appointed?

As the reply to the first part of the question includes a number of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the Official Report. The appointment of persons designated for the principal posts in the Ministry was approved by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal. The selection of staff for the remaining posts was carried out by the nucleus start. In certain cases consultations took place with the Press and the British Council. Certain officers were nominated by other Government Departments as their representatives.

Can the Minister tell me, in relation to the 1,000 persons who are employed in this Department, what is in the main the occupation of those who are not civil servants and what is in the main the occupation of those persons who have been appointed in the provinces, and by whom they have been appointed?

That is an entirely different question, and perhaps the hon. and learned Member will put it down.

Has any estimate been made of the total monthly cost of this Department?

I told the House yesterday that my Noble Friend is now going closely into the organisation of this Department. It has been in existence only three weeks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether, when preparing for the future dropping of leaflets on German territory, he will consider arranging that some of these leaflets should be written bydistinguished and influential Germans who are at present exiled from their country?

My Noble Friend has noted the hon. Member's suggestion for consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information what facilities are available for Members of Parliament to inspect the work of the Ministry of Information at their premises in London and the provinces?

My Noble Friend will be happy to arrange facilities for any Member of the House to visit and inspect the work of the Ministry of Information either at the headquarters in London or in the regional offices.

Is the application to be made to the hon. Member himself? At present Members of Parliament have no information as to where the Ministry of Information is sitting.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he will take steps to make known to the German people the fact that large fortunes have been placed by the Nazi leaders of Germany in foreign countries; and to emphasise the conclusion to be drawn from this practical manifestation of the extent of their confidence in their own future and in the finances of the nationthey control?

My Noble Friend has read with much interest the American Press reports showing that large fortunes have been placed abroad by certain of the Nazi leaders, and he is taking steps to see that these reports and the implications of the action of the Nazi leaders are brought to the notice of the German people.

May I ask whether the Minister of Information will make certain that these statements are true?

This statement, being of great importance, my Noble Friend thought it necessary to make certain close inquiries before they were reproduced. The hon. Member will understand that inquiries of this kind cannot produce evidence of the sort to be publicly given in a court of law.

Is not thisrather a dangerous form of propaganda in which the Germans may also indulge, and tell us where our leaders have their fortunes?

I am sure that we have nothing to fear from inquiries of that sort.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster upon whose advice his Department relied when drafting the regulations for the control of the distribution of fish which have done much harm, and which have had to be withdrawn; and if he can assure the House that there is no risk that any further reliance will be placed upon advice from the same quarter?

The scheme was framed by the Department after consultation with representatives of the producers and distributors. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to questions on this subject on 20th September.

Is it not a fact that the advisory board met only once, that the scheme was presented to them as a completed scheme, and will my right hon. Friend say who is responsible for the drafting of that completed scheme?

I understand that some consultation did take place, but it was not found possible to get unanimity of opinion in approving the scheme. Everybody who knows the fish trade will be surprised that any degree of unanimity on any point was reached.

When the right hon. Gentleman produces his scheme for food control, will he see that the consumers' point of view is fully considered?

The whole object of food control is to safeguard the interests of the consumer.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept full responsibility for the submission of the scheme, and can he say what is the cost?

I am, of course, responsible for these matters. As regards the cost, I could not say what it is without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that in making all these Orders the retailer, who knows the wishes and desires of the consumers best, is consulted?

I intend to take full advantage of the experience of retailers in these matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Government will take steps to ensure that an adequate supply of wheat is available for the small millers who, although their capacity may be small, arc entirely dependent on their output for their living?

All the flour millers are now working under the control of the Ministry of Food. There is an ample supply of wheat for all the mills, and my hon. Friend may rest assured that there will be no difference of treatment as between small and large millers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the small miller is a great asset to the country, and does he further realise that the small miller wants protection in war time from the big milling combines just as much as he does in peace time?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has considered the recommendation of the Clyde Fishermen's Association, passed at the meeting of their executive on 18th September, 1939, that fixed prices for herring be declared meantime at 25s. percran for herring for canning, and 55s.