asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information respecting the suspension of quota restrictions on the importation into France of a number of manufactured goods; how far this is likely beneficially to affect this country; and whether His Majesty's Government intend to propose any reciprocal action?

The suspension of certain quota restrictions referred to in the question took place in August last, and as the hon. Member will understand the whole situation has now been altered. The present position is that no foreign goods may be imported into France unless the necessary authorisation has been obtained from both the import licensing and the exchange control authorities. As a result the French quota system has in effect ceased to operate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that manufacturers of goods, in which the price and delivery of raw materials are controlled, are insisting that goods manufactured from such controlled raw materials shall only be sold at the price ruling on the date of delivery instead of at the price ruling on the date of acceptance; and whether he will put a stop to this practice which restricts business and leads to unjustified profiteering?

I am aware of some cases where manufacturers are refusing to quote definite prices for the sale of goods at a future date or are accepting orders for goods at the prices ruling on the date of despatch. I recognise the grave disadvantages of such a practice, but I am not satisfied that it would be practicable or even desirable in all cases to put a stop to it. If, however, the hon. Member will inform me of any specific cases which have come to his notice and in which this practice has had the results to which he refers, I will consider whether I can take any action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whe'ther he will bear in mind, in connection with the granting of licences to the export trade, the un- desirability of restricting exports to established customers only in view of the fact that many new markets are now open owing to the isolation of Germany?

I can assure the hon. Member that the consideration to which he draws attention is being borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state approximately the percentage of houses in England and Wales which have been built since the armistice?

The percentage of existing houses built since 1919 is approximately thirty-five.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the acute housing difficulties in various parts of the country owing to the war and war industrial activity, he will suggest to local authorities the desirability of temporarily slowing down slum-clearance demolition; the more so as intensified building effort in this direction after the war will provide much employment?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the circular dealing with the postponement of work under the Housing Acts which I sent to local authorities on 8th September. In that circular I asked them, for the present, not to take further steps in connection with slum clearance orders which had not reached the stage of local inquiry and stated that where the inquiry had not been held I proposed to postpone my decision. In the case of confirmed orders I asked the authorities to stop short of the actual demolition of the houses.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities, up to the present date, have taken advantage of the provision for supplying milk at a reduced price to expectant and nursing mothers and young children under the Milk Industry Act, 1939?

My right hon. Friend has received proposals under this scheme from 41 local authorities covering a population of approximately 3,000,000.

asked the Minister of Health who is responsible for medical assistance to wives and families of men on service with His Majesty's forces; and if he will give an assurance that they shall not be compelled to apply to public assistance committees?

I understand that medical assistance is available at the cost of Service funds for the wives and families of regular soldiers and certain classes of reservists if they are living at or near a Service station. A similar privilege exists in the Royal Air Force.Apart from these special provisions the medical services provided for the population generally are, of course, available wherever and whenever they are required.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the decision to suspend the half-yearly stamping arrangements of insurance cards will involve employers in considerable additional expense; and, in view of the depletion of clerical staffs through war services, whether he will continue the arrangement, which has been in operation since 1911?

The suspension in England of the half-yearly stamping arrangements for Health and Pensions Insurance cards was made in order to free the staff employed on the work for more urgent duties arising out of the war.These arrangements applied to less than 600 employers and in the large majority of cases no difficulty appears to have been occasioned. I will, however, give special consideration where any employer demonstrates that as a result of the change he will be involved in substantial additional expense.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the names of the evacuation camps which have been completed, are in process of being completed, and which have not yet been commenced, respectively?

It is anticipated that the first six camps in England and Wales will be completed on or about the dates stated:

Date.	County.	Locality.
6th October, 1939	Hants.	Overton
14th October, 1939	Bucks.	Horseley's Green
21st October, 1939	Surrey	Tilford
2nd November, 1939	Oxford	Kenaylands
2nd November, 1939	Oxford	Peppard
7th November, 1939	Surrey	Cranleigh

The construction of the following camps is in hand:

County.	Locality.
Bucks	Moor End, Marlow
Cheshire	Marton (Newchurch)
	Somerford Hall, Congleton
Denbigh	Colomendy Hall(two camps).
Derby	Woolley Bridge, Alfreton
Hants	Sheet, Petersfield
Herts	Nettleden
Lancs.	Whalley
Northumberland.	Bellingham
	Hexham
Salop	Cleobury Mortimer
Staffs	Blithbury
	Rugeley
Surrey	Ewhurst
	Hare's Grove, near Godalming.
	Hindhead
	Merstham
Sussex	Hartfield
	Itchingfield (two camps)
Yorks (E.R.)	Etton
Yorks(W.R.) .	Linton
	Pateley Bridge

Two further camps under consideration at Routs Green in Bucks and at Airton in Yorks (W.R.) have not yet been commenced.

asked the Home Secretary what is the weekly cost of maintaining the auxiliary fire services in towns of 30,000 inhabitants and under in England and Wales; and whether there is any inspection to ensure a uniform system of efficiency between one local authority and another?

As the Auxiliary Fire Service was so recently mobilised and the war establishments of whole-time paid personnel appropriate to present conditions are in process of being settled, I think it would be premature to quote any specific estimate of cost at this stage. The cost, moreover, would vary considerably according to the vulnerability of the place in question. All air-raid fire precautions schemes have been settled in consultation with the Fire Brigade Division of the Home Office and the emergency arrangements are subject to inspection.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that members of his staff transferred to Enfield owing to war emergency are having their wages reduced by 7s. a week to the provincial rate, and compulsorily billeted at a charge of 21s. a week, though in some instances living within 15 minutes omnibus ride of Enfield; and whether he will arrange that there shall be no reductions of wages in cases of transfer due to war emergencies?

Established members of the staff of the Ministry of Health seconded for duty with the Ministry of Health Sector Offices, whether at Enfield or elsewhere, retain their existing rates of pay. No reduction to provincial rate has been made in any case.The necessity for billeting of individual members of the staff engaged in the sectors is dependent on the distance they live from the office and the travelling facilities available. I am informed that no member of the staff lives within 15 minutes bus ride of the Enfield office, that all but one are more than one hour from the office and that on Sundays the service is infrequent. Billeting is arranged on the terms approved for the Civil Service as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there have recently been published in Sierra Leone three Bills, the Deportation (British Subjects) Bill, 1939, the Sedition Bill, 1939, and the Undesirable Publications BUI, 1939, each of which affects the liberty of the subject and none of which has any statement of reasons appended thereto; whether it is customary for such Bills to be published without any reasons being given; and what were the reasons for the publication of these Bills?

These Bills were published, in accordance with established practice, in the Sierra Leone Government Gazette, accompanied by brief statements of their objects and reasons. Full explanations, however, of their purpose were given in the case of the Deportation and Sedition Bills by the Governor in a statement to Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council, which was subsequently printed and published, and, in the case of all three Bills, by the Colonial Secretary of Sierra Leone in Legislative Council on moving the Second Reading of the Bills. I shall be happy to send the hon. Member copies of the Governor's statement and of the reports of the Colonial Secretary's speeches if he desires to study a detailed exposition of the reasons for the enactment of these measures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that the definition of the offence of importing in the Sierra Leone Sedition Ordinance, 1939, and the Undesirable Publications Ordinance, 1939, would render liable to imprisonment persons on ships visiting Sierra Leone, who, while possessing literature prohibited in Sierra Leone, have no intention of introducing such literature into Sierra Leone; and whether he will take steps to secure the deletion of this definition both from the Ordinances referred to and from the model Ordinances used by the Colonial Office?

I am advised that the definition of "import" in these two Ordinances has the opposite effect to that suggested by the hon. Member if, as I assume, he refers to ships anchored in the territorial waters of Sierra Leone in the ordinary way. In such a case a document is not imported until it is brought on land. It is only when a ship goes up the inland waters, that is to say the rivers, that paragraph (b) of the definition applies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the wording of Section 5 (2) of the Sierra Leone Deportation (British Subjects) Ordinance, 1939, would enable the deportation of persons who belong to Sierra Leone, and that this interpretation is widespread in Sierra Leone; and whether he will cause the Bill to be amended so as clearly to exclude the possibility of such persons being deported?

I am advised that the Sub-section of the Ordinance to which the hon. Member refers does not enable the deportation of persons who belong to Sierra Leone, by reason of the words "as in the case may be lawful and desirable." A deportation order in respect of a person who belongs to Sierra Leone could not lawfully be made in view of the provisions of Section 3 of the Ordinance in question. In these circumstances, an amendment of the Ordinance would not appear to be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that under the Sierra Leone Deportation (British Subjects) Ordinance wide powers are given to interfere with the private lives of British subjects whose only offence is that they are poor or suffer from ill-health, and that it would then be illegal for any person to communicate with them in any way; whether such provisions appear in the model Bill sent out by the Colonial Office; and whether he will take steps to secure the deletion of such provisions?

I assume that the persons to whom the hon. Member refers are those included in the definition of "destitute person" in Section 2 of the Ordinance. Section 20, Sub-section (1), of the Ordinance empowers the Governor to give directions for the control of communications to or from persons against whom an order has been made under the Ordinance. It is, however, expressly provided that no letter, cable, telegram or other document or matter having reference only to the private affairs of such person or to the proceedings as a result of which such order shall have been made shall be withheld or detained. It is further provided that the provisions of this Section shall not apply in the case of any order made against a destitute person. The second and third parts of the question do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has a statement to make as to the position in Palestine?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I am giving to-day to a similar question by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in Palestine?

Since the outbreak of war there has been an improvement in the security situation in Palestine, although instances of lawless activity by Arab terrorists still occur from time to time. In general, both the Arab and Jewish sections of the community have ranged themselves behind this country in the present emergency, and have shown every desire to co-operate with us in the successful prosecution of the war. His Majesty's Government appreciate most cordially the spirit that has been displayed by the people of Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will obtain from the Dominion Governments and publish the communications addressed by them to the League of Nations concerning the applicability of the optional clause of the statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice to disputes arising out of the present war?

The communications addressed by Dominion Governments to the League of Nations on this subject will no doubt be published in Geneva in accordance with the general procedure of the League. Arrangements will be made for the document containing these communications to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Supply whether it has been decided what increase in the price of timber will be treated as justifiable to meet any increased costs; and whether any increase will be regarded as justified in the case of timber which has been long held in stock?

No increase in the maximum price of timber is at present in contemplation.

asked the Minister of Supply whether experiments on animals in connection with poison gas are still being performed at the War Department experimental ground, Porton; and whether any dogs or cats have been recently used for these experiments?

Experiments on animals in connection with poison gas are still being carried out at the War Department Experimental Station, Porton. No dogs have been subjected to experiments but two cats have been so subjected during the present year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement as to the present location of the Nord Deutscher Lloyd ships "Columbus," 33,000 tons, and "Orinoco," 9,650 tons?

Both the vessels referred to are at Vera Cruz.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the inadequacy of the services on the London Midland and Scottish Railway between Birmingham and Coventry and London; and, in view of the importance of fast train communication between these cities and London during the progress of the war, whether he will arrange for at least one or two fast trains each weekday?

There are 11 principal trains each way between London and Birmingham and six between London and Coventry on weekdays. It is true that these trains are slower than in -peacetime, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that, in order to deal with the very heavy freight traffic of urgent national importance which owing to the lighting restrictions cannot be confined to nighttime, it is necessary in existing circumstances to restrict passenger services to trains of maximum capacity, running at moderate speed and making intermediate connections. Improvements in passenger train services will be made when conditions permit.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information if he will circulate in the Official Report a tabulated statement showing the classification of the personnel engaged by the Ministry of Information; the number of persons engaged in each grade or class; and the range of salaries which attach to such grades or classes?

Following is a statement showing the general classification of the temporary staff recruited for the Ministry of Information, together with the number of persons in, and the range of salaries appropriate to each grade:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information what persons or board have been charged with appointments to the Ministry of Information; and what standard of qualifications is considered necessary for appointment to the staff?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Lyons) on 27th September. As regards the second part, there can be no general standard of qualifications; each case was considered on its merits in relation to the special requirements of the particular grade or post concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether steps are being, or can be taken, to facilitate the work and incerase the convenience of representatives of newspapers of neutral countries; and whether to that end, opportunities are afforded them of meeting people who can correctly interpret the feeling and sentiments of the country?

My Noble Friend has been anxious to do everything possible to facilitate the work and increase the convenience of the representatives of newspapers of neutral countries. Further measures are being taken for the purpose indicated in the latter part of the question. The representatives of these newspapers have had full access to the specialist and other sections of the News Division of the Ministry for the purpose of discussing particular problems.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he can assure the House that appropriate action has been taken by the Ministry of Information for the transmission to the Dominions and the Colonial Empire and to neutral countries detailed accounts of the part taken by the Royal Navy in the war?

Yes, Sir. As regards the transmission of this and other information to the Dominions and the Colonial Empire, I can inform my hon. Friend that a service of urgent Press telegrams to all countries of the Empire was introduced last week by Cable and Wireless, Limited, at the instance of the Ministry. Discussions have also taken place with Press representatives of neutral countries to facilitate transmission of news.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information what has been the cost up to date of the poster campaign; and what is the estimated cost of further commitments?

The total cost to date of the present poster campaign is £21,719 of which sums a great part is for rent of sites. The estimated additional cost to the end of October, when the campaign terminates, is £23,000, and may be less.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he is aware that in a recent broadcast dealing with food prices, a list purporting to give the names of firms who had not raised their prices was issued, and that this list was incomplete, thus giving a gratuitous advertisement to selected firms; and whether he will see that this does not happen again?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 28th September to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, North-West (Sir A. L. Ward), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he is aware that reliable documentary evidence was offered to but was refused by His Majesty's Government prior to the outbreak of hostilities as to the financial investments held abroad by leading members of the present Nazi regime in Germany and why this information was declined?

My Noble Friend is not aware of the circumstances referred to in the question, but if the hon. Member will furnish him with particulars he will be glad to inquire further into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state what action His Majesty's Government have taken or are taking in connection with the report of Major G. St. John Orde Brown on the situation in the West Indies?

Copies of Major Orde Browne's report on labour conditions in the West Indies were sent to the Governors of the Colonies in the West Indian area who were asked to furnish me with their comments and suggestions for implementing recommendations as regards the Colonies under their administration. Replies have been received from Barbados, Jamaica, British Honduras, Bermuda and Trinidad, and summaries of the action taken or proposed are given below. The general section of the report is at present receiving consideration and will be further considered in the light of the suggestions from the Governors when these are all received.Major Orde Browne recognises in his report that many of his recommendations, notably those concerning land settlement, involve the expenditure of large sums of money; it will, of course, be necessary to consider all the recommendations involving expenditure in the light of the financial position resulting from the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of active herring drifters and herring fishermen, respectively, in Scotland in 1909, 1919, 1929 and 1939?

Following is the answer:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the urgent need for a viaduct joining Bernera Island with the Isle of Lewis; and whether he will make a statement?

The scheme referred to was the subject of correspondence with the county council in the summer, but the council have now decided, in view of the war, to defer taking further action in the matter meantime.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether lie is prepared to grant facilities to local education authorities to provide clothing and footwear for necessitous schoolchildren in order to overcome the difficulties arising from the facts of evacuation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him to a similar question on 4th May last. As stated in a reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on Thursday last, a circular will shortly be issued by his Department to local authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the action taken by the British Government in connection with the question of reclaiming from the Bank for International Settlements the Treasury's Trust Account deposit, which has been reinvested in Germany and which Germany has undertaken, by virtue of. the Hague Agreement of 1930 and the Brussels Protocol of 1936, to permit to be transferred even in time of war?

I have already stated the position fully in reply to previous questions. I will add that I am advised that the Treasury would not be entitled to claim the repayment of the deposit under the relevant international agreements. For that reason, in addition to those already indicated, no such claim has been made.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present funded debt of the Unemployment Insurance Fund; what reduction this represents as compared with its maximum level; and what is the present surplus on current account?

The debt of the Unemployment Fund on its general account is now about £77,000,000, and is £38,000,000 less than the maximum reached on 31st March, 1932. The balance of the general account is now about £52,500,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number and percentage of unemployed men, women and young persons in Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove Urban District Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough and Newcastle Rural, or in the nearest convenient areas, on the most recent possible date before and after 3rd September?

The tables below give the available information. The figures relate to Employment Exchange areas, not to local authority areas.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of applicants for unemployment assistance at the latest available date for which he possesses statistics; and the average weekly payment per person?

In the week ended 1st September, 1939, the number of payments of allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board (including payments under the emergency scheme for the relief of distress due to the war) was approximately 427,000; the average amount of each payment was 23s. 1d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is upon Treasury advice that the British Press is asked to omit any mention of the rate of exchange between the £ and the dollar on neutral exchanges?

The rate of exchange between the £ and the dollar in New York is quoted daily in the British Press, and no advice of the kind referred to has been given to the British Press by the Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of allowing a discount of, say, 2 or 2½| per cent, to taxpayers who pay their full half-year's Income Tax before the 31st December and so reduce the cost of borrowing to the Exchequer?

I would remind the hon. Member that under the provisions of Section 159 of the Income Tax Act, 1918, as amended by Section 18 of the Finance Act, 1937, discount at the rate of 2½ per cent, per annum may be claimed in respect of the prepayment of Income Tax charged under Schedule D.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the total amount of money tied up in the form of blocked Czech assets; and the total amount of the cash claims against it?

I am not yet able to amplify further the replies given to the hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on the 5th June and the hon. Member for North Southwark (Mr. Isaacs) on the 15th June.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will arrange that at the earliest opportunity an adequate scheme is introduced for the conservation and utilisation of waste paper, with a view to reducing all non-essential imports as far as possible?

I have been asked to reply. Steps are already being taken to develop further the collection and utilisation of waste paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in connection with bakers who normally buy their supplies of flour through the Millers Mutual Association, and who may be under obligation in some form to this association, he will have some inquiry made, and take steps to protect those under this obligation from being charged uneconomic prices for the flour which is supplied to them?

All flour mills are now under the control of the Ministry of Food, which also controls the supply of imported flour. The Ministry determines the price at which flour is sold and there is no reason why all bakers should not obtain their supplies at the price fixed by the Ministry. There is a Flour Prices Order in force which makes it illegal to charge more than the fixed price.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Food Council have now completed their investigation of the price of bread and flour; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to this?

The Food Council did not complete the investigation to which the hon. Member refers previous to the outbreak of war. The prices of bread and flour are now matters for consideration by the Ministry of Food.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can state the nature of the difficulties in the way of a more general release of glucose for manufacturing purposes; and whether he is aware that this commodity is most essential in the making of sweetstuffs, which possess the qualities of a food product and are largely consumed by men in the fighting lines?

The restrictions on the supply of glucose are due to temporary difficulties in supplying raw material, which it is hoped will be overcome in the near future.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the concern felt by the small engineering firms at the prospect of being rationed to 75 per cent, of their former amount of coal; and whether he will see that those doing work of national importance get their minimum requirement's?

Yes, Sir. It is essential that small engineering firms engaged on work of national importance should not be subject to coal rationing. The local fuel overseer has power under Article 1 of the Fuel and Lighting Order to grant exemption to small industrial undertakings, and I have issued instructions that such firms which are normally engaged on, or have turned over to, work of national importance shall not be rationed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent the Agricultural Wages Committee have availed themselves of Government legislation enabling holidays with pay to be extended to agricultural workers?

All but one of the 47 Agricultural Wages Committees have used their powers under the Holidays with Pay Act, 1938, to direct that agricultural workers shall be allowed holidays with pay, and the following statement gives brief particulars of the number of holidays so directed:

Number of days holiday in respect of 12 months employment.	Number of Agricultural Wages Committees.
7	1
6	12
5	1
4	10
3	20
2	2
Notes.
(i) In seven cases the provisions apply only to male workers.
(ii) Of the 45 Committees which have provided for holidays of less than seven days in respect of twelve months' employment 13 have included in their directions provision that workers who are employed with animals or are normally engaged for seven days a week shall be entitled to an additional day's holiday with pay.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the severe hardship to agriculturists in connection with bankruptcy proceedings being taken by the Tithe Commission; and whether he is prepared to consider revised arrangements to prevent this?

I have been asked to reply. As my hon. Friend was informed in reply to a question on the 6th April last, the Commission are always prepared to give sympathetic consideration to any reasonable proposals for payment from those who experience difficulty in meeting their obligations. In those cases in which bankruptcy proceedings have been instituted, I am satisfied that proper discretion has been used in resorting to this method of recovery. I see no reason, therefore, for any revision of the present arrangements.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take action to ensure that men called to the Colours shall have the same protection in respect of goods purchased under hire-purchase agreements as was granted to the Militia?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939. This Act is wide enough to cover the subject-matter of hire-purchase agreements made before the war and gives a protection which is, in effect, similar to that given under the Military Training Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider using cadets for some of the services now performed by more expensive units?

Every encouragement is being given to members of the Cadet Force to undertake voluntary work as messengers, clerks, etc., with military units at home, provided it does not interfere with their hours of school or work.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is no adequate system of promotion in the Royal Army Reserve; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing a system for placing the promotion for officers in that Reserve on an equal footing with that obtaining in the Supplementary Reserve and the Territorial Army?

Every officer called up is on an equal footing for promotion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the doubling of the strength of the Territorial Army, announced in March last, has now been successfully completed?

My hon. Friend will be aware that all branches of the Army have been assimilated, and that, in present circumstances, it would be impolitic to give figures.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information respecting the numbers of militiamen who have declared themselves, respectively, as Anglicans, Free Churchmen, Roman Catholics, Jews, and Agnostics; how many requests he has had from Members of this House, and from other sources, that attendance at religious worship should be optional; what facilities have been given and if any record is kept of any groups of militiamen organised for ethical and educational purposes; and whether any arrangements have been made or will be made with educational bodies for the provision of non-technical educational facilities?

As regards the first three parts of the question, I regret that no records have been compiled. As regards the last part, the arrangements for the education of militiamen, which were nearing completion when the emergency arose, have necessarily been held in abeyance.

asked the Secretary of State for War why an Army Order has been issued that no soldier in future is to have more than one uniform and one pair of overalls; when arrangements will be made for the provision of a change of clothing; and when a full supply of greatcoats will be available?

The instruction referred to, applying only to troops at home, is of temporary application only, and new supplies, which will enable additional uniform to be provided, are rapidly coming in. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply that an adequate supply of greatcoats should be available by November.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, whereas persons accommodating evacuated children draw 10s. per week for the upkeep of one child and 8s. 6d. each for two or more children, a soldier's wife draws only 5s. for the first child, 3s. for the second and 2s. for others; and whether he will make arrangements so that a soldier's wife receives as much for her own children that she is looking after in her husband's absence as do those who have taken on the care of evacuated children?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker) on Tuesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a private soldier's wife receives 17s. per week marriage allowance for herself plus a compulsory allotment of 7s. a week from her husband, but that that sum very often leaves a small margin once rents have been paid; and what arrangements have been or are being made to ease hard cases where soldiers' wives are tied by leases to pay rents which they were able to meet from their husbands' civilian wages but not in the altered circumstances?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the inadequacy of allowances at present made to the wives and families of serving soldiers whose net weekly income in some cases, after paying a rent of 10s. per week, is less than 15s. weekly wherewith to pay for food, clothing, coal, gas, etc.; and whether he will consider increasing the allowances to such an amount that the serving soldiers wife may not have to apply to the public assistance committee for help?

Where the existence of financial obligations for rent, incurred prior to the husband being called up for military service, cause serious hardship, soldiers serving for the war have access to the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement with regard to the present European situation?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will await the statement which the Prime Minister will make after Questions.