asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to give an undertaking that increases of wages to meet the increased cost of living will not be taken into account in assessing the needs of households in which employed persons reside with claimants for unemployment assistance?

I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 5th October, 1939.

Is the Minister aware that in some of these households half the increase of wages has to be repaid to the Unemployment Assistance Board?

I said that I could not add to the answer which I have given.

Does the Minister think that increases of wages ought to be taken into account, and is he aware that I know a man in Yorkshire who has an increase of 1½d., which is deducted? It is a burning shame.

The hon. Member knows that the matter is not quite so simple as that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to give an answer?

Not at the moment.

asked the Minister of Labour by what authority, based on regulations, the Unemployment Assistance Board acts in reclaiming from soldiers wives payments made pending the receipt of Army allowance?

The Board inform me that it is not their practice to reclaim payments made pending the receipt of Army allowances. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad if he will let me have particulars.

Is the Minister aware that this regulation is now in operation in some areas?

That is so, and I shall be most glad to give to the hon. Member further particulars. I was aware that this question was raised, and that is why I asked the Board, who have informed me that it is not their responsibility.

Is the Minister aware that I hold a document which shows that there is a definite demand for an increase, and that is why I put the question down?

Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have it.

Have you not seen one?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will ensure that unemployed men who have undertaken to cultivate allotments under the war-time scheme will not be penalised by suffering any reduction in unemployment allowances because of the food they are able to produce?

The Unemployment Assistance Board inform me that it is not their practice to make any reduction in respect of the produce of allotments consumed in the households of persons in receipt of allowances.

Suppose he sells a trifling amount; would that be taken into account?

I really could not say. I should like to understand what the hon. Member means by a trifle. I have answered the question which was asked.

As an encouragement to allotment holders, would the right hon. Gentleman see that this information is put up in Employment Exchanges?

I will consider whether that is necessary.

If the men are able to sell their products for not more than 3s. 9d. a day, will that be taken into consideration?

I should like to see that question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that parents in receipt of an allowance under the Unemployment Assistance Board are, through the operation of the means test, having their allowances reduced when an allotment has been made on their behalf by a son or sons serving in His Majesty's forces; and will he make representations to the Unemployment Assistance Board to abolish the operation of the means test in such cases?

I am consulting with the Unemployment Assistance Board in this matter and will communicate with the hon. Member.

What right have the Unemployment Assistance Board to take money which is not received by a member of the household? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is a scandal that the Unemployment Assistance Board has given instructions to take 3s. 6d. out of an allotment of 7s. per week, of a man who is receiving only 14s.?

I am not quite sure that the whole story is as the hon. Member now states it. It is a very complicated matter in detail. I have looked at the background of it, and for that reason I am consulting with the Board about it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in his opinion, deductions of this kind should take place?

The hon. Member will not expect me to answer that question. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] I am in consultation with the Board about it.

Arising from the Minister's original reply, and seeing that the whole House, irrespective of party, is complaining at the moment, is it not time that the Government considered the advisability of abolishing the means test?

I think not.

Then apply the means test to Ireland.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give information as to the total number of persons on the unemployment register in Stepney in September, 1938, and September, 1939?

The numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of the Stepney Employment Exchange at 12th September, 1938, and nth September, 1939, were 8,921 and 15,724 respectively.

What percentage of that increase is due to the fact that supplies are held up?

Of course, that is a much wider question. The hon. Member knows that there has been a good deal of dislocation in the change-over from peace to war in all the areas, especially in the east, where the docks are.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that approximately 30 per cent. of upholsterers are unemployed or on part-time; and as this trade is included in the list of reserved occupations, can he indicate where employment can be found for these men?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that upholsterers over 30 years of age are being refused admission to the Auxiliary Fire Service, and as air-raid wardens, stretcher-bearers, or in demolition squads, because they are in a reserved occupation; and as unemployment in this trade is high, and chances of employment remote, will he take such action as will enable such men, where qualified, to be employed in air-raid precautions services?

The Schedule of Reserved Occupations does not prevent any person from entering any employment except, in the cases of persons affected by the schedule, employment in the Defence Services. I do not think that the position of upholsterers under the schedule should be changed at the present time, but I am keeping the whole situation under constant review. If the facts warrant a change, it is always possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that upholsterers have been removed from positions in the Civil Defence Services because they are in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations?

When we survey, as I pointed out to the hon. Member we do regularly, it may be possible in the light of past experience to remedy that matter, as we can do if the necessity is proved.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the strike of hosiery workers at the factory of Messrs. Howard Ford and Company, Woolton, Liverpool, which has been in progress many months, has yet been settled?

No settlement of the difference between this firm and the union has yet been reached, but my Department is in touch with both sides and with the Joint Industrial Council for the hosiery industry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that some members of conscientious objector tribunals are engaging in arguments with applicants, exchanging Biblical quotations which are causing offence to the religious and moral feelings of the community; and whether he will instruct such tribunals to confine themselves to a judicial examination of each case?

I am being kept fully informed of the proceedings of these tribunals, and I have every reason to suppose that they are carrying out their duties in a judicial manner. Members of tribunals must necessarily question applicants in order to test the sincerity of their convictions.

Did the right hon. Gentleman see the reference yesterday to Pontius Pilate by the chairman of one of the tribunals, and does he think that that is desirable?

If the hon. Member looks at the fuller report I think he will see what was said to provoke that remark.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the extension of opening hours of shops beyond the hours specified in the recent order of the Home Office he will now consider a limitation of the working hours of assistants?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Garro Jones) on 25th October.

I suppose the Minister is aware of the clamour of certain traders for the extension of opening hours; can nothing be done to safeguard the interests of the assistants?

If the hon. Member will look at the answer to the question which I will send him he will see that it points out that further consultation will be necessary.

Would the Minister be willing to receive a deputation from the unions concerned?

The hon. Member will know that it is not necessary to put that question. If they ask to see me I shall be only too happy to see them.

Would he do that as early as possible?

We have many problems at the moment to deal with.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the anxiety of many small traders in London as to the present position, and can be make a statement?

I could not accept that generalisation of their case, because there is a division of opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the hardships suffered by shop assistants in tobacconists owing to the long hours and difficulties of travel in the black-out, he will take steps to cancel the exemption of these shops from the provisions of the Shops (Hours of Closing) Act, 1928?

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the recent Defence Regulation dealing with the earlier closing of shops. After careful consideration I came to the conclusion that I should not be justified in requiring tobacconists to close their shops earlier than they are required to do by the Act of 1928, in view of the fact that tobacco can be sold in places of entertainment and in licensed premises after the hour at which tobacconists' shops are required to close.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are instances where these employes are working extraordinarily long hours and where, owing to the blackout, they are unable to get proper hours of rest at home? While appreciating the difficulties which he envisaged in his reply, does he not consider that there is a need to bring pressure to bear on the industry so that the sellers of this luxury article should have proper hours of rest?

Consideration with regard to shop assistants is one of the main reasons for the recent Order, and it is only because of the special circumstances affecting tobacconists' shops which were taken into account in regard to the Shops Act that I did not feel it necessary to interfere with the existing arrangement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the majority of the assistants in these shops are young girls, and that tobacconists are the worst sinners from the point of view of long hours and low wages?

I am always willing to consider the question.

asked the Minister of Labour the extent to which joint bodies, representative of employers and employed for the purpose of co-operating in the supply of war requirements, have already been set up both nationally and locally; and whether he will give the names of the bodies already appointed, and the localities?

The supply of war requirements is not the responsibility of my Department, and questions on this subject should be addressed to the Ministers of the Departments concerned. With regard to advice on general questions arising out of war time conditions, I have recently, in consultation with the British Employers' Confederation and the Trades Union Congress General Council, set up a National Joint Advisory Council to advise on all matters in which employers and workers have a common interest. In many other ways I am receiving great assistance both nationally and locally on matters arising out of the war from employers' and workers' organisations and from bodies on which employers and workpeople are represented.

The Minister has said that a national body has been set up; is it proposed, in association with it, to set up any local committees on the same lines?

Perhaps the hon. Member will write to me and tell me exactly what he has in mind and what information he wants. He will understand that I am reluctant to include long lists which may be unnecessary, but if there is any particular information he desires I shall be glad to try to supply it.

The right hon. Gentleman made reference to a national body that has been set up.

That has already been done, and the first meeting was held yesterday.

asked the Minister of Labour the extent to which joint industrial councils in industry are functioning at the present time; and whether it is proposed to develop and extend their work during the present crisis?

Joint industrial councils and all other forms of voluntary joint machinery are continuing to function in their respective industries and are dealing effectively with the special problems arising at the present time. I am glad to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the very real value in the national interest of the work that is being done by such bodies, and it is my policy to stimulate the provision of joint machinery in industries where it has not yet been established.

Are any further joint industrial councils under consideration at the present time?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make a statement regarding the experiment in street lighting recently carried out in Liverpool; and whether he intends to adopt this form of lighting for London?

My advisers have investigated the system of street lighting which has been tried, on a small experimental scale, at Liverpool: but their investigations must be supplemented by observation from the air which, on account of the state of the moon, has not yet been possible. Arrangements have been made to carry out the necessary tests at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the difficulties confronting the Civil Defence committees arising from the refusal of tenants occupying ground-floor tenements to allow steel shelters to be erected in the back gardens for the use of upstairs tenants; and whether he will consider the need for further legislation whereby equality of protection shall be available for such persons?

I am aware of the difficulty to which the hon. Member refers, but I doubt whether it is one which calls for legislation. As I said in answer to a question last Session, I hope that there will be few cases where some reasonable accommodation cannot be reached between people living in the same building; and, in the last resort, the local authority would be able to meet the position by the provision of a public shelter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable number of persons so situated and that it is impossible to provide an adequate number of shelters in such congested areas?

Yes, but, on the other hand, with people living in close proximity, in face of the menace which threatens us, I do not think any method of compulsion would be likely in practice to succeed.

asked the Home Secretary when air-raid shelters will be available for Mexborough and district; and when distribution is likely to commence?

This area is included among those to which steel shelters are to be supplied, but in view of the requirements of other areas which I must regard as more likely to be exposed to attack, I cannot promise early deliveries to Mexborough.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this district was surveyed for air-raid shelter six months ago, that numerous letters have been sent to his Department, and that interviews have taken place, and so far only 30 families out of 4,000 families have been catered for?

Yes, Sir, but the hon. Member must realise that I must pay regard to the order of priority which has been laid down after careful consideration. I could not divert shelters to areas out of the order of priority except at the expense of other areas.

If the right hon. Gentleman cannot do anything in regard to Anderson shelters for this neighbourhood will he persuade his Department to enable the local authority to make shelters available where they deem shelters necessary?

I will certainly go into that matter.

Would it make any difference if they changed the name of the shelter?

No, Sir; at the moment it is too popular.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of householders prosecuted for infringement of the lighting regulations in the Metropolitan police area for the four weeks commencing 16th September and ending 14th October, or any other more convenient four weeks?

I regret that figures are not available for the precise period mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend, but during the month of September proceedings were taken against 58 householders for contraventions of the Lighting Order.

Might I ask my right hon. Friend to make quite certain that in the country as a whole these prosecutions will not be turned into persecutions? In Oxford last week there were no fewer than 40 trifling prosecutions on this score in an evacuation area.

The question referred to the metropolitan area. Instructions given by the Commissioner of Police are that the first step is to get the light obscured and to give a warning to the person concerned. Proceedings are taken only in serious cases, where there is obvious negligence.

Will my right hon. Friend make representations in this sense to Oxford?

Will he communicate with Glasgow as well? The sheriffs are simply preposterous in their treatment of the people.

And will he make representations to the Admiralty, who are among the worst offenders?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that considerable divergence in expenditure on air-raid precautions work exists between different local authorities of equal size, and of equal vulnerability, he will consider altering the present system of grants so as to encourage economy in the administration of this service?

The standard of preparations which my Department has recommended to local authorities is adjusted according to vulnerability and other considerations, and the approved expenditure varies accordingly. The terms of grant towards approved expenditure are fixed by Statute, and I do not think that this would be an opportune moment to propose any reduction in the rate of Government grant.

How does my right hon. Friend propose to encourage economy in the non-vulnerable areas?

Instructions have been issued to all areas. They are being followed up by the regional staffs.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in order to introduce, where necessary, a policy of economy and efficiency into the air-raid precautions services, he will institute an inquiry, conducted by impartial persons, into the organisation and expenditure of a variety of areas, comparing places of similar character?

Expenditure incurred by local authorities on air-raid precautions ranks for Government grant only if it has been approved by my Department; and the proposals submitted are scrutinised from the point of view of economy and efficiency. In connection with expenditure on personnel I have recently issued a circular, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, requesting local authorities to review their organisation and to submit proposals for adjustment to regional commissioners. I think that these methods are better calculated to produce economies than some independent investigation of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend.

I apologise for not being able to hear my right hon. Friend's opening remarks, but may I ask him whether, when the regional commissioner is in possession of the facts, we may have the evidence published in a White Paper; and will my right hon. Friend consider the appointment of an impartial advisory committee?

I am sorry, but I, in turn, could not hear the whole of my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in consultation with the Minister of Transport, he has now come to a decision as to the instructions to be issued to local authorities for settling the terms of payment for motor vehicles which have been taken for air-raid precautions purposes?

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend, but no final decision has yet been reached.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that, after two months, they are quite uncertain whether the vehicles are to be hired or purchased, and what the terms of purchase or hire will be? Can he say why it takes so long to decide this matter?

I am sure that my hon. Friend has not overlooked the fact that payments on account—and, I am advised, liberal payments on account— are being made.

asked the Home Secretary what instructions, and in what form, have been issued since the outbreak of war to county councils and county borough councils to disband or suspend the meetings of air-raid precautions committees?

No such instructions have been issued by my Department since the outbreak of war, but the hon. Member will be aware that in March last I recommended that, in order to provide machinery to secure immediate action in an emergency, local authorities should appoint emergency committees with powers to act on behalf of the authority in matters of Civil Defence.

Is the Minister aware that certain county councils have indicated that they have received instructions not to hold ordinary meetings? Is that a fact?

No, Sir, I have not heard that. There has been no desire on the part of my Department to prevent ordinary meetings of county councils being held.

asked the Minister of Health how many applications he has received from reception areas for extensions and improvements to the water supply; in how many cases he has given consent; and the estimated cost of the total number of applications and of those to which he has consented?

Eighteen such applications have been made since the evacuation, of a total estimated cost of £15,683. Consent has been given to three proposals estimated to cost £1,780 and the remaining applications are under consideration.

In view of the urgency of this matter in these areas will the right hon. Gentleman do his utmost to expedite decisions in the cases that are outstanding?

Yes, Sir. I think we are awaiting details on the various cases, or most of them.

Will my right hon. Friend specially bear in mind the case of Evesham, which is frightfully urgent as there is no water supply available?

That is another matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether advice has been tendered to billeting authorities by his Department on the undesirability of billeting evacuated persons, especially children, in houses in which a patient recently discharged from a tuberculosis sanatorium lives?

I recently made it clear to a conference of representatives of the voluntary organisations for the prevention and cure of tuberculosis and of medical officers of health that patients in the infective stages of tuberculosis who had been inadvertently discharged from sanatoria at the outbreak of war should be sought out and brought back for treatment. I have no reason to believe that billeting officers are not alive to the point made by the hon. Member.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that in many cases billeting officers have no authority in this matter, and that it is the tuberculosis authority; and is it not desirable that some supervision should be given?

Yes, Sir. The only sound way is to seek out the tuberculosis patient and have him given institutional treatment. The information in the possession of local authorities as to tuberculosis cases is, of course, confidential.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider his policy of allowing free medical service to parents able to pay 9s. towards billeting, in view of the apprehension that this will be to the disadvantage of children of those unable to pay this sum who will be denied this service?

I think the hon. Member may be under some misapprehension. Medical attendance and treatment are provided for all unaccompanied school children evacuated under the Government scheme.

Am I to understand that there is no preferential treatment for those who pay a higher billeting allowance?

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that consider able dissatisfaction obtains in certain reception areas situated not many miles from vulnerable areas where children are close enough to return for week-ends, sometimes not returning to the reception areas at all; and whether he would consider evacuating children in the future to reception areas further distant from the vulnerable areas so as to overcome this difficulty?

I am aware of the difficulty to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. Looking to the numbers for whom plans were made it would not have been practicable to confine the reception of evacuated persons to areas remote from the evacuating areas. The danger of bringing children back to the evacuating areas has been constantly emphasised both in this House and in the Press, and I hope it will be sufficient to appeal to the good sense of parents and to ask them to keep foremost in their minds the interests of their children's safety.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that cases have arisen in which householders in reception areas have continued to receive billeting allowances after the evacuated persons have left the house; and whether it is proposed to issue any instructions to local authorities as to how these payments should be checked?

A few cases have been brought to my notice in which billeting allowances have been received by the householder after the evacuated persons have left his house. Steps are being taken to prevent the possibility of the payment of the allowances in such cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered a letter from the Lord Mayor of Newcastle-on-Tyne setting forth in detail the urgent requirements of children evacuated from Newcastle in the matter of footwear, overcoats, clothing for day and night wear, etc., and for which a public appeal has brought in but a small response; and whether he proposes to make a grant of the sum of £5,000 required to meet this emergency?

I have considered the letter to which the hon. Member refers. Soon after evacuation was carried out I broadcast an appeal to people who have clothing and boots to spare to send them forward for the use of the children. I shall shortly be sending a circular to local authorities in both the evacuating and receiving areas on this subject. I think we must make the utmost possible efforts to obtain supplies from the natural sources, namely, the parents themselves and the various official and voluntary agencies.

In view of the failure of the appeal of the Lord Mayor of Newcastle and the fact that funds are not available locally for these purposes, can the Minister not relieve the situation by making a grant?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many of the areas where such clothing is given it is in fact being sold to the evacuees?

I am not aware of that, but I think it not improbable that in certain cases a charge may have been made.

Can I not have an answer to my supplementary question, Mr. Speaker? It is a very important point.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that local authorities in reception areas are refusing to pay public assistance towards the payment of rents of evacuees in evacuation areas; and whether he will take steps to deal with the resulting difficulties?

I am aware that some local authorities are adopting the practice referred to in the first part of the question. In reply to the second part, I am debarred by Statute from interfering in any individual case for the purpose of ordering relief, but I shall be happy to bring to the notice of the public assistance authority any case of special hardship that the hon. Member has in mind. The hon. Member will appreciate the difficulties that would be involved in the continued pay- merit from public funds of allowances towards the rent of premises that are not required for the applicant's occupation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any further statement to make concerning the provision of periodical free travelling passes to parents who desire to visit their evacuated children?

I am in consultation with other Departments concerned on the question what special travelling facilities could periodically be provided for parents wishing to visit children who have been evacuated, but it must be understood that no question of issuing free travelling passes is under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that large numbers of children from my constituency have been evacuated to Devon and Somerset, and that the parents cannot possibly afford travelling facilities in order to visit their children, and that this is causing very considerable distress to the parents?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that mothers go to Somerset every week-end to see their evacuated children, and will he be more accurate in his facts?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this difficulty in visiting the children is one of the causes of children coming back to London?

asked the Minister of Health how many members of the visiting staffs of the voluntary hospitals in London have enrolled to date under emergency conditions in the categories enumerated by him, namely, whole-time service, whole-time service with indefinite leave without pay, service with option to transfer from whole-time to part-time on conditions formulated in the Ministry circular, dated 18th September, and voluntary enrolment with the Ministry, directly; whether he is aware of the inadequacy of the offers at present made; and whether he has in contemplation any proposals more acceptable as regards remuneration and opportunities for continuing some measure of hospital and private practice?

The number of specialists and senior members enrolled in the Emergency Medical Service who reported for whole-time service in the London sectors and who are for the most part on the visiting staffs of the London voluntary hospitals, is 656. Of these 17 are on indefinite leave without pay and five have transferred to part time. So far there has been one offer of service without obligation. As I said in reply to the hon. Member last Wednesday and to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Ash-ford (Mr. Spens) last Thursday, the whole question has been under consideration by a special committee, which includes the presidents of the three Royal colleges and which was set up on 18th October. I learned yesterday that this committee have now formulated their recommendations, which they are coming to discuss with me to-morrow.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise how very mischievous is the uncertainty of the position for these voluntary hospitals, and as only 25 per cent. of the members of these staffs have applied for part-time service, is it not obvious that other means should be adopted?

It is for that reason that I have given the utmost urgency of consideration to the recommendations brought forward by the body which I have just mentioned.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that German agents are sending out leaflets by post from neutral countries accusing this country of supplying Poland with gas shells, giving on such leaflets the names of British citizens who were members of a disbanded pro-German organisation in this country; whether copies of any such leaflets have been considered by him; and what action he intends to take in the matter?

I have seen a specimen of a leaflet of the kind described, which appears to have been sent through the post from a neutral country. Such oversight as the postal censorship can exercise over incoming mail must, of course, be secondary to their more important duty of censoring mails going out of the country; but I am considering, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War what steps can be taken to prevent such propaganda being sent into this country from abroad.

Will the Minister report to the House the decision which has been arrived at after consideration?

Perhaps the question can be put down later on.

May we be given the name of the disbanded pro-German organisation?

I am afraid I cannot answer that particular question; I do not know.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that night clubs in London are giving semi-nude cabaret shows; and whether he will take the necessary steps to control such entertainments?

Yes, Sir. I have seen statements in the Press recently and have made certain inquiries. As my hon. and learned Friend is no doubt aware, there are so-called night clubs which are held on private premises and to which only members and their friends have access. To obtain accurate information as to what goes on in these places is not always easy. If my hon. Friend will send me the information in his possession I will consider what further action, if any, I might usefully take.

If I send the information to my right hon. Friend will he ask this House to give him the necessary power to control these unsatisfactory clubs in view of the fact that those attracted to them are young officers who ought to be fit, and not unfit?

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to promote legislation bringing within the scope of the Workmen's Compensation Act the disease known as bysinosis, common to card room workers in Lancashire, as recommended by the Departmental Com- mittee in their report issued early this year?

In order that the question of legislation may be considered, steps are being taken to ascertain how far it would be practicable, under war conditions, to work out in detail and put into actual operation schemes on the lines suggested by the Committee.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this question has been in existence for a long number of years, and that until a decision has been reached many people are suffering hardships in consequence?

The hon. Gentleman will see that my answer indicates that consideration is being given to the matter, but there is involved the rather difficult question of organisation.

asked the Home Secretary the present position with regard to the hearing of the cases of aliens by the tribunals appointed for the purpose; the numbers that have been dealt with; the numbers, respectively, in categories A, B and C; whether steps are being taken in the cases of those in B and C categories to avoid any indication on the passport that these persons are enemy aliens, but rather the victims of Nazi oppression; and to whom, or to what tribunal, appeals in connection with the cases already heard should be made?

The number of cases dealt with by the tribunals up to 28th October was 13,031. Of these 186 were interned, 9,656 were exempted from internment and from the special restrictions applicable to enemy aliens, and the remaining 3,189 were exempted from internment but not from the special restrictions. In any case where it has been decided to exempt an enemy alien from the special restrictions, steps have been taken, as I promised the hon. Member in my reply to a question of his on 21st September, to ensure that the term "enemy alien" does not appear on the registration certificate; and if the tribunal is satisfied that the alien is a genuine refugee the words "Refugee from Nazi oppression" are endorsed in the certificate. It is open to any alien interned by a tribunal to make representations to me; and, unless I am satisfied that there are no grounds for further consideration, the case is referred to the Advisory Committee.

Is the Home Secretary aware that there has been a good deal of variation in treatment by the large body of tribunals throughout the country, and will he take steps to see that there is a regular standard of treatment for all persons who come before those tribunals?

I am sure the hon. Member will appreciate that it is difficult, if not impossible, to ensure an absolute uniformity of standard; but very careful instructions were issued to the tribunals in the first instance and steps are being taken as far as possible by personal contact to ensure that the practice will conform to a reasonable standard.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to say whether representations which may be made to him with regard to those who are certified under B and C, and who feel, or of whom it is felt, they should be certified under A, will be available to the tribunals?

Any representations which are made to me will be considered. If they are made before the consideration by the tribunal takes place, they will be made available to the tribunal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman cognisant of the fact that in his answer to the hon. Gentleman below the Gangway he refers to appeals in regard to representations by internees, and that my question applies also to people who are certified under B and C, and of whom it is felt they should be certified under A?

Certainly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will instruct the tribunals to record how many of the male refugee citizens of military age who come before them desiring to be classified as friendly are willing to volunteer for military service; and whether this will be taken into account in determining the cases?

I think that any such instruction might well hinder rather than help the tribunals in their task of deciding which Germans and Austrians can properly be exempted from the special restrictions applicable to enemy aliens. I understand that many refugees are anxious to volunteer for military service, but the first step is for the tribunal to consider whether the alien can properly be relieved of the restrictions in question, and it is only after the tribunal has so decided that the military authorities are prepared to consider an application from the alien to be allowed to join the Forces.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with a boy who fell down a manhole into a sewer at Hayes, Middlesex; and whether any reward is being given to the would-be rescuer?

I have received a report on this tragic accident. I appreciate the praiseworthy efforts which Mr. Hales made to rescue the child, but there are no funds at my disposal from which a reward could be paid to him.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is taking any steps to deal with the oral and written propaganda, favourable to the enemy, emanating from the British Union of Fascists?

I would refer to the reply which I gave on 12th October to the questions by the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Horabin) and the hon. and gallant Member for Carlisle (Brigadier-General Spears).

Will my right hon. Friend peruse some of the more recent Fascist publications, and then see whether it is right or wise to allow that licence' to attack the cause of freedom?

We have to be careful to draw the line between giving liberty to those who want to take a certain course of action and attacking freedom. I think that the Debate last Tuesday showed that there are two points of view.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some parts of London the British Union of Fascists are still being allowed to write slogans on the walls with impunity?

I am aware of that public nuisance, and wish it could be stopped.

Does not this so-called freedom, in fact, amount to a most dangerous licence?

That is a matter of opinion. But the position is being carefully watched.

asked the Home Secretary at what date it is proposed to resume summer time after the re-introduction of true time?

Under the Summer Time Acts the date for the introduction of summer time next year would be 21st April. The question whether any earlier date should be fixed will be considered in due course.

Will my right hon. Friend undertake to re-introduce summer time at a much earlier date than usual?

What I will undertake is to collect opinion in good time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish a list of the pooled commodities so far sanctioned by the Government, together with the names of the controller in each case?

I am not sure what precise significance the hon. Member attaches to the term "pooled commodities." If he has in mind commodities which are pooled together and sold in one standard only there are two such commodities, margarine and dried fruits. The control of margarine is exercised by Mr. J. P. Van den Bergh under Mr. Herbert Davis, the Director of Oils and Fats, and the control of dried fruits by Mr. A. E. Gough. In the case of motor spirit, control is exercised by the Petroleum Board.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant a day, or half a day, in which to discuss the White Paper dealing with German atrocities?

No, Sir. As indicated in the introduction, the documents in the White Paper were published to enable public opinion here and abroad to form its own judgment. The facts disclosed speak for themselves, and I do not consider that a useful purpose would be served by debating them.

Will the Prime Minister consider asking the Minister of Information to give it adequate publicity, here and abroad?

It has been done.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider appointing a Ministry of Peace Aims, whose exclusive duty will be to ensure that the momentous problems affecting the peace settlement after the war shall be afforded impartial and adequate consideration, which is neither possible by the War Cabinet during hostilities nor in the political atmosphere likely to prevail at the termination of the war?

No, Sir. I consider that the existing machinery of Government is adequate to deal with the problems to which the hon. Member refers.

In view of the plethora of opinions expressed in the Press, does the Prime Minister not think that a specific statement might be made to the House at a subsequent date? If I put a question down, will he consider it?

I am not prepared at this moment to indicate any particular time at which I could make such a statement.

Will the Prime Minister give an assurance that he will let us have peace at an early date?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what sum of money it is estimated has been, or is being, expended upon the building of a headquarters for the activities of the Milk Marketing Board?

The published accounts of the Milk Marketing Board for the year ended 31st March last indicate that the net expenditure on the new headquarters of the Board up to that date was £35,601 12s. 3d. I have no later information. I understand that the Board's object in removing their headquarters to Thames Ditton is to reduce the annual expenditure on office accommodation.

In view of the fact that the figure is so enormous, and does not include recent expenditure, which I am told runs into £46,000, and inasmuch as the Milk Marketing Board has at least the moral support of the Government, is my right hon. and gallant Friend quite certain that there was no existing building which could have been taken over, instead of building one of these palaces for bureaucrats?

This is a matter for the Milk Marketing Board itself. I am satisfied that they will probably show a saving in their costs, compared with the past.

Does not that indicate that their past is deplorable?

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say where the money comes from which is spent in this way?

The producer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the serious depletion of capital in the hands of farmers and their consequent inability to finance the extensive developments required by the Government's programme, he will make an early statement indicating that adequate prices shall be paid for the present year's crops?

I have nothing to add to the statement I made on 19th October.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious position likely to develop in the milk industry, where, owing to the inducements offered to cereal and meat production and the lack of anylike incentive to the production of milk, farmers are tending to swing over from milk to other lines, and are now selling or preparing to sell large numbers of heifers and fat cows for slaughter; and whether, in view of the danger of milk shortage next year, he will give urgent consideration to this matter and propose either a subsidy on milk cows or a guaranteed higher price for milk, in order to maintain milk production at its maximum during the war?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government is fully aware of the desirability of ensuring an adequate supply of milk. I am watching carefully the effect upon milk production of any measures taken or contemplated for other forms of agricultural production.

In view of the seriousness of the matter, which was mentioned in the "Times" last Monday, will not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider making a very early statement regarding either the price for milk or a subsidy for cows?

I hope that the hon. Member will not exaggerate the situation, which I hope will be a temporary one.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that less than half of the Women's Land Army trainees at Harper Adams Agriculture College, Salop, were taken into agricultural situations; and whether this position is general in other counties?

Yes, Sir. The demand for the services of members of the Women's Land Army has not kept pace with training. It will be appreciated however, that we have had to have regard not only to immediate demands for these workers but also to probable demands in the future.

Is it not also the case that the Minister has not the machinery to carry out his scheme, and that there is a shameful lack of machinery—tractors and so on—throughout the country?

This question has nothing to do with that.

Surely it is a part of—[Interruption.]

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will authorise all education committees to complete all schools under construction and make provision for committees to obtain priorities in building materials?

My Noble Friend cannot undertake to give any such general authorisation as is suggested. I may, however, refer the hon. Member to Circular 1477 already issued by the Board which indicates that in cases where the works are well in hand, especially in reception areas where the buildings are likely to facilitate the education of an increased number of children, the Board would make every effort to facilitate their progress, and that, in particular, the Board would regard the completion of technical school buildings as important if, in addition to offering facilities which would meet the needs of the Service Departments, they provided training in the major industries which are of national importance at the present time. The question of priority presents special difficulties at the present time when demands on material and labour for war purposes are so acute.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many children in England and Wales of school age are not in attendance at school; and the percentage in proportion to the school population?

I regret that in the absence of information as to the schools in neutral areas and reception areas which still remain closed, and as to the number of children who have returned from reception to evacuation areas, I cannot give the hon. Member the information he desires. He will, however, be aware from the reply which I gave to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Keighley (Mr. Lees-Smith) yesterday that steps are being taken to remedy the situation under which a large number of children are receiving no education.