asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that considerable difficulty is being experienced in one vulnerable East Coast town in connection with the obtaining of essential timber supplies required for the construction of the entrances to air-raid precautions public shelters, thus depriving a large percentage of the population of adequate protection; that application for the necessary timber licence made recently to the permit officer of the London and Home Counties Timber Control has been without result, in spite of strong representations made in respect of the urgency of the work which has been temporarily suspended; and if he will give an assurance that as regards the issue of timber licences, priority claims in vulnerable areas will be given every consideration?

I regret that I have not been able to identify, from the information given, the case to which the hon. Member refers. Timber for A.R.P. purposes is released by Timber Control Officers if the application has the approval of the Home Security Department, and I understand that in the consideration of such cases the claims of vulnerable areas are given priority.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the dissatisfaction of the farmers in Northern Ireland with the price fixed for the flax crop for the present year, he will be willing to consider the views of the flax committee of the Ulster Farmers' Union regarding the price to be paid for the crop of 1940 if it is to be made a paying proposition for the producers; and whether, in order to encourage the farmers to grow more flax, he will fix the price at an early date for next year's crop at a figure commensurate with the cost of production, after consultation with the Minister of Agriculture for Northern Ireland?

The question of fixing a price for next year's flax crop in Northern Ireland is at present under consideration and I will bear in mind my hon. Friend's suggestions.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will issue permits to purchase double-knitting khaki, Air Force blue and grey wool from manufacturers to Territorial Army and Air Force associations, so that comforts for the troops overseas and at home can be made by voluntary working parties?

Arrangements have already been made for special allotments of wool to spinners to enable knitting-wool to be made available to associations engaged in supplying comforts for the fighting forces. No special permit is required by the associations concerned, which can purchase such wool through the ordinary trade channels.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an assurance that local representatives on the Potato Marketing Board will not be suspended for the duration of the war without the previous consent of the growers in the area?

When control over potato marketing is established, the regulatory provisions of the Potato Marketing Scheme will be suspended. The hoard will not, however, be disbanded.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government will take some steps to protect the National Mark egg-grading stations from the increased outside competition with which they have had to contend since the outbreak of hostilities?

The possibility of making special provision under the Maximum Prices Orders of the Ministry of Food for graded and tested eggs sold through packing stations is receiving the consideration of my Department and the Ministry of Food.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the total acreage of land under cultivation in the years 1916, 1917, 1918 and 1938, respectively; and the total acreage of allotments for the same years?

No figures relating to allotments are available for the years 1916, 1917 and 1918, but the total area of allotments in England and Wales on 31st December, 1920, was estimated at 185,000 acres. The latest information available for the whole of England and Wales is that returned as at 31st December, 1934, when the estimated total area of allotments was 134,000 acres. Returns for the year 1938 were confined to those from urban authorities, and the figure for that year, excluding railway allotments, was 57,250 acres. The corresponding figure at 31st December, 1934, was 60,700 acres. The acreage under crops and grass in England and Wales in the years referred to, and also in the years 1920 and 1934, was as follows:

Year.			Acres.
1916	…	…	27,074,084
1917	…	…	27,081,481
1918	…	…	26,987,512
1920	…	…	26,507,011
1934	…	…	25,030,494
1938	…	…	24,710,574

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has given consideration to the resolution on the ploughing of grassland passed by the Stirling committee of the National Farmers' Union and the Chamber of Agriculture of Scotland indicating that members in that county are reluctant to plough more land until such time as the Government makes known what minimum prices are to be made available for the various crops, that producers are bound to pay minimum wages, and are therefore entitled to have economic prices fixed for their produce; and whether he can make a favourable declaration on this point?

I am aware of the representations referred to. I fully agree that farmers should receive a fair return on the increased production resulting from the ploughing-up campaign, and assurances have already been given to this effect. While it is impossible to foresee all the conditions which will affect next year's production it is difficult, as the hon. Member will appreciate, to put firm prices on the crops of that year. I shall continue to keep a close watch on the position, however, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Minister of Food.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any statement regarding the payment of billeting allowances for children from evacuation areas who were in the receiving areas in Scotland before the Government evacuation scheme was put into operation?

In general, billeting allowances are payable only for persons evacuated under the Government Evacuation Scheme, but on 31st August local authorities in Scotland were authorised to billet under the scheme persons in the priority classes from sending areas who were on holiday in the receiving areas and were unable to remain at their own expense. My attention has been drawn to certain cases in which difficulties have arisen in connection with the continued maintenance in the receiving areas of unaccompanied children who were sent to these areas before the Government Evacuation Scheme was put into operation and I am issuing a circular authorising local authorities to billet such children under the scheme where hardship is shown to exist.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken for utilising the Highlands of Scotland in relation to our food supplies?

I have appointed II Agricultural Executive Committees in the Highland Areas (including Orkney and Shetland). Powers have been delegated to them for the purpose of securing increased production of home-grown food and feeding stuffs. The committees are at present arranging for substantial increases in the area under crop for the harvest of 1940, but it is too early yet to say what the amount of such increases may be.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether habitable empty houses at Alva, Clackmannanshire, closed in preparation for a replanning scheme, can now be made available for waiting tenants, in view of the cessation of new house building?

I am advised that nothing stands in the way of owners letting fit empty houses in the redevelopment area in Alva.

asked the Minister of Health whether parents of evacuated children will be expected to make full payment for such children at Christmas and for Bank Holidays, as many of them feel it will be a hardship if they have to do so?

Billeting payments have been assessed with due regard to the circumstances of the parent, and I fear it is not possible to make temporary alterations as suggested.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government will permit schoolmasters in charge of evacuated children to arrange a holiday week or fortnight in some suitable locality during the Christmas holidays and will enable such schoolmasters to be paid the billeting allowances for that period which would normally be paid in respect of such children to the householders in reception areas?

My hon. Friend Ns ill recognise that there are considerable difficulties about an arrangement of this kind, but it may be possible in suitable cases for the schoolmaster to make a satisfactory arrangement, in conjunction with the billeting officer and the householders in the area where the children are at present billeted, for the allowances to be paid by the householders to the schoolmaster and for the boys to return to their billets after the holiday.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give more detailed information, especially affecting expense, of the Government's offer to pay the reasonable cost of premises or equipment for organised communal activity?

As is stated in the memorandum which my hon. Friend has in mind, if a local authority considers that some expenditure on premises and equipment is necessary, I should be prepared to agree to the reasonable cost being borne by the evacuation account, provided the proposals are submitted and approved by the senior regional officer on my behalf. It is not possible to give more detailed information which would apply generally. Proposals will differ and will have to be considered in the circumstances of the case, but if a local authority is in any uncertainty about a particular proposal they will no doubt discuss it with the senior regional officer.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will advise local authorities that medical officers of an age which makes them likely to be called upon for military service and without practical experience of war wounds, should not be employed as deputy medical officers of health for air-raid precautions purposes, or placed in charge of first-aid posts?

I do not think that I should be justified in giving detailed advice to local authorities in the sense indicated in the question. I believe that local authorities, guided by the advice of their medical officers of health, are employing suitable medical officers in these services.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that one of the members of a South London medical board is a retired practitioner of independent means living in the country; and whether he will see that his place is taken by one of the London practitioners with good war record who has already lost all means of livelihood owing to the exodus from London?

I am not aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. The only considerations governing the selection of medical practitioners to serve on civilian medical boards are their suitability and availability for the work.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the official equipment of first-aid posts contains no provision other than the floor for the accommodation of recumbent cases, whether adults or children, so that the best equipped aid-posts have had to invoke voluntary subscriptions for the provision of palliasses or matresses; and whether he will take steps to see that adequate provision is made in those aid-posts which are relying upon the official equipment?

Stretcher cases would normally be taken to hospitals and not to first-aid posts, but adequate provision is made under the official scheme for recumbent cases at first-aid posts by stretchers and blankets issued to each scheme-making authority and by trestles which can be purchased out of the furniture allowance of £15 per post authorised by Air-Raid Precautions Department Circular No. 203/1939 of the 28th August.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when it is anticipated that work will be commenced on the provision of adequate air-raid protection for the staff of His Majesty's Inspector of Taxes, at Grand Arcade, Tally Ho Corner, London, N.12, in view of the fact that it is in a vulnerable area; that the total number of staff is 50, and that plans for providing satisfactory shelter were agreed over three months ago?

These premises constitute a commercial building under the Civil Defence Act, and the responsibility for providing air-raid protection for the occupants rests therefore with the landlord who, I am informed, has already begun the work. Some delay was caused by the need to revise the plans originally submitted.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider nominating special constables for duty at first-aid posts, in case of emergency, for the regulation of traffic and the assistance of the public, and seeing that these special constables should acquaint themselves beforehand with the problems likely to be involved, and with the steps likely to be most efficacious in dealing with popular excitement and anxiety?

The allocation of duties to special constables is a matter for the individual chief officers of police under whom they serve, and I have no doubt that chief officers of police would have these considerations in mind in the disposition of their available resources, and in the instructions issued to special constables.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the average weekly wage cost of air-raid precautions workers during October; and what change this represents as compared with that of September?

The average weekly expenditure on the pay of whole-time volunteers enrolled in the Air-Raid Precautions and Emergency Fire Services during the month of October is estimated to have been £775,000. Returns of actual disbursements in September indicate that the weekly expenditure in that month was approximately £688,000 as against the previous estimate of £720,000 given in my reply to a question by my hon. Friend on 26th October.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the permitted light from head-lamps for motorists is 2.5 foot candle-power, and that with the approved fitting the light given represents only 1.3 foot candle-power, he will consider permitting the use of both headlamps provided both be fitted with the approved screen?

The amount of light given by a head-lamp masked in accordance with the recommendations contained in the official pamphlet issued by my Department, is liable to vary with the efficiency of the car battery, of the lamp bulb, and of the reflector. It will, therefore, be the case that, with some headlamps, the light will be below the permitted standard, but I could not accept this as a reason for permitting the use of a second head-lamp.

asked the Minister of Health whether the smallpox cases infected by the Australian airman who died on arrival in England in March, 1938, were notified as cases of smallpox?

Seven persons fell ill who had been in contact with this man. Only one of these cases was sufficiently distinctive to warrant a diagnosis and notification as smallpox.

asked the Minister of Labour what areas are covered by the operations of the Land Settlement Association, Limited; and through what instrumentality are similar operations conducted in Scotland?

The Land Settlement Association, Limited, has been carrying out an extensive experiment in land settlement with assistance from the Special Areas Fund. Families for this scheme have been recruited from the Special Areas in England and Wales. The association has also developed estates on similar lines out of funds provided by the county councils of Lancashire and Derbyshire, and one estate out of funds provided by the London Parochial Trust, the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust and the Development Commissioners.Land settlement in Scotland is a matter for the Department of Agriculture for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Labour when it is proposed to issue statistics showing the number of men who have declared themselves as conscientious objectors to military service, and the several categories into which they have been placed by the tribunals?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for South-East Leeds (Major Milner).

asked the Minister of Labour and National Service whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT an analysis of the decisions of local tribunals for the registration of conscientious objectors up to the latest date, such decisions being also expressed in percentages of those registered so as to facilitate comparison?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 23rd November, col. 1430), supplied the following information:

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many of the boys' schools represented on the Headmasters' Conference have been requisitioned by his Department; and how many similar girls' schools have been requisitioned?

Nine boys' schools have been requisitioned out of a total of 181 represented on the Headmasters' Conference, and eight girls' schools out of the total of 220 as listed in Whitaker.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, when giving effect to the policy of freeing commandeered hotels, he will give early and sympathetic treatment to those private owners whose hotels are their only source of livelihood?

I will bear my hon. Friend's point in mind, but the reasons which led to the taking over of the hotels still hold good, and I can see no early prospect of their return.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will investigate the proceedings of the Nordic League in view of the anti-Semitic activities of this body, which are liable to lead to a breach of the peace; and whether he has any information as to its membership?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the anti-Semitic activities of the Nordic League; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

The Nordic League is one of the titles adopted by a small group of persons holding anti-Semitic views, who meet periodically as a private society. I am satisfied that the activities of the group are not likely to escape observation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any arrangements have been made to utilise the small shipyards in British Dominions and Colonies for the purpose of constructing light types of naval vessels which would be of special use in these days of submarines and mines?

While it would not be in the public interest to give information concerning our shipbuilding programme, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the facilities to which he refers are being borne in mind in planning our war programme.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give sympathetic consideration to claims for discharge from further service of marines who have reached the age of 55 and completed over 21 years' service?

All marines now serving or marine pensioners who may be recalled for service are liable to remain in the service for the remainder of the war irrespective of their age. I regret that I am unable to give any undertaking on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is the intention of his Department to grant the same concession to members of the Royal Air Force in respect of free travelling vouchers for leave as that recently announced by the War Office?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, as a result of a pamphlet issued by command of the Army Council, dated 28th August, 1939, and an addendum thereto since issued, Territorial officers will only count in Army seniority by virtue of brevet rank from the date of calling-up or of general mobilisation, whereas Regular Army officers will count in Army seniority from the original date of such rank; and whether he will take steps to remedy this discrimination?

Before the war, Territorial Army officers were junior to Regular Army officers of the same rank, irrespective of the date of appointment to the rank. During the war Territorial Army officers will reckon seniority, as compared with officers of other branches of the Army, from 24th August last or from any later date of appointment or promotion, and they will be senior to Regular Army officers subsequently appointed or promoted to the same rank. The relative position of the Territorial Army officer has, therefore, been improved.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in August, 1938, the pay and retired pay of all officers, except quartermasters, was revised and substantially improved; and, as quartermasters were called upon to bear the cut of 1931, whether he will consider extending to quartermasters the improved conditions issued under Army Order 169, 1938?

The alterations in rates of pay, promotion conditions and retired pay made in August, 1938, were designed mainly for the combatant officer and could not be applied to quartermasters, who have special rates and conditions of their own. These were, in fact, brought under review at the same time, and an improvement was made, as part of the 1938 changes, in the rate of time promotion to captain and major, which enables many more quartermasters to reach major's rank and earn major's pension.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that householders billeting women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service are only allowed 6d. per night per woman and for this payment have to provide bed and bed-clothes and the use of bath and electric light, and for making the same provision for Army officers the allowance is 3s. per night; and whether he will undertake to give reconsideration to this inequality of treatment?

The rate of sixpence a night is that payable in the case of a soldier when lodging with bed and attendance is required without meals or cooking facilities. Under the provisions of the Army Act, it applies also, in the same circumstances, in the case of women enrolled for employment by the Army Council. The rate of three shillings a night payable in the case of an Army officer assumes a better class of accommodation than is provided for a soldier.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the military huts in the course of erection at South Benfleet, Essex, have light shining roofs, which contravene the whole principles of a black-out; and whether, as the residents of that district feel somewhat alarmed, he will see that these roofs arc blacked?

Instructions have already been issued for such roofs to be suitably painted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the town of Newry, County Down, which is one of the largest towns in Northern Ireland, close to the border, and once a prominent military centre, is dissatisfied with the action of the military authorities in failing to assign to it any soldiers; and whether he will consider the urgency of having at the earliest possible moment soldiers settled in Newry which possesses every facility for their accommodation and training?

Newry was reconnoitred, but was found to be less suitable, from a military point of view, for the location of troops than other places. I regret that there is no likelihood of troops being stationed at Newry in the near future. No troops were stationed there before the war, and no barracks exist.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he will give adjutants of battalions at infantry training centres the acting rank of captain, where this position is held by officers of lower rank, in view of their arduous duties;(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that officers commanding training centres are receiving a lower standard of command pay than officers commanding battalions; and whether he intends to amend this anomaly in view of the size of some infantry training centres in comparison with infantry battalions;(3) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that adjutants of infantry training centres are receiving a lower standard of additional pay than those of adjutants of infantry battalions; and whether he intends to amend this anomaly in view of the size of some of the infantry training centres in comparison with infantry battalions?

The various points raised in these questions are at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether military motor drivers and motor despatch riders are excused by regulation from the speed limitations imposed by the various Acts of Parliament to ensure greater safety on the roads of this country?

No War Department vehicle is exempt from compliance in all circumstances with the normal speed restriction of 3o miles an hour in built-up areas. When there is special urgency, or when training necessitates it, a responsible military officer not below the appointment of commanding officer (lieutenant-colonel's command) may authorise drivers of War Department vehicles and drivers of other vehicles that are at the time under military control, e.g., hired civilian transport, to exceed normal speed restrictions other than those in built-up areas. This authority must be in writing and must be in possession of the individual drivers, or of the person in charge of two or more vehicles working together. The instructions are that this authority is to be most sparingly used and only when military necessity demands it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that members of the Army Officers Emergency Reserve have in many cases been placed in categories to which they are unsuited; and, as volunteers were entitled to suggest a category of their own choosing, whether he will arrange that the new interviewing boards will be authorised to alter a member's category if that member so desires?

Members of the Army Officers Emergency Reserve will inform the interviewing boards in which arm they wish to serve. The interviewing boards are instructed to make recommendations as to the arm or branch of the Service in which each reserve officer could most suitably be employed, and the War Office will follow these recommendations so far as requirements allow.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, owing to the proximity of the shoals, herring can be caught round our coasts in larger quantities than any other fish, and that their nutritive value is greater than that of any other fish; and whether he will consult with the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes with a view to ensuring an ample and continuous supply of fresh, canned and salt herring at reasonable prices to the troops both at home and overseas, the Fleet, and the personnel of the Air Force at home and abroad?

I am informed that the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes supply large quantities of herring, bloaters and kippers, as well as canned herring to the Forces at home. They also despatch quantities of canned herring and kippers overseas. Salt herring are not found suitable for messing purposes. The extent of the supply of this fish by the institutes is dependent on the orders for it given by the officers responsible for the messing of Service personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Nazi Government propaganda organ "'Völkebund," which is published in English in Geneva, is still circulating in this country; and whether this will now be stopped?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements exist for the operation of a Press censorship in the Colonies; and whether matter sent from this country to the Colonies and from the Colonies to this country has to be censored at both ends, or, if only at one end, and, in the latter case, at which end?

There is some censorship of the Press in almost all the Colonies, but the exact degree and method of censorship varies somewhat according to local necessities. Press matter sent from this country to the Colonies is censored in the United Kingdom. Representations have already been made to me on the question of double censorship and I am consulting with the other Departments concerned with a view to seeing what relaxation is practicable.There is not at present any censorship in this country of Press matter received from the Colonies either by cable or mail, though I am informed that telegrams received by Press agencies, if connected with the war, are submitted for censorship before being issued by the agencies to their clients.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount in the Commodity War Risks Insurance Fund and to give an estimate of the total value of stocks insured?

The amount in the fund at the close of business on the 28th November was £12,875,000, after allowing for refunds of premiums made under the concession in regard to September premiums which I announced on the 5th October and in respect of goods which have been declared to be uninsurable. No precise estimate of the total value of stock insured can yet be made, as further refunds have yet to be calculated but on the information available it is estimated that the value of the stocks insured exceeds £1,100,000,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many traders who asked their customers to accept additions in prices to cover the cost of commodity war risks insurance premiums have declined to modify these additions although the premiums they have paid in respect of the period 3rd September to 2nd October have been refunded to them; and if he will take steps to compel the refund of these additions by the traders to the customers concerned?

Some cases have been brought to my notice in which traders have refused to modify increases of price made on account of the cost of war risks insurance in spite of the refund of premiums paid in respect of the period from 3rd September to 2nd October. I have expressed disapproval of their action, but I have no general powers to compel traders to modify or to refund charges which they have made on this account. I should hope, however, that purchasers will be on their guard against demands for surcharges which bear no relation to the actual cost of insurance. The Prices of Goods Act will provide a safeguard in the future against abuses of this nature in respect of goods to which the Act is applied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the expenditure on imported foodstuffs for the last available 12 months?

During the 12 months ended October, 1939, imports of foodstuffs (including living animals for food and feeding stuffs for animals) retained in the United Kingdom were valued at £356,900,000. Beverages, with the exception of beer, wine and spirits, are included in this figure.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether it is intended only to impound or requisition, with payment deferred until after the war, in the application of the blockade against German exports; or whether the policy of confiscation, as applied during the later stages of the last war, is to be applied forthwith?

My hon. Friend will see from the Order-in-Council laying down the action to be taken against enemy exports that it makes no provision for confiscating goods of German origin or ownership, a policy which, as he rightly states, was only applied in the later stages of the last war as from February, 1917. The present Order-in-Council is based on that of March, 1915, and provides that goods of enemy origin or ownership not requisitioned for the use of His Majesty shall be detained or sold under the direction of the Prize Court. Any further action in regard to the goods or their proceeds is then deferred until after the war except that they may be released earlier if the proper officer of the Crown consents thereto or if the Court is satisfied that the goods have become neutral property before the date of the Order.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the special announcement in September of the 75 per cent. rationing scheme for electric light which was later increased to 100 per cent., it is his intention that consumers who were bound to use a certain minimum quantity, and who by reason of the announcement relating to 75 per cent. have saved and not consumed the intermediate 25 per cent., should now be charged the full minimum consumption to which they were previously committed before the Government announcement?

The position as between the supply undertaking and the consumer under contracts of the type to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers involves legal questions in which I have no power to intervene.

asked the Minister of Transport whether notwithstanding the great difficulties under which the railways are at present working, he will endeavour to improve the speed of passenger services between London and Scotland, and important industrial centres, respectively?

I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that arrangements have been made to introduce, as from Monday, 4th December, accelerated passenger services and to augment the number of long distance express trains between London, important provincial centres in the Midlands and the North and Scotland. There will be a reduction in the journey time between London and Edinburgh of nearly 1 ¼ hours, and proportionate reductions between other towns; there will also be mid-day services between Glasgow, Edinburgh and London, and a day service between London and Aberdeen.Improvements will be made in Sunday as well as week-day services.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now been able to give further consideration to the possibility of reducing the period during which cheap day shopping tickets are not available for the return journey?

I am glad to say that the Railway Executive Committee has now found it possible to relax the restriction upon the hours during which cheap day tickets to London are available for return journeys. As from Monday next, 4th December, these cheap day tickets will be available on Mondays to Fridays for return by any train except between the hours of 4.30 p.m. and 6.3o p.m.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider making some special provision for the supply of petrol to disabled ex-service men who are entirely dependent on mechanical chairs, having a special licence, to get about to their work, in view of the fact that there are instances where men are immobilised for lack of fuel?

Special arrangements of the kind suggested already exist. I am not aware of any instances where users of invalid carriages have been unable to obtain an adequate allowance of petrol to meet their needs, but if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any cases I shall be glad to investigate them.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the miners at Bowhill Colliery, Fife, are out on strike against a change of system that means a reduction of wages; that the men are willing to resume work on condition that the make-up is continued unaltered during the course of negotiations; and will he take steps to secure a resumption of work on these conditions?

I am aware that there is a dispute at Bowhill Colliery. I understand that the Company are prepared to negotiate as soon as work is resumed. In the event of a settlement not then being reached, I will consult the Fife Miner's Union and the employers as to whether my Department can usefully intervene.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the policy of his Department in appointing assistant divisional coal officers; whether in the provinces the Ministry of Health outdoor staffs are undertaking this work on their former salaries, while in London officers have been recruited from other parts of the Mines Department; and whether he will give the grading, salaries and duties of the latter officers?

Assistant divisional coal officers have been selected in view of their capability for the duties imposed upon them, which are to assist divisional coal officers in the exercise of their functions under my Department's war-time organisation. Each assistant divisional coal officer is responsible for an area within the divisional coal officer's district. In the provinces Ministry of Health staffs have been loaned for this work, on salary scales with maxima of £525 in England and Wales and up to £750 in Scotland.The assistant divisional officers in London consist of three officers loaned from the Miners' Welfare Committee and one from the Coal Commission, for whom the salary payable by the Mines Department is limited to £500 in each case, and two officers loaned by the Coal Utilisation Joint Council at salaries of £475 and £600.

asked the Secretary for Mines what policy was followed in selecting divisional coal officers; if he can give a list of these officers together with their business interests or occupations previous to their appointment; what duties they now undertake and the remuneration they receive; and whether he can give similar information in regard to the liaison officers who maintain contact between the divisional coal officer and the regional commissioner?

The following list indicates the names, salaries and previous occupation of divisional coal officers and liaison officers. These officers were selected in peace-time in view of their capability for the duties imposed upon them under my Department's war-time organisation. Liaison officers form part of the regional commissioner's staff and it is their duty to maintain liaison with the local representatives of the Mines Department on all matters which affect that Department.With regard to the duties of divisional coal officers, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on Monday, 17th July, in answer to a private notice question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wakefield.

Divisional Coal Officers.
Name.	Annual Salary.	Previous Occupation.
	£
A. A. Allen	750	Retired Home or Colonial Civil Servants.
W. C. Bostock	750
G. W. Brake, O.B.E.	675
Major D. S. Cook	800
D. H. Elias, C.M.G., M.C.	750
N. A. M. Griffin	750
H. R. E. Welby, C.M.G.	800
Lt.-Col. J. G. Coulthred-Thompson, D.S.O.	750	Peace-time staff of Mines Department.
E. E. Barnett	800	Business or Profession.
T. Muirhead	800
R. A. Rolfe	800

One vacancy caused by transfer of existing Civil Servant to other duties.

Liaison Officers.
Name.	Annual Salary.	Previous Occupation.
	£
G. McFarlane	450	Retired Civil Servants.
J. H. Tomlinson	280
E. E. Lambert	550	Peace-time staff of Mines Department.
J. H. R. Corner	500
Major H. A. Henson	450	Retired Army Officer (India).
G. S. Ferrington	400	Business or Profession.
B. C. Nightingale	400
H. G Ray	400
R. S. A. G. Ritchie	430
A. S. J. Wallace	400
Two Vacancies.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the diffi- culty that will be experienced on the introduction of food rationing, and the consequent elimination of the element of surprise, by the officers of local authorities in their task of protecting, in accordance with the provisions of the Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act, 1926, and the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, purchasers against short weight or measure and adulteration; and whether he is prepared either to make arrangements for such officers to be supplied with travellers coupons, or to adopt some other method of enabling them to make test purchases of rationed articles of food?

I appreciate the importance of this matter and am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food with regard to the measures to be taken in order that sampling of rationed articles of food can be carried out for the purposes of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938. The Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act, 1926, is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, with whom I am also in communication on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether his attention has been drawn to the complaints of the smaller butchers that they are receiving smaller allocations of imported meat than the multiple shops; and whether he will state what steps he is taking to deal with this grievance?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has received complaints of the nature referred to by my hon. Friend from butchers in and around the Metropolitan area, who draw their supplies from the emergency depots set up to replace the Central Meat Markets of Smithfield. He has had each case carefully investigated, and he has arranged that all butchers in the area must obtain all their supplies of imported meat from the depots in question. I am hopeful that these steps will remove the inequalities complained of.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a tabulated statement showing the classification of the personnel engaged by the Ministry of Food; the number of persons engaged in each grade or class; and the range of salaries which attach to such grades or classes?

—		Salary or Salary range.	Nos.
		£
Secretary	…	2,500	1
Deputy Secretary	…	1,953	1
Financial Secretary	…	Unpaid	1
Assistant Financial Secretary	…	Unpaid	1
Principal Assistant Secretaries	…	1,700	3
Assistant Secretaries	…	1,150–1,500	12
Assistant Secretaries (Temporary)	…	1,000	2
Legal Adviser	…	1,200	1
Assistant Solicitor	…	1,200	1
Trade and Technical Directors, etc.	…	1,000–1,500	75	(14 unpaid)
Directors of Finance	…	1,000–1,200	8	(1 unpaid)
Principals, Heads of Branches, etc.	…	800–1,100	41	(1 unpaid)
Other Senior Officers	…	650–750	4
Trade and Technical Officers	…	750–950	52
Trade and Technical Officers	…	500–750	193
Trade and Technical Officers	…	Up to 500	315
Staff Officers, etc.	…	Treasury scales	59
Higher Clerical Officers, etc.	…		86
Clerical, typing and minor grades	…		1,259
Chief Divisional Food Officer (Scotland)	…	2,200 (personal)	1		2,115*
Divisional Food Officers	…	1,000	19	(2 unpaid)
Deputy Divisional Food Officers	…	700	21
Assistant Divisional Food Officers	…	500	131	(1 unpaid)
Other Officers	…	200–400	70
Subordinate Staff	…	Treasury scales	185
					427
Food Executive Officers‡	…	Salary range 100–800 based on population	665†
Chief Assistants ‡	…	Salary range 75–700 based on population.	837
Assistants ‡	…	Salary range 60–480 based on population.	697
Subordinate Staff	…	Treasury scales	6,157
					8,356
			Grand Total		10,898*
* These figures do not include personnel (about 480) of various Statutory Bodies (e.g. Pigs Marketing Board, Bacon Marketing Board, Bacon Development Board, Wheat Commission and Potato Marketing Board) who will be transferred to the Ministry of Food on terms which have not yet been settled.
† Excluding about 837 receiving honoraria between £50 and £150.
‡ Part time in the lower ranges.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give an assurance that action will be taken to ensure that no local food control committees' trade members who are personally interested in any decision whether affecting the granting of a licence or otherwise, are permitted to vote as well as speak in view of the provisions of the Local Government Act of 1933?

At the beginning of November the staff employed by the Ministry of Food was as follows: —

A food control committee is not a committee of the local authority and consequently the Local Government Act, 1933, has no application to it. There is no provision in the Food Control Committees (Constitution) Order, 1939, for any member to be debarred from discussing or voting upon any business of the committee. Provision is made in the Order for the inclusion of trade members on these committees as repre- sentatives of all food traders in the area and I see no reason to prevent a trade member from taking part in a decision affecting the interests of the trade which he represents. Such a disqualification would restrict the value of trade representation.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what powers and duties he has conferred on food control committees generally and, in particular, on t le Greenock Food Control Committee, under the authority conferred on him by the Food Control Committees (Constitution) Order, 1939, paragraph 12?

The powers and duties which have so far been expressly conferred or imposed on food control committees are those set out in:

• The Food Control Committees (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) Enforcement Order, 1939,
• The Food Control Committees (Local Distribution) Order, 1939,
• The Food Control Committees (Registration of Establishments) Order, 1939,

of which I am sending copies to the hon. Member.The first mentioned Order confers on food control committees the power to prosecute summary offences against Orders of the Minister scheduled to that Order and other Orders subsequently to be made by the Minister except such Orders as he may from time to time except from this provision. This power does not apply to Scotland and has not therefore been conferred upon the Greenock Food Control Committee.The other two Orders relate respectively to the powers and duties of a food control committee to license retailers and to register catering establishments, institutions and residential establishments and are applicable to all food control committees in the United Kingdom.