asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is considering the conditions under which the winter herring fishing in the Firth of Forth will take place; and when he will be in a position to announce the decisions reached as regards area, methods of fishing, and prices?

This matter will be considered by the Departments concerned but I am not yet in a position to say when it will be possible for an announcement to be made.

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the importance of this fishing to Scotland will be borne in mind.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the recent memorandum of the National Farmers' Union of Scotland setting out what they regard as the essential conditions for an adequate production of foodstuffs in Scotland; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that this objective shall be reached with out delay?

I have the representations of the National Farmers' Union and Chamber of Agriculture for Scotland under careful consideration in consultation with the other Ministers concerned, and also with the Union and Chamber themselves with whom I have had a meeting. The memorandum covers a wide field and raises questions affecting more than one Department, and I am not in a position to add to statements which have already been made. I can assure my hon. Friend, however, that every consideration will be given to the views expressed.

In order to restore confidence in the coming winter, will my right hon. Friend consider making a very early statement regarding the price of crops now in stack at the farms?

I am afraid I cannot add anything to what I have just said, but I assure my hon. Friend that very full consideration has been given to the representations which have been made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that the workers want £2 a week, and will he make a definite statement on that as soon as possible?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that many local authorities in reception areas are not aware of any instructions received from the Scottish Office requiring them to give special consideration to aged householders in connection with the billeting of evacuees; that large numbers of aged persons were required to take, and are still obliged to keep, evacuees in their homes, with con- sequent serious effects upon their health; and whether he will issue a special instruction to local authorities designed to safeguard the position of the aged householder?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him on 12th October. As indicated in that reply, I shall be glad to consider any specific cases which he may have in mind.

Does not my right hon. Friend recollect that in that reply he suggested that local authorities had already been instructed on this matter, and is he aware that I have seen several local authorities since that answer and that they have told me definitely that they have not so been instructed? Will my right hon. Friend reconsider the matter?

I do know that instructions were generally issued. Perhaps my hon. Friend will discuss the matter with me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the experience of the air-raid in the Forth area has caused the Government to examine afresh the question of classifying the burgh of South Queensferry as an evacuation area as urged by the town council; and whether he is in a position to make a statement thereanent?

I have decided that in view of the special position of South Queensferry, North Queensferry and In-verkeithing they should be treated as sending areas under the Government evacuation scheme. Parents of school children have been given information about the arrangements and the registration of children whose parents desire them to be evacuated began yesterday.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to what areas these children are to be evacuated, and whether it will be easy for their parents to visit them?

I would rather not say the exact district, but it will not be very far away from their present homes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman include other places on the Firth of Forth, such as Alloa and Kincardine, or at least stop sending children to those places which are within a bomb's throw of the Forth Bridge?

The hon. Member will recollect that in a relatively small country no place can be declared to be completely safe. I shall be glad to consider any specific proposals, but there is only a limited amount of accommodation in the areas to which the children can be sent.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Firth of Forth is definitely a dangerous area and that bombs dropped from 20,000 feet might conceivably land in Alloa or Kincardine, which at the moment are reception areas?

Those places are much farther away than the Queensferry area, which I have agreed to evacuate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make an inquiry into the position with regard to other villages right on the edge of the area which are affected in just the same way?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the grave discontent expressed by parents and responsible authorities in Scotland at the closing of elementary schools; and whether he will order the reopening of schools forthwith?

I am informed that all primary schools and departments in the reception areas in Scotland are now open, and that the majority of these schools in neutral areas have also been re-opened, although some remain closed pending the completion of the necessary measures of air-raid protection. Permission for the re-opening for all purposes of primary schools and departments in evacuation areas, has not been given, although the re-opening of these schools for purposes of registration, and medical inspection and treatment, has been permitted subject to the numbers on the premises at any one time being kept as low as possible. At schools re-opened for medical purposes meals may be provided to necessitous children. I am aware of the difficulties resulting from the closure of these schools. The question of their limited reopening for lessons, subject to proper safeguards, is at present under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a considerable number of cases, boys particularly are coming before the juvenile courts and that there is a large increase in the number of such cases, because there are no schools open during the day for these boys, and that this is a very difficult problem for the parents? Further, is he aware that the Setback in their education is very serious, and will he not consider having the schools opened at the earliest possible moment and clearing those schools which are used for other purposes?

I assure the hon. Member that I am aware of the difficulties, but with reference to the question he has just asked, I would point out that the importance of maintaining the evacuation scheme is also very great, and that if all the schools in the sending areas were fully opened, it might tend to draw the children back.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the consideration which he is giving to the matter, and which he has promised for some time, is likely to lead to his being able to give us a definite answer soon?

Very soon, but I cannot give any date. A later answer will explain what is being done already with regard to secondary schools.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the city of Glasgow tens of thousands of children have not attended school for the past two months, and will he do something to give them an opportunity of doing so?

If the hon. Gentleman will listen to a later answer, he will hear what is being done.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the fact that there are schools on the outskirts of Glasgow practically alongside schools in the county areas of Dumbarton and Renfrewshire, the one lot open and the other closed? Can he not do something in this matter?

Perhaps a later answer which I shall give will deal with that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the names of the local authorities that have agreed and disagreed, respectively, with his recent circular advising local authorities to suspend housing operations?

I have received no communication from any local authority recording either agreement or disagreement with the terms of the circular referred to. Several local authorities, however, have represented to me that it would be in the national interest for them to proceed with certain housing schemes not yet under construction, and I shall give careful consideration to all such representations.

Am I wrong in assuming that the Minister had consulted these local authorities before he issued that circular, and if not, will he consult all the local authorities in Scotland as to whether they agree or disagree with it?

This is a matter for which the Government take full responsibility, but I said in the circular that we were prepared to consider any scheme put forward by local authorities on the grounds of national interest. In 14 instances local authorities have made representations to me and I am prepared to consider them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the city of Glasgow, luxury building is going on now, and if that be so, why should house building be stopped?

The city of Glasgow has not so represented.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will open all available mines and employ all available miners for the purpose of producing coal for by-products necessary for the successful prosecution of the war and the employment of our people?

Efforts are being made, in consultation with both sides in the industry, to secure the necessary output of coal for all purposes.

asked the Secretary for Mines, as a concession to motorists, industrial and otherwise, whether he will permit the free use of benzol, of which there is an abundant supply which the Government do not require?

Motor benzole forms a useful contribution to our supplies of high grade motor spirit, but there does not appear to be any reason why its use should be exempted from the operation of the rationing scheme.

Will my hon. Friend consult with the gas companies as to the contribution they can make?

I am prepared to do that.

If the Government have any high-grade motor fuel, will they add a little to the present pool petrol, which is rapidly becoming unusable?

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that, in view of the Government's possession of large potential stocks of coal, they might also deliver some free coal to the population?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the by-product plant at Pencoed has commenced production; what is the present output; and how many personnel are employed?

By the courtesy of the company which is constructing the plant I am able to say that production has not yet commenced. The second and third parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.

Have the company given any indication when this is likely to take place?

They have not given any definite date.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that some collieries in South Yorkshire are off work one and two days a week; can he state the reason for this; and will he take further immediate steps to have suitable measures adopted to remedy this short-time working in view of the national demands for coal at the present time?

Yes, Sir. The hon. Member will appreciate that in the early stages of war a certain amount of dislocation, particularly in transport and shipping, is inevitable; the Department is fully alive to these problems and is taking all possible steps to meet the situation. In the meantime all immediate essential demands for coal are being successfully met.

Does not the Minister think that the stocking of surplus coal in accordance with the precedent adopted in industrial disputes might serve on this occasion?

We have asked that there should be stocking wherever possible.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that although there might have been some excuse for it in the early days of the war, there is no longer any justification for the working of short time generally? What does he propose to do about it? Is he going to sit quietly and do nothing and wait until the men and the owners have come to a decision?

Has the Minister's Department any contact with the managements of these collieries where short time is being worked, both in South and in West Yorkshire?

I cannot say about these particular collieries, but we have been in touch with the owners generally on the question of stocks.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that miners are still losing days intermittently; that this lost time is considerable; and whether he now proposes, in the light of experience, to abandon the scheme for rationing coal, gas and electricity?

The amount of time lost at collieries during the fortnight ended 14th October was considerably less than for the corresponding fortnight last year. As I indicated during the Debate on the Adjournment on 10th October, I do not consider that rationing is responsible for idle time at pits. Such idle time as exists is due not to rationing but to transportation difficulties. As at present advised, I do not, therefore, propose to abandon the rationing scheme nor to make any further relaxation than that which I announced on Friday.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that considerable time is being lost in the pits of Durham; and is he still prepared to carry on with the rationing system, in view of the fact that there is wholesale working of part-time and that a great mass of men are losing employment as a result of it?

The amount of short time which has been worked for the last fortnight in Durham is considerably less than it was this time last year. I am certainly prepared to discuss the question.

In view of the answer which the hon. Gentleman has given to the effect that he made a statement upon this matter in a recent Debate, and as this is a matter of high policy, can we have a guarantee that those who make this high policy will reconsider the whole situation?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the manager of Lepton Edge Collieries refuses to meet representatives of the Yorkshire Mine Workers' Association to discuss the reinstatement of a workman whose contract has been terminated; that an officer from the Mines Department discussed the question with the manager on 6th September, when he promised to reinstate the workman; that the promise has not yet been honoured and the manager refuses to make any communication about the matter; that such behaviour is likely to have serious results; and, in view of the fact that the Yorkshire Mine Workers' Association has been asked to co-operate with the coalowners in order to secure the maximum production of coal during the war, what steps he proposes to take to deal with colliery officials who refuse such co-operation as is shown in this case?

The company allege that the workman referred to was discharged on grounds of old age and infirmity. Proper notice having been given, the discharge was legal and I have no power to force his re-engagement. I very much regret that the company have not honoured the promise made on the 6th September to an officer of my Department to re-employ the workman.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is not just a recent occurrence, and that for some years this company has refused to settle anything by negotiation and to meet the association; and is he also aware that there is a growing sense of iritation about this business which will sooner or later result in an outburst when it will be too late to do anything?

In view of the stubborn attitude of the management of this colliery, which refuses to co-operate either with the miners of Yorkshire or the mine-owners, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to deal with managers of this description who may provoke an area stoppage or even a county stoppage unless some action is taken?

Of course, the House will appreciate that I have already made a strong statement on the matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, unless action is taken, the whole of Yorkshire may be involved?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is considering suspending the system of coal control in so far as it reduces supplies to householders until such time as a shortage of coal is likely?

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on this subject during the Debate on the Adjournment on 10th October.

In view of the great extent to which short time is now being worked in the collieries, would the Minister agree to meet the miners' representatives and to discuss the whole matter with them?

Yes, Sir.

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether these private conversations could be extended to include the rest of the House?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the restrictions in fuel consumption which provide that consumers are limited to 75 per cent. of their pre-war consumption, applies to householders in the reception areas who are housing evacuees and whose fuel requirements for lighting, cooking and heating are thereby considerably increased; and whether he will consider revising them so as to allow of increased allowances of fuel pro rata to the number of evacuees received in any house?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on Wednesday, nth October, to the hon. Member for Leyton, West.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether steps are being taken to secure the retention and expansion of our export trade in coal; and whether steps are being taken to secure the markets formerly supplied by Poland and subject to the provisions of the Anglo-Polish Coal Trade Agreement?

The hon. Member may rest assured that all possible steps are being taken to maintain and expand the export of coal.

What steps are being taken by the hon. Gentleman's Department to organise the industry for this purpose? Is he just leaving it to the owners?

I would not like this afternoon to go into detail on this matter. There are reasons why it is better not to do so, but I can assure the hon. Member that it is under very careful consideration in connection with the Ministry of Economic Warfare, as well as my own Department.

Who is considering this matter? Are the men being consulted?

I do not think the men are being consulted as to the actual destination of the output of coal, but they are being carefully consulted as to methods of increasing the output.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that many Scottish traders who have commercial vehicles on the road carrying goods as samples have been compelled to withdraw these vehicles due to lack of petrol; and will he inquire into this position and see that such traders from Scotland are not penalised as against English firms?

If the hon. Member is referring to private cars used by commercial travellers I would refer him to the reply I gave on 17th October to a question by the hon. and learned Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons). The arrangements referred to in that answer apply to Scotland equally with England.

If I can show the hon. Gentleman evidence of the penalisation of these firms, will he give consideration to the matter?

Yes, Sir, but I am not sure whether the hon. Member has yet appreciated the effect of the new arrangement which is coming into force.

Yes, but in spite of that, is there not penalisation?

asked the Secretary for Mines what representations he has received from the Nottingham Streamline Taximeter-cab Owners Association on the subject of petrol allowances; and whether he has decided to raise this from 50 to 90 gallons per month per taximeter-cab, as is already the case in London?

The representations I have-received are that Nottingham taxis should receive the same monthly allowance of petrol as the London taxis. At the end of September I reviewed the position in regard to provincial taxis and agreed to an increase in the maximum grant to-bring it up to the same level as for London for taxis of the same horse-power. The taxis employed by the Nottingham Streamline Taxi Service are of considerably lower horse-power than those used in London and they have been given an allowance appropriate to their horsepower. As at present advised, therefore, I regret that I cannot see my way to grant any further concession.

Is the Minister aware that 50 gallons for a 12 horse-power car would not take the vehicle nearly as far as 90 gallons for a 16 horse-power car; and in view of the special circumstances in the Nottingham area, will be receive special representations so that the whole question can be gone into thoroughly?

I am prepared to consider representations.

Will the hon Gentleman consider rationing petrol, as far as London is concerned, on the basis of the man and not of the cab, having regard to the fact that the London County Council has commandeered so many cabs that cabs are now being what we call doubled; that is to say, there are two men to a cab; and would he consider this matter having regard to the driver and not the vehicle?

I am aware of the difficulty which is caused by the reauisitioning,. but that is a different question and I would not like to give an undertaking of the kind for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider an alteration in the date of issue of petrol-ration books, so that the coupons in each book commence to be available on the first day of the month?

Yes, Sir. I have already decided in connection with the next issue of ration books to give effect to the suggestion contained in the question and also to indicate on the coupons contained in the ration books the period of validity.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether His Majesty's Government are contemplating a long-term programme for the economic development of the High Commissioner territories and the welfare of the people concerned?

There has been substantial development expenditure in the High Commission Territories within recent years, and work is still proceeding on some of the schemes adopted following the commissions of inquiry by Sir Alan Pim, including in particular an important scheme for dealing with soil erosion in Basutoland. The rate of further progress will have to be considered in the light of present financial circumstances, but as my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, stated on nth October, His Majesty's Government are anxious that social service and welfare work in the Colonial Empire shall be maintained to the utmost extent that war conditions permit.

Will the House have an opportunity of being informed as to the discussions with the Government of the Union of South Africa in regard to the economic development of these territories?

That is quite a different question.

In view of the magnitude of the problem, is not the work that is being done rather small, and will the light hon. Gentleman undertake not to make the war an excuse for not doing what is permitted to be done now?

If the hon. Gentleman studies my answer, he will see that I am in entire agreement with him, but I think experience shows that all expenditure is relative in these times.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether it is proposed to publish the native evidence submitted to the Royal Commission on the future of the Rhodesias?

It is not contemplated that evidence submitted to the Rhodesia-Nyasaland Royal Commission should be published. I understand that full reports of all the evidence given in public in the three territories were published in the local Press at the time.

Will it be possible for this evidence to be placed in the Library of the House?

It is extremely voluminous, and I am reluctant to incur any expense, but I will look into the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the figure of £8,750,000, which was given as the total amount on the 9th October in connection with the commodities war risk insurance, he can explain the smallness of the amount; and whether he can give an assurance that the necessary insurances are being effected to comply with the legislation which has already been passed?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much has been received in premiums on the commodity insurance scheme; and what is the total amount payable?

Is not this premium too high? Could my right hon. Friend give some basis on which it was arrived at, as there are many complaints that it is too high?

The House will recollect that we debated this subject a few days ago in the House, and that I did then give the assumption. Also hon. Members will recollect that, in view of the fact that September passed without damage from air raids, arrangements have been made to make a repayment to traders in respect of one month's premium.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to extend war risks insurance to works of art, including pictures?

By the War Risks Insurance (General Exceptions) Order, dated 22nd September, 1939, goods of the general description referred to by my hon. Friend were declared not to be insurable under Part II of the War Risks Insurance Act, 1939. This decision was arrived at after consideration of representations from the interests concerned.

In view of the fact that the opinion of the interests concerned has changed, will my right hon. Friend reconsider the whole question?

I could not do that. I had very long negotiations with these interests, and it was very strongly represented to me by all of them that they should be excluded from the Bill. That has now been done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the position of British exporters who have supplied goods to Poland; and whether, in the interest of maintaining the effective organisation of the firms concerned for the sake of the export trade, he will make available for the liquidation of Polish commercial debts any balances due in respect of imports to this country from Poland?

While I recognise the hardship of the position of exporters to whom money is owed from Poland, and have carefully considered the suggestion made by the right hon. Member, it would involve undue interference with the rights of Polish creditors. Moreover, it would not be practicable to make a distribution which would be equitable among the various claimants.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out no hope of getting rid of these balances, which are causing very great difficulty and em- barrassment in certain sections of the trade?

I would not like to say that I can hold out no hope. We are looking into the problem, but the right hon. Gentleman will realise the extraordinary difficulties of it, in view of the position of Poland to-day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether in any trade agreement with Soviet. Russia, he will stipulate that all merchandise during the duration of the war shall be carried in Soviet ships?

The possibilities of employing Soviet ships will, of course, be fully explored in any trade negotiations that may take place with the Soviet Government.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the ships would be much more usefully so employed than in conveying materials to Germany in the Baltic?

British ships are now going to be employed in bringing timber from Archangel to this country, and I should have thought there could be no better employment for them.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think the Russian Government are a milch cow for Germany?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the intensified campaign, at the instance of German firms, for the promotion of German trade in Holland and Scandinavian countries; whether appropriate measures are being adopted to maintain British competitive power in these markets; and whether as far as possible, facilities for conveyance of mails, transmission of cables and transport of samples are receiving the constant attention of his Department?

I have received reports of the matter indicated by my hon. Friend. His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the importance of promoting the United Kingdom export trade both to the countries mentioned and to other overseas markets. With this object, my Department is opening discussions with representatives of major exporting industries with a view to facilitating their operations. As regards the last part of the question, I am in constant touch with the appropriate Departments on matters affecting export trade.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that German industrial organisations are circularising firms in neutral countries offering certain facilities for the development of German trade as against trade with this country?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that, but there is a certain amount of doubt as to whether the Germans are in fact living up to the promises which they have made in those circulars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of perplexity in the country as to whether or not it is desirable to stimulate Christmas shopping this year, in view of military necessities; and will he make some pronouncement on this matter?

It will be the duty, as I know it will be the desire, of everyone in this country to respond to the appeal which will be made in due course for subscriptions to loans to finance our war expenditure. Subject to this, it is desirable that, so far as possible, the public should continue to buy in the usual way so as to reduce unemployment. The diversion of the productive resources of the country to war needs is bound to proceed progressively, and anything like a complete cessation of normal purchases for Christmas needs would not be in the national interest.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not advise other Departments to have a let-up on some of the restrictions that are taking place, where supplies are ample?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will undertake a rapid survey in order to ascertain to what extent the sudden rise in commodity prices is due to the uncoordinated commandeering of the productive supply of certain industries by Government Departments; and whether it is possible to ease the situation by organising a definite supply of rationed necessities for civilian use?

In answer to a question by the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith) on 18th October, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply described the coordination machinery set up to deal with priorities, which is, of course, subject to any general directions given by the economic organisation described in the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the same day. Under that machinery, arrangements are already being made to allocate productive capacity and raw materials for civilian uses, including exports.

However beautiful the plans are, is it not a fact that they are not working very well; and could the right hon. Gentleman look into the way in which the productive capacity of certain industries is being hampered?

I am having discussions with various industries, primarily with regard to exports, and I shall also take up any questions on other civilian use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make a statement with regard to the putting on sale of a cheap and effective blackout cloth?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter, but I hope to do so shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to maintain and develop the important export trade in linen from Northern Ireland?

I am anxious that this trade should be maintained and the matter is receiving active consideration in consultation with the Government of Northern Ireland. A meeting of representatives of the Irish linen trade and the interested Departments took place last week under the chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that both the trade unionists and the employers have practically resigned from the committee owing to the fact that nothing is being done to preserve this trade?

I do not know to what committee the hon. Member is referring, but the people who came over to see my right hon. Friend were glad of the chance of a discussion and the help we promised to give them in getting the raw material for the industry.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that they were not only glad, but satisfied?

Yes, Sir, I think very satisfied.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that commercial firms in neutral countries desiring to telephone to Germany can do so without any difficulty and that in France approved firms can obtain a permit to telephone to their customers and suppliers abroad; and whether, in view of the importance of helping the trade of this country, he will withdraw the censorship ban on telephoning abroad and institute machinery whereby approved firms desiring to make bona fide business calls shall be allowed to do so?

The proposal is being reviewed with the other Government Departments concerned.

How soon may we expect the result of this review?

I will let my hon. and gallant Friend know.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a list showing the names of the controllers of all the different commodities and, in such cases as these gentlemen were not previously Government officials, their business interests prior to their assuming their present duties and to what extent these interests continue?

I have been asked to reply. In making these appointments the Government seek to take advantage of the special qualifications of those whose services are at their disposal. They are confident that those appointed will not allow any private interests they may have, or have had, to conflict with the interests of the public service. The decision in any individual case is, of course, a matter for the appointing Minister.

May I, in the first place, ask whether my right hon. and gallant Friend will publish the list which is asked for; and, in asking that, may I be allowed to say that, of course, I cast no reflection at all on any of these gentlemen?

I am sure that neither my hon. Friend nor anybody else in this House wishes to cast any reflection on gentlemen who are doing these great public services. As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has appointed no controllers at all, and I said in my reply that hon. Members should ask individual Ministers.

Is it not perfectly reasonable that hon. Members and the House should have the names and the qualifications of all these people without going to the bother of asking questions of each individual Minister?

The answer to that is that replies have already been given by some Ministers to this very question.

Is it not possible that there are so many of these controllers that it is impossible to keep pace with their appointments and to know what they are, who they are, and what they do?

Would it not be possible to get their ages and to find out whether any of them are as young as the Minister of Shipping?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will refer to the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee the question of the desirability of the issue of a supplemental rent allowance to men in the Army, in all cases where the rent exceeds one-fifth of the family allowance?

It is the practice of the committee, in considering whether financial hardship due to service exists in any case, to address themselves to the position in which the household is left after all the irreducible commitments, including rent, have been met. This seems to me to be preferable to any rigid formula of the character suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are cases in the country where there are nine children in the family and the rent is 20s., leaving 19s. over; and does he not think that there ought to be direct rent allowances in all cases where rent forms more than one-fifth of the family's income?

I do not think that the case of an individual soldier having nine children is common, but I think that the formula that I have described is generally more to the advantage of the recipient than the formula suggested in the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it fair that every case where there are more than three children ought to go to a hardship committee?

I was asked whether I could substitute a particular formula for another one, and I said that I think the method which I indicated was more advantageous. There is a Special Allowances Committee, from which more advantage would accrue to the recipients than from the method suggested in the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no alteration of a formula will be satisfactory, and will he, in view of the Debate, which showed that the allowances were far too meagre, reconsider the whole matter?

Will the right hon. Gentleman address himself to this: there is no question of substituting one method for another; the question applies to cases where the rent exceeds one-fifth of the family's income and asks whether additional allowances can be given?

I have said that it is the practice of the committee, when considering whether financial hardship due to service exists, to address themselves to the position in which the household is left after the rent and other irreducible commitments have been paid. I have said that that is more advantageous than the proposal in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can assure the House that each member of His Majesty's Forces who has been embarked for France has had an issue of a greatcoat; and, if not, will he state the reason why?

It has come to notice that, for some reason which is not clear, about 200 men arrived in France without greatcoats. Steps were at once taken to make good the deficiency.

Can we have an assurance that the Minister knows that all the men on the Western Front have had that issue?

Yes, Sir. There was an omission in the case of only 200 men out of this large number who arrived without greatcoats, but they were issued as soon as the omission was discovered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will enrol as soon as possible some mathe- maticians who are not already employed and put them through a course of gunnery, so as to fit them to instruct at the various schools where there may be a lack of mathematical training among instructors?

The number of mathematicians who have enrolled in the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve is sufficient to meet present needs, and they are being called up as required.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to state to what Minister Sir Walter Monckton is responsible for his work in connection with the censorship of news?

As I stated on 3rd October, the censors in dealing with particular items of news will be guided by the directions of the Departments concerned with the subject matter of such news. To facilitate the giving of such directions members of the staffs of the various Departments have been specially attached to the Press and Censorship Bureau. The expenditure of the bureau will be accounted for by the Home Office; and, subject to the arrangement just described by which each Minister will remain responsible for the handling of news concerning his own Department, the Director-General will be answerable to the Home Secretary.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can arrange a day on which questions to the Minister of Shipping will have precedence?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the temporary discontinuance of Monday sittings of Parliament, alternative arrangements can be made for questions to be dealt with by the Minister of Agriculture at a time likely to ensure such questions being reached?

I realise the difficulties in regard to oral questions, but I would remind the House that we are working under unusual conditions. I desire, however, to meet the convenience of hon. Members as far as possible and suggest that the order of questions should be considered through the usual channels.

Are not questions to the Ministry of Shipping a special case in view of the fact that it is a new Ministry dealing with a vital industry; and in view of the fact that the present Minister at his first interview with the shipowners very largely handed the Ministry over to them, is it not necessary that there should be some public control so far as questions from Members can get information?

On a point of Order. As the House is normally entitled to five hours' questions a week, would it not be possible to increase the time permitted to questions on the three days on which we are sitting so that all Members can question the Government on those subjects in which the country and the House are particularly interested?

I doubt very much whether the House would agree with that view.

Having regard to the fact that the Minister of Shipping has now appointed an adviser in the shape of a shipowner, and that his Parliamentary Private Secretary is also a shipowner, will the Prime Minister agree to appoint a representative of the workpeople also to advise the Minister?

That is a different question. If the hon. Member will put it down I will try to give him an answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will collect the opinions of Members upon the advisability of altering the normal hour of Adjournment to an earlier hour than 11 p.m. in the interests of the staff employed in the House who are experiencing difficulty in reaching their homes during black-out conditions?

Provided the necessary Government Business can be disposed of I should see no objection to any arrangement to secure the earlier rising of the House in view of present conditions, which might be come to after consultation through the usual channels.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of setting up an inquiry into the question of salaries paid to all wartime administrators, with a view to bringing them more into accord with public opinion and to levelling up the numerous anomalies as between paid and unpaid service?

I have been asked to reply. The remuneration of persons appointed in a temporary capacity to wartime posts in Government Departments is carefully co-ordinated by the Treasury, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is satisfied that the rates approved are fair and reasonable. In these circumstances he does not think that any useful purpose would be served by an inquiry of the kind suggested.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not see that unpaid service never comes before the Treasury for sanction, and therefore there can be no co-ordination between unpaid service and paid service, and as that is one of the matters which is giving rise to the greatest amount of public discontent, will he make some inquiry into that aspect of the matter?

The hon. Member is going beyond the question which is on the Paper. Of course there is coordination, whether the service is paid or unpaid. Appointments are not made without the cognisance of the Treasury.

Is it not then correct to say that in the case of unpaid appointments the sanction of the Treasury is necessary?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that many people, men and women of ability but no means, are offering their services to the State but find that people of means are occupying a considerable number of the paid posts; and will he instruct all Departments to fill all posts, other things being equal, with people who need to earn a living?

The selection of persons for employment in the Government service is on the bases of suitability and qualifications and I could not agree that the most suitable and best qualified candidate should be refused appointment on the grounds suggested in the question.

In that case, would the Minister explain why so many of the more suitable applicants are refused, on the ground that they have no titles or have not dined with the correct people?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in the public interest he will now consider the formation of an economy committee of suitable business men to enquire into the wasteful expenditure of many Government Departments?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now consider the appointment of a full-time economy committee consisting mainly of accountants and business men with powers to scrutinise all Departmental accounts, and to report upon their organisation and staffing?

As my right hon. Friend has already informed the House, the Government are anxious to obtain the help of suitably qualified business men in examining the expenditure particularly of new or largely expanded Departments; but he thinks he can make more effective use of their services by inviting them to undertake specific investigations, as he has already done in some instances, than by the method suggested by my hon. Friends.

Is this to be an immediate operation, or how long will it take before these people are employed?

I do not know what the hon. Member means by "immediate operation," but presumably he will recollect that financial members have been added both to the Air and Supply Ministries in recent weeks.

May I ask whether this committee will also consider the organisation of the various Departments?

I think the hon. Member must have misheard my answer. There is no committee.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the appointment of business men would be the worst thing, because a good business man ought to make as good a profit as possible and encourage spending?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the arrangement made by the Treasury with the British directors of the Bank for International Settlements not to attend any meetings of the board without agreement with the Treasury and that they will not in any case during the war meet the German members, it is his intention to ascertain when the meetings of the board will be held, and if the German members propose to attend?

As the British directors will not attend any meetings without agreement with the Treasury, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be made aware of the date and circumstances of any proposed meeting of the board.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say by whom he will be made aware, by the directors or by the Bank itself?

I should say by the directors when they get notice of the meeting.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can arrange for the minting and distribution of a sufficient number of farthings for those districts where this coinage is not in common use, to avoid the overcharging of small quantities of goods where the price-fixing orders of the Government necessitate the use of this coin?

The issue of additional bronze coin is regulated on the basis of requisitions by the banks, who alone can gauge the net requirements of their customers. All demands for farthings received up to date by the Mint from the banks have been met. The quantity of farthings in circulation is of the order of several hundred million coins.

Is the Minister aware that the banks are not likely to be aware of the necessity for these small coins, and that the lack of them means that all prices will be increased to poor people by more than a farthing because of the lack of farthings?

I have just said that the banks will be able to gauge the requirements of their customers. That has always been the case in the past and the fact that hundreds of millions of these coins are in circulation proves that.

They are all in Scotland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the continued high level of the Bank Rate is causing grave concern in the minds of all sections of the community because they fear it will result in the financing of the war imposing a crushing burden of debt on the country; and will he take steps to restore to Parliament the prerogative of creating the money necessary to finance the war in the national interest?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on the subject of the Bank Rate in the Debate on the War Budget and in particular to his assurance that it was the Government's policy to borrow from the genuine savings of the people at the lowest rate that we can. If the suggestion in the second part of my hon. Friend's question is that our note circulation should be made by the Treasury and not by the Bank of England, my right hon. Friend does not think that any advantage would be gained by such a change.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say why the Government have taken no steps to control the most important of all commodities— money? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"] On a point of Order, this is a very important matter. At the moment we are paying 150 per cent. more for Treasury bills than we did on 19th August and why is such profiteering allowed?

That is not a point of Order.

Is it not possible to get an answer to a supplementary question?

I understood that the hon. Member was putting a point of Order. If I may, in spite of that, give him an answer, it would be to this effect, that if he will study the statement which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made on the subject of the Bank Rate—if that is what he has in mind—he will find there the explanation of the Government's action in this matter.

Having regard to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I beg to give notice that I shall raise this subject on the Adjournment.

May I be allowed to put a supplementary question? Is the right hon. and gallant Member aware that there is a very widespread feeling among the industrial and commercial community that the Bank Rate at the present juncture is too high, and will he take advice from other banking interests?

That is another question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the appointment of a liaison officer between the Treasury and the British public?

My right hon. Friend sees no need for an additional appointment of this character.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the little men and the little women in this country are very much concerned in this matter, and why should not they have contact with the Treasury? Is he further aware of the danger which arises from the dead hand of the Treasury, which absolutely suppresses all constructive effort in this country? May I have an answer?