asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he will arrange to publish a list of the headquarters staff of the Ministry, other than clerical and messengers, stating the salary of each officer?

The following is the information asked for in my hon. Friend's question:

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether, in order to prevent neutral, especially Scandinavian, countries coming under German economic in- fluence, he will consider what steps can be taken for this country to acquire as large a proportion as possible of the exports of these countries for consumption here or for resale on the world market?

Yes, Sir. I have these considerations fully in mind, and certain purchases have already been made.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he will consider opening the library of the School of Economics to research students who possess tickets to use the library and thus bring his Department into line with the other Ministries in this regard?

As the rooms of the library are in continuous use by members of my Department, it is unfortunately not possible to give the public access to them. Arrangements have now, however, been made whereby books and other material available only in the library of the London School of Economics will be transferred, as and when required to the library of the University of London, where such volumes can be consulted by members of the teaching staff and registered students, both post-graduates and undergraduates, of the London School of Economics. This transfer will not, however, apply to such material as is required for consultation in the interests of my Department's work.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he will consider the possibility of making to the House a statement on the progress and effectiveness of the blockade of Germany which will have regard to all her coasts and frontiers and to neutral avenues of entry?

The Prime Minister in his weekly statement to the House on 26th September gave a general account of the work performed by my Department. From the very outbreak of war a system of contraband control has been in full operation with contraband control bases at Weymouth, Kirkwall, and the Downs in the United Kingdom, and also at Gibraltar and Haifa. In the first six weeks of the war the contraband control intercepted and detained 338,000 tons of goods, in respect of which there was evidence that they were suspected contraband destined for Germany. This total included:76,500 tons of petroleum products,65,000 tons of iron ore,38,500 tons of manganese ore,24,500 tons of phosphates,21,500 tons of aluminium16,500 tons of haematite ore,13,000 tons of copra, and10,300 tons of oilseeds.Discussions have recently been opened with a number of neutral Governments on questions arising out of the contraband control and delegations from Iceland, Sweden, Holland and Belgium are at present in London. Conversations with other Governments are being conducted through the diplomatic channel. These discussions are proceeding in a friendly spirit and good progress is being made.In general the position is that Germany is now effectively cut off from nearly all her overseas sources of supply. At the same time it remains necessary to examine all cargoes with the greatest care and, while His Majesty's Government naturally desire to take full account of the bona fide trading needs of neutral countries, they are determined to exercise their belligerent rights to the full to intercept all cargoes of contraband suspected of having ultimate enemy destination.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he can state the number of professors employed on his staff; whether the salaries paid to such professors and equally, to transferred civil servants, are the same for both classes as they would have received in their normal activities; and whether he will state any notable differences?

The number of University professors employed in the Ministry of Information is eight, three of whom are to be released from the service of the Ministry as a result of reorganisation. The transferred civil servants are being paid at the same rate as they received in their former positions. As regards the professors, their present salaries are in each case considerably less than the total emoluments received by them before their appointment to the Ministry, and in three cases they are approximately one-half of that figure.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information what is being done to meet and defeat the enemy's propaganda in Belgium and Holland?

It would not be in the country's interest to publish particulars of the plans which exist for countering enemy propaganda in Belgium and Holland. My hon. Friend will appreciate that to reveal the nature and extent of plans for British publicity in any area would inevitably tend to compromise the effect of such plans; but he can rest assured that the Ministry is aware of the critical importance of action in this field, and is already taking energetic steps to see that the British case is fully presented.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that in some areas retailers of bacon, butter, and lard are unable to purchase a sufficient supply; and can he devise means of acquainting consumers of this position, so as to prevent blame being attached to the retailers?

Owing to irregularity in arrivals in the early weeks of the war, it was not possible for a time to release in all cases sufficient deliveries of bacon, butter and lard to meet the rate of consumption, which has been above the average. Alternative materials have usually been available. The position has now improved. Opportunities have been taken through the usual publicity channels to explain the position, which I believe is generally well understood, and this practice will be continued.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that a butcher at Waltham Abbey, with about 400 customers, was refused a licence by the local food committee on which another member of the butchery trade was sitting; and whether he will have the case investigated?

I am making inquiries into the case to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can now state the definition, for the purpose of grade payments, of the terms lamb and mutton?

Pending the introduction of full control, the distinction between lamb and sheep is that a lamb is this year's stock, namely, born in 1939.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in the interests of pig production and taking into account the difficulty of sending pigs to slaughterhouses in distant towns, he will continue the present practice of allowing pigs to be slaughtered in farms and cottages?

No action has yet been taken to prevent the slaughter of pigs by farmers and cottagers. I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind in connection with any future control of the slaughtering of livestock.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make for the Royal Air Force and Women's Auxiliary Air Force regulations similar to those issued by the Secretary of State for War enabling officers and other ranks in the Army and in the Auxiliary Territorial Service to enter public places together in uniform?

This has been done.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers and noncommissioned officers appointed to the Royal Air Force were drawing full pay during the month of September without any employment or instructional facilities being available; and what is the longest period during which an officer or noncommissioned officer has continued in this position?

No officers have been in receipt of pay without employment; but at the beginning of October, some 3,000 non-commissioned officers had been in this position since the general mobilisation on 1st September. They are being absorbed in Service vacancies as and when training facilities are available, and they should all be absorbed in the course of the next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give an assurance that separation and dependants allowances for officers and men in the Royal Air Force and the Auxiliary Air Force have now been paid up to date?

Claims for family allowances are continuously being received and there is always a large number under examination. In many cases the information supplied by the claimant is insufficient or incorrect, so that further inquiries are necessary before the claim can be passed. Special attention has, however, been given to this matter, and I am satisfied that payment is being made with the minimum of delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that the contractors already employed can supply all the aircraft-generators that his Department requires, and can supply them as quickly as they can be utilised?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that the fullest possible use is being made of volunteers to fill the ranks of the Observer Corps; what is the scale of pay for observers where sufficient volunteers are not forthcoming; and for how many hours a day or week a paid observer is on duty?

All members of the Observer Corps are volunteers. Only a limited number are on full-time duty and these are paid at the rate of £3 for a 48-hour week. The remainder, who, on the average, are on duty for 16 hours a week, receive 1s. 3d. an hour to meet out-of-pocket expenses.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the total amount of money expended during the last four months on advertising in the public Press for civilian instructors in terms, substantially similar to those appearing in the "News Chronicle" of the 17th October; and how many civilian instructors have been obtained as a result of such advertisements?

About £2,000 has been spent on these advertisements and they have produced over 2,300 applications. One hundred and fifty-eight appointments have been made to date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that in a recent general knowledge paper of the examination for accountancy in the Royal Air Force a question was set asking the examinee to describe and account for the attitude of the British Government to the Spanish civil war; and whether he will give directions to the examiners that in future questions should be avoided which are certain to be interpreted as designed to facilitate knowledge of candidates' political opinions and discrimination against opponents of the Government?

The paper, of which I am sending the hon. Lady a copy, was designed to test the knowledge of candidates "in matters of current importance," and consisted of eight questions, of which candidates could choose any four. It is not easy in setting a comprehensive paper of this kind to exclude all questions which might conceivably be regarded as having political implications. The Civil Service Commissioners appreciate the importance of avoiding questions which might give rise to the impression suggested by the hon. Lady, although I need hardly add that any such impression would be quite mistaken.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of persons killed and injured on the roads in Scotland for each week since the commencement of the black-out and similar figures for Glasgow; and the figures for the same periods of 1938?

I regret to state that the number of persons reported as having died as a result of road accidents in Scot-laud during the month of September, 1939, was 136, compared with 46 in September, 1938. Weekly figures and information as to the number of injured are not available. The corresponding figures for Glasgow were 30 and 10, respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can say approximately what part of the increase in fatal road accidents occurs in hours of darkness and what part in hours of daylight?

I assume that the hon. Baronet refers to the period since the black-out was put into operation. For the month of September I have no information on this point for the country as a whole, but an analysis of some 300 fatalities in eight districts indicates that during that month by far the greater part of the increase was due to accidents during the hours of darkness. For October and subsequent months, I hope to obtain figures which will show the proportion of fatal accidents occurring during the hours of darkness.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increase in road accidents due to black-out conditions, he will assist drivers of road-vehicles by marking bollards, corners and crossing by means of reflecting studs?

I do not think that under black-out conditions the extended use of reflecting studs, which would involve heavy expenditure, would help the drivers of road vehicles more than the methods now adopted. With the approved type of masked headlamp and the use of white paint in accordance with the directions given to highway authorities, drivers exercising proper care should have no difficulty in picking out corners and crossings. Instructions have already been issued to local authorities regarding the suitable illumination of bollards.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increase in road accidents apparently occasioned by the black-out conditions, he will consider reducing the speed of motor-vehicles in towns, from the present limit of 30 miles to 15 miles an hour or less during the black-out hours?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hulme (Sir J. Nall) on 15th September last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the county town of Oakham, which is a reception area, has no Sunday train service, although trains up from and down to London pass through on Sundays; and will he arrange with the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company for at least one train per day in order to save petrol and for the convenience of parents of evacuated children who at present come by motor-coach?

I am advised that the only trains passing through Oakham on Sundays are express trains to and from the North which it would be undesirable to stop for the purpose suggested by my hon. Friend. I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health the possibility of providing special railway facilities for parents to visit their children in the reception areas.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the case of a cautionary air-raid warning only, railway companies are expected to refuse admission of passengers to their stations?

I regret to say that on a recent occasion certain underground stations in London were closed on receipt of a cautionary warning signal. The closing was the result of a mistaken interpretation of instructions, and steps have been taken to prevent its recurrence.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can now make a detailed statement as to the provision of better light in Metropolitan and suburban trains, as such provision has been made on the main line trains?

As I stated on the 18th October in answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, East (Mr. Boothby) the lighting of suburban trains is being improved where necessary to a standard adequate for safety. This work is proceeding as rapidly as supplies can be obtained. Means of enabling a reading light to be provided in these trains are being tested but I am not yet able to make a statement.On main line trains the provision of the agreed standard of reading light is proceeding, but my hon. Friend will realise that it will take some time to obtain supplies sufficient to equip all trains and to carry out the necessary measures? to adapt it to the different, varieties of rolling stock in use.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, on 17th October, a carriage was reserved for members of the Wool Control Board on the 9.40 a.m. London and North Eastern Railway Company's train from Leeds to King's Cross; whether this was in accordance with the recent regulations of the Railway Executive Committee; and whether this facility may be extended to Members of this House?

I find on inquiry that the reservation to which my hon. Friend refers was in fact made. This was contrary to the instructions of the Railway Executive Committee and suitable action has been taken to prevent a repetition of such an occurrence. I regret that under existing conditions of railway working it is not practicable to reintroduce the system of reserving carriages or seats.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that members of His Majesty's Forces proceeding on leave in this country are issued with tickets on the railways at a cost of one-half of the ordinary return fare; and whether, in view of the fact that the ordinary return fare is greatly in excess of the monthly return fare available generally to all travellers, he will arrange with the railway companies, so long as leave tickets are chargeable at all, to issue to men proceeding on leave all tickets at one- half of the monthly return fare, so that the concession of half-fare may be a real one?

Members of His Majesty's Forces travelling on leave at their own expense are given a single ticket at half the ordinary single fare or a return ticket at ordinary single fare. This concession was made in December, 1932. At that time week-end tickets were issued to travellers generally at single fare plus one-third, and in May, 1933, the same payment of single fare plus one-third was extended to cover return tickets available for one month.The present concessions to members of His Majesty's Forces, and to travellers generally, have thus been in operation concurrently for more than six years. Any further concession could not be justified on economic grounds. Free travelling warrants are granted to members of His Majesty's Forces on certain occasions.

asked the Home Secretary whether Anderson shelters will be supplied to applicants irrespective of income or, failing that, if a sliding scale can be allowed whereby incomes not exceeding £250 may get them free of charge, and up to £1,000 incomes on or over to be paid for by the applicant?

As I have already announced, a limited number of the shelters will be made available on payment to householders who are outside the scheme of free distribution. A circular on the arrangements is now being issued to local authorities in the areas in which these shelters will be supplied.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to accede to the request of the Glasgow local authority to allow a relaxation of the black-out in the lighting of Glasgow streets, since such lights can be extinguished at a moment's notice, especially as the ironworks known as Dixon's Blazes in the city can be seen any evening for many miles?

I have received no such request from the Corporation of Glasgow, though certain representations to this effect were made to my Department a short time ago by a deputation of Councillors representing the Transport and Lighting Departments of the Corporation. The suggestion made in various quarters that normal street lighting should be allowed in those cases where it can be controlled centrally, subject to its being extinguished on receipt of an air-raid warning, has been carefully considered by the Government; but it has had to be rejected on the ground that considerations of safety would demand that the lighting should be extinguished on the receipt of the preliminary air-raid warning, which would thereby be converted into a public warning. As regards the last part of the question, active steps are being taken to screen the glare from the ironworks known as Dixon's Blazes.

asked the Home Secretary what consultations have taken place with the trade unions with reference to the lighting restrictions at mines, railways and other industries?

Industries requiring some form of external lighting for the conduct of work of national importance have received all possible assistance from my Department in applying the lighting restrictions to their particular problems. The Department has proceeded by drawing up, in consultation with representatives of the industry and other Government Departments concerned, a scheme for each industry indicating in general how the restrictions could best be met. The detailed application of each scheme is a matter for the industry and any special difficulties raised by the men concerned are considered in conjunction with their representatives if the matter is brought to my notice through them. The wider question of the effect of these restrictions on industry in general is to be discussed at a meeting which I am holding this week with representatives of employers and trade unions.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now reviewed the question of the heavy increase of street and highways accidents; and whether it is now intended to effect a modification in the lighting restrictions?

The existing restrictions on street lighting have been carefully reviewed by the Government, but it has not been found practicable to authorise any further relaxations beyond those referred to by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport in his statement last week.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the new black-out lamp invented by the Liverpool city electrical engineer?

According to information supplied by the city electrical engineer, the illumination provided on the ground by this system of lighting is of much the same intensity as that used for the purpose of certain experiments recently undertaken by my direction and found then to be unsuitable from the point of view of the concealment of objectives from aircraft. I am, however, making further investigations into this experiment at Liverpool.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the official head-lamp mask for all motor vehicles?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the nth October to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Brooke). I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the pamphlet referred to in that answer. The mask is now coming on the market in increasing quantities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the financial difficulties of the blind men evacuated from London to Exeter, many of whom were taken from employment and their families evacuated to other places; that they are being pressed for the rent of their houses in London; that it is impossible for them to meet their liabilities out of the money granted to them; and what action he proposes to take to safeguard their homes?

The Government are providing these men with free billets and I am informed that the London County Council are granting financial assistance at the usual Exeter rate for unemployed blind men.The London Society for the Blind are also considering the question of providing workshop employment in Exeter for some of the London blind.

asked the Minister of Health whether householders, on whom evacuated children are billeted and who themselves have children, are compelled to accept evacuees who have not been inoculated against smallpox even if they object?

The consideration whether a child has or has not been vaccinated is not at present one which the local authority is required to consider in arranging billets for evacuated children. I am advised that in present circumstances the risk involved need not be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the growing discontent of doctors in relation to the unsatisfactory arrangements made in connection with first-aid posts, by reason of their frequent attendance for the purpose of ensuring efficiency should an emergency arise, and of the fact that they do not know whether they are to be remunerated or are expected to do such work voluntarily; and whether he will make a definite statement explaining the precise position so as to avoid misunderstandings?

I recently discussed with representative doctors attached to first-aid posts the arrangements already made for training the personnel attached to the posts and the remuneration to which they are entitled under those arrangements. I recognise that some revision of the plan may be required owing to the course which the war has taken up to the present, and I am considering the representations made in the light of reports which I have asked my officers to make on the situation in various parts of the country.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recommendation by Scotland Yard that a Polish woman, named Rachela Schaffer, of Castellain Mansions, Castellain Road, Maida Vale, should be deported; and whether he will see to it that this recommendation is rescinded, in view of the fact that she is staying with her relations and has nowhere else to go?

The court made no recommendation for deportation in this case: and the woman is not being required to leave the country.

asked the Home Secretary how many cases have occurred in which there has been failure to implement the unconditional guarantees of maintenance given by persons in this country in respect of alien refugees admitted; and how-such failures are being met?

These guarantees were given by individuals to the voluntary organisations on whose application the aliens concerned were admitted to this country. Any question of the enforcement of a guarantee is, therefore, a matter for the voluntary organisations. I understand that some cases have occurred in which the voluntary organisations have been satisfied that a guarantor ought, owing to a change in his circumstances, to be relieved of his obligation, and in these cases if no substitute guarantor can be found, the voluntary organisations have accepted responsibility for the care of the refugee as a charge on their central funds.

asked the Home Secretary how much of the £4,000,000 given by His Majesty's Government early this year as a gift earmarked to assist refugees from Czecho-Slovakia has been handed over; to what organisations it has been given; what accounts are rendered and to whom; and who are the representatives of His Majesty's Government watching the expenditure of the sums handed over?

At the end of last Session the sum of £2,500,000 was voted by Parliament as a grant-in-aid of the Czecho-Slovak Refugee Trust Fund, which had been set up under the Trust of the 21st July, 1939, to enable the trustees to continue to provide financial assistance to refugees, pending completion of the arrangements for the unexpended balance of the free gift made to the former Czecho-Slovak Government to be paid to the Czecho-Slovak Refugee Trust Fund, when the amount advanced from the vote would be repaid to the Exchequer. Two sums of £250,000 each were paid by the Home Office to the trustees on 14th and 17th August respectively, but of this total the sum of £176,000 was to enable the trustees to repay advances which had been made to them and to the British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia out of the Civil Contingencies Fund. Three trustees have been appointed by the Home Office to carry out the terms of the Trust which requires inter alia that they shall furnish their accounts, audited and certified by such person or persons as the Treasury may approve, to the Secretary of State and the Treasury. My hon. Friend will find further particulars of the Trust Fund in the White Paper which was issued by the Home Office in July last.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the suffering and danger imposed on many victims of Nazi or anti-Semite persecution by the unwillingness of this country or France to receive further refugees in wartime, he will consider making representations to the Governments of the United States of America, other neutral countries and the Dominions as to whether they will temporarily increase their quota of foreign refugee immigrants?

I cannot speak for the French Government, but, in view of the inability of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the British refugee organisations, under wartime conditions, to accept further refugees from enemy-controlled territory, my Noble Friend is not prepared to exert influence on the Governments of the Dominions or of neutral countries in a matter lying entirely within their jurisdiction.

asked the Home Secretary whether regular arrangements are made to confer with the representatives of the Press as to the operation of the issue of official news and the Press censorship, with a view to ensuring that these work as smoothly and rapidly as possible?

I am informed that the Press and Censorship Bureau have held frequent discussions with representatives of the Press regarding both the issue of news and Press censorship, and that the censorship and news divisions are in regular daily contact at the bureau with journalists representing newspapers. The censorship division is, and always has been, in the closest touch with the Press through the Newspaper Proprietors Association and other representative bodies, and a committee consisting of Press representatives and the representatives of the different Government Departments concerned is sitting at the present time to deal with censorship questions.

asked the Home Secretary what restrictions his censorship department has imposed on the rights of citizens to put up posters?

I am informed that the Press and Censorship Bureau have placed no restrictions on the right of citizens to put up posters.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is taking action to increase the output of aluminium, duralumin, and other urgently-required metals; and what steps are being taken to increase the output of extruded sections of aluminium and duralumin and sheets of these metals?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.With regard to the second part, I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air, who is responsible for the co-ordination of the arrangements for fabrication of light alloy materials, that all possible steps are being taken to increase supplies of such materials to meet Air Ministry and other requirements. My right hon. Friend issued a notice to the Press on the 22nd October regarding a scheme for utilising the national productive capacity for these alloys to the best advantage. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this notice.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been called to the fact that importation of certain kinds of timber has been stopped because the prices fixed in September are now below the cost of replacement; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs?

The provision of fresh supplies of timber is not being hindered by the maximum prices fixed for the sale of stocks in this country. The importation of timber is centralised in the Timber Controller and he is taking steps to secure all possible supplies.

asked the Minister of Supply on what qualifications Sir Keith Price, leading timber merchant, has been appointed Director of Chemical Warfare?

Sir Keith Price's qualification for his present position is his past experience of this class of munitions activity. During the last war he was not only one of Lord Moulton's chief assistants from 1914, but, when the Council of the Ministry of Munitions was formed, he became the member responsible for the explosives department and for chemical warfare. He enjoys complete confidence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that the decision of the refugee organisations to suspend the setting up of a corporation to promote the settlement of Jewish refugees in British Guiana will only be permitted to be temporary, having regard to the fact that subsequent re-emigration was a condition of entry into this country accepted by those organisations?

I am hopeful that the scheme may be carried out at some future date, but as the main reason why the refugee organisations are not able to proceed with it now, is that they are no longer in a financial position to do so, there is no action that I can at present usefully take in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a surcharge has been imposed in some cases in the North of England on the delivery of letters from men on active service; and whether he will give further specific instructions to local post offices that all such correspondence is to be delivered free of charge?

As indicated in the answer which I gave on the 9th of October to a question on the same subject by the hon. Member for the Central Division of Kingston-upon-Hull (Mr. Windsor), letters from troops in a theatre of war are exempt from postage up to 2 oz. in weight, but the concession of free postage does not extend to other troops abroad. Suitable instructions have already been issued to post offices in this country, and if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any case in which a surcharge has been wrongly imposed, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that friends and relatives in Great Britain of French soldiers serving with the French Army at the front, find it impossible to send parcels to these soldiers without subjection to cumbersome formalities here, and without liability to customs duties in France; and whether he can arrange that such parcels can be despatched under the same conditions as those applying to gifts sent to British soldiers?

Parcels for French soldiers serving in France are at present subject to the same conditions as parcels for civilians in France, whereas those for British troops are dealt with by the British Army Post Office under special simplified arrangements. The question of a relaxation of the regulations in the case of parcels for French soldiers is one for the Board of Trade so far as concerns British export restrictions, and for the French authorities as regards French Customs formalities in France; and I am looking into the matter to see whether any simplification is possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the revised scale of postal rates to British troops in France can equally apply to French soldiers in the field?

Parcels for French Troops serving in France are transmitted through the French Post Office under the same conditions as apply to parcels for civilians in France; and I regret that it is not possible to apply to them the same rates as apply to parcels for the British Expeditionary Force.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the total number of men and women who have had to be added to the Post Office staff as the result of the imposition of postal and telegraph censorship?

The War Office is responsible for the postal and telegraph censorship and for the provision of the staff actually employed on censoring work. The Post Office is only responsible, for handling the letters and telegrams which are liable to censorship, and this has involved the addition of some 70 officers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the difference in procedure and comparative charges in sending parcels to civilians in this country and to men serving in His Majesty's Forces stationed also in this country, together with similar comparisons in regard to addressees in France?

The postage rates and general conditions of the inland parcel post service apply equally to parcels for civilians and to parcels for members of His Majesty's Army or Air Force stationed in this country; the latter must be addressed to the unit at the place where it is stationed.Parcels for civilians in France must be accompanied by a Customs Declaration and a Despatch Note, and must be prepaid at the following rates:Up to 2 lb., 1s. 6d.Up to 7 lb., 2s. 3d.Up to 11 lb., 2s. 9d.Up to 22 lb., 4s. 3d.;in certain cases, a Board of Trade Export licence must be obtained by the sender. Parcels for His Majesty's Forces in France must be addressed "c/o Army Post Office," and the sender is required to affix to the parcel a label giving particulars of his name and address and the contents; no other Customs documents are required.The reduced postage rates for parcels for British troops in France are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the resolution passed by the members of the Greenock East End Cooperative Society, protesting against the raising of the duty on sugar to approximately 2½d. per lb., leaving only 2d. per lb. to pay for raw material and production costs, a copy of which was sent to him by the hon. Member for Greenock, and an identical resolution passed by the members of the Greenock Central Co-operative Society, Limited, on 12th October, 1939; and if he has any statement to make on the matter?

My right hon. Friend has noted the terms of the resolutions referred to. The considerations which they raise, however, were fully discussed in the recent Debates on the Budget and Finance Bill and he can add nothing to what he then said.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the names of the appointments that have been made of persons to assess war damage in this country through enemy action; whether they have held or will hold civil or military rank; what salaries are being paid to them; whether they work individually or with members of a committee; and what is the Government's aim and object in making such appointments?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the panel of professional men whose services, as stated in the recent White Paper (Command Paper 6116), will be available to assist the staff of the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue in the task of collecting claims and recording war damage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent rapid rise in the cost of living, he will reconsider the Government's policy with regard to an increase in the amount of old age pensions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 19th October to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. A. Jenkins) and other hon. Members.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the co-ordinating committee, of which Lord Stamp has been appointed chairman will consider what steps should be taken either during or after the war to develop and promote our overseas trade with the Dominions and Empire countries as well as with neutral countries; if the committee will prepare a report on these questions; and whether they will be prepared to receive representations on the questions involved which are submitted by representative trade and industrial organisations?

Yes, Sir; questions of this character fall within the competence of the Committees on Economic Policy to which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister referred in his reply to the question by the hon. Member for Leeds Central on the 9th October.With regard to the second part of the question, it is not the intention that these committees shall make reports. Their work is of a continuing character, and any necessary action is taken by the particular Department concerned.As regards the last part of the question, the Board of Trade, as the Department primarily concerned with export trade, is represented on the committees, and my right hon. Friend would suggest that representations by trade and industrial organisations on the questions to which my hon. Friend refers should be addressed to that Department.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) what is the total sum of export credits granted to the Rumanian Government since 1st April, 1939;(2) what is the total value of contracts for armaments negotiated with the Rumanian Government under export credits, granted since 1st April, 1939?

I have been asked to reply. On 12th July last an agreement was made with the Rumanian Government for guarantees up to a total of £5,612,300, exclusive of interest, in connection with the export of goods from the United Kingdom. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the particulars requested in the second question

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, before the functions of the Import Duties Advisory Committee were suspended, the committee made any recommendations for an increase in the duty on certain elastic goods; and what action it is proposed to take on the recommendation?

Yes, Sir, on the 31st of July last the Import Duties Advisory Committee recommended that the alternative ad valorem import duty on certain elastic goods which consist wholly or partly of lace or lace net or material which in appearance or pattern resembles lace or lace net should be raised from 8d. per lb. or 20 per cent. ad valorem, whichever was the greater (the existing duties) to 30 per cent. ad valorem. The recommendation was designed to assist British manufacturers to increase their output in the face of importation of goods at the lower end of the price range from certain continental countries. The goods in question, however, are now covered by the terms of the Import Prohibition Orders, 1939, and in these altered circumstances no useful purpose would be served by making an Order as recommended by the committee. I may add that arrangements have been made for the recommendation to be published to-day, as Command Paper 6124.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to counteract the subsidised competition by Germany with British exports in neutral markets?

As my right hon. Friend indicated yesterday, in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Sir P. Harmon), His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the importance of promoting export trade not only to those markets in which Germany enjoys a certain advantage by reason of proximity but to other markets which Germany may have difficulty in supplying in present circumstances. With this object the Board of Trade are now in consultation with the major exporting industries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all the restrictions imposed by the Spanish Government on the purchase of British products by Spanish importers are to be abolished as from 1st November; whether he will revive the clearing agreement with Spain to enable British manufacturers to export to Spain; and whether he will arrange for the settlement of outstanding debts due to United Kingdom exporters under the clearing arrangement which was temporarily suspended?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any proposal by the Spanish Government to abolish exchange and import restrictions affecting the purchase of goods from the United Kingdom and other countries. His Majesty's Government have already indicated their desire to enter into discussions, as soon as the Spanish Government are ready to do so, for the purpose of reaching a mutually satisfactory settlement of the various problems affecting trade and payments, including the outstanding debts, and it is hoped that it may be possible to begin these discussions shortly.

asked the Prime Minister what British consular offices are in Sinkiang; and whether British-Indian trade in that province is increasing?

A Consulate-General is maintained at Kashgar. I am informed that British-Indian trade is tending to decrease in Sinkiang, but I have no very recent statistics.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether, in view of the fact that National Shipbuilders Security, Limited, having acquired many of the best shipbuilding sites in the country, have sterilised them for shipbuilding for 40 years, he will now take powers to remove this ban as being against the national interest?

I would refer to the answer which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 2nd May last. The shipbuilding capacity of the country is kept under constant review in relation to demands for tonnage and the available supplies of skilled labour and materials.

asked the Minister of Shipping how many of the directors of National Shipbuilders Security, Limited, have been appointed as advisers to his Department or have been placed in charge of any section of it?

One of the directors of National Shipbuilders Security, Limited, is assisting my Department, at present in an advisory capacity.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he is aware of the hardship being caused to young officers in the merchant navy and fishing fleet, in that, unlike officers of the Royal Navy, they receive no Government grant in respect of uniform and equipment; and, in view of the importance of these services, will he take steps to provide such a grant?

No cases of hardship have been brought to my notice. Officers in the merchant navy and fishing fleet are engaged and paid by the shipowner employing them, and while I fully recognise the importance of these services, the question of the supply of uniform and equipment is one for settlement between the officer and the shipowner concerned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the dissatisfaction of hotel-keepers with regard to the composition of the compensation forms sent to them and their complaints that this form is vague and inadequate, he will consider re-drafting the form and filling in a typical one for general information?

I cannot agree that the prescribed forms are vague or inadequate for the purpose of claiming compensation payable in terms of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. The forms have been drafted in plain language, to meet all the various classes of claim which it is open to the party to make under the Act. There is nothing, moreover, to prevent a claimant from amplifying his particulars of claim should he so wish. I do not think it practicable to issue a typical claim form, as suggested by the hon. and gallant Member, since each claim would necessarily depend on the facts of the particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to issue to all Territorial units the same outfit of underclothing as is being supplied to the Regular Army and militiamen; and whether he is aware that some Territorial units still only have the same underclothing as they were wearing in camp in July?

The same scales of underclothing are now applicable to soldiers of all branches of the Army. Territorials who supplied their own necessaries, which include underclothing, on embodiment received a payment of 10s. They are entitled to free replacement of underclothing as required. Underclothing is available for issue, and no complaints have been received in this connection.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dislocation, waste and hardship that is threatened by the War Office in reclaiming the services of a number of retired Army officers who, being in some cases beyond the ordinary age limit for recall, and even having taken the precaution of obtaining War Office sanction before acting, accepted posts in the Royal Air Force during the expansion of that arm, have learned their new roles, bought uniforms, and in some cases taken accommodation for their families; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this matter?

There has never been any question that, when an officer with a liability to recall to Army service is permitted by the War Office in peace time to accept employment under another Government Department, his liability to recall normally remains unaffected.It was, however, agreed with the Air Ministry that certain reserve officers who were permitted to accept employment in peace with the Royal Air Force should, in cases where the Air Ministry desired to retain them after mobilisation, be granted a period of suspension, normally three months, of the liability to return to the Army; and no officer whose services the Air Ministry desire to retain for a further period will be recalled to the Army until such recall is essential.Officers who were voluntary members of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers could at any time before mobilisation have resigned from the Reserve, and officers who passed the age limit before mobilisation would no longer have been liable to compulsory recall.

asked the Minister of Health what schemes of emergency medical service for the members of visiting staffs of voluntary hospitals in London are now official and open for acceptance by those members; and whether he will take measures to encourage the return of visiting staffs to London, and the opening of the beds in hospitals for civilian cases, with a view to restoring some adequate instruction for medical students for whose education the London teaching hospitals are chiefly responsible?

Subsequent to the enrolment of whole-time officers in the Emergency Medical Service two modifications were introduced, one enabling these officers to go on indefinite leave without pay until the occurrence of casualties made it necessary to recall them to duty, and the other, which was recommended by a committee of representative consultants, enabling these officers to transfer from whole-time to part-time service.The second offer was made by letter to individual whole-time officers in the Emergency Medical Service, and officers proposing to accept the offer were asked to do so within a week. I am, however, willing for the present to continue to keep the offer open to those officers who have not yet replied.I am also in consultation with the presidents of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Surgeons and Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and others on a number of points arising out of our experience of war conditions so far, and I understand that I may receive shortly further proposals from a representative committee of the profession which is now sitting, which I will consider in connection with the points raised by the hon. Member.Furthermore, as I have already informed him by letter, I should have no objection to a further arrangement under which certain senior men of the standing of Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians not already in the Service who are willing to give a substantial proportion of their time if a major emergency arose but are desirous, in present circumstances, of remaining without obligation and without remuneration, would so inform me.As the hon. Member will be aware, it has been made clear to hospitals by broadcast announcements and otherwise that civilian cases requiring in-patient treatment should be admitted, and I have at all times been anxious, in consultation with the profession, to adopt such measures for making the necessary medical staff available as are consistent with due provision for the treatment of air-raid casualties.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what other battleships of the "Royal Oak" class were reconstructed so as to be made less vulnerable to torpedoes, and at what expense; and whether he will give orders to stop building aircraft carriers and large battleships, which have no counterpart in the German navy, in order to concentrate on more-needed types of warship?

The other battleships of the "Royal Oak" class have been bulged at an average cost of £200,000 each. Battleships and aircraft carriers are being constructed not only by Germany but by every other naval power, and these vessels are, therefore, essential as cover to our control of sea communications throughout the world.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the withdrawal of five British gunboats from Chinese river waters is attributable to Japanese advocacy of the withdrawal of the Western Powers from the Far East or any other reason; and how these vessels are in future to be employed?

These gunboats were withdrawn because they and their crews could more usefully be employed elsewhere than in China. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the future dispositions of any of His Majesty's ships.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will make for the Royal Navy and the Women's Royal Naval Reserve regulations similar to those issued by the Secretary of State for War enabling officers and other ranks in the Army and in the Auxiliary Territorial Service to enter public places together in uniform?

There is no regulation forbidding officers and ratings of the Royal Navy and the Women's Royal Naval Reserve to enter public places together in uniform.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is keeping under observation the effect of war-time conditions on the lives of employés in the distributive trades; and, in particular, whether he will institute measures to ensure that such employés shall be released from work within a period of 15 minutes from the official hour of closing?

I have no authority to impose such a condition of employment in the retail distributive trades as that to which the hon. Member refers. As the hon. Member will be aware there have been discussions between representatives of the employers and workers in these trades as to the best method of regulating wages and working conditions, and I have no doubt that further consultations may be necessary in the light of the conditions arising out of the war.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the feeling among members of the medical profession that there is victimisation in connection with the selection of personnel for the examination of recruits; and whether he will collaborate with all associations of doctors to ensure equity?

The method of selection of the medical panels for this purpose was stated in a reply given by me on 27th July, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I am not aware that there is any ground for the alleged feeling of dissatisfaction among members of the profession.

asked the Prime Minister what is the number of the present staff at the Foreign Office?

The present staff at the Foreign Office and its branches numbers 1,324. This figure includes messengers, cleaners, etc., and also 259 persons employed at Passport and Permit Offices.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government was consulted by the Government of Iraq with regard to the admission to Iraq of the former Mufti of Jerusalem?

No, Sir. There was no opportunity for consultation since I understand that the Mufti entered Iraq without having obtained permission to do so from the competent Iraqi authorities and that he crossed the frontier undetected.

asked the Prime Minister what proposals the British Government is making with regard to concessions to Japan in respect of British interests either on a basis of mutuality or with the object of increasing friendly relations?

While His Majesty's Government have made no specific proposals in the sense suggested, they remain, as always, desirous of increasing friendly relations between the two countries.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the institution of a department of arts in order to secure that the arts do not suffer unduly through the war; that artistic effort and education be adequately maintained, and the services and powers of artists be fully and effectively utilised for the purposes of war wherever possible?

I do not consider that the establishment of a new Department is necessary. I have, however, been glad to note that a Central Institute of Art and Design has recently been formed, and I have no doubt that the institute will go far to achieve the objects which the hon. Member has in mind. The Board of Education will for their part continue to do all that is possible to encourage art education despite the difficulties inevitably created by the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision the Government is making to ensure that smallholdings will be available for Highland landless men who desire holdings on their return from the war?

I am afraid that it is impossible at the present time to say when funds will be available to meet the cost of new schemes of land settlement, but the matter will be kept in mind for consideration when circumstances allow.