asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the borough of Tottenham has received a quotation for hurricane lamps of over £40 per gross, as compared with their standard contract rate of £26 15s. 9d. per gross; and whether he will issue instructions to local authorities and other large purchasers of hurricane lamps to refrain from purchasing at these rates and investigate the reason for the rise in price?

My Department is in touch with the borough council of Tottenham over this matter, and the reason for the rise in price of hurricane lamps is being investigated. I have no authority to advise the local authorities or other large purchasers of hurricane lamps to refrain from buying at this or any other price, but I know what I should do in similar circumstances.

What would the Minister do?

I should not buy.

Then you might be left in the dark.

I am accustomed to that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of the premiums paid to date by traders under the compulsory provisions of the War Risks Insurance Act, 1939; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to refund the premiums paid in the event of no loss, or the amount of the difference between the premiums received and the compensation eventually paid?

The total amount of the premiums paid up to Monday, 9th October, in respect of policies issued under the commodity insurance scheme was about £8,750,000. This amount includes the proportion of premiums for the period to 2nd December which may become available to policy holders under the concession which I announced on 5th October in reply to a question by the hon. Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris). As regards the second part of the question, I can only refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. A. Reed) on 20th September, and re-affirm that it is the intention of the Government so to adjust the rate of premium from time to time in the light of developments as to furnish a fund which will not be more than sufficient to meet claims and expenses, and to take due account of any existing surplus in making such adjustments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what part of this £8,750,000 represents expenses?

Not without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what happens to any surplus there may be after the payment of all claims?

Obviously I could not say that now. The object of the Government is to avoid any surplus in the end by adjusting premiums so as to meet claims.

Is any special consideration being given to those shopkeepers who are losing and who have paid an exorbitant rate?

Nobody has paid an exorbitant rate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that representations have been made about cases where it has been proved that there has been a loss, and is nothing being done in regard to those cases?

If the hon. Member has in mind a special case which he communicated to me, I am looking into the matter; but I shall not deal with it on the footing of whether a trade makes a loss or not, but whether the special circumstances of the trade take them to some extent out of the purview of the system.

Is it the intention of the Government to raise or to lower the premium charges?

I do not think I can add to what I said last night. This matter was very fully discussed in the House last night and I gave the essential information.

Can the Minister arrange that shopkeepers shall not be allowed to put forward continually the excuse that the rises in price which come to them from the wholesalers are brought about by this war risks insurance?

I dealt with that point in the debate last night.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulty of firms engaged in the export trade in obtaining the necessary iron and steel, and paper and timber for packing, and other articles; and whether in view of the importance of the export trade in the national interest, priority certificates can be granted for these materials in suitable cases?

Some cases of difficulty or anticipated difficulty in obtaining materials required for purposes of export trade have been brought to my notice. No general system of priority certificates is at present in operation, but my Department is always ready to give any possible assistance to exporters and to take up cases of difficulty with the appropriate authority with a view to facilitating the prompt delivery of supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is taking any steps to curtail the consumption of non-essential commodities so as to liberate them for export.

Measures designed to limit home consumption of non-essential goods and to stimulate export trade are receiving the careful consideration of the Government as part of the general problem of ensuring the best use of the country's resources.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be in a position to state the intentions of the Government in this matter?

I could not say.

But does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is a matter of urgent importance and ought not to be delayed?

It is not being delayed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that champagne is not an essential?

I will bear the Noble Lady's opinion in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any alternatives offered at the time that the num ration is offered to men on service in this country; and what steps are taken to let men know that alternatives are available?

The regulation clearly provides that cocoa or tea is an alternative to rum on the special occasions when an extra stimulant is certified by the medical officer to be necessary in the interests of the health of the troops, and cocoa has, in fact, proved to be a favourite alternative during the inclement weather conditions recently experienced.

The point of the question is whether the attention of the troops is drawn to this alternative.

I think they are well aware of the alternative, and, if not, I will see what more can be done.

Would they like an issue of grapefruit?

asked the Secretary of State for War what action is being taken with regard to men now offering them selves for enlistment in advance of the date when they are liable to be called up compulsorily; and whether full advantage is being taken of these voluntary offers of service?

I propose to make a statement to-morrow.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Territorial officers called to the Colours at the outbreak of war are still not in receipt of their pay; and whether he will take immediate steps to ensure that there is no further delay in arranging for their payment?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Durham, Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. William J. Stewart) on Wednesday last. The officers in question should have received their pay on 30th September, when the first monthly issue, for all those who had joined before that date, became due. If any such officer has not yet received an issue of pay, he should communicate at once with his command paymaster, or with the army agents, if he has elected to draw pay from them.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that many soldiers wives have been literally without one penny of any kind for four weeks?

I am very astonished to hear that, but if the Noble Lady will tell me what cases she has in mind I will do my best to redress the wrong immediately.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the wives of regular soldiers who were called up six weeks ago are still awaiting an allowance I have sent cases to the right hon. Gentleman and I cannot even get him to look at them.

It must be because there is some defect in the particulars. There is no intention of delay in this matter, and I am extremely distressed to hear of any such case. I will do my best to put it right.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a defect in the particulars does not feed the wife, and that six weeks is an extremely long time for a working-class woman to be without money?

Of course I am aware of it, and of course it will not feed the wife, but if there is no proper address or some failure to supply information, there naturally is delay; but I can assure any hon. Gentleman that if he has a case of that kind I will put it right at once.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in one case single officers were told that no pay was available until 4th September and that married officers were able to get only 10 per cent. of their month's salary?

If that is so, and my hon. Friend will be good enough to give me particulars, I will take appropriate steps; but it is a very general statement. Whenever I have looked into a case of the kind I have taken immediate steps to rectify it, but there has usually been some explanation. I would not justify delay, but perhaps my hon. Friend will tell me the facts.

May I ask the Minister whether his statement means that the notification issued to officers that they cannot expect any pay until the middle of November has now been altered by what he has said?

Officers cannot expect any pay until the middle of November? What officers?

Officers of the Territorial Army.

I do not recognise any such instruction. It does not seem to me to be a natural instruction to issue.

That is the source of my information, that no pay will be available until the middle of November.

I assure the hon. Gentleman that there is, obviously, some error. Officers are entitled to a month's pay in arrear, but, if they desire, they can make application to the agent or the paymaster and may be given advances of pay. Those are the regulations, and I cannot reconcile them with what the hon. Gentleman has stated.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is a shame that officers' wives should have to go on public assistance, and is it not time that they had the money without going there?

On a point of Order. Before this question is asked may I inquire whether it is in the public interest that a question of this kind should be answered?

The hon. Member will, I hope, appreciate that, in present circumstances, it would be undesirable to publish the figures for which he asks.

May I ask, without disclosing any figures, whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the cost of the camps in this area amounts to an average of more than £300 per head of the militiamen?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the cost of the sewage work at Devizes on the London road measuring in extent 2,425 yards?

The work on the camp at Devizes has not yet been completed. In due course, it will be possible to give the total cost of the sewerage scheme as a whole, but not the separate cost of any particular section.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this part of the sewerage work has already been contracted for by the local authority for the sum of £9,075, and that it is reckoned that the War Office are paying something of the order of £15,000 for the same work?

I was not aware of that.

Will the Minister please look into the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers suffering from the effects of inoculation have received treatment at the hospital at Maid-stone during the past month?

None, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that every soldier now knows that he has no need to undergo this dangerous operation?

I have confined myself to answering the question on the Paper. The hon. Gentleman now raises a different question, and perhaps he will be kind enough to put it down.

asked the Secretary of State for War what complaints he has received regarding the requisitioning of horses; whether he is aware that in one case three armleted civilians visited a stud farm and, without producing any authority, proceeded to examine a number of horses and to brand nine of them; that the owner was informed that he would be paid a total of £435 for stock the cost price of which would be more than three times that sum; how such prices are arrived at; and whether he will provide for the right of appeal against unjust assessments by the owners of stock requisitioned for national purposes?

There have been few complaints. In the case to which the hon. Member refers, the purchasers were duly accredited and would have produced written authority, if they had been requested to do so. The prices were considered to be the market value at the present time, in each case. Owners who are dissatisfied with the prices tendered have a right to appeal to a county court judge, and the owner in this case was so informed.

Has an appeal been lodged by the person referred to in the question?

I could not say.

Is it generally understood by breeders of horses that they have a right of appeal?

In this case the person from whom the horses were purchased was so informed, and I imagine that that would invariably be the case.

Had these people compulsory powers to requisition horses?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, according to all written regulations, cavalry officers were promised that in the event of mobilisation their chargers would be taken over by the remount department up to £120, whereas now they are receiving £60 maximum; whether it is intended to give effect to the original undertaking; and why only half the price is being paid in this case for cavalry horses?

What the regulations lay down is that privately owned chargers may be taken over at a price to be fixed by agreement, such price not to exceed the maximum amount which might be paid in the event of the loss of the horse by reason of military service. This maximum for the most expensive type of charger is £120. It was recently decided not to pay more than £60 for any horse now being acquired but no compulsion was put on any officer to sell his horse.

Would it be true to say that cavalry officers who expected to get £120 for their chargers would be the chargers themselves?

Are we to take it that they are not compelled to sell their horses?

My hon. and gallant Friend may take it that the officers are not compelled to sell their horses?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that remount officers are buying for £60-odd horses which are often worth to farmers over 200 guineas?

We have just dealt with this question. There was a question on the Paper about it, and I explained that there was a right of appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers are now employed by farmers for work on the land; whether he is satisfied that such employment does not interfere with military training; and whether he will put a stop to this practice, in view of the fact that there are numbers of unemployed men registered in Employment Exchanges who could do the work, and for whom farmers applied but cancelled their applications when they ascertained that soldier labour would cost them less?

I cannot give the numbers, as these are left to the discretion of the local military authorities. One of the conditions of the employment is that it does not interfere with military training. Soldier labour has been made available at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, owing to the shortage of civilian labour in certain districts. The farmer who employs it is required to pay to public funds the statutory wage which he would have to pay if the men were civilians. It is part of the arrangement that soldier labour will not be demanded if the Employment Exchanges are able to supply civilian labour.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that if we are trying to turn out soldiers in three months it is essential that they should train the whole time, especially if they have to compete with people who have been trained intensively for something like two years; and that it is essential to keep them on their job and not to let them go off into side-lines?

Yes, Sir. I agree in principle with my hon. and gallant Friend, but agriculture was in a difficulty and an appeal was made to us to help. It has been done in other countries.

Could not labour be obtained from the Employment Exchanges?

No, Sir. It was part of the arrangement that this labour would not be so used if the Employment Exchanges were able to supply sufficient men.

Would the right hon. Gentleman see that the money earned by the soldiers, which he says is paid into a public fund, is paid to the men who do the work? If they are to be soldiers let them be soldiers.

They are better off by the arrangement which I have described.

They do twice the work.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is desirable, and not only in the agricultural industry, that where civilian labour is required to carry on the economic life of the country, the Reserved List of occupations should be reconsidered, instead of men being called up into the Army first and then being put to work?

Is this arrangement of a temporary nature to cover the harvest period, or is it to go on indefinitely?

It is temporary to assist in a particular difficulty. In reply to the supplementary question of the hon. Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks), the men are protected by the Reserved List of occupations from enlistment. If they are known to be on the Reserved List we have returned men from the Territorial Army who have been previously engaged and who are now required as key men.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the undertaking given that no militiaman under 20 years of age should be sent abroad for military service, he will consider the case of boys who joined the Territorials before war at 18 years of age and who are now being sent abroad as they become 19 years old; why is this differentiation made; and whether he will put an end to this anomaly by ensuring that boys who joined voluntarily shall not be sent overseas at an earlier age than those who were called up under the Military Training Act?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to prevent lads of 19 years of age and under, already serving with His Majesty's Forces, from going overseas until they reach the age of 20?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner Kenneth Moore, No. 1462307, has been sent overseas; and why this has been done in view of the Government's policy that no man under the age of 20 years should be sent overseas?

On the introduction of the National Service (Armed Forces) Bill, I informed the House that we were taking out of the active Forces preparing for overseas all existing men who were under the age of 19, and that I would give an assurance that, if possible, before sending any man called up under the Bill out of the country when under the age of 20, I would make a statement to the House. This undertaking, which was accepted by the House, has been and will be observed. The reason for the differentiation is that the Regular and Territorial soldier has always been under the obligation to serve in the field under the terms of his voluntary enlistment.

Will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that men who have joined the Territorial Army at the age of 18 will not be precluded from going on active service at the age of 19, as there appears to be considerable misunderstanding? Many units have an average age of very little over 19 or 19I years, and if this condition were insisted upon it would deprive those units of the opportunity of standing beside our Allies.

I can give that undertaking. I am aware of the feeling of young men that they should be allowed to participate in active service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this young man to whom I refer was only 19 years of age, and the undertaking given to the House was that no one should be sent abroad if he was under 20? A volunteer of 19 is just as old and no older than a Territorial of that age.

I must apologise to the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Burke). I omitted to give the last part of my answer. In the case mentioned by the hon. Member for Burnley, the soldier, according to the age given on attestation, is over 19 years of age.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have sent him particulars of a case from my division of two brothers, one 18 and the other 20, who were sent abroad? Is not that really a breach of the spirit of the right hon. Gentleman's undertaking?

In any such case, where a mistake has been made, I have undertaken to bring the man back at once.

But if one applies for these men, as I have done in several cases, they are not sent back.

rose—

May I not put one supplementary, Mr. Speaker, on my own question? Does not the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that the volunteer is going to be placed in a worse position than the conscript?

From the volunteer's point of view, I think it would generally be true to say that he considers himself in a better position.

rose—

May I not ask a supplementary, Mr. Speaker, arising out of my own question? Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that when he gave that undertaking to the House it was generally supposed to mean that no lad of under 20 would be sent to France? In view of that, and as he has trained men of 20 and over, would he not consider replacing those young lads in France by men of over 20?

I think the hon. Member is under a complete misapprehension. Would it further reassure the House if I told hon. Members that at this moment we are taking out of the Forces for overseas all men of under 19—and they are very numerous—and we are not proposing to send them to France although they have enlisted again?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will advise the medical staffs of military hospitals that, whenever possible, they should use gas and oxygen analgesia in the dressing of war wounds of a severe character?

I am advised that the medical staff of military hospitals are fully aware of the value of this treatment, and will use it in all appropriate cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the nature of the representations he has received from the Glasgow Town Council, or the Lord Provost of Glasgow, regarding the licensing hours?

The representations which I received from the Glasgow Magistrates' Committee and from the Lord Provost were in favour of the restriction of the permitted hours.

Has the Minister seen the threat made by the Glasgow Lord Provost that if the publicans do not agree to his suggestions he will apply for an Order-in-Council; and, should such an application be made, will the Minister see that all the interests of the Glasgow citizens are carefully considered before any steps are taken?

I think the question is hypothetical, but I will certainly bear it in mind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that we do not completely lose what liberty we have in this war for liberty and democracy?

Liberty to get drunk.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will arrange a conference of representatives of all Scottish local authorities and Scottish Members of Parliament to discuss the whole question of evacuation of mothers and children?

I do not think that a conference of the kind suggested by the hon. Member would at the present time be helpful, but I shall continue to give careful consideration to all representations on the subject of evacuation which are made to my Department. I have met several local authorities, both in sending and receiving areas, and my hon. and gallant Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, has already had discussions on the subject with a number of Scottish local authorities: he is anxious to take every opportunity of further discussion with local authorities and also with Members of this House.

In view of the fact that the number of mothers and children who have returned to cities in Scotland from evacuation areas is very great, will the Minister not give this point his earnest consideration? Will he call a conference of all local authorities, so that the whole matter may be discussed?

I have considered the suggestion, but, as a conference would involve 170 local authorities and 70 Members of Parliament, I do not think it would help us a lot. I shall be glad, however, to consider specific questions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the considerable dissatisfaction with the result of previous representations made to him, and, in order to get some satisfaction, will he consider the suggestion made by my hon. Friend?

No, I am not aware of that dissatisfaction. I would rather that the hon. Member were more specific.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply and the fact that these things cannot be dealt with by question and answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many applications for supplementary petrol rations still remain to be dealt with in the North Midland area; and on what date it is expected they will be cleared?

There are no outstanding applications for supplementary petrol allowances in the North Midland area.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that serving officers and men who possess motor-cars and who cannot obtain supplementary petrol rations are prevented from visiting their families when they secure their few hours, leave each week; and will he look into the matter at an early date, with a view to increasing this allowance?

Where the basic ration is not sufficient for serving officers and men to visit their families while on leave, application can be made to the divisional petroleum officer in cases where other means of transport are not available.

Have any applications met with success?

That has always been part of the scheme. There may have been misunderstandings in the Press.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered letters dated 20th and 27th September, 1939, from an organisation claiming to represent 16,000 commercial road users appealing for an increase in the amount of petrol allowed to them; whether he can state whether he will accede to their request; and to what amount?

The letters in question have been received from the Associated Road Operators whose membership comprises, among other commercial road users, operators of what are known as private hire services; and it is only in regard to the petrol allowances for these services that representations have been made. A meeting has since been held between officials of my Department and representatives of the association concerned at which certain major difficulties were discussed. The association has promised to furnish additional information necessary for the proper consideration of the claims.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to consider the national scope of these public licensed vehicles in order that there shall be a more equal distribu- tion of petrol in the various provincial centres, as I have written to him on the matter?

I am considering the question of the private hire services. It is a difficult question, because of the possible element of luxury consumption involved.

Is the hon. Gentleman unaware that in regard to commercial vehicles the arrangement between road transport and the railways has more or less collapsed, and that the attitude of his Department in limiting supplies of petrol is having that effect; and will he reconsider the question?

The question of rationing for commercial vehicles is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, with a view to conserving the national supplies of petrol and oil, and to making any surplus available for essential purposes, such as agriculture, motor transport and the motor cars of commercial travellers, it is intended periodically to review the extra allowances to private individuals?

The motor fuel rationing scheme is designed to secure that supplies are available to meet essential requirements. Allowances for private cars will accordingly be reviewed from time to time in the light of this consideration.

asked the Secretary for Mines why he has decided to ration coal when so many pits are still closed and so many miners still unemployed?

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the object of reducing the production of coal gas, having regard to the ample supplies of coal and labour available in the mining areas of this country?

One of the main reasons for rationing coal, gas and electricity was the risk of dislocation of coal transport and distribution facilities. This risk remains and with it the need for rationing.

Is the Minister aware that at the present time there must be nearly 100,000 miners unemployed and that this Order is simply making things worse? Why prevent the sale of coal when there is a bigger demand for coal in war time?

In reply to the question of coal production and unemployment among miners, the Mining Association and the Mineworkers Federation of Great Britain are, at my request, at present considering the methods by which the anticipated increase for coal in war time can be met. That is the general question and they are dealing with it in that general way. It is indeed true that the coal output is rising, and in recent times miners formerly unemployed are being absorbed, but there is the particular question, which is separate from the broad general question of the increased demand for coal, of the difficulties in the exporting districts, where, owing to the convoy system only coming gradually into operation and the dislocation of shipping, there is difficulty in the export of coal, more especially on the North-East Coast.

The Minister said that more miners are being employed. Is he aware that only last Thursday the Minister of Labour said that 76,000 miners were unemployed, and that in Durham 14 of our largest collieries are standing idle?

In view of the widespread dissatisfaction in the country on this matter not only among miners, but among the general public, who have not been behind in accepting any restrictions or limitations, will the Minister reconsider this decision, as the answer he has given is vague and gives no reason at all?

Will my hon. Friend make a great effort to ensure that where the population of a town has been largely increased by reason of the introduction of evacuees, it shall not be rationed on its consumption of previous years, but on the consumption of the present population?

I would say to the hon. Lady at once that that is certainly one of the matters which comes within the competence of the organisation of the local schemes.

Can the Minister say why so many pits are working short time that cater for home consumption and not for export?

What I think is true is that there has not been an increase in unemployment in pits that are working coal for home consumption. Actually what has taken place is that the demand for coal is so good that the coal output is rising and unemployed miners are being absorbed. [An HON. MEMBER: "Very slowly."] That is acording to my information. The only men who have been falling out of work, or who come under the system of short-time, are in those districts which export coal. With regard to the output of coal for the home demand, as I have said, the Mining Association and the Mineworkers Federation are at work on that problem at the present time.

Owing to the very unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment either to-night or to-morrow.

asked the Secretary for Mines the cost of the Department for the Rationing of Coal and the number of persons engaged in it?

It is not yet possible to estimate the cost of the organisation dealing with coal, gas and electricity rationing, since the administration of the Fuel and Lighting Order, 1939, is a matter for local authorities, to whom the Department has undertaken to refund reasonable expenses incurred. The number of persons at headquarters engaged on the administration of the Fuel and Lighting Order, 1939, is at present nine.

Has the Minister realised now that whatever the expenditure, it is a waste of public money?

Surely, the Minister must have made some provisional estimate as to the probable cost, and cannot he tell the House?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of fuel overseers appointed in the country; what is the scale of payment to these officers; and whether there is any provision in the regulations which debars a local authority appointing one of its members, who is otherwise qualified, to these posts?

A local fuel overseer has been appointed by each local authority, of whom there are about 1,800. No scale of payment has been laid down but my Department has undertaken to refund to local authorities reasonable expenditure incurred in the administration of the Fuel and Lighting Order and the Retail Prices Order. There is no provision in the Order which would debar a member of a local authority from appointment as local fuel overseer provided he is not interested in the supply of coal, gas or electricity.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the appointment of a large number of these overseers, and will he consider the possibility of amalgamating some of these authorities?

My present information is that in order to cater for the wide variety of local needs it is wise to have a local man appointed.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that he is doing local authorities or the cause of local government no good service by taking up the attitude that it is good policy for local authorities to employ members of their own authority?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he took the opinion of the law officers of the Crown before issuing his circular letter of 20th September, 1939, to clerks to local authorities, in which it is stated that the Mines Department is advised that the Local Government Staffs (War Service) Act, 1939 does not apply to local fuel overseers; and whether he will introduce an amendment to that Act to remove any disqualification of a member of a local authority employed in the office of a local fuel overseer, as such disqualification has been removed in respect of the Civil Defence service?

The Department's legal advisers were consulted in regard to the circular letter to which the hon. Member refers. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the fact that the provisions of the blackout make approaches to many coalmines very dangerous, involving, in many cases, walking over sidings and colliery tramlines; and whether he will ask his inspectors to examine this matter and take measures to safeguard the men from such dangers?

Where work on colliery sidings and tramways is carried on at night, certain defined standards of lighting are permissible which should ensure a reasonable measure of safety if due care is taken, and I am glad to say that I have no evidence of any serious accidents being caused at collieries as a result of restricted lighting.

Will the Minister ask the inspectors to pay special consideration to this matter during the winter months?

Yes, Sir. I have already asked the inspectors to keep a watch on this matter.

asked the Prime Minister which member of the War Cabinet is responsible for the co-ordination of the nation's economic activities?

I would refer the hon. Member to the full statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made yesterday in reply to questions on this subject.

As the right hon. Gentleman is, so we understand, responsible for the co-ordination of our economic activities, may I ask him one or two supplementary questions? Will he state what is his conception of his functions in this regard, and whether Lord Stamp, who is the Chief Economic Adviser, is to devote himself exclusively to the work of this Department, whether he is to have a staff entirely independent of any assistance the Treasury may give him, and whether he can say why certain economists who rendered very good service to the Government in the last war, for example, Mr. Keynes, and the Junior Burgess the Member for Oxford University (Sir A. Salter) have not been employed?

I think that the House will feel that these supplementary questions would be better put upon the Paper.

As the right hon. Gentleman has now been appointed to this very important post, may I ask him a very plain question? Can he state to the House what is his conception of his functions in this connection?

The hon. Member cannot expect the right hon. Gentleman to answer that in reply to a supplementary question.

I think it is in order.

The hon. Member should put it on the Order Paper.

In view of the fact that Lord Stamp has been appointed, am I not entitled to ask the right hon. Gentleman, who knows all about this matter, whether Lord Stamp is to devote himself exclusively to the work of this Department?

That matter was dealt with yesterday by the Prime Minister.

On a point of Order. The Prime Minister merely stated that Lord Stamp was to be appointed as Chief Economic Adviser of the Government, but he was not clear on the point on which I have asked this supplementary question?

I would appeal to the hon. Member and to the general feeling of the House, that if these important questions are to be put, they should be put upon the Order Paper and not as supplementary questions.

Surely, the right hon. Gentleman does not require notice of the questions whether his Chief Economic Adviser is to be a full-time assistant, or whether he will continue the very numerous functions which Lord Stamp already carries out?

As Mr. Speaker has already observed, that matter was touched upon yesterday. If a question of that important character is to be put, I submit that it ought to be put on the Order Paper.

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the lack of confidence which the appointment to this post created yesterday has not been removed by his failure to answer questions to-day?

I am afraid that I am responsible for what has taken place. I ought not to have allowed these supplementary. The question on the Paper only asks which Member of the War Cabinet is responsible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that companies now advertising in the public Press schemes to insure property against war risks give no information as to their resources, expenses and receipts and publish no accounts and are not subject to any control such as is exercised by the Board of Trade in the case of all bona fide insurance companies; and whether he proposes to take any action to control the activities of such companies?

As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade said on 27th July last, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for East Ham, South (Mr. Barnes), this subject falls to be considered in connection with the report of the committee presided over by Lord Weir. I expect that this report will be published during the course of this week.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said last week that he would make a statement on this matter early this week. Does he propose to carry out that intention?

The publication of the Weir Report will be made this week, and in connection with it no doubt a statement will be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the announced policy of the Government of a levy on war wealth will involve two valuations, one prior to and one after the war; and when he proposes to carry through the earlier valuation?

As I stated in the course of the Debate on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill, investigation into the practicability of a levy on war-time increases of wealth is proceeding, and I am not, therefore, in a position to give the right hon. Member a reply to his question.

The right hon. Gentleman has told us that the Prime Minister stated several months ago that it was the intention to have this war-time levy on wealth. Will the right hon. Gentleman state when that levy will be imposed? If he cannot do so to-day, can he tell me whether he will be able to give an answer if I put down a question next week, or some other time?

The right hon. Gentleman knows that this is a very complicated question. I have already stated that it is being investigated as rapidly as may be, but I cannot state the date when I shall be able to make an announcement.

Does the Chancellor of the Exchequer not think the simplest course would be to pass into law Bill No. 16 on the Order Paper—the Conscription of Wealth Bill?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied with the present powers he has taken to conserve sterling and to prevent leakage through transfers from one foreign holder to another; and whether he contemplates exercising any further forms of control?

These powers have been very carefully framed with all relevant considerations in mind, and the matter is kept under constant review.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind also that there is considerable complaint among people who know that these transfers from one foreign ownership to another are resulting in persons with capital sums in this country transferring them to people who use them for the purpose of paying for exports?

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that both the nature and the size of the problem have been closely observed. There are a number of points that are to be dealt with and, as I have said, all relevant considerations are constantly kept under review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the revised assessments for Income Tax will be ready to be in the hands of all taxpayers before 1st January, 1940; and whether he proposes to make any change in the law regarding the duties of clerks to the Commissioners in accordance with the proposals of the Royal Commission on Income Tax?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of the Autumn Budget of 1931 several weeks went by after 1st January in some cases before the demand was brought to the attention of the taxpayer?