asked the Home Secretary whether, before fixing the emergency closing of shops, he will consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to its effect on the payment of Income Tax by shopkeepers, the Minister of Health as to the effect on the payment of rates, the Minister of Labour as to the effect on employment, and the Minister of Agriculture as to the effect on the convenience of workers on the land and representatives of the public whose shopping hours, owing to the existence of war-work, are now materially altered?

The Order in Council (S.R. & 0. 1939, No. 1464) providing for earlier closing of shops was made on the 19th October. Before the Order was made I made careful inquiries and took into consideration the position of shopkeepers and shop assistants as well as the needs of the general public.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will reconsider the Shops Closing Order, in view of the widespread opposition of the small shopkeepers who fear that by this Order they will eventually lose their means of livelihood?

I certainly propose to review the Order in the light of experience of its actual operation.

asked the Home Secretary whether the powers of emergency air-raid precautions committees which embrace decisions on matters not safeguarded to the borough council, or other local authorities by Statute, include the incurring of any cost, debt or liability exceeding £50 which shall not be incurred, except upon a resolution of the council, based upon an estimate submitted by the Finance Committee as laid down in the London Government Act, 1899?

These committees are not exempt from statutory restrictions applicable to other committees of local authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the very large sum at present being paid by local authorities for the hire of motor vehicles for air-raid precautions work, he will advise those responsible purchasing an appropriate number of second-hand motor-cars which are now being offered at very low prices, and allocating these for the use of air-raid precautions workers in place of the hired motor-cars?

Recommendations in the sense suggested have been issued to local authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the invention to relieve the blackout put forward by the Liverpool City electrical engineer; whether he regards that invention as capable of being put into operation thoughout the country; and whether he will issue instructions to local authorities accordingly?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 25th October to a question by the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne).

asked the Home Secretary whether, in addition to the proposed uniform for air-raid wardens, he will consider the issue of an overcoat and boots for the voluntary workers who so willingly patrol the streets?

The amount of patrolling by wardens is now being reduced, but in any event I regret that I could not contemplate, at any rate under present conditions, providing the additional equipment suggested.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can make arrangements for the re-opening of the various London University libraries with whatever safeguards are necessary for the various Government Departments using the university buildings?

The use by the Government of part of the Senate House of London University does not affect the University library, which is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on other week-days. As regards the library of the London School of Economics I would refer to the reply given on 25th October by my hon. Friend the Minister of Economic Warfare to the hon. Member for 1lkeston (Mr. Oliver).

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the apprehensions in the medical profession against the present practice of adapting heavy motor vehicles as ambulances for the conveyance of war-time casualties; whether he is further aware that a number of medical officers of health and air-raid precautions authorities have condemned these vehicles as unsuitable for the purpose intended; that the cost of compensation and the cost of adaptation of these heavy vehicles is greater than the capital cost involved in the purchase of new trailer ambulances; and whether he will give instructions to permit trailer ambulances to supplant unsuitable motor vehicles and relieve these for the needs of road transport?

I am aware that some of the vehicles on which local authorities have had to rely for ambulances at the outset of the emergency require to be replaced by more suitable vehicles. My right hon. Friend agrees that it is desirable, on grounds of economy, to eliminate as far as possible the cost of hiring commercial vehicles for the ambulance service, and he has recently authorised local authorities to purchase vehicles, but not necessarily trailers, in substitution for hired vehicles. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the relevant circular.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state in each case the amount per week per person for an adult man and an adult woman, respectively, in each Government scheme paid in respect of unemployment insurance, health insurance, Army pensions, Navy pensions, Air Force pensions, civilian pensions and personal injury allowances of all kinds, non-contributory old age pensions, and any other Government scheme?

The information required by the hon. Member is contained in a number of official publications which are available to Members of this House and to the public. I regret that I could not justify its collection into one document for the purposes of this question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consult the Postmaster-General and other Ministries with a view to finding part-time employment in Government service for the waiters and kitchen staff now engaged for three days a week in the Houses of Parliament, in order that they may thus be enabled to earn a living wage?

I understand that the Postmaster-General has already been approached informally on the question whether it would be possible to find part-time employment in his Department for the waiters and kitchen staff of the Kitchen Committee. There are certain difficulties but the matter is being further explored. I am also informed that the staff in question are at the present time being paid by the Kitchen Committee wages for a full week even though they are only required to work for three days in the House.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of applicants who have volunteered for special Government work for the present emergency and are selected for interview, travelling expenses will be allowed if they do not receive the appointment in view of the fact that in some cases they have offered to give up their present positions and forgo financial advantage in order to render more effective national service?

Persons on the Central Register for National Service, who are invited or recommended by the Ministry of Labour to attend for interview in connection with the filling of vacancies in the Government service, may be refunded the expenses necessarily incurred on travelling to and from the place of interview, subject to a maximum of the appropriate third class rates of travel.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that officers of the Royal Air Force Reserves have been informed that a provisional amount of Income Tax will be deducted from their first issues of pay by Royal Air Force agents and accountants; and why it is proposed to make such deductions, having regard to the fact that no liability for tax can, in any event, arise before the 1st January, 1940?

Income Tax is deducted from the pay of officers of His Majesty's Forces under special provisions of the Income Tax Acts which provide for deductions to be made as and when the pay is paid. In practice, the amount of tax due from each officer for the year is estimated at the beginning of the year or period of service, as the case may be, by reference to information which is already available, or is specially obtained, regarding the officer's title to allowances, and the tax is deducted in equal monthly instalments. Any necessary adjustments are made so soon as the officer's liability can be finally computed.If my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind I shall be happy to cause inquiries to be made if he will send me particulars.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether, in fixing freight rates, he will base them upon the market value of ships at the outbreak of war and not upon enhanced values resulting from the war; and whether the same will apply when purchasing ships?

It is not my present intention to purchase ships on the United Kingdom register except under the powers contained in the Defence Regulations. For ships purchased under these powers, Section 4 of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, lays down the principles upon which compensation should be paid, as it also does for the use of ships requisitioned for the public service.

asked the Minister of Shipping how many persons are now employed in his Ministry; how many of those persons were already employed as civil servants prior to their appointment to his Ministry; and, of those not so already employed, how many were drawn from the central register of the Ministry of Labour and how many were appointed on personal recommendation?

The staff employed at the headquarters of the Ministry of Shipping, excluding messengers and cleaning staff, numbers 822.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether it is intended to appoint a labour adviser to the Ministry of Shipping?

I have appointed an Advisory Council upon which, as I am glad to inform the hon. Member, nine representatives of the officers and men of the Merchant Service have agreed to serve.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. F. Williams, of 39, Bloomsbury Street, Cheltenham, lost all his three sons in the last war; that the pension allowed him in respect of them is 8s. 6d. a week; that he is 72 years of age and his income consists only of the old age pension and 6s. a week National Health Insurance for an invalid daughter whom he has to support; and will he accede to the request of Mr. Williams that his pension be increased?

I am making inquiries in this case and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether all dealers have been instructed to cut down sugar supplies to their customers; whether the basis of the new supply is sugar received by each firm during the months of October, November and December, 1938; and whether he will consider taking the average weekly consumption for the whole of the year as a fairer basis since firms of repute book requirements months ahead?

Supplies of sugar are being equally distributed throughout the country on the basis of 100 per cent. of the period October, November and December, 1938. In cases of hardship supplementary supplies are also being distributed.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware of the effect of sugar rationing upon the activities of manufacturers of confectionery; that in some cases the reduction in supplies will be about 40 per cent. of the average weekly consumption; and whether, in view of the many hundreds of people employed by firms of this standing whose operations will be curtailed, he will consider the effect of this rationing on unemployment?

There is no foundation for the suggestion that supplies of sugar to confectioners will be reduced by 40 per cent. Normal supplies of sugar continue to be made available to the confectionery trades.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) whether a maximum importation of Spanish and Jaffa oranges will be allowed into this country for the Christmas fruit trade, as a cheap supply of this fruit will be appreciated by the public;

There is at present no control by the Ministry of Food over the importation of oranges and shippers and importers are free to make their own arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will reconsider the proposal to close the Peebles slaughterhouse, which will cause serious dislocation, hardship and loss to all concerned?

My hon. and gallant Friend will be glad to know that, as a result of a review of the slaughtering facilities in the area, the Peebles slaughterhouse has been added to the list of authorised slaughterhouses intended to be used in connection with the control plan when full control of meat and livestock is instituted.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to what extent it is intended to rely, in respect of rationing, on the manufacture of English butter; what steps are being taken to encourage it; and what percentage of the national butter consumption it is hoped to produce by this intensified effort?

In normal times home-produced butter constitutes some 3 to 5 per cent. of our consumption. It is hoped to maintain milk production at least at its present level, which is the highest since the inception of the Milk Marketing Schemes in 1933, but I am afraid that home butter production could only be increased at the expense of liquid milk and other milk products, such as cheese.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements are being made to compensate the officers and crews of steam trawlers who have lost share money and poundage as a result of the operation of the fish scheme?

The fish purchased under the fish scheme was purchased at prices substantially above pre-war prices and I do not think that any losses to the officers and crews resulted from the operation of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the numbers of unemployed in Oxford and the vicinity in each of the last three months for which figures are available; and the number of skilled workers unemployed?

I am having the available statistics extracted, and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of persons now unemployed in Durham county from 18 years of age and upwards and the duration of their unemployment?

I am having the available statistics extracted, and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the reason why the total number of wage-earners on colliery books in the counties of Ayr, Lanark, Stirling and West Lothian, is-not given in the Labour Gazette for each month, with the percentage of numbers unemployed, as is done in the other colliery counties in England and Scotland?

The publication in the Ministry of Labour Gazette of statistics-as to the numbers of wage-earners in the coalmining industry and the numbers and percentages unemployed, classified by counties or groups of counties, has now been suspended. When the publication of such statistics is resumed I will consider whether separate figures can be given for the counties to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that certain firms are proposing to reduce the working day to daylight hours so as to avoid black-out difficulties, which could be overcome by ordinary precautions; and whether he will see that workmen who leave such a firm to seek employment on full time are not penalised for so doing?

I am aware that difficulties as regards working hours are caused in some cases by the black-out requirements. As regards the second part of the question, if the hon. Member is referring to the possibility of disqualification for unemployment benefit, I would remind him that this would be a question for the independent statutory authorities under the Unemployment Insurance Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state that it is the policy of his Department to maintain and wherever possible to expand the social services and welfare work in the Colonial Empire during the war?

I am afraid that I am not yet in a position to add anything to my previous statements on this subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty at what age are marriage allowances paid to married officers of the Royal Naval Reserve after mobilisation?

Marriage allowance is paid to mobilised officers of the Royal Naval Reserve of any age.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is proposed to pay the late owners and occupiers for the land near Salisbury which has been acquired by the Admiralty; and whether they will also be compensated for disturbance?

Pending the completion of negotiations for the purchase of the land and the fixing of the compensation payable to tenants, substantial payments on account will be made forthwith in all cases where such payments are requested by landowners and tenants all of whom have given ready assistance to the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration has recently been given by His Majesty's Government to the poor standards of health, housing and social conditions in the West Indies; and what steps will be taken to deal with the distress and suffering arising from the economic conditions in these Colonies?

These matters have been comprehensively under consideration by the West India Royal Commission, whose report is awaited. Meanwhile, of course, ameliorative action has not been suspended, and I should be glad to supply the hon. Member, if he so wishes, with information as to the action taken by Colonial Governments in the West Indian area since I made a statement on the subject in reply to his question on the 16th November last.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can make a statement as to his intention with regard to securing representation for the proposed national committee or supply council; what is to be the procedure for obtaining the best result's in the areas; and how and when is the area machinery to be set in motion?

An advisory committee has now been appointed in consultation with the Trade Union Congress and I hope to have a meeting at an early date. The question of the best scheme for an area organisation has also been under discussion with the Trade Union Congress who are, I understand, convening a conference of the engineering and shipbuilding unions on the subject this week.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has now come to a decision fixing a fair price for paper?

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that certain paper mills are likely to have to close down altogether within the next few days owing to their inability to secure supplies at the controlled price, with the result that their customers, some of whom are engaged on urgent Government work, will, in turn, be unable to carry out their contracts; that the paper control office on the 30th September and again on the 14th October sent almost identical letters stating that they were well aware of the difficulty of the trade, and that the matter was under consideration; and whether he will take action to remedy this state of affairs?

An Order was made on the 25th October substantially increasing the maximum prices which may be charged for paper and paper boards.

asked the Minister of Supply why the Wool Control is situated in Bradford, and for what reason the London wool brokers, with over 100 years experience behind them and with all the necessary warehouses, management and expert staff for the distribution of wool have been ignored; and will he take action to reverse this procedure, the results of which may have serious effects upon the wool trade of London after the war?

It was considered desirable that the offices of the various raw materials controls should not be set up in London, and, as part of the general scheme, accommodation was allocated to the wool control at `1lkley, in the neighbourhood of the largest centres of the woollen industry, with which of course the control requires to be in constant communication. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend 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 at present unable to add.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he will transfer temporarily most of the departmental heads and indoor staffs of the Forestry Commission to the new departments set up to deal with schemes connected with the war in view of the restricted powers of the Commission in war-time?

The Forestry Commission organisation and approximately one-half of the staff of all grades have already been placed at the disposal of the Ministry of Supply in connection with the production of home-grown timber. In that connection the following commissioners are rendering active assistance: the chairman Sir Roy Robinson, Mr. Walter Smith, Sir Samuel Strang Steel and Mr. W. L. Taylor.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he has any further statement to make with regard to the resumption of work in the studios at Broadcasting House?

I am informed by the British Broadcasting Corporation that it is not possible to add anything to the statement on this subject which I gave in reply to a question from my hon. Friend on 17th October.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he will give a report of the working to date of the films organisation in his Department and the number of staff employed in connection with it?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 19th October to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander). Of the films therein mentioned the Air Force film has been completed and world-wide distribution is being arranged; the film dealing with London's transition from peace to war has been completed; and the scenarios of most of the documentary films have been submitted and are under active examination. As regards the second part of the question, the Film Publicity Division has a staff of one unpaid and seven paid officers, apart from typing assistance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information what resignations have taken place in his Department since 9th October, other than clerical and messenger staff?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made in another place on the 25th October by my Noble Friend that 67 officials were to leave the Ministry in consequence of the reorganisation that had been undertaken. Since that date one other official has resigned.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is intended during the duration of the war to proceed further with the National Memorial to His late Majesty King George V; and whether the buildings in Abingdon Street, owned by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, can be made available for Government use, thus freeing other accommodation?

I understand that work on the statue, which will be a matter of 18 months or so, will be proceeding, but that the actual erection and the preparation of the site for it, will be for consideration in the light of the circumstances obtaining at the time when it is nearing completion. My hon. Friend will recall that the buildings in Abingdon Street are outside the area of the memorial scheme as that scheme was finally approved.

asked the Secretary of State for War why men of the National Defence companies who were in barracks on or before 23rd August of this year did not receive the £5 bounty, although they offered their services prior to that date?

Although, strictly speaking, attestation would have had to be completed on or before this date to qualify for the bounty, authority has nevertheless been given for the payment of the bounty to all men who signed the enlistment form on or before 23rd August, or notified their intention, on or before that date, of joining, but were prevented from attesting until later.

asked the Secretary of State for War at what age are marriage allowances paid to married officers of the Army Reserves after mobilisation?

Before 11th September last, only married officers of 30 years of age or over were entitled to an allowance in respect of their families, but, from that date, such an allowance has been granted to all married officers, irrespective of their ages.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a widow's old age pension is taken into account as income in assessing the amount, if any, of dependants allowance in respect of a son on active service; and, if so, will he consider discontinuing such a practice?

A claim to dependant's allowance is a special claim related to the income of the person alleged to be dependent, and the contributions previously made by the claimant. It is therefore necessary to take all forms of income into account before the claim can be settled.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that quite a fair proportion of soldiers, whose homes are in Scotland, are stationed in various barracks in England, and that such men when granted leave are unable to take advantage of it because of the prohibitive cost of railway travelling; that in most cases the soldiers are making allotments to their parents which limits their resources to such an extent as to create a real hardship; and will he consider the advisability of revising the railway facilities in such manner as will enable the serving soldier being given some hope of visiting his home and relatives when on leave?

As I have previously stated, a free warrant will be given for leave prior to embarkation for overseas, and also to men granted leave from France. Men travelling on leave at other times will have the concession of a double journey for a single fare.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the housing shortage, particularly in the home counties, he will now lift the embargo on local authority housing schemes?

I can assure the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend is anxious to secure the completion of as many houses as possible. Although he has had to request local authorities to postpone the commencement of new houses for the time being the housing position is, as previously stated, under close and continuous review in relation to the demand on building materials and building labour and in the light of the financial position. I may add that my right hon. Friend recently discussed the position with representatives of the operatives and employers in the building trades.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there are burning slag-heaps on the east and west sides of Crigglestone colliery, near Wakefield; that the farmers in the area have protested because of the destruction of crops, and they are having a serious effect on the health of the people in the district; and will he say what steps he proposes to take for dealing with the matter?

Yes, Sir. My chief inspector visited the heaps last week and informs me that the owners are now taking the action recommended for abatement.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many medical men appointed to the emergency medical services have been dismissed, and that those in Class G will receive, by way of compensation for such dismissal, a payment equivalent to salary at the rate of £350; and whether he will state by whom such appointments were made and give the number of medical men who are to receive such compensation and the total amount of expenditure involved?

No medical men appointed to the Emergency Medical Service controlled by me have been dismissed, and no question of compensation therefore arises. Class G, to which the hon. Member refers, consists of resident house officers who were appointed for three months or longer, at £350 a year this being the scale of salary recommended by the Central Medical War Committee on behalf of the profession.

asked the Minister of Health how many maternity and child welfare authorities in England and Wales, respectively, have submitted proposals for the supply of cheap milk for mothers and young children, as requested in Circular 184D, dated 2nd August; how many have stated that the matter is under consideration; and the number that have not replied?

Seventy-eight welfare authorities have submitted proposals, 122 have stated that the matter is under consideration, 171 have not yet replied, and 36 have deferred consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the list of German-controlled foreign banks on the black list with which trade is forbidden is far from complete; and whether he will revise it?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the list of specified persons in the Trading with the Enemy (Specified Persons) Order published on 13th September and in the Amendment Order published on 5th October. Further additions to the list will be made very shortly. Enemy-controlled banks are, of course, enemies within the meaning of the Trading with the Enemy Act, irrespective of whether they have been specified in such Orders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state what steps he proposes to take to refund the premium paid under Part 11 of the War Risks Insurance Act, 1939, on goods which are not now in the category of goods which have to be insured?

The insurance companies and Lloyd's, who are acting as agents of the Board of Trade for the purposes of the commodity insurance scheme, have been instructed to refund on application any premiums paid in respect of goods which have been declared to be uninsurable by the War Risks Insurance (General Exceptions) Orders made by the Board of Trade on the 22nd September and 17th October, 1939, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that thin-gauge zinc and brass is not obtainable for domestic and export trades except from the United States of America; and, in view of the present conditions, will he consider withdrawing the 15 per cent. import duty for the time being?

I understand that two interested companies have submitted representations which are at present under consideration.

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

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which the Secretary to the Mines Department gave him on my behalf on the 25th instant on the subject of guarantees in connection with the export of goods to Rumania, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare in what practical way our present operations fall short of a full blockade, as defined by international law?

The essence of blockade is the prevention of all ingress to and egress from the blockaded coast or place, irrespective of the nationality of the ship or of the origin, nature, ownership or destination of her cargo.His Majesty's Government have not declared any blockade of Germany. They have, however, instituted a system of control over imports of contraband into Germany directly or through neutral countries. This is considered effective to prevent the passage to Germany of articles useful for the prosecution of the war.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is aware of the danger that arises to British interests by the transfer of the German populations in the Baltic countries to Germany, and the consequential acquisition by the German Government of the substantial foreign assets which previously belonged to the transferred individuals; and whether he will immediately enter into trading negotiations with these countries with a view to postponing the transfer of their assets to Germany?

I am fully aware of the considerations to which the hon. Member calls attention. Trade Agreements with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are already in existence and we have every intention of maintaining our trade with these countries, so far as possible. I do not think the procedure suggested by the hon. Member is practicable in present circumstances.

asked the Secretary for. Mines what precautions are being taken by his Department and the mines inspectors to protect the shafts of collieries situated on the Durham coast in the event of air-raids?

Appropriate precautions are being taken, including where necessary the inter-connection of neighbouring mines and the provision of auxiliary winding gear.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many coal-pits were closed each for the last three years; and how many pits it has been arranged to reopen since the beginning of the war in order to increase the coal production of the country?

In reply to the first part of the question the following is the information asked for:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the reasons for the cancellation of grants for the Livestock Improvement Scheme; and when these grants will be renewed?

The decision to suspend the making of fresh grants during the war was reached partly on administrative grounds and partly for reasons of economy. Although these grants serve an eminently useful purpose, their maintenance cannot be justified as an essential service in a time of emergency. The question of resuming the grants will be considered at the end of the war.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the scheme for attested herds will be continued for another year to allow those farmers to come into the scheme in districts such as Carmarthenshire where there are now almost 100 per cent. attested herds?

No, Sir. I would, however, point out that notwithstanding

asked the Minister of Agriculture what proportion of vegetable seeds annually imported into this country come from Central Europe; and whether he is satisfied that arrangements have now been made for alternative sources of supply?

Forty-one per cent. of the total quantity of vegetable seeds imported in 1938 came from Central Europe. The point raised in the second part of the hon. Member's question is being considered by the Seeds Advisory Committee, comprising representatives of the Agricultural Departments, the Ministry of Food, growers and merchants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will inquire into the reasons why a group of 12 unemployed men, having applied for quarter-acre holdings since the summer of 1938, in Lower Ystradmynach, Glamorganshire, have been unable to obtain access to land which is available; and will he take steps to enable these men to make their contribution to the national effort?

The matter referred to by the hon. Member is not one for my Department but I understand that the difficulties connected with the use of the land to which he refers have now been overcome. The necessary equipment has been ordered and the men are working on the land.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that for the week ended 21st October, 1939, the death rate in Greenock was 16.6 per 1,000, as against 7.9 per 1,000 for Hamilton, and an average of 13.1 per 1,000 for Scotland; what cause or causes contributed to the high Greenock rate; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

Except in the case of the largest towns, wide variations in the weekly death-rates of individual towns are a normal experience. If the death-rates in the two towns mentioned are examined over the first six months of this year, it will be found that, although there are marked differences in the weekly rates as between the one town and the other, the aggregate death-rates over that period for each town and for the large burghs of Scotland as a whole are practically the same.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the extensive withdrawal of the Green Line omnibus services, he will authorise long- distance coaches to pick up passengers in the Home Counties in districts ill-served by other means of transport?

Under the London Passenger Transport Act, 1933, no person may, without the written consent of the London Passenger Transport Board, carry passengers for journeys wholly within their special area on any stage carriage or express carriage. The board are empowered to give their consent where they are satisfied that there is need, but the suggested carriage of passengers on longdistance coach services within the special area would generally result in uneconomic competition with the services provided by the board, which have moreover been altered and augmented to meet the needs of passengers formerly served by Green Line coaches.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make some provision to enable experienced applicants for service in the Royal Air Force who have to travel from Aberdeen and other distant places to be interviewed without the penalty of at least £5 travelling expenses which they can ill afford?

There are six combined recruiting centres in Scotland where candidates for flying duty and for enlistment in the Royal Air Force can present themselves. One of them is at Aberdeen.Candidates for commissions in the non-flying branches of the Royal Air Force must, however, present themselves for interview and medical examination at the Air Ministry. In accordance with the general rule applicable throughout the public service, such candidates should pay their own travelling expenses. They are normally warned that they will be required to do so; but I regret that this warning was omitted in the case of certain candidates who were asked by telegram to attend. In these cases arrangements are now being made for a refund.