asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that local authorities have in many cases requisitioned basements and coal cellars for use as un-watched air-raid shelters, thus leaving the houses or flats above them exposed to theft, fire, and damage from flooding should drains or water-pipes burst; and whether the Department has laid down any general principle or made any recommendations to these authorities as to responsibility for repairs, alterations in householders' insurance policies, and restoration to their original purpose at the end of the war?

Where possession of properties is taken compulsorily under the Defence Regulations, the question of compensation is regulated by the Defence (Compensation) Act. If my hon. Friend will send him particulars of the cases he has in mind, my right hon. Friend will be glad to examine them.

asked the Home Secretary whether air-raid shelters have yet been delivered in the Isle of Grain?

After consideration of all the relevant factors it was decided not to include the Isle of Grain among the specified areas in which the free distribution of steel shelters is being made.

asked the Home Secretary (1) what representations he has received from local authorities in favour of the provision of midwives and doctors in evacuation districts with civilian duty respirators; and whether, in any case, he will consult representative local authorities to ascertain their views on the matter;(2) whether it is his intention to provide doctors and midwives in evacuation areas with protective clothing and special gas masks for use in air raids when they may be carrying on normal or special activities; how much of this equipment has been issued; how it is being issued; in which districts it is being issued; to whom application for it should be made; and when it is expected that distribution will be completed?

I have had one or two such representations, and others have, I believe, been made to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. I regret that I cannot undertake to extend the issue of special respirators and anti-gas equipment to persons outside the public air-raid precautions services and the emergency hospital service.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now further considered the cases of school children who were away on holiday at the time of the evacuation order, and who were advised to stay with the same people; and is he now prepared to grant to the hosts of these children the same financial support as that granted to evacuees?

I regret that my right hon. Friend is not in a position to add to the answer he gave to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) on 19th October.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in many villages full of evacuees, there is much anxiety at the possibilities of epidemics due to sewerage arrangements which were never intended for large numbers of people; and whether he will call on all medical officers in these areas to forward special reports?

I am not aware of any foundation for widespread fear of epidemics from this cause. My officers keep in close touch with the responsible authorities on all questions affecting evacuation. I think it undesirable, in the circumstances, to add to the heavy burden of medical officers of reception areas by calling for special reports on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the provisions of the Civil Defence Act, which oblige employers in certain circumstances to provide air-raid precautions in the interests of their staffs, are being treated as being applicable to Government Departments and their staffs?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the fact that a group of petrol tanks in Colchester, the tops of which are painted white and which form an object clearly visible from the air, have not been camouflaged, and, as all the efforts of the local authorities to get them camouflaged have so far been unsuccessful, will he take action in the matter?

In the public interest it is not desirable to answer this question in detail. I am therefore communicating with the hon. Member on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the serious difficulties confronting many small business firms through loss of trade, inability to secure Government contracts and failure of their customers to meet their accounts; whether he is also aware of the difficulties arising from the reluctance of the banks to grant necessary credits with good security; and whether, in view of the cumulative effect of retailers, merchants and wholesalers being unable to meet their accounts and thus promoting economic dislocation, loss and unemployment, he proposes to take any action to assist these small firms?

While some temporary dislocation in particular localities is inevitable in the change-over of industry from a peace-time to a war-time basis, I do not think that the conditions to which the hon. Member refers are general. The banks must, of course, exercise their own judgment as to what credits are necessary and as to the merits of the security offered, but the hon. Member will observe that the latest figures show that the total of advances made by the clearing banks has increased and not diminished since the outbreak of war. As regards Government contracts, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply is replying to a question by the hon. Member on this point to-morrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now consider the granting of licences for the importation of musical instruments from France?

Yes, Sir; applications from persons who previously imported from France, for licences to import musical instruments from that country will be considered, but I cannot, of course, promise that they will all be granted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement regarding the Cotton Control Board and the plans that are proposed for safeguarding the interests of the Lancashire cotton industry especially with regard to export trade?

Sir Percy Ashley, the Chairman of the Cotton Board, has been appointed Cotton Controller by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply. His functions, as Cotton Controller, are similar to those of the controllers of other raw materials appointed by the Minister of Supply.Sir Percy Ashley will remain Chairman of the Cotton Board, which will continue to act within its present terms of reference. The question of giving wider powers to the Cotton Board is under consideration and a statement on this subject will be made as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the amount of oil imported by Italy from Rumania in each of the last six months?

Following are particulars of the exports of mineral oils

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether consideration has been given to the decision to raise the price of gas; whether such increase has been approved; and what steps it is proposed to take to protect consumers from excessive charges?

I am aware of the decision to increase gas prices in London. I have examined generally this increase, though approval by the Board of Trade is not required. Consumers are protected because the companies concerned are operating under statutory controls which, when charges for gas are high, limit the dividend to an amount not exceeding 5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to stocks of guns capable of being used for anti-aircraft purposes that are completed, and in the course of completion, in factories, and for which no orders for disposal have yet been made; and whether he will direct that these guns be made available for use of anti-aircraft units?

The guns in question belong to the Air Ministry and are

asked the Secretary of State for War how much money has been expended to date on the camp at Arbor-field; and how many troops it can now accommodate?

I hope that the hon. and learned Member will agree that, in time of war, it would not be desirable to disclose the magnitude of any camp, or the number which can be accommodated therein.

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities for redress it is proposed to offer to horse-owners whose valuable horses were taken by his Department, in some cases in their absence, without any notification to them at the time or subsequently, either that the seizure was not compulsory, or that they had any right of appeal against the low price given, and who consequently were unaware of their right of appeal to a county court until the statutory period had elapsed?

I am informed that the purchase of horses was maily effected by agreement, and that impressment had to be resorted to in only about 3 per cent. of the total number of cases. Where impressment was used, a notice was served on the owner which clearly informed him of his right of appeal on the question of price.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in some cases owners of commandeered horses were instructed, or their servants were instructed in their absence, to have the animals shod, and to provide halters, before delivering them to the military authorities; that no compensation for this cost has been offered, whether the animals were taken or not; and whether he will have his decision upon this point published in the agricultural Press?

If a purchaser gave instructions for a horse to be shod after he had bought it, he should have paid for the cost. He should also have paid for any halters which he took over. I am not aware that any instructions of the kind mentioned were given before animals were taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Institute of British Photographers has called his attention to the fact that, as a consequence of the provisions of the Control of Photography Order (No. 1), 1939, dated 10th September, 1939, the business of commercial photographers has been rendered impossible, and the home and export trade thereby hampered; whether, as the work of such photographers consists entirely, or mainly, of objects of no military importance, he will relax the provisions of the Order in regard to them; whether he will grant permits to approved commercial photographers of a similar nature to those granted to Press photographers; and whether, in view of the fact that it has been found impossible in practice for commercial photographers to obtain the name or identity of the approved authorities and protected places mentioned in Clause 2 of the Order, he will make arrangements for them to be informed of names?

A letter has been received from the Institute of British Photographers, but, so far as the work of commercial photographers is confined to objects of no military importance, the Control of Photography Order (No. 1), 1939, does not affect them. I will, however, consider, in consultation with the Director-General of the Press and Censorship Bureau, whether the system under which permits have been given to certain Press photographers for reasons of national importance can be extended to a suitable number of commercial photographers. It would be undesirable to publish a list of munition works and other places of vital importance, or the names of the authorities in charge, but the names can be ascertained by inquiry in any particular locality.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause instructions to be issued with the object of ensuring that soldiers who were sent overseas in the early days of the war and who have not reached 20 years of age will receive prior consideration for Christmas leave?

The Commander-in-Chief has been asked to give special consideration to those who did not receive embarkation leave before they went to France, and this will apply equally to those under 20 and those over 20.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of Furber traction carriages in use by the War Office?

None, Sir.

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

Notes giving, in outline, information as to normal rates of pay and allowances for officers and other ranks are already sent by the War Office free to inquirers upon request. I am having these revised with a view to making them more informative, and I will consider the best way of making them more generally accessible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. E. H. W. Bartlett, of Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdonshire, formerly a temporary employé of the Huntingdon County Council, a married man who has had no civil pay for the past month owing to no authority being forthcoming from the Ministry of Transport, was before a medical board some three weeks ago after having been certified by a specialist to be unfit for service in His Majesty's Forces, and that no decision has yet been communicated to Mr. Bartlett; and will he expedite such a decision so that this man may be returned to his civilian occupation and be able to meet his financial obligations without breaking up his home?

My hon. Friend has been asked to obtain further particulars, and, when these are available, I will make the necessary inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in calling for tenders for the supply of coffee for the troops, he will stipulate that the bulk of the coffee, say 80 per cent., shall be of Empire origin?

Under the normal system of open tender, the Department would purchase Empire coffee to the full amount of its requirements, subject to quality and to the price being within the normal preference limits.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are often delays of two to five weeks in obtaining Form M.S.A.C. 21 (Application for a special allowance to soldiers' dependants in cases of serious hardship); and whether he will waive official procedure, and consider the advisability of issuing a number of these forms to some central body, such as the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families' Association, so that these delays, which are causing very considerable inconvenience and distress, may be avoided?

As regards the first part of the question, I am not aware of delays of the time mentioned. With regard to the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement I made this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the numbers of volunteers who have come forward and enlisted under the recent announcement, giving the different branches of the services, respectively, in which they have been enrolled?

It would not be desirable to give detailed figures.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement to the House in regard to the report presented to him by the Assistant Postmaster-General and the Director of Army Postal Services on their recent investigation in France on the delay in delivery of letters and parcels to soldiers serving on the Western Front?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statements I made in answer to questions on 24th October and 7th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the fact that some members of the Army are stationed at such distances from their homes as to involve fares amounting to over £2 to enable them to visit their homes when on leave; and whether he will consider the granting of free travelling warrants in such cases?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to-day to the hon. Members for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) and Rothwell (Mr. Lunn).

asked the Secretary of State for War how many troops on active service in Great Britain have only one suit of uniform?

The information asked for is being obtained, and I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue a list of the punishments now employed in the British Army on active service with an indication of the type of offence to which they are generally applied?

The maximum punishments that may be awarded for various offences on active service are laid down in Sections 4 to 47 of the Army Act. The punishment within those limits actually awarded is within the discretion of a court-martial or of an officer disposing summarily of a charge.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that no loss has yet fallen on the fund for the insurance of goods against war risks, he will extend the period of cover under the Act for a further month, without payment of any further premium?

I hope to be in a position to make a statement on this matter at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether letters to Eire are subject to censorship?

Letters from this country to Eire are not censored.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether submarine chasers are being ordered, or likely to be ordered, in large numbers from the United States of America; and whether the capacity of shipyards in Britain is fully occupied?

It is not intended at present to order any of these vessels from the United States of America; in any case this would only be done if facilities for building this type of vessel were not available in the United Kingdom.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the widespread demands for such information in a handy form, he will place on sale a pamphlet detailing Navy rates of pay and other service conditions?

Information concerning the rates of pay and other service conditions of naval ratings is given in a brief form in recruiting pamphlets which are obtainable free of charge by interested persons. More detailed information, covering also the rates of pay and pension and conditions of service of officers, is contained in the Appendix to the Navy List which is published twice a year in June and December and is on sale to the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Herring Industry Board continues to function; whether there has been any change in its personnel; whether the board is to be retained as the controlling authority over the industry during the war; and whether it is proposed to increase its powers?

No change has been made in the personnel of the Herring Industry Board which is still in existence. Its activities have been restricted and it is proposed to limit its functions to those which do not fall to Government Departments under war conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the opinion expressed by the Councils of Cities Association regarding the Fire Brigades (Scottish Regional) Order and the representations made to him on behalf of the said association by the town clerk of Edinburgh; and whether he will cause this order to be so amended as to restore to the cities concerned their right to charge for the services of their fire brigades attending fires in the areas of adjoining local authorities?

The legal aspects of the opinion expressed by the Councils of Cities Association are at present under examination, but I can assure the hon. Member that there is no intention of taking away from fire authorities their rights to charge for the services of their fire brigades in attending out-of-district fires either under a scheme of local cover or a mutual assistance scheme. The scheme made under the Fire Brigades (Scottish Regional) Order does not become operative unless the fire fighting resources available under local or mutual assistance arrangements are inadequate, and so far as these arrangements are adequate, payments may be made in the ordinary way even in respect of fires caused by enemy action.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which county councils now employ public relations officers?

I regret that I do not have the information requested by the hon. Member.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that over 40 business houses in the leading trading centres of Glasgow have had their plate glass windows destroyed by the German swastika and inscriptions, such as clear out the Jews, scraped on the glass by a broken file or other instrument; that hundreds of pounds of damage has been done; what inquiries have been made by the police; and whether any persons have been questioned or arrested as a result?

I am informed that certain defacements were recently scratched on the windows of a number of business firms in Glasgow. Investigations are being pursued by the police and a number of persons have been questioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why, in the Government buildings of St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh, there is provision for a bar for the supply of alcoholic liquor; and whether the present rule against civil servants drinking during their working day is to be suspended?

I understand that the management committee of the staff luncheon club at St. Andrew's House propose to apply for a licence for the sale of liquor, and to allow such sale with meals during the period within which luncheon is served. This is in accordance with practice in the case of other staff luncheon clubs and I am not aware of such a rule as is referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the crofters unions were invited to appoint representatives to the agricultural committees in the crofting counties; how many crofters are so serving, or how the committees are made up; and how many acres of deer forest have been taken for grazing sheep since the beginning of the present war?

Members of the Agricultural Executive Committees were selected primarily on account of their knowledge of localities concerned and not as representatives of particular organisations and accordingly no organisations were invited to nominate members. Over 100 crofters are in fact serving on the committees or sub-committees in the crofting counties.No recommendations have yet been received from committees for consent to the issue of directions for the use of deer forests for grazing sheep but the committees have this point fully in mind.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye as representing the Forestry Commissioners how many acres of land in Scotland are now owned by the Forestry Commission; how many acres of that area have been planted; and to what use the unplanted areas are being put?

Five hundred and eighty thousand acres of land are now owned by the Forestry Commission in Scotland. One hundred and forty-seven thousand acres have been planted. The unplanted areas so far as they are of economic value are put to productive uses. Part is used for farming and part for forest workers' holdings. The rest of the unplantable land is useless owing to exposure, unsuitable soil or other adverse conditions. Thirty-five thousand acres in Argyllshire are used as a national forest park.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the requisitioning of hotels has involved the dismissal of hundreds of hotel servants; and whether, if the proprietor or tenant of these hotels pays the wages to which these servants would have been entitled if requisitioning had not terminated their contracts of service, compensation will be payable in respect of these payments under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that the requisitioning of hotels has unfortunately involved the dismissal of hotel servants. The proprietor of a hotel so requisitioned is entitled, under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, to be reimbursed any expenses reasonably incurred for the purpose of compliance with directions given on behalf of His Majesty in connection with the taking possession of the hotel. If such directions necessitate the termination of contracts of service, I am prepared to regard the amount of wages properly payable by the proprietor in lieu of notice, in appropriate cases, as expenses reasonably incurred within the meaning of the Act. The amount to be paid in any particular case would, in the absence of agreement, fall to be determined by the tribunal.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the compensation payable to hotel proprietors whose property has been requisitioned includes any compensation for loss of profits, the loss of goodwill, the losses which will be incurred while the property is being made fit for re-opening after release from requisitioning, and for the replacement value of furniture and equipment taken over by his Department?

I have been asked to reply. The compensation to be paid for the occupation of a hotel falls to be determined under Section 2 of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. One element in this compensation is a sum equal to the rent which might reasonably be expected to be payable by a tenant in occupation and I am prepared to agree that, in assessing that sum, profits derivable from the conduct of the premises as a hotel may, inter alia, be taken into account. The Act provides that after release from requisition a sum shall be paid to the owner equal to the cost of making good any damage to the premises, and if in fact the premises were wholly or partly unusable during the execution of the repairs, a reasonable allowance could, I think, in proper cases be made for this in estimating the cost. With regard to furniture and equipment taken over with the hotel, unless an arrangement for hire is made, compensation is paid under Section 6 of the Act on the basis of the price which the owner might reasonably have expected to obtain upon sale of the goods before requisition.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why the basis of compensation for requisitioned property has been changed from that laid down by the judgment given in the case of the Attorney-General v. De Keyser's Royal Hotel and endorsed by the Indemnity Act of 1920?

I have been asked to reply. I am not sure that I follow what the hon. Member has in mind. The judgment in the De Keyser case declared that the Suppliants were entitled to a fair rent for use and occupation of the hotel by way of compensation under the Defence Act, 1842. Under Section 2 of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, one element of compensation, which, in default of agreement, will be assessed by a tribunal presided over by an ex-judge of the High Court, is "a sum equal to the rent which might reasonably be expected to be payable by a tenant in occupation of the land." Furthermore, the Act makes provision for making good any damage to the premises caused during the occupation and for the reimbursement of any expenses reasonably incurred in complying with any directions given in connection with the taking possession of the premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether it is proposed to appropriate to the revenue of the Bechuanaland Protectorate the proceeds of the gold mined in the Tati district in excess of an arbitrary price of 150s. per ounce; whether this action is proposed in order to follow the example of the Governments of the Union of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia; and whether, in the case of Bechuanaland, regard will be had to the facts that in that native territory extra revenue is not required for war expenditure and the mining industry is in the hands of small workers?

I have approved a proposal of the High Commissioner for Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland that legislation should be issued in the Bechuanaland Protectorate providing, as in the case of the Union of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, for the payment to the Administration of the amount by which the realised proceeds of gold sold exceeds the value of such gold calculated at the general basic price of 150s. per ounce. The position of gold producers in the Tati district has been kept in mind and the legislation will permit of the fixing of an increased basic price in certain cases and subject to certain conditions.The Bechuanaland Protectorate is in receipt of a grant-in-aid from United Kingdom funds and its revenue is bound in other respects to be affected by war conditions. In these circumstances it is feared that some increase of taxation is inevitable if essential services are to be maintained.

asked the Paliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the case of James W. Jeffrey, alias Jim Brett, a Communist leader in Birkenhead; and, in view of the fact that this man was fined £5 recently for disturbing the public peace, is he satisfied that this man should remain a teacher in a State-aided school?

I have seen a Press report of this case and am making inquiries. I must defer my answer to my hon. and gallant Friend's question until the inquiries are complete.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will provide particulars of all types of Government schools with their numbers of pupils which have been evacuated from London into the county of East Sussex and the towns therein, including Brighton and Hove; stating the original destinations, subsequent changes and prospective movements?

I understand that the only information which the London County Council could give—and that only after communicating specially with each of the seven reception areas—would consist of a list of the schools under the various types evacuated from London and their present location. My Noble Friend would not feel justified in throwing the heavy burden involved in compiling the information desired upon staffs which are working at high pressure. I shall, however, be glad to make inquiries about any particular school which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of barley for feeding-stuffs in this country, he will endeavour to obtain shipments at an early date from either South Russia or from Rumania or from both?

I have been asked to reply. This possibility, amongst others, is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether it is intended to allow an extra ration of butter, milk and other dairy products, when rationed, to tubercular people, particularly children?

The subject of the hon. Member's question, in relation to the rationing of butter, is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of the lower consumption of butter, and the need for safeguarding the nation's health, he will consider the compulsory vitaminisation of all margarine?

A large proportion of the margarine for domestic consumption is already vitaminised. I see no reason at present for making vitaminisation compulsory.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the approximate total consumption of butter in the United Kingdom per week at the present time; and what will be the estimated consumption under rationing on the assumption that all the population consumes the permitted supply?

The estimated requirements to meet ration coupons, on the basis of a ration of four ounces would be about 5,000 tons a week. This figure does not include supplies to the Services, caterers, institutions and other miscellaneous purposes. The present rate of distribution of butter by the Ministry is of a similar order.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is taking the necessary steps to ensure an adequate supply of oranges both to the civil population of this country and to the armed forces of the Crown; and whether, in view of their high vitamin content, he will consider making direct purchases on behalf of the Government?

I understand that there is a heavy crop of oranges in each of the main producing countries which provide our winter and spring imports, and I see no reason to anticipate that Government purchase will be necessary to maintain supplies. I would refer my hon. Friend in this connection to the replies which I gave to similar questions on this subject by the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. W. F. Jackson) on the 31st October.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that a ship arrived in England with 5,000 lbs. of Australian bacon which had not been entered in the ship's manifest and that the customs officials refused to allow it to be unloaded; and whether, in view of the rationing of bacon which is to operate soon, he will make the necessary arrangements to permit of the unloading of this addition to the national supply of food?

I have no information as to the facts stated, but I will have inquiries made if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can state how much of the Merchandise Marks Act, as it applies to food, is to be done away with either under rationing or under control of prices?

I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries as to the extent to which Orders-in-Council made under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, requiring the marking of certain agricultural, horticultural and fishery products with an indication of origin may be affected by the rationing and control of these products.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give an assurance that in any rationing scheme attention will be paid to the requirements of the cooked meat trade?

Careful consideration will be given to the needs of the cooked meat trade in the event of a scheme for the rationing of meat being introduced.

asked the Minister of Health when he intends to publish the reports of the Departmental Committee on Valuation for Rating?

The Departmental Committee have completed their report but in view of the projected postponement of the new valuation lists and other considerations arising out of the war, I do not think that publication of the report at the present time would serve a useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause instructions to be issued to approved societies to submit cases of miners suffering from silicosis to a preliminary examination by the regional medical officers before their cases are submitted to the Home Office Medical Board, in view of the instructions now contained in Circular A.S. 322?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Circular A.S. 323, from paragraph 47 of which he will see that approved societies have already been informed that, as a consequence of the suspension of the regional medical service, the Silicosis Medical Board have been instructed that, for the present, they may entertain applications from workmen on payment of the reduced fee of 30s., if a certificate is produced from a qualified medical practitioner indicating that the workman is, or may reasonably be suspected to be, suffering from silicosis.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will expedite inquiries into the claim for pension of Charles F. Motts, of 63, Hatfield Road, Stratford, E.15, reference No. V. 77640183?

Difficulty is being experienced in determining whether Mr. Motts has attained the age of 65 as he has been unable to state where he was born and no trace can be found in the records of the Registrar-General of his birth on the 24th July, 1874, the date given by him. All possible steps are, however, being taken to complete the necessary inquiries as quickly as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number in all Government Departments of extra officials taken on to the pay-roll since the outbreak of war; and what is the cost expressed in annual, monthly, or weekly terms?

This information is not at present available, but in place of the comprehensive census of staffs taken annually in the past, I have in mind to collect rather less detailed information at more frequent intervals. The first returns will be directed to 1st January next, though of course the assembling of the information will take some further time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the total number of staff employed at the Treasury in October, 1936, and October, 1939, together with their total remuneration?

The total number of staff employed at the Treasury on 1st October, 1936, was 327, at an approximate total remuneration of £141,500 per annum, and on the 1st October, 1939, 388, at an approximate total remuneration of £164,500 per annum.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the total number of staff employed by his Department in October, 1936, and October, 1939, together with their total remuneration?

The number of staff employed by the Board of Trade on the 1st October, 1936, was 3,934, and on the 1st October, 1939, 4,282. The total annual remuneration of this staff at these dates was £1,187,000 and £1,271,500 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the present approximate weekly amount paid in salaries and wages to the staff of the various Food Control Boards?

The approximate weekly amount paid in salaries and wages to the staffs of the various commodity organisations of the Ministry, including civil servants lent to the Ministry by other Departments, is £8,284.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can supply a list of the principal executive officers of the boards controlling butter, meat, bacon and condensed milk, respectively, indicating, where possible, what were their business interests prior to their assumption of their present duties; and what salaries are received by them in each case?

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction among the large body of workers at Bishopsgate, London and North Eastern Railway, goods station, at the inadequacy of the air-raid precautions at present in existence there and, in particular, at the lack of proper equipment for first-aid workers; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the matter with a view to bringing about an improvement?

I understand that representatives of the railway company recently discussed with representatives of the employés questions relating to air-raid precautions and explained to them the steps which were being taken. These include the provision of air-raid shelters and of complete first-aid equipment, which are on order. Pending the completion of the permanent shelters, the staff have, I am informed, been provided with sandbag protection.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Port of London Authority propose to construct a pier at Putney, as authorised by him?

This proposal was first put forward in the early part of July when it was thought that a pier at Putney might be of use for the collection and evacuation of casualties. After further consideration in October the Port of London Authority came to the conclusion that the possible utility of the pier for these purposes was insufficient to justify the expenditure that would be involved.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Hartley-Wintney By-Pass on the London-Penzance trunk road, the Rest and be Thankful By-pass on the Inveraray-Arrochar road, and the by-pass on the Dalmally-Oban road are among the road improvement schemes which it has been decided to suspend?

No scheme for a bypass to Hartley-Wintney on the London-Penzance Trunk Road has been authorised, or is at present in contemplation.

asked the Minister of Health when a decision will be given regarding making up the balance of civil pay of temporary employés of local authorities who have voluntarily joined His Majesty's Forces; and whether, pending a decision, authority can be given to make advances to such employés to enable their wives and families to meet their obligations and live without applying for public assistance?

It is already within the discretion of a local authority to exercise the powers conferred on them by Section 1 of the Local Government Staffs (War Service) Act, 1939.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the coalowners in the districts of South Wales and Cumberland to provide proper containers for the protection of gas masks in mines; and whether he will consult with these coal-owners with a view to their conforming to the national practice?

My attention was called last week to alleged delay in dealing with this matter in two or three of the coalfields, and I am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any estimate has been formed of the effect which the rationing of coal will have on the coal-mining industry in South Wales; and, if so, whether he can make a statement on the whole subject?

The effect of coal rationing has received careful consideration, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement on the position which I made on 9th November in reply to the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall).

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to make a further statement with regard to the rationing of coal?

asked the Secretory for Mines whether he is aware that in the county of Durham there are 18,000 miners unemployed; and will he consider the suggestion that coal rationing be relaxed, not only to allow coal consumers to purchase their normal quantities of fuel during the coming winter, but with the expectation that many miners now unemployed would be placed in employment?

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave last Thursday to the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall).

asked the Secretary for Mines how many exemptions from coal rationing have been granted by local fuel overseers to householders with evacuees, nurserymen producing food, bakers, cafes, restaurants, eating-houses, hospitals, hotels and others; and by how much will these exemptions reduce the anticipated saving of coal under the coal rationing scheme?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines by how much the rationing of coal for domestic consumers will reduce the amount available for export since a big percentage of the large-sized house coal cannot be exported, but has to be brought to the surface in order that the smalls, which are exported, may be available?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion that a reduction in the consumption of domestic coal would not make more coal available for export. As I indicated in my reply last Thursday to the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) the relaxation of coal rationing has been made possible partly because sufficient supplies of export coal are at present available.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the quantity of coal exported in the months of September and October of this year; and the comparative figure for 1938 and 1937?

The information, so far as it relates to the years 1937 and 1938, is as follows:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the increase in exports of British house-coal resulting from the rationing of its domestic consumption; and what countries are in the habit of importing British coal of this type?

It is not in the national interest to disclose more information about our coal export trade than is published in the Trade and Navigation Returns. The principal countries to which house coal was exported in the first half of 1939 are Eire, Channel Islands, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, France and Newfoundland.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many regional controls have been set up by his Department; what is the address of each headquarters; and what is the present authorised establishment of each regional office, giving salaried officials and others on a weekly payment basis?

The addresses of the divisional offices have already been published and I am sending my hon. Friend the other information for which he asks.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that miners are being called up to the armed forces; and whether he will consider obtaining their release to enable the country to produce the maximum amount of coal for export and in this way lessen the development of indebtedness to other countries?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is intended to accede to the request of the coalowners to lower the age to 18 years, of reserved occupations in mines?

In common with men from other industries, miners under the ages of reservation given in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations are being called up for service and they cannot be released, save in a few really exceptional individual cases. I fully appreciate that the mining industry must have adequate man power to provide the output of coal required for all essential purposes and I am at present in consultation with the other Departments concerned with a view to reductions in the ages of reservation for certain classes of mine workers.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now able to state the result of his consideration of the hardship to motor traders by the cash-before-delivery terms on pool petrol; and the action he proposes to take to alleviate it?

I am informed by the Petroleum Board that under war conditions they consider cash before delivery a necessary system of trading, and I do not see my way to intervene in the matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that many coroners have not been granted a reasonable supply of petrol to enable them to carry out their work; and whether he will take steps to remedy this difficulty?

Instructions have already been issued to divisional petroleum officers to grant to coroners the necessary allowances of petrol to enable them to carry out their essential duties.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will publish a statement showing the names and salaries of staffs, other than clerical and messengers, employed in London and the provinces, respectively, in connection with the scheme of petrol rationing; and their previous occupations before present appointment?

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that letters to divisional petroleum officers from commercial travellers are answered only after great delay; that applications for additional petrol supplies are held up some- times for weeks; and will he look into the matter with a view to remedying this state of affairs?

Yes, Sir. I am aware that during the period required to bring into operation the revised arrangements under which the supplementary allowances of certain classes of commercial travellers are to be increased, delays have unavoidably taken place in the divisional petroleum offices in dealing with correspondence. All the divisional offices will, I hope, be in a position to operate the new arrangement promptly during the rationing period commencing on 23rd November.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the representations made to him, dated 7th November, 1939, by the private-hire motor car and taximeter cab owners of Glasgow; and, if so, has he any statement to make?

The representations to which the hon. Member refers are under consideration. As regards the second part of the question I have nothing at present to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton (Sir C. Rawson) on 2nd November.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give an assurance that medical officers with scattered country practices are receiving sufficient petrol from the petrol control officer to enable them to discharge their medical duties efficiently?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave on 1st November to a question by the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether he will state the names of those companies by whose agreement the Petroleum Board was formed;(2) the names of the members of the Petroleum Board?

The Petroleum Board was formed originally by agreement between the Anglo-American Oil Company, Limited, National Benzole Company, Limited, Shell-Mex and B.P., Limited and Trinidad Leaseholds, Limited and their Associated Companies. The membership has since been enlarged and now represents substantially the whole of the Petroleum Industry so far as it relates to the importation, storage and distribution of oil products.Following are the names of the members of the board.

asked the Secretary for Mines to what organisations or persons licences to sell petroleum or petroleum products have been granted under the Petroleum (No. 2) Order, 1939; and how many applications have been declined?

Up to the present licences have been issued to 89 applicants. Others will shortly be issued. In view of the large numbers involved, the hon. Member will I think agree that it would be inappropriate to publish the lists in the OFFICIAL REPORT. No applications have so far been declined.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether divisional petroleum officers are permanent civil servants; what salaries are they paid; and what qualifications are they required to possess?

None of the divisional petroleum officers are serving civil servants. Two are retired civil servants and nine of the others are retired Colonial civil servants. All the officers were selected in peace-time on evidence of their ability to discharge the duties required of them in war, and their salaries range from £500 to £800.

asked the Minister of Shipping what standards of comfort, sanitation and cleanliness are to govern crews' quarters in new ship construction; and whether the Department of the Ministry concerned with this important matter has been instructed to exercise maximum vigilance?

The crews' quarters in new ship construction will have to comply with the Instructions at to the Survey of Masters and Crew Spaces which were issued by the Board of Trade in 1937; and I have no doubt that a high standard of cleanliness will be promoted by the agreement respecting cleanliness and comfort of crews' quarters which was adopted by the National Maritime Board in June last. The division of the Ministry of Shipping concerned in this matter is fully alive to its importance.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether there is any official in his Department charged with the duty of surveying working conditions in the Mercantile Marine and whose knowledge of the subject is such as to command confidence in his ability to understand fully trade union representations?

Questions relating to working conditions in the Mercantile Marine are a large part of the work of a division of the headquarters staff of my Department and the officers of that division maintain a close personal contact with the representatives of the various organisations of officers and men in the Merchant Navy. Also at headquarters and at ports throughout the country we have officers, many of whom have spent a large part of their lives at sea, who in the course of their duties are constantly visiting ships and coming into contact with their seagoing personnel, and have valuable and extensive knowledge of working conditions afloat.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has inquired into the complaint reported to him by the hon. Member for Greenock regarding the failure of parcels of cigarettes despatched from Greenock to reach Greenock men stationed in England to whom they have been sent; and whether he has any statement to make?

I am looking into the matter and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will hasten the promised opening of an Unemployment Assistance Board office to serve the needs of the Romford Parliamentary division and neighbourhood, in view of the distance those suffering from war injuries will have to travel to make claims under the Personal Injuries Act, 1939, and subsequent regulations?

I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that an office of the Board was opened at 87, North Street, Romford, Essex, on Monday, 9th October, 1939.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information, whether he is aware that Wales now gets a number of alternative radio programmes from the British Broadcasting Corporation; that Scotland now has no alternative programme; that the new alternative programme for Wales is on the old Scottish national wavelength; and whether he will make representations to the governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation to give a satisfactory alternative programme to Scotland?

I am informed by the B.B.C. that a number of items in the Welsh language are being broadcast for the special benefit of Welsh speaking listeners, on a wavelength used at present primarily for broadcasts to European countries. Arrangements are now being made for periodic broadcasts in Gaelic to be given, on the same principle, and on the same wavelength as the Welsh items, for the benefit of Gaelic speaking listeners in Scotland. This additional service will start about the beginning of December. Both the Welsh and the Gaelic items are supplementary to the B.B.C 's. Home Service programme and neither could be regarded as an alternative service.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) what proportion of the total iron ore used in the production of steel in this country is imported from abroad; and whether he is satisfied that the increased cost of purchase of that proportion since the war started, is sufficient to warrant the increases recently announced in the price of steel;(2) whether his attention has been directed to the Import Duties Advisory Committee's recommendation of 1937 that control of steel prices should be supervised by somebody outside the industry responsible only for guarding the public interest; and whether, in view of the national emergency and the recently announced increase in the price of steel which will greatly increase the cost of the war, he will consider giving effect to this recommendation?

Prior to the war a supervision of steel prices was exercised by the Import Duties Advisory Committee. Since the war these prices have been subject to Orders made by me prescribing maximum prices. The recent increase in prices took into consideration the additional cost of imported material, including our requirements not only of ore but of scrap, pig iron, and other iron and steel, together with increases in steel costs arising from the operation of sliding scales, and I am satisfied that the increase was warranted. In terms of iron content about one-half of the iron ore used in the production of steel in this country is imported from abroad.