asked the Minister of Shipping whether he proposes to give periodical reports of the work of his Department, not excluding statements on the operations of the Advisory Council recently appointed?

I hope it will be possible from time to time to inform the House of the progress of the work of the Department.

I should like to ask the Minister whether he has anything to do with the giving of orders for the building of new tramp ships by the Government?

Yes, Sir; but that raises another question.

asked the Minister of Shipping how many of the personnel of his Department have had any previous acquaintance with shipping matters; and will he give the percentage of such per sons in relation to the staff as a whole?

The headquarters staff of the Ministry of Shipping, excluding typing and temporary clerical staff, includes 60 persons recruited from the shipping industry on account of their specialist experience and knowledge, and 407 civil servants employed before the war in the Board of Trade on work now transferred to the Ministry of Shipping. These, together, represent 74 per cent. of the relevant staff. The remaining 26 per cent. consist of civil servants, transferred from other Government Departments, many of whom are engaged on work common to all Departments, such as finance, establishment, legal or statistical work, or have had previous experience, either in the Ministry of Shipping during the last war or in the Mercantile Marine Department of the Board of Trade.

Has the right hon. Gentleman recruited persons of specialised ship knowledge from the ship-owning side? Will he at the same time consult the various trade unions of officers and men in order to ascertain whether they have any contribution to make?

The great bulk of the staff was recruited before I had anything to do with the Department, but I have been in very close touch with all the bodies.

I am aware of that, but does the right hon. Gentleman now propose, since he has taken over the work of the Department, to consult the officers' and men's unions, so as to avail himself of their specialised knowledge?

I have the advantage of their specialised knowledge on the Advisory Council which I have set up.

Is there any one of these men who has any practical experience of the conditions of the men who sail the ships at sea?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

Has the right hon. Gentleman anyone on his staff who has practical knowledge of the building of a ship, such as the manager of a shipbuilding yard, or one who could take over the management of a yard?

Yes, Sir. The Department dealing with shipbuilding is at present being set up, and I am quite certain that we have practical men on it.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he can make a statement on the allocation of shipping to meet the needs of the Cereal Board and the transport of coal, respectively?

In the long distance trades, available United Kingdom tonnage is directed by the Ship Licensing Committee to meet requirements for the import of cereals and other essential commodities. It has not yet been found necessary to impose special direction as regards transport of coal overseas. In the coasting and near seas trades, arrangements are made by co-operation between the interests concerned and the local committees established at the principal ports and acting under my direction.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the difficulties experienced in the shipment of coal and also cereals, and can he say what he proposes to do about it?

I am aware that war conditions have materially interfered with the transport of some of these articles, but I think these are being gradually alleviated.

asked the Minister of Shipping what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the supply of personnel to British ships shall be carried out in the best interests of the nation and of maritime workers?

I am glad to say that there exist at the ports efficient arrangements for the supply of seamen known as the joint supply system organised by the National Union of Seamen and the Shipping Federation.

asked the Minister of Shipping how far decisions of the National Maritime Board will be subject to review by the Advisory Council of the Ministry of Shipping; and, in the event of a deadlock arising on any of the board's panels, will the Advisory Council be empowered to arbitrate on the under standing that its findings shall have effect?

I am confident that the presence of both shipowners and representatives of the employés associations will in itself promote good understanding, but it is not intended that the Advisory Council of the Ministry of Shipping shall review decisions of the National Maritime Board or that the council should arbitrate in the event of a deadlock arising on any of the board's panels.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether it is his intention to revise merchant shipping legislation with a view to removing obsolescences?

Power is contained in the Merchant Shipping Acts to issue regulations and instructions and to amend these from time to time; and by this means modern conditions are in general satisfactorily provided for.

The Minister will be aware that there are many aspects of the Merchant Shipping Acts which are quite obsolete and ought to be removed.

I cannot think that this is the time to deal with them, but I am perfectly ready to consider any points that may arise.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in constant contact with the trade unions concerned in this matter?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he will define the powers of the Advisory Council of the Ministry?

The Council is an advisory body, appointed to advise me on matters which I may refer to it or which members of the Council wish to bring to my notice.

Are there any seamen on the Advisory Council?

There are representatives of the various sides of the industry.

Are we to understand that the Advisory Council is the limit to which the Minister intends to proceed so far as actual consultation is concerned?

Not entirely, necessarily. The Council meets once a week and people can raise any point they like relating to the industry, and I can submit opinions to them.

asked the Minister of Shipping the tonnage of merchant shipping under construction in the shipyards of the United Kingdom; and how much of the total is directly on Government orders?

I hope that the hon. Member will not press for figures, but I may say that over one-fifth of the total tonnage at present on order or under construction is on Government account.

Why should there be any objection to giving figures of merchant shipping in building? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that figures have been given of the total tonnage, the sunk tonnage, and all the rest of it? Why cannot we have the merchant tonnage that is being built?

I am of opinion that it would be undesirable at the present moment to give definite figures, but I am perfectly willing to give them to any Member of Parliament in confidence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the amount of merchant shipping under construction on Government and private order is totally inadequate for our needs?

That is the implication of the right hon. Gentleman's refusal to answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of majors and senior captains, recently retired from the Regular Army and latterly employed on the administrative staff of the War Office, have been informed that they are to be retained as administrators and graded as civil servants; that these officers have, owing to this decision lost military status and are suffering financially and in pension prospects; and whether he will either restore them to the active list or recompense them adequately for their present employment?

The employment of retired officers, as such, in the War Office is of long standing. They serve under special conditions, and may earn a retiring allowance or gratuity in respect of such service. The question whether, if they are required during the war for appointments normally held by staff officers, they should be recalled to the active list or be otherwise specially treated is under examination.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into this matter carefully as these officers consider that they have a definite grievance?

Yes, Sir. I believe some of them feel that they have a grievance. The arrangement was made some years ago, but I will look into the matter again.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that members of the Territorial Forces, who have been promoted from the ranks and who have obtained commissions in His Majesty's Forces, do not receive officer pay until such time as they have been gazetted; is their pay made retrospective; and what is the average time between the two stages?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many applications for commissions, now serving, have not so far been gazetted; and must such applicants await such gazetting before receiving pay?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any officers employed since the beginning of the war who have not yet been gazetted; and whether such officers have been in receipt of Army pay?

When a candidate for a commission is authorised by competent authority to join for duty before he is gazetted, his commission takes effect from the date on which he joins, and he can draw pay, in advance of the gazette, as from that date on the strength of a joining certificate signed by his commanding officer. It would need considerable research to ascertain at any given time the number of cases in which candidates have joined for duty and have not yet been gazetted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the grave concern of soldiers who have made an extra allowance of 6d- a day to their wives owing to the inadequate amount of the Army allowance and the fact that, while the money is being stopped from the soldier's pay, it is not being paid to the wives; can he explain the delay in the payment; will he take action to hurry up such payments; and, in view of the fact that these men are left with only 6d. per day for themselves and the poverty of their homes, will he take steps to give them free railway travelling when on leave?

asked the Secretary of State for War when he intends to institute a free railway pass periodically to soldiers in stations a long way from home when on leave in this country?

There are no cases in which voluntary allotments are stopped from a soldiers pay without being paid to his wife. Every married soldier is permitted to declare a voluntary allotment in addition to the qualifying allotment associated with family allowance, but in a large number of cases the desire of the man to increase his allotment is an afterthought, and the form notifying paymasters that a voluntary allotment is desired does not reach the pay office until after payment of family allowance and the qualifying allotment only has begun. This means that the original book of order forms, which provide only for the drawing of family allowance and qualifying allowance, has to be withdrawn and a new book has to be issued providing for the increase in allotment. But at no time is a soldier's account debited with a voluntary allotment until the Army allowance book for a weekly amount, containing that extra element, has been issued to the Post Office.

As regards leave, I am glad to be able to announce that troops at home will be given free railway warrants for travelling on leave twice a year, including embarkation leave.

If I give the Minister particulars in regard to individual cases, will he look into them?

Most certainly.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that one extra free conveyance represents an adequate concession?

Two.

May I ask whether this represents one extra free conveyance?

There will be two free leaves for all soldiers in the United Kingdom. There is an embarkation leave which I recently announced, and that will be one of the two leaves; but when the soldier goes to France he is entitled to leave from France. Therefore, he has two free leaves.

In the case where a man has travelled from the South of England to the North of England and has made an application for a return of the money, will the decision cover that case?

Does the hon. Member mean that it should be retrospective? I have not considered any question of making it retrospective. I have announced this decision as from to-day, but I will consider the question raised by the hon. Member.

Do I take it that even where a man has not been sent overseas he will be entitled to two leaves in one year with a free warrant?

Yes, Sir, that is what I have said. He may not go to France at all.

Does this apply to the Marines?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst parents who have a son in the fighting services making a voluntary allotment to support the home because a supplementary allowance is not made to them as was done in the Great War; and what steps he is taking to remedy this grievance?

The allotment can, if the circumstances warrant, be supplemented by an allowance.

Why not estimate these things on something other than a Poor Law basis?

I do not understand what the hon. Member means by "a Poor Law basis." It is a question of fact. A mother may have several children and other sources of income. It is a question of fact as to whether the man is supporting her at all.

Is it not the case that in the last war allowances were made where there were one or two boys serving? Why should we not do as much in this war as we did in the last?

In the last war the procedure was similar, except that the allowances this time are higher. In the last war an alternative allowance of 5s. a week was given to the parents of a soldier. In our system if circumstances warrant it very much more than that can be paid, up to 22s. a week.

Is it not the case that in the last war there was no question of dependants receiving the 5s. a week, whereas in so many cases at present it is a question whether they are getting it at all?

It is certainly a question of whether they are getting anything or nothing. It is a question of fact, and if the facts justify it they can get very much more than the 5s.

Would it not be possible to allow them to have the 5s. in any case, and consider whether any addition can be made?

Is it not the case that in actual practice, except in the case of a widow, nobody is getting anything at all from a son, that there is great resentment in the country and that a widow is very lucky if she gets anything at all?

I cannot accept that as being the case. The scheme is perfectly plain and it has never been criticised on this ground before. This is the first question that has been addressed to me on the subject. We have made the allowance to a parent dependent on the facts of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst widowed mothers whose sons are in the fighting forces and who have to go through a means test cross-examination before any dependants allowances are agreed to; and whether he will consider putting the widowed mother on the same footing as the soldier's wife who has a definite allowance?

The claim to an allowance by a parent is clearly in a different category from that of a wife and children, and is properly subject to inquiry as to the parents' means and the contribution previously made by the soldier.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is great dissatisfaction in the country among the poorest people as a result of this means test examination, and will he not consider giving a definite allowance and afterwards considering whether any addition can be made?

I do not understand what the hon. and gallant Member means by "a means test examination." The allowance is paid as a right if a soldier has children. If he has another kind of dependant he must submit a claim. There is no way of avoiding that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the hardship of the rule by which smaller sums contributed by sons to the home if they are under 10s. are disregarded, and that, therefore, the very poorest people are deprived of any assistance?

I do not know what the right hon. Gentleman means by sums being disregarded. If he really has a dependant the claim is substantiated.

Is it not the case that where a son is earning £1 a week they take four fifths of that and take 7s. for his keep and say that he is contributing 8s. to the home, and that being under 10s. a week nothing is paid?

It is a little difficult to follow it put in that form. I do not accept the suggestion that soldiers are badly treated on the whole. The scheme of allowances was laid down and embodied in a White Paper, and I cannot be expected to answer a series of figures such as put by the right hon. Gentleman. Upon the whole, substantial justice has been done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been no such White Paper published yet, and that under the terms of the regulations it is well nigh impossible for a parent or dependant of an unemployed man who has joined the Army to get any allowance at all?

I think the scheme of allowances was published in a White Paper, but I am open to correction on that point. There was no criticism. If there is a case to be made and hon. Members will specify the case they nave in mind, I shall have an opportunity of looking into it.

I beg to give notice that I shall take an early opportunity of raising the question of dependants' allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a great deal of hardship is being caused in Cheltenham to the wives of men serving in the Forces because no allowance is paid for a child of 14 years of age, while under a local by-law the child has to remain at school till he is 15 years of age; and will he extend the age to which allowances may be paid to 15 years of age, and make the payments retrospective?

The regulations have always provided for the issue of family allowance for children within the age limit up to which whole-time school attendance is required by law, including local by-laws, and authority has recently been given for the continuance of allowances for children who remain at school after passing that age.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in point of fact, these mothers are not receiving allowances for children of 14 years of age who are still at school?

If they are not, the regulations are not being observed. The hon. Gentleman put me a general question, and I have given him an answer. The allowances are payable not only up to the school-leaving age, but as long as the child remains at school, even after passing that age.

Will my right hon. Friend tell me what steps parents should take to obtain the allowance to which they are entitled and which they are not getting at present?

They should make application in the ordinary way.

Have instructions been issued to the appropriate authority? I think that is where the difficulty occurs.

I do not think any difficulty arises about this. It is a perfectly well-known practice. This is a question about some children in Chelten- ham. I can only assert that the regulations would not justify the withholding of allowances, and every paymaster knows that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will authorise members of local authorities to witness the signature of forms of application for Army dependants' allowances?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Glenvil Hall) on Tuesday, 3rd October.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider making compulsory the statutory full allocation by a serving son to a widowed mother who, in peace-time, was wholly dependent on him?

I have no power to compel a soldier to contribute to the support of a widowed mother except as a condition of the issue of an allowance to her from Army funds, where this is admissible.

In view of the hardship caused to the dependants in these particular cases, could not my right hon. Friend suggest that the welfare officers should make it plain to these men the hardship they are causing through making inadequate allotments?

It is an instinct of nature rather than a provision of the law that a man must contribute to the support of his widowed mother when she is in need, but it would be an innovation to make it a compulsory provision. I will willingly hear what the welfare officers may have to say on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the grant of an allowance to a working housekeeper in the case of a widower called up for service and leaving behind him three or four motherless children to be tended by her; and whether he can state the Government's intentions on this issue?

An allowance is already made in such a case. Where the liabilities of the household are such that the normal allowance is found to be in- sufficient, application for a special allowance can be made to the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps can soldiers, who object to vaccination, take to avoid being vaccinated; and whether he will ensure that this procedure is made known to all soldiers before they are vaccinated?

A soldier can refuse to be vaccinated. The fact that vaccination is voluntary is made known in orders and regulations dealing with the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the soldier who died recently from post-vaccinal encephalitis after recent vaccination at Leeds was vaccinated with Government lymph; whether any rabbits had been used in the manufacture of the lymph in question; and what steps are his Department taking to prevent the occurrence of such cases so far as the manufacture of lymph is concerned?

The soldier in question was vaccinated with Government lymph, that is calf lymph, and this is the only lymph which is employed to vaccinate soldiers. Rabbits may occasionally be used at an earlier stage in the process of the production of the lymph, but there is no evidence that post-vaccinal encephalitis is attributable to this. Everything is done, in accordance with the standards of the Therapeutic Substances Act, to ensure that the lymph is safe.

Will compensation be paid to the parents, who are not well off?

If death is attributable to military causes, naturally they will receive compensation.

Will compensation be paid on these facts?

I cannot say, because I do not know the facts. I am answering a question about lymph, and if the hon. Gentleman wants to know about the pension in this particular case, I will willingly give him an answer after looking up that point.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Miss Joan Richardson, Bermersyde, Sea View, Warrenpoint, made an application for an exit permit to proceed by air to Singapore in order to marry Lieutenant D. E. D. Morris, of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, attached to the Malay Regiment; that such application has been refused by the director of movements of the War Office; and, in view of the fact that a passage has been book on an air liner for 23rd November, 1939, will he reconsider the decision not to give permission to Miss Richardson to leave the country in order that she may get married?

It is not considered desirable, in present circumstances, that any military families should proceed to Mediterranean and Far East stations in addition to those who were there before the outbreak of war.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the same date and for the same purpose a lady made an application to go to Calcutta which was granted? Why the discrimination?

The Passports Office will presumably be able to give the information. I do not know about all the ladies who have been given passport's.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give owners of suitable horses who are desirous of selling at a reasonable price an opportunity to register their names and addresses, together with the number and particulars of animals available, thus obviating the necessity of impressing or buying from unwilling sellers, and denuding some districts while others are left comparatively untouched?

Yes, Sir. The War Office will be most happy to act upon this suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the War Office has the recorded knowledge of that shortage of prismatic binoculars with six to eight magnifications which caused trouble up to the second year of the Great War; and why the War Office neglected, a year ago, to secure an adequate supply of this essential equipment to meet expansion of the Army, instead of having to appeal now to the public in a hurry and at the last moment and to search for binoculars in retail shops?

On the basis of the scale of provision approved for the Army up to February, 1939, the available sources of supply were adequate.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that is a very poor result after so many years, and are the firms to blame, or is it the War Office?

My hon. and gallant Friend is asking me a question about the past. Up to the date in question, there were only five British Divisions preparing for service overseas, and none of them for the Continent. It is since that date that a very much enlarged programme has been adopted.

Will my right hon. Friend do better in future in this respect?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, with whom the matter rests, has made an appeal, and is getting binoculars. I am not certain how many, but that is a question that could be addressed to him.

How was it that the War Office had not then prepared for the existing 12 divisions of the Territorial Army?

My hon. Friend knows quite well, I think, that we had five divisions being prepared, and that the Territorial divisions at that time were only authorised to have, in the manner explained to Parliament, a minimum scale of training equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is much dissatisfaction among the members of an Infantry regiment, at Greenock, in respect that they receive 2s. o½d. ration money, whereas members of the Royal Artillery receive 2s. 6d., and have received 2s. 4d. back money as against 10s.; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

I am making inquiries, but the allowance paid to the Artillery should have been the same as that paid to the Infantry. In any case, both units are now being fed in kind.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any bar to the employment of married women in the Censor's office?

No, Sir, but preference is given to men and unmarried women.

asked the Secretary of State for War why people engaged in London to work in the Censor's office in Liverpool have to pay their own railway fare and 10s. 6d. hotel expenses for the first night they spend in Liverpool?

It is the normal rule throughout the Civil Service in such cases that individuals should pay their own fares when travelling to take up duty on first appointment, and that they should pay for their own accommodation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is creating considerable hardship among the poorer people who are engaged in London and then at the wish of the Civil Service sent up to Liverpool?

It is a rule throughout the Civil Service that men or women should present themselves at their own expense at the place at which they are to be employed. It applies not only to these particular persons, but to the whole Civil Service.

Is it a rule in the Army that people sent on War Office duty should not be paid?

No, Sir. Nor is it the rule in the Civil Service if they are sent somewhere on duty. This is a question of taking up a first appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Censor's Department is dispensing with the services of girl guides at 15s. a week and employing men at 48s. a week, as girl guides give much better service?

The girl guides are to be replaced by adult ex-service messengers, as it is not the policy to employ juvenile labour on such duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the large number of skilled Post Office employés now serving with His Majesty's Forces; and will he consider whether their special qualifications can be used to make the field post office arrangements more efficient?

The Postal Services, Royal Engineers, are staffed by specialist postal employés, and there is a waiting list of such men from which all requirements can be met.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that four parcels, properly addressed to a soldier with the British Expeditionary Force, over a period of six weeks, have not been delivered, which is causing anxiety to the soldier and to his friends at home; and what steps does he propose to take to remedy such a delay?

The hon. Member gives me no chance of identifying the facts to which he refers.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that he acknowledged only the other day the receipt of a letter from me dealing with these facts and that I raised this question last week?

The hon. Gentleman is surely not suggesting that he has sent me particulars of this case?

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that I sent him letters from the man and the man's mother and that he has acknowledged them?

I particularly asked whether such a letter had been received from the hon. Gentleman, and I was told not. If it has been received I sincerely apologise to the hon. Gentleman, but I did ask that question.

Is it really impossible for the right hon. Gentleman to blame the German wireless for this mistake?

As far as I understand there is no mistake except that I have not received the particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider making Brancepeth Castle the headquarters of the Durham Light Infantry?

This question could be more suitably considered when the war is over.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any discretion is used in the impressment of lorries for Army service so as to avoid the ruin of small businesses; whether, in the event of a one-man carrier and coal merchant business having to be abandoned owing to impressment of the lorry, any compensation is paid; and, in particular, whether he can make any statement about the case of Francis Winton, Granco, Dunning, Perthshire, whose only lorry was impressed on 7th September, but was released on explanation that it was the sole means of livelihood of the owner and was subsequently impressed again on 17th September, with the result that the business of the owner has been ruined?

In the initial pressure, it was not always possible to avoid the impressment of single vehicles owned by small firms or individuals, but such vehicles will not now be taken. Payment in all cases is on the basis of assessed value and any necessary delivery expenses. There is no record of the impressment of Mr. Winton's vehicle on 7th September, and the officer who impressed it on 18th September has no recollection of any protest. Mr. Winton obtained a substitute vehicle on the same day, and it is not clear, therefore, how the termination of Mr. Winton's business can have been due to the impressment of his vehicle.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the Berkshire Yeomanry, Royal Artillery, while some men have been given beds and underclothing, others who joined voluntarily are still sleeping on the ground and without greatcoats and underclothing; and if he will inquire into the matter?

I will read to my hon. and gallant Friend the report I have received from the Command:

"Deputy Assistant Director Ordnance Services, Division, telephones he has seen Officer Commanding, Berkshire Yeomanry, to-day who states he has been done so well by Ordnance that he has no complaint of any sort. Has got everything including greatcoats, underclothing, double bunk beds, and is very pleased and satisfied. No men are sleeping on bare floor. Each man has got palliasse and four blankets. Officer Commanding cannot understand question."

Is this the sort of question that is inspired from German sources?

I did not say that any question was inspired by German sources, but the hon. Gentleman and the House and the country will recognise how true these suggestions are.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that thousands of men in the Army in this country have not got greatcoats?

I do not think there should be any man in the British Army without a greatcoat. [HON. MEMBERS: "But are there any?"] There should not be, because adequate provision is made. I have heard on the German wireless that there are thousands of men without greatcoats, but it is not a fact. If a man has not a military overcoat, he can either be paid an allowance for the use of his own, or his unit can provide him with a civilian overcoat, and, in any event, the shortage is being rapidly overtaken.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to have the provision of huts completed for the anti-aircraft personnel; and whether, where huts are not completed, he will authorise general officers commanding to purchase through ordinary trade channels, if not available through Army stores, additional equipment to provide adequate protection?

Hutting to provide sleeping and feeding accommodation for all anti-aircraft personnel should be completed by the middle of December. General officers commanding have authority to exceed normal scales of equipment when extra protection is required, and, if Army stocks were not available, they would be supplemented by special purchases, made locally if necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of his repeated assurances that the inoculation of soldiers is a voluntary treatment, he proposes not to stop the pay of uninoculated soldiers suffering from enteric fever during their illness?

Refusal to be inoculated does not render a soldier liable to stoppage of pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the recommendations made by tribunals that certain men registered by them for non-combatant duties only should be given service in the Royal Army Medical Corps; and if he can give an assurance that such recommendations will be carried out?

Such men will be employed only on non-combatant duties, either in the Royal Army Medical Corps or elsewhere.

There is, therefore, no assurance that they will be employed in the Royal Army Medical Corps?

They will be employed only on non-combatant duties.

My question was whether there would be an assurance that they would be employed in the Royal Army Medical Corps if so recommended by the tribunal?

That depends on whether there are the necessary vacancies for them.

Has there been an official definition of what is meant by non-combatant service?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the French Army, those who were entitled to wear wound stripes in the last war have received permission to wear them to-day; and whether, as a similar privilege would be greatly appreciated by many who cannot be given the same posts of danger for reasons of age to-day, he will consider introducing the same measure in the British Army?

If the wearing of wound stripes is revived in this war, I will certainly consider my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will endeavour to make available to those members of National Defence companies, in uniform, going home on leave by coach services, facilities to travel at reduced fares, as many of them are unable to afford the journey at present full rates?

I have consulted my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, and it is not thought that it would be practicable to make any general arrangement of this character without imposing a charge on public funds.

Cannot my right hon. Friend find some way of helping these old soldiers, many of whom cannot afford to go home on leave?

I was asked about a particular way. The railway companies do make concessions, but there are so many transport companies that it has not been found practicable to make arrangements with them all.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many soldiers and their wives, who have entered into financial obligations for buying their house when in civil life, are unable to keep these payments up to date on their military pay; what financial assistance is he prepared to give these people; and is he ready now, in view of the many anomalies in regard to soldier's pay, at once to make considerable increase in such pay?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the wife of No. W/6083670, Private C. E. G. Watts, 2/5th Queen's Royal Regiment, Royal West Surreys, has to keep herself and seven children, after paying rent and insurances, on 29s. 4d. a week; that she applied for public assistance and was granted 20s. by the relieving officer, who instructed her to apply to the regimental paymaster for supplementary assistance; that the regimental paymaster, Ashford, replied informing Mrs. Watts that she was receiving the full amount of family allowance to which she was entitled; and will steps be taken to ensure that in this and similar cases the regimental paymaster shall assist the soldier's wife in getting the case properly put before the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee?

asked the Secretary of State for War the purpose of the inquiry conducted by representatives of the War Office in towns in South Wales; has he received a report of this inquiry; and will it be published?

asked the Secretary of State for war whether he will now reconsider an increase in the allowance for children of men serving in His Majesty's Forces to the rate of 5s. for each child?

As I have a long reply to make, perhaps I may be allowed to make it at the end of Questions.

As the House is aware sailors, soldiers and airmen are paid upon a progressive scale, which rises in accordance with their ability and length of service. At the same time each man is provided with clothing, food and accommodation. In addition, if he is married, he is entitled, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed conditions, and provided that he makes an allotment to his wife, to an allowance in respect of her and of any children he may have. The minimum rate of marriage allowance which was until April, 1938, 7s., was then raised to 17s., an increase which gave general satisfaction, and at this figure it now stands. Shortly before the war the qualifying age for marriage allowance was reduced to 20 and for the period of the war there is no age limit at all.

The allowances for children are 5s. for the first child, 3s. for the second, 2s. for the third and is for every child thereafter. These allowances, in conjunction with the wife's allowance and the allotment made by the soldier, had under peace conditions been accepted as adequately meeting the circumstances. Since then, however, it has been represented in regard to some of those, who have left their civilian occupations and who have had to accommodate themselves to new conditions, that hardship has arisen, especially since these men, unlike regular soldiers who have had opportunities of increasing their pay, are mostly starting at the bottom of the ladder.

A Debate recently took place in this House, in which it was stated that the commitment of rent was, in many instances, out of relation to the allowances received and that because of this factor in particular, moneys which might have been spent upon the family sustenance were hypothecated to this item.

Some ten days ago officials were despatched from the War Office to investigate conditions in the South Wales area, where it had been reported that difficulties were being encountered. I have now heard from the officials in question that high rent is indeed the principal cause of strain upon the family resources. I am glad to say that the machinery for the payment of family allowances was, generally speaking, reported to be working smoothly.

His Majesty's Government have had these matters under consideration and I am glad to announce that the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee will be empowered henceforward to grant up to £2 a week exclusive of and in addition to the other allowances received from Service Departments, instead of as at present a maximum of £2 inclusive of such allowances. This will enable additional assistance to be granted in cases of hardship due to special factors such as high rent. I will circulate to the House some supplementary particulars including a description of the procedure to be followed, and I trust that this will be made widely known.

It is hoped that the new arrangements which I have described will relieve the main cause of any hardship which may have been felt. In addition, however, His Majesty's Government have decided in the conditions of the time to raise the rates of allowance for children after the first child, and in future instead of these rates being 3s. for the second child, 2s. for the third, and is each for subsequent children, they will be 4s. for the second child and 3s. each for all other children. Thus, to take the large family for which it has most frequently been represented that the allowances are insufficient, in a household with eight children, which is possibly not normal, there will be paid in respect of a soldier on the lowest rate of pay to the wife 17s., plus 7s. allotment in respect of herself equals 24s., plus 5s. for the first child equals 29s., plus 4s. for the second child equals 33s., plus 3s. each for the remaining six, equals 51s., and further, in the event of any special circumstances such as high rent a claim can be made and met to the extent of a further £2a week should the claim be justified. In order that the new scheme may come into operation with machinery adequate to cope with it, payment of increased children's allowance will begin in three or four weeks' time and will be retrospective to 13th November or the nearest related pay day.

The cost to the taxpayer will naturally depend on the numbers and age groups of those enlisted. On present figures it will add in the case of the Army alone to an existing annual expenditure of some £10,000,000 on children's allowances, some £2,000,000 and this is expected to be doubled in due course. These figures exclude the present cost, estimated at some £25,000,000, of the allowance in respect of the wives themselves, which is a rising figure, and the cost of the allowances to be made by the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee which cannot be estimated. His Majesty's Government trust that the easement of the position for the families of soldiers, sailors and airmen which I have announced will be found generally acceptable.

While we naturally welcome the concessions which have been made, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman meant that the total cost to the Army of separation and children's allowances will be £10,000,000, or whether he meant that the extra cost of the revised allowances would be £10,000,000?

I said that the present cost to the Army alone of children's allowances was £10,000,000, and these concessions will add another £2,000,000. which sum will in due course be doubled and, therefore, become £4,000,000. The cost of the other separation allowances, those of the wives, for instance, is £25,000,000 a year, which will also rise considerably.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the allowances compare with those in the French Army?

I believe the maximum allowance in France for a wife is 14s. a week.

The Minister has referred to an allowance for rent. Does that also include the obligations of men who were buying their houses and are under financial obligations in consequence?

Yes, Sir, most certainly. They will be entitled to make a claim, and their claim can be met in appropriate circumstances to the extent of £2, exclusive and apart from the allowances which I have announced.

Is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to make the possible £2 retrospective to the beginning of the war; or, if that be impossible, can he promise that a discretion shall be given to the committee in special cases of hardship which have arisen since the beginning of the war?

I would not like to say more than that they will date from yesterday, but I shall be ready to see whether that is possible. The hon. and gallant Member will realise that every claim varies in character, and it would give rise to considerable delays, and perhaps some disappointment, if I made such an announcement now.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement which he has made will give general satisfaction throughout the country?

In view of the fact that these concessions are made for rent, would it be possible for my right hon. Friend to give some indication to the country generally of what are the basic rents above which claims can be made, so as to clarify the position?

That, again, is a matter for this Special Allowances Committee, which has to take all the circumstances into account, and I think it would be unfair to name a stipulated rent and say everyone beneath it will be excluded.

Is anything being done for dependants other than wives and children?

I read with very great care the Debate on this subject which took place in the House, and I have met all the points which were made in that Debate. If hon. Members look at the Debate they will see that the real grievance was the high rent, and that I have endeavoured to meet, and in addition the Government have increased the children's allowances. No case was stated on behalf of other dependants which is not already met under the present procedure. Obviously, we want to treat our armed forces as fairly as possible within the resources of the country, and as no case for dependants was made which is not already met I have not included dependants, because the Government have not considered that matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that I did state in the course of my speech that in the Great War any mother could make a claim to 5s. per week for every unmarried son under 26 years of age? Under the Regulations now made no mother, widowed or otherwise, can make any claim at all, unless and until she has passed through the means test laid down in the regulations. Is he also not aware that I definitely said in my speech that I did not want to prolong it because so many other Members wished to speak?

If the hon. Member looks at what we are doing now and what we did in the last war as a whole he will find that more generous treatment is now being provided. In the case of dependency there must, of course, be an inquiry to establish the facts; there are no other means of doing so. A mother who is totally dependent can get up to 26s., I think, and not 5s. We make it a question of fact. I think the scheme as a whole is more favourable, and if it is suggested that it is not I am willing to look into it, but I think what I have said is accurate.

May I ask my right hon. Friend for an assurance that the investigations will not be carried out by the investigators of the Unemployment Assistance Board, and also ask when the rules governing these new special allowances will be issued?

As I have said in my answer, a full description of the whole procedure covering the points raised by my hon. Friend will be circulated.

May I have an answer to my first question?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is able to make a statement regarding the despatch of duty-free cigarettes and tobacco to members of the Forces?

I am glad to be able to have now been made. As the statement describing these arrangements is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, arrange to have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I take it then that the answer is in the affirmative?

I hope my hon. Friend will find the answer very satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has given further consideration to the offer made to him of £50,000; and whether he can now make a statement?

Since the hon. Member asked a question on this subject last week, Lord Nuffield, in addition to his other great benefactions in the same direction, has, I am happy to say, offered a further £50,000 for amenities for men of the three fighting Services. By Lord Nuffield's desire, £15,000 of this sum is to be spent on providing wireless sets for the Forces in France, and the rest will be distributed proportionately among the three Services.

On behalf of my Service colleagues and of the Army Council, I should like to express deep gratitude for a gift that will give much comfort and happiness.

asked the Prime Minister whether Ministers outside the War Cabinet meet regularly as an executive group for the purpose of co-ordinating the policy and work of their respective Departments in trade and home affairs; and whether he has under consideration any precise proposals for improving upon the present arrangements?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 18th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward). As regards the second part of the question, the Prime Minister sees no reason at the present time to suggest any alteration in the present arrangements, which, however, will be subject to review in the light of experience.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the general dislocation on the home front, due to the obvious lack of contact between Departments; and does he not consider that that is information or evidence?

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to look at the passage in the OFFICIAL REPORT to which I have referred him. I have read it carefully, and I know that the facts set out there bear on the very point which he has put.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to take the remaining stages of the Criminal Justice Bill?

asked the Prime Minister whether consideration has been given by the Government to the further progress of the Criminal Justice: Bill; and whether he can make an announcement?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the time and labour which has been spent upon the Criminal Justice Bill and the great importance of the Measure, he will arrange to find time for the remaining stages before the close of the Session?

While the Government are in full sympathy with the desire to complete the work already done on this important Measure, I regret that further consideration has confirmed the view that it is not possible to proceed with this Bill. If the Bill were to be taken through its remaining stages in this House and through all its stages in another place, the task falling on those responsible for the Bill would be by no means light. The Bill contains a number of provisions on which questions both of principle and detail would arise for discussion. The Ministers in charge of the Bill would have to devote time and attention to these questions and would have to call on the experienced officials of more than one Government Department for information and advice. The question how to reduce the necessary work to a minimum has been carefully considered, but examination of the problem shows that, whatever methods were adopted for expediting the progress of the Bill, the expenditure of a very large amount of time and labour would be unavoidable. That time and labour could only be found by diverting to this subject efforts which are required in present circumstances for a purpose which must take precedence over all other purposes.

Would it not be possible to obtain from Members in all parts of the House, and particularly from expert lawyers, assistance in drafting the necessary Amendments; and would not the Government consider whether exceptional steps should not be taken to meet an exceptional need at the present time, and to show that Parliament can pass a Measure of this kind, even during war-time; and is it not also desirable to avoid the waste which would be caused, if all the work that has been done in Committee on this Measure during the past year were to go for nothing?

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman, in his supplementary question, has, if I may say so, faced the real difficulty. The difficulty is not one of finding people to draft clauses but lies in the fact that the big problems connected with this Bill would necessarily require the serious attention of important officials in more than one Government Department. As to the view that all the work that has been done on the Bill would be lost, I do not agree. If there is a body of opinion in favour of a Bill of this sort, doubtless the Bill could be revived later, but I am afraid that it cannot be regarded, in present circumstances, as a war Measure.

In view of the widespread desire that the work already done on this Bill should not be lost, would the Government consider whether, if they cannot find the necessary time to deal with it in this Session, the Bill could not be revived at an early date—not leaving it till the end of the war—and the same methods as were adopted in the case of the Parliament Act taken in order that the work on the Bill should not be lost?

The right hon. Gentleman will see that the real difficulty is still one which lies elsewhere. This question has been looked into very closely by the Home Office and by the Scottish Office, and it is plain that if this Measure is to be dealt with now, under the present critical conditions, it will involve a tremendous amount of work on the part of officials, for which provision cannot really be made at this time.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman not to close his mind to the possibility of reintroducing the Bill at a period earlier than the end of the war, when, it may be, the pressure will not be so great?

I agree that circumstances may change and to some extent relieve the pressure, and if that happens it will certainly be possible to reconsider the matter.

In view of the great interest taken in this question by so many hon. Members opposite, would it not be a good thing to postpone the war while it is being dealt with?