asked the Home Secretary what remuneration it is proposed to allow to local authorities undertaking the distribution of and the collection of payment for steel air-raid shelters; and whether he will consider placing the disposal of these shelters in the hands of co-operative and other traders instead of encouraging unrated municipal competition?

The circular which has been issued to local authorities in the areas in which the first sales of shelters are being made informs them that reimbursement of their expenses incurred in connection with the sales will be made, at their option, either by payment of the full amount of the approved additional expenditure or at a uniform rate of 5s. per shelter in the case of cash sales and 15s. per shelter in cases where payment is made by instalments. As regards the latter part of the question, the local authorities are merely acting as agents for the Government in this matter and there is, therefore, no question of municipal competition.

asked the Home Secretary when the hon. Member for Ipswich may expect to receive a reply to his letter of 12th October concerning the exorbitant prices being paid for angle-irons for steel shelters?

The letter of the 12th October to which the hon. Member refers was in reply to a letter from me dated the 18th August. A further letter was sent to the hon. Member yesterday.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the instruction issued by the air-raid precautions controller of Rochdale to air-raid precautions pickets and rescue parties, to the effect that they should salute the mayor, magistrates, senior officers of the air-raid precautions service, police, Army officers, Naval officers and Air Force officers; that the controller has on occasion described himself as Major S. H. Morgan, M.C., commanding; and whether he will take steps to prevent airraid precautions services becoming militarised?

I am informed that this instruction has been withdrawn.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in the Stretford area there are no Anderson steel shelters and no gas masks for infants, although this is adjacent to the most vulnerable area in Lancashire; and whether he will take action to remedy this?

I am sending the hon. Member the information for which he asks.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that serious losses are being caused to hotels and other premises all over the country by the order that no dinners, dances, concerts or other entertainments are permitted; what is the object of this order; and will he take steps to put a stop to this interference with the ordinary engagements and entertainments of the people?

No such order is in force, and I am glad to have this opportunity of removing the misapprehension which seems to persist in some quarters on this matter. Ordinary social gatherings have never been prohibited, and it is not the policy of the Government to discourage them. The general order for the closing of places of entertainment, which was made on the outbreak of war in view of air-raid dangers, was only in operation from the 3rd to the 8th September. From that date onwards the restrictions have been progressively relaxed, and the only restrictions now in force are those requiring places of entertainment to close at 11.0 p.m. and limiting the number of cinemas and theatres open in the evening in the central area of London.The object of these limitations is to lessen the traffic and transport difficulties which arise if large numbers of vehicles are running till a late hour at night, and to reduce the dangers, including traffic dangers, incidental to the congregation of large numbers of persons in the Central London area under war conditions. The order applies only to premises which are used for the purpose of entertainment to which the public are admitted on payment, and does not affect hotels at all except as regards any entertainment for which a separate entrance payment is made.

asked the Home Secretary what is the cause of the delay on the part of the local authorities in making payment for road-vehicles hired or purchased by them for war-defence purposes; whether he is aware of the grave hardship imposed on many road operators who have had to hire vehicles to carry on their business on rates considerably in excess of the payments made on account; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this hardship?

Local authorities have for some time past been authorised to make payments for vehicles used for these purposes. As regards the second part of the question, I have not received any representations to the effect indicated.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will institute inquiries for the purpose of ascertaining how many aldermen and councillors of Metropolitan boroughs are in receipt of wages or salaries upon the ground of being employed in Civil Defence under the provisions of Section 10 of the Local Government Staffs (War Service) Act?

By the provision to which my hon. Friend refers Parliament has recently reviewed disqualifications which would otherwise have arisen in the case of members of a council being employed in Civil Defence service for reward, and, in the circumstances, I do not feel justified in asking local authorities to make special returns to me on this matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many blind people who went into the reception areas under the Government scheme have returned to their homes because of their inability to live on the grant made to them as well as meet their liabilities at home; and whether he will take steps to deal with this situation with a view to preventing the return to danger areas of blind people?

I am aware that a proportion of blind persons who were evacuated under the Government evacuation scheme have since returned to their homes. It is for the local authorities, either directly or through the agency of voluntary organisations, to make such provision as they may think appropriate for the welfare of blind persons. Certain evacuation authorities are considering the grant of extra assistance to blind persons in respect of their obligations in their home areas, and I understand also that some local authorities and voluntary societies are examining the possibility of setting up new workshops to provide employment for the blind in reception areas. I have, however, no authority to give any directions in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of Furber traction carriages in use for airraid precautions work?

I have been asked to reply. The particular form of the Furber traction carriage which has been brought to my notice is a type of hand ambulance. It is not considered that apparatus of this kind is suitable for the air-raid precautions ambulance service, and so far as I am aware no such appliances have been acquired by local authorities, who are immediately responsible for this service.

asked the Minister of Health whether any decision has yet been reached as to the rent liabilities of blind persons evacuated from London?

I am informed that the county council still have this matter under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the fact that metropolitan borough councils are required by Circular 1900 to provide refuges for children who may become separated from their parents, the Government is prepared to make a grant-in-aid for this consequence of the war, especially as this function was not in contemplation at the time the Exchequer grant was calculated, in pursuance of the Local Government Act, 1929?

In the circular referred to, I have suggested to metropolitan borough councils and certain other neighbouring welfare authorities that the establishment of such refuges for young children in association with the maternity and child welfare service would be very desirable and have invited them to submit proposals to me with a view to their approval under the statutory provisions relating to that service.Any additional expenditure involved should not, in my view, be substantial and I do not think that there is sufficient ground for the provision of a grant-in-aid beyond the general Exchequer contribution provided for the current fixed grant period under the Local Government Act, 1929.

asked the Minister of Health the number of beds in maternity hospitals, sanatoria, general hospitals, and mental hospitals, in evacuation, and in other areas, respectively, which were taken over for casualty cases on the outbreak of war; what proportion, in each case, the requisitioned beds represent of the total beds available; and what compensating provision of beds has been made elsewhere in each case?

No beds were taken over or requisitioned for casualty cases. Before the war an estimate was made of the number of beds which could be made available at each institution in the scheme by relying on the beds normally empty, by sending home convalescent patients and by transferring others to simpler accommodation, and in many cases additional beds were supplied by the Government for use in the event of an emergency. The bed-state returns made to me daily since the outbreak of war do not enable me to say which of the beds actually vacant at any institution represent the existing beds freed for the reception of casualties and which the additional beds supplied by the Government. I cannot therefore give figures in the form in which the hon. Member asks for them.In the aggregate, however, 110,000 out of the 170,000 vacant beds in hospitals rendering returns are additional beds supplied by the Government and 60,000 are the original beds, including those which would have been empty in any case, and the additional beds are being steadily increased as hutted accommodation is completed. In the same hospitals the number of beds occupied by the sick is shown in their returns as 156,000, and the vacant beds are available if necessary for the sick requiring in-patient treatment as well as for casualties. In maternity hospitals no beds have been regarded as reserved for casualties, and the casualty accommodation in mental hospitals has been provided entirely by beds supplied by the Government.

asked the Minister of Health the number of midwives, or district nurses practising as midwives, who have been called up for service in emergency hospitals since the outbreak of war?

No midwives or district nurses practising as midwives have been called up for service in emergency hospitals since they are not enrolled as such in the Civil Nursing Reserve, from which nursing staff for hospitals under the Emergency Hospital Scheme is provided. Some nurses who possess the certificate of the Central Midwives Board have been enrolled and called up but I could not state the number without detailed inquiries. I may add that a considerable number of midwives have been transferred from evacuation to reception areas for service in emergency maternity homes, which, according to the returns received, are adequately staffed.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give any information as to the progress made in the efforts to de-water the Mosside mine, Airdrie; if the pumping power installed is sufficient; and whether he anticipates the early recovery of the bodies of those who were lost in the flooding disaster of 22nd September last?

Pumping has gone on continuously since 23rd September, but recently the make of water has increased owing to bad weather and other circumstances, and in the absence of information as to the volume of water to be dealt with it is not possible to say how soon it may be possible to recover the bodies of those who lost their lives when the mine was flooded. I am informed that the question of increasing the pumping capacity is under consideration.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider increasing the percentage of coal to those residents in rural areas who have not the amenities of gas and electricity laid on to their houses?

Perhaps the hon. Member will read the reply which I have given to-day to a private notice question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the need for increasing the production of coal, he will consider pressing for the re-opening of the Senghenydd Colliery, South Wales, which possesses a large quantity of the very best coal, is near the sea coast, has a local supply of unemployed miners, and is located in a non-vulnerable area?

I am informed that the Senghenydd Mine is practically dismantled and that the owners propose to work the Senghenydd coal through the Albion and Windsor Pits, at which a number of those employed at Senghenydd prior to its closing in 1928 have since obtained work.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that certain gas, water and electricity undertakings are endeavouring to evade the provisions of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act by exercising their powers to withdraw supplies; that other firms are also seeking to evade the Act by insisting that payments made since the passing of the Act shall be set off against pre-war indebtedness, and.thus, when the indebtedness is wiped out, be able to obtain judgment, and, without reference to the courts, proceed to distrain in respect of supplies delivered since the passing of the Act; and whether legislative action will be taken to restrict the right of gas, water and electricity undertakings to cut off supplies, and to give county courts power to direct that payments made since the passing of the Act shall be appropriated in respect of supplies delivered since that date?

I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion that certain gas, water and electricity undertakings are withdrawing supplies as a means of evading the provisions of the Act. The right of such undertakings to cut off supplies is conferred by Statute, but any proceedings for recovery of amounts due in respect of supplies already obtained by the consumer are subject to the restrictions imposed by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act. The general principle as to appropriation of payments is that the debtor has a right to appropriate, but if he does not do so the right passes to the creditor. As at present advised, I have no reason to think that any legislation restricting the existing rights of gas, water or electricity undertakings to withdraw supplies would be justified. If the hon. Gentleman has any specific cases which he thinks ought to be investigated he should refer them to the appropriate Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to inform the House of the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee considering children's allowances and of the decision of the Government thereon?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any decision has yet been reached to remove the difference between the billeting allowances for civil servants and for teachers who have homes to maintain in the areas from which they have been evacuated?

The question of billeting allowances for civil servants and for teachers is under active consideration, but no decision has yet been reached.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the cancellation of the Civil Service examination in September, 1939, he will, when making temporary appointments to the Civil Service, give special consideration to the claims of those candidates who had the requisite educational qualifications, including the schools certificate, for attending that examination, and had paid the necessary fee?

As I informed the right hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence) on 3rd October, clerical vacancies in Government Departments, which cannot be supplied by the loan of staff from other Departments are being filled on a temporary basis through the employment department of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. I am afraid that it would not be practicable to prescribe that special preference should be given to persons who had declared their intention of entering the clerical class open competition in September last. I may add that the fees paid in respect of that examination have been returned.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now prepared to set on foot an inquiry, departmental or otherwise, into the justice and practicability of a Federation of European States, with a view to introducing a proposal on the matter as a basis for an enduring peace?

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to his previous question and to a similar question by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on the 25th October, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the number of new official schemes revolutionising the ordinary life of the community, he will arrange for Parliament to sit on at least four days a week, so that these changes may have more adequate discussion?

My right hon. Friend does not think that it is necessary to adopt an arrangement on the lines suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that at least one journalist working in a paid capacity in a Government Department has been simultaneously writing under his own name in the Press on matters with which his employing Department has to deal; whether he will consider the propriety of such an arrangement; and whether the newspaper contributions in question are censored before publication?

The officer to whom my hon. Friend is, I understand, referring, has already, for private reasons, tendered his resignation, to take effect shortly; and this has been accepted with regret.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why our textile trade with our French allies is restricted to less than one-third of last year's trade, causing loss of re-export trade, loss to British dyeing and printing, and unnecessary friction between French traders and our own?

As my hon. Friend will be aware, it has been found necessary to impose drastic restrictions upon imports in order to conserve our resources of foreign exchange for the purchase of essential supplies. For this reason, the importation of most textile manufactures from foreign countries is completely prohibited; but licences are being issued for the importation of textile manufactures from France to cover a proportion of last year's trade. Special provision has also been made for the re-export trade. The position was explained in an announcement in the Press last week, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in issuing orders under the provisions of the Prices of Goods Act, 1939, he will consider including book cloths in the list?

As I have said, it is intended to apply the Prices of Goods Bill primarily to articles which affect most immediately the cost of living of the population at large. I do not think that book cloths fall within this efinition, but I am willing to consider any representations which are made to me on the subject

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the recent investigation of the cost of growing wheat by the Standard Price Commission, which indicated that 54s. would be a more suitable figure than the present price of 45s.; and, as costs have risen recently still further, will he be prepared to treat this matter as one of urgency for raising the standard price, especially in view of the appeal for greater production?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the Standard Price Committee did not recommend an increase in the standard price of wheat. Their report, however, related to peace-time conditions and in the altered circumstances that have since occurred, the Government propose, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food yesterday, to seek the approval of Parliament to an amendment of the Wheat Acts which will enable the standard price of wheat sold during the current cereal year to be raised to 11s. per cwt. or 49s. 6d. per quarter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there is any actual shortage of labour on any farms; and what steps are taken to meet it?

In general the supply of regular agricultural labour appears to be sufficient to meet the immediate demand, though there may well be individual farms on which labour is short. In such cases I hope that the farmers concerned will avail themselves of the machinery provided by the local Employment Exchange.The steps taken to assist the industry to secure an adequate supply of labour include the reservation from military service of men in most agricultural occupations at the age of 21; the postponement for a time of the calling up of men of the 20-year old age group; the encouragement of men with previous agricultural experience to return to the industry when their present work comes to an end; and the recruitment of the Women's Land Army.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether it is proposed to give any financial assistance to teachers who have removed their furniture and effects to the reception areas to which they have been sent?

No, Sir; financial assistance for this purpose would not be available from education funds.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the number of schools in the course of construction in Lancashire; whether it is intended to postpone the completion of any, if so, how many; and to what extent the building of new schools has been deferred, giving separate figures for secondary schools?

While the Board have yet to obtain and consider a statement from the education authority of the Administrative County of Lancashire of their reasons in each case for wishing to proceed with the building of new schools, or extensions of existing schools, I understand that, as regards projects on which building work has already begun, the authority are likely to desire to proceed with 21 elementary school projects and six secondary school projects, while postponing completion of the work on one elementary school, one secondary school and two technical schools.As regards projects on which building work has not yet commenced, I understand that the authority are likely to propose to defer 56 out of 62 elementary school proposals and also eight secondary school and six technical school projects.

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangement exists for the telephonic transmission of journalistic despatches from Great Britain to Finland?

A telephone service for Press messages to Finland was made available on the 28th October, but I understand that no use has so far been made of it by journalists.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the heavy pressure on the London and Copenhagen radio-telephone service, he will consider the provision of direct services between London and other neutral countries, particularly Norway and Sweden?

My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the desirability of providing adequate telephone facilities for the transmission of Press messages to the Scandinavian countries, and the possibility of supplementing the present radio-telephone service via Copenhagen is being explored.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give an undertaking that before gambling in football pools is again permitted he will restore the poundage charges on postal orders?

No, Sir. The question of restoring the poundage charges on postal orders is one that depends on the wider question of the status of postal orders as legal tender, which is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Postmaster-General what air-mail services are now in operation between this country and France, Switzerland, Italy, and the Balkans?

There is a twice daily air-mail service to France; airmail correspondence for Switzerland, Italy and the Balkans is despatched by this service and is conveyed beyond Paris by surface route.

asked the Postmaster-General what air-mail services are now in operation between this country and the countries of Scandinavia?

There is a daily air-mail service by way of Holland to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland; air correspondence for Norway is conveyed by air to Sweden and thence by surface route. There is also a direct air-mail service once a week to Norway, Sweden and Finland.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reduce the present rate of 1s. 3d. per half-ounce now charged for postal materials sent by air mail to overseas parts of the British Empire?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on the 17th of October, and to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information on the 1st of November, to questions on this subject by the hon. Member for Clayton (Mr. Jagger).

asked the Minister of Transport what number of deaths by accident occurred on the roads during September and October; and what steps he has taken since the black-out started to minimise the possibilities of accident?

The number of persons reported to have died as a result of road accidents in Great Britain during the months of September and October were 1,130 and 919, respectively.As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on the 18th October in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing. Since that date, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security has instituted further experiments with the object of ascertaining whether a system of reduced street lighting could be installed which would be of assistance to pedestrians and drivers but at the same time would not be visible from the air. These experiments are not yet concluded, and it is therefore not yet possible to say whether any such system of street lighting is feasible. For the red lights which were at first used for the purpose of marking refuges where no illuminated bollards were provided, distinctive lamps displaying a white St. Andrew's Cross are being substituted so that drivers of vehicles may be in no doubt as to the nature of the obstruction they are approaching. Measures have been taken to increase safety during fog by permitting the use of fog-lamps on vehicles and flares on the roads in foggy weather. Discussions have taken place with representatives of operators of public service vehicles and of the Transport and General Workers Union with a view to seeing whether any improvement can be made in the lighting of public service vehicles in order to reduce the strain upon drivers and conductors. Arrangements have been made to ensure that full advantage is taken of the standard of lighting permitted under the Lighting Order both for headlamps and interior lighting, and the question of slightly modifying the requirements as to headlamps to meet the particular needs of public service vehicles is under consideration. In order that full advantage may be taken by motorists generally of the new headlamp mask, steps have been taken to give publicity to the proper method of fitting the mask. It is hoped that it will shortly be possible to make the use of this type of mask compulsory. My right hon. Friend—the Minister for Home Security —and I recently met representatives of associations interested in road traffic and of the police and discussed with them the problem of accidents in the "black-out."

asked the Minister of Transport for which Departments road vehicles were requisitioned and impressed by his Department; and the number for each Department, respectively?

According to the latest available figures my Department has requisitioned 3,453 vehicles, 41 on behalf of the Armed Forces and the remainder on behalf of local authorities for Civil Defence purposes. The powers of the Department do not extend to the impressment of vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the lack of co-operation in the timetables of the London Passenger Transport Board omnibuses and the railway company at Gerrard's Cross station, particularly in the evening, causing inconvenience and expense to passengers who, except for the rationing of petrol, would be using their motor cars; and will he make representations for the departure of the last omnibus from Gerrard's Cross to be delayed when the arriving train is a few minutes behind time?

I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that, so far as is consistent with the running of bus services at fixed and regular intervals, the buses serving Gerrard's Cross station connect with trains to and from London. The board's staff have instructions to wait up to three minutes if a train is late, and recently an inspector has been on duty at the station and has exercised his discretion to hold the buses for longer periods where this can be done without interfering unduly with the timetable for the journey in question and for subsequent journeys.The bus which leaves Gerrard's Cross at 10.16 p.m. for Chalfont St. Giles has on occasion been held for as long as nine minutes in order to make the connection with the train from Marylebone; the board are exploring the whole position to see whether anything further can be done in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport when the new lighting facilities on long-distance trains, other than those on the Southern Railway, will be available for the public?

Apart from 19 on the Southern Railway, there are now 17 longdistance trains running on other lines with lighting which enables passengers to read. Other trains are being brought into service as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take immediate steps to increase the number of restaurant and buffet cars on long-distance trains?

During the past few days restaurant or buffet car facilities have been introduced on 18 additional trains. The need for further facilities of this nature is being carefully watched by the railway companies and they will be provided in case of necessity so far as conditions permit.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of road and bridge schemes in Lancashire in which it has been decided to limit the advances made, or to be made, from the Road Fund; the estimated financial saving; and the number of men that would have been employed on such schemes?

So far it has been decided to limit advances from the Road Fund in the case of 184 road and bridge schemes in Lancashire. The estimated cost of these schemes is nearly £2½millions; the probable saving will be about £1½ millions; though no precise figure can be given until the exact stages at which many of the schemes will be closed down has been settled.In addition, 18 schemes on trunk roads in Lancashire have been suspended. The total estimated cost of these was £356,000 and the estimated saving about £300,000.The number of men who would have been employed on the suspended works would depend on the rate at which the schemes were carried out. Assuming, however, that they would have been completed in from three to four years, it is estimated that the work to be deferred would have given continuous employment directly and indirectly to about 1,800 men.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the serious harm to business caused by the banning of private overseas telephone calls, he can institute a plan under which such calls are permitted, subject to censoring, as in the case of overseas Press telephone calls?

A service will shortly be established, although necessarily restricted.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will extend the period for the return of the forms of application for the postponement of military service from two days to seven days?

A general extension of this time limit would require fresh legislation, but the National Service (Armed Forces) Act gives the Minister discretion to accept an application made more than two days after medical examination if he is satisfied, having regard to the grounds on which it is made, that it has not been unreasonably delayed.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will supply a list of the names of persons occupying temporary appointments in his Department on 1st November, 1939, who are relatives of the permanent staff of the Department, stating in each case the nature of the duties performed, the remuneration received, the previous occupation, the relationship to the permanent officer, and the rank of the latter?

Out of a temporary staff of nearly 200 in the employment of the Ministry at the 1st November, 1939, the undermentioned are relatives of the permanent staff of the Department:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the new regulations governing the issue of free birth and marriage certificates to members of His Majesty's Forces have been issued to all registrars?

The new arrangements do not provide for issue of free birth or marriage certificates to the individuals concerned; their effect is that, where the normal certificates are not available, alternative evidence may be accepted if it is reasonably adequate, and, if no such alternative evidence can be produced, the facts stated by the claimants will be referred to the General Register Office by the Department concerned for verification without charge to the individuals.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can be made for members of National Defence companies in uniform to travel at half-fare by rail and coach when going on leave, as many of them are quite unable to afford the fares under present arrangements?

During actual military service, the personnel referred to are eligible for the cheap fare facilities granted by the railway companies. Such facilities are not available by other transport services.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all members of His Majesty's Forces who are given leave in Britain before proceeding overseas, are given free travelling warrants to their homes to enable them to visit their families and relatives?

Yes, Sir, so far as the Army is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all officers commissioned in August and September have now received the £40 uniform allowance, and the field, marriage and other allowances to which they are entitled?

It is believed that in all cases where claims have been received by command paymasters and are in order, the allowances in question have been paid, but it is probable that there is still a small number of officers whose joining has not been reported and on whose behalf allowances have not been claimed. Everything possible is being done to identify such officers, and it is hoped that in a very short time all such officers will have been traced. The normal outfit grant is now £30.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in certain anti-aircraft units in Scotland ex-service men who served in the Territorial Army and have now re-joined, are passed over for promotion, with the result that men who were sergeants during the last war are retained as private soldiers under non-commissioned officers who have had practically no experience; and will he take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

Promotion in such cases is a matter for the decision of the commanding officer, and it would not be desirable to interfere with his discretion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to discourage the favouring of certain firms by the mention of specific names by the various purchasing departments of goods of a general nature, such as cement, locks, and asbestos, which can equally well be purchased from a large variety of sources?

The question appears to relate to certain hutted camp contracts placed recently by my Department. The practice of specifying that particular items in a building contract should be the product of a named firm is avoided as far as possible in War Department specifications. But power has been taken in the contracts in question to nominate subcontractors for the supply of locks and lock furniture and of asbestos goods. This was done in order to ensure, with the assistance of the trade association concerned, that locks of the required quality and asbestos goods should be forthcoming at the necessary speed, and at a price to be agreed between my Department and the association. No such special arrangements have been made for the supply of cement for these contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether organisations such as the British Legion can be furnished with a supply of Form M.S.A.C. 21 to facilitate the application of financial assistance from the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee?

The question of the best way of making these forms readily available to applicants and of facilitating applications for special assistance has been under consideration, and an announcement on this subject will be made in the very near future.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the position of the dependants of recruits who were receiving unemployment benefit immediately prior to their enlistment, and who make allowances to their parents, is likely to be prejudiced by the action taken in the case of Mrs. Craig, 218, Broomloan Road, Govan, a widow with three other young children, who received the whole of her son's unemployment benefit, and has been disqualified from receiving any dependant's allowance on the ground that the weekly payments to her by her son before he joined the Army were not sufficient to qualify her for a dependant's allowance; and whether he will make careful and sympathetic inquiry into this case as it involves a principle that may have far-reaching effect?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have the soldier's name, unit and Army number, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the London area alone upwards of 500 skilled electricians, many of whom held key positions in the industry, are unemployed with very little prospect of finding work; and, in view of the large number of skilled and unskilled men connected with the electrical industry whose unemployment is partly due to the ban on capital ex-penditure, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I assume the hon. Member is referring to workers employed by electricity undertakings and I would refer him to the reply which I gave on 5th October last to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne). If the hon. Member has any specific cases in mind I will gladly inquire into them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men who volunteer for the Armed Forces are being informed that substitutes at lower rates will be given their jobs permanently; and whether he will take steps to ensure that volunteers are treated in the matter of future re-employment not less favourably than men in the Militia?

I have no information to the effect stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, the existing law requires employers to reinstate all men who were called from their civil employment for service connected with the present emergency. Men who have volunteered since 1st September are, however, not given this protection, but I am sure that employers generally will desire to give re-employment in due course in all cases where this is practicable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the domestic servants in a private country house are obliged to pay for unemployment insurance if they remain at their posts when the house is taken over by a county council as an emergency maternity hospital under the evacuation scheme?

If the hon. Member will supply me with the necessary particulars of the case which he has in mind I will consider it and communicate with him further.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Unemployment Assistance Board is taking into account in assessing the needs of parents the total allowances of their sons serving in His Majesty's Forces, thereby placing the parents in the same position as if the sons had never joined the forces or made an allotment; and whether he will take the matter up with the Board to ease the financial position of the parents in such cases?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) to-day.

asked the Minister of Labour and National Service 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?

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 31st October, 1939; col. 1764, Vol. 352] supplied the following statement:The total numbers of unemployed persons, aged 18 years and over, on the registers of employment exchanges in the County of Durham (including the associated county boroughs) at nth September, 1939, were 56,305 men and 8,234 women. The latest date for which an analysis according to duration of unemployment is available is 14th August, 1939. At that date the total numbers of unemployed men and women on the register of employment exchanges in the County of Durham were 59,734 and and 4,452 respectively, of whom 58,109 men and 3,605 women were applicants for benefit or unemployment allowances. An analysis of the latter figures according to the length of the last spell of registered unemployment is given below:

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the widespread demands for such information in a handy form, he will place on sale a pamphlet detailing Royal Air Force rates of pay and other Service conditions?

Enrolment in the Volunteer Reserve will, during the war, be the only means of entry into the Royal Air Force. Information concerning the rates of pay and conditions of service of officers in this reserve is contained in Air Ministry Pamphlet 101, copies of which can be obtained free of charge from the Air Ministry. Air Ministry Pamphlet 96, which is also obtainable free of charge at any recruiting centre, contains similar information with regard to airmen serving as members of the aircraft crews section of the Reserve and a similar publication covering airmen in other branches is in preparation and will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the allowances payable to the wives of aircraftsmen in the balloon barrage have not been paid since 27th August; that in several cases the rents of houses are in arrears; that despite letters and telegrams to headquarters nothing has yet been done; and what steps he will take to have this state of affairs immediately rectified?

I am informed that there are certain cases of airmen in the balloon barrage whose entitlement to family allowance has not yet been finally established. Most of these cases are due to the fact that a claim to the allowance has not been formally made by the airmen concerned. Hastening action has been taken in each case.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is now proposed to make any use of the seaside hotel in Lancashire which was requisitioned on 7th September, and which, over eight weeks later, is still unoccupied?

I am afraid that, generally speaking, it is not possible for me at present to surrender the hotels which have been requisitioned. I can assure my hon. Friend that the whole question is constantly under review, and no building will be retained for a day longer than necessary.

asked the Minister of Supply the total number of staff employed by his Department and the number of retired Naval and Army officers included, together with their respective rates of pay?

I am obtaining the information desired and will communicate it to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the fact that a number of motor works and garages well equipped for many types of engineering have a greatly decreased amount of civilian work, he will arrange that motor works and garages should be turned over to munitions production?

It is considered that these works and garages will be more suitable for repair work than for new production and it is intended to make use of some of them for the repair of vehicles returned from overseas; but it is not anticipated that any appreciable volume of this work will be available for some time.In order that my right hon. Friend may be aware of the extent of the facilities that are available for this work, he has asked the Motor Associations to schedule capacity for him and this they have agreed to do.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information how many requests have been received from people asking for a plebiscite as to whether the war should continue or not?

I am not aware that any such requests have been received at the Ministry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he can give some estimate of the reduction in the British Broadcasting Corporation expenditure that has resulted from the drastic curtailment in broadcast entertainment since the outbreak of war; and how it is proposed to use the surplus revenue from the wireless licences that will result?

The corporation's current expenses in connection with the home and Empire broadcasting services during the three months of September, October and November, 1939, are expected to fall some £200,000 below the peace-time level. This reduction is, however, being largely absorbed by increased capital expenditure on plant and premises, attributable mainly to protective works and to the acceleration of certain works to meet wartime requirements. The course of licence revenue during war-time is uncertain. The surplus, if any, which remains after providing for the needs of the broadcasting service and for the expenses of the Post Office on the issue and renewal of licences, etc., will, as in peace-time, accrue to the Exchequer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he will suggest to the British Broadcasting Corporation the desirability of announcing over the wireless each day the time at which the black-out commences and ends?

The question is complicated by the fact that the black-out does not begin and end at a uniform time throughout the country, but varies with the times of sunset and sunrise. I am, however, informed by the B.B.C. that they are making arrangements to broadcast daily the times at which the black-out begins and ends in a number of areas spread over the country.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons have been arrested under the Defence of the Realm Regulations; how many are at present detained in custody; how many have been charged with specific offences; what number have been brought to trial; and how many are still being detained without being charged with specific offences?

I assume that this question relates to persons arrested under regulation 18B, since, as regards all the other regulations, any offender against such regulations must be charged with a specific offence and brought before a court without delay. As regards persons detained under regulation 18B, I would refer the hon. Member to the information given in a reply to-day to a question by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies).

asked the Minister of Health the number of patients on the waiting list for admission to tuberculosis hospitals and sanatoria in Wales on the last convenient date; what steps are being taken to increase the available accommodation; and whether such schemes will be given favourable immediate consideration?

I am informed that on 28th October last the number of patients on the waiting list for admission to tuberculosis sanatoria and hospitals in Wales was 225, or, including patients discharged by reason of the Emergency Hospital Scheme and awaiting re-admission, about 600. As regards the last two parts of the question, the hutted hospitals in Denbigh and at Chepstow are making steady progress and these will I hope be of assistance, subject to the requirements of the casualty service, in connection with the treatment of tuberculous patients.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will see to it that the amount contributed for health insurance, as distinct from pensions insurance, is shown separately on the contribution card, so that both employers and insured persons will know what each of these services is costing them each week?

I will see that the hon. Member's suggestion receives careful consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can state the result of his inquiries into the allegation that a Hucknall tradesman, whose average sales were about 28 pounds a week, received in a single week four hundredweight of butter, or 16 times as much, at a time when supplies to the Hucknall Co-operative Society were restricted to 50 and 40 per cent.?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to his question yesterday on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of the heavy work undertaken by coal-miners, he will increase the supply of butter to mining areas; and whether, when rationing takes place, he will consider making special provision for an increased ration for miners?

No supplementary allowances are considered necessary in respect of the two foods included in the present rationing scheme, having regard especially to the range of unrationed foods available. Similarly, I do not consider that any special allocation of these foods for particular classes is necessary in advance of rationing.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will state, for public guidance, whether the storage of butter and bacon in bulk quantities is a matter of common practice; whether he is aware that butter can be stored at a temperature of 16 to 18 degrees Fahrenheit for periods up to 12 months, and bacon at a temperature of 15 to 16 degrees Fahrenheit for periods up to three months; and whether, under these circumstances, he is arranging for butter and bacon to be stored in bulk?

In regard to the storage of butter, I would refer my hon. Friend to the very full statement on this subject made by my right hon. Friend during the Debate yesterday.The storage of bacon in bulk quantities is not a common practice. Given suitable conditions, it is possible to store bacon at a temperature of 15 to 16 degrees Fahrenheit for periods up to three months, but not without some risk of deterioration. My right hon. Friend is arranging for the storage, in cold store, of a moving reserve of several weeks' supply of bacon, in preparation for the commencement of rationing.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) whether, in view of the fact that he is not proposing at present to ration meat, and in order to avoid disorganising the trading life of whole sections of the trading community, he will discontinue remodelling the system of slaughtering, the alteration of market days and the rearrangement of the existing system of meat distribution;(2) whether he is aware that his Department has issued instructions for the remodelling of the established market days in most of the counties of England and Wales in the interests of the stock-collecting centres and of the disorganisation which this is causing, of which a type is supplied by the fixing of an inappropriate day for Wellington, Shropshire, whereby the sale of stock will clash with the general market day arrangements; and whether, before sanctioning these changes, he will review the whole procedure which is being adopted?

Whilst the present supply position does not necessitate the rationing of meat, the size of the meat and livestock industry and the number of interests concerned are such that the preparations now being made must be continued against the necessity arising later for full control. With regard to the specific point relating to Wellington, it is not intended, when full control is introduced, that the fat stock market day at Wellington should be changed, but it has been considered desirable to provide for the collection of some fat stock at Wellington on a second day in each week.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether his attention has been directed to the lack of adequate means of distribution and marketing methods in the Scottish fishing industry, resulting in a failure to satisfy a keen public demand at a reasonable price covering the cost of production; and whether any action is being taken to prevent the waste of valuable foodstuffs and to control and improve the methods of distribution in the industry?

According to my information, the normal facilities for distribution and marketing are available to the Scottish fishing industry, but I should be glad to look into any cases in which the contrary may have occurred.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the effect of the order fixing the price of eggs at Is. 3d. per dozen will involve poultry-farmers in Scotland in serious loss on account of the cost of delivery and preservation charges; and whether he can state the difference between this price and the prices realised in 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1938?

The retail prices of 1s. 6d. and 1s. 3d. per dozen according to their weight were fixed for preserved eggs under the Eggs (Maximum Prices) Order dated 13th September, 1939. In order to create a reserve for emergency, these prices were fixed at a level which would discourage the withdrawal of supplies from store. The necessity for reserving these stocks having passed, the prices were raised to 1s. 9d. and 1s. 6d. per dozen and 14s. 9d. and 12s. 6d. per 120 eggs, respectively, by the Eggs (Maximum Prices) Order No. 4, which was issued on 3rd November, 1939, and of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.I am having inquiries made as to the retail prices for this class of eggs in the years mentioned in the second part of the question, and I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether his attention has been called to the fact that Canada's wheat crop is one of the four largest in her history; and whether arrangements can be made to purchase a part of it in bulk to provide cheap feeding-stuffs for British farmers?

I am aware that Canada has a very heavy wheat crop, and large purchases are being made for shipment to this country. In the main how- ever, Canadian wheat is of too high a quality to be used as a feeding-stuff, and the greater part will go to human consumption.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will state the pre-war price of every kind of foodstuff which has been regulated or controlled since 1st September, and the present controlled prices showing the percentage increase in each case?

The information for which the hon. Member asks is, I regret, too voluminous to be included in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but I will arrange for the statement which I have had pre- pared to be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of war-time conditions now prevailing which was not in contemplation when the Marriage (Scotland) Act, 1939, was passed, the Government has considered the question of postponing the date of the coming into operation of the provisions, or some of the provisions, of that Act; and if he has any statement to make on the subject?

This matter is at present the subject of consideration and I hope to be able to make a statement at an early date.