asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any further statement to make in connection with the rationing of gas and electricity?

I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement I made on Friday, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the fact that gas and electricity users now have 100 per cent. ration, he will consider the possibility of granting some additional allowance to households where neither gas nor electricity is used for cooking?

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to Article 5 of the Fuel and Lighting Order, which provides that extra allowances of coal may be granted by the Local Fuel Overseer in cases of necessity.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the estimated cost of maintaining the Fuel Controllers organisation; and whether any reduction is contemplated as a result of the decision to allow consumers to use as much gas and electric light as their normal consumption?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave on the 10th October to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey). As regards the second part of the question, I anticipate that the number of applications made to Local Fuel Overseers for increased allowances of gas and electricity will be materially reduced by the raising of the rationing percentage from 75 per cent. to 100 per cent., but I cannot give an estimate of the financial saving involved.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the existing confusion over electricity rationing set up under the Fuel and Lighting Order; and whether, since consumers have had no official intimation as to how the scheme is to work, he will consider its postponement?

Information concerning the operation of electricity rationing has been made public on a number of occasions by my Department, and in particular I would refer my hon. Friend to the announcement made on the 20th September, of which I am sending him a copy. As I announced on Friday, it has been decided that, for the time being, electricity should be rationed on the basis of 100 per cent. of previous consumption, and I am not prepared to postpone the Fuel and Lighting Order.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of substantial increases in the price of household coal in Aberdeen, in some cases amounting to at least 12½ per cent. above pre-war price; and whether he will have inquiry made into the price of household coal throughout the country?

I am aware that there have been substantial increases, but according to my information they are less than the hon. Member suggests. I am satisfied that they are due to increases in coastwise freight charges. In answer to the second part of the question the price of household coal throughout the country is receiving constant scrutiny and consideration by my Department.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the increase of 2d. per gallon in the price of petrol is being retained by the Petroleum Board or whether any proportion of this increase is being shared with the retail garages; and if the increase, approximating to 33⅓ per cent., is being retained by the Pool Board, will he state the reasons for this advance?

The recent increase in the price of petrol of 2d. per gallon did not include any increase in the amount allowed to the retail garages. The principal reasons for the increase in price were increases in the f.o.b. cost of petrol and higher freights, including the cost of war risks insurance.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is any objection to women serving in the auxiliary forces selling poppies in the streets on nth November; and will he give instructions that this may be done?

I regret that it is not possible to arrange for members of the Women's Royal Naval Service to sell poppies on nth November.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to state if any further supply of trawlers have been put at the disposal of Hull in order to ease the serious situation that exists among the fish dock workers and to increase supplies of fish to fish-friers?

Ten trawlers which were requisitioned and taken up from Hull are being returned to the fishing fleet. In addition, 20 vessels which have been requisitioned but not yet taken up will be released from requisition and not taken for naval service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the widow of a marine who lost his life in His Majesty's Ship "Courageous," has been notified that she will continue to draw allowances for herself and her four children for 13 weeks after which she will be given a pension; whether he is aware that the receipt of allowances only means a serious, if temporary, reduction in her income; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the widow of a man losing his life in the Navy shall draw a sum not less than the sum she was receiving at the time of his death until a pension is paid?

After the death of a man serving in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines not only are marriage allowance and children's allowance paid to his widow for a period of 13 weeks, but also an amount equal to the qualifying allotment which the man must declare to obtain marriage allowances. These payments are interim allowances paid while the widow's title to pension is being investigated. Should the pension awarded exceed the payment already made by the Admiralty, arrears are paid, but if on the other hand the converse is the case the difference is not recovered and the payment of pension is commenced at the expiry of 13 weeks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to a life-saving appliance known as lifebelt light, patent No. 491078; and whether he has considered its use on ships during the war?

Yes, Sir. The question of providing means to enable survivors to indicate their position in darkness is under consideration at the Admiralty, and Mr. Double's device is receiving consideration together with others which are known to be capable of performing the same function.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, to avoid inconvenience to Members of this House and their visitors, he will arrange for more light in the Central Hall during black-out hours?

I regret that the very large area of stained glass windows in both the Central Hall and the passages leading from it would make it a matter of considerable difficulty and expense to provide more light there than is provided under the present arrangements, which were devised in consultation with the Air-Raid Precautions Committee of both Houses of Parliament.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state, as at the latest convenient date, the approximate total value of buildings insured in this country against the risk of destruction by fire?

No statistics are available as to the total value of buildings insured in this country against the risk of destruction by fire; but estimates which have been published of the total value of buildings in the United Kingdom have varied from about £6,000 millions to £10,000 millions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers are ceasing to produce vehicles for home consumption from the end of October; and what steps he is taking to see that an adequate supply of such vehicles will be available to meet all contingencies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Discussions are proceeding between the motor industry and the Departments concerned with a view to securing that the productive capacity of the industry shall be used to the best advantage in the national interest.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether His Majesty's Government will establish a daily air-mail service from this country to Lisbon, or in any case to establish an air connection with the Transatlantic Airways Service;(2) whether the newly-instituted aeroplane service from London to Scandinavia will carry the mails; and, in particular, whether it will be available for the transport of Press material sent by British and foreign journalists;(3) whether he will establish a daily air-mail service from this country to the Balkan countries and Turkey?

I have already decided to utilise the available air services to the Continent for the conveyance of mails and I hope to make a public announcement on the subject in the course of a few days. The establishment of new air services is a matter for the Air Ministry.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the practice existing in certain localities whereby men who are in receipt of pensions are being employed as auxiliary postmen while unemployed men capable of doing the work are being denied the opportunity of such work; and will he give the House an assurance that this practice will be stopped?

Employment as an auxiliary postman is part-time and the wages are not intended to be the sole means of subsistence. Preference for employment is therefore given to men who have some other suitable occupation which, with their duties as auxiliary postman, will give a fair day's work, or who have other means of livelihood, such as a pension. A large number of the men are ex-service men in receipt of long-service or disability pensions. This practice is, in my opinion, right, and I see no reason to discontinue it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a number of postal orders have been lost in the post since they became legal tender; and what steps he is taking to protect the public from theft?

Complaints that postal orders sent by post have not reached the addressee have been received; but at present I have no evidence that such complaints have increased since postal orders became currency. My officers will continue to take all possible steps to detect and prevent theft which may occur in the post. The inland registered letter post is available for the transmission of postal orders and other currency.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information regarding the treatment of the civil population in Poland by the German authorities; and how this compares with the action of the Soviet authorities in that country?

My Noble Friend has not sufficient information to be able to draw any comparison of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister what is the area and population of the former Polish territory ceded by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to Lithuania; and what percentage of the population is estimated to be Lithuanian, Polish, Jewish and White Russian?

It has been estimated that the ceded territory has an area of 6,800 square kilometres and a population of some 440,000. As its boundaries do not correspond with those of previous administrative divisions, it is not possible to quote offical figures for the racial composition of its population; but I have seen an estimate of 80,000 for those of Lithuanian race.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many civil servants have been evacuated to date; and whether the Government is considering any further evacuation of headquarters staffs?

Up to date between 11,000 and 12,000 civil servants have been evacuated from London headquarter offices and the early evacuation of another 5,000 has been arranged. There will probably be some further measure of evacuation beyond this, but I am not yet in a position to give numbers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any assistance has been given, or is to be given, to civil servants evacuated to the provinces, but whose families have been left behind?

Evacuated civil servants who are householders, i.e., generally speaking, married officers who have to incur the expense of maintaining their ordinary homes elsewhere, will not be called upon to contribute towards the cost of their billet, including two meals a day, for the first three months, after which the question will be generally reviewed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether women civil servants who now marry, owing to the cancellation of the marriage bar and are allowed to stay on, will be permitted to regard their employment as permanent, even after the end of the war?

No change has been made in the regulations of 12th June, 1934, with regard to the employment of married women in His Majesty's Civil Establishments. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of those regulations. Special arrangements have, however, been made for the retention, limited to the war period only, of established women civil servants who desire to remain in Government employment after marriage. Women whose services are retained in such circumstances are required formally to resign from the service before marriage and are re-employed in a purely temporary capacity.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been directed to paragraph 32 of the Second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts; and, in particular, to the statement that no provision is made for the payment of a bonus as an incentive to economy, that special care is called for the supervision of costs, agency services, etc., and attention drawn to the absence of financial risk, and the provision of capital assets out of public funds; and what action is to be taken to deal with the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on the 27th July last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Liverpool printing firm which has, since the outbreak of war, received orders for printing to a total value of £745 is a subsidiary company of Messrs. Littlewoods?

I am afraid that on a matter of this sort I can do no more than refer the hon. Member to the Companies Register at Somerset House. The printing firm in question was Messrs. J. & C. Moores, Limited.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that confusion still exists over the despatch of duty-free cigarettes to France; and whether he can make a statement as to whether the scheme has yet begun to operate and, if it has, what are its essential provisions?

I do not know what particular difficulty my hon. Friend has in mind, but if he will furnish me with details I will have inquiry made. Under existing arrangements cigarettes may be sent free of duty to our Forces abroad subject to certain conditions as to quantity, etc., and in this connection I understand that proposals which have been made by interested traders to facilitate the despatch by post, on drawback of duty, of small quantities are at present under consideration by the Departments concerned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the details upon which the bill of fare for necessitous children was compiled, giving the items and prices of the various commodities to enable a child to be fed for one week for 5s., 3s., 2s. and 1s., respectively?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the additional allowances for children received by married men in the fighting services. These additional allowances, which have been in force for many years, do not purport to cover the whole cost of the children's maintenance, but are intended to supplement the provision which a man can make from his pay.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a considerable number of uncompleted houses on which work is impeded through lack of building materials; and whether he will take steps to empower local authorities to requisition for supplies needed, or make some other arrangement so that the construction of these partially-built houses may be proceeded with before winter sets in?

The housing position is under close and continuous review in relation to the demands on building materials and building labour for other purposes. The purpose of this review is to secure the completion of as many as possible of the houses at present under construction.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to a statement made by the medical officer of health to the Launceston Town Council that he had been advised by the Minister of Health that the consent of the teacher in charge of evacuated children to his proposal to inoculate them against diphtheria would be sufficient; and will he take steps to ensure that parents, in consenting to have their children evacuated, retain the right to be consulted in regard to such matters as diphtheria immunisation?

My attention has not been drawn to this statement and I cannot understand how it could have been made. It would be quite contrary to the policy and instructions of my Department for evacuated children to be immunised against diphtheria without the previous consent of their parents.

asked the Minister of Health whether any steps have been taken in the reception areas to deal with the anticipated measles epidemic which, over some period past, has occurred regularly every two years?

I have drawn the attention of local authorities to the need for additional hospital accommodation in reception areas for cases of infectious diseases both notifiable and non-notifiable.I am also issuing regulations providing for the compulsory notification of measles and instructing medical officers of health to make such inquiries and take such steps as are necessary or desirable for investigating the source of infection, for preventing the spread of infection and for removing conditions favourable to infection.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the increasing expression of resentment among parents respecting financial anomalies arising from evacuation and, in particular, the refusal to pay billeting allowances for children evacuated to, or left with, relations in response to the Government appeal, which is causing hardship to the parents or the relatives and is inducing certain of the parents to bring their children home; and whether he will now reconsider this aspect of evacuation?

As I stated in a written answer to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) on the 19th October, the recommendation that children from the evacuation areas who were then on holiday in less vulnerable areas should not be brought back home was broadcast at the outbreak of war on grounds of general safety. The billeting allowances are payable to householders upon whom children are billeted by a billeting authority. Relatives who have children staying with them are admittedly in a position quite different from that of householders with children billeted upon them, and therefore do not come under the arrangements of the evacuation scheme.

asked the Minister of Health why medical men attached to first-aid posts are not provided with Service respirators asd steel helmets inasmuch as they will have to journey to their posts during a raid and may have to do some professional work in unsheltered places?

I would refer to the answer which I have given to-day on this subject to the hon. Member for the Clackmannan and Eastern Division.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the estimated cost for air-raid precautions work for the financial year ending 31st March, 1940; and the estimated expenditure on providing these services of the 10 largest cities or towns in England and Wales?

The provision made in this year's Parliamentary Estimates for payments out of the Exchequer in respect of Air-Raid Precautionary Services, including Emergency Fire Services, is as follows:

	£
Original Net Estimate	42,205,907
Supplementary Estimate	17,499,990
	59,705,897

These figures do not include, among other items, provision for the pay of whole-time volunteers or for payments under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, in respect of requisitions or works under the Defence Regulations, 1939. Sufficient data are not yet available to enable the cost of these items, and of certain other items arising out of the war emergency, to be accurately estimated.As regards the second part of the question, the returns so far furnished by individual local authorities do not provide an accurate basis for estimating the expenditure for the year in the circumstances now obtaining.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the serious effect of the 6 p.m. closing order on owners of one-man shops and small traders generally of whom there are 675,000 in the country; and whether he will receive a deputation from these traders so that they may lay their case before him?

The new Order, which is to come into operation on the 30th October, does not affect transactions which are exempt from the general closing hours laid down in Section 1 of the Shops (Hours of Closing) Act, 1928, and as regards any other transactions local authorities have been empowered to postpone the closing hour until 7 p.m. if local circumstances make such a variation desirable. I gave special consideration to the position of small traders and their customers, and from inquiries in various parts of the country I came to the conclusion that, for small shops as well as for larger shops, there would be advantages in earlier closing under present-day conditions, provided the Order made for that purpose gave reasonable elasticity to meet local needs. If experience shows that there is anywhere a genuine need for shopping facilities at later hours than are permissible under the new Order, I shall be prepared to consider how it can be met.

asked the Home Secretary whether, before closing all shops at 6 p.m., he will consult the local chambers of trade as to the effect of the regulation, more especially on the smaller and one-man businesses?

Before the Order was made I consulted, among other organisations, the National Chamber of Trade, which acquainted me with the views of its constituent members. I would point out that the new Order-in-Council empowers local authorities to substitute for 6 p.m. an hour not later than 7 p.m. for any class of trade or business; and where it appears desirable that this variation should be made to meet the convenience of the public it is open to any local chamber of trade to make representations to the local authority, who will be in a position to consider all the local circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by the Local Authority Education Committee at the grant of only 50 per cent. for air-raid precautions; and whether he will now consider raising this amount at least to the percentage grant now made under general air-raid precautions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statements which I made on this subject in reply to questions by the hon. Members for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) and Farnworth (Mr. Tomlinson) on the 25th May, 8th June and the 13th September.

asked the Home Secretary whether during the last few days, any new action has been taken by the police in the direction of prohibiting brief stoppages by motor cars in the main streets and in the side streets in Central London and the West End of London?

As a precautionary measure, to prevent streets being so obstructed by standing vehicles as to constitute a hindrance to the passage of essential vehicles during an air raid, the Commissioner of Police issued instructions to the police on the 18th September to ensure that no parking of unattended vehicles should be permitted at any time near road junctions or in bottlenecks. No doubt the police action to which my hon. Friend refers was taken in pursuance of these instructions.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on 20th October, when an air-raid warning was sounded at Markinch, Fife, workers at John Haig and Company, Limited, were told by the manager to leave the shelter at one o'clock and go home for their dinner; that the cooperage foreman threatened to lock out men who refused to go through the streets while the warning was on; and that men who did agree to go home were stopped in the streets by wardens and made to take shelter; and whether action will be taken against firms who attempt to discourage their workers from taking shelter during periods of warning?

I was not aware of the incident to which the hon. Member refers, but I will have inquiry made.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the large number of troops being granted Sunday leave, and the need for entertainment facilities for the people generally, and in view of the lighting and other restrictions now in force, he will cause an Order-in-Council to be issued allowing places of entertainment throughout the country to be opened at 1 p.m. on Sundays for the duration of the war, thus bringing into line different hours of opening in those areas where cinemas have already been giving Sunday performances?

I am not in a position to make a statement on this subject at present, but the matter is receiving consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange with the London Passenger Transport Board for tramcar and omnibus conductors to have lists of the air-raid shelters on their routes with a view to taking their vehicles there at once should an air-raid warning be sounded?

I am informed that the London Passenger Transport Board have already in hand arrangements of the sort envisaged by my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary why the 6s. per week sustenance allowance, and expenses allowance up to 10s. per week granted to special constables has been suspended; and whether he will consider restoring both allowances immediately?

An allowance of is. a day to cover the cost of a meal was granted in peace time to special constables of the Metropolitan Police who volunteered for a duty which exceeded five consecutive hours. I am not aware of any expenses allowance of 10s. a week, but the hon. Member may have in mind the allowance not exceeding 10s. a day which may be paid to a special constable in consideration of wages lost while on duty. All special constables are still entitled to be reimbursed any out-of-pocket expenses incurred on duty, and part-time special constables may still be paid an allowance in consideration of wages lost while required for duty, but it would not be appropriate to continue to pay the latter allowance to a paid full-time special constable.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that special constables of all ranks, regardless of length of service, are paid the same as the newly-joined recruit; and whether he will consider a differentiation in their rates on account of both rank and length of service;(2) why sergeants and inspectors in the special constabulary of long service are only paid £3 per week, less deductions even though often employed on the same duties as regular police officers of the same rank who receive £5 to £10 per week; and whether he will consider an immediate increase in pay to the special constabulary so that they may receive equal pay for equal service?

The majority of Special Constables have always given their services without payment and, with great public spirit, are continuing to do so during the present emergency in order to meet war conditions. There is, however, power under the Special Constables Order to pay an allowance not exceeding 10s. a day for loss of wages and in addition, provision has been made for the employment of a limited number of Special Constables on a full-time basis with pay at the rate of £3 a week. This arrangement is similar to that made for the Civil Defence services generally where pay is determined without reference to rank or length of service, and I can see no sufficient reason for altering it.

asked the Home Secretary how soon he will be in a position to issue instructions to local authorities as to the terms of payment for motor vehicles which have been taken for air-raid precautions purposes?

Advice has already been given to local authorities regarding the amounts which may be paid on account to owners of commercial and other vehicles taken for air-raid precautions purposes, and a further circular was issued yesterday on the subject of similar advance payments for private cars and motor cycles. As soon as final rates have been settled, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, they will be notified to local authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of air- raid precautions workers in the county of Rutland and county town of Oakham; and can he say whether any are paid, or are they all unpaid volunteers?

There are no paid air-raid precautions workers in Rutland. Recruitment of unpaid workers has been considerably in excess of the war establishments of 366 and 98 for the county and for Oakham respectively.

asked the Home Secretary whether, under Section 18B of the Order-in-Council, dated the 1st day of September, 1939, amending the Emergency Powers Defence Regulations, 1939, any person or persons have been directed to be detained in custody; for what period or periods such person or persons have remained in custody pending trial; and what is the average length of time which elapses before persons detained under the provisions of this section are judicially tried?

Thirty-four persons have been detained in pursuance of orders made under Defence Regulation 18B, but in four of the cases the Advisory Committee have recommended that the individual should be released subject to a restriction order requiring him to report at intervals to the police, and I have taken action in accordance with the committee's recommendations. The object of the regulation is to provide for the custody on security grounds of persons against whom it is not practicable to bring criminal proceedings. They are not judicially tried, but they have the right, within 10 days of arrest, to make objections to their detention and such objections must be considered by the Advisory Committee.Twenty-eight of the persons concerned have made objections and the committee have already completed their examination of 24 of these cases. Most of the persons so detained were arrested on the outbreak of war, and a little time necessarily elapsed before it was practicable to arrange for the Advisory Committee to get to work. Now that the first batch of cases has been dealt with, it is anticipated that any persons who may in future be detained under this regulation and may make objections will have their cases examined by the Advisory Committee within a few days from the receipt of the objections.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the national registration enumerators were compelled to work a far longer period than was expected to collect and send in the information acquired; that their pay in many cases worked out at between 4d. and 6d. an hour; and whether he will consider making them a supplementary payment when their work has been satisfactory so as to give them a reasonable return?

While the work of a National Register enumerator has been greater than that of an enumerator at an ordinary census, this difference was foreseen and allowed for in the scale of fees. The fees are made up partly of a fixed sum and partly of a sum calculated on a population basis. The fixed fee is the same as at the last census, although the enumeration districts are on average only three-quarters of the size of the census districts. The fees based on population are double those for the last census, although much of the enumeration work was simpler. The enumeration work was of the nature of piece work, and the method of doing it was left largely to the discretion of the individual enumerator. It is not possible therefore to adopt an alternative basis of payment according to time. I much appreciate the efforts which the enumerators made to complete this important national service within the scheduled time, and congratulate them upon the successful result of their work, but while some districts may have presented special difficulties, I regret that I cannot undertake to vary the scale of fees to meet individual cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the total amount lent by citizens to the Government free of charge, giving the number of lenders and the period for which such money is lent?

Twenty-one loans free of interest have been received during the last 18 months, amounting in all to just under £300,000. Some of the loans are for fixed periods up to five years and others are for the duration of the war.

asked the Home Secretary what is the estimated number of aliens in the United Kingdom, and of what nationality; and how many of them have entered the country since September, 1938?

The number of aliens registered with the police is 238,074. A return dividing this figure according to nationalities is appended. The periodical returns of passenger traffic show the number of aliens who have come into and gone out of the United Kingdom during a given period; but to ascertain which of the aliens who are in the country on a given date had come in during a given period would require a very laborious examination of all the records. A large proportion of the aliens in the country on any given date are, of course, visitors who will be leaving within a few days, weeks or months. Separate figures are kept of persons known to be refugees, and these show that about 45,000 German, Austrian and Czech refugees have entered the country since September, 1938.

Nationality.	1939.
American	13,665
Austrian	11,989
Belgian	4,207
Bulgarian	79
Chinese	2,652
Czecho-Slovak	7,930
Danish	3,162
Dutch	5,668
Finnish	447
French	11,613
German	62,244
Greek	1,607
Hungarian	3,965
Italian	19,127
Japanese	966
Norwegian	2,220
Polish	8,776
Portuguese	470
Rumanian	2,692
Russian	47,664
Serbian	509
Spanish	3,039
Swedish	2,691
Swiss	10,088
Turkish	866
Others	9,738
	238,074

asked the Home Secretary whether the aliens tribunals are permitted to receive evidence of an anonymous character against alien refugees; if this evidence and the source of the evidence is put before applicants who are summoned before such tribunals; whether individuals can be interned on such evidence without an opportunity to rebut it; and if legal defence will be permitted?

It is open to the tribunals to consider any evidence which may be placed before them. Having regard to the composition of the tribunals, I am satisfied that untested evidence of an anonymous nature would not be allowed to influence their decisions. It is not open to an alien to employ a barrister or solicitor as his advocate.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of foreign nationals engaged in domestic employment in this country at the present time; and whether the regulations that no employer may engage any alien except with the authority of the Minister of Labour, who would only grant a permit if there is a shortage of British labour in that particular industry, applies to domestic employment?

The statement which I made on 4th September about the employment of aliens related to aliens who had been admitted to this country on condition that they should not take employment. When such persons are permitted to take employment it is necessary that they should be restricted to occupations in which the Ministry of Labour find that there is a shortage of labour. Until recently the demand for domestic servants has been in excess of the supply and there has been no difficulty in allowing suitable foreign women to enter into domestic service. The question whether in present conditions certain restrictions are desirable to ensure that the position of British domestics who are unemployed shall be in no way prejudiced is now under consideration by my Department and the Ministry of Labour. I regret that no statistics are available showing the total number of foreigners engaged in domestic employment in this country at the present time. Many of those so engaged have been here for many years.

asked the Home Secretary when he will issue the next periodical Return of Refugees, in continuation of those issued on 24th March and 26th June: whether he will in future cause such returns to be issued periodically, either quarterly or monthly; and whether, in future, departures as well as arrivals may be recorded?

Between the 20th May, 1939, the date up to which the last detailed return gave figures, and the 31st August, 1939, 20,600 German, Austrian and Czech refugees have entered this country. Of these, 9,300 were men, 8,900 women and 2,400 children. During the same period 924 refugees of these nationalities left the country. War conditions have made it desirable to reduce to a minimum the statistical work of my Department, but I am considering what is the best way of making future returns.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange, in order to avoid delay and difficulty, for service officers and men coming home on leave to drive their motor cars on the driving licence current at the outbreak of war, providing insurance and taxation have been paid up to date?

The process of renewing a driving licence does not appear to present difficulties such as would justify Parliament in amending the existing statutory requirements.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make a statement as to the immediate future attitude of the Ministry in respect of petrol rationing towards long-distance road transport; and whether he is aware of the serious effect on business of being able to plan for only a fortnight ahead under the existing fuel scheme?

A basic ration of fuel is issued in respect of every goods vehicle available for work, and, in addition, it is open to the operators, through their group organisers, to apply in advance for supplementary rations. These applications are examined in the light of the urgency and essential nature of the work to be done, and with reference to the existence and suitability of alternative means of transport. The extent to which the applications can be granted is necessarily governed by the amount of fuel which is available for goods transport by road.Fuel rationing for commercial vehicles has only recently been put on a fortnightly instead of a weekly basis. I am not aware that business is being hampered by the anticipation of a shortage of transport.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to encourage the keeping of pigs by allotment-holders and other small cultivators as a means of using up waste vegetable matter and other scrap; and whether any concrete plan exists to encourage the formation of pig clubs and to provide them with a sound type of foundation stock?

The keeping of pigs by allotment-holders and other small cultivators is being encouraged through the Ministry's educational and publicity services, emphasis being placed on the desirability in the present emergency of utilising waste food products for feeding to pigs and of securing good store stock direct from breeders. The possibility of further action on the lines indicated is under consideration, but no definite proposals have been drawn up for encouraging the formation of pig clubs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet arrived at any agreement with the National Farmers' Union, or with farmers collectively, as to the scale of payment on which the State will take over the cattle and sheep of the country for meat consumption?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made last week when I indicated the price which had been fixed for sheep, and stated that prices had not yet been settled for far cattle. Since then further discussions have taken place, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has the matter under active consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the present shortage of seeds and fertilisers for the use of private garden owners; and whether he will take measures to meet this demand?

I have received very few representations with regard to any shortage of seeds or fertilisers required by private garden owners, and I am taking all practical steps to facilitate the distribution of available supplies. If the hon. Member will furnish me with details of any complaints he has received, I will have them investigated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are contemplated for the prevention of a rise in agricultural rents during the period of the war?

The effect of Section 12 of the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1923, is to make it necessary that any demand for an increase of rent of an ordinary agricultural holding where not mutually agreed upon, shall be referred to arbitration. The alteration of rent demanded must date from the next ensuing date at which the tenancy could have been terminated by notice to quit given at the date of the demand, so that it cannot in any case come into operation until after 12 months from the demand. In these circumstances no immediate steps appear to be necessary to prevent an unjustified rise in agricultural rents, but the position will be kept under review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider providing special advisory and mechanical facilities at a central depot in the London area for the use of local authorities contemplating the preparation of lands for allotments during war-time, as many of such authorities do not maintain suitable equipment for so temporary a purpose?

If and when representations are received from local authorities as to the desirability of providing special advisory and mechanical facilities at a central depot in the London area for the preparation of lands for allotments the matter will receive consideration. No such representations have yet reached me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in connection with rat week he will consider making payments of one penny per tail for all such tails delivered to the appropriate officials of local authorities?

In view of the fact that the provisions of the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, require all occupiers of lands and premises to destroy any rats that may be on those lands and premises, and to keep them free from infestation, I do not consider that there is sufficient justification for the expenditure of public funds in the manner suggested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will instruct the county agricultural war executives to obtain and report to him the average of parklands in each of their counties which is excluded from their jurisdiction?

To obtain the information asked for by the hon. Member would entail a large amount of labour and, having regard to their other more pressing duties, I do not feel justified in asking the County War Agricultural Executive Committees to undertake this additional work at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether county war agricultural executives have power to kill rabbits on land which is not used for agricultural purposes, such as woodlands?

The powers conferred on County War Agricultural Executive Committees by the Rabbits Order, 1939, are exercisable in respect of any land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what information he has as to the correctness or otherwise of the 4th June agricultural returns; and whether he is satisfied with the way they have been collected?

I have no reason to doubt that the 4th June agricultural returns are furnished correctly in the great majority of cases, or to feel dissatisfied with the manner in which they have been collected. The possibility of improving the methods of collection and tabulation of the returns is the subject of constant attention, and is receiving special consideration in view of the present situation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, when he is considering new prices for agricultural produce, he will make allowance in that price for a £2 per week minimum wage for farm workers?

The determination of the minimum rates of wages for farm workers rests solely with the Agricultural Wages Committees established under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, and I do not think it would be proper for me to prejudice the operations of these committees by giving any undertaking of the kind suggested.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he can make available in the Library copies of all publications issued by his Department for foreign publicity purposes, providing English translations where necessary?

I will arrange to make available in the Library copies of all official publications which are issued for foreign publicity purposes by the Ministry of Information. But my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that much of the work of the Ministry in this field does not take the form of official or separate publications.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether the joint managing director and the outdoor publicity manager of an advertising agency subsequently appointed to handle the national poster campaign still occupy paid posts at the Ministry of Information at salaries of £1,000 and £600, respectively; and what was the remuneration paid to their firm for handling the poster campaign?

Two persons formerly employed by the advertising agency in question occupy posts in the Ministry at salaries of £1,000 and £750 per annum respectively. The agency was selected to handle the poster campaign not, as the hon. Member suggests, after, but before the appointment of these persons.With regard to the second part of the question, no remuneration has yet been paid to this agency. The terms of payment will correspond with those arranged for similar work for other Government Departments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether the persons, other than civil servants employed on the headquarters staff of the Ministry of Information, at salaries which have been stated, are also in receipt of salaries in respect of the posts which they held before their appointment with the Ministry?

The Ministry is not concerned with any payments which may be made, except from Government funds, to persons now employed in the Ministry, in respect of the posts which they held before their appointment. But there are in fact a few persons employed in the Ministry to whom their former employers with admirable public spirit have continued to make some supplementary payment from their own resources.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he is aware that enemy agents have been circulating, in Hungary, a map purporting to show that portions of Hungary are to be severed from that country in the event of an Allied victory; that these spurious intimations of Allied intentions have stirred up much Hungarian indignation against the Allies; and whether steps are being taken to counteract this and similar enemy propaganda in Hungary?

My Noble Friend has made inquiries and has been unable to trace any map of the kind referred to. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that no opportunity will be lost of counteracting misleading enemy propaganda of this character in Hungary or elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give information as to the total number of men on the unemployed register for each month since January, 1939, with particular relation to those who are normally engaged in dock work?

The table below shows the number of insured males, aged 16–64, recorded as unemployed in Great Britain at one date in each month from January to September, 1939, in all industries and services combined and in the dock, wharf, etc. (port transport), industry:

Date.	Numbers recorded as unemployed (Males aged 16–64.
	All Industries and Services.	Dock, Wharf &c, (Port Transport) Industry.
1939
16th January	1,551,191	39,552
13th February	1,440,390	40,468
13th March	1,312.459	40,157
17th April	1,239.183	39,0155
15th May	1,125,496	36,160
12th June	1,036,712	33.397
10th July	967,929	31,959
14th August	929,085	32,270
11th September	852,165	36,245

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the large number of ship stewards unemployed and, under existing circumstances, not likely to find work in the mercantile service, he will consider removing the marine catering staff workers from the list of reserved occupations?

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Shipping upon this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the calling up of students in training colleges can be postponed until they have, at Christmas, completed their fourth term out of six or, if called up at Easter, their fifth term out of six, with the object of enabling them at least under specific conditions to be examined and afforded some certificate enabling them to complete their training after the war without the need for commencing the course again from the very beginning?

The general postponement which was granted to students under the Military Training Act has been cancelled, but the National Service (Armed Forces) Act provides for postponement in individual cases where exceptional hardship is shown. Applications for postponement certificates will be determined by the hardship committees or, on appeal, by the umpire. The question of students in training colleges being examined before the termination of their approved courses is a matter for the Board of Education.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the numbers of men who, without any previous experience, are now taking up work in munition factories; and whether they, if of military age, are to be exempted from service or whether exemptions of munitions workers will only cover those who were either so employed when war broke out or who are regarded as indispensable afterwards?

I have no doubt that many men, with and without previous experience, are now taking up employment with firms engaged upon the manufacture of munitions.With regard to the last part of the question, reservation under the Schedule of Reserved Occupations does not depend on the nature of the manufacture carried on in the factory in which a man is now, or was at the outbreak of war, employed, but covers workpeople who follow an occupation included in the schedule, if they are of or above the age of reservation specified.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the excessive wastage in the medical profession during the last war, he will arrange with the Secretary of State for War for the reservation from military service, until after qualification, of all medical students at present registered, irrespective of the stage of their studies, in order to ensure an adequate supply of skilled medical practitioners for civilian and military needs, both during and after the war?

I have consulted my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and am satisfied that at the present time the reservation of medical students provided in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations, namely, "Medical student who has passed first professional examination and completed two terms of study in anatomy and physiology," is adequate to meet the needs of the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private S. A. J. Wilson, 7, Clare Road, Forest Gate, London, E.7, No. 6012327, was called up and embodied in the 6th Essex Territorial Association on 16th July, and in the execution of his military duties as despatch rider sustained an injury to his leg necessitating hospital treatment, and that no marriage allowance has been authorised; and will he look into this matter?

Inquiries are being made, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have the necessary information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any objection to women serving in the various auxiliary forces selling poppies in the streets on nth November; and will he give instructions that this may be done?

So far as the Army is concerned, it is not thought desirable that permission should be given.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that large numbers of letters addressed to men in the British Expeditionary Force in France are not reaching the men but are being returned to their relatives in ordinary postal-packet envelopes; and whether he will give instructions to commanding officers to acquaint their men in France of the correct address to which letters and parcels should be sent so that they can receive messages, etc., from home?

A considerable number of letters have had to be returned to the senders owing to incomplete or incorrect addresses, though every effort has been made to deliver such letters. New instructions regarding the form of address are about to be published, and all ranks will be asked to notify their relatives and friends of their correct address.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether first preference can be given when leave is granted to those men who went to France without embarkation leave?

As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to a question last Tuesday, a letter has been sent to the Commander-in-Chief representing that those who did not get embarkation leave should be given leave first.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to exempt from military billeting the households of officers and men now serving with the Mercantile Marine?

I have given careful consideration to this suggestion in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, but regret that it would not be practicable to adopt it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Censor permits British nationals in England to receive through the post neutral and German newspapers?

There is at present no censorship restriction on newspapers sent to British subjects from neutral countries. There is no postal communication between Germany and the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War what restrictions are now placed on the despatch of printed matter to Jugo-Slavia; and whether the regulations preclude English newspapers being sent by English citizens to friends in that country?

No printed matter may be despatched to Jugo-Slavia except by firms or individuals in possession of a permit for the purpose. Many newspaper and publishing firms have such permits, and orders placed with them provide an easy method of sending newspapers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any arrangement has yet been authorised by which private persons may send through an approved channel, and subject to any necessary censorship, purely personal communications on family matters to relatives who, often against their will, are now resident in Germany, or occupied Poland or Czecho-Slovakia; and whether any means of communication through a neutral country is to be permitted, subject to any necessary previous inquiry and conforming to any regulations which may be imposed to prevent abuse?

Arrangements are being made whereby private persons may send communications to residents in Germany, Poland or Czecho-Slovakia through an authorised intermediary. It is hoped that these arrangements will be brought into force in a few weeks' time.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of actual or threatened unemployment in the industries of the Black Country; and before turning to foreign sources of supply for munitions will he explore every possibility of converting works in this island to manufacture what is required?

No, Sir. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that during recent months unemployment has been falling in the Black Country and I know of no evidence to suggest that it is likely to increase in the near future. With regard to the second part of the question, every possibility of making use of existing works for the expansion of production of munitions is being investigated.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will state the number of persons employed in the Timber Control; if he will give a detailed list with respective remunerations of those receiving salaries of £500 per annum and over, together with the total cost of the department; and if he will state how these compare with the number engaged and cost of the comparable department in the last war with Germany?

I am having a statement prepared and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Supply why he has not made use, in any way, of the London wool brokers who did excellent service during the last war, in view of the danger of putting them completely out of business and London ceasing to be the world wool centre after the war?

I would refer the hon. Baronet to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the Park Division of Sheffield (Mr. Lathan) on 18th October, to which I am unable at present to add. I would remind the hon. Baronet that none of the wool covered by our recent purchase of the Australian and New Zealand clips has yet reached this country.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been drawn to the danger to the tin-smelting industry, caused by the order fixing prices at a level substantially below those ruling in the United States of America; and whether he will state what action he proposes to take to safeguard the industry?

Orders fixing maximum prices for tin were issued simultaneously here and in Singapore as a temporary expedient to meet the wholly abnormal situation created by the sudden and violent expansion of demand in America and elsewhere which followed the outbreak of war, and to avoid a dangerous disturbance of our price structure.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that many serving men in the Army on the home front are wearing ill-fitting uniforms and have not yet received greatcoats, in spite of the cold weather; and, as some of the best clothing factories in the world are working short time, will he speed up production in the interests of the health and the appearance of the men?

Every endeavour is now being made to meet the demand for greatcoats and other uniform clothing, but the organisation and machinery for producing the greatly increased requirements of the Army have of necessity taken some time to bring to full capacity. Now that the production side is in full swing, there is every reason to anticipate that supply will overtake demands at a very early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether there is any objection to women serving in the auxiliary forces selling poppies in the streets on nth November; and will he give instructions that this may be done?

I regret that it is not possible to make the arrangements desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many articles of food have been or are intended to be brought under the pooling system?

I have been asked to reply. I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the requisitioning or purchase of foodstuffs for the creation of a pool from which redistribution to traders is effected. Stocks or imported supplies of the following articles have been requisitioned for this purpose:

• Cereals and Cereal Products.
• Tea.
• Imported Canned Meat.
• Imported Meat.
• Imported Bacon and Hams.
• Dried Fruits.
• Sugar.
• Butter.
• Imported Pork in Cold Store.
• Imported Lard.
• Oilseeds, Vegetable Oils and Fats and Marine Oils.
• Margarine and Cooking Fats.

I am unable to state to what other articles some form of pooling or standardisation may have to be applied in future but the continuance of the existing plans is under review in the light of the circumstances of each case.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many control committees, and for how many articles, and how many officials in all have been appointed by his Department since the outbreak of war?

Controls of varying degree have been established for the following foodstuffs:

• Cereals and Cereal Products.
• Feeding-stuffs.
• Tea.
• Canned Meat and Fish.
• Meat, Bacon and Hams.
• Dried Fruits.
• Sugar.
• Butter.
• Eggs.
• Lard.
• Potatoes.
• Edible Oils, Oil products.

Excluding the staffs of the divisional and local food organisations, the officers appointed since the outbreak of war and serving on 30th September, numbered 2,249.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that considerable quantities of food have been destroyed partly through delay in transit; that 1,000 tons of butter and bacon consigned to North Staffordshire and a truck-load of bacon sent from South Staffordshire to Scotland by rail were found unfit for human consumption; and what steps he is taking to prevent such loss of food in future?

I have no information to the effect suggested in the question but, if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the cases he has in mind, I shall be glad to make inquiries and communicate the results to him as soon as they are available.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that there are large quantities of borax-preserved hams in Liverpool which cannot be sold in this country, and whose owners have been forbidden to export them to the normal overseas markets; that these hams will not keep indefinitely and are in danger of deterioration; and what immediate steps he proposes to take in order to prevent this waste of valuable food?

My right hon. Friend is in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on this matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has considered a communication from the National Federation of Milk Producer-Retailers, South Wales area, pertaining to the Milk Marketing Board; and what steps will be taken to remedy their complaint?

Yes, Sir; a reply, of which I will send the hon. Member a copy, was sent to the communication in question on nth October.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to a letter sent to the dependants of serving soldiers, from the treasurer of the Fife County Council, threatening them with eviction because of their inability, at the moment, to pay high rents; and will he consider taking the matter up with the Fife County Council, with a view to preventing anything similar in the future?

Yes, Sir. I am informed that the letter to which the hon. Member refers was sent in error to men serving with the Forces and that the county council will issue an explanatory letter to each serving man to whom it was addressed. I understand that the county council also intend to reconsider the terms of the original letter.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare what steps are being taken to counteract German economic penetration of the Balkan countries?

The importance of counteracting German economic penetration in the Balkan countries has not escaped the attention of His Majesty's Government, and such measures as are possible are being undertaken to encourage the movement of trade to and from these countries to find other channels.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare what steps are being taken to prevent all fats and meat from Balkan countries reaching Germany?

I can assure my hon. Friend that this question has the close attention of His Majesty's Government, but for obvious reasons I am not able to give details to the House.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware of complaints concerning cold, lack of light, inadequate airraid precautions, and the general unsuitability of conditions affecting defective children evacuated from Leyton and elsewhere to Suffolk coast camps; and whether, in view both of the particular need and of the position of these children, he will consider plans for their education under more suitable circumstances elsewhere?

The camps in question were inspected early in the summer by representatives of the evacuation authority for London, and appeared to be the most suitable accommodation which could be found for handicapped children who, in their own interest and in that of householders, could not reasonably be placed in billets. After expert inspection a number of these camps have not been found suitable for continued use by such children in winter conditions, and five have been vacated. It will probably be necessary to vacate two further camps as soon as suitable accommodation can be made available elsewhere.