asked the President of the Board of Trade what will be the rough index figure of increase in the cost of living for the London area to be caused by the impending rise of is for England and Scotland and is. 4d. for Wales in the pit-head price per ton of coal, as reflected into the increase of 2½d. per therm for gas; and will he say what he proposes to do, seeing that this rise in the pit-head price of coal partially defeats the aim of the Prices of Goods Bill, now before Parliament, to check increase in the general cost of living?

The effect of the increase of 2½d. per therm in the price of gas in London will be to raise the official cost-of-living index figure, for the United Kingdom as a whole, by about one-fourth of one point. No separate index figure is compiled for the London area. I am unable to say to what extent the cost-of-living index figures will be affected, as a result of the increases in the pit-head prices of coal, until information is available as to the effects of these increases on retail prices generally in the United Kingdom. An increase of between 1s. and 1s. 4d. per ton in retail prices of coal would, however, raise the index figure by about one-fourth of a point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in spite of the fact that officially American apples and pears can be imported without restrictions, firms who have made arrangements in the normal course of their business are now being refused dollars to complete their transactions; and what action he proposes taking to protect their position in this matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the importation of American apples and pears is officially permitted; and whether he will make arrangements to secure that firms who have already committed themselves and/or opened credits are given facilities for completing purchases?

The Import of Goods (Prohibition) (No. 8) Order, 1939, dated 15th November, prohibits the importation into the United Kingdom of apples and pears despatched on or after the 20th November except under licence issued by the Board of Trade. The Board of Trade have issued an open general licence authorising, until further notice, the importation of these goods from Empire countries, but arrangements are being made with the Canadian Government for the limitation of the shipments of apples during the remainder of the current season. No licences will be issued for the time being for imports from other countries.Recently, while these arrangements were under consideration, banks were warned to refrain for the time being from granting foreign exchange for the purchase of apples and pears which were unlikely to be shipped before these restrictions came into force; but exchange will, of course, be granted in respect of goods despatched to the United Kingdom before the 20th of this month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the quantities of aluminium imported by Germany and Great Britain, respectively from Switzerland and Norway since the outbreak of war and the corresponding figures for the previous 12 months, and as to the quantity of natural corundum exported from all parts of South Africa in the 12 months prior to the war and the corresponding figures since the outbreak of war and the destination of the same?

During the 12 months ended July, 1939, the quantity of crude and semi-manufactured aluminium imported into Germany, including Austria and Czechoslovakia, from Norway and Switzerland amounted to about 1,790 tons and 3,850 tons, respectively. The imports of aluminium and aluminium alloys, other than finished manufactures, imported into the United Kingdom during the 12 months ended August, 1939, registered as consigned from Norway and Switzerland were r,882 tons and 17,904 tons respectively. No information for any period later than July, 1939, is available from German official sources, and I do not consider it desirable to publish particulars of the imports of aluminium into the United Kingdom since the outbreak of war.The quantity of corundum exported from the Union of South Africa during the 12 months ended June, 1939, the latest period for which statistics are available, was 1,939 tons. Details of countries of consignment are not available but in the year 1938, 90 per cent. of the total exports were consigned to the United States, 6½ per cent. to the United Kingdom and 3! per cent. to Germany.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the greatly increased dependence on cycle transport in the Hull district, he will take immediate steps to make available for purchase supplies of electric batteries for cycle lamps?

The present abnormal demand for electric batteries, including batteries for cycle lamps, exceeds the available supply, but I am assured that manufacturers are doing their best to meet it and to allocate supplies as equitably as possible.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that Members find it difficult to get batteries for torches; and whether he will arrange for air-raid precautions torch and batteries to be issued to Members so that they can carry on their duties in coming to and going from the House?

I am aware that the requirements for A.R.P. and other purposes have caused a shortage of batteries for torches but I understand that the position is now easier and that hon. Members should have little difficulty in obtaining supplies in the ordinary way.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his Department will arrange to make use of the firm of E. W. Perks, of Castle Road, Kidderminster, who are anxious to secure contracts in connection with the supply of woodwork required by the Ministry?

The capacity of firms already on the Ministry's list of those invited to tender for woodwork is far beyond actual requirements. In the circumstances it would serve no useful purpose to add to the list individual firms with very small capacity; but with the view to helping smaller firms engaged in this work, the suggestion has been made that they should form groups or associations among themselves, whereby one of the firms or one authoritative body is in a position to tender on behalf of the group or association.

asked the Minister of Supply what remuneration is being paid to the Government buyer of timber for service purposes?

There is no separate post of Government buyer of timber for service purposes. Responsibility for the purchase of timber is vested, with other functions, in the Controller of Timber, and two Deputy Controllers deal with imported timber and home-grown timber respectively. The salaries authorised for the posts of Timber Controller and Deputy Controller for imported timber are £1,500 and £1,200 respectively, but the present holders are serving without remuneration. The Deputy Controller for homegrown timber is the chairman of the Forestry Commission, who is a civil servant in receipt of his pre-war salary.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the Dagenham Council's contractors have returned orders for timber for air-raid precautions work as no supplies are available; that when tenders were invited the only offer received was at prices ranging 20 per cent. to 40 per cent. over contract prices; and what steps are being taken to distribute available supplies at reasonable prices?

I am not aware of the circumstances of the case referred to in the question, but steps have been taken to distribute available supplies of timber at reasonable prices by the establishment of a licensing system and by fixing maximum prices.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will publish the names of the staff, other than juniors, of the timber central department with their salaries and former occupations?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 19th October. 1939, col. 1052) supplied the following information:The salaries authorised for the various senior posts of the Timber Control (except Department II) are:

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the Wool Controller has offered spinners extra quantities of wool to enable them to supply yarns direct to organisations for knitting comforts for the services; that wholesale distributors and shopkeepers will thus have no share in a considerable proportion of the total business in hand-knitting wools; and if he will consult spinners in regard to a scheme which would allow them to distribute through the usual trade channels to these organisations but at prices which would show them a considerable or reasonable discount upon the ordinary shop prices by reason of the bulk which they would be required to buy?

There appears to have been some misunderstanding on this matter. It is not a condition of supply of additional wool that the spinners shall make direct deliveries to the organisations concerned. While the Controller desires that spinners shall take reasonable care that the additional yarn shall only be supplied to organisations for making comforts for the Fighting Forces, it is not the intention that any variation should be made in the existing channels of wholesale and retail distribution.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give a list of the articles of food for which prices have been fixed, or to which control has been applied, by his Department, together with a list of the articles of food for which prices are fixed, or control applied by other Ministries, or by organisations set up by other Ministers?

Following is a list of the articles in question, which are controlled or in regard to which price orders have been issued by the Ministry of Food. As regards the second part of the question, if the hon. Member will be good enough to let me know more precisely what he has in mind, I will endeavour to provide the information he desires.

List of articles of food for which Price Orders have been issued or to which control has been applied by the Ministry of Food as on 15th November, 1939.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has considered a communication from the chairman of the Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, and Warwickshire National Farmers' Union Producer-Retailers' Committee protesting against the proposal of the milk distributive trade that an Order-in-Council should be made to prohibit the sale of milk before 8 a.m.; whether he will examine the statement embodied in this letter that the welfare of 90,000 farmers would be seriously affected in the event of the order being obtained; and whether the submission made to him will receive prompt attention?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to what extent voluntary arrangements amongst milk retailers now provide for only one delivery of milk to be made and what saving in distribution costs this represents to the retailers; and whether full account of this and other savings which may be made by pooling rounds will be fully accounted for before any increase in the retail price of milk is approved?

My information is that voluntary arrangements for a single daily delivery are now in general operation in the milk distributive trade throughout England and Wales, and that similar arrangements are under consideration by the trade in Scotland. I am not in a position to say what saving this means in distributive costs, but this aspect of the matter is being fully considered by the Ministry of Food. No Order-in-Council limiting times of milk delivery is in contemplation.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will take power to insist that shopkeepers who offer for sale food commodities for which a maximum has been fixed by order shall display such maximum prices prominently wherever they are offered for sale?

Power to take such action is provided by the Defence Regulations. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on the 2nd October.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give an assurance that no control of meat pastes is contemplated, and that there will be no standardisation?

There is no present intention either to control meat pastes or to require standardisation.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many men are engaged in the Food Control Department at Manchester; and whether or not they are all paid officials?

The staff engaged in the office of the Manchester Food Control Committee is at present 15, of whom seven are men and eight women. Of these one is unpaid. In the Divisional Food Office for the North-West of England, at Manchester, there are 22, of whom 14 are men and 8 women. Of these one is unpaid.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to reserve an adequate supply of potatoes of suitable size for seed purposes, in view of the enormous increase in the number of allotment workers, and the need for providing them with an abundance of sound reliable seed at reasonable prices?

This matter is under consideration by the Ministry of Food, and it is hoped to make a statement on it shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that restrictions on fruit and vegetables coming into this country are made by various Government Departments without consultation with the trade itself, which is represented by the National Federation of Fruit and Potato Trades, Limited; and whether he will introduce such consultation?

I am considering the subject of the hon. Member's suggestion in consultation with other Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state the Government's intention with relation to the Marriage (Scotland) Act, 1939?

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. and learned Member on 9th November.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reduce the parcel post rates for parcels sent to men serving in His Majesty's forces and stationed in Great Britain?

I regret that I do not see my way to adopt this suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that great numbers of families are now separated by reason of the war, he will consider restoring the cheaper rate for trunk calls after 7 p.m.?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my predecessor gave on the 12th October to the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn). I am sorry that at present it remains impracticable to restore the cheaper rates for trunk calls after 7 p.m.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that since the commencement of hostilities all branches of the Army are on the same footing, he will consider regularising the system of payment on an equal footing to all officers instead of continuing the present system of paying Regular officers in advance and Reservist and Territorials in arrears?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Norman-ton (Mr. T. Smith) on Thursday, 12th October, last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of men born in Nottinghamshire now serving in the Brigade of Guards?

The records of the Department are not kept in such a way as to enable this information to be readily collated, and I regret, therefore, that the particulars required could not be furnished without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the practice under which sublieutenants appointed in September after three months at Sandhurst rank as senior to second-lieutenant supplementary reservists who have had at least four years training in view of the fuller experience of the latter type of officer?

Officers of the Supplementary Reserve of Officers appointed on or before 24th August, 1939, reckon seniority in rank, as compared with officers of other branches of the Army, as from that date.Cadets from Sandhurst appointed to commissions reckon their seniority from the date of their appointment. No cadet from Sandhurst appointed to a commission after 24th August, 1939, could therefore rank senior to any second-lieutenant of the Supplementary Reserve of Officers appointed to a commission on or before that date. After the outbreak of war, no cadets from Sandhurst were appointed to commissions before 22nd October last.Second-lieutenants of the Supplementary Reserve of Officers with three years' commissioned service should, if recommended, have been promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and would then be senior to all second-lieutenants of the Regular Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the scales of allowances at present under review for children, there will be consultation with medical authorities as to the minimum sustenance for the maintenance and development of good health; and whether he can assure this House that the allowances will not fall below such a standard?

The new rates of allowances for children of men of the Forces were announced in the House on Tuesday. Family and children's allowances are granted to assist the sailor, soldier or airman to maintain and accommodate his family. They do not purport to represent the actual cost of maintenance. In these circumstances, the question of consultation with medical authorities did not arise.In any case of serious hardship, where owing to special circumstances the normal allowances are found to be inadequate, an application can be made for special assistance which will be considered by the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulty which our troops on active service frequently have in cashing British postal orders and notes sent to them by relatives at home; and whether it is possible to arrange a more satisfactory way of transmitting money, as French currency cannot be sent out of this country without a banker's certificate?

Although it is undesirable to encourage the sending of British currency out of the United Kingdom, some relaxation in the regulations has been allowed to enable small remittances to the troops to be made, and British postal orders, limited to two guineas a day for any one individual, can be sent to troops in France.Postal orders can be cashed at Army post offices and tendered in exchange for purchases at canteens. Now that the canteen organizations in France is more widespread, I think that the troops should have no difficulty in disposing of their postal orders.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether in regard to the huts he proposes to erect for Civil Service Departments which have been evacuated from London, he will have regard to their design and the amenities of the country in which they are erected; and whether, in view of their cost, he will consider in respect to their lay-out and permanency, their possible utilisation after the war for the purposes of school camps, family holiday centres, etc.?

All the considerations to which the hon. Member refers will be borne in mind and effect given to them where possible; but regard must necessarily be had also to other factors such as availability of communications, of billets, supply of materials and speed of construction.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the large majority of civil servants declare that their work can be done more efficiently in London; that they are prepared to take their share of risk with the rest of the population; and will he reconsider the policy of evacuation of civil servants?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 14th November to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the number of Civil Service Departments which still remain in London; the number which have been evacuated; and whether evacuation is decided by the Government or by the individual Minister in charge?

Four Departments, with staffs totalling under 300, have been completely evacuated to the provinces; some 15 Departments have evacuated in varying degrees portions of their staffs to a total of about 15,000. The general policy in regard to evacuation has been settled by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the practice for retired members of the Civil Service, who are in receipt of pensions, to draw the full pay and allowances attached to offices to which they may be subsequently appointed, in addition to such pensions?

No, Sir. Under Section 20 of the Superannuation Act, 1834. a pensioned civil servant who is reemployed in an office in a public Department may only draw so much pension, if any, as, when added to the salary of his new office, will not exceed the salary of his old office.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the fears which are exercising the minds of parents whose sons had previously contributed to the upkeep of the home, and who now make voluntary allotments, where the parents receive no dependants' allowances, lest if their sons become casualties no claim for dependants' pensions would be entertained owing to the fact that no dependants' allowance had been granted; and if, in view of this widespread feeling amongst fathers who served in the last war, he will make an early statement clarifying the position?

The grant of dependant's allowance during the son's service is not a condition of the award of pension to a parent in respect of his death, and the absence of such an allowance would not, therefore, affect the claim to pension, which is determined by the specific conditions of the Royal Warrant.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can now indicate the basis on which the Government will compensate the railway companies for commandeering their property; and is he aware that, in the meantime, great difficulty is being experienced in giving a definite market value to the various classes of stock, and that it is causing hardship to many shareholders who have to realise their holdings to meet commitments and taxation; and, in view of the substantial increase in the traffics, will he consider giving the railway companies generous treatment, bearing in mind the importance of maintaining and increasing the value of this great national asset?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. Dc la Bére), to which I can at present add nothing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the restriction of road re-surfacing to only essential works, apart from the cessation of many other road and bridge schemes, will result in numbers of regularly-employed roller-drivers, other road-workers, and quarrymen being forced into unemployment; and will he endeavour to safeguard against undue restriction of road re-surfacing in order to prevent such unemployment?

It is essential to restrict the execution of road works, not only because of the public expenditure involved but also because of the necessity for keeping the roads open to traffic and, so far as possible, free from obstruction. In deciding which road works shall be curtailed and which shall be allowed to proceed regard will be had to all the relevant considerations including those relating to unemployment to which the hon. Member refers. On these matters close touch is being maintained with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will increase the scale of grants payable to local educational authorities in respect of air-raid precautions expenditure incurred by them on schools to the level of the grants payable to local authorities for expenditure incurred on the protection of the general public?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to a question by the hon. Member for the English Universities (Mr. Harvey).

asked the Home Secretary whether he will request the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to-instruct police on patrol duty at night to keep a special watch on the lighting of street refuges and islands, and to see that the lights on these are re-lighted if they become extinguished, in view of the great danger of unlighted refuges in the black-out?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that the Metropolitan Police already have instructions to this effect.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the difficulties of driving by night created by allowing motorists to fit the new head-lamp masks to either head-lamp according to individual choice; and whether he is consulting the organisations of motorists in this matter?

I do not think that any difficulty should arise as the result of the concession to which my hon. Friend refers. The motoring organisations have been consulted, and are in favour of the present arrangement.

asked the Home Secretary whether any special advice has been issued by his Department with regard to the permitted or suggested charge for heating and lighting rooms used as air-wardens posts; whether in those cases he can state the names of the towns and districts affected; and whether the official advice is intended to apply to all towns?

I am not sure what my hon. Friend has in mind. I would however, refer him to the reply which I gave on the 2nd November to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central (Mr. Denville). If he should desire any further specific information not contained in that reply, perhaps he will communicate with me.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the problem of road risks in winter time in industrial areas due to black-out conditions and to the short period of daylight; will he note that workpeople have frequently to leave their homes early, in frost and snow, which is particularly dangerous in the hilly North, and to return home frequently in rain and other bad weather conditions; and whether he can propose some system of lighting in these areas which will diminish the risks of accident?

I would refer the hon. member to the statement which I made on the 26th October in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson). Since then, further experiments have been made with various types of reduced street lighting, but I am not yet in a position to say whether any such lighting can safely be permitted.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the action of air-raid precautions workers at Richmond, where 18 people have agreed to continue to serve either without payment or at reduced wages; and whether he will make an appeal to workers in all areas to follow this example?

I am aware of the action taken at Richmond. There is no obligation upon a Civil Defence volunteer who gives whole-time service to accept payment. But this must be a matter for the volunteer himself, and I do not think that any general appeal would be appropriate.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the services in France corresponding to the Civil Defence services in this country are voluntary; and, if so, whether he will consider making an appeal to the citizens of Great Britain also to adopt the voluntary system?

According to my information, Civil Defence services in France, as in this country, an; organised on the basis of a combination of paid and unpaid services.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will call a conference of his regional commissioners in order that the experience gained in the working of the Civil Defence arrangements can be pooled and some of the anomalies, unnecessary activities, and consequent expenditure may be obviated; and will he also consider the advisability of giving more latitude to the administering authorities in deciding the requirements of varying urban and rural districts within their areas?

I am in constant touch with the regional commissioners, whom I consult on matters of substance affecting the organisation and working of Civil Defence, and am able to secure full advantage of their knowledge and experience of varying local conditions.

asked the Home Secretary why the air-raid precautions station at No. 1, Chamberlain Avenue, Doncaster, which is only a few yards from the telephone wires, has been refused a telephone; and why a private wire has been taken from Doncaster to Kirk Bramwith, a distance of seven miles, at an annual cost of £47 10s.?

I understand that the telephone for No. 1, Chamberlain Avenue, Bentley, was installed some days ago; and that it is not proposed to maintain the Kirk Bramwith line.

asked the Home Secretary why allotments carrying growing crops at Bute Road, Wallington, Surrey, are to be taken for air-raid precautions structures, when an adjoining yard owned by the council is more suitably available, or a weed-ridden site at the entrance to Grange Park, nearby?

I have made inquiries and am informed that the site taken was the only one in the vicinity which was considered suitable for the purpose for which it was required. It was chosen after full consideration by the allotments committee and the council. Of the alternative sites to which the hon. Member refers, one was too far distant and the other was required for other purposes. Alternative allotments are being found for the dispossessed allotment holders.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider granting to airraid precautions authorities the right to grant a reasonable allowance for refreshers to volunteers who give service for a continuous eight hours?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to-day to a question by the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Jackson).

asked the Home Secretary whether, in any future arrangements concerning the closing of business premises, he will take into account such evidence as the Birmingham City Coroner's, to the effect that half the fatal accidents now investigated by him followed immediately on visits to public houses?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to a statement made by the Birmingham City Coroner on the 26th September that out of 12 road fatalities during the black-out six had occurred to persons who had just left public houses. People are peculiarly liable to accidents immediately after coming out of any lighted premises into the darkness, and I am informed that there was no suggestion in any of these cases that drink was a contributory cause of the accident.

asked the Home Secretary whether all the plans relating to air-raid protection in London, submitted for approval by the Metropolitan Borough Councils, have been dealt with and disposed of by his Department?

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the question of air-raid shelter. He will appreciate that the consideration of shelter proposals, from the first informal consultation with my technical advisers to the final formal recognition of approved schemes for purposes of grant, may occupy a period of time varying with the magnitude or complexity of the project; and the answer to his question must therefore depend upon the meaning to be attached to the term "submitted for approval." I do not feel that I can usefully say more than that proposals put forward by Metropolitan borough councils are constantly under examination by my Department. and that the hon. Member may rest assured that no effort is spared to deal with them at their various stages with the utmost expedition.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in many instances tramcars are so devoid of external lighting as to be invisible in the black-out at a distance of 20 yards and thereby constitute a menace to the safety of other traffic, vehicular and pedestrian, using the roadway; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this?

As I stated on the 24th October in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hulme (Sir J. Nall), I am arranging for details of a suitable method of lighting tramcars to be communicated to public service vehicle operators.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has reached a decision regarding the points dealt with in the resolution of the Scottish Road Passenger Transport Association, sent to him on 21st October, 1939; and whether he will announce his decision?

The resolution to which the hon. Member refers was in general terms urging some relaxation of the existing lighting restrictions in the interests of public service vehicles. I would refer the hon. Member to the full statement on this matter which was made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport on the 9th November in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones). A copy of that statement is being forwarded to the association.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in some reception areas the distribution of evacuated school children was made without regard to the education facilities available, and that consequently their effective education has been, and still is, seriously prejudiced; and whether, in such cases where the local authority, in discussion with the education authority, can prepare suitable plans for the redistribution of the children, he will permit their re-billeting?

My Noble Friend the President of the Board of Education. after consultation with myself, issued a circular to local education authorities on the 6th November about the re-billeting of school children where it appears that their education may be seriously prejudiced under existing arrangements. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of that circular. I shall shortly be issuing similar directions to local authorities in the reception areas.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that approximately 90 blind persons have been evacuated from West Ham and are now domiciled at Oxford, and as a consequence they are suffering a reduction of three shillings per head per week domiciliary assistance; and whether, as the cost of living in Oxford appears to be no less than in West Ham, he will make the necessary arrangements to see that these blind people suffer no financial inconvenience as a result of the evacuation?

The rates of domiciliary assistance paid to blind persons are a matter for the decision of the local authority concerned and I have no power to give any directions in the matter.I understand that the practice of the West Ham Borough Council is to pay domiciliary assistance to blind persons evacuated from their borough at a rate based on that current in the reception area adjusted according to the needs of the case but I have no doubt that they will give consideration to any cases of special hardship which may be caused by the uniform application of this rule.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will endeavour to make arrangements with the railway companies whereby parents visiting their evacuated children at Christmas time may be enabled to travel at specially reduced rates?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham (Mr. Hamilton Kerr).

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the probability of air-raid attacks upon the South-East Coast, he will consider the advisability of transferring children in reception areas on or comparatively near the South-East Coast line to areas more central or farther west?

The districts selected as reception areas were primarily those in which the objective of dispersal could be secured. While some measure of redistribution has been and will continue to be made as occasion requires, it will not be possible, having regard to the limitations on accommodation, to dispense with the use of the areas to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Health whether any scheme of billeting allowances can be arranged in respect to evacuated schoolchildren to relatives where, after investigation, it is found that such private arrangements are bona fide?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) on 19th October.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the sandbag protection at the doors of hospitals and aid posts is usually so arranged that ambulances will be unable to back up to the doors and will have to be unloaded in positions exposed to anti-aircraft and other missiles and carried in the dark round difficult and unfamiliar corners; and whether he will give instructions that these sandbag protections shall be moved so that, as is the case at the entrances to tire stations, there is room for the ingress and egress of vehicles?

No, Sir. I have received no reports that the sandbagging at hospitals and first-aid posts has been carried out in such a way as to impede the approach of ambulances. If the hon. Member will forward particulars of any case of which he has knowledge, I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has given, or will give, consideration to the question of the provision of permanent camps in suitable districts for the accommodation of persons removed from evacuation areas and to be used as holiday camps after the war?

There are 30 camps for England and Wales now being provided under the Camps Act, which are coming into use for evacuation, and will be avail- able as school camps after the war. Post-war policy with regard to camps will be considered in the light of experience.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the method of distribution of the funds provided for the medical attendance and treatment of evacuated children unaccompanied by their mothers; and if the fund is a national one disbursed in a manner similar to the funds under National Health Insurance, or if doctors are paid on the per attendance basis?

The arrangements provide for the funds available for the medical attendance and treatment of unaccompanied children in reception areas to be distributed between the reception areas on the basis of returns showing the number of such children in each area. The local fund will be distributed to practitioners in accordance with a scheme prepared by the local emergency committee of the area. The schemes may provide for payments to be made to practitioners on such basis, whether capitation or attendance, as may be found convenient. The basis most commonly adopted is that of distribution in proportion to the number of children actually treated by the doctor during the period irrespective of the number of attendances given.

asked the Minister of Health whether the condition imposed by the British Medical Association that only a general practitioner whose practice has completely or almost completely disappeared by reason of evacuation and who is immediately available for national service of some kind may offer his services for work in a reception area was imposed with his knowledge and approval; and whether in the interests of securing a more efficient medical service in reception areas, it will be cancelled?

I presume that the hon. Member is alluding to the arrangements made by the Central Medical War Committee for compiling a list of doctors in evacuation areas who have become wholly or mainly unemployed by reason of evacuation and are without local obligations, with a view to meeting demands from reception areas for additional doctors. I am informed, however that the arrangements do not preclude doctors, in reception areas, or the local medical war committee on their behalf, from obtaining assistance from other quarters; nor do they preclude doctors not on the list from offering their services in the reception areas.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken by his Department for the inspection of first-aid posts; whether he is satisfied that the facilities are adequate; and whether his Department has made any adaptations necessary following the experiences of aerial warfare in Spain?

First-aid posts are inspected by my medical officers in each region, and I am satisfied that the facilities, with such minor adjustments as have been found necessary in some areas, are adequate for dealing with the type of case for which the posts are intended. Reports from Spain and elsewhere were taken into account when the scheme for first-aid posts was drawn up.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that in Barcelona a system of aid-posts and mobile units similar to that which exists in this country had to be abolished because it proved impossible to prevent the reception of serious cases at these posts, from which they could not be evacuated to hospitals without fatal delay; to the further fact that the death rate was notably diminished by the abolition of aid-posts and mobile units; and whether he is satisfied that such delays, as occurred at Barcelona, can be avoided in this country?

I have seen statements in the medical Press to the effect stated in the first two parts of the question. I am advised, however, that the conditions as they existed at Barcelona are not parallel to those in this country. The instructions here are that the seriously injured are to be taken direct to hospitals and not to first-aid posts, and I have no reason to believe that these instructions will not be observed. I would also remind the hon. Member that many of our first-aid posts are actually situated at hospitals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which are the relevant texts in the international agreements on the basis of which the Treasury was advised that it had no right to withdraw its trust account deposit from the Bank for International Settlements?

I would refer the hon. Member to Article IV (e) of the Trust Agreement between the Creditor Governments and the Bank for International Settlements (Command Paper 3484 of 1930, page 72), and the Final Act of the Lausanne Conference (Command Paper 4126 of 1932).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in reference to the provisions of the Finance Act, 1938, that Income Tax allowance would be made in respect of expenditure incurred in connection with the provision of air-raid shelters in certain circumstances, there will now be an increased allowance commensurate with the increase in Income Tax?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the provisions of Section 17 of the Finance Act, 1938, under which, subject to certain conditions, additions or alterations to buildings made solely for the purpose of affording protection in the event of air raids are to be wholly disregarded in estimating the annual value of the buildings for the purposes of Income Tax, Schedule A. The relief afforded by this provision for any particular Income Tax year will operate by reference to the standard rate of Income Tax in force for the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended that the Defence (Finance) Regulations shall operate to levy Income Tax and Surtax, retrospectively, on income which was not liable to British Income Tax and Surtax in the year in which it accrued or was received?

My attention has already been drawn to the possible effect of action under the regulations on the taxation position in certain cases, and I am giving consideration to the steps necessary to avoid any taxation hardship resulting from such action.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of a person receiving £26 per annum old age contributory pension, the whole amount is treated as subject to Income Tax where the recipient is liable to tax?

A contributory old age pension is income of the recipient for Income Tax purposes, but the amount, if any, upon which tax is actually payable in a particular case will depend upon the total income of the recipient and the allowances and reliefs to which he is entitled. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and will send me details, I shall be happy to cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the representations from the Kitchen Committee that the finances of the Refreshment Department are being seriously affected by the present practice under which the House sits for two or three days only in each week and often rises just before the dinner hour; and what action he proposes to take?

I have received through the chairman of the Kitchen Committee a request for assistance from public funds to the Refreshment Department of the House of Commons in order to enable the committee to provide the necessary refreshments and meals for Members at a reasonable cost during the abnormal conditions now obtaining. I am impressed with the fact that prior to the war the Kitchen Committee was showing a small profit, thus proving that any subvention from public funds under normal conditions would be unjustified and unnecessary. The present conditions are, however, quite abnormal, and the figures show that the committee is facing a serious loss. I have decided to present a Supplementary Estimate after Christmas for £2,500 to assist the committee to carry on until the close of the present financial year, a suitable advance being made meantime from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet given further consideration to the language of Section 13 (7) of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1939, as it applies to concerns which have a low profits standard, either because they were in a developing stage or because of depression in the industry in which they are engaged, during the standard years?

My hon. Friend will remember that in the course of the Finance Bill Debates I promised to consider this point. Concerns such as those to which he refers might be debarred from applying for a substituted standard to the Board of Referees under Section 13 (7) of the Finance Act because they could not show that the profit made in the standard years was less than might then have reasonably been expected. It is not my intention to debar such a concern from obtaining under that Sub-section such higher standard, not exceeding 6 per cent. on paid-up ordinary share capital, plus the fixed rate on other paid-up share capital, as the Board of Referees might think fit to allow, and I intend in next year's Finance Bill to propose an amendment of the Section to remove any doubt on the point.

asked the Minister of of Labour whether he is aware that, while a number of unemployed men are being provided by the Employment Exchanges for work on threshing machines on farms, in the event of rain preventing these men working they receive no wages and, in addition, they lose their unemployment benefit; and if he will consider taking immediate steps to remedy this state of affairs, especially in view of the shortage of farm labour in certain districts?

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to give me particulars of specific cases, I will at once have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the county of Durham there are 18,000 miners unemployed; and whether any steps are being taken by the Government, with a view to opening some of the mines now closed, so as to help bring those miners now unemployed back into industry?

The unemployment total given by the hon. Member would appear to relate to nth September. The corresponding figure for 16th October is 11,326, representing a decrease of 7,046 from the September total. With regard to the re-opening of pits, the hon. Member will be aware that this question is one of a number which my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines has raised with the Mining Association and the Mine Workers' Federation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that applicants for unemployment benefit are often informed that they are a number of stamps short for benefit; that the applicants have no means of checking their position; and will he arrange for a record card to be kept at the Employment Exchange, or by the insured contributor?

In present circumstances it would be impossible to provide claimants with a complete record of their contribution position under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, but I am not aware that any hardship arises from this course. If the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any specific case he has in mind, I shall be happy to look into it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to publish agricultural prices in view of the fact that the Agricultural Market Report is no longer published?

Publications of the Agricultural Market Report was discontinued for several reasons, among which were the inauguration of statutory control of the prices of a wide range of agricultural commodities and the need for economy in public expenditure. For these same reasons it is not proposed to take any other steps to publish agricultural prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that great areas of land in this country are becoming derelict from lack of cultivation; and whether, in addition to the measures already announced, he will take steps to acquire compulsorily all such land and use it for allotments or otherwise to increase the production of food?

In urban areas powers under the Defence Regulations have been delegated to local authorities to take possession of unoccupied land and also, with the consent of the owner and occupier, of occupied land, for the purpose of providing allotments. In rural areas similar powers of entry may be exercised by County War Agricultural Executive Committees, and these committees may also give such directions with respect to the cultivation, management or use of agricultural land as may be necessary for increasing or maintaining the food supply of the country. The use of these powers is more likely, in my view, to meet the needs of the situation than would the compulsory acquisition of the land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the intention of the Government to increase the number of allotments, he will take steps to bring into use for cultivation as allotments the thousands of acres of fertile land available in the green parks which surround country mansions in this country?

The powers of entry on land referred to in my reply to the previous question put to me by the hon. Member are in my opinion adequate for the purpose of bringing about the desired increase in the number of allotments. These powers are, of course, additional to those conferred on local authorities by the Allotments Acts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider embarking upon an extended campaign to stimulate land drainage, in view of the importance to the nation of utilising, for the production of food, the large tracts of agricultural land which are now under water or subject to frequent flooding?

Every effort is being made to press on with land drainage work calculated to facilitate increased food production within a reasonable period of time. The attention of the County War Agricultural Executive Committees has been specially drawn to their powers in respect of land drainage and to the powers of drainage authorities. At the same time drainage authorities have been asked to co-operate to the greatest possible extent with the county committees and are being encouraged to make the fullest possible use of the financial assistance available to them under Part III of the Agriculture Act, 1937.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that a very large number of hitherto purely grass farmers are now arranging to grow corn, and, as these farmers have no equipment for cutting this corn, he will consider the desirability of acquiring a reserve of binders before the 1940 harvest?

Yes, Sir; I am making arrangements for the acquisition of a reserve of binders for the 1940 harvest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether permission has been granted, and, if so, upon what grounds, for any refugees additional to the 1,500 announced by him on 12th June, to be employed upon the land; and whether it is the policy of the Government

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the new police station in Savile Row, which will take the place of Vine Street, is to be designated the Central Station; and whether,

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, that the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I should, however, draw my hon. Friend's attention to the reply that was given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the question put to him by the hon. Member for North Cumberland (Mr. W. Roberts) on 19th October last.The answer to the second part of the question is also in the negative. I would point out that farmers and most classes of farm workers are reserved from military service at the age of 21, so that men of and above that age will not be liable to be called up for service with the Armed Forces of the Crown.

asked the Home Secretary how the statistics of convictions for drunkenness in Manchester for the last two months compare with the figures for previous years; and whether he will obtain a report from the police on the subject?

I have obtained a report from the Chief Constable which shows that the numbers of arrests for drunkenness in Manchester in September and October, 1938 and 1939, were as follow:out of considerations of historical interest, he will consider incorporating the old name in the new designation?

The question of naming the new station now in course of erection in Savile Row has not yet been settled, and the hon. Member's suggestion will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, as a result of rationing, any carbonisation enterprise in this country has been compelled to close down?

I have no information of any such works having been closed on account of rationing.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the congestion, with consequent short-time working, at certain pits in Durham due to transport difficulties, he now proposes to abolish all rationing of coal to enable consumers possessed of motor and other forms of transport to obtain direct larger supplies, and thus contribute towards mitigating the existing unemployment at these collieries?

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, every consumer can now use the same quantity of coal that he used last year, and in cases of need can get even this quantity increased. I do not consider, therefore, that the retention of the rationing system is having any material effect on employment at collieries.

asked the Secretary for Mines to what extent the raising of the coal ration from 75 to 100 per cent. of last year's consumption will affect the number of fuel overseers appointed throughout the country?

It is intended to complete the registration of consumers and the fixing of basic quantities of coal, gas and electricity. I hope this will be done in a few weeks, and that it will then be possible to reduce substantially the number of local fuel overseers.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of fuel overseers appointed; whether the powers entrusted to them enable them to increase the price of coal charged by the retailers; and whether the divisional controllers are empowered to veto or alter such increases?

There are about 1,800 local fuel overseers in Great Britain. Under the Retail Coal Prices Order, 1939, the local fuel overseer is responsible for determining a schedule of maximum permitted retail coal prices for his area, and for increasing those maximum prices by an amount equivalent to any increase in costs which he is satisfied has been incurred by the merchants selling coal in the area. Whether any merchant sells at or below the schedule price is within the merchant's own discretion. The work of the local fuel overseers in the administration of the Order is under the supervision of the Divisional Coal Officers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when Blue Book No. 6106, Documents concerning the Outbreak of Hostilities, will be available to the public in a cheap edition; by whom will it be published; and at what price it will be sold?

The abridged edition of the Blue Book, with the addition of a summary of Sir Nevile Henderson's Final Report, is in course of printing and will be published by the Stationery Office on Friday next, the 17th November, at 3d. per copy under the title "How Hitler made the War."

asked the Secretary for Mines why London taximeter-cabs, of 14 horse-power, are allowed 90 gallons of petrol per month and Brighton and Hove taximeter-cabs, of 14 horse-power, only 60 gallons per month?

Special reasons apply to London. Two thousand five hundred taxis were taken for the Auxiliary Fire Service. The special construction of London taxis gives a lower mileage in relation to horse-power. To meet the needs of the public it was therefore necessary to allow London taxis the maximum allowance for taxis. This is granted also to provincial taxis of high horse-power and consequently low mileage per gallon.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give immediate personal attention to the case of Mr. F. C. Reeve, of Brighton, traveller for a firm of fire engineers, engaged on work of national importance, whose average is 4,000 miles per month, which, in his small motor-car needs from 108 to 120 gallons per month, and towards which he receives with small supplements only 26 gallons per month, and who has received seven acknowledgments that his case is under review; and whether he will award additional petrol at once to prevent him seeking unemployment benefit?

This case has already received my attention. Mr. Reeve has been granted an allowance corresponding with that granted to others engaged on comparable work.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the decision to pursue the inquiry into the adequacy of old age pensions, he can now make arrangements to set up another inquiry into the possibility of arranging for a contributory pension scheme for unestablished industrial civil servants as recommended by the last Royal Commission on the Civil Service?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my predecessor on 25th November, 1938, to my hon. Friend the Member for the Gillingham Division of Rochester (Sir R. Gower) to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the extra cost of increasing the old age pension to single pensioners from 10s. to 12s. 6d. per week?

It is estimated very broadly that the cost of increasing by 2s. 6d. a week the rate of pension payable to single and widowed old age pensioners and to widow pensioners over the age of 65 (with no increase) of the pension of married couples or widows under 65) would be nearly £11,000,000 a year at the present time. This would rise to about £13,000,000 in 10 years' time and would steadily increase thereafter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the billeting allowances for teachers and civil servants?

I regret that I am not at present in a position to add anything to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for Deptford (Mr. W. H. Green) on 7th November and to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Brooke) on 9th November.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the various interpretations that are being put on the Treasury Circular D 38427–1, 9/39, P.R.P., dated 13th September, 1939, which was circulated to all local authorities, and in particular, to paragraph 2 which includes, capital expenditure by local authorities should be restricted within the narrowest limits; and, in view of the various interpretations as to what are the narrowest limits, will he issue another circular in order to bring about a more uniform administration by the local authorities?

Paragraph 3 of the circular referred to by the hon. Member states that consent will not be given to the exercise of borrowing powers unless the project is of pressing necessity either for reasons of public need or on account of war requirements. I do not think that it is possible to define more exactly limits that apply generally. The precise application to the individual case is for the authority and the appropriate Department or Departments to consider in the light of their knowledge of the specific circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now make any statement as to the policy to be adopted with regard to the rating of houses in evacuable districts where the tenants, who have left for the country in view of the possibility of air raids, have left their furniture behind, mainly owing to their inability to obtain storage?

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to introduce legislation to permit persons, who are on duty away from their homes in connection with the war, to secure any concession in rates while their furniture remains in their houses?

The matter in question is only one of a number of rating and assessment problems arising out of war conditions. I understand that the Associations of Local Authorities have the whole position under consideration, and any representations they may make to me will receive careful consideration. In the meantime I could not usefully make any statement on this particular aspect of the problem.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the numerous cases of hardship caused to wives and dependants of men who are on service abroad in their struggle to maintain payments of the rent of the council houses which they occupy, amounting in some cases to 12s. a week out of a total allowance, in the case of a wife and four children, of 27s. 6d.; that the local authorities, however sympathetic, are unable to make reductions, which would cause further demands upon other ratepayers; and what action he is taking in the matter?

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War stated on Tuesday, dependants' allowances are to be increased, and the powers of the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee to grant financial assistance where the normal allowances are not sufficient to prevent hardship, are to be enlarged. I have no reason to think that any action on my part is called for in connection with the rents of council houses, the fixing of which is vested by statute in the local authority concerned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the nature of the replies to his circular to housing authorities urging the removal, or relaxation, of any existing restrictions on the keeping of poultry and pigs by tenants on their housing estates?

As my hon. Friend will see from the copy in the Library, the circular, which was issued for the guidance of local authorities, did not call for replies.

asked the Minister of Health whether arrangements will be made to secure medical treatment for the dependants of men called up for service; and whether he will give an assurance that these dependants will not be required to obtain such treatment from the Poor Law service?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) on the 3rd October.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the names of any new urban and rural districts which have been formed and those which have been abolished since 9th March, 1939?

Following are the particulars:

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many delays and much hardship have been caused to evacuee applicants from Essex for public assistance in Norfolk and East Suffolk on account of the Essex County Council's refusal to repay the cost of such public assistance allowances; and whether he will give a lead in the matter?

This matter has not previously been brought to my notice, but I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain panel committees have ceased to function, having delegated their powers to two or three members of the committee; and as panel committees are statutory bodies, will he state if such procedure has had his sanction, and what regulation governs the procedure?

I am not aware that any panel committee has ceased to exercise its functions. Two committees have asked me whether they have power to delegate their functions to an emergency committee, and I have informed them that I know of no legal authority for this step.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that two medical men are brought from Golders Green to Seven Sisters Road to examine recruits three days a week and that one of these men only qualified since the last war; that there are in Islington, medical men who served in the last war and who are fully qualified for this work, who have asked for their names to be included in the list of those applying for such work; and if he will consider a more equitable arrangement whereby these medical boards should be appointed by a rota, so that the majority of medical practitioners should participate in the work?

Members of the two medical boards held at the centre men- tioned are drawn from panels containing the names of 26 practitioners selected, with general regard to their convenience of access to the centre, from lists of London practitioners supplied by the British Medical Association to the medical officers of the Ministry of Health. Medical men in Islington or elsewhere in London who desire to undertake this work should communicate with the secretary of the Local Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association so that they may be considered when further appointments are made to the London panels.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the shortage of sewerage systems in some villages where numbers of evacuees are billeted, the utmost efforts are being made to instal water supplies which cannot be infected; and whether the local authorities will, in case of need, be financially assisted?

Every effort is being made to ensure that emergency conditions shall not give rise to pollution of water supplies and that urgently needed improvements of supplies are carried out. As regards the last part of the question I can hold out no prospect of further grants for rural water supplies.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he has placed any orders for ships to be built in Canada?

No orders for vessels have so far been placed in Canada by my Ministry, but I can assure the hon. Member that the facilities there are not being overlooked.